bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Functional anatomy of the female reproductive systems of two spider crabs (Decapoda, Majoidea)
Authors: González‐Pisani Ximena , Barón Pedro , López Greco Laura Susana 
Published: December 2011

AbstractTo better understand the mating systems of majoid crabs, we studied the functional anatomy of the female reproductive systems of the spider crabs Leurocyclus tuberculosus and Libinia spinosa, comparing them with those of other Majoidea. Adult females were measured and dissected, and their reproductive systems described macroscopically and histologically. In females of both species, the seminal receptacles are paired globular structures of ecto‐mesodermal origin. The mesoderm‐derived region is lined by a stratified epithelium. The anchoring, proliferative, and secretory strata are clearly recognizable. The ectoderm‐derived region is lined by a simple cylindrical epithelium underlying a cuticle that increases in thickness toward the vagina. The transition between the ectoderm and mesoderm‐derived regions is abrupt, with differences between the studied species: Li. spinosa has a “velum,” whereas Le. tuberculosus presents prominent “folds.” In both species, the position in which the oviduct is connected to the seminal receptacles is intermediate between the dorsal and ventral types previously described in other eubrachyurans. The seminal receptacles of the studied species show four different conditions, which can be distinguished macroscopically based on their shape and amount of sperm stored. We compare our data with those from other Majoidea in an attempt to determine whether the morphology of the seminal receptacles is related to different mating strategies or behaviors.
Gone with the wind? Newspaper discourse of eutrophication and blue‐green algae blooms in Finland
Authors: Lyytimäki Jari 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThe mass media shape the public and policy agenda by giving prominence to certain ecosystem changes and risks, as well as by framing some policy measures as the preferred ones. Based on longitudinal analysis of the leading Finnish newspaper, this study considers the media coverage of eutrophication. The results show an increase of reporting in the late 1990s as a result of intertwined ecological and social factors – i.e. intense algal occurrences and establishment of a national communication system. The news coverage has highlighted the harmful algal blooms and health risks of algal toxins and has framed short‐term weather conditions as the key factor regulating algal occurrences. This creates a challenge for environmental management aimed at reduction in the nutrient discharges that influence the state of the environment in the long term.
Health‐related quality of life before and after management in adults referred to otolaryngology: a prospective national study
Authors: Swan I.R.C. , Guy F.H. , Akeroyd M.A. 
Published: December 2011

Clin. Otolaryngol. 2012, 37, 35–43Objective: An assessment of the effect of otolaryngological management on the health‐related quality of life of patients.Design: Application of the Health Utilities Index mark 3 (HUI‐3) before and after treatment; application of the Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI) after treatment.Setting: Six otolaryngological departments around Scotland.Participants: A 9005 adult patients referred to outpatient clinics.Main outcome measures: Complete HUI‐3 data was collected from 4422 patients; complete GBI data from 4235; complete HUI‐3 and GBI data from 3884.Results: The overall change in health related quality of life from before to after management was just +0.02. In the majority of subgroups of data (classified by type of management) there was essentially no change in HUI‐3 score. The major exceptions were those patients provided with a hearing aid (mean change 0.08) and those whose problem was managed surgically (mean change 0.04). The mean GBI score was 5.3 which is low. Those managed surgically reported a higher GBI score of 13.0.Conclusion: We found that patients treated surgically or given a hearing aid reported a significant improvement in their health related quality of life after treatment in otolaryngology departments. In general, patients treated in other ways reported no significant improvement. We argue that future research should look carefully at patient groups where there is unexpectedly little benefit from current treatment methods and consider more effective methods of management.
Highly Oxidized Magma and Fluid Evolution of Miocene Qulong Giant Porphyry Cu‐Mo Deposit, Southern Tibet, China
Authors: XIAO Bo , QIN Kezhang , LI Guangming , LI Jinxiang , XIA Daixiang , CHEN Lei , ZHAO Junxing 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThe Miocene Qulong porphyry Cu‐Mo deposit, which is located at the Gangdese orogenic belt of Southern Tibet, is the largest porphyry‐type deposit in China, with confirmed Cu ∼10 Mt and Mo ∼0.5 Mt. It is spatially and temporally associated with multiphase granitic intrusions, which is accompanied by large‐scale hydrothermal alteration and mineralization zones, including abundant hydrothermal anhydrite. In addition to hydrothermal anhydrite, magmatic anhydrite is present as inclusions in plagioclase, interstitial minerals between plagioclase and quartz, and phenocrysts in unaltered granodiorite porphyry, usually in association with clusters of sulfur‐rich apatite in the Qulong deposit. These observations indicate that the Qulong magma‐hydrothermal system was highly oxidized and sulfur‐rich. Three main types of fluid inclusions are observed in the quartz phenocrysts and veins in the porphyry: (i) liquid‐rich; (ii) polyphase high‐salinity; and (iii) vapor‐rich inclusions. Homogenization temperatures and salinities of all type inclusions decrease from the quartz phenocrysts in the porphyry to hydrothermal veins (A, B, D veins). Microthermometric study suggests copper‐bearing sulfides precipitated at about 320–400°C in A and B veins. Fluid boiling is assumed for the early stage of mineralization, and these fluids may have been trapped at about 35–60 Mpa at 460–510°C and 28–42 Mpa at 400–450°C, corresponding to trapping depths of 1.4–2.4 km and 1.1–1.7 km, respectively.
The influence of traditional Buddhist wildlife release on biological invasions
Authors: Liu Xuan , McGarrity Monica E. , Li Yiming 
Published: December 2011

