bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Assessment of the Velopharyngeal Mechanism at Rest and During Speech in Chinese Adults and Children
Authors: Tian Wei , Yin Heng , Redett Richard J. , Shi Bing , Shi Jin , Zhang Rui , Zheng Qian 
Published: August 2010

PurposeRecent applications of the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique introduced accurate 3-dimensional measurements of the velopharyngeal mechanism. Further standardization of the data acquisition and analysis protocol was successfully applied to imaging adults at rest and during phonation. This study was designed to test and modify a noninvasive protocol for evaluating young children without using general anesthesia. In addition, the velopharyngeal structures and their maximal motion were compared between adults and children.MethodMRI data were acquired in 12 young adults and 9 children at rest and during speech production. Multiple measurements were made on the velopharyngeal and craniofacial structures as well as on the levator veli palatini muscle.ResultsMost of the ratio measurements of structural shape and maximal motion in the velopharyngeal and craniofacial regions were not significantly different between the adults and the children, despite the fact that the children had much smaller structures than the adults.ConclusionThe proportion of the velopharyngeal mechanism remains stable in young children and adults so that the motions of the velum and pharyngeal walls are adequate to close the velopharyngeal port completely.
Normative Data for the Words-in-Noise Test for 6- to 12-Year-Old Children
Authors: Wilson Richard H. , Farmer Nicole M. , Gandhi Avni , Shelburne Emily , Weaver Jamie 
Published: August 2010

Purpose
To establish normative data for children on the Words-in-Noise Test (WIN; R. H. Wilson, 2003; R. H. Wilson & R. McArdle, 2007).

Method

Forty-two children in each of 7 age groups, ranging in age from 6 to 12 years (
n
= 294), and 24 young adults (age range: 18–27 years) with normal hearing for pure tones participated. All listeners were screened at 15 dB HL (American National Standards Institute, 2004) with the octave interval between 500 and 4000 Hz. Randomizations of WIN Lists 1, 2, and 1 or WIN Lists 2, 1, and 2 were presented with the noise fixed at 70 dB SPL, followed by presentation at 90 dB SPL of the 70 Northwestern University Auditory Test No. 6 (T. W. Tillman & R. Carhart, 1966) words used in the WIN. Finally, the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test—Revised (L. M. Dunn & L. M. Dunn, 1981) was administered. Testing was conducted in a quiet room.

Results
There were 3 main findings: (a) The biggest change in recognition performance occurred between the ages of 6 and 7 years; (b) from 9 to 12 years, recognition performance was stable; and (c) performance by young adults (18–27 years) was slightly better (1–2 dB) than performance by the older children.

Conclusion
The WIN can be used with children as young as 6 years of age; however, age-specific ranges of normal recognition performance must be used.
Developing a Weighted Measure of Speech Sound Accuracy
Authors: Preston Jonathan L. , Ramsdell Heather L. , Oller D. Kimbrough , Edwards Mary Louise , Tobin Stephen J. 
Published: August 2010

Purpose
To develop a system for numerically quantifying a speaker’s phonetic accuracy through transcription-based measures. With a focus on normal and disordered speech in children, the authors describe a system for differentially weighting speech sound errors on the basis of various levels of phonetic accuracy using a Weighted Speech Sound Accuracy (WSSA) score. The authors then evaluate the reliability and validity of this measure.

Method
Phonetic transcriptions were analyzed from several samples of child speech, including preschoolers and young adolescents with and without speech sound disorders and typically developing toddlers. The new measure of phonetic accuracy was validated against existing measures, was used to discriminate typical and disordered speech production, and was evaluated to examine sensitivity to changes in phonetic accuracy over time. Reliability between transcribers and consistency of scores among different word sets and testing points are compared.

Results
Initial psychometric data indicate that WSSA scores correlate with other measures of phonetic accuracy as well as listeners' judgments of the severity of a child’s speech disorder. The measure separates children with and without speech sound disorders and captures growth in phonetic accuracy in toddlers' speech over time. The measure correlates highly across transcribers, word lists, and testing points.

