bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Validation of a model relating yield loss to weed time of emergence and removal in traditional and early‐sown maize
Authors: MASIN R , BERTI A , OTTO S , ZANIN G 
Published: March 2010

Masin R, Berti A, Otto S & Zanin G (2010). Validation of a model relating yield loss to weed time of emergence and removal in traditional and early‐sown maize. Weed Research50, 120–126.SummaryIn northern Italy, there has been a tendency in recent years to advance maize sowing from mid‐April to mid‐March. This may lead to many agronomic advantages but can strongly influence weed flora composition, density, time of emergence, and crop and weed relative growth. Altering the maize sowing date thus requires a better understanding of the competitive relationship between crop and weeds. This study evaluates an existing model expressing crop yield as a function of maximum yield of the weed‐free crop, weed competitive load and time of weed emergence and removal. The model can predict the yield loss caused by mixed infestations with a single set of parameters. The aim of this study was to validate this model with independent data from experiments on early and traditionally sown maize, in support of the idea that the model is robust enough to be used as a prediction tool for forecasting yield losses in a variety of conditions created by different sowing dates. In traditional sowing, the plot of expected versus observed yields showed that the model gives a good fit. However, for early sowing, the model accuracy in predicting crop yields was improved when the curve intercepts were shifted by 60 growing degree days (d °C). This shift corresponded to the difference between the onset of weed emergence in traditional and early sowing, which suggests that weeds may be less competitive when maize is sown earlier.
Quantification of the dynamics of Orobanche cumana and Phelipanche aegyptiaca parasitism in confectionery sunflower
Authors: EPHRATH J E , EIZENBERG H 
Published: March 2010

Ephrath JE & Eizenberg H (2010). Quantification of the dynamics of Orobanche cumana and Phelipanche aegyptiaca parasitism in confectionery sunflower. Elymus repens. Weed Research50, 140–152.SummaryThe dynamics of the host–parasite relationship between sunflower and two broomrape species, Orobanche cumana and Phelipanche aegyptiaca, are temperature‐related. This relationship can be quantified by thermal time as measured by growing day degrees (d °C; GDD). To obtain a reliable prediction from thermal time values, studies based on a wide range of temperatures are essential. O. cumana was found to be more suited to germination under high temperatures than P. aegyptiaca. The maximal parasite germination percentage, 79% and 49% in O. cumana and P. aegyptiaca, respectively, occurred in the two species in a similar thermal time of about 500 GDD. Although, there was significantly higher germination of O. cumana seeds compared with P. aegyptiaca under the various temperature regimes, there was no effect of temperature on the number of O. cumana attachments, when compared with P. aegyptiaca. The relationship between the progress of O. cumana and P. aegyptiaca attachments and emergence and thermal time followed a sigmoid‐shaped curve. O. cumana and P. aegyptiaca biomass was found to be strongly related to thermal time.
Atopy, IgE and eosinophilic cationic protein concentration, specific IgE positivity, eosinophil count in cutaneous T Cell lymphoma
Authors: Kural Yasemin Balsever , Su Ozlem , Onsun Nahide , Uras Ahmet Rıza 
Published: March 2010

