bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sparing the larynx during gynecological laparoscopy: a randomized trial comparing the LMA Supreme™ and the ETT
Authors: ABDI W. , AMATHIEU R. , ADHOUM A. , PONCELET C. , SLAVOV V. , KAMOUN W. , COMBES X. , DHONNEUR G. 
Published: August 2009

Background: We designed a prospective randomized single‐blind study to compare efficiency and post‐operative upper airway morbidity when the laryngeal mask airway (LMA) Supreme™ is used as an alternative to the endotracheal tube (ETT).Methods: One hundred and thirty‐eight elective pelvic laparoscopic ASA I–II female patients were assigned to receive either the LMA Supreme® or the ETT for airway management. Balanced anesthesia and ventilation techniques were standardized to control end‐tidal CO2 and BIS value in the range 4.5–5 kPa and 40–50, respectively, and to maintain adequate hemodynamic stability. A single surgeon blinded to the airway management technique performed all surgical procedures. The ventilation efficiency of each airway was evaluated. Anesthesia‐ and surgery‐related times were calculated and anesthesia details were recorded. Post‐operative pain and pharyngolaryngeal morbidity were measured in a blind fashion using a numerical rating scale (NRS) (0–100).Results: Surgery duration was similar in both groups. Airway management duration was shorter with the LMA Supreme®. Post‐operative pharyngolaryngeal morbidity incidence and all symptoms' intensity were significantly increased after ETT as compared with LMA Supreme® anesthesia. At the end of the PACU stage, the incidence and mean NRS of post‐operative hoarseness were reduced when LMA Supreme® was used as an alternative to the ETT (16% vs. 47%; P<0.01 and 9 vs. 19, P<0.01, respectively).Conclusion: We demonstrated that choosing an LMA Supreme® was an efficient pharyngolaryngeal morbidity‐sparing strategy. Moreover, we showed that the LMA Supreme® and the ETT were equally effective airways for a routine gynecological laparoscopy procedure.
Timing of induced resistance in a clonal plant network
Authors: Gómez Sara , Van Dijk William , Stuefer Josef F. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractAfter local herbivory, plants can activate defense traits both at the damaged site and in undamaged plant parts such as in connected ramets of clonal plants. Since defense induction has costs, a mismatch in time and space between defense activation and herbivore feeding might result in negative consequences for plant fitness. A short time lag between attack and defense activation is important to ensure efficient protection of the plant. Additionally, the duration of induced defense production once the attack has stopped is also relevant in assessing the cost–benefit balance of inducible defenses, which will depend on the absence or presence of subsequent attacks. In this study we quantified the timing of induced responses in ramet networks of the stoloniferous herb Trifolium repens after local damage by Mamestra brassicae larvae. We studied the activation time of systemic defense induction in undamaged ramets and the decay time of the response after local attack. Undamaged ramets became defense‐induced 38–51 h after the initial attack. Defense induction was measured as a reduction in leaf palatability. Defense induction lasted at least 28 days, and there was strong genotypic variation in the duration of this response. Ramets formed after the initial attack were also defense‐induced, implying that induced defense can extend to new ramet generations, thereby contributing to protection of plant tissue that is both very vulnerable to herbivores and most valuable in terms of future plant growth and fitness.