Conclusion
Results provide preliminary support for the WSSA as a valid and reliable measure of phonetic accuracy in children’s speech.
COI1, a jasmonate receptor, is involved in ethylene-induced inhibition of Arabidopsis root growth in the light
Authors: Adams Eri , Devoto Alessandra , Turner John 
Published: August 2010

Abstract
Plant response to stress is orchestrated by hormone signalling pathways including those activated by jasmonates (JAs) and by ethylene, both of which stunt root growth. COI1 is a JA receptor and is required for the known responses to this hormone. It was observed that the coi1 mutant, which is largely unresponsive to growth inhibition by JAs, was also partially unresponsive to growth inhibition by ethylene and by its immediate precursor, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC), in the light but not in the dark. Although COI1 was required for this response to ACC, other components of the JA signal perception pathway were not. Mutants selected for insensitivity to ethylene, including etr1, ein2, and ein3, showed greater ACC-induced root growth inhibition in the light than in the dark. However, the double mutants etr1;coi1, ein2;coi1, and ein3;coi1, and coi1 seedlings treated with silver ions to block the ethylene receptors showed almost complete unresponsiveness to ACC-induced root growth inhibition in the light. The light requirement for the COI1-mediated growth inhibition by ACC was for long photoperiods, and the ACC response was not abolished by mutations in the known photoreceptors. The complementation assay indicated that SCF complex assembly was not required for COI1 function in the ACC response, in contrast to the JA response. It is concluded that COI1 is required for the light-dependent, JA-independent, root growth inhibition by ethylene.
Nitric Oxide Acts Downstream of Auxin to Trigger Root Ferric-Chelate Reductase Activity in Response to Iron Deficiency in Arabidopsis
Authors: Chen Wei Wei , Yang Jian Li , Qin Cheng , Jin Chong Wei , Mo Ji Hao , Ye Ting , Zheng Shao Jian 
Published: August 2010

AbstractIn response to iron (Fe) deficiency, dicots employ a reduction-based mechanism by inducing ferric-chelate reductase (FCR) at the root plasma membrane to enhance Fe uptake. However, the signal pathway leading to FCR induction is still unclear. Here, we found that the Fe-deficiency-induced increase of auxin and nitric oxide (NO) levels in wild-type Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) was accompanied by up-regulation of root FCR activity and the expression of the basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor (FIT) and the ferric reduction oxidase 2 (FRO2) genes. This was further stimulated by application of exogenous auxin (α-naphthaleneacetic acid) or NO donor (S-nitrosoglutathione [GSNO]), but suppressed by either polar auxin transport inhibition with 1-naphthylphthalamic acid or NO scavenging with 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide, tungstate, or Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride. On the other hand, the root FCR activity, NO level, and gene expression of FIT and FRO2 were higher in auxin-overproducing mutant yucca under Fe deficiency, which were sharply restrained by 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide treatment. The opposite response was observed in a basipetal auxin transport impaired mutant aux1-7, which was slightly rescued by exogenous GSNO application. Furthermore, Fe deficiency or α-naphthaleneacetic acid application failed to induce Fe-deficiency responses in noa1 and nial nia2, two mutants with reduced NO synthesis, but root FCR activities in both mutants could be significantly elevated by GSNO. The inability to induce NO burst and FCR activity was further verified in a double mutant yucca noa1 with elevated auxin production and reduced NO accumulation. Therefore, we presented a novel signaling pathway where NO acts downstream of auxin to activate root FCR activity under Fe deficiency in Arabidopsis.
A Suite of Lotus japonicus Starch Mutants Reveals Both Conserved and Novel Features of Starch Metabolism
Authors: Vriet Cécile , Welham Tracey , Brachmann Andreas , Pike Marilyn , Pike Jodie , Perry Jillian , Parniske Martin , Sato Shusei , Tabata Satoshi , Smith Alison M. , Wang Trevor L. 
Published: August 2010

