bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Early successional woody plants facilitate and ferns inhibit forest development on Puerto Rican landslides
Authors: Walker Lawrence R. , Landau Frederick H. , Velázquez Eduardo , Shiels Aaron B. , Sparrow Ashley D. 
Published: February 2010

Summary 1. The experimental removal of early successional species can explain how plant communities change over time. 2. During a 7.3‐year period, early successional woody species, scrambling ferns and tree ferns were removed from a total of 10 landslides in the Luquillo Experimental Forest in north‐eastern Puerto Rico. 3. Early successional woody plants in combination with tree ferns decreased species richness and cover of forbs and increased richness of late‐successional woody plants compared to removals, facilitating long‐term forest development. 4. Dense stands of scrambling ferns decreased both forb and woody plant richness compared to removals, inhibiting forest development. 5. Stands of monospecific tree ferns initially increased woody plant richness compared to removals, but overall decreased woody plant richness and cover, inhibiting forest development. 6.
Synthesis. Early successional species both facilitate and inhibit succession on tropical landslides, but detailed predictions of successional trajectories remain elusive and are influenced by stochastic processes including arrival order, the life‐form of colonizing species and their competitive interactions.
Evaluation of sensory irritation caused by topical medications using a novel technique
Authors: Uliasz Annemarie , Lebwohl Mark 
Published: February 2010

AbstractBackground  Topical medications are often the first line therapy utilized by dermatologists for a variety of conditions. However, a common side effect of topical medications is application site irritation. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the sensory irritation caused by hydrocortisone butyrate lipocream 0.1% using a non‐invasive and inexpensive technique.Methods  Twenty participants with corticosteroid‐responsive dermatoses were enrolled. Three target areas of unaffected skin were abraded. A negative control (petrolatum ointment), a positive control (an over‐the‐counter [OTC] anti‐itch preparation containing benzyl alcohol), and a test product (hydrocortisone butyrate lipocream 0.1%) were each applied to separate target areas on the legs. Participants rated the irritation of each target area using a 10‐point scale (1 [no symptoms] to 10 [intolerable burning/ stinging requiring removal of the medication]).Results  The mean irritation scores for petrolatum ointment, the OTC anti‐itch preparation, and hydrocortisone butyrate lipocream 0.1% were 1.30, 5.70, and 1.95, respectively. The difference in irritation between the OTC anti‐itch preparation and hydrocortisone butyrate lipocream 0.1% was highly significant (P < 0.0001). The difference in irritation between the OTC anti‐itch preparation and petrolatum ointment also was highly significant (P < 0.0001). The difference in irritation between hydrocortisone butyrate lipocream 0.1% and petrolatum ointment also was statistically significant (P = 0.0265). Irritation scores were then standardized on a 10‐point scale, with the irritation score of the negative control given a value of 1.00 and the irritation score of the positive control given a value of 10.00. The standardized irritation score of the test product, hydrocortisone butyrate lipocream 0.1%, was calculated to be 2.33.Conclusion  Our study, using a novel technique to measure sensory irritation, establishes hydrocortisone butyrate lipocream 0.1% to be minimally irritating. We hope to use this simple and easy‐to‐use assay to measure and compare the severity of the sensory irritation of various commercially available topical preparations. In doing so, we hope to ultimately create a sensory irritation ranking scale, which would enable physicians to choose less irritating products, thereby enhancing adherence to treatment regimens and patient satisfaction.
Extract of Punica granatum inhibits skin photoaging induced by UVB irradiation
Authors: Park Hye Min , Moon Eunjung , Kim Ae‐Jung , Kim Mi Hyun , Lee Sanghee , Lee Jung Bok , Park Yong Kon , Jung Hyuk‐Sang , Kim Yoon‐Bum , Kim Sun Yeou 
Published: February 2010