Effects of environmental parameters and irrigation on the turgor pressure of banana plants measured using the non‐invasive, online monitoring leaf patch clamp pressure probe
Authors: Zimmermann U. , Rüger S. , Shapira O. , Westhoff M. , Wegner L. H. , Reuss R. , Gessner P. , Zimmermann G. , Israeli Y. , Zhou A. , Schwartz A. , Bamberg E. , Zimmermann D. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractTurgor pressure provides a sensitive indicator for irrigation scheduling. Leaf turgor pressure of Musa acuminate was measured by using the so‐called leaf patch clamp pressure probe, i.e. by application of an external, magnetically generated and constantly retained clamp pressure to a leaf patch and determination of the attenuated output pressure Pp that is highly correlated with the turgor pressure. Real‐time recording of Pp values was made using wireless telemetric transmitters, which send the data to a receiver base station where data are logged and transferred to a GPRS modem linked to an Internet server. Probes functioned over several months under field and laboratory conditions without damage to the leaf patch. Measurements showed that the magnetic‐based probe could monitor very sensitively changes in turgor pressure induced by changes in microclimate (temperature, relative humidity, irradiation and wind) and irrigation. Irrigation effects could clearly be distinguished from environmental effects. Interestingly, oscillations in stomatal aperture, which occurred frequently below turgor pressures of 100 kPa towards noon at high transpiration or at high wind speed, were reflected in the Pp values. The period of pressure oscillations was comparable with the period of oscillations in transpiration and photosynthesis. Multiple probe readings on individual leaves and/or on several leaves over the entire height of the plants further emphasised the great impact of this non‐invasive turgor pressure sensor system for elucidating the dynamics of short‐ and long‐distance water transport in higher plants.
Characterisation of phenol oxidase and peroxidase from maize silk
Authors: Šukalović V. Hadži‐Tašković , Veljović‐Jovanović S. , Maksimović J. Dragišić , Maksimović V. , Pajić Z. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractSilk of some maize genotypes contains a high level of phenolics that undergo enzymatic oxidation to form quinones, which condense among themselves or with proteins to form brown pigments. Two phenolic oxidizing enzymes, peroxidase (POD; EC 1.11.1.7) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO; EC 1.10.3.1), from maize (Zea mays L.) silk were characterised with respect to their preferred substrate, different isoforms and specific effectors. One browning silk sample with high, and two non‐browning samples with low phenolic content were investigated. Although POD oxidizes a wide range of phenolic substrates in vitro, its activity rate was independent of silk phenolic content. PPO activity, detected with o‐diphenolic substrates, was abundant only in browning silk, and low or absent in non‐browning silk. Pollination increased POD but not PPO activity. Isoelectric‐focusing (IEF) and specific staining for POD and PPO showed a high degree of polymorphism that varied with silk origin. The IEF pattern of POD revealed a number of anionic and several cationic isoenzymes, with the most pronounced having neutral pI 7 and a basic isoform with pI 10. Detected isoforms of PPO were anionic, except for one neutral form found only in browning silk, and occupied positions different from those of POD. Different inhibitory effects of NaN3, EDTA, KCN, and L‐cysteine, as well as different impacts of a variety of cations on the oxidation of chlorogenic acid, mediated by PPO or POD, were detected. The findings are discussed in terms of a possible roles of these enzymes in defence and pollination.
Effects of Bisphosphonate on the Endochondral Bone Formation of the Mandibular Condyle
Authors: Kim M. S. , Jung S. Y. , Kang J. H. , Kim H. J. , Ko H. M. , Jung J. Y. , Koh J. T. , Kim W. J. , Kim S. M. , Lee E. J. , Kim S. H. 
Published: August 2009

SummaryThe development of the mandibular condylar cartilage is important for the overall growth of the mandible. However, there have been a few researches into medical approaches aimed at controlling condylar growth. This study examined the effects of bisphosphonate on the growth of the condylar cartilage. Alendronate (3.5 mg/kg/week) was administered to postnatal day 1 SD rats for 7 and 10 days. The thickness of each chondrocyte layer and the level of MMP‐9 expression were measured. The anteroposterior diameter of the developing condyle was unaffected by the alendronate treatment for 7 days (P > 0.05). The total thickness of the cartilage layers was also unaffected by the treatment for 7 days (P > 0.05). In particular, there was no change in the thickness of the perichondrium and reserve cell layer at the measured condylar regions (P > 0.05). However, the thickness of the proliferating cell layer was reduced significantly, whereas the thickness of hypertrophied cartilage layer was increased (P < 0.05). The number of chondroclasts engaged in hypertrophied cartilage resorption was reduced significantly by the alendronate treatment (P < 0.05). The level of MMP‐9 expression was reduced at both the transcription and translation levels by the alendronate treatment for 7 and 10 days. These results indicate that alendronate (>3.5 mg/kg/week) inhibits the longitudinal growth of the mandibular condyle by inhibiting chondrocyte proliferation and the resorption of hypertrophied cartilage for ossification.
