bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ethinyl estradiol 20 μg/drospirenone 3 mg 24/4 oral contraceptive for the treatment of functional impairment in women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder
Authors: Marr Joachim , Heinemann Klaas , Kunz Michael , Rapkin Andrea 
Published: February 2011

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the effects of ethinyl estradiol (EE)/drospirenone in a 24/4 regimen (24 days of active and 4 days of inactive pills) on functional impairment (affecting work, partnership, and social activities) in women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).MethodsThe present study was a secondary analysis of a double‐blind, randomized, parallel‐design multicenter trial. Women received EE 20 μg/drospirenone 3 mg (n = 232) or placebo (n = 218) and completed the Daily Record of Severity of Problems (DRSP) scale daily.ResultsThe decrease in mean scores for all 3 DRSP functional impairment items (work, partnership, and social activities) from baseline to cycle 3 mirrored changes in the total DRSP symptom score; the greatest decreases were observed in cycle 1 with further small reductions through to cycle 3. The proportional mean decreases from baseline to cycle 1 for the 3 functional items ranged from 47% to 48%. For all 3 functional items, the mean reductions from baseline to cycle 1 (but not from cycle 1 to cycles 2 and 3) were significantly greater with EE/drospirenone than with placebo (P < 0.05).ConclusionEthinyl estradiol 20 μg/drospirenone 3 mg in a 24/4 regimen significantly improved functional impairment in women with PMDD. Symptoms improved in parallel.
SpRET: Highly Sensitive and Reliable Spectral Measurement of Absolute FRET Efficiency
Authors: Levy Shiri , Wilms Christian D. , Brumer Eliaz , Kahn Joy , Pnueli Lilach , Arava Yoav , Eilers Jens , Gitler Daniel 
Published: February 2011

AbstractContemporary research aims to understand biological processes not only by identifying participating proteins, but also by characterizing the dynamics of their interactions. Because Förster's Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) is invaluable for the latter undertaking, its usage is steadily increasing. However, FRET measurements are notoriously error-prone, especially when its inherent efficiency is low, a not uncommon situation. Furthermore, many FRET methods are either difficult to implement, are not appropriate for observation of cellular dynamics, or report instrument-specific indices that hamper communication of results within the scientific community. We present here a novel comprehensive spectral methodology, SpRET, which substantially increases both the reliability and sensitivity of FRET microscopy, even under unfavorable conditions such as weak fluorescence or the presence of noise. While SpRET overcomes common pitfalls such as interchannel crosstalk and direct excitation of the acceptor, it also excels in removal of autofluorescence or background contaminations and in correcting chromatic aberrations, often overlooked factors that severely undermine FRET experiments. Finally, SpRET quantitatively reports absolute rather than relative FRET efficiency values, as well as the acceptor-to-donor molar ratio, which is critical for full and proper interpretation of FRET experiments. Thus, SpRET serves as an advanced, improved, and powerful tool in the cell biologist's toolbox.
EXACT SOLUTIONS FOR THE POISEUILLE FLOW OF A GENERALIZED MAXWELL FLUID INDUCED BY TIME-DEPENDENT SHEAR STRESS
Authors: AKHTAR W. , FETECAU CORINA , AWAN A. U. 
Published: February 2011

AbstractThe Poiseuille flow of a generalized Maxwell fluid is discussed. The velocity field and shear stress corresponding to the flow in an infinite circular cylinder are obtained by means of the Laplace and Hankel transforms. The motion is caused by the infinite cylinder which is under the action of a longitudinal time-dependent shear stress. Both solutions are obtained in the form of infinite series. Similar solutions for ordinary Maxwell and Newtonian fluids are obtained as limiting cases. Finally, the influence of the material and fractional parameters on the fluid motion is brought to light.
How do Citizens in East Asian Democracies Understand Left and Right?
Authors: JOU WILLY 
Published: February 2011