AbstractBackground  Even though several case studies have reported a relationship between Cutaneous T Cell Lymphoma (CTCL) and atopic diathesis, this association is still controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the actual presence of atopic status in CTCL patients.Methods  A total of 78 patients with both clinical and histological features typical of CTCL and 77 control cases from our outpatient dermatology clinic were included in this study. After initial evaluation and staging, all patients were investigated for history of atopic disease, serum total IgE and eosinophil cationic protein concentration (ECP), eosinophil count, serum specific IgE, and skin prick test positivity.Results  Personal atopy in CTCL group was 23,1% (n = 18) and familial atopy was 9.0% (n = 7) whereas in the control group, these values were 11.7% (n = 9) and 7.8% (n = 6), respectively. There was no statistically significant difference, however, the number of atopic patients were higher in CTCL group than the control group (p = 0.151). Serum total IgE levels were significantly increased in patients with CTCL when compared to control group (p = 0.04). Serum specific IgE panel and prick test positivity between patients and controls were significantly different, respectively (p = 0. 03) (p = 0. 00). Eosinophil counts and ECP levels were not significantly different, respectively (p = 0.10) (p = 0.885). In high stages of CTCL, patients were found to have elevated IgE, ECP levels and eosinophil count. These results were statistically significant (p = 0.011) (p = 0.009) (p = 0.007).Conclusion  Eventhough the number of patients with atopy in the CTCL group was higher than the control cases, there was no significant different. On the other hand high levels of serum IgE, elevated eosinophil count and specific IgE positivity may be found in CTCL patients with or without atopic disease, especially with high stages.
Immunohistochemical study of cytokeratin expression in nevus sebaceous
Authors: Kurokawa Ichiro , Nishimura Keisuke , Yamanaka Kei‐ichi , Isoda Ken‐ichi , Taniguchi Yoshiki , Tsuruta Daisuke , Tsubura Airo , Mizutani Hitoshi 
Published: March 2010

AbstractBackground  The histogenesis of nevus sebaceous (NS) is unclear.Methods  To elucidate the histogenesis of NS, cytokeratin (CK) profiles were examined immunohistochemically using 10 anti‐keratin antibodies in the three stages of NS.Results  In the first stage, stratified differentiated keratins (CK1 and 10) were reduced, and basal keratin (CK14) was increased in the epidermis and primitive follicular structure (PFS). In the second stage, in addition to reduced CK1 and CK10 expressions and increased CK14 expression, CK17 expression was strongly expressed in the sebaceous ducts in proportion to the development of sebaceous gland. In the third stage, CK14, CK17 and CK19 were expressed in secondary tumors. CK16 was not detected throughout all stages of NS.Conclusion  These results suggest that NS is not hyperproliferative but involves hamartomatous differentiation with undifferentiated keratins.
The role of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in developing countries
Authors: Kling Max , Zeichner Joshua A. 
Published: March 2010

AbstractCervical cancer is a preventable health problem, yet is the second most common cancer of women worldwide. More than 80% of cases occur in developing countries, and this is expected to increase to 90% by the year 2020. The five‐year survival rate of patients in developing countries is less than 50%, compared to 66% in developed nations. A worldwide HPV vaccine program would significantly reduce the spread of HPV 16 and 18 and lower the incidence of cervical cancer. Mathematical models have determined that vaccinating 66% of the population will decrease the incidence of cervical cancer by 80% over the next 40–60 years. For every five‐year delay in a cervical cancer prevention/detection program, there will be an additional 1.5–2.0 million deaths. The introduction of a vaccination program will be a challenge due to high costs, unknown durability of the vaccine, and the potential for new oncogenic strains to emerge. A global effort will be required to eliminate cervical cancer from developing counties.
Nine cases of Japan spotted fever diagnosed at our hospital in 2008
Authors: Kondo Makoto , Nishii Masami , Gabazza Esteban C. , Kurokawa Ichiro , Akachi Shigehiro 
Published: March 2010

AbstractBackground The diagnosis of Japan spotted fever (JSF) is very difficult in some cases. The initial diagnosis of JSF is very important to treat.Methods We report nine cases of Japan spotted fever (JSF) with variable clinical features diagnosed at our hospital in 2008.Results Concerning clinical symptom, the most frequent symptoms were fever (8/9) and erythema of the whole body (8/9), followed by eschar (4/9). Palmar erythema, vomiting, and headache were observed in two cases. Purpura and lymph node swelling were observed in one case. Complication with Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) was observed in one case. Laboratory findings revealed elevated plasma level of C‐reactive protein (CRP) and liver dysfunction in all cases, and decreased platelet (7/9). Interestingly, all patients had a history of presumed infection in the Southern area of Miya River, where wild Japanese deer with ticks (vector ofRickettsia japonica) may reside.Conclusion Different procedures are performed to make a diagnosis of JSF. For an initial definite diagnosis and adequate treatment of JSF, PCR of samples taken from blood, and skin biopsy from erythema and eschar lesions are necessary. Paired serum to measure the titers of antibody against R. japonica is also important.
A chronic mutilating rhinopathy with a delayed diagnosis of mucocutaneous leishmaniasis
Authors: Karimbil Sujith Kumar , Kumari Sobhana , Celine Machiyanickel Isac , Joy Augustine 
Published: March 2010