Initial Development of Bovine Placentation (Bos indicus) from the Point of View of the Allantois and Amnion
Authors: Assis Neto A. C. , Santos E. C. C. , Pereira F. T. V. , Miglino M. A. 
Published: August 2009

SummaryThe aim of this study was to perform a morphological characterization of the initial bovine placental development, between 20 and 70 days post‐insemination (p.i.), with emphasis on the differentiation of the allantois and amnion. After collection, the conceptuses were dissected, macroscopically measured and photographically documented. The extraembryonic membranes were cut into fragments measuring 5 cm2, and then fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde for analysis using light microscopy, and in 2.5% glutaraldehyde for use in scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The extraembryonic and fetal membranes presented variable degrees of development throughout the periods analysed. The macroscopic appearance of vascularization of the allantois, its attempt to merge with the chorium and the effective appearance of the first cotyledons in development were the events observed from 30 to 40 days of pregnancy. The measurements of the amnion increased gradually as gestation developed. The allantoic epithelia presented cellular dimorphism from 20 to 25 days of pregnancy, but was shown to be immature from 60 to 70 days of pregnancy.
Structural Differences in the Umbilical Vein Wall after Full‐Term and Pre‐term Delivery
Authors: Bagyánszki M. , Novák Z. , Bódi N. , Orvos H. , Pál A. , Fekete É. 
Published: August 2009

SummaryWith the exception of its most proximal segment, the human umbilical cord lacks innervation. It might be expected, therefore, that a paracrine effect through the direct contact between the smooth muscle cells and the endothelium may be particularly important in the control of the fetoplacental circulation. In this study, electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry were applied to examine umbilical veins immediately after full‐term and pre‐term delivery. The smooth muscle cells in the upper layer of the tunica media exhibited long, foot‐like processes with c‐kit immunoreactivity. In the umbilical vein of full‐term neonates more than 50% of these cell processes display a normal ultrastructure and they were closely associated with the lamina elastica interna. Whereas in pre‐term infants more than 60% of these cell processes exhibit signs of severe shrinkage and detachedness from the lamina elastica interna. At the same time, the high level of immunoreactivity of the endothelial cells as regards the proapoptotic gene product Bax in pre‐term infants is indicative of an enhanced apoptotic process in these cells.
The Optimization for Crop Planning and Some Advances for Water‐Saving Crop Planning in the Semiarid Loess Plateau of China
Authors: Wang Y. B. , Wu P. T. , Zhao X. N. , Li J. L. , Lv L. , Shao H. B. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThe establishment of water‐saving crop planning is an inevitable choice of the water‐saving agriculture for the water‐deficiency region in the arid and semiarid Loess Plateau of China and the world. The water‐saving crop planning refers to the planting structure that centres the adjustment of the crop’s adaptation to water, the optimization of temporal and spatial layout for crops, the local natural resources, marketing resources, human resources and financial input to enable region or basin with limited water resources to achieve the maximum economic, social and ecological benefits of planting industry under certain technology and economy. After the analysis on the research progress of optimization theory, optimization goals, optimization methods of water‐saving cultivation structure and macro‐control measures, it is pointed out that the main deficiencies of the current research of water‐saving cultivation pattern optimization are lacking of a strong theoretical basis, and the immaturity of optimization technologies. The future crucial research direction will focus on five aspects such as the special optimization theory system, the division methods by studying the watershed unit and using 3S technology, optimization model based on multi‐objective evolutionary algorithm, evaluation of rationality and macro‐control measures on the basis of the public participation.
