bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Scoliosis repair in a teenager with Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy: who calls the shots?
Authors: MILES FIONA , DARE TIM 
Published: July 2009

SummaryIn this exchange, a clinician (the first author) presents a case scenario for comment by an ethicist (the second author). The case concerns a 15‐year‐old boy with Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy requested palliative surgical correction of a 60 degree thoraco‐lumbar scoliosis. The surgical team were initially reluctant to offer surgery given their assessment of the perioperative and postoperative risks (anesthetic review suggested an 80% chance of surviving the surgery and 50% likelihood of returning home), but the operation proceeded. The case raises issues of the rights of patients to insist on nonfutile but high risk surgery, risk perception, resource allocation, autonomy, and the integrity of clinicians.
Targeting Incentives to Reduce Habitat Fragmentation
Authors: Lewis David J. , Plantinga Andrew J. , Wu JunJie 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThis article develops a theoretical model to analyze the spatial targeting of incentives for the restoration of forested landscapes when wildlife habitat can be enhanced by reducing fragmentation. The key theoretical result is that the marginal net benefits of increasing forest can be convex, in which case corner solutions—converting either none or all of the agricultural land in a section to forest—may be optimal. Corner solutions are directly linked to the spatial process determining habitat benefits and the regulator's incomplete information regarding landowner opportunity costs. We present findings from large‐scale empirical landscape simulations that support our key theoretical results.
Food Aid, Food Prices, and Producer Disincentives in Ethiopia
Authors: Tadesse Getaw , Shively Gerald 
Published: July 2009

AbstractAlthough the short‐term aims of food aid are well conceived, strong concerns have been voiced regarding the long‐term impacts of such aid on incentives for agricultural producers in recipient countries. This article examines the statistical link between food aid shipments and food prices in Ethiopia over the period 1996–2006. Monthly data from three markets and three commodities are used to estimate a system of seemingly unrelated regression models for food prices. Results indicate that previous year food aid shipments reduce prices in all producer and consumer markets. These effects, however, appear to be limited to the set of internationally traded commodities that are domestically marketed. A recursive regression procedure is used to identify the food aid threshold at which a negative aid effect emerges. Food aid shipments that constitute less than 10% of domestic production appear to be benign, but shipments above this level show signs of being disruptive to local markets. We use a simple policy simulation to argue that production‐sensitive targeting, e.g., conditioning food aid on local food production, would help to circumvent disincentive effects.
A Regression‐based Association Test for Case‐control Studies that Uses Inferred Ancestral Haplotype Similarity
Authors: Liu Youfang , Li Yi‐Ju , Satten Glen A. , Allen Andrew S. , Tzeng Jung‐Ying 
Published: July 2009