AbstractBackground  Mucocutaneous leishmaniasis is a granulomatous disease clinically characterized by ulcerated skin and mucosal lesions. Mucocutaneous leishmaniasis is very rare in India and to our knowledge, only two cases have been reported, and this is the first case of mucocutaneous leishmaniasis presenting with mutilating rhinopathy reported from the Indian subcontinent.Case report  A 64‐year‐old man presented with a destructive ulceration of the central face of 23 years’ duration, who was diagnosed to have mucocutaneous leishmaniasis, and showed dramatic response to intramuscular injections of sodium stibogluconate.Results  Histopathologic examination of skin biopsy revealed a granulomatous infiltrate with the presence of leishmania donovani (LD) bodies. The clinical picture, plus the pathologic findings, and the response to sodium stibogluconate confirmed mucocutaneous leishmaniasis.Conclusion  Mucocutaneous leishmaniasis is a rare disease in the Indian subcontinent, and clinicians from this region should have a high index of suspicion on encountering mucocutaneous ulcerative lesions.
Defining the patient at high risk for melanoma
Authors: Psaty Estee L. , Scope Alon , Halpern Allan C. , Marghoob Ashfaq A. 
Published: March 2010

AbstractIn this practical review, we aim to help clinicians identify patients who are at significant risk of developing malignant melanoma. Universal screening is challenging, thus it is important to effectively single out patients who have a high risk of developing the disease. We provide a summary of pertinent questions to review when taking the patient's history, point out the phenotypic features to note during skin examination, and suggest risk stratification as a means to plan initial and long‐term surveillance strategy. We mention personal and family history of melanoma as prime risk factors for melanoma, yet the review also focuses on the patient who has no history of melanoma, either in himself or his family, and the proper ways to evaluate his likelihood of developing the disease.
Large‐scale worldwide observational study of adherence with acne therapy
Authors: Dréno Brigitte , Thiboutot Diane , Gollnick Harald , Finlay Andrew Y. , Layton Alison , Leyden James J. , Leutenegger Eric , Perez Montserrat ,   on behalf of the Global Alliance to Improve Outcomes in Acne
Published: March 2010

AbstractAcne is a common chronic disease that typically requires prolonged treatment. Several small studies conducted over the past few years suggest that adherence to acne medications is often poor. In addition, data regarding the factors that positively or negatively impact adherence in patients with acne are sparse. This study utilized a simple, validated questionnaire (ECOB, Elaboration d’un outil d’evaluation de l’observance des traitements medicamenteux) to assess the risk of poor adherence in a large worldwide cohort of acne patients (n = 3339) from three major geographic regions [the Americas (n = 952), Europe (n = 1196), and Asia (n = 1191). In addition, information about patient and treatment characteristics was collected to identify factors that correlated with adherence. Overall, there was a poor adherence rate of 50% in this study; this varied by region, with significantly worse adherence in Europe versus Asia and America (poor adherence rates of 58%, 48%, and 43%, respectively, P < 0.0001). To provide insight into factors that affect medication‐taking behavior in acne, adherence was analyzed by the type of treatment (a combination of topical and systemic, topical only, oral isotretinoin). Among patients taking a combination of both systemic and topical therapy, 60% (n = 944) of patients had poor adherence to at least one treatment as defined in the study protocol. In this group, there was a higher proportion of patients who had poor adherence to systemic treatment versus topical treatment (54% vs. 44%, respectively). Among patients treated with topical therapy only, poor adherence occurred in 40% (n = 356) of cases. A total of 46% (n = 325) of patients using oral isotretinoin therapy had poor adherence. Multivariate analysis showed that poor adherence was independently correlated with young age (most strongly with <15 years but also in the age group from 15 to 25 years), the occurrence of side effects, lack of improvement as evaluated by dermatologist, previous systemic therapy, lack of knowledge about acne treatment, consultation with a primary care physician, and lack of patient satisfaction with treatment. Factors that had a positive effect on adherence were more severe acne, use of cosmetics (moisturizers, cleansers), use of either topical therapy alone or isotretinoin, good clinical improvement as evaluated by the dermatologist, patient satisfaction with therapy, and knowledge of acne treatment.
Effect of LPS on Reproductive System at the Level of the Pituitary of Anestrous Ewes
Authors: Herman AP , Romanowicz K , Tomaszewska‐Zaremba D 
Published: March 2010

