bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Combining efficient methods to detect spread of woody invaders in urban–rural matrix landscapes: an exploration using two species of Oleaceae
Authors: Aslan Clare E. , Rejmánek Marcel , Klinger Robert 
Published: January 2012

Summary1. Early detection of biological invasions can reduce the costs of control and increase its efficacy. Although much research focuses on the appearance or establishment of new invaders, few studies target the detection of spread from established populations. Managers of natural areas have limited resources; therefore, there is need for efficient methods of quantifying the spread of likely invaders in local and regional areas.2. We employed homeowner surveys, seedling outplanting, directed seedling searches and randomly located plots to determine whether two introduced species of Oleaceae, Ligustrum lucidum and Olea europaea, demonstrate invasive levels of recruitment in California’s Sacramento Valley. These methods are examples of low‐cost approaches to examining the regional spread of non‐native woody species with differing habitat requirements.3. Homeowner surveys indicated abundant recruitment of L. lucidum in irrigated areas, with no evident decline by distance from horticultural source trees. Ligustrum lucidum seedlings established readily when planted immediately adjacent to streams, but were unable to survive summer drought when located further from the water.4. Recruitment of O. europaea at distances >100 m from source trees was uncommon. Spread of O. europaea is rare relative to the number of reproductive individuals that have been planted in the study area; where it occurs, seedling recruitment appears largely a function of propagule pressure.5.
Synthesis and applications. Low‐cost and rapid methods are essential for successful long‐term monitoring of spread from populations of introduced, woody plant species. We employed high‐efficiency methods of spread detection for two species of Oleaceae with invasive potential and existing populations in the study region. We detected no barriers to spread by L. lucidum in areas with elevated soil moisture and consider the species a likely riparian invader. By comparison, O. europaea shows little tendency to spread. We suggest that managers combine low‐input methods and direct surveys towards habitats of conservation concern and routes of likely seed dispersal.
Improved fish and crustacean passage in tidal creeks following floodgate remediation
Authors: Boys Craig A. , Kroon Frederieke J. , Glasby Tim M. , Wilkinson Kevin 
Published: January 2012

Summary1. Estuarine wetlands are important nurseries for fish and decapod crustaceans. Flood mitigation structures (such as levees, culverts and floodgates) that fragment wetland habitat can reduce fish and crustacean passage and subsequently impact biodiversity.2. Remediating structures to enhance connectivity, tidal flushing and fish and crustacean passage are assumed to be important ways to rehabilitate estuarine wetlands, but they are rarely evaluated with a robust sampling protocol. Furthermore, studies are inconsistently applied across different barrier types, and success is variable. Consequently, those rehabilitating wetlands are left with an incomplete understanding of what trajectories of change (if any) may be expected from barrier remediation.3. In collaboration with landholders and managers, ‘floodgate remediation’ (structural and operational changes to increase tidal flushing and connectivity) was undertaken in three tidal creeks in two coastal river systems in northern New South Wales, Australia. Changes in fish and crustacean passage were measured for two different techniques (flap gates built into larger gates and the intermittent opening of gates with manual winching) using a BACI design over 2 years. Temporal changes in assemblages and species richness in managed creeks were compared to those in reference creeks (i.e. without floodgates) and control creeks (with closed floodgates).4. Both types of floodgate remediation enhanced the passage of fish and crustaceans and had significant impacts on assemblages in managed creeks when compared to control and reference creeks. This shift was sustained for the duration of our study in two of the three creeks and was driven primarily by an increase in the number of estuarine–marine‐dependent species.5. Synthesis and applications. Our study demonstrates that floodgate remediation can facilitate fish and crustacean passage and rehabilitate aquatic assemblages in defaunated, tidally restricted wetlands. Given that the vast majority of floodgates throughout south‐eastern Australia can be altered to promote connectivity, such remediation may play an important part in guarding against future declines in estuarine connectivity arising from climate change.