SummaryAssociation methods based on haplotype similarity (HS) can overcome power and stability issues encountered in standard haplotype analyses. Current HS methods can be generally classified into evolutionary and two‐sample approaches. We propose a new regression‐based HS association method for case‐control studies that incorporates covariate information and combines the advantages of the two classes of approaches by using inferred ancestral haplotypes. We first estimate the ancestral haplotypes of case individuals and then, for each individual, an ancestral‐haplotype‐based similarity score is computed by comparing that individual's observed genotype with the estimated ancestral haplotypes. Trait values are then regressed on the similarity scores. Covariates can easily be incorporated into this regression framework. To account for the bias in the raw p‐values due to the use of case data in constructing ancestral haplotypes, as well as to account for variation in ancestral haplotype estimation, a permutation procedure is adopted to obtain empirical p‐values. Compared with the standard haplotype score test and the multilocus T2 test, our method improves power when neither the allele frequency nor linkage disequilibrium between the disease locus and its neighboring SNPs is too low and is comparable in other scenarios. We applied our method to the Genetic Analysis Workshop 15 simulated SNP data and successfully pinpointed a stretch of SNPs that covers the fine‐scale region where the causal locus is located.
The seminiferous epithelium cycle and its duration in different breeds of dog (Canis familiaris)
Authors: Soares Jaqueline M. , Avelar Gleide F. , França Luiz R. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractTestis structure and function in dogs are relatively poorly investigated. The aim of the present study was to carry out a comparative investigation of the stages of the seminiferous epithelium cycle and its duration in different breeds of dog. Fifty‐six sexually mature dogs (mongrel, n = 12; pinscher, n = 12; beagle, n = 5; American pit bull, n = 9; poodle, n = 12; and Labrador retriever, n = 6) were analysed. Intratesticular injections of tritiated thymidine were given to determine the duration of spermatogenesis. Orchiectomy was performed at different time periods following injection (1 h, 2 and 4 weeks). Testis fragments were embedded in plastic and routinely prepared for histological and autoradiographic evaluations. Eight stages were characterized based on the acrosome system. Significant (P < 0.05) differences were found for the frequencies of the different stages characterized (except Stages V, VI and VIII), particularly for the mongrel. Stage IV (when spermiation occurs) was the most frequent in all six breeds (~25%), whereas Stages II and VIII were the least frequent (< 8%). Each spermatogenic cycle and the total duration of spermatogenesis lasted 13.73 ± 0.03 and 61.9 ± 0.14 days, respectively, for the mongrel, poodle, pinscher, beagle, and Labrador retriever. These values were ~10% lower (P < 0.03) for the American pit bull (12.55 ± 0.26 and 56.5 ± 1.17 days, respectively). To our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive study to perform a careful investigation of stage frequencies and seminiferous epithelium cycle duration in this very important domestic species.
Management options to decrease phosphorus and sediment losses from irrigated cropland grazed by cattle and sheep
Authors: McDowell R. W. , Houlbrooke D. J. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractIn southern New Zealand, grazing of forage crops is common practice to satisfy feed requirements of animals in winter when pasture growth is limited. This practice has been shown to cause soil physical damage and increased loss of surface water contaminants sediment and phosphorus (P) to water bodies. Strategies to mitigate the loss of sediment and P were trialled on a Pallic soil type (Aeric Fragiaquept) in the North Otago Rolling Downlands of New Zealand. All sites were irrigated and measurements were made of losses in overland and sub‐surface flow from intensive cattle or sheep grazed, winter forage crops, and sheep grazed pasture. Two mitigations (restricted grazing of crop to three hours and the application of aluminium sulphate) were assessed for their potential to decrease contaminant loss from cropland. Volumes of surface runoff and loss of total P, filterable reactive P and sediment showed significant differences (P < 0.05) between the control treatments (i.e. no mitigation) with cattle crop (88 mm surface runoff) > sheep crop (67 mm) > sheep pasture (33 mm). The contribution of irrigation water to overland flow water, as a result of saturation‐excess conditions, varied between treatments with more loss under cattle crop (20% of total) compared with sheep crop (15%) and sheep pasture (11%). These differences are probably an effect of soil physical condition and highlight the importance of accurate irrigation scheduling to keep soil moisture below field capacity. Restricted winter grazing and alum application after grazing significantly (P < 0.05) decreased P losses in surface runoff under cattle (from 1.4 to 0.9 kg P/ha) and sheep (from 1.0 to 0.7 kg/P/ha) grazed crop plots by about 30%. In cattle grazed plots, restricted grazing also decreased suspended sediments (SS) by 60%. The use of restricted grazing is suggested as a means of decreasing P and SS loss from grazed winter forage crops. The use of alum shows some promise for decreasing P losses, but requires further work to determine its long‐term effectiveness and use in other soils and management regimes.
Support for the microenvironment hypothesis for adaptive value of gall induction in the California gall wasp, Andricus quercuscalifornicus
Authors: Miller Donald G. , Ivey Christopher T. , Shedd Jackson D. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThree major hypotheses have been advanced for the adaptive nature of plant galls: nutrition, enemy‐avoidance, and microenvironment. Of these, the microenvironment hypothesis has been frequently invoked, but rarely tested directly. We tested this hypothesis in a population of Andricus quercuscalifornicus (Bassett) (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) wasps inducing galls on Quercus lobata Née (Fagaceae) trees in Northern California, USA. Relative humidity and temperature data gathered from both immature and mature galls in the field indicated that A. quercuscalifornicus larvae modify their microenvironments significantly by raising and stabilizing relative humidity levels inside galls to near saturation. In addition, excised larvae maintained under experimental conditions survived significantly longer under levels of high relative humidity. These data support the hypothesis that through gall induction, A. quercuscalifornicus manipulates its environment adaptively.
Blockade of B‐cell‐activating factor suppresses lupus‐like syndrome in autoimmune BXSB mice
Authors: Ding Hanlu , Wang Li , Wu Xiongfei , Yan Jun , He Yani , Ni Bing , Gao Wenda , Zhong Xuemei 
Published: July 2009

