bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Folklore and traditional ecological knowledge of geckos in Southern Portugal: implications for conservation and science
Authors: Ceríaco Luis MP , Marques Mariana P , Madeira Natália C , Vila-Viçosa Carlos M , Mendes Paula 
Published: September 2011

AbstractTraditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and folklore are repositories of large amounts of information about the natural world. Ideas, perceptions and empirical data held by human communities regarding local species are important sources which enable new scientific discoveries to be made, as well as offering the potential to solve a number of conservation problems. We documented the gecko-related folklore and TEK of the people of southern Portugal, with the particular aim of understanding the main ideas relating to gecko biology and ecology. Our results suggest that local knowledge of gecko ecology and biology is both accurate and relevant. As a result of information provided by local inhabitants, knowledge of the current geographic distribution of Hemidactylus turcicus was expanded, with its presence reported in nine new locations. It was also discovered that locals still have some misconceptions of geckos as poisonous and carriers of dermatological diseases. The presence of these ideas has led the population to a fear of and aversion to geckos, resulting in direct persecution being one of the major conservation problems facing these animals. It is essential, from both a scientific and conservationist perspective, to understand the knowledge and perceptions that people have towards the animals, since, only then, may hitherto unrecognized pertinent information and conservation problems be detected and resolved.
Gene expression study using real-time PCR identifies an NTR gene as a major marker of resistance to benznidazole in Trypanosoma cruzi
Authors: Mejía-Jaramillo Ana M , Fernández Geysson J , Palacio Lina , Triana-Chávez Omar 
Published: September 2011

Abstract

Background
Chagas disease is a neglected illness, with limited treatments, caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Two drugs are prescribed to treat the disease, nifurtimox and benznidazole, which have been previously reported to have limited efficacy and the appearance of resistance by T. cruzi. Acquisition of drug-resistant phenotypes is a complex physiological process based on single or multiple changes of the genes involved, probably in its mechanisms of action.

Results
The differential genes expression of a sensitive Trypanosoma cruzi strain and its induced in vitro benznidazole-resistant phenotypes was studied. The stepwise increasing concentration of BZ in the parental strain generated five different resistant populations assessed by the IC50 ranging from 10.49 to 93.7 μM. The resistant populations maintained their phenotype when the BZ was depleted from the culture for many passages. Additionally, the benznidazole-resistant phenotypes presented a cross-resistance to nifurtimox but not to G418 sulfate. On the other hand, four of the five phenotypes resistant to different concentrations of drugs had different expression levels for the 12 genes evaluated by real-time PCR. However, in the most resistant phenotype (TcR5x), the levels of mRNA from these 12 genes and seven more were similar to the parental strain but not for NTR and OYE genes, which were down-regulated and over-expressed, respectively. The number of copies for these two genes was evaluated for the parental strain and the TcR5x phenotype, revealing that the NTR gene had lost a copy in this last phenotype. No changes were found in the enzyme activity of CPR and SOD in the most resistant population. Finally, there was no variability of genetic profiles among all the parasite populations evaluated by performing low-stringency single-specific primer PCR (LSSP-PCR) and random amplified polymorphic DNA RAPD techniques, indicating that no clonal selection or drastic genetic changes had occurred for the exposure to BZ.

Conclusion
Here, we propose NTR as the major marker of the appearance of resistance to BZ.
The clinical assessment study of the foot (CASF): study protocol for a prospective observational study of foot pain and foot osteoarthritis in the general population
Authors: Roddy Edward , Myers Helen , Thomas Martin J , Marshall Michelle , D'Cruz Deborah , Menz Hylton B , Belcher John , Muller Sara , Peat George 
Published: September 2011