AbstractBoth general publics and elites have long used labels of left and right as cues for political communication and vote choice in Western democracies. This study examines the utility of these spatial semantics as means of encapsulating major political cleavages in East Asian democracies. Through analysis of public opinion surveys, we investigate the influence of organizational affiliation; views on socio-economic, religious, and ‘new politics’ issues, as well as attitudes toward the political system, as anchors of public understanding of the left–right dimension in Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, and Taiwan. Patterns found in these countries are compared with two ‘Western’ nations in the region, Australia and New Zealand. Results show that citizens’ left–right positions in Japan and the Australasian countries are more clearly structured by well-defined cleavages, such as socio-economic issues and post-materialism, and that parties in these countries compete on the basis of clearer ideological profiles. In contrast, despite high rates of cognition of the left–right scale in South Korea, the Philippines, and Taiwan, left–right orientations are less firmly anchored in attitudes and policy preferences. These differences in publics’ level of ideological conceptualization are likely related to party system development and democratic experience.
The Puzzle of Ineffective Election Campaigning in Japan
Authors: KLEIN AXEL 
Published: February 2011

AbstractIn Japan, electoral campaigning in plurality districts often appears strangely ineffective to observers. In their explanations, political scientists have so far fallen back on the proximate cause, namely the strict Public Office Election Law (Kōshoku senkyo-hō), claiming that it is this law that prohibits different and more effective campaigning. This study, however, is based on the assumption that such an explanation could be insufficient since even those campaign tactics legally allowed are often executed and/or selected in an apparently ineffective way in terms of their appeal to voters. Especially when looked at from the perspective of structural learning theory, which assumes that actors adapt their behavior within stable structures by learning what works well and what does not, these observations invite further investigation.As a first step, participant observation was used to identify types of apparently ineffective campaigning. In the second step, these types were discussed in qualitative interviews with candidates and other practitioners. The results show that next to appealing to voters there are other campaign goals that can determine the choice of electoral instruments: motivating campaign staffers, maintaining good working relationships with external helpers, presenting political convictions and personal determination. This explains part of the assumed ineffectiveness, but not all of it. When seen through the lens of structural learning theory research findings suggest that the lack of clear feedback regarding the impact of campaign activities on voters inhibits the learning processes of candidates. In combination with constraints regarding time, place and/or resources, these factors shape election campaigning to a considerable degree. Consequently, this study suggests that explanations need to take more factors into account than just the Public Office Election Law in order to solve the puzzle of ineffective campaigning in Japan.
The Asian Values Thesis Revisited: Evidence from the World Values Surveys
Authors: WELZEL CHRISTIAN 
Published: February 2011

AbstractThe thesis that ‘Asian’ cultures oppose the ‘Western’ emphasis on emancipative values and liberal democracy has mostly been criticized for its political instrumentality. By contrast, the empirical claim about most Asians’ dismissal of emancipative values and liberal democracy has not been tested on a broadly cross-cultural basis. Filling this gap, this article uses data from the World Values Surveys to put the values of Asian populations into global perspective. As a result, the differences between Asian and Western populations over emancipative values and liberal democracy appear to be gradual, not categorical. What is more, the forces of modernization that gave rise to emancipative values and a liberal notion of democracy in the ‘West’, are doing the same in the ‘East’, confirming a universal model of human development rather than Asian exceptionalism, or any other form of cultural exceptionalism.
The role of person–environment interactions in increased alcohol use in the transition to college
Authors: Quinn Patrick D. , Fromme Kim 
Published: February 2011

ABSTRACTAims  Even among those at risk for problematic alcohol use, there is variability in developmental trajectories of drinking and related problems. This prospective study examined the role of person–environment interactions in increased drinking during the transition to college.Design  The authors followed a sample of recent high school graduates to test whether protective environmental factors could delay increases in drinking among those high in trait‐level risk factors.Setting  Participants completed web‐based surveys.Participants  A sample of 1784 students in the incoming class of 2004 at a large public United States university completed high school and first‐semester‐of‐college assessments.Measurements  Participants completed self‐report measures of alcohol use, alcohol‐related problems, perceived awareness and caring from parents and other adults, sensation seeking and impulsivity.Findings  In the transition to college, high sensation seekers from more protective high school parental environments increased their alcohol use and problems more than did other students. Increases in alcohol problems were also high among more impulsive students from less protective environments. Whereas high sensation seekers drank equivalently in college regardless of high school‐perceived awareness and caring, those who had greater high school‐perceived awareness and caring did not experience as many alcohol‐related problems in college.Conclusions  Differences in drinking trajectories may be a function of person–environment interactions. Risk associated with high sensation seeking may be masked among adolescents in protective environments, but its emergence in the college transition predicts increases in alcohol use and related problems.
Alcohol expectancy moderates attentional bias for alcohol cues in light drinkers
Authors: Field Matt , Hogarth Lee , Bleasdale Daniel , Wright Phoebe , Fernie Gordon , Christiansen Paul 
Published: February 2011