ContentsIn our research we focused our attention on the effect of the immune stress induced by bacterial endotoxin–lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis (HPG) at the pituitary level. We examined the effect of intravenous (i.v.) LPS injection on luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) release from the anterior pituitary gland (AP) in anestrous ewes. The effect of endotoxin on prolactin and cortisol circulating levels was also determined. We also researched the effect of immune challenge on the previously mentioned pituitary hormones and their receptors genes expression in the AP. Our results demonstrate that i.v. LPS injection decreased the plasma concentration of LH (23%; p < 0.05) and stimulates cortisol (245%; p < 0.05) and prolactin (60%; p < 0.05) release but has no significant effect on the FSH release assayed during 6 h after LPS treatment in comparison with the control levels. The LPS administration affected the genes expression of gonadotropins’β‐subunits, prolactin and their receptors in the AP. Endotoxin injection significantly decreased the LHβ and LH receptor (LHR) gene expression (60%, 64%; p < 0.01 respectively), increased the amount of mRNA encoding FSHβ, FSH receptor (FSHR) (124%, 0.05; 166%, p < 0.01; respectively), prolactin and prolactin receptor (PRLR) (50%, 47%, p < 0.01; respectively). The presented, results suggest that immune stress is a powerful modulator of the HPG axis at the pituitary level. The changes in LH secretion could be an effect of the processes occurring in the hypothalamus. However, the direct effect of immune mediators, prolactin, cortisol and other components of the hypothalamic pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis on the activity of gonadotropes has to be considered as well. Those molecules could affect LH synthesis directly through a modulation at all stages of LHβ secretion as well as indirectly influencing the GnRHR expression and leading to reduced pituitary responsiveness to GnRH stimulation.
B‐mode Ultrasound and Grey‐Scale Analysis of the Epididymis in Boars, and the Relationship to Semen Parameters
Authors: Kauffold J , Kessler M , Richter A , Beynon N , Wehrend A 
Published: March 2010

ContentsThis study investigated the epididymis of mature boars (n = 10) by means of B‐mode ultrasound and grey‐scale analysis (GSA) for echogenicity (EG) determination using an ultrasound unit HS 1500V, a linear transducer (frequencies 7.5–9.0 MHz), and standardized unit settings. All boars had their epididymal caput, corpus and cauda scanned six times before and after semen collection, respectively, at weekly intervals. Semen was subjected to spermatological examination including volume, total and forward motility, sperm abnormalities, as well as total sperm count and concentration. The caput and corpus both had a homogeneous fine echotexture. The cauda was homogeneous too but had a marbled echotex‐ture. Echogenicity before and after semen collection was caput > corpus > cauda, respectively (p < 0.001). Echogenicity was higher before than after semen collection for all parts of the epididymis, respectively (p < 0.001). Echogenicity of the caput correlated slightly positively with the total sperm count pre‐collection (r = 0.301; p = 0.020) and with ejaculate volume pre‐ and post‐collection (r = 0.302 vs 0.306; p = 0.017 vs 0.019), and slightly negatively with sperm concentration post‐collection (r = −0.275; p = 0.034). No relationship was found for EG of the corpus and cauda for any of the ejaculate parameters. In conclusion, B‐mode ultrasound and GSA proved feasible for imaging the epididymis in boars. Single relationships between EG and ejaculate parameters were found and deserve further investigation.
Spontaneous pneumothorax: time for some fresh air
Authors: Simpson G. 
Published: March 2010