AbstractAn understanding of anthropogenic factors influencing wildlife invasions is crucial to development of comprehensive prevention and management strategies. However, little attention has been paid to the role religious practice plays in biological invasions. The tradition of wildlife release is prevalent in many areas around the world where Asian religions are influential and is hypothesized to promote species invasions, although quantitative evidence is lacking. We used an information‐theoretic approach to evaluate the influence of Buddhist wildlife release events on establishment of feral populations of American bullfrogs (Lithobates catesbeianus) in Yunnan province, southwestern China, from 2008 to 2009. We identified frequency of release events and lentic water conditions as factors that promote establishment of bullfrog populations, whereas hunting activity likely helps to prevent establishment. Our study provides the first quantitative evidence that religious release is an important pathway for wildlife invasions and has implications for prevention and management on a global scale.
Consequences of nuclear accidents for biodiversity and ecosystem services
Authors: Wehrden Henrik von , Fischer Joern , Brandt Patric , Wagner Viktoria , Kümmerer Klaus , Kuemmerle Tobias , Nagel Anne , Olsson Oliver , Hostert Patrick 
Published: December 2011

AbstractNuclear energy is a potential solution to electricity demand but also entails risks. Policy debates on nuclear accidents have focused primarily on negative impacts on humans. Although such impacts are important, we argue that policy debates must also consider the consequences for biodiversity and ecosystem services. We reviewed 521 studies conducted after the Chernobyl accident, the most severe nuclear accident in history. Elevated radiation levels have been recorded among a diversity of species, even up to thousands of kilometers away from the meltdown site, and after more than two decades following the accident. Close to the reactor, physiological and morphological changes have occurred. Negative effects on ecosystem services have been observed, including the contamination of water, soils, and wild food supplies. Informed policy decisions on nuclear energy require a greater understanding of the consequences of accidents, including effects on biodiversity and ecosystem services. Based on our review, we recommend to (1) fully incorporate risks for biodiversity and ecosystem services into policy debates; (2) develop a coherent information chain regarding such risks; (3) use proactive planning strategies to be prepared for potential accidents; and (4) develop a coherent research agenda on the consequences of nuclear accidents for biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Reevaluation of the Critical Concentration for Drug Susceptibility Testing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis against Pyrazinamide Using Wild-Type MIC Distributions and
pncA
Gene Sequencing
Authors: Werngren J. , Sturegård E. , Juréen P. , Ängeby K. , Hoffner S. , Schön T. 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACT

Pyrazinamide (PZA) is a potent first-line agent for the treatment of tuberculosis (TB) with activity also against a significant part of drug-resistant
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
strains. Since PZA is active only at acid pH, testing for susceptibility to PZA is difficult and insufficiently reproducible. The recommended critical concentration for PZA susceptibility (MIC, 100 mg/liter) used in the Bactec systems (460 and MGIT 960) has not been critically evaluated against wild-type MIC distributions in clinical isolates of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
. Using the Bactec MGIT 960 system, we determined the PZA MICs for 46 clinical
M. tuberculosis
isolates and compared the results to
pncA
sequencing and previously obtained Bactec 460 data. For consecutive clinical isolates (
n
= 15), the epidemiological wild-type cutoff (ECOFF) for PZA was 64 mg/liter (MIC distribution range, ≤8 to 64 mg/liter), and no
pncA
gene mutations were detected. In strains resistant in both Bactec systems (
n
= 18), the PZA MICs ranged from 256 to ≥1,024 mg/liter. The discordances between
pncA
sequencing, susceptibility results in Bactec 460, and MIC determinations in Bactec MGIT 960 were mainly observed in strains with MICs close to or at the ECOFF. We conclude that in general, wild-type and resistant strains were clearly separated and correlated to
pncA
mutations, although some isolates with MICs close to the ECOFF cause reproducibility problems within and between methods. To solve this issue, we suggest that isolates with MICs of ≤64 mg/liter be classified susceptible, that an intermediary category be introduced at 128 mg/liter, and that strains with MICs of >128 mg/liter be classified resistant.
In Vitro
Evaluation of Novel Compounds against Selected Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolates
Authors: Housman Seth T. , Sutherland Christina , Nicolau David P. 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACT

We describe the activities of RX-P763, RX-P766, RX-P770, RX-P792, RX-P793, and RX-P808 against strains of resistant
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
. These compounds target the large subunit of the bacterial ribosome and have broad-spectrum activities against multidrug-resistant pathogens. All compounds demonstrated
in vitro
activity against
P. aeruginosa
, with MIC
90
values of 4 to 8 μg/ml (range, 0.5 to 64). These novel compounds had narrow MIC distributions and maintained activity despite resistance phenotypes to other commonly utilized agents.
Complete Genomic Sequence of Bluetongue Virus Serotype 1 from China
Authors: Yang Tao , Liu Nihong , Xu Qingyuan , Sun Encheng , Qin Yongli , Zhao Jing , Feng Yufei , Wu Donglai 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACT
We report here the complete genomic sequence of the Chinese bluetongue virus serotype 1 (BTV1) strain SZ97/1. This work is the first to document the complete genomic sequence of a BTV1 strain from China and represents the second complete sequence of BTV1 in the world. The sequence information provided here will help determine the geographic origin of Chinese BTV1 and provide data to facilitate future analyses of the genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships of BTV strains.
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Is Associated With Faster Degeneration of Bioprosthetic Valve
Authors: Lorusso Roberto , Gelsomino Sandro , Lucà Fabiana , De Cicco Giuseppe , Billè Giuseppe , Carella Rocco , Villa Emmanuel , Troise Gianni , Viganò Mario , Banfi Carlo , Gazzaruso Carmine , Gagliardotto Pier , Menicanti Lorenzo , Formica Francesco , Paolini Giovanni , Benussi Stefano , Alfieri Ottavio , Pastore Matteo , Ferrarese Sandro , Mariscalco Giovanni , Di Credico Germano , Leva Cristian , Russo Claudio , Cannata Aldo , Trevisan Roberto , Livi Ugolino , Scrofani Roberto , Antona Carlo , Sala Andrea , Gensini Gian Franco , Maessen Jos , Giustina Andrea 
Published: December 2011

Background—
The present study was aimed at determining the impact of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) on postoperative bioprosthetic structural valve degeneration.

Methods and Results—

Twelve Italian centers participated in the study. Patient data refer to bioprosthetic implantations performed from November 1988 to December 2009, which resulted in 6184 patients (mean age 71.3±5.4 years, 60.1% male) being enrolled. Of these patients, 1731 (27.9%) had type 2 DM. The propensity score–matching algorithm successfully matched 1113 patients with type 2 DM with the same number of no-DM patients. The postmatching standard differences were less than 0.1 for each of the covariates, and 64.2% of DM patients were matched. The early (30 days) mortality rate was 7.8% (n=87) versus 2.9% (n=33) in patients with or without type 2 DM (
P
<0.001), respectively. Seven-year freedom from valve deterioration was significantly lower in patients with DM (73.2% [95% confidence interval, 61.6–85.5] versus 95.4% [95% confidence interval, 83.9–100],
P
<0.001). In Cox regression models with robust SEs that accounted for the clustering of matched pairs, DM was the strongest predictor of structural valve degeneration (hazard ratio 2.39 [95% confidence interval 2.28–3.52]). When we allowed for interaction between type 2 DM and other key risk factors, DM remained a significant predictor beyond any potentially associated variable.