Abstract
The metabolism of starch is of central importance for many aspects of plant growth and development. Information on leaf starch metabolism other than in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) is scarce. Furthermore, its importance in several agronomically important traits exemplified by legumes remains to be investigated. To address this issue, we have provided detailed information on the genes involved in starch metabolism in Lotus japonicus and have characterized a comprehensive collection of forward and TILLING (for Targeting Induced Local Lesions IN Genomes) reverse genetics mutants affecting five enzymes of starch synthesis and two enzymes of starch degradation. The mutants provide new insights into the structure-function relationships of ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase and glucan, water dikinase1 in particular. Analyses of the mutant phenotypes indicate that the pathways of leaf starch metabolism in L. japonicus and Arabidopsis are largely conserved. However, the importance of these pathways for plant growth and development differs substantially between the two species. Whereas essentially starchless Arabidopsis plants lacking plastidial phosphoglucomutase grow slowly relative to wild-type plants, the equivalent mutant of L. japonicus grows normally even in a 12-h photoperiod. In contrast, the loss of GLUCAN, WATER DIKINASE1, required for starch degradation, has a far greater effect on plant growth and fertility in L. japonicus than in Arabidopsis. Moreover, we have also identified several mutants likely to be affected in new components or regulators of the pathways of starch metabolism. This suite of mutants provides a substantial new resource for further investigations of the partitioning of carbon and its importance for symbiotic nitrogen fixation, legume seed development, and perenniality and vegetative regrowth.
Nonspecific Phospholipase C NPC4 Promotes Responses to Abscisic Acid and Tolerance to Hyperosmotic Stress inArabidopsis
Authors: Peters Carlotta , Li Maoyin , Narasimhan Rama , Roth Mary , Welti Ruth , Wang Xuemin 
Published: August 2010

AbstractDiacyglycerol (DAG) is an important class of cellular lipid messengers, but its function in plants remains elusive. Here, we show that knockout of the Arabidopsis thaliana nonspecific phospholipase C (NPC4) results in a decrease in DAG levels and compromises plant response to abscisic acid (ABA) and hyperosmotic stresses. NPC4 hydrolyzes various phospholipids in a calcium-independent manner, producing DAG and a phosphorylated head group. NPC4 knockout (KO) plants display decreased ABA sensitivity in seed germination, root elongation, and stomatal movement and had decreased tolerance to high salinity and water deficiency. Overexpression of NPC4 renders plants more sensitive to ABA and more tolerant to hyperosmotic stress than wild-type plants. Addition of a short-chain DAG or a short-chain phosphatidic acid (PA) restores the ABA response of NPC4-KO to that of the wild type, but the addition of DAG together with a DAG kinase inhibitor does not result in a wild-type phenotype. These data suggest that NPC4-produced DAG is converted to PA and that NPC4 and its derived lipids positively modulate ABA response and promote plant tolerance to drought and salt stresses.
Impact of permethrin impregnated bednets on child mortality in Kassena‐Nankana district, Ghana: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Binka F. N. , Kubaje A. , Adjuik M. , Williams L. A. , Lengeler C. , Maude G. H. , Armah G. E. , Kajihara B. , Adiamah J. H. , Smith P. G. 
Published: August 2010

SummaryA community‐based randomized, controlled trial of permethrin impregnated bednets was carried out in a rural area of northern Ghana, between July 1993 and June 1995, to assess the impact on the mortality of young children in an area of intense transmission of malaria and no tradition of bednet use. The district around Navrongo was divided into 96 geographical areas and in 48 randomly selected areas households were provided with permethrin impregnated bednets which were re‐impregnated every 6 months. A longitudinal demographic surveillance system was used to record births, deaths and migrations, to evaluate compliance and to measure child mortality. The use of permethrin impregnated bednets was associated with 17% reduction in all‐cause mortality in children aged 6 months to 4 years (RR=0.83; 95% CI 0.69–1.00; P=0.05). The reduction in mortality was confined to children aged 2 years or younger, and was greater in July‐December, during the wet season and immediately after (RR=0.79; 95% CI 0.63–1.00), a period when malaria mortality is likely to be increased, than in the dry season (RR=0.92, 95% CI 0.73–1.14). The ready acceptance of bednets, the high level of compliance in their use and the subsequent impact on all‐cause mortality in this study has important implications for programmes to control malaria in sub‐Saharan Africa.
Ultrasonographic organometry: liver and spleen dimensions among children in Zimbabwe
Authors: Friis H. , Ndhlovu P. , Mduluza T. , Kaondera K. , Franke D. , Vennervald B. Jyding , Christensen N. Ornberg , Doehring E. 
Published: August 2010

