bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Videodensitometrie mit flexiblen Fenstergrößen durch Lichtgriffelumrandung
Authors: Bussmann W.-D. , Zimmermann R. , Schmidt M. , Ameling W. , Effert S. 
Published: November 2009

ZusammenfassungUm dem Problem der Anpassung der densitometrischen Meßfelder an jede beliebige Herz- und Gefäßkonfiguration im Röntgenfernsehbild gerecht zu werden, wurde ein System entwickelt, mit dem elektronische Meßareale jeder beliebigen Form und Größe herstellbar sind. Die meisten bisherigen Verfahren verwenden rechteckige Fenster. Grundlage des Systems ist eine Farbfernsehdisplayeinheit zur Einblendung von Daten und Kurven im angiographischen Bild. Mit Kurvenspeicher auf Schieberegisterbasis und einem Lichtgriffel werden bei Bestimmung der Regurgitation in einem ersten Schritt zunächst die Volumina des linken Vorhofes und der linken Kammer videometrisch mehrfach innerhalb einer Periodendauer bestimmt. Nach Errechnung der Volumina sind weiterhin die im Speichermedium eines Rechners archivierten Konturen verfügbar. Zur densitometrischen Messung läßt sich nun mit einem Video-Plattenspeicher der Konturenablauf am Bildschirm wiederholen und auch den folgenden R-R -Intervallen einer biplanen Videoszene wieder überlagern. Die Synchronisation zwischen der im Rechner gespeicherten Konturdynamik und der Röntgenszene erfolgt bei starrer Herzfrequenz mit der R-Zacke und dem Bildzähler. Es ergibt sich somit eine densitometrische Regurgitationsmessung bezogen auf das Volumen des jeweiligen Herzabschnittes.
Definition of Early Transcriptional Circuitry Involved in Light-Induced Reversal of PIF-Imposed Repression of Photomorphogenesis in YoungArabidopsisSeedlings
Authors: Leivar Pablo , Tepperman James M. , Monte Elena , Calderon Robert H. , Liu Tiffany L. , Quail Peter H. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractLight signals perceived by the phytochromes induce the transition from skotomorphogenic to photomorphogenic development (deetiolation) in dark-germinated seedlings. Evidence that a quadruple mutant (pifq) lacking four phytochrome-interacting bHLH transcription factors (PIF1, 3, 4, and 5) is constitutively photomorphogenic in darkness establishes that these factors sustain the skotomorphogenic state. Moreover, photoactivated phytochromes bind to and induce rapid degradation of the PIFs, indicating that the photoreceptor reverses their constitutive activity upon light exposure, initiating photomorphogenesis. Here, to define the modes of transcriptional regulation and cellular development imposed by the PIFs, we performed expression profile and cytological analyses of pifq mutant and wild-type seedlings. Dark-grown mutant seedlings display cellular development that extensively phenocopies wild-type seedlings grown in light. Similarly, 80% of the gene expression changes elicited by the absence of the PIFs in dark-grown pifq seedlings are normally induced by prolonged light in wild-type seedlings. By comparing rapidly light-responsive genes in wild-type seedlings with those responding in darkness in the pifq mutant, we identified a subset, enriched in transcription factor–encoding genes, that are potential primary targets of PIF transcriptional regulation. Collectively, these data suggest that the transcriptional response elicited by light-induced PIF proteolysis is a major component of the mechanism by which the phytochromes pleiotropically regulate deetiolation and that at least some of the rapidly light-responsive genes may comprise a transcriptional network directly regulated by the PIF proteins.
The cost‐effectiveness of consistent and early intervention of harm reduction for injecting drug users in Bangladesh
Authors: Guinness Lorna , Vickerman Peter , Quayyum Zahidul , Foss Anna , Watts Charlotte , Rodericks Andrea , Azim Tasnim , Jana Smarajit , Kumaranayake Lilani 
Published: November 2009