AbstractB‐cell‐activating factor (BAFF), a member of the tumour necrosis factor superfamily, plays a critical role in the maturation, homeostasis and function of B cells. In this study, we demonstrated the biological outcome of BAFF blockade in BXSB murine lupus model, using a soluble fusion protein consisting of human BAFF‐R and human mutant IgG4 Fc. Mutation of Leu235 to Glu in IgG4 Fc eliminated antibody‐dependent cell cytotoxicity (ADCC) and complement lysis activity, and generated a protein devoid of immune effector functions. Treatment of BXSB mice with BAFF‐R‐IgG4mut fusion protein for 5 weeks resulted in significant B‐cell reduction in both the peripheral blood and spleen. Treated mice developed lower proteinuria, reduced glomerulonephritis and much delayed host death than untreated animals. Thus, BAFF blockade with BAFF‐R‐IgG4mut protein is an effective strategy to treat B‐cell‐mediated lupus‐like pathology. Moreover, compared with other IgG isotypes with undesired effector functions, mutant IgG4 Fc should prove useful in constructing novel therapeutic reagents to block immune molecule signalling in various diseases.
Where does the antigen of cutaneous sarcoidosis come from?
Authors: Kurata Atsushi , Terado Yuichi , Izumi Miki , Fujioka Yasunori , Franke Folker Ernst 
Published: July 2009

Background: The antigen pathway of cutaneous sarcoidosis remains obscure. We have investigated topographic involvement of inflammatory cells and lymphatic vessels. Methods: Eleven cutaneous biopsies from eight patients were studied, along with controls from other granulomatous disorders and various skin lesions. Markers for lymphocytes, dendritic cells (DCs), and lymphatic vessel endothelial cells were detected using immunohistochemistry. Results: S100+ and CD1a+ immature DCs (Langerhans cells) occurred more frequently within the epidermis, whereas S100+, fascin+, or CD83+ maturing DCs occurred more frequently beneath the epithelium in cutaneous sarcoidosis cases than in controls (e.g. CD83, cutaneous sarcoidosis vs. other granulomatous disorders: r = 0.557, p = 0.011). Fascin+ and CD83+ mature DCs were often closely attached to CD3+ T‐lymphocytes around dermal granulomas. D2‐40+ lymphatic vessels were often found surrounding dermal granulomas, especially those located in the deeper dermis, in contrast to fascin+ blood vessels. Conclusions: Antigen‐capturing by immature DCs seems to take place initially in the epidermis, followed by maturation of DCs. These mature DCs may present the processed antigen to T‐lymphocytes that cause dermal granulomas either in the interstitium of the upper dermis, or in or around lymphatic vessels of the lower dermis. Environmental antigen could be verified by skin test.Kurata A, Terado Y, Izumi M, Fujioka Y, and Franke FE. Where does the antigen of cutaneous sarcoidosis come from?
Morphological integration of the skull in craniofacial anomalies
Authors: Richtsmeier JT , DeLeon VB 
Published: July 2009

Structured AbstractAuthors – Richtsmeier JT, DeLeon VBObjectives – To understand how surgical interventions impact the organization and internal integration of the major components of the skull, we address the functional and developmental relationships during perinatal development.Methods – A number of methods for quantifying modularity and integration of morphological data are available. Here, measures derived from three‐dimensional computed tomographic (CT) images are used to investigate the statistical relationships among measures of the cranial vault, face and cranial base. First, we establish the pattern of associations among quantitative measures in a sample of children unaffected by a craniofacial anomaly. We statistically compare these normative patterns of cranial integration to those of a sample of children with a facial anomaly (complete unilateral complete cleft lip and palate), and to children with a neurocranial anomaly (isolated sagittal synostosis). Finally, we test whether surgery affects the strength and pattern of associations among measures within the cranial base in the affected children.Results – Our analyses reveal strong internal integration of the cranial base in unaffected children and in our samples of unoperated cleft lip and palate, and sagittal synostosis. Post‐operatively, the magnitude of integration of the cranial base is reduced relative to the pre‐operative condition in both samples of children with craniofacial anomalies.Conclusion – Our results show how the cranial base adjusts to its broader structural context, and provides added support for the developmental and structural integration of cranial base with both cranial vault and face.
Stability, adaptation and growth following distraction osteogenesis in the craniofacial region
Authors: Peltomäki T 
Published: July 2009