SummaryAttempts have been made to develop a staging system of sonographic Schistosoma mansoni morbidity for use in epidemiological studies and for evaluation of control programmes. Therefore, normal dimensions of livers and spleens in children in countries with endemic S. mansoni infections need to be established.Normal dimensions of livers and spleens are presented, based on examination of 144 Zimbabwean children between 8 and 16 years of age found to be S. mansoni egg negative 12 months after treatment with praziquantel. Based on the liver and spleen measurements, an index of liver size and the spleen volume were calculated. Height was employed as the independent variable in all multiple regression models. The organometric data are presented as prediction plots, with observed values and fitted regression line with 95% confidence and prediction intervals. The mean spleen volume was 30% larger for boys than for girls, whereas there was no consistent difference in liver size. No effect of growth Z‐scores was seen. The measurements were compared with normal dimensions of livers of German children. For a given height, the mean index of liver size was lower in Zimbabwean than in German children, but inter‐observer variation could be a possible explanation for this difference.
Prevention of snail miracidia interactions using Phytolacca dodecandra (L'Herit) (endod) as a miracidiacide: an alternative approach to the focal control of schistosomiasis
Authors: Madhina D. , Shift C. 
Published: August 2010

SummaryThe effect of endod berry extract against schistosome miracidia has been tested to determine the sensitivity of these organisms to the molluscicide and to see whether miracidia subjected to sublethal doses of the toxicant will be able to infect their specific host snails. Short contact (30 min) LC50 of endod extract with miracidia of Schistosoma mansoni was 8.2 parts per million (p.p.m.) (95% CL 5–13). However, exposure of S. haematobium to sublethal doses of 3 p.p.m. for 30 min or overnight in open air ponds reduced their infectivity 3.5‐5.6‐fold when compared with controls. It is suggested that the toxicant could be used in low doses at transmission foci to reduce schistosome infection in snails. This could be done by using a controlled release system to apply the toxicant material at such foci where transmission is likely to occur.
Efficacy of sulphadoxine/pyrimethamine for Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Malawian children under five years of age
Authors: Nwanyanwu Okey C. , Ziba Charles , Kazembe Peter , Chitsulo Lester , Wirima Jack J. , Kumwenda Newton , Redd Stephen C. 
Published: August 2010

SummaryIn March 1993, sulphadoxine/pyrimethamine (SP) replaced chloroquine as the first line drug for malaria treatment in Malawi. Since then, the Ministry of Health has been receiving anecdotal and written reports of SP treatment failures in children. To determine whether treatment failure with SP was a widespread problem, children <5 years of age with axillary temperature>38.0°C and parasite density >2000/mm3attending the outpatient clinics of the Mangochi and Karonga District Hospitals were enrolled in the study with parental consent. These were then followed for 28 days or until they failed clinically. Of 159 patients enrolled, 145 (91.2%) were followed for 28 days or until clinical failure. Of these, none had RII resistance and 3 (1.9%) had RIII resistance: 2/69 (2.9%) in Mangochi and 1/76 (1.3%) in Karonga; 142/145 (97.9%) exhibited Rl/sensitive patterns. Of those followed to day 28 or to clinical failure, 77.1% had parasite clearance by day 3 and 98.6% had parasite clearance by day 7. Of those with temperature readings (n=140), 129 (92.1%) clinically improved on day 3 and 98.6% improved by day 7. Other indicators of clinical improvement (from day o to day 3) included, reported increased level of activity in 136 (97.1%) of the children, and mother's impression of child's improvement in 113 (80.7%). Of the 14 patients not followed to day 28 or to clinical failure, II were lost to follow‐up by day 7. No allergic skin reactions were noted, and no deaths were observed. These data show that after one year of widespread use of SP in Malawi, Plasmodium falciparum parasite resistance remains very low, and therefore contradicts reports of widespread parasite resistance to SP.
(S)‐9‐(3‐hydroxy‐2‐phosphonylmethoxypropyl)adenine [(S)‐HPMPA]: a purine analogue with trypanocidal activityin vitroandin vivo
Authors: Kaminsky Ronald , Schmid Cecile , Grether Yvonne , HolY Antonin , Clercq Erik De , Naesens Lieve , Brun Reto 
Published: August 2010

SummaryThe unique features of purine salvage systems of pathogenic haemoflagellates render them selectively susceptible to the cytotoxic effects of purine analogues. A series of acyclic nucleoside phosphonates were evaluated for activity against pathogenic haemoflagellatesin vitro.One of the phosphonylmethoxyalkylpurines, namely (S)‐9‐(3‐hydroxy‐2‐phosphonylmethoxypropyl)adenine [(S)‐HPMPA], was activein vitroagainst bloodstream forms ofTrypanosoma brucei rbodesiense, T. b. gambiense, multidrug‐resistantT. b. brucei, T. congolenseandT. evansi, but not against intracellularT. cruziorLeishmania donovani.Cytotoxic effects against mammalian cells were observed at 4900‐27 300‐fold higher concentrations than those necessary to inhibitT. b. rbodesiense.(S)‐HPMPA was able to eliminateT. b. rbodesienseand multidrug‐resistantT. b. bruceiin an acute rodent model with two administrations of 10 mg/kg each.
Studies on the periodicity and intravascular distribution of Wuchereria bancrofti microfilariae in paired samples of capillary and venous blood from Recife, Brazil
Authors: Dreyer Gerusa , Pimentael Agueda , Medeiros Zulma , Béliz Fatima , Moura Izolda , Coutinho Amaury , de Andrade Luiz Dias , Rocha Abraham , da Silva Luiz Mauricio , Piessens Willy F. 
Published: August 2010