ABSTRACTAims To assess the cost‐effectiveness of the CARE‐SHAKTI harm reduction intervention for injecting drug users (IDUs) over a 3‐year period, the impact on the cost‐effectiveness of stopping after 3 years and how the cost‐effectiveness might vary with baseline human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevalence.Design Economic cost data were collected from the study site and combined with impact estimates derived from a dynamic mathematical model.Setting Dhaka, Bangladesh, where the HIV prevalence has remained low despite high‐risk sexual and injecting behaviours, and growing HIV epidemics in neighbouring countries.Findings The cost per HIV infection prevented over the first 3 years was US$110.4 (33.1–182.3). The incremental cost‐effectiveness of continuing the intervention for a further year, relative to stopping at the end of year 3, is US$97 if behaviour returns to pre‐intervention patterns. When baseline IDU HIV prevalence is increased to 40%, the number of HIV infections averted is halved for the 3‐year period and the cost per HIV infection prevented doubles to US$228.Conclusions The analysis confirms that harm reduction activities are cost‐effective. Early intervention is more cost‐effective than delaying activities, although this should not preclude later intervention. Starting harm reduction activities when IDU HIV prevalence reaches as high as 40% is still cost‐effective. Continuing harm reduction activities once a project has matured is vital to sustaining its impact and cost‐effectiveness.
Variable effects of cyclophosphamide in rodent models of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis
Authors: Mangano K , Nicoletti A , Patti F , Donia M , Malaguarnera L , Signorelli S , Magro G , Muzio V , Greco B , Zaratin P , Meroni P , Zappia M , Nicoletti F 
Published: November 2009

SummaryIn this study, we have evaluated the effects of cyclophosphamide on the development of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) in four EAE rodent models: monophasic EAE in Lewis rats, protracted relapsing (PR)-EAE in DA rats, myelin oligodendrocyte protein (MOG)-induced EAE in C57Bl/6 mice and proteolipid protein (PLP)-induced EAE in Swiss/Jackson Laboratory (SJL) mice. Cyclophosphamide, administered either prophylactically or therapeutically, suppressed most strongly the clinical symptoms of PR-EAE in DA rats. Treated rats in this group also exhibited the lowest degree of inflammatory infiltration of the spinal cord, as well as the lowest levels of nuclear factor kappa B, interleukin-12 and interferon-gamma. Cyclophosphamide prophylactically, but not therapeutically, also delayed significantly the onset of EAE in Lewis rats. In contrast, regardless of the treatment regimen used, was unable to influence the clinical course of EAE in either MOG-induced EAE in C57Bl/6 mice or PLP-induced EAE in SJL mice. This heterogeneous pharmacological response to cyclophosphamide suggests that significant immunopathogenic differences exist among these EAE rodent models that must be considered when designing preclinical studies. In addition, the effectiveness of cyclophosphamide in dark Agouti (DA) rats with PR-EAE suggests that this may be a particularly useful model for studying novel therapeutic approaches for refractory and rapidly worsening multiple sclerosis in human patients.
Soil carbon stocks, deforestation and land‐cover changes in the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot (India)
Authors: LO SEEN DANNY , RAMESH B. R. , NAIR K. M. , MARTIN MANUEL , ARROUAYS DOMINIQUE , BOURGEON GÉRARD 
Published: November 2009

AbstractHabitat loss and soil organic carbon (SOC) stock variations linked to land‐cover change were estimated over two decades in the most densely populated biodiversity hotspot in the world, in order to assess the possible influence of conservation practices on the protection of SOC. For a study area of 88 484 km2, 70% of which lie inside the Western Ghats Biodiversity Hotspot (WGBH), land‐cover maps for two dates (1977, 1999) were built from various data sources including remote sensing images and ecological forest maps. SOC stocks were calculated from climatic parameters, altitude, physiography, rock type, soil type and land‐cover, with a modelling approach used in predictive learning and based on Multiple Additive Regression Tree. The model was trained on 361 soil profiles data, and applied to estimate SOC stocks from predictor variables using a Geographical Information System (GIS). Comparison of 1977 and 1999 land‐cover maps showed 628 km2 of dense forests habitat loss (6%), corresponding to an annual deforestation rate of 0.44%. This was found consistent with other studies carried out in other parts of the WGBH, but not with FAO figures showing an increase in forest area. This could be explained by the different forest definitions used, based on ecological classification in the former, and on percentage tree cover in the latter. Unexpectedly, our results showed that despite ongoing deforestation, overall SOC stock was maintained (∼0.43 Pg). But a closer examination of spatial differences showed that soil carbon losses in deforested areas were compensated by sequestration elsewhere, mainly in recent plantations and newly irrigated croplands. This suggests that more carbon sequestration in soils could be achieved in the future through appropriate wasteland management. It is also expected that increasing concerns about biodiversity loss will favour more conservation and reinforce the already prevailing protective measures, thus further maintaining C stocks.
Oestrogen imprinting causes nuclear changes in epithelial cells and overall inhibition of gene transcription and protein synthesis in rat ventral prostate
Authors: Augusto T. M. , Bruni‐Cardoso A. , Damas‐Souza D. M. , Zambuzzi W. F. , Kühne F. , Lourenço L. B. , Ferreira C. V. , Carvalho H. F. 
Published: November 2009