Structured AbstractAuthor –  Peltomäki TThe objective of the study was to provide a comprehensive review of the literature describing research done on the stability, adaptation and growth of craniofacial structures following distraction osteogenesis (DO). The design of the study was a literature review of clinical and experimental studies using electronic search with several keywords. Despite immediate normalization of craniofacial relationships after DO, post‐distraction mandibular and midface stability and growth is variable in the long‐term based on the initial condition. Unpredictable and/or unstable outcomes after DO can arise mainly from three main sources: 1) true relapse, 2) return to original morphology and 3) defective growth. Despite the biologic and clinical feasibility of DO in the craniofacial region, relapse, compromised adaptation, and defective post‐distraction growth can lead to variable clinical outcomes. When important structures for the mandibular forward and downward displacement are rudimentary or missing in syndromic patients, DO can not ‘correct’ the condition and post‐distraction growth will be defective. Non‐syndromic patients have a better potential to respond favourably to DO.
Seasonal prevalence of mosquitoes collected from light traps in the Republic of Korea, 2006
Authors: KIM Heung Chul , CHONG Sung Tae , NUNN Peter V. , McNEMEE Richard B. , KLEIN Terry A. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractAdult mosquito surveillance was conducted during 2006 at 22 US Army and Air Force installations and two training sites located in six provinces in the Republic of Korea. Adult mosquitoes were collected in New Jersey light traps from 1 May through 15 October 2006 to determine threshold levels to initiate pesticide applications based on trap indices. In total 16 217 adult mosquitoes [13 612 (83.9%) females and 2605 (16.1%) males] comprising 16 species (including five members of the Anopheles sinensis Group) belonging to eight genera were collected. Females of the most commonly collected species were members of the Anopheles sinensis Wiedemann Group (58.9%), followed by Aedes vexans nipponii (Theobald) (21.3%), Culex tritaeniorhynchus Giles (11.8%) and Culex pipiens Coquillett (5.2%). Trap indices varied widely for species over their range, due in part, to their geographical distribution and degree of association with urban or rural communities.
Seasonal prevalence and host‐seeking of mosquitoes in southeastern Republic of Korea
Authors: LEE Dong‐Kyu , LEE Young‐Jae , KIM Heung Chul 
Published: July 2009

AbstractAdult mosquito surveillance was conducted at two sites at Gijang‐gun, Busan southeastern area of the Korean peninsula, in 2004. The most frequently collected species at cow sheds were Anopheles sinensis sensu lato (s.l.) (83.4%), followed by Culex tritaeniorhynchus Giles (8.2%), Culex pipiens Coquillett (5.6%) and Aedes albopictus (Skuse) (2.4%). Adult populations of An. sinensis s.l. peaked during July (Trap Index, TI 1043.1), declining in August (TI 659.4) and September (TI 462.9) in 2004, while Cx. tritaeniorhynchus populations increased in August (TI 77.5) and September (TI 35.9). Adult Cx. tritaeniorhynchus was first collected in the second week of May (TI 4.0) and increased through August with two population peaks in the third week of July (TI 98.0) and the second week of August (TI 99.5). Armigeres subalbatus (Coquillett) was the most frequently collected mosquito at human‐landing collections (30.4%) followed by An. sinensis s.l. (28.6%) and members of the Cx. pipiens complex (19.3%). Anopheles sinensis s.l. demonstrated two peaks of host‐seeking activity at 22.00–23.00 hours and 02.00–03.00 hours in July, while in August the host‐seeking peaks appeared at 22.00–23.00 hours and 03.00–04.00 hours. The black light trap collections of An. sinensis and Cx. tritaeniorhynchus demonstrated significant correlations to the ambient temperatures.
Gnathostomiasis, Another Emerging Imported Disease
Authors: Herman Joanna S. , Chiodini Peter L. 
Published: July 2009