AbstractConventional teaching on the mechanisms and treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax is either obviously wrong or based on a misunderstanding of the natural history of the condition. Spontaneous pneumothorax is a generally benign, self‐limiting condition where conservative management should be considered. If intervention is needed, medical thoracoscopy might be the procedure of choice.
The ‘CaP Calculator’: an online decision support tool for clinically localized prostate cancer
Authors: Katz Matthew S. , Efstathiou Jason A. , D’Amico Anthony V. , Kattan Michael W. , Sanda Martin G. , Nguyen Paul L. , Smith Matthew R. , Carroll Peter R. , Zietman Anthony L. 
Published: March 2010

Study Type – Prognosis (risk model) Level of Evidence 2aOBJECTIVETo design a decision‐support tool to facilitate evidence‐based treatment decisions in clinically localized prostate cancer, as individualized risk assessment and shared decision‐making can decrease distress and decisional regret in patients with prostate cancer, but current individual models vary or only predict one outcome of interest.METHODSWe searched Medline for previous reports and identified peer‐reviewed articles providing pretreatment predictive models that estimated pathological stage and treatment outcomes in men with biopsy‐confirmed, clinical T1‐3 prostate cancer. Each model was entered into a spreadsheet to provide calculated estimates of extracapsular extension (ECE), seminal vesicle invasion (SVI), and lymph node involvement (LNI). Estimates of the prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) outcome after radical prostatectomy (RP) or radiotherapy (RT), and clinical outcomes after RT, were also entered. The data are available at http://www.capcalculator.org.RESULTSEntering a patient’s 2002 clinical T stage, Gleason score and pretreatment PSA level, and details from core biopsy findings, into the CaP Calculator provides estimates from predictive models of pathological extent of disease, four models for ECE, four for SVI and eight for LNI. The 5‐year estimates of PSA relapse‐free survival after RT and 10‐year estimates after RP were available. A printout can be generated with individualized results for clinicians to review with each patient.CONCLUSIONSThe CaP Calculator is a free, online ‘clearing house’ of several predictive models for prostate cancer, available in an accessible, user‐friendly format. With further development and testing with patients, the CaP Calculator might be a useful decision‐support tool to help doctors promote evidence‐based shared decision‐making in prostate cancer.
Menopausal transition and the risk of urinary incontinence: results from a British prospective cohort
Authors: Mishra Gita D. , Cardozo Linda , Kuh Diana 
Published: March 2010

Study Type – Aetiology (inception cohort) Level of Evidence 2bOBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of menopausal transition and age on symptoms of urinary incontinence in midlife.SUBJECTS AND METHODS The study included a nationally representative cohort of 1211 women followed up since their birth in 1946 and annually from 48–54 years; their menopausal transition status and symptoms of stress, urge, and severe urinary incontinence (UI) at 7 consecutive years from ages 48–54 were assessed.RESULTS From Generalized Estimating Equations, women who became perimenopausal (‘pre‐peri’) or those experiencing perimenopause for >1 year (‘peri‐peri’) were more likely to have symptoms of stress UI than were postmenopausal women; the odds ratio (95% confidence interval) was; pre‐peri 1.39 (1.11–1.73); and peri‐peri 1.39 (1.4–1.71). Menopausal transition status was not associated with urge or severe UI. These relationships were not explained by age, childhood enuresis, reproductive factors, previous health status, body mass index and educational qualifications.CONCLUSION This study is unique in being able to disentangle the effects of age, menopausal transitions, and other life‐long risk factors on UI. Menopausal transition was only related to stress UI, while increasing age was related to both stress and urge UI. This study suggests that there are both shared and distinct aetiological pathways leading to each type of UI.