AbstractBackground  Punica granatum (pomegranate) is kind of a fruit consumed fresh or in beverage. It has been widely used in traditional medicine in various parts of the world. In this study, we examined the efficacy of a Punica granatum (PG) extract in protecting skin against UVB‐induced damage using cultured human skin fibroblasts.Methods  A Korean red PG sample was used, and its effects classified according to if the PG source originated from the rind, seed and fruit. The polyphenol content of PG, which is known to prevent other adverse cutaneous effects of UV irradiation, was measured by GC‐MS. The protective effects of PG on UVB‐induced skin photoaging were examined by determining the level of procollagen type I and MMP‐1 after UVB irradiation.Results  Based on the GC‐MS quantitative analysis, catechin, quercetin, kaempferol, and equol were the predominant compounds detected in PG. In the changes of expression of procollagen type I and MMP‐1 in UV irradiated human skin fibroblasts treated PG, especially extract prepared from rind, the synthesis of collagen was increased and the expression of MMP‐1 was decreased.Conclusion  The major polyphenols in PG, particularly catechin, play a significant role in its photoprotective effects on UVB‐induced skin damage.
Cutaneous vascular patterns in psoriasis
Authors: Micali Giuseppe , Lacarrubba Francesco , Musumeci Maria Letizia , Massimino Doriana , Nasca Maria Rita 
Published: February 2010

AbstractMicrovascular abnormalities are a characteristic feature of psoriasis and play a crucial role in its pathogenesis. Investigational studies have shown that activated keratinocytes in lesional skin undergo an accelerated epidermal cell turnover and are a major source of pro‐angiogenic cytokines, like as VEGF, ESAF, PDECGE/TP, TNF‐α, TGF‐α and PDGF, suggesting that the epidermis is capable of inducing vascular proliferation. On the other hand, microvascular alterations are essential for the development and persistence of the psoriatic lesions as they provide cellular and tissue nutrition to hyperplastic keratinocytes and promote inflammatory cell migration. Also, dilated and slightly tortuous blood vessels within dermal papillae represent one of the earliest detectable histological changes for all stages of lesional development. Videodermatoscopy is a new non invasive imaging technique able to identify modifications of microvascular architecture in vivo and such evaluation will be useful for the dermatologist both for diagnostic and prognostic evaluation, as well as for post‐therapeutic follow‐up. In this review, the role of microvascular abnormalities in the pathogenesis of psoriasis as well as the mechanisms underlying vascular changes and their primary therapeutic implications will be reviewed and discussed.
Combination excision and liposuction in a single‐stage treatment of various skin disorders
Authors: Lei Hua , Ma Gui‐e , Chen Jian , Liu Zhen‐jun 
Published: February 2010

AbstractObjectives  The repair of skin defects resulting from the excision of large skin disorders is always challenging for surgeons as many methods have varied disadvantages. Therefore, we attempt to overcome frequent disadvantages of other surgical methods in repairing skin defects with the help of liposuction.Methods  Before excision of skin disorders, liposuction was performed in regions where they were located followed by complete excision. The sliding flaps on both sides of the defect created by liposuction were pulled together to cover the defect. In our study, 40 skin disorders located on the upper arm, thigh, and trunk were treated by this technique.Results  Forty skin disorders were excised and resulting skin defects were repaired in one stage by the surrounding sliding flaps without wound dehiscence, infection, incision edge necrosis, sensory deficit, or severe scar recurrence. The regions of liposuction presented a harmonious result and simultaneously the body contour was well‐balanced.Conclusion  Some large skin disorders at sites rich in subcutaneous fat can be treated in one stage by combining excision and liposuction with good functional and esthetic outcomes with few complications. Although the indications for this technique are limited, it is really a good option for appropriate cases.
Clinical study of repigmentation patterns with either narrow‐band ultraviolet B (NBUVB) or 308 nm excimer laser treatment in Korean vitiligo patients
Authors: Yang Yun‐Seok , Cho Hee‐Ryung , Ryou Ji‐Ho , Lee Mu‐Hyoung 
Published: February 2010