Improved quality management to enhance the efficacy of the sterile insect technique for lepidopteran pests
Authors: Simmons G. S. , Suckling D. M. , Carpenter J. E. , Addison M. F. , Dyck V. A. , Vreysen M. J. B. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractLepidoptera are among the most severe pests of food and fibre crops in the world and are mainly controlled using broad spectrum insecticides. This does not lead to environmentally sustainable control and farmers are demanding alternative control tools which are both effective and friendly to the environment. The sterile insect technique (SIT), within an area‐wide integrated pest management (AW‐IPM) approach, has proven to be a powerful control tactic for the creation of pest‐free areas or areas of low pest prevalence. Improving the quality of laboratory‐reared moths would increase the efficacy of released sterile moths applied in AW‐IPM programmes that integrate the (SIT). Factors that might affect the quality and field performance of released sterile moths are identified and characterized in this study. Some tools and methods to measure, predict and enhance moth quality are described such as tests for moth quality, female moth trapping systems, ‘smart’ traps, machine vision for recording behaviour, marking techniques, and release technologies. Methods of enhancing rearing systems are discussed with a view to selecting and preserving useful genetic traits that improve field performance.
Three energy‐based multiaxial HCF criteria for fatigue life determination in components under random non‐proportional stress fields
Authors: SHARIYAT M. 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACTThe prominent high cycle fatigue (HCF) criteria have been generally proposed based on definition of an equivalent stress that is mainly a modified version of a static failure criterion or a static yield function. One or more effects including the mean normal and shear stresses, different phase shifts or random frequencies of the stress components, relative instantaneous time variations of the stress components, relative time locations of the extrema of the time histories of the stress components, etc. have not been considered by many of the previously proposed criteria. In the present paper, based on the proposed instantaneous stress amplitude and mean stress concepts, three new energy‐based HCF criteria are proposed to overcome the mentioned shortcomings. A relevant fatigue life assessment algorithm is proposed and results of the prominent criteria are compared with results of the proposed criteria as well as the experimental results prepared by the author. To introduce a comprehensive study, the criteria are examined for components with complicated geometries under proportional, non‐proportional and random loadings. Results confirm the efficiency and accuracy of the proposed criteria. Furthermore, it is deduced that the Liu–Zenner type criteria which include the hydrostatic stress implicitly are more accurate than the Papadopoulos‐type criteria that consider the hydrostatic stress explicitly.
Are treelines advancing? A global meta‐analysis of treeline response to climate warming
Authors: Harsch Melanie A. , Hulme Philip E. , McGlone Matt S. , Duncan Richard P. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractTreelines are temperature sensitive transition zones that are expected to respond to climate warming by advancing beyond their current position. Response to climate warming over the last century, however, has been mixed, with some treelines showing evidence of recruitment at higher altitudes and/or latitudes (advance) whereas others reveal no marked change in the upper limit of tree establishment. To explore this variation, we analysed a global dataset of 166 sites for which treeline dynamics had been recorded since 1900 AD. Advance was recorded at 52% of sites with only 1% reporting treeline recession. Treelines that experienced strong winter warming were more likely to have advanced, and treelines with a diffuse form were more likely to have advanced than those with an abrupt or krummholz form. Diffuse treelines may be more responsive to warming because they are more strongly growth limited, whereas other treeline forms may be subject to additional constraints.
Evaluation of the serum testosterone to prostate‐specific antigen ratio as a predictor of prostate cancer risk
Authors: Morote Juan , Planas Jacques , Ramirez Cristobal , Gómez Esther , Raventós Carles X. , Placer José , Catalán Roberto , De Torres Inés M. 
Published: August 2009

Study Type – Diagnostic (exploratory cohort)  Level of Evidence 2bOBJECTIVETo analyse the ratio of serum testosterone (sT) to prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) as a predictor of prostate cancer risk, as low levels of sT have been related to a greater risk of prostate cancer, and its ratio with serum PSA level was recently proposed as a new tool to increase the specificity of PSA.PATIENTS AND METHODSIn all, 439 consecutive men with a normal digital rectal examination and a serum PSA level of 4.1–20 ng/mL had a transrectal ultrasonography‐guided biopsy using a 10‐core scheme, with an additional 1–8 cores according to prostate volume and patient