AbstractBackgroundSymptomatic osteoarthritis (OA) affects approximately 10% of adults aged over 60 years. The foot joint complex is commonly affected by OA, yet there is relatively little research into OA of the foot, compared with other frequently affected sites such as the knee and hand. Existing epidemiological studies of foot OA have focussed predominantly on the first metatarsophalangeal joint at the expense of other joints. This three‐year prospective population‐based observational cohort study will describe the prevalence of symptomatic radiographic foot OA, relate its occurrence to symptoms, examination findings and life‐style‐factors, describe the natural history of foot OA, and examine how it presents to, and is diagnosed and managed in primary care.MethodsAll adults aged 50 years and over registered with four general practices in North Staffordshire, UK, will be invited to participate in a postal Health Survey questionnaire. Respondents to the questionnaire who indicate that they have experienced foot pain in the preceding twelve months will be invited to attend a research clinic for a detailed clinical assessment. This assessment will consist of: clinical interview; physical examination; digital photography of both feet and ankles; plain x‐rays of both feet, ankles and hands; ultrasound examination of the plantar fascia; anthropometric measurement; and a further self‐complete questionnaire. Follow‐up will be undertaken in consenting participants by postal questionnaire at 18 months (clinic attenders only) and three years (clinic attenders and survey participants), and also by review of medical records.DiscussionThis three‐year prospective epidemiological study will combine survey data, comprehensive clinical, x‐ray and ultrasound assessment, and review of primary care records to identify radiographic phenotypes of foot OA in a population of community‐dwelling older adults, and describe their impact on symptoms, function and clinical examination findings, and their presentation, diagnosis and management in primary care.
Predicting superficial venous incompetence with strain gauge plethysmography
Authors: Skeik N , Kalsi H , Wysokinski W E , Heaser T V , Wennberg P W 
Published: September 2011

Background With currently available effective interventional methods to treat superficial venous insufficiency, it becomes particularly important to have a simple and reliable method to evaluate the location and severity of venous reflux. To date, there are few studies that evaluated plethysmography with and without tourniquet application to differentiate superficial from deep venous incompetence. Objectives To determine if strain gauge plethysmography (SGP) with and without tourniquet application can be used to distinguish between the superficial and deep venous components of venous incompetence. Methods We conducted a prospective study using SGP with and without tourniquet application and duplex ultrasound (duplex US) to assess the severity and location of venous incompetence in 62 patients (85 limbs, 42 women, with an age range of 32–81 years) referred to our vascular laboratory for haemodynamic evaluation. Based on duplex US results, patients were diagnosed with superficial (SVI), deep and superficial (mixed) and deep vein incompetence (DVI). Results Mixed incompetence was the most common type. Twenty-three out of 33 limbs in the SVI group normalized their refill rate (RR) with tourniquet application (69.6%). Normalization of the RR with tourniquet application was less common in the mixed ( n: 17 out of 40, 42.5%) and DVI ( n: 2 out of 6, 33.3%) groups. Conclusion SGP with tourniquet application is a simple and fast technique that can identify patients with SVI, based on RR improvement, who probably would benefit more from ablation procedures. Further studies evaluating impact of SGP with tourniquet test results on clinical outcome of SVI invasive treatment are warranted
Interface pressure and stiffness in different combinations of compression material
Authors: Hirai M , Koyama A , Miyazaki K , Iwata H , Kominami Y 
Published: September 2011

Objectives To compare the interface pressure and stiffness between various combinations of compression material. Methods Using a stiffness-determining device, the interface pressure and stiffness were determined in several combinations of five elastic stockings and two elastic bandages. Results In the double stockings system, the interface pressure increased significantly and the highest stiffness was observed in double short-stretch stockings. When short-stretch bandages were applied over either short- or long-stretch stockings, a significant increase in stiffness was observed at any initial pressure compared with the single use of short-stretch stockings. In double bandage systems, when short-stretch bandages were applied over either short- or long-stretch bandages, the stiffness increased significantly. When long-stretch bandages were used over short-stretch bandages, the stiffness decreased significantly. Conclusions The stiffness is changeable according to the combinations of material, such as double stockings, double bandages and the wearing of bandages over stockings. The use of short-stretch bandages as the outside layer produces the highest stiffness at a high initial pressure.
Role of biomarkers in cardioncology
Authors: Cardinale Daniela , Salvatici Michela , Sandri Maria T. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractCardiotoxicity is a serious adverse effect of anticancer drugs, impacting on quality of life and overall survival of cancer patients. According to the current standard for monitoring cardiac function, cardiotoxicity is usually detected only when a functional impairment has already occurred, precluding any chance of preventing its development. Over the last decade, however, a new approach, based on the use of cardiac biomarkers, has emerged, and has proven to be an effective alternative strategy for early detection of subclinical cardiac injury. In particular, the role of troponin I in identifying patients at risk of cardiotoxicity and of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors in preventing left ventricular ejection fraction reduction and late cardiac events represent an effective tool for the prevention of this complication.
β-Thalassemia mutations in subjects with borderline HbA2 values: a pilot study in North India
Authors: Rangan Aruna , Sharma Prashant , Dadu Tina , Saxena Renu , Verma Ishwar C. , Bhargava Manorama 
Published: September 2011