SummaryWe examined the periodicity and intravascular distribution of Wuchereria bancrofti microfilariae (mf) and determined the effect of these parasite properties on the accuracy of blood filming and filtration methods for diagnosis of bancroftian filariasis in the endemic area of Recife, Brazil. Microfilariae in both venous and capillary blood exhibited a nocturnal periodicity pattern with a relatively high amplitude. Overall, capillary blood contained ˜ 1.25 times the number of mf present at the same time in the same volume of venous blood. However, the ratio of mf present in capillary and venous blood varied over a 24‐hour period, so that the fewest mf were present in the capillary bed of the skin at the time when biting activity of the local Culex vector is the lowest. Twenty or 60 μl blood films did not reliably detect carriers with fewer than 100 or 60 mf/ml venous blood, respectively, and were thus inadequate for the identification of low density mf carriers. In contrast, all carriers with > I mf/20 or 60 μl blood smear at night could be identified during daytime hours by filtration of I ml venous blood
Use of recombinant Onchocerca volvulus antigens for diagnosis and surveillance of human onchocerciasis
Authors: Chandrashekar R. , Ogunrinade A. F. , Weil G. J. 
Published: August 2010

SummaryThe diagnostic value of ELISAs based on recombinant Onchocerca volvulus antigens OC 3.6 and OC 9.3 was evaluated with sera from endemic areas in West Africa, Guatemala and Ecuador. IgG assays were slightly more sensitive than those that detected IgG4, and the antigen combination was significantly more sensitive than either antigen alone (OC 3.6, 93%; OC 9.3, 84%, combined 98%). These assays were also evaluated with sera from 2 villages in the Onchocerciasis Control Programme area of West Africa including one village (Pendie) with recent recrudescence of infection and one (Niarba) where transmission had been interrupted for 15 years by vector control. The OC 3.6 IgG antibody assay was sensitive for new infections and exposure in Pendie; 24/24 (100%) of people with positive skin snips and 15/74 (20%) of sera from MF negative people had IgG antibodies to this antigen. In addition, antibodies to OC 3.6 often preceded the onset of skin snip positivity in Pendie. In contrast, IgG antibodies to OC 3.6 and OC 9.3 were rarely seen in children born during the 15 years since transmission was interrupted by vector control in Niarba. These encouraging results suggest that antibody assays based on OC 3.6 and OC 9.3 may be valuable tools for surveillance of onchocerciasis and also for monitoring the efficacy of control programmes.
Aetiology of acute diarrhoea in hospitalized children in Hong Kong
Authors: Biswas R. , Lyon D. J. , Nelson E. A. S. , Lau D. , Lewindon P. J. 
Published: August 2010

SummaryTo determine the role of enteric pathogens in acute childhood diarrhoea in Hong Kong, 388 children with diarrhoea and 306 children of similar age without diarrhoea were evaluated in a hospital‐based study during a one‐year period from August 1994 to July 1995. Of the diarrhoeal cases, 55% were under 1 year and 95% were below 5 years of age. On admission, 22% had some dehydration but none was severely dehydrated. All children were well nourished. Over 60% of children with diarrhoea had one or more pathogens in their stool. Rotavirus was the most commonly isolated pathogen (34.6%), followed by Salmonella (23.3%), Campylobacter (4.7%) and Shigella (2.1%). Rotavirus was not assessed in the controls and was detected mainly during the winter months December to February. Bacterial pathogens were identified more commonly in diarrhoea patients (30%) than in controls (5.6%) (P<0.001). Despite rapid recent socioeconomic development in Hong Kong, non‐typhoidal Salmonella diarrhoea remains a significant local problem in infants under 1 year. Further detailed assessment of the transmission and prevention of this infection is required.