Weak and absent peristalsis
Authors: Smout André , Fox Mark 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBackground  Weak and absent esophageal peristalsis are frequently encountered esophageal motility disorders, which may be associated with dysphagia and which may contribute to gastroesophageal reflux disease. Recently, rapid developments in the diagnostic armamentarium have taken place, in particular, in high‐resolution manometry with or without concurrent intraluminal impedance monitoring.Purpose  This article aims to review the current insights in the terminology, pathology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, diagnostic work‐up,and management of weak and absent peristalsis.
Achalasia and esophago‐gastric junction outflow obstruction: focus on the subtypes
Authors: Boeckxstaens G. , Zaninotto G. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBackground  The choice between pneumatic dilation and surgical myotomy is mainly determined by the preference and expertise of the treating physician. Ideally, however, treatment should be personalized to provide the optimal clinical outcome. The introduction of high resolution manometry has not only improved the specificity to diagnose achalasia, but also identified three different manometric subclasses.Purpose  To review, the data suggesting differences in clinical response to treatment depending on the manometric profile.
Future directions in esophageal motility and function – new technology and methodology
Authors: Fox M. , Sweis R. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBackground  Symptom based diagnosis is not reliable in patients with swallowing problems, heartburn, and other dyspeptic complaints. The aim of investigation is to provide clinically relevant measurements of gastrointestinal structure and function that explain the cause of symptoms, identify pathology, and guide effective management. Current practice rarely meets these ideals.Purpose  This review considers recent advances in technology such as high‐resolution manometry (HRM) with esophageal pressure topography (EPT), HRM with impedance, high frequency ultrasound, and endoscopic functional luminal impedance planimetry (Endo‐FLIP) that provide new opportunities to identify the pathophysiologic basis of esophageal symptoms and disease. As experience with these new devices increases researchers are developing new methodologies that maximize their utility in clinical practice. For example, application of HRM to assess motility and function during and after a test meal can identify the causes of swallowing problems, reflux and other postprandial symptoms and intra‐operative application of Endo‐FLIP may help surgeons perform antireflux surgery. These examples illustrate the potential of physiologic measurement to direct rational and effective clinical management for individual patients.
Latest Triassic marine Sr isotopic variations, possible causes and implications
Authors: Callegaro Sara , Rigo Manuel , Chiaradia Massimo , Marzoli Andrea 
Published: January 2012

Terra Nova, 24, 130–135, 2012AbstractLarge igneous provinces have been suggested to trigger global environmental perturbations and, in turn, major biotic crises. The high resolution of marine biostratigraphy is here applied to constrain the detailed timing of the Central Atlantic Magmatic Province onset. Analyses of biogenic apatite from stratigraphically well‐constrained Tethyan realm conodont samples indicate two significant shifts of the oceanic 87Sr/86Sr composition during the latest Triassic: a rapid drop of 87Sr/86Sr during the lower Rhaetian, followed by an increase during the upper Rhaetian. These shifts are positively correlated with synchronous variations of oceanic 187Os/188Os and they may be attributed to a rapid emplacement and erosion of the Central Atlantic Magmatic Province, followed by a rapid increase in continental weathering. These interpretations require a short duration for the Rhaetian stage (<2 Ma) and are consistent with volcanogenic triggering of end‐Triassic climatic perturbations and biotic crisis starting from the Norian–Rhaetian and culminating at the Triassic–Jurassic boundary.
Maternal control of seed size by EOD3/CYP78A6 in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Fang Wenjuan , Wang Zhibiao , Cui Rongfeng , Li Jie , Li Yunhai 
Published: January 2012

SummarySeed size in higher plants is coordinately determined by the growth of the embryo, endosperm and maternal tissue, but relatively little is known about the genetic and molecular mechanisms that set final seed size. We have previously demonstrated that Arabidopsis DA1 acts maternally to control seed size, with the da1‐1 mutant producing larger seeds than the wild type. Through an activation tagging screen for modifiers of da1‐1, we have identified an enhancer of da1‐1 (eod3‐1D) in seed size. EOD3 encodes the Arabidopsis cytochrome P450/CYP78A6 and is expressed in most plant organs. Overexpression of EOD3 dramatically increases the seed size of wild‐type plants, whereas eod3‐ko loss‐of‐function mutants form small seeds. The disruption of CYP78A9, the most closely related family member, synergistically enhances the seed size phenotype of eod3‐ko mutants, indicating that EOD3 functions redundantly with CYP78A9 to affect seed growth. Reciprocal cross experiments show that EOD3 acts maternally to promote seed growth. eod3‐ko cyp78a9‐ko double mutants have smaller cells in the maternal integuments of developing seeds, whereas eod3‐1D forms more and larger cells in the integuments. Genetic analyses suggest that EOD3 functions independently of maternal factors DA1 and TTG2 to influence seed growth. Collectively, our findings identify EOD3 as a factor of seed size control, and give insight into how plants control their seed size.