AbstractInterpreting hemoglobin high performance liquid chromatograms with borderlineWe tested for underlying β-thalassemia mutations in 25 subjects with borderlineA β-globin gene defect was identified in 8 (32%) of the 25 cases withMutation analysis should be offered to all at-risk couples with borderline
Pubertal development and sexuality in female adolescents born preterm: a review of the literature
Authors: Paul Alexandra , Deans Rebecca , Viner Russell , Creighton Sarah M. 
Published: September 2011

Abstract

Introduction: Premature infants, especially very low birth weight infants, and fetal growth restriction are a challenge for healthcare professionals alike owing to the consequences of these conditions.

Objective: To provide information for gynecologists, pediatricians and neonatologists to identify correct outcome expectations to help them plan their preventive and therapeutic actions. Searches were made on the MEDLINE database.

Results: According to several follow-up studies, there is an increasing evidence for a link between early life exposures (prenatal and postnatal) and long-term outcomes. An adverse in utero environment will induce fetal reprogramming of neuroendocrine axes with permanent alterations of the physiology and metabolism of various body structures and functioning of neuroendocrine axes in later life, leading to a variety of different conditions, such as persistence of neurodevelopmental disability, changes in growth pattern, in body metabolism, in pubertal development, lower educational achievement and even psychological disturbances with possible alterations of sexual behavior in female adolescents and young adults. In addition, short-term transitory consequences can be also present, such as anomalies in genital appearance.

Conclusions: Outcome studies on the impact that prematurity, low birth weight and intrauterine growth restriction have on pubertal development, sexuality and fertility are still scarce. Long-term outcomes of small for gestational age or preterm adolescents are complex and multifactorial, with interactions between genetic and environmental influences involving different pathways of adaptive responses during crucial phases of prenatal growth.
Wetting Pattern on TiO2Nanostructure Films and its Application as a Template for Selective Materials Growth
Authors: Lai Y. K. , Yang Y. , Huang Y. X. , Lin Z. Q. , Tang Y. X. , Gong D. G. , Lin C. J. , Chen Z. 
Published: September 2011

ABSTRACTThe present paper describes an unconventional approach to fabricate superhydrophilic-superhydrophobic template on the TiO2nanotube structured film by a combination of electrochemical anodization and photocatalytic lithography. Based on template with extreme wetting contrast, various functional nanostructures micropattern with high resolution have been successfully fabricated. The resultant micropattern has been characterized with scanning electron microscopy, optical microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It is shown that functional nanostructures can be selectively grown at superhydrophilic areas which are confined by the hydrophobic regions, indicating that the combined process of electrochemically self-assembly and photocatalytic lithography is a very promising approach for constructing well-defined templates for various functional materials growth.
High Prevalence of Lipid Abnormalities among Antiretroviral-Naive HIV-Infected Asian Children with Mild-To-Moderate Immunosuppression
Authors:   the PREDICT study group, Kanjanavanit Suparat , Puthanakit Thanyawee , Vibol Ung , Kosalaraksa Pope , Hansudewechakul Rawiwan , Ngampiyasakul Chaiwat , Wongsawat Jurai , Luesomboon Wicharn , Wongsabut Jiratchaya , Mahanontharit Apicha , Suwanlerk Tulathip , Saphonn Vonthanak , Ananworanich Jintanat , Ruxrungtham Kiat 
Published: September 2011

