bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Long‐term stock assessment and growth changes of the Japanese sardine (Sardinops melanostictus) in the Sea of Japan and East China Sea from 1953 to 2006
Authors: OHSHIMO SEIJI , TANAKA HIROSHIGE , HIYAMA YOSHIAKI 
Published: August 2009

AbstractWe estimated the stock size of Japanese sardine (Sardinops melanostictus) in the Sea of Japan and East China Sea since 1953 using cohort analysis based on the changes of growth patterns. Growth of Japanese sardine, estimated by using annual rings on archived scales since 1961, showed that body lengths were extremely stunted in the 1980–1987 year‐classes. The body length at age 3 from February to April in the 1980–1987 year‐classes, a period when the stock size exceeded 4 million tons, was 180.0 ± 2.6 mm (mean ± SD), and in the other year‐classes was 195.1 ± 7.6 mm. The body length at age 3 and wet weight of zooplankton in August in the offshore area of the Sea of Japan had a significantly positive correlation. We assumed three scenarios for maturation ratios, and estimated Ricker’s spawner–recruitment relationships. We analyzed the correlations between logarithmic recruitment residuals (LNRR) and environmental factors in winter, represented by the North Pacific index (NPI), Aleutian low pressure index (ALPI), Pacific decadal oscillation (PDO), monsoon index (MOI), Arctic oscillation (AO) and Southern oscillation index (SOI). Significant correlations were observed between MOI and LNRR and between AO and LNRR. A combination of strong MOI and weak AO would increase the biomass of phytoplankton and zooplankton and subsequently increase the recruitment of Japanese sardine.
Predicting avian patch occupancy in a fragmented landscape: do we know more than we think?
Authors: Shanahan Danielle F. , Possingham Hugh P. 
Published: August 2009

Summary 1. A recent and controversial topic in landscape ecology is whether populations of species respond to habitat fragmentation in a general fashion. Empirical research has provided mixed support, resulting in controversy about the use of general rules in landscape management. Rather than simply assessing post hoc whether individual species follow such rules, a priori testing could shed light on their accuracy and utility for predicting species response to landscape change. 2. We aim to create an a priori model that predicts the presence or absence of multiple species in habitat patches. Our goal is to balance general theory with relevant species life‐history traits to obtain high prediction accuracy. To increase the utility of this work, we aim to use accessible methods that can be applied using readily available inexpensive resources. 3. The classification tree patch‐occupancy model we create for birds is based on habitat suitability, minimum area requirements, dispersal potential of each species and overall landscape connectivity. 4. To test our model we apply it to the South East Queensland region, Australia, for 17 bird species with varying dispersal potential and habitat specialization. We test the accuracy of our predictions using presence–absence information for 55 vegetation patches. 5. Overall we achieve Cohen’s kappa of 0·33, or ‘fair’ agreement between the model predictions and test data sets, and generally a very high level of absence prediction accuracy. Habitat specialization appeared to influence the accuracy of the model for different species. 6. We also compare the a priori model to the statistically derived model for each species. Although this ‘optimal model’ generally differed from our original predictive model, the process revealed ways in which it could be improved for future attempts. 7. Synthesis and applications. Our study demonstrates that ecological generalizations alongside basic resources (a vegetation map and some species‐specific information) can provide conservative accuracy for predicting species occupancy in remnant vegetation patches. We show that the process of testing and developing models based on general rules could provide basic tools for conservation managers to understand the impact of current or planned landscape change on wildlife populations.
Nutritional stress affects the tsetse fly's immune gene expression
Authors: AKODA K. , VAN DEN BOSSCHE P. , MARCOTTY T. , KUBI C. , COOSEMANS M. , DE DEKEN R. , VAN DEN ABBEELE J. 
Published: August 2009