Conclusions—
Patients with type 2 DM undergoing bioprosthetic valve implantation are at high risk of early and long-term mortality, as well as of structural valve degeneration.
Very Late Stent Thrombosis and Late Target Lesion Revascularization After Sirolimus-Eluting Stent Implantation
Authors: Kimura Takeshi , Morimoto Takeshi , Nakagawa Yoshihisa , Kawai Kazuya , Miyazaki Shunichi , Muramatsu Toshiya , Shiode Nobuo , Namura Masanobu , Sone Takahito , Oshima Shigeru , Nishikawa Hideo , Hiasa Yoshikazu , Hayashi Yasuhiko , Nobuyoshi Masakiyo , Mitudo Kazuaki ,   on Behalf of the j-Cypher Registry Investigators
Published: December 2011

Background—
There is a scarcity of long-term data from large-scale drug-eluting stent registries with a large enough sample to evaluate low-frequency events such as stent thrombosis (ST).

Methods and Results—
Five-year outcomes were evaluated in 12 812 consecutive patients undergoing sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) implantation in the j-Cypher registry. Cumulative incidence of definite ST was low (30 day, 0.3%; 1 year, 0.6%; and 5 years, 1.6%). However, late and very late ST continued to occur without attenuation up to 5 years after sirolimus-eluting stent implantation (0.26%/y). Cumulative incidence of target lesion revascularization within the first year was low (7.3%). However, late target lesion revascularization beyond 1 year also continued to occur without attenuation up to 5 years (2.2%/y). Independent risk factors of ST were completely different according to the timing of ST onset, suggesting the presence of different pathophysiological mechanisms of ST according to the timing of ST onset: acute coronary syndrome and target of proximal left anterior descending coronary artery for early ST; side-branch stenting, diabetes mellitus, and end-stage renal disease with or without hemodialysis for late ST; and current smoking and total stent length >28 mm for very late ST. Independent risk factors of late target lesion revascularization beyond 1 year were generally similar to those risk factors identified for early target lesion revascularization.

Conclusion—
Late adverse events such as very late ST and late target lesion revascularization are continuous hazards, lasting at least up to 5 years after implantation of the first-generation drug-eluting stents (sirolimus-eluting stents), which should be the targets for developing improved coronary stents.
Atmospheric Dispersion of Wheat Rust Spores: A New Theoretical Framework to Interpret Field Data and Estimate Downwind Dispersion
Authors: Chamecki Marcelo , Dufault Nicholas S. , Isard Scott A. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractTheoretical predictions for dispersion of heavy particles above an area source are used to formulate a new framework to interpret measurements of spore concentration above an infected field. Experimental measurements of mean spore concentration above an infected wheat field are used to validate theoretical predictions. The framework is then used to estimate total spore flux from the infected field and deposition patterns downwind. Results suggest that for the present case, consisting of a very low open canopy and friction velocity between 0.2 and 0.5 m s−1, the properties of the spore plume above the source field are mostly determined by the source strength (i.e., spore release rate) and are approximately independent of turbulence properties. Turbulence conditions have a strong effect on the distance downwind from the source traveled by spores, however, and are therefore critical in the spread of the disease. In addition, effects of spore clumping on dispersal are explored, illustrating the strong effect of clumping on reducing spore dispersal distance.
A Longitudinal Assessment of the Impact of Foreclosure on Neighborhood Crime
Authors: Katz Charles M. , Wallace Danielle , Hedberg E. C. 
Published: December 2011

Objectives: To examine possible effects of housing foreclosure on neighborhood levels of crime and to assess temporal lags in the impact of foreclosure on neighborhood levels of crime. Methods: Longitudinal data from Glendale, Arizona, a city at the epicenter of the nation’s foreclosure problem. The authors rely on four data sources: (1) foreclosure data, (2) computer-aided dispatch (CAD)/police records management system (RMS) data, (3) U.S. census and census estimate data, and (4) land use data. Results: Foreclosure has a short-term impact, typically no more than 3 months, on total crime, property crime, and violent crime, and no more than 4 months for drug crime. Conclusions: Foreclosures do not have a long-term effect on crime in general, and have different, though modest effects on different types of crime. The relationship between foreclosure and crime is not linear in nature but rather is characterized by a temporal, short-term flux in crime.
COPD association and repeatability of blood biomarkers in the ECLIPSE cohort
Authors: Dickens Jennifer A , Miller Bruce E , Edwards Lisa D , Silverman Edwin K , Lomas David A , Tal-Singer Ruth ,   the Evaluation of COPD Longitudinally to Identify Surrogate Endpoints (ECLIPSE) study investigators
Published: December 2011