SummaryOestrogen exposure during the early post‐natal period affects male growth, physiology, and susceptibility to disease in adult life. The prostate gland is susceptible to this oestrogen imprinting, showing a reduced expression of the androgen receptor and inability to respond to androgen stimulus. In this context, we decided to study key signalling regulators of ventral prostate (VP) functioning after early postnatal exposure to high‐dose oestrogen. Our results showed a decrease of mTOR phosphorylation and its direct downstream target 4EBP. It is known that mTOR‐induced signalling is a pivotal pathway of cell metabolism, which is able to control gene transcription and protein synthesis. We then decided to investigate other indicators of a reduced metabolism in the oestrogenized prostate, and found that the luminal epithelial cells were shorter, less polarized and had smaller nuclei containing more compacted chromatin, suggesting that a general mechanism of regulating gene expression and protein synthesis could be installed in the epithelium of the oestrogenized VP. To evaluate this idea, we analysed nucleolar morphology, and measured the amount of ribosomes and the level of methylation of the 45S ribosomal RNA promoter region. These data indicated that the nucleolus was dismantled and that the methylation at the 45S promoter was increased (∼five‐fold). Taken together, the results support the idea that the oestrogenized prostate maintains a very low transcriptional level and protein turnover by affecting canonical signalling pathways and promoting nuclear and nucleolar changes.
The use of interdisciplinary seminars for the development of caring dispositions in nursing and social work students
Authors: Chan Engle Angela , Mok Esther , Po‐ying Amy Ho , Man‐chun Jenny Hui 
Published: November 2009

AbstractTitle.  The use of interdisciplinary seminars for the development of caring dispositions in nursing and social work students. Aim.  This paper is a report of a study to evaluate the influence of interdisciplinary seminars for undergraduate nursing and social work students on development of their understanding of the meaning of caring.Background.  There is growing international interest in interprofessional education, which is believed to have the potential to improve patient care. If interprofessional education and subsequent collaboration are truly to be patient‐centred, it is important to identify a value base which creates a healthcare professional identity that facilitates collaboration. Caring, as a humanistic value, is found in both nursing and social work professionals.Method.  A mixed method approach, primarily qualitative but with a quantitative component, was chosen for evaluation of the interprofessional seminars. The data were collected between 2007–2008 by videotape recordings of the sessions, follow‐up telephone interviews and a questionnaire.Findings.  There was cultivation in the nursing students of a deeper understanding of caring based on openness and a non‐judgmental approach, learned from their social work counterparts. Reciprocally, social work students learned about the nursing students’ daily activities as they observed the natural process of trust and communication in the context of caring.Conclusion.  Enhanced understanding of caring in practice is not possible via learning through a uni‐professional approach. Students’ reflections and dialogue enable their development of relation‐centred caring, particularly in the realm of biomedical and technical environments.
Reducing burnout in mothers with an intellectually disabled child: an education programme
Authors: Bilgin Sonay , Gozum Sebahat 
Published: November 2009

