bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Landscape‐Based Classification of Fish Assemblages in Sampled and Unsampled Lakes
Authors: Wehrly Kevin E. , Breck James E. , Wang Lizhu , Szabo‐Kraft Lidia 
Published: March 2012

AbstractWe related fish species patterns and landscape‐scale environmental data from 216 Michigan lakes to identify repeatable types of fish assemblages, identify environmental factors related to assemblage types, and classify fish assemblages in unsampled lakes. Multivariate regression tree modeling of fish species abundances identified six assemblage types that were explained by degree‐days during the ice‐free period, lake surface area, and mean lake surface temperature. Warmwater species dominated southern lakes, while coolwater and coldwater species had higher abundances in northern lakes. Coolwater species were present in large southern lakes, whereas warmwater species were excluded from northern lakes that had low mean surface temperatures or low degree‐days. These results suggest that patterns of lake fish assemblages are shaped by differences in climate as well as lake‐specific differences in surface temperature regimes and in vertical availability of coldwater and coolwater habitats. Because we related fish patterns to readily available landscape‐level data, our approach can be used to characterize fish assemblages in all lakes across broad geographic extents.
Low-resolution refinement tools in REFMAC5
Authors: Nicholls Robert A. , Long Fei , Murshudov Garib N. 
Published: March 2012

Two aspects of low-resolution macromolecular crystal structure analysis are considered: (i) the use of reference structures and structural units for provision of structural prior information and (ii) map sharpening in the presence of noise and the effects of Fourier series termination. The generation of interatomic distance restraints by ProSMART and their subsequent application in REFMAC5 is described. It is shown that the use of such external structural information can enhance the reliability of derived atomic models and stabilize refinement. The problem of map sharpening is considered as an inverse deblurring problem and is solved using Tikhonov regularizers. It is demonstrated that this type of map sharpening can automatically produce a map with more structural features whilst maintaining connectivity. Tests show that both of these directions are promising, although more work needs to be performed in order to further exploit structural information and to address the problem of reliable electron-density calculation.
Retracted: Meta‐analysis on the comparison between two topical calcineurin inhibitors in atopic dermatitis
Authors: YIN Zhi Qiang , ZHANG Wei Ming , SONG Guo Xin , LUO Dan 
Published: March 2012

AbstractTopical calcineurin inhibitors have proved to be suitable for the treatment of AD. We conducted a meta‐analysis comparing efficacy and tolerance of tacrolimus with pimecrolimus in treatment of AD. According to our meta‐analysis, tacrolimus 0.1% was more effective than pimecrolimus 1% in adult patients (week 3: risk ratio [RR] 0.55, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.42–0.73), and tacrolimus (a combination of 0.03% and 0.1%) was also more effective than pimecrolimus 1% in pediatric patients (week 6/end of study: RR 0.76, 95% CI 0.63–0.92). Regardless of age or illness severity, tacrolimus 0.1% had higher efficacy than pimecrolimus 1% in the treatment of AD (week 3: RR 0.55, 95% CI 0.42–0.72). In adult patients, tacrolimus 0.1% had more adverse events than pimecrolimus 1% (RR 1.30, 95% CI 1.02–1.66), but the incidence of adverse events between tacrolimus 0.1% (or 0.03%) and pimecrolimus 1% was not significantly different in pediatric patients. No matter whether the patients were adult or pediatric, more pimecrolimus‐treated patients withdrew from the trials because of a lack of efficacy. Regardless of age and illness severity, more pimecrolimus 1%‐treated patients withdrew from the trials because of a lack of efficacy, compared with tacrolimus 0.1% (or 0.03%)‐treated patients. More pimecrolimus‐treated pediatric patients withdrew from the trials because of adverse events (RR 0.26, 95% CI 0.1–0.68). More pimecrolimus 1%‐treated patients withdrew from the trials because of adverse events, compared with tacrolimus 0.03%‐treated patients, regardless of age (RR 0.1, 95% CI 0.02–0.53). In conclusion, tacrolimus ointment has higher efficacy and better tolerance than pimecrolimus cream in treatment of AD.
Chemoimmunotherapy with ofatumumab in combination with CHOP in previously untreated follicular lymphoma
Authors: Czuczman Myron S. , Hess Georg , Gadeberg Ole V. , Pedersen Lars M. , Goldstein Nancy , Gupta Ira , Jewell Roxanne C. , Lin Thomas S. , Lisby Steen , Strange Claus , Windfeld Kristian , Viardot Andreas ,   for the 409 Study Investigators
Published: March 2012