ABSTRACTAims  Theoretical models suggest that attentional bias for alcohol‐related cues develops because cues signal the availability of alcohol, and the expectancy elicited by alcohol cues is responsible for the maintenance of attentional bias among regular drinkers. We investigated the moderating role of alcohol expectancy on attentional bias for alcohol‐related cues.Design  Within‐subjects experimental design.Setting  Psychology laboratories.Participants  Adult social drinkers (n = 58).Measurements  On a trial‐by‐trial basis, participants were informed of the probability (100%, 50%, 0%) that they would receive beer at the end of the trial before their eye movements towards alcohol‐related and control cues were measured.Findings  Heavy social drinkers showed an attentional bias for alcohol‐related cues regardless of alcohol expectancy. However, in light social drinkers, attentional bias was only seen on 100% probability trials, i.e. when alcohol was expected imminently.Conclusions  Attentional bias for alcohol‐related cues is sensitive to the current expectancy of receiving alcohol in light social drinkers, but it occurs independently of the current level of alcohol expectancy in heavy drinkers.
Sorting of an integral outer membrane protein via the lipoprotein‐specific Lol pathway and a dedicated lipoprotein pilotin
Authors: Collin Séverine , Guilvout Ingrid , Nickerson Nicholas N. , Pugsley Anthony P. 
Published: February 2011

SummaryThe lipoprotein PulS is a dedicated chaperone that is required to target the secretin PulD to the outer membrane in Klebsiella or Escherichia coli, and to protect it from proteolysis. Here, we present indirect evidence that PulD protomers do not assemble into the secretin dodecamer before they reach the outer membrane, and that PulS reaches the outer membrane in a soluble heterodimer with the general lipoprotein chaperone LolA. However, we could not find any direct evidence for PulD protomer association with the PulS–LolA heterodimer. Instead, in cells producing PulD and a permanently locked PulS–LolA dimer (in which LolA carries an R43L substitution that prevents lipoprotein transfer to LolB in the outer membrane), LolAR43L was found in the inner membrane, probably still associated with PulS bound to PulD that had been incorrectly targeted because of the LolAR43L substitution. It is speculated that PulD protomers normally cross the periplasm together with PulS bound to LolA but when the latter cannot be separated (due to the mutation in lolA), the PulD protomers form dodecamers that insert into the inner membrane.
A novel two‐gene requirement for the octanoyltransfer reaction of Bacillus subtilis lipoic acid biosynthesis
Authors: Martin Natalia , Christensen Quin H. , Mansilla María C. , Cronan John E. , de Mendoza Diego 
Published: February 2011

SummaryThe Bacillus subtilis genome encodes three apparent lipoyl ligase homologues: yhfJ, yqhM and ywfL, which we have renamed lplJ, lipM and lipL respectively. We show that LplJ encodes the sole lipoyl ligase of this bacterium. Physiological and biochemical characterization of a ΔlipM strain showed that LipM is absolutely required for the endogenous lipoylation of all lipoate‐dependent proteins, confirming its role as the B. subtilis octanoyltransferase. However, we also report that in contrast to Escherichia coli, B. subtilis requires a third protein for lipoic acid assembly, LipL. B. subtilis ΔlipL strains are unable to synthesize lipoic acid despite the presence of LipM and the sulphur insertion enzyme, LipA, which should suffice for lipoic acid biosynthesis based on the E. coli model. LipM is only required for the endogenous lipoylation pathway, whereas LipL also plays a role in lipoic acid scavenging. Expression of E. coli lipB allows growth of B. subtilisΔlipL or ΔlipM strains in the absence of supplements. In contrast, growth of an E. coliΔlipB strain can be complemented with lipM, but not lipL. These data together with those of the companion article provide evidence that LipM and LipL catalyse sequential reactions in a novel pathway for lipoic acid biosynthesis.
Randomised controlled clinical trial of Lactobacillus sporogenes (Bacillus coagulans), used as probiotic in clinical practice, on acute watery diarrhoea in children
Authors: Dutta Phalguni , Mitra Utpala , Dutta Shanta , Rajendran Krishnan , Saha Tushar Kanti , Chatterjee Mrinal Kanti 
Published: February 2011