AbstractBackground  Various repigmentation patterns such as perifollicular, marginal, diffuse, and mixed configuration can occur in vitiligo. The aim of this study was to clinically assess the types of repigmentation patterns obtained with narrow‐band ultraviolet B (NBUVB) phototherapy or targeted phototherapy using a 308 nm excimer laser and to reveal whether the repigmentation patterns have any relationship to the location of lesions, patient’s age, duration of lesions, or speed of improvement.Methods  This study enrolled 51 patients who had effective responses as compared with baseline when treated with NBUVB alone and 52 patients who had effective responses as compared with baseline when treated with excimer laser alone. We evaluated the repigmentation patterns when the responses to treatments appeared.Results  The most frequent repigmentation pattern was the perifollicular type in both groups treated with NBUVB (42.2%) or excimer laser (51.3%), followed by marginal, diffuse, and combined, in that order. There was no significant difference in the repigmentation pattern according to the location of lesions, patient’s age, or duration of lesions. The marginal pattern was predominant in both NBUVB and excimer laser‐treated groups when excellent responses (more than 75% repigmentation achieved at 12 weeks) appeared.Conclusions  The repigmentation patterns according to location, age, duration of lesions, and speed of response showed similarities in both the NBUVB and excimer laser‐treated groups.
Efficacy of chemical and botanical over‐the‐counter pediculicides available in Brazil, and off‐label treatments, against head lice ex vivo
Authors: Asenov André , Oliveira Fabíola Araújo , Speare Rick , Liesenfeld Oliver , Hengge Ulrich R. , Heukelbach Jorg 
Published: February 2010

AbstractBackground  There is a lack of reliable data on the efficacy of over‐the‐counter (OTC) pediculicides in Brazil.Methods  We performed ex vivo assays of eight marketed pediculicides: 1% permethrin (Kwell®, Clean Hair®, Keltrina®, Nedax®), 0.02% deltamethrin (Deltacid®, Pediderm®), and two “natural” products (Piolho e Lêndea®, Pilogenio®). We also tested 5% permethrin (Keltrina Plus®), traditional home remedies and an ivermectin‐based product used in veterinary medicine. Head lice (49–52 per group) were immersed in the compound for 3 min and washed after 20 min to simulate the typical in vivo treatment protocol. Lice were examined for activity up to 24 h using stringent criteria for survival.Results  Of the permethrin containing products, highest mortality was observed with Kwell® and Clean Hair® (97.9 and 90.2% after 4 h). Keltrina®, Nedax®, Keltrina Plus®, and the two deltamethrin‐based products showed only a low efficacy of <60% after 4 h. With exception of pure coconut oil (80% mortality after 4 h), home remedies showed a very low efficacy, and both marketed products killed few lice. The ivermectin‐based product caused a mortality of 100% after 4 h.Conclusions  Most Brazilian OTC products did not show a satisfactory efficacy against head lice. Resistance may be present. Ivermectin and coconut oil are promising compounds for topical treatment. Laboratory‐based tests should be used to assess resistance patterns and to identify formulations of the active ingredient that increase the efficacy. Standardized testing should be performed before a product is licensed for head lice treatment.
Evaluation of Follicular Development and Oocyte Quality in Pre‐pubertal Cats
Authors: Uchikura K , Nagano M , Hishinuma M 
Published: February 2010