Abstract.Tsetse‐transmitted trypanosomiasis poses a serious threat to human and animal health in sub‐Saharan Africa. The majority of tsetse flies (Glossina spp.) in a natural population will not develop a mature infection of either Trypanosoma congolense or Trypanosoma brucei sp. because of refractoriness, a phenomenon that is affected by different factors, including the tsetse fly's immune defence. Starvation of tsetse flies significantly increases their susceptibility to the establishment of a trypanosome infection. This paper reports the effects of nutritional stress (starvation) on (a) uninduced baseline levels of gene expression of the antimicrobial peptides attacin, defensin and cecropin in the tsetse fly, and (b) levels of expression induced in response to bacterial (Escherichia coli) or trypanosomal challenge. In newly emerged, unfed tsetse flies, starvation significantly lowers baseline levels of antimicrobial peptide gene expression, especially for attacin and cecropin. In response to trypanosome challenge, only non‐starved older flies showed a significant increase in antimicrobial peptide gene expression within 5 days of ingestion of a trypanosome‐containing bloodmeal, especially with T. brucei bloodstream forms. These data suggest that a decreased expression of immune genes in newly hatched flies or a lack of immune responsiveness to trypanosomes in older flies, both occurring as a result of fly starvation, may be among the factors contributing to the increased susceptibility of nutritionally stressed tsetse flies to trypanosome infection.
The distribution of Hyalomma spp. ticks from domestic ruminants in Iran
Authors: NABIAN S. , RAHBARI S. , CHANGIZI A. , SHAYAN P. 
Published: August 2009

Abstract.The distribution of Hyalomma species on domestic animals was studied in four zoogeoghraphical zones. Nine hundred and ninety‐two Hyalomma ticks were collected from sheep, goats, cattle and camels. A total of seven tick species consisting of: Hyalomma anatolicum Koch, 1844 (28.93%), H. excavatum Koch, 1844 (12.5%), H. asiaticum Schulze & Schlottke, 1930 (13.5%), H. marginatum Koch, 1844 (27.01%), H. detritum Schulze, 1919 (9.67%), H. schulzei Olenev, 1931 (4.03%) and H. dromedary Koch, 1844 (4.33%) were recorded. The results indicated that H. anatolicum, H. asiaticum, H. marginatum and H. detritum were present in all zones whereas H. excavatum was absent in Zone I. The result also showed that H. dromedari was presented in Zones III and IV whereas H. schulzei was present in Zones II and III. During this study, the tick species collected are candidates for investigation as vectors of pathogenic organisms in Iran.
Sand flea (Tunga spp.) infections in humans and domestic animals: state of the art
Authors: PAMPIGLIONE S. , FIORAVANTI M.L. , GUSTINELLI A. , ONORE G. , MANTOVANI B. , LUCHETTI A. , TRENTINI M. 
Published: August 2009

Abstract.Tungiasis is a parasitic disease of humans and animals caused by fleas (Siphonaptera) belonging to the genus Tunga. Two species, Tunga penetrans (L.) and Tunga trimamillata, out of 10 described to date, are known to affect man or domestic animals; the other eight are exclusive to a few species of wild mammals. Tunga penetrans and T. trimamillata originated from Latin America, although the first species is also found in sub‐Saharan Africa (between 20° N and 25° S). Hundreds of millions of people are at risk of infection in more than 70 nations, mostly in developing countries. The second species has been reported only in Ecuador and Peru. Males and non‐fertilized females of Tunga are haematophagous ectoparasites; pregnant females penetrate the skin where, following dilatation of the abdomen, they increase enormously in size (neosomy) and cause inflammatory and ulcerative processes of varying severity. The importance of Tunga infection in humans concerns its frequent localization in the foot, which sometimes causes very serious difficulty in walking, thereby reducing the subject's ability to work and necessitating medical and surgical intervention. Tungiasis in domestic animals can be responsible for economic losses resulting from flea‐induced lesions and secondary infections. Because tungiasis represents a serious problem for tropical public health and because of the recent description of a new species (Tunga trimamillata), it seems appropriate to review current knowledge of the morphology, molecular taxonomy, epidemiology, pathology, treatment and control of sand fleas of the genus Tunga.
A long‐lasting topical deltamethrin treatment to protect dogs against visceral leishmaniasis
Authors: COURTENAY O. , KOVACIC V. , GOMES P. A. F. , GARCEZ L. M. , QUINNELL R. J. 
Published: August 2009