Background Dyslipidaemia is a common complication among HIV-infected children after antiretroviral therapy (ART); however, HIV itself can cause abnormal lipid metabolism. There is limited information of lipid profiles among Asian HIV-infected children naive to ART. Methods A total of 274 HIV-infected ART-naive Thai and Cambodian children aged 1-12 years with CD4% between 15% and 24% were included. Patients were fasted for ≥4 h before blood was drawn. Abnormal lipid levels were defined as triglyceride (TG)>130 mg/dl, total cholesterol (TC)>200 mg/dl, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)>130 mg/dl and high-density lipoprotein (HDL)≤40 mg/dl. Results The mean (±sd) was 76.6 (33.8) months for age and -1.3 (1.0) for weight Z-score. Mean (±sd) CD4% was 19.9 (4.8) % and HIV RNA was 4.6 (0.6) log10 copies/ml. The median (±sd) fasting time was 13.0 (2.7) h. Mean (±sd) for lipids were 116 (62) mg/dl for TG, 139 (29) mg/dl for TC, 73 (29) mg/dl for LDL and 45 (19) mg/dl for HDL. Overall 63.9% had dyslipidaemia with hypertriglyceridaemia and hypo-HDL being the most common (28% and 45%, respectively), while 2% had hypercholesterolaemia or hyper-LDL. After adjusting for age, having HIV RNA>5 log10 copies/ml was associated with hypo-HDL with ORs of 8.1 (95% CI 2.7–24.3). Conclusions Up to two-thirds of ART-naive, HIV-infected Asian children with mild-to-moderate immune suppression had dyslipidaemia. Low HDL was the most common and was associated with high HIV viraemia. The long-term consequence of low HDL deserves further investigation in children.
Open-Label Phase 1B Pilot Study to Assess the Antiviral Efficacy of Simvastatin Combined with Sertraline in Chronic Hepatitis C Patients
Authors: Patel Keyur , Lim Seng G , Cheng Chow W , Lawitz Eric , Tillmann Hans L , Chopra Narinder , Altmeyer Ralf , Randle John CR , McHutchison John G 
Published: September 2011

Background 3-Hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors inhibit HCV replication in vitro. The combination of sertraline and simvastatin has synergistic antiviral activity in vitro, but there are no prior in vivo studies. Our aims were to prospectively assess the antiviral efficacy and safety of this drug combination in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients. Methods A total of 15 CHC adults (including 1 control subject) that were treatment-naive or prior partial responders/relapsers to standard-of-care therapy were enrolled at four centres (2 in Singapore and 2 in the US). Patients received simvastatin 40 mg once daily and sertraline 50 mg once daily for 7 days, and then 80 mg once daily and 100 mg once daily, respectively, for another 21 days with a 14-day follow-up. Results Of the 15 CHC patients, 13 completed the study. Subjects were mostly Caucasian (8/15), mean age 49.1 ±9 years and the genotype distribution was 1=10, 2=2 and 3=3. No subject discontinued dosing due to adverse events. Mean HCV RNA change from baseline was from -0.005 to -0.236 log10 IU/ml across study intervals. Three subjects had transient >1 log10 HCV RNA declines. No subject achieved >2 log10 HCV RNA decline. Conclusions The combination of sertraline and simvastatin is well-tolerated over the short-term, but has no significant antiviral or anti-inflammatory response in CHC patients. This may reflect in vivo differences in synergy between statin and/or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and incomplete inhibition of membrane protein prenylation with statin therapy.
Poisson Brackets with Prescribed Casimirs
Authors: Damianou Pantelis A. , Petalidou Fani 
Published: September 2011