Quality of life among Malaysian patients with vitiligo
Authors: Wong Su‐ming , Baba Roshidah 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBackground  Vitiligo is a chronic disease and can have significant impairment on patients’ quality of life (QoL). Studies have shown that limitations in QoL are similar in magnitude to patients with other chronic skin diseases like psoriasis. The objective of this study was to assess the quality of life (QoL) of patients with vitiligo attending the dermatology clinic of a tertiary hospital in Malaysia.Methods  All patients with a clinical diagnosis of vitiligo who were seen at our dermatology clinic and phototherapy daycare center from September 15 to November 20, 2009 were invited to participate.Results  A total of 102 patients with vitiligo were included in this survey (56.9% females, 43.1% males; mean age 43.6). The mean DLQI score ± SD was 6.40 ± 5.17. The highest mean DLQI score was seen in the patient group aged 30–59 years (mean score 7.05). Malays had significantly higher DLQI scores compared with Indians (P = 0.026).Conclusion  Patients in our cohort showed a moderate limitation of QoL, comparable to that of other chronic skin diseases. Management should focus not only on medical treatment but also psychological aspects, hence better QoL and treatment outcomes.
Skin diseases in Greek and immigrant children in Athens
Authors: Katsarou Alexandra , Armenaka Melina , Kosmadaki Maria , Lagogianni Eirini , Vosynioti Vasiliki , Tagka Anna , Stefanaki Christina , Katsambas Andreas 
Published: January 2012

AbstractObjectives  This study aimed to characterize the spectrum of skin diseases affecting children in Greece.Methods  We retrospectively studied data for 4071 children, aged 0–12 years, who were examined and diagnosed with dermatoses at the outpatient clinic of a university dermatological hospital between December 2005 and August 2007. To evaluate changes in disease patterns, these data were compared with data for a cohort of 12,700 children diagnosed with skin diseases at the same clinic two to three decades earlier (in 1977, 1980, and 1983).Results  The most frequent disease was dermatitis/eczema (34.7%), with atopic dermatitis found in 20.7% of children, contact dermatitis in 6.9%, pityriasis alba in 2.1%, and seborrheic dermatitis in 1.8%. Infections (19.3%), nevi (5.6%), scabies (4.8%), and insect bites (4.3%) followed. More viral (12%) than bacterial (3.7%) and fungal (3.6%) infections were noted. Warts constituted 53.2% of viral infections. Immigrants had an increased risk for bacterial infections and scabies.Conclusions  Children diagnosed with skin diseases 24–30 years earlier were younger; exhibited lower prevalences of dermatitis/eczema (P = 0.01), viral infections (P < 0.001) and nevi (P < 0.001); higher prevalences of bacterial and fungal infections (P < 0.001) and insect bites (P < 0.01); and similar rates of scabies (P = 0.17). This study documents the high prevalence of atopic dermatitis in the region, the increasing incidence of viral infections and nevi, and the continuing problem of scabies, especially in immigrants.