Abstract

Background
There is a need for biomarkers to better characterise individuals with COPD and to aid with the development of therapeutic interventions. A panel of putative blood biomarkers was assessed in a subgroup of the Evaluation of COPD Longitudinally to Identify Surrogate Endpoints (ECLIPSE) cohort.

Methods
Thirty-four blood biomarkers were assessed in 201 subjects with COPD, 37 ex-smoker controls with normal lung function and 37 healthy non-smokers selected from the ECLIPSE cohort. Biomarker repeatability was assessed using baseline and 3-month samples. Intergroup comparisons were made using analysis of variance, repeatability was assessed through Bland-Altman plots, and correlations between biomarkers and clinical characteristics were assessed using Spearman correlation coefficients.

Results
Fifteen biomarkers were significantly different in individuals with COPD when compared to former or non-smoker controls. Some biomarkers, including tumor necrosis factor-α and interferon-γ, were measurable in only a minority of subjects whilst others such as C-reactive protein showed wide variability over the 3-month replication period. Fibrinogen was the most repeatable biomarker and exhibited a weak correlation with 6-minute walk distance, exacerbation rate, BODE index and MRC dyspnoea score in COPD subjects. 33% (66/201) of the COPD subjects reported at least 1 exacerbation over the 3 month study with 18% (36/201) reporting the exacerbation within 30 days of the 3-month visit. CRP, fibrinogen interleukin-6 and surfactant protein-D were significantly elevated in those COPD subjects with exacerbations within 30 days of the 3-month visit compared with those individuals that did not exacerbate or whose exacerbations had resolved.

Conclusions
Only a few of the biomarkers assessed may be useful in diagnosis or management of COPD where the diagnosis is based on airflow obstruction (GOLD). Further analysis of more promising biomarkers may reveal utility in subsets of patients. Fibrinogen in particular has emerged as a potentially useful biomarker from this cohort and requires further investigation.

Trial Registration
SCO104960, clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT00292552
Microplate-based platform for combined chromatin and DNA methylation immunoprecipitation assays
Authors: Yu Jingjing , Feng Qinghua , Ruan Yusong , Komers Radko , Kiviat Nancy , Bomsztyk Karol 
Published: December 2011

Abstract

Background
The processes that compose expression of a given gene are far more complex than previously thought presenting unprecedented conceptual and mechanistic challenges that require development of new tools. Chromatin structure, which is regulated by DNA methylation and histone modification, is at the center of gene regulation. Immunoprecipitations of chromatin (ChIP) and methylated DNA (MeDIP) represent a major achievement in this area that allow researchers to probe chromatin modifications as well as specific protein-DNA interactions in vivo and to estimate the density of proteins at specific sites genome-wide. Although a critical component of chromatin structure, DNA methylation has often been studied independently of other chromatin events and transcription.

Results
To allow simultaneous measurements of DNA methylation with other genomic processes, we developed and validated a simple and easy-to-use high throughput microplate-based platform for analysis of DNA methylation. Compared to the traditional beads-based MeDIP the microplate MeDIP was more sensitive and had lower non-specific binding. We integrated the MeDIP method with a microplate ChIP assay which allows measurements of both DNA methylation and histone marks at the same time, Matrix ChIP-MeDIP platform. We illustrated several applications of this platform to relate DNA methylation, with chromatin and transcription events at selected genes in cultured cells, human cancer and in a model of diabetic kidney disease.

Conclusion
The high throughput capacity of Matrix ChIP-MeDIP to profile tens and potentially hundreds of different genomic events at the same time as DNA methylation represents a powerful platform to explore complex genomic mechanism at selected genes in cultured cells and in whole tissues. In this regard, Matrix ChIP-MeDIP should be useful to complement genome-wide studies where the rich chromatin and transcription database resources provide fruitful foundation to pursue mechanistic, functional and diagnostic information at genes of interest in health and disease.