AbstractTitle.  Reducing burnout in mothers with an intellectually disabled child: an education programme. Aim.  This paper is a report of a study conducted to examine the effect of participating in an education program on burnout for mothers of children with an intellectual disability.Background.  Mothers with an intellectually disabled child are prone to suffer from excessive stress and burnout. There is limited evidence for the effectiveness of education interventions aimed at reducing burnout levels in this population.Methods.  After baseline screening, mothers who agreed to participate (n = 90) were randomized to an intervention or control group. The intervention group participated in an interactive education programme for 1 hour, in addition to using an educational booklet designed and presented by the researchers. The booklet contained information about the characteristics of intellectually disabled children, the specific health care and education they require, non‐profit organizations and foundations providing assistance, and ways in which mothers can cope with stress. The control group received the same intervention separately after completing the post‐test. The study was carried out from 2004 to 2005.Findings.  Intervention group members reported fewer episodes of emotional burnout compared to the control group, indicating that participation in a nursing education programme reduced the level of burnout experienced by mothers who have an intellectually disabled child. There were no effects of the education programme on perceptions of personal success, i.e. mother’s feelings of competence and successful achievement in care of their intellectually disabled child.Conclusion.  Nurse‐administered education should be provided for mothers who have an intellectually disabled child in order to reduce the degree of emotional burnout that these mothers typically experience.
Inhibiting microbial adhesion to denture base acrylic resin by titanium dioxide coating
Authors: ARAI T. , UEDA T. , SUGIYAMA T. , SAKURAI K. 
Published: November 2009

Summary  Mechanical cleaning of dentures is effective in preventing infections such as aspiration pneumonia and denture stomatitis. For denture wearers with a physical handicap and the elderly, however, mechanical cleaning can present problems. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of coating denture base acrylic resin with titanium dioxide (TiO2) in the inhibition of oral microbial adhesion. We prepared uniformly sized acrylic resin plates (10 mm × 10 mm × 0·5 mm), which were divided into two groups (a non‐coated group and a TiO2‐coated group). The plates were immersed in cultured Streptococcus sanguinis or Candida albicans and incubated for 24 h. After incubation, each plate was washed to remove loosely adherent microorganisms, and then incubated for a further 24 h. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content of the microorganisms was evaluated using a reagent containing benzalkonium, which extracts intra‐cellular ATP. In addition, to determine biofilm formation, we also observed each plate by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). We found that the ATP content of both S. sanguinis and C. albicans was reduced by the TiO2 coating (P = 0·000). Observation by SEM confirmed that the TiO2 coating inhibited biofilm formation. The results indicate that a TiO2 coating on a denture base acrylic resin inhibits adhesion of S. sanguinis and C. albicans.
Could the bugTriatoma sherlockibe vectoring Chagas disease in small mining communities in Bahia, Brazil?
Authors: ALMEIDA C. E. , FOLLY‐RAMOS E. , PETERSON A. T. , LIMA‐NEIVA V. , GUMIEL M. , DUARTE R. , LIMA M. M. , LOCKS M. , BELTRÃO M. , COSTA J. 
Published: November 2009

Abstract.Searches for Chagas disease vectors were performed at the type locality from whichTriatoma sherlockiPapaet al.(Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae) was described in the municipality of Gentio do Ouro, in the state of Bahia, Brazil, and in a small artisan quarry‐mining community ∼13 km distant in a remote area of the same municipality. The latter site represents a new locality record for this species. Adults, nymphs and exuviae ofT. sherlockiwere found in 21% of human dwellings, indicating that the species is in the process of domiciliation. Prevalence ofTrypanosoma cruziinfection in collected bugs was 10.8%. Simple predictive approaches based on environmental similarity were used to identify additional sites likely suitable for this species. The approach successfully predicted an additional five sites for the species in surrounding landscapes. Ecological and entomological indicators were combined to discuss whether this scenario likely represents an isolated case or an emerging public health problem.
The oral susceptibility of South African field populations of Culicoides to African horse sickness virus
Authors: VENTER G. J. , WRIGHT I. M. , VAN DER LINDE T. C. , PAWESKA J. T. 
Published: November 2009