SummaryObjective  To assess the clinical efficacy of Lactobacillus sporogenes (Bacillus coagulans), as probiotic preparation, against dehydrating diarrhoea in children.Methods  Double‐blind, randomised, placebo‐controlled, hospital‐based clinical trial with children aged 6–24 months who had diarrhoea with some dehydration. Children received tablets of L. sporogenes (B. coagulans) or placebo (control group) and oral rehydration salt solution for correction of initial dehydration as well as maintenance therapy. Duration, frequency, volume of diarrhoea and intake of ORS of two groups were compared as outcome variables.Results  One hundred and forty‐eight children participated, of whom 78 (Study group) received L. sporogenes (B. coagulans) and 70 received placebo (Control group). Differences in recovery rate (P = 0.2), duration (P = 0.5), frequency (P = 0.05), volume (P = 0.1) of diarrhoea, intake of ORS (P = 0.2) and other fluids (P = 0.1) were not significant between both groups. Neither did a subgroup analysis of children who had rotavirus as sole enteropathogens show any significant differences in duration (P = 0.5), frequency (P = 0.6), volume (P = 0.8) of diarrhoea, intake of ORS (P = 0.8) and other fluids (P = 0.8) among both groups.Conclusion  L. sporogenes (B. coagulans), as an adjunct to ORS, had no therapeutic impact on management of acute dehydrating diarrhoea of diverse etiology including rotavirus associated diarrhoea in children.
Airway inflammation in probiotic‐treated children at 5 years
Authors: Kukkonen Anna K. , Kuitunen Mikael , Savilahti Erkki , Pelkonen Anna , Malmberg Pekka , Mäkelä Mika 
Published: February 2011

To cite this article: Kukkonen AK, Kuitunen M, Savilahti E, Pelkonen A, Malmberg P, Mäkelä M. Airway inflammation in probiotic‐treated children at 5 years. Pediatr Allergy and Immunol 2011; 22: 249–251.Early treatment of new‐born high‐risk children with certain probiotic strains has reduced the risk of atopic eczema. Whether probiotics reduce risk for airway inflammation in long term is not known. We aimed at studying the effect of probiotic treatment during the six first months of life on airway inflammation at age 5 yr. In a randomized double‐blind allergy prevention trial between 2000 and 2007 in Helsinki, Finland, we gave a probiotic combination, plus pre‐biotics, or placebo, to 1018 children during 6 months from birth. At age 5, we measured exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) in a randomized sub‐population of 160 children. Allergic diseases and IgE‐sensitization were assessed in all infants. FENO did not differ between probiotic and placebo groups, median (interquartile range, IQR) 5.45 (4.3–7.3) vs. 5.70 (3.9–6.8) ppb, p = 0.22. FENO was elevated among those suffering from asthma during the first 5 yr than in healthy non‐sensitized children (p = 0.009). FENO correlated positively with serum total and allergen‐specific IgE concentrations. Early intervention with probiotics and pre‐biotics does not affect airway inflammation later in childhood.
Allergic disease in infants up to 2 years of age in relation to plasma omega‐3 fatty acids and maternal fish oil supplementation in pregnancy and lactation
Authors: Furuhjelm Catrin , Warstedt Kristina , Fagerås Malin , Fälth‐Magnusson Karin , Larsson Johanna , Fredriksson Mats , Duchén Karel 
Published: February 2011