ContentsOur study was conducted to assess the follicular development and availability of sound ovarian oocytes for in vitro production (IVP) of embryos in pre‐pubertal cats. The relationship between body and ovarian weight was examined in 93 cats. The results revealed that ovarian weight rapidly increased until 100 days of estimated age. By histological evaluation of ovaries obtained from 11 pre‐pubertal cats with estimated age of <20, 20–40 and 100–120 days, it was clarified that the increase in ovarian weight during kitten growth accompanied the increase in the number and size of antral follicles. The follicular diameter and percentage of normal oocytes in secondary/antral follicles also increased as estimated age (body weight) increased. The oocytes obtained from pre‐pubertal cats with 100–120 days of estimated age were used for IVP of embryos. The results showed that the success rates of in vitro maturation, in vitro fertilization and development to blastocysts after in vitro culture in pre‐pubertal cats were lower than in sexually mature cats. However, the percentage of blastocysts based on the cleaved embryos and cell number of blastocysts in pre‐pubertal cats were comparable to those in mature cats. In conclusion, these results suggest that the ovaries of pre‐pubertal cats with ≥100 days of age contain oocytes with in vitro developmental competence to blastocysts.
Validity of registry data: Agreement between cancer records in an end‐stage kidney disease registry (voluntary reporting) and a cancer register (statutory reporting)
Authors: WEBSTER ANGELA C , SUPRAMANIAM RAJAH , O'CONNELL DIANNE L , CHAPMAN JEREMY R , CRAIG JONATHAN C 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACT:Aims:  End‐stage kidney disease registries inform outcomes and policy. Data quality is crucial but difficult to measure objectively. We assessed agreement between incident cancer reported to the Australian and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant Registry (ANZDATA) and to the Central Cancer Registry (CCR) in New South Wales.Methods:  ANZDATA records were linked to CCR using probabilistic matching. We calculated agreement between registries for patients with ≥1 cancers, all cancers and site‐specific cancer using the kappa statistic (κ). We investigated cases where records disagreed and compared estimates of cancer risk based either on ANZDATA or on CCR using standardized incidence ratios (indirect standardization by age, sex and calendar year).Results:  From 1980 to 2001, 9453 residents had dialysis or transplantation. ANZDATA recorded 867 cancers in 779 (8.2%) registrants; CCR 867 cancers in 788 (8.3%). ANZDATA recorded 170 patients with cancer that CCR did not, CCR recorded 179 patients that ANZDATA did not (κ = 0.76). ANZDATA had sensitivity 77.3% (confidence interval (CI) 74.2–80.2), specificity 98.1% (CI 97.7–98.3) if CCR records were regarded as the reference standard. Agreement was similar for diagnoses while receiving dialysis (κ = 0.78) or after transplantation (κ = 0.79), but varied by cancer type. Agreement was poorest for melanoma (κ = 0.61) and myeloma (κ = 0.47) and highest for lymphoma (κ = 0.80), leukaemia (κ = 0.86) and breast cancer (κ = 0.85). Artefact accounted for 20.8% of the non‐concordance but error and misclassification did occur in both registries. Estimates of cancer risk based on ANZDATA or CCR records did not differ in any important way.Conclusion:  Agreement of cancer records between both registries was high and differences largely explicable. It is likely that both ANZDATA and CCR have some inaccuracies, for reasons that are now more explicit, with themes similar to those likely to be experienced by other registries.
Anesthetic considerations for the pediatric oncology patient – part 2: systems‐based approach to anesthesia
Authors: LATHAM GREGORY J. , GREENBERG ROBERT S. 
Published: February 2010

SummaryOne of the prices paid for chemo‐ and radiotherapy of cancer in children is damage to the vulnerable and developing healthy tissues of the body. Such damage can exist clinically or subclinically and can become apparent during active antineoplastic treatment or during remission decades later. Furthermore, effects of the tumor itself can significantly impact the physiologic state of the child. The anesthesiologist who cares for children with cancer or for survivors of childhood cancer should understand what effects cancer and its therapy can have on various organ systems. In part two of this three‐part review, we review the anesthetic issues associated with childhood cancer. Specifically, this review presents a systems‐based approach to the impact from both tumor and its treatment in children, followed by a discussion of the relevant anesthetic considerations.
Turbulent dispersal promotes species coexistence
Authors: Berkley Heather A. , Kendall Bruce E. , Mitarai Satoshi , Siegel David A. 
Published: February 2010

Ecology Letters (2010) 13: 360–371AbstractSeveral recent advances in coexistence theory emphasize the importance of space and dispersal, but focus on average dispersal rates and require spatial heterogeneity, spatio‐temporal variability or dispersal‐competition tradeoffs to allow coexistence. We analyse a model with stochastic juvenile dispersal (driven by turbulent flow in the coastal ocean) and show that a low‐productivity species can coexist with a high‐productivity species by having dispersal patterns sufficiently uncorrelated from those of its competitor, even though, on average, dispersal statistics are identical and subsequent demography and competition is spatially homogeneous. This produces a spatial storage effect, with an ephemeral partitioning of a ‘spatial niche’, and is the first demonstration of a physical mechanism for a pure spatiotemporal environmental response. ‘Turbulent coexistence’ is widely applicable to marine species with pelagic larval dispersal and relatively sessile adult life stages (and perhaps some wind‐dispersed species) and complements other spatial and temporal storage effects previously documented for such species.
Sugarcane for bioenergy production: an assessment of yield and regulation of sucrose content
Authors: Waclawovsky Alessandro J. , Sato Paloma M. , Lembke Carolina G. , Moore Paul H. , Souza Glaucia M. 
Published: February 2010