Abstract.To develop long‐lasting, topical pour‐on insecticides for dogs to control zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis, two deltamethrin‐based formulations (emulsifiable concentrate [EC] and suspension concentrate [SC]) were tested for their efficacy against the phlebotomine sandfly Lutzomyia longipalpis Lutz & Neiva (Diptera: Psychodidae), vector of Leishmania infantum Nicolle (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae). The entomological outcomes tested were anti‐feeding effect (proportion of female sandflies unfed), lethal effect (24‐h female sandfly mortality) and these two effects combined, and the insecticide persistence time at 50% (residual activity, RA50) and 80% (RA80) efficacy. On initial application, the proportions of female flies that demonstrated anti‐feeding activity or were killed were similar for both formulations, at 0.93 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.856–0.977) vs. 0.81 (95% CI 0.763–0.858) (anti‐feeding) and 0.86 (95% CI 0.787–0.920) vs. 0.76 (95% CI 0.698–0.817) (24‐h mortality) for EC and SC, respectively. The RA50 rates for anti‐feeding and mortality caused by the EC formulation were 4.7 months (95% CI 4.18–5.84) and 2.5 months (95% CI 2.25–2.90), respectively, compared with 1.1 months (95% CI 0.96–1.15) and 0.6 months (95% CI 0.50–0.61), respectively, for the SC formulation. The RA50 for the combined anti‐feeding and mortality effects of EC was 5.2 months (95% CI 4.73–5.96), compared with only 0.9 months (95% CI 0.85–1.00) for the SC formulation. The four‐ to six‐fold superior residual activity of the EC formulation was attributed to the addition of a solvent‐soluble resin in the formulation which improved fur adhesion and acted as a reservoir for the slow release of the active ingredient. These results identify the potential of such a low‐cost formulation to reduce the inter‐intervention interval to 5–6 months, similar to that recommended for deltamethrin‐impregnated dog collars or for re‐impregnation of conventional bednets, both of which are currently used to combat Leishmania transmission. Finally, a novel bioassay was developed in which sandflies were exposed to fur from treated dogs, revealing no detectable tolerance (24‐h mortality) in wild‐caught sandflies to the insecticide formulations up to 8 months after the initiation of communitywide application of the insecticides to dogs.
Life cycle differences among Brazilian sandflies of the Lutzomyia longipalpis sibling species complex
Authors: SOUZA N. A. , ANDRADE‐COELHO C. A. , SILVA V. C. , WARD R. D. , PEIXOTO A. A. 
Published: August 2009

Abstract.The developmental cycles of five Brazilian populations of the Lutzomyia longipalpis Lutz & Neiva species complex (Diptera: Psychodidae) were compared under laboratory conditions. Three of the populations were derived from insects collected in allopatric sites at Natal (Rio Grande do Norte State), Jacobina (Bahia State) and Lapinha Cave (Minas Gerais State). The other two originated from Sobral (Ceará State), where the males of two sympatric species can be distinguished by the presence of one (1S) or two (2S) pairs of abdominal spots. The results of the present study clearly show that all three populations whose males produce C16 pheromones and use pulse‐type copulation songs (Jacobina, Lapinha Cave and Sobral 1S) are more easily adapted to the colonization conditions used in our laboratory, producing larger egg batches, with higher survival and an overall faster developmental cycle. This contrasts with populations producing C20 male pheromones and using burst‐type copulation songs (Natal and Sobral 2S) that produce smaller egg batches, have higher oviposition mortality and a slower rate of development under identical laboratory conditions. In conclusion, these phenological differences are a further indication of the differentiation of the siblings within the Lu. longipalpis species complex.
Data quality in thermal summation development models for forensically important blowflies
Authors: RICHARDS C. S. , VILLET M. H. 
Published: August 2009