Head lice infestation in schoolchildren and related factors in Mafraq governorate, Jordan
Authors: Mohammed ALBashtawy 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBackground  Little is known about the effect of socioeconomic status on the infestation by head lice in schoolchildren in Jordan.Materials and methods  A cross‐sectional school‐based study was conducted from December 2009 to February 2010. A list of all primary schools in Mafraq governorate was obtained (394 primary schools). Eight primary schools were randomly selected (four male schools and four female schools). Data were collected by five well‐trained nurses. Hair was examined for head lice as well as for eggs/nits. Analysis of data was conducted by using SPSS software version 16. The chi‐square test was used to assess statistical significance of subgroup differences in the prevalence of infestation, and multivariate logistic regression was used to control for potential confounding.Results  Out of 1550 primary schoolchildren screened, 412 (26.6%) were infected with lice, 163 (19.6%) boys and 249 (34.7%) girls. The results showed significant variations in head lice infestation by factors such as gender, age, and socioeconomic variables (family income, father’s education, mother’s education, number of rooms, number of siblings younger than 15 years, frequency of hair washing per week, and bathing per week). There was no significant variation in lice infestation with parents’ occupation (P > 0.05).Conclusions  Socioeconomic status is a major factor influencing the occurrence of pediculosis capitis among schoolchildren in both sexes. Improving standards of living and personal hygiene might significantly reduce pediculosis capitis in schoolchildren in Jordan.
A recurrent missense mutation of keratin 1 gene in a Chinese family with epidermolytic hyperkeratosis (severe palmoplantar hyperkeratosis, type 1)
Authors: Zeng Yue‐Ping , Chai Wan‐Xin , Fang Kai , Sun Qiu‐Ning , Zuo Ya‐Gang 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBackground  Epidermolytic hyperkeratosis (EHK) is an autosomal dominantly inherited genodermatosis manifesting with blistering and erythroderma in infancy and widespread hyperkeratosis of the skin, particularly over flexural areas, in adulthood. It can be classified into six clinical phenotypes.Case report  We report the case of a 25‐year‐old man who presented with severe palmoplantar thickening and hyperkeratosis over the flexures for nearly 24 years. Histopathological findings showed characteristic features of EHK, and EHK type PS‐1 (severe palmoplantar hyperkeratosis, type 1) was suspected. Further investigation revealed that his father, sister, and nephew (the son of his sister) were similarly affected. A heterozygous missense mutation in exon 7 of KRT1 (c.1436T>C), resulting in an isoleucine to threonine substitution at codon 479 (designated p.I479T), was detected in all affected individuals within the pedigree.Discussion  Up to now, there has been one sporadic case and one family (including 14 affected individuals) with EHK type PS‐1 reported since DiGiovanna and Bale described 25 patients (from two families) with EHK type PS‐1 out of 51 patients (from 21 families) with EHK. Although the mutation (c.1436T>C) in KRT1 reported here is a recurrent one, it has not been reported in Chinese patients with EHK. It is interesting to note that the same mutation in KRT1 can cause different phenotypes of EHK.Conclusions  We expand the clinical heterogeneity of EHK due to the same mutation (c.1436T>C) in KRT1 and enrich the database of the KRT1 gene mutations underlying EHK in the Chinese population.
Treatment of folliculitis decalvans with tacrolimus ointment
Authors: Bastida Jesús , Valerón‐Almazán Pedro , Santana‐Molina Néstor , Medina‐Gil Carolina , Carretero‐Hernández Gregorio 
Published: January 2012

AbstractFolliculitis decalvans is an embarrassing and challenging disease with no established treatment guidelines. In this paper, we described four patients with this disease treated successfully with Tacrolimus ointment. All of them showed significant control of the condition, stopping inflammatory lesions and progression of the disease, although weak transitory outbreaks of inflammatory lesions were observed in some cases. Alopecia and tufted hairs remained unchanged. The discontinuation of the therapy produced rapid relapses in all cases. Close monitoring of these patients is recommended due to the potential risk of malignant transformation of the disease.