SummaryAn increasing number of plant scientists, including breeders, agronomists, physiologists and molecular biologists, are working towards the development of new and improved energy crops. Research is increasingly focused on how to design crops specifically for bioenergy production and increased biomass generation for biofuel purposes. The most important biofuel to date is bioethanol produced from sugars (sucrose and starch). Second generation bioethanol is also being targeted for studies to allow the use of the cell wall (lignocellulose) as a source of carbon. If a crop is to be used for bioenergy production, the crop should be high yielding, fast growing, low lignin content and requiring relatively small energy inputs for its growth and harvest. Obtaining high yields in nonprime agricultural land is a key for energy crop development to allow sustainability and avoid competition with food production. Sugarcane is the most efficient bioenergy crop of tropical and subtropical regions, and biotechnological tools for the improvement of this crop are advancing rapidly. We focus this review on the studies of sugarcane genes associated with sucrose content, biomass and cell wall metabolism and the preliminary physiological characterization of cultivars that contrast for sugar and biomass yield.
PLACING AND SPACING SERVICES: TOWARDS A BALANCED ECONOMIC GEOGRAPHY OF FIRMS, CLUSTERS, SOCIAL NETWORKS, CONTRACTS AND THE GEOGRAPHIES OF ENTERPRISE
Authors: RUSTEN GRETE , BRYSON JOHN R. 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACTThis paper introduces a special dossier that explores the changing economic geographies of service firms and functions. The emphasis is on exploring recent developments in the theory of the firm and what this means for understanding how complex production systems are organised in time and space. There are three important building blocks: exploring interactions between the literatures of economic geography and international business; exploring the global sourcing of services and a critical analysis of clusters. This introduction addresses some of the tensions that exist between research that emphasises the importance of social networks in production systems and the contractual and legal structures that constrain the activities of firms.
Within-Individual Dependence in Self-Controlled Case Series Models for Recurrent Events
Authors: Farrington C. Paddy , Hocine Mounia N. 
Published: February 2010

SummaryThe self-controlled case series model may be used to analyse recurrent events when event times are conditionally independent given fixed or random individual effects. To test the hypothesis of within-individual independence, the model is augmented by an association parameter for diagonal dependence, which provides the focus for a test of independence. Estimation methods are described, and simulations are presented to illustrate the power of the method in relevant scenarios, and to quantify the bias resulting from failure of the independence assumption. The methods are applied to two data sets, relating to a rare bleeding disorder and to myocardial infarction.
Continuous Time Brownian Motion Models for Analysis of Sequential Data
Authors: Robinson G. K. 
Published: February 2010

SummaryThe paper discusses techniques for analysis of sequential data from variable processes, particularly techniques that can be used even when the data are not equally spaced in time. The techniques are based on models which use continuous time Brownian motion and its integrals to describe the pattern of variation in an underlying physical process and use white noise to describe variation due to measurement processes. The paper concentrates on making statements about what has been happening in the region that is covered by the data rather than on making predictions about regions that are far from the data. It is argued that the continuous time integrated Brownian motion plus white noise model is always preferable to its discrete time analogue: the local linear trend model. Further integrals of Brownian motion can be fitted as an alternative to using splines. All of these continuous time Brownian motion models can be fitted to data that are associated with a time interval (interval data) as well as to data that are associated with a single time (spot data). They can be fitted by using mixed model methodology as well as by using Kalman filtering and smoothing.
Mixed Effect Modelling of Proteomic Mass Spectrometry Data by Using Gaussian Mixtures
Authors: Browne William J. , Dryden Ian L. , Handley Kelly , Mian Shahid , Schadendorf Dirk 
Published: February 2010

SummaryStatistical methodology for the analysis of proteomic mass spectrometry data is proposed using mixed effects models. Each high dimensional spectrum is represented by using a near orthogonal low dimensional representation with a basis of Gaussian mixture functions. Linear mixed effect models are proposed in the lower dimensional space. In particular, differences between groups are investigated by using fixed effect parameters, and individual variability of spectra is modelled by using random effects. A deterministic peak fitting algorithm provides estimates of the near orthogonal Gaussian basis. The mixed effects model is fitted by using restricted maximum likelihood, and a parallel fitting procedure is used for computational convenience. The methodology is applied to proteomic mass spectrometry data from serum samples from melanoma patients who were categorized as stage I or stage IV, and significant locations of peaks are identified.