Abstract.Twenty‐two isolates of African horse sickness virus (AHSV), representing its distinct serotypes, geographical and historical origins, were fed to three populations of South African livestock‐associated Culicoides spp. (Diptera, Ceratopogonidae). Infective blood meals included 12 recent isolates, nine historical reference strains and one live attenuated vaccine strain serotype 7 (AHSV‐7) of the virus. Field‐collected midges were fed through a chicken‐skin membrane on sheep blood spiked with one of the viruses, which concentrations ranged from 5.4 to 8.8 log10TCID50/mL of blood. After 10 days incubation at 23.5°C, AHSV was isolated from 11 Culicoides species. Standard in vitro passaging of AHSV‐7, used for the preparation of live attenuated vaccine, did not reduce its ability to infect Culicoides species. Virus recovery rates in orally infected Culicoides midges differed significantly between species and populations, serotypes, isolates and seasons. Significant variations in oral susceptibility recorded in this study emphasize a complex inter‐relationship between virus and vector, which is further influenced by multiple intrinsic and extrinsic factors. As it is not possible to standardize all these factors under laboratory conditions, conclusive assessment of the role of field‐collected Culicoides midges in the transmission of orbiviruses remains problematic. Nevertheless, results of this study suggest the potential for multi‐vector transmission of AHSV virus in South Africa.
Computing options for multiple‐trait test‐day random regression models while accounting for heat tolerance
Authors: Aguilar I. , Tsuruta S. , Misztal I. 
Published: November 2009

SummaryData included 90 242 799 test day records from first, second and third parities of 5 402 484 Holstein cows and 9 326 754 animals in the pedigree. Additionally, daily temperature humidity indexes (THI) from 202 weather stations were available. The fixed effects included herd test day, age at calving, milking frequency and days in milk classes (DIM). Random effects were additive genetic, permanent environment and herd‐year and were fit as random regressions. Covariates included linear splines with four knots at 5, 50, 200 and 305 DIM and a function of THI. Mixed model equations were solved using an iteration on data program with a preconditioned conjugate gradient algorithm. Preconditioners used were diagonal (D), block diagonal due to traits (BT) and block diagonal due to traits and correlated effects (BTCORR). One run included BT with a ‘diagonalized’ model in which the random effects were reparameterized for diagonal (co)variance matrices among traits (BTDIAG). Memory requirements were 8.7 Gb for D, 10.4 Gb for BT and BTDIAG, and 24.3 Gb for BTCORR. Computing times (rounds) were 14 days (952) for D, 10.7 days (706) for BT, 7.7 days (494) for BTDIAG and 4.6 days (289) for BTCORR. The convergence pattern was strongly influenced by the choice of fixed effects. When sufficient memory is available, the option BTCORR is the fastest and simplest to implement; the next efficient method, BTDIAG, requires additional steps for diagonalization and back‐diagonalization.
Disclosing arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal biodiversity in soil through a land‐use gradient using a pyrosequencing approach
Authors: Lumini Erica , Orgiazzi Alberto , Borriello Roberto , Bonfante Paola , Bianciotto Valeria 
Published: November 2009

SummaryThe biodiversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) communities present in five Sardinian soils (Italy) subjected to different land‐use (tilled vineyard, covered vineyard, pasture, managed meadow and cork‐oak formation) was analysed using a pyrosequencing‐based approach for the first time. Two regions of the 18S ribosomal RNA gene were considered as molecular target. The pyrosequencing produced a total of 10924 sequences: 6799 from the first and 4125 from the second target region. Among these sequences, 3189 and 1003 were selected to generate operational taxonomic units (OTUs) and to evaluate the AMF community richness and similarity: 117 (37 of which were singletons) and 28 (nine of which were singletons) unique AMF OTUs were detected respectively. Within the Glomeromycota OTUs, those belonging to the Glomerales order were dominant in all the soils. Diversisporales OTUs were always detected, even though less frequently, while Archaeosporales and Paraglomerales OTUs were exclusive of the pasture soil. Eleven OTUs were shared by all the soils, but each of the five AMF communities showed particular features, suggesting a meaningful dissimilarity among the Glomeromycota populations. The environments with low inputs (pasture and covered vineyard) showed a higher AMF biodiversity than those subjected to human input (managed meadow and tilled vineyard). A reduction in AMF was found in the cork‐oak formation because other mycorrhizal fungal species, more likely associated to trees and shrubs, were detected. These findings reinforce the view that AMF biodiversity is influenced by both human input and ecological traits, illustrating a gradient of AMF communities which mirror the land‐use gradient. The high number of sequences obtained by the pyrosequencing strategy has provided detailed information on the soil AMF assemblages, thus offering a source of light to shine on this crucial soil microbial group.