Increased incidence of aberrant DNA methylation within diverse imprinted gene loci outside of IGF2/H19 in Silver–Russell syndrome
Authors: Kannenberg K , Urban C , Binder G 
Published: January 2012

Kannenberg K, Urban C, Binder G. Increased incidence of aberrant DNA methylation within diverse imprinted gene loci outside of IGF2/H19 in Silver–Russell syndrome.Almost half of the patients with Silver–Russell syndrome (SRS) are affected by DNA hypomethylation of the Imprinting Center Region 1 (ICR1) at the IGF2/H19 locus on 11p15. We searched genome‐wide for additional aberrant DNA methylation in such SRS patients that could account for the clinical variability of the disorder. For this purpose, 18 children with SRS (11 with ICR1 hypomethylation) and 9 children small for gestational age (SGA), serving as controls, were recruited. Genomic DNA from whole blood was subjected to microarray analysis with the HumanMethylation27 BeadChip. This array allows investigating 27,500 CpG sites mostly located in the promoter regions of 14,000 genes. Data were validated by the methylation‐specific multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification (MS‐MLPA) technique for the 11p15 region. SRS patients with ICR1 hypomethylation were significantly more frequently affected by DNA hypo‐ and hypermethylation of CpG sites from diverse imprinted loci than the SGA controls (p = 0.0048). There was no recurrent specific methylation defect outside of IGF2/H19. These findings suggest as causative in SRS a defective mechanism necessary for establishment or maintenance of imprinting marks, which affects imprinted loci in general with low specificity and the IGF2/H19 locus with high specificity, implying the existence of some structural peculiarities at the IGF2/H19 locus.
Regional patterns and controls of leaf decomposition in Australian tropical rainforests
Authors: PARSONS SCOTT A. , CONGDON ROBERT A. , STORLIE COLLIN J. , SHOO LUKE P. , WILLIAMS STEPHEN E. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractFuture climates have the potential to alter decomposition rates in tropical forest with implications for carbon emissions, nutrient cycling and retention of standing litter. However, our ability to predict impacts, particularly for seasonally wet forests in the old world, is limited by a paucity of data, a limited understanding of the relative importance of different aspects of climate and the extent to which decomposition rates are constrained by factors other than climate (e.g. soil, vegetation composition). We used the litterbag method to determine leaf litter decay rates at 18 sites distributed throughout the Australian wet tropics bioregion over a 14‐month period. Specifically, we investigated regional controls on litter decay including climate, soil and litter chemical quality. We used both in situ litter collected from litterfall on site and a standardized control leaf litter substrate. The control litter removed the effect of litter chemical quality and the in situ study quantified decomposition specific to the site. Decomposition was generally slower than for other tropical rainforests globally except in our wet and nutrient‐richer sites. This is most likely attributable to the higher latitude, often highly seasonal rainfall and very poor soils in our system. Decomposition rates were best explained by a combination of climate, soil and litter quality. For in situ litter (native to the site) this included: average leaf wetness in the dry season (LWDS; i.e. moisture condensation) and the initial P content of the leaves, or LWDS and initial C. For control litter (no litter quality effect) this included: rainfall seasonality (% dry season days with 0‐mm rainfall), soil P and mean annual temperature. These results suggest that the impact of climate change on decomposition rates within Australian tropical rainforests will be critically dependent on the trajectory of dry season moisture inputs over the coming decades.
Dissociation between unconscious motor response facilitation and conflict in medial frontal areas
Authors: D’Ostilio Kevin , Garraux Gaëtan 
Published: January 2012

AbstractMasked prime tasks have shown that sensory information that has not been consciously perceived can nevertheless modulate behavior. The neuronal correlates of behavioral manifestations of visuomotor priming remain debated, particularly with respect to the distribution and direction (i.e. increase or decrease) of activity changes in medial frontal areas. Here, we predicted that these discrepant results could be accounted for by two automatic and unconscious processes embedded in this task: response conflict and facilitation. We used event‐related functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), as 24 healthy participants had to respond, as fast as possible, to a target arrow presented immediately after a subliminal masked prime arrow. There were three experimental conditions defined by the prime–target relationship: compatible, incompatible, and neutral. The classical visuomotor priming effect was reproduced, with relatively longer reaction times (RTs) in incompatible trials. Longer RTs in incompatible than in neutral trials were specifically associated with stronger blood oxygen level‐dependent (BOLD) activity in a conflict‐related network comprising the anterior cingulate cortex and right frontal associative areas. Motor response facilitation as shown by shorter RTs in compatible than in neutral trials was associated with reduced activation in a motor preparation network including the medial and lateral premotor cortices, as a result of the repetition suppression of the fMRI BOLD signal. The present results provide new insights into automatic and unconscious visuomotor priming processes, suggesting an involvement of either a cognitive or motor network, depending on the prime–target relationship.