Abstract.To highlight some issues regarding data quality that are significant in estimating post‐mortem intervals (PMI) from maggots, the developmental constants of thermal summation models for development of Chrysomya megacephala Fabricius (Diptera: Calliphoridae) were calculated from incidental data gathered from 12 published studies, and from data generated specifically for the purpose in a single experiment. The focused experiment involved measuring the timing of five developmental landmarks at nine constant temperatures with a sampling resolution of 6–12 h, which is characteristic of other published studies. Combining data from different studies produced inconsistent results because of statistical noise introduced by (at least) disparities in temporal precision, descriptive statistics, geographical location and rearing diets. A robust experimental design to estimate a developmental model should involve at least six constant temperatures, starting at about 7°C above the relevant developmental zero (D0) and going almost to the upper critical temperature, and a temporal sampling interval with a relative precision of about 10%, which requires sampling about every 2 h until hatching, about every 3 h until first ecdysis and about every 6 h until second ecdysis.
Disentangling niche and neutral influences on community assembly: assessing the performance of community phylogenetic structure tests
Authors: Kembel Steven W. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractPatterns of phylogenetic relatedness within communities have been widely used to infer the importance of different ecological and evolutionary processes during community assembly, but little is known about the relative ability of community phylogenetics methods and null models to detect the signature of processes such as dispersal, competition and filtering under different models of trait evolution. Using a metacommunity simulation incorporating quantitative models of trait evolution and community assembly, I assessed the performance of different tests that have been used to measure community phylogenetic structure. All tests were sensitive to the relative phylogenetic signal in species metacommunity abundances and traits; methods that were most sensitive to the effects of niche‐based processes on community structure were also more likely to find non‐random patterns of community phylogenetic structure under dispersal assembly. When used with a null model that maintained species occurrence frequency in random communities, several metrics could detect niche‐based assembly when there was strong phylogenetic signal in species traits, when multiple traits were involved in community assembly, and in the presence of environmental heterogeneity. Interpretations of the causes of community phylogenetic structure should be modified to account for the influence of dispersal.
T cells reactive with the NC16A domain of BP180 are present in vulval lichen sclerosus and lichen planus
Authors: Baldo M , Bailey A , Bhogal B , Groves RW , Ogg G , Wojnarowska F 
Published: August 2009

AbstractBackground  Lichen sclerosus (LS) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition. The recent demonstration of circulating autoantibodies to extracellular matrix protein 1 and to basement membrane zone (BMZ) components, chiefly BP180, suggests that autoimmunity to these components might contribute to pathogenesis. However, there is no binding of autoantibodies in vivo and as LS is characterized by a lymphocytic infiltrate, it seems likely that LS is mediated, in part, by antigen‐specific lymphocytes. Similar mechanisms may apply to vulval lichen planus (LP), an interface dermatitis, with clinical and immunological overlap with LS.Objectives  This study aims to test the hypothesis that T cells reactive with the NC16A domain of BP180 are present in the peripheral blood of patients with vulval LS and LP.Methods  Isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 14 patients with vulval LS, 5 with vulval LP and 4 healthy controls were grown in vitro. We examined for immunogenicity of overlapping peptides spanning the NC16A domain of BP180 using interferon‐γ enzyme‐linked immunospot assay (ELIspot) on the cultured T‐cell lines. BMZ antibodies were assayed, HLA type determined and clinical parameters noted.Results  Significant interferon‐γ production was observed in response to the NC16A peptides in 6 of the 14 vulval LS and 2 of the 5 LP patients, but not in the control subjects. There was an associated autoantibody response to BP180 in 3 LS and 1 LP patient with T‐cell responses. These data suggest that in some vulval LS and LP patients, NC16A domain‐specific T cells circulate at sufficiently high frequency to be detectable in vitro and show rapid effector function. There was no association with HLA type or clinical parameters.Conclusion  We have demonstrated that in > 40% of our vulval LS and LP patients, the NC16A domain of BP180 is a target for circulating T cells, and in vulval LS and LP there are associated autoantibodies to BP180.
A prospective, randomized clinical trial comparing topical aloe vera with 0.1% triamcinolone acetonide in mild to moderate plaque psoriasis
Authors: Choonhakarn C , Busaracome P , Sripanidkulchai B , Sarakarn P 
Published: August 2009