SUMMARYGnathostomiasis is a food-borne zoonosis caused by the late-third stage larvae ofGnathostomaspp. It is being seen with increasing frequency in countries where it is not endemic and should be regarded as another emerging imported disease. Previously, its foci of endemicity have been confined to Southeast Asia and Central and South America, but its geographical boundaries appear to be increasing, with recent reports of infection in tourists returning from southern Africa. It has a complex life cycle involving at least two intermediate hosts, with humans being accidental hosts in which the larvae cannot reach sexual maturity. The main risks for acquisition are consumption of raw or undercooked freshwater fish and geographical exposure. Infection results in initial nonspecific symptoms followed by cutaneous and/or visceral larva migrans, with the latter carrying high morbidity and mortality rates if there is central nervous system involvement. We review the literature and describe the epidemiology, life cycle, clinical features, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of gnathostomiasis.
Advances and Failures in Preventing Perinatal Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection
Authors: Buchanan Ann M. , Cunningham Coleen K. 
Published: July 2009

SUMMARY
An estimated 2.5 million children are currently living with HIV, the vast majority as a result of mother-to-child transmission. Prevention of perinatal HIV infection has been immensely successful in developed countries. A comprehensive package of services, including maternal and infant antiretroviral therapy, elective cesarean section, and avoidance of breast-feeding, has resulted in transmission rates of less than 2%. However, in developing countries, access to such services is often not available, as demonstrated by the fact that the vast majority of children with HIV live in Africa. Over the past few years, many developing nations have made great strides in improving access to much-needed services. Notably, in eastern and southern Africa, the regions most affected by HIV, mother-to-child-transmission coverage rates for HIV-positive women increased from 11% in 2004 to 31% in 2006. These successes are deserving of recognition, while not losing sight of the fact that much remains to be done; currently, an estimated 75% of pregnant women worldwide have an unmet need for antiretroviral therapy. Further work is needed to determine the optimal strategy for reducing perinatal transmission among women in resource-poor settings, with a particular need for reduction of transmission via breast-feeding.
Quantifying Climate Change in the Tropical Midtroposphere over East Africa from Glacier Shrinkage on Kilimanjaro
Authors: Mölg Thomas , Cullen Nicolas J. , Hardy Douglas R. , Winkler Michael , Kaser Georg 
Published: July 2009

Abstract
Slope glaciers on Kilimanjaro (ca. 5000–6000 m MSL) reached their most recent maximum extent in the late nineteenth century (L19) and have receded since then. This study quantifies the climate signal behind the recession of Kersten Glacier, which generates information on climate change in the tropical midtroposphere between L19 and present. Multiyear meteorological measurements at 5873 m MSL serve to force and verify a spatially distributed model of the glacier’s mass balance (the most direct link between glacier behavior and atmospheric forcing). At present the glacier is losing mass (522 ± 105 kg m−2 yr−1), terminates at 5100 m, and the interannual variability of mass and energy budgets largely reflects variability in atmospheric moisture. Backward modeling of the L19 steady-state glacier extent (down to 4500 m) reveals higher precipitation (+160 to +240 mm yr−1), higher air humidity, and increased fractional cloud cover in L19 but no significant changes in local air temperature, air pressure, and wind speed. The atmosphere in the simulated L19 climate transfers more energy to the glacier surface through atmospheric longwave radiation and turbulent heat—but this is almost entirely balanced by the decrease in absorbed solar radiation (due to both increased cloudiness and higher surface albedo). Thus, the energy-driven mass loss per unit area (sublimation plus meltwater runoff) was not appreciably different from today. Higher L19 precipitation rates therefore dominated the mass budget and produced a larger glacier extent in the past.
Accelerated Oxygen Evolution and Suppressed MnOOH Deposition on Amorphous IrO2–Ta2O5 Coatings
Authors: Morimitsu Masatsugu , Oshiumi Naoyuki 
Published: July 2009

Abstract
This paper reports novel catalytic properties of amorphous IrO2–Ta2O5 coatings prepared by thermal decomposition for industrial electrolysis applications, especially zinc electrowinning. The coating formed on a titanium substrate can accelerate oxygen evolution in H2SO4 solutions and suppress the anodic deposition of MnOOH. The results are valuable to reduce the anode potential and prevent the deactivation of the anode surface by MnOOH deposition in zinc electrowinning.