To cite this article: Furuhjelm C, Warstedt K, Fagerås M, Fälth‐Magnusson K, Larsson J, Fredriksson M, Duchén K. Allergic disease in infants up to 2 years of age in relation to plasma omega‐3 fatty acids and maternal fish oil supplementation in pregnancy and lactation. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2011; 22: 505–514.We have previously reported a protective effect of maternal omega‐3 long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω‐3 LCPUFA) supplementation in pregnancy and lactation on IgE‐associated eczema and food allergy in the infant during the first year of life. Here we investigate whether the effects of the LCPUFA supplementation on IgE‐associated diseases last up to 2 yr of age and assess the relationship between plasma proportions of ω‐3 PUFAs and the frequency and severity of infant allergic disease. 145 pregnant women, at risk of having an allergic infant, were randomized to daily supplementation with 1.6 g eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 1.1 g docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) or placebo starting in the 25th gestational week and continuing through 3.5 months of breastfeeding. Clinical examinations, skin prick tests and analysis of maternal and infant plasma phospholipid fatty acids and infant specific IgE were performed. No difference in the prevalence of allergic symptoms was found between the intervention groups. The cumulative incidence of IgE‐associated disease was lower in the ω‐3‐supplemented group (6/54, 13%) compared with the placebo group (19/62, 30%, p = 0.01). Higher maternal and infant proportions of DHA and EPA were associated with lower prevalence of IgE associated disease (p = 0.01–0.05) in a dose‐dependent manner. Higher maternal and infant proportions of DHA and EPA were found if the infants presented none, when compared with multiple allergic symptoms, (p < 0.05) regardless of sensitization. In summary, the ω‐3 supplementation offered no obvious preventive effect on the prevalence of clinical symptoms of allergic disease, but the decrease in cumulative incidence of IgE‐associated disease seen during the first year still remained until 2 yr of age. Furthermore, high proportions of DHA and EPA in maternal and infant plasma phospholipids were associated with less IgE‐associated disease and a reduced severity of the allergic phenotype.
Effect of freezing, hot tumble drying and washing with eucalyptus oil on house dust mites in soft toys
Authors: Chang Chin‐Fu , Wu Francis Fu‐Sheng , Chen Chi‐Ying , Crane Julian , Siebers Rob 
Published: February 2011

To cite this article: Chang C‐F, Wu FF‐S, Chen C‐Y, Crane J, Siebers R. Effect of freezing, hot tumble drying and washing with eucalyptus oil on house dust mites in soft toys. Pediatric Allergy Immunology 2011; 22: 638–641.AbstractSoft toys are a major source of house dust mites (HDM) and HDM allergens, and sleeping with soft toys is a significant risk factor for HDM sensitization. We studied three techniques to eliminate HDM from soft toys, namely freezing, hot tumble drying and washing with eucalyptus oil. Thirty‐six toys (12 in each treatment group) were enumerated for live HDM by the heat escape method before and after freezing overnight, hot tumble drying for 1 h and washing in 0.2% to 0.4% eucalyptus oil. Freezing, hot tumble drying and washing with eucalyptus oil resulted in significant reductions in live HDM, an average reduction of 95.1%, 89.1% and 95.1%, respectively. Additionally, washing with eucalyptus oil resulted in a significant reduction in HDM allergens as well from a geometric mean of 9.12 μg/g to 0.37 μg/g (p = 0.033). These three HDM elimination techniques give parents of infants effective and acceptable methods of limiting HDM exposure.
Costs and benefits of defences induced by predators differing in dangerousness
Authors: HETTYEY A. , VINCZE K. , ZSARNÓCZAI S. , HOI H. , LAURILA A. 
Published: February 2011

AbstractWhile theoretical studies predict that inducible defences should be fine‐tuned according to the qualities of the predator, very few studies have investigated how dangerousness of predators, i.e. the rate at which predators kill prey individuals, affects the strength of phenotypic responses and resulting benefits and costs of induced defences. We performed a comprehensive study on fitness consequences of predator‐induced responses by involving four predators (leech, water scorpion, dragonfly larva and newt), evaluating costs and benefits of responses, testing differences in dangerousness between predators and measuring responses in several life history traits of prey. We raised Rana dalmatina tadpoles in the presence of free‐ranging predators, in the presence of caged predators, and exposed naive and experienced tadpoles to free‐ranging predators. Tadpoles adjusted the intensities of their behavioural and morphological defences to predator dangerousness. Survival was lower in the nonlethal presence of the most dangerous predator, while we could not detect costs of induced defences at or after metamorphosis. When exposed to free‐ranging predators, small, but not large, tadpoles benefited from exhibiting an induced phenotype in terms of elevated survival when compared to naive tadpoles, but we did not observe higher survival either in tadpoles exhibiting more extreme phenotypes or in tadpoles exposed to the type of predator they were raised with. These results indicate that while predator‐induced defences can mirror dangerousness of predators, costs and benefits do not necessarily scale to the magnitude of plastic responses.