Abstract We consider the problem of constructing Poisson brackets on smooth manifolds M with prescribed Casimir functions. If M is of even dimension, we achieve our construction by considering a suitable almost symplectic structure on M, while, in the case where M is of odd dimension, our objective is achieved using a convenient almost cosymplectic structure. Several examples and applications are presented.
Public house patrons' engagement in hypothetical sexual assault: a test of Alcohol Myopia Theory in a field setting
Authors: Flowe Heather D. , Stewart Jade , Sleath Emma R. , Palmer Francesca T. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractPrevious research has found that drinking establishments are often antecedent to sexual aggression outcomes. In this study, male participants were randomly selected from public houses (i.e., “pubs”) and asked to imagine themselves in a hypothetical intimate encounter in which the female in the scenario stops consenting to sexual contact. Participants were given the option to continue making sexual advances up to and including sexual intercourse against the woman's will. It was hypothesized based on Alcohol Myopia Theory that participant blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels would be associated with hypothetical sexual aggression when stereotypical cues of a woman's sexual availability (revealing clothing and alcohol use) were present in the scenario. Men's engagement in hypothetical sexual aggression was associated with BAC levels, but only when the woman was wearing revealing clothing. The sobriety of the female actor was not associated with sexual aggression. Results indicate that Alcohol Myopia Theory generalizes to a field setting. Aggr Behav 37:547–558, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Aggression in pigtailed macaque (Macaca nemestrina) breeding groups affects pregnancy outcome
Authors: Ha James C. , Alloway Hayley , Sussman Adrienne 
Published: September 2011

AbstractPast research has shown that aggressive behaviors can affect female reproductive outcome in nonhuman primate captive breeding programs. In this study, aggressive behaviors were recorded in a colony of pigtailed macaque monkeys (Macaca nemestrina) and related to pregnancy outcome. For 22 weeks, behavioral data were collected from nine breeding groups, consisting of zero to one male (some males were removed after a cycle of conceptions for husbandry reasons) and four to eight females. Observations included all occurrences of 11 aggressive behaviors during 15 min observation sessions, 1–3 times a week. Mean weekly aggression levels during the study period were determined for each group as well as for each pregnancy. Aggression data were summarized with Principal Components Analyses. Results indicate that pigtailed macaque aggression falls into five distinctive categories: warn, engage, threaten, pursue, and attack. Breeding groups differed in their levels of aggression, even after controlling for group size, presence of a sire, and group stability. Levels of the five aggression categories were found to affect the probability that a pregnancy ended in either a natural birth of a live infant, a clinical intervention producing a live infant, or a nonviable outcome. The predictive value of aggression was significant when clinical interventions were included as possible reproductive outcomes. Behavioral observation of captive groups could identify “risk” conditions affecting pregnancy outcome and the requirement for clinical intervention. Am. J. Primatol. 73:1169–1175, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sleeping site selection and presleep behavior in wild pigtailed macaques
Authors: Albert Aurélie , Savini Tommaso , Huynen Marie‐Claude 
Published: September 2011

AbstractSeveral factors are likely to control sleeping site selection and presleep behavior in nonhuman primates, including predation risk and location of food resources. We examined the effects of these factors on the sleeping behavior of northern pigtailed macaques (Macaca leonina). While following a troop living in the surroundings of the Visitor Center of Khao Yai National Park (Thailand), we recorded the physical characteristics and location of each sleeping site, tree, the individuals' place in the tree, posture, and behavior. We collected data for 154 nights between April 2009 and November 2010. The monkeys preferred tall sleeping trees (20.9 ± SD 4.9 m) and high sleeping places (15.8 ± SD 4.3 m), which may be an antipredator strategy. The choice of sleeping trees close to the last (146.7 ± SD 167.9 m) or to the first (150.4 ± SD 113.0 m) feeding tree of the day may save energy and decrease predation risk when monkeys are searching for food. Similarly, the choice of sleeping sites close to human settlements eases the access to human food during periods of fruit scarcity. Finally, the temporal pattern of use of sleeping sites, with a preference for four of the sleeping sites but few reuses during consecutive nights, may be a trade‐off between the need to have several sleeping sites (decreasing detection by predators and travel costs to feeding sites), and the need to sleep in well‐known sites (guaranteeing a faster escape in case of predator attack). Am. J. Primatol. 73:1222–1230, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.