AbstractBackground  Topical aloe vera (AV) has been used to treat various skin conditions, including psoriasis, with good results.Objectives  This study aims to compare the efficacy of AV and 0.1% triamcinolone acetonide (TA) in mild to moderate plaque psoriasis.Methods  A randomized, comparative, double‐blind, 8‐week study was designed. Eighty patients randomly received AV or 0.1% TA cream and their clinical response were evaluated using the Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) and the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI).Results  After 8 weeks of treatment, the mean PASI score decreased from 11.6 to 3.9 (–7.7) in the AV group and from 10.9 to 4.3 (–6.6) in the TA group. Between‐group difference was 1.1 (95% confidence interval –2.13, –0.16, P = 0.0237). The mean DLQI score decreased from 8.6 to 2.5 (–6.1) in the AV group and from 8.1 to 2.3 (–5.8) in the TA group. Between‐group difference was 0.3 (95% confidence interval –1.18, –0.64, P = 0.5497). There was no follow‐up period after the 8‐week treatment.Conclusions  AV cream may be more effective than 0.1% TA cream in reducing the clinical symptoms of psoriasis; however, both treatments have similar efficacy in improving the quality of life of patients with mild to moderate psoriasis.
Trends in pemphigus research over 15 years
Authors: Leshem YA , Pavlovsky L , Mimouni FB , David M , Mimouni D 
Published: August 2009

AbstractBackground  Although pemphigus is a rare autoimmune blistering disease, it attracts the attention of physicians of many disciplines.Objective  This study aims to assess the number of articles on pemphigus that have been published over 15 years in dermatology vs. non‐dermatology medical journals, and to evaluate the quality of available evidence.Methods  PubMed was searched for articles on pemphigus published between 1 January 1993 to 31 December 2007 using the search word pemphigus. Articles were characterized by publication type and journal type per year. Regression analysis was used to determine the effect of year of publication on number of publications of each type.Results  The search yielded 2032 publications on pemphigus during the evaluation period. Sixty‐one per cent were published in dermatology journals. Overall, the number of publications increased linearly with time. Most of this increase was accounted for by publications in non‐dermatology journals. There was an increase in clinical trials over the course of the study period. The number of certain publications with lower quality of evidence, mainly case reports and letters to the editor, increased significantly in the last few years. There was no increase in publications with high quality of evidence.Conclusions  The increase on data from non‐dermatology disciplines is a welcome contribution. Nevertheless, high‐quality evidence on pemphigus is still lacking. We trust that the current trend towards evidence‐based dermatology will impact future research on this severe disease.
Accessible article: involving people with learning disabilities in research
Authors: Garbutt Ruth , Tattersall John , Dunn Jo , Boycott‐Garnett Rachel 
Published: August 2009

Accessible summary

This is an article that talks about our research about sex and relationships for people with learning disabilities.
It talks about how people with learning disabilities have been fully involved in the research.

SummaryThis is an article that talks about our research about sex and relationships for people with learning disabilities.
Association between antidepressant drug use during pregnancy and child healthcare utilisation
Authors: Ververs TF , van Wensen K , Freund MW , van der Heide M , Visser GHA , Schobben AFAM , de Jong‐van den Berg LTW , Egberts ACG 
Published: August 2009

Objective  To evaluate healthcare utilisation by children who were exposed to antidepressant drug use during pregnancy and those whose mothers stopped using antidepressants before pregnancy compared with a control group.Design  Cohort study.Setting  Health insurance records in the Netherlands.Population  A total of 38 602 children born between 2000 and 2005.Methods  Survey of child healthcare utilisation in relation to gestational antidepressant use.Main outcome measure  Healthcare utilisation rates during the first year of life, with special emphasis to medical care related to cardiac disease.Results  Children of mothers who used antidepressants during pregnancy showed increased healthcare use during the first year of life, independent of the mother’s healthcare use. The relative risk of more than two visits to general practitioners was 1.5 (95% confidence interval, CI: 1.3–1.8) in the continuous antidepressant users group and 1.3 (95% CI: 1.2–1.5) in the group of children whose mothers stopped taking medication. In both study groups there was a trend towards more drug use for infections and inflammation compared with the control group. Children continuously exposed to antidepressants had an increased risk of cardiac interventions such as cardiovascular surgery or heart catheterisation, relative risk of 5.6 (95% CI: 1.8–17.4). The risk of physiotherapy was twice as high in the antidepressant group compared with the control group (relative risk 2.0; 95% CI: 1.5–2.6).Conclusion  Antidepressant use during pregnancy is associated with increased child healthcare utilisation and increased risk of major cardiac interventions in early childhood.