SummaryAn international, Phase II trial was conducted to assess two doses of ofatumumab, a human CD20 monoclonal antibody, combined with cyclophosphamide (750 mg/m2), doxorubicin (50 mg/m2), prednisone (100 mg days 3–7) and vincristine (1·4 mg/m2) (O‐CHOP), as frontline treatment for follicular lymphoma (FL). 59 patients with previously untreated FL were randomized to ofatumumab 500 mg (n = 29) or 1000 mg (n = 30) day 1, with CHOP on day 3 every 3 weeks for six cycles. Median duration of FL was 0·1 years for both dose groups; 34% and 38% of patients had high‐risk Follicular Lymphoma International Prognostic Index (FLIPI) scores in the 500‐ and 1000‐mg dose groups, respectively. Overall response rate was 90% for the 500‐mg group and 100% for the 1000‐mg group. 62% of patients achieved complete response (CR)/unconfirmed CR (CRu). 76% of patients with FLIPI score 3–5 attained CR/CRu. Longer follow‐up time is needed for analysis of survival end points. The most common Common Terminology Criteria grade 3–4 investigator‐reported adverse events were leucopenia (29%) and neutropenia (22%). No deaths have been reported. O‐CHOP was safe and efficacious in patients with previously untreated FL, including high‐risk FLIPI groups. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT00494780).
Time series analysis of climate‐related factors and their impact on a red‐listed noble crayfish population in northern Sweden
Authors: ZIMMERMAN JENNY KARIN MARTINA , PALO ROLF THOMAS 
Published: March 2012

Summary1. Global climate change is predicted to raise water temperatures and alter flow regimes in northern river systems. Climate‐related factors might have profound impacts on survival, reproduction and distribution of freshwater species such as red‐listed noble crayfish (Astacus astacus) in its northern limit of distribution.2. In this study, noble crayfish capture data over 27 years from the River Ljungan, Sweden, were examined. Time series of catch per unit effort (CPUE) were analysed in relation to the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) index, regional weather factors and water flow. CPUE was assumed to reflect differences in population size. Two models were constructed to explore the relative impact of different climate factors and density dependence on variability of catch sizes.3. The most parsimonious model for CPUE time series, explaining 72% of the variance in CPUE, included density‐dependent population dynamics of the crayfish and climate or weather factors. The specific effect from density dependence in the model was 37%, while climate/weather factors contributed with 35% of the variation. The most important climate/weather factors are variations in NAO index and water flow. Temperature did not improve the model fit to capture data.4. The best model was evaluated using independent data sets that gave correlations between model predictions and data ranging from 0.44 to 0.53. The density dependence shows a time lag of 1 year, while climate variables show time lags from 2 to 6 years in relation to CPUE, indicating effects on different cohorts of the crayfish population.5. Both density dependence and climatic factors play a significant role in population fluctuations of noble crayfish. A 6‐year time lag for NAO index is puzzling but indicates that some as yet unidentified factors related to NAO might act on the juvenile stages of the population. Water flow shows a 2‐year lag to the CPUE, and high flow in the river may affect adult survival. The reasons for fluctuation of crayfish catches in response to climate need to be identified, and fishing quotas should consider the different cohort sizes because of variation in environment. Reintroduction programmes for crayfish need to consider effects of climate change when designing management strategies.
Greater impacts of wind farms on bird populations during construction than subsequent operation: results of a multi‐site and multi‐species analysis
Authors: Pearce‐Higgins James W. , Stephen Leigh , Douse Andy , Langston Rowena H. W. 
Published: March 2012

Summary1. There has been a rapid increase in the development of renewable energy because of the need to combat climate change. One of the most widely used technologies has been onshore wind farms. These have the potential to affect birds through disturbance or collision, but the extent to which such developments cause general population declines, and therefore are of wider conservation concern, remains largely untested.2. Monitoring data from wind farms located on unenclosed upland habitats in the UK were collated to test whether breeding densities of upland birds were reduced as a result of wind farm construction or during wind farm operation.3. Data were available for ten species although none were raptors. Red grouse Lagopus lagopus scoticus, snipe Gallinago gallinago and curlew Numenius arquata densities all declined on wind farms during construction. Red grouse densities recovered after construction, but snipe and curlew densities did not. Post‐construction curlew densities on wind farms were also significantly lower than reference sites. Conversely, densities of skylark Alauda arvensis and stonechat Saxicola torquata increased on wind farms during construction.4. There was little evidence for consistent post‐construction population declines in any species, suggesting for the first time that wind farm construction can have greater impacts upon birds than wind farm operation.5. The impacts of wind farms were largely unaffected by technical specifications (turbine height, number or total generating power) and therefore are widely applicable.6. Synthesis and applications. This study confirms that regulatory authorities and developers should particularly consider the likely impacts of wind farms on large waders. Greater weight should be given to the effects of construction on wildlife in impact assessments than at present. Mitigation measures during construction, including restricting construction activity to non‐breeding periods, should be considered and tested as a means to reduce these negative effects.
The scientific basis for establishing solubility criteria for veterinary species
Authors: MARTINEZ M. N. , FAHMY R. 
Published: March 2012

Martinez, M. N., Fahmy, R. The scientific basis for establishing solubility criteria for veterinary species. J. vet. Pharmacol. Therap. 35 (Suppl. 1), 81–86.The relationship between factors influencing the in vitro and in vivo drug solubilization is highly dependent upon the physiology of the individual animal species and the physico‐chemical properties of the drug. The solubilization of a drug in an aqueous medium is controlled by the strength of the interaction between a molecule of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and the molecules of the solvent. In this regard, the stronger this interaction, the greater the likelihood that the drug will go into solution. Counteracting this solubilization process is the strength of the affinity of the solute for itself, or how tightly bound the compound is to its own solid state form. The stronger affinity of a solute for itself, the more difficult it will be for that molecule to go into solubility. However, solubility is not a universal value. Rather, it should be considered from the perspective of the interactions between the API in its solid form and the solution conditions such as: pH, the nature of the primary solvent, the presence of co‐solvents, the presence of solubilizing additives, the ionic strength of the medium, incubation time, and temperature. Each of these factors needs to be considered when evaluating potential interspecies differences in drug solubility.
Understanding age‐specific dispersal in fishes through hydrodynamic modelling, genetic simulations and microsatellite DNA analysis
Authors: BERRY OLIVER , ENGLAND PHILLIP , MARRIOTT ROSS J. , BURRIDGE CHRISTOPHER P. , NEWMAN STEPHEN J. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractMany marine species have vastly different capacities for dispersal during larval, juvenile and adult life stages, and this has the potential to complicate the identification of population boundaries and the implementation of effective management strategies such as marine protected areas. Genetic studies of population structure and dispersal rarely disentangle these differences and usually provide only lifetime‐averaged information that can be considered by managers. We address this limitation by combining age‐specific autocorrelation analysis of microsatellite genotypes, hydrodynamic modelling and genetic simulations to reveal changes in the extent of dispersal during the lifetime of a marine fish. We focus on an exploited coral reef species, Lethrinus nebulosus, which has a circum‐tropical distribution and is a key component of a multispecies fishery in northwestern Australia. Conventional population genetic analyses revealed extensive gene flow in this species over vast distances (up to 1500 km). Yet, when realistic adult dispersal behaviours were modelled, they could not account for these observations, implying adult dispersal does not dominate gene flow. Instead, hydrodynamic modelling showed that larval L. nebulosus are likely to be transported hundreds of kilometres, easily accounting for the observed gene flow. Despite the vast scale of larval transport, juvenile L. nebulosus exhibited fine‐scale genetic autocorrelation, which declined with age. This implies both larval cohesion and extremely limited juvenile dispersal prior to maturity. The multidisciplinary approach adopted in this study provides a uniquely comprehensive insight into spatial processes in this marine fish.
Epidemiological aspects of non‐human antibiotic usage and resistance: implications for the control of antibiotic resistance in Ghana
Authors: Donkor Eric S. , Newman Mercy J. , Yeboah‐Manu Dorothy 
Published: March 2012

AbstractObjectives  To provide insights into the epidemiology of antibiotic usage in animal husbandry in Ghana and its effect on resistance.Methods  Three hundred and ninety‐five randomly sampled commercial livestock keepers who practised intensive or extensive farming were interviewed about their antibiotic usage practices using a structured questionnaire. Escherichia coli isolated from stool specimens of farmers and their animals were tested against eight antibiotics using the Kirby Bauer method.Results  Ninety‐eight percent (387) of the farmers used antibiotics on animals and the main purpose was to prevent infections in animals; 41% applied antibiotics monthly. The overall prevalence of multiple drug resistance among the E. coli isolates was 91.6%; rates in human and animal isolates were 70.6% and 97.7%, respectively. The prevalence of resistance in animal isolates to the various drugs ranged from 60.8% (amikacin) to 95.7% (ampicillin); the prevalence of resistance in human isolates to the drugs ranged from 2% (cefuroxime) to 94.1% (gentamicin). Animal E. coli isolates showed higher resistance than that of human isolates for five of eight drugs tested.Conclusion  It is concluded that antibiotic usage in animal husbandry in Ghana is more driven by the interest of livestock keepers to prevent and treat animal infections than growth enhancement. Both animal and human E. coli showed high levels of antibiotic resistance, although resistance of animal isolates appeared to be higher than that of humans. There is the need for the development of an antibiotic‐resistance management programme in Ghana that will focus simultaneously on human and animal use of antibiotics.
Rural electrification in Brazil and implications for schistosomiasis transmission: a preliminary study in a rural community in Minas Gerais State, Brazil
Authors: Kloos Helmut , Quites Humberto F.O. , Oliveira Rodrigo Corrêa , LoVerde Phil , Gazzinelli Andrea 
Published: March 2012

AbstractObjectives  To evaluate the potential transmission of Schistosoma mansoni through well water pumped into households in a rural Brazilian community within the context of Brazil’s rural electrification program Luz Para Todos (Light for All).Methods  All households were interviewed about their water facilities and domestic water use, all household members were examined for S. mansoni infections and positives treated, and malacological and water contact studies were performed between 2001 and 2009.Results  Thirty‐one of the 142 households in the Virgem das Graças study area owned wells with electric pumps in 2009, vs. no wells in 2001, and the number of water storage tanks increased from 85 to 131. The potential for schistosomiasis transmission through piped well water was indicated by the recovery of Biomphalaria gabrata, including S. mansoni‐infected snails, from wells, the presence of Biomphalaria in tanks and the ability of S. mansoni cercariae to remain infective for considerable distances in flowing water. However, access to well water was not associated with higher S. mansoni infection rates.Conclusions  Our results indicate that further studies are needed to determine the infectivity of well water and its impact on schistosomiasis transmission.
Assessing the validity of an ELISA test for the serological diagnosis of human fascioliasis in different epidemiological situations
Authors: Adela Valero M. , Victoria Periago M. , Pérez‐Crespo Ignacio , Rodríguez Esperanza , Jesús Perteguer M. , Gárate Teresa , González‐Barberá Eva M. , Mas‐Coma Santiago 
Published: March 2012

AbstractObjectives  To improve the diagnosis of human fascioliasis caused by Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica, we evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), with Fasciola antigen from the adult liver fluke, for the detection of IgG against fascioliasis in human sera.Methods  The sera of 54 fascioliasis cases, originating from three endemic areas, were used in this evaluation: (i) a hyperendemic F. hepatica area where humans usually shed a great number of parasite eggs in faeces (11 sera); (ii) an epidemic F. hepatica area where humans usually shed small amounts of parasite eggs (24 sera) and (iii) an overlap area of both Fasciola species and where human shedding of parasite eggs in faeces is usually scarce or non‐existent (19 sera). One hundred and sixty‐eight patients with other parasitic infections and 89 healthy controls were also analysed.Results  The respective sensitivity and specificity of this assay were 95.3% (95% confidence intervals, 82.9–99.2%) and 95.7% (95% confidence intervals, 92.3–97.5%). No correlation between egg output and the OD450 values of the F. hepatica IgG ELISA test was observed.Conclusions  This test could be used both as an individual serodiagnostic test for human fascioliasis when backed up by a compatible clinical history together with a second diagnostic technique for other cross‐reactive helminth infections, and in large‐scale epidemiological studies of human fascioliasis worldwide.
Oxidative stress in inflammation‐based gastrointestinal tract diseases: Challenges and opportunities
Authors: Kim Yoon Jae , Kim Eun‐Hee , Hahm Ki Baik 
Published: March 2012

AbstractOxygen free radicals in excessively high amounts are all very reactive chemically and can impose a detrimental influence on living organisms by provoking “oxidative stress” that can damage major cellular constituents. The latter includes the cell membrane, cytoplasmic proteins, and nuclear DNA. Conversely, nitric oxide (NO), superoxide anion, and related reactive oxygen species (ROS) when present in low amounts play an important role as regulatory mediators in signaling processes, through which, paradoxically, many ROS‐mediated responses can protect the cells against oxidative stress by induction of “redox homeostasis.” Therefore, diseases associated with free radical overproduction are provoked by “blazed ROS productions” far beyond the host's capacity to quench. Free radicals have been implicated in the pathogenesis of diverse gastrointestinal (GI) diseases including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastritis, enteritis, colitis and associated cancers as well as pancreatitis and liver cirrhosis. This article provides an overview of the role of oxidative stress in inflammation‐based GI tract diseases, including reflux esophagitis, Helicobacter pylori‐associated gastritis, non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug‐induced enteritis, ulcerative colitis, and associated colorectal cancer. The challenging issue that ROS can contribute to diverse gastrointestinal dysfunction, or manifest dual roles in cancer promotion or cancer suppression will also be discussed for the opportunity to enhance understanding of inflammation‐based GI diseases.
Segmental changes in smooth muscle contraction as a predictive factor of the response to high‐dose proton pump inhibitor treatment in patients with functional chest pain
Authors: Lee Hyuk , Park Jun Chul , Shin Sung Kwan , Lee Sang Kil , Lee Yong Chan 
Published: March 2012

AbstractBackground and Aims:  High‐dose proton pump inhibitor (PPI) treatment leads to relatively little symptomatic improvement in patients with functional chest pain (FCP). This study was to evaluate the use of smooth muscle segmental changes in esophageal contraction as measured by topographical plots of high resolution manometry (HRM) as predictive factors of the response to high‐dose PPI treatment in FCP patients.Methods:  Thirty patients diagnosed with FCP were treated with rabeprazole 20 mg twice daily for 2 weeks and classified as positive and negative responders based on symptom intensity score. HRM topographical plots were analyzed for segment lengths, maximal wave amplitudes, and pressure volumes of the proximal and distal smooth muscle segments.Results:  A positive response was observed in 23.3% of the patients. While the pressure volume of the proximal segment was significantly higher in the positive responders than the negative responders (900.4 ± 91.5 mm Hg/cm per s vs. 780.5 ± 133.3 mm Hg/cm per s, P = 0.017), the pressure volume of the distal segment was significantly lower in the positive responders (1914.0 ± 159.8 mm Hg/cm per s vs. 2140.5 ± 276.2 mm Hg/cm per s, P = 0.014). A prominent shifting in pressure volume to the distal segment was observed in the negative responders compared with the positive responders (segmental ratio of pressure volume (SRPV): 2.9 ± 0.5 vs. 2.1 ± 0.1, P < 0.001), and 2.39 was found to be the SRPV that best differentiated positive and negative responders.Conclusions:  A low SRPV was associated with a positive response to high‐dose PPI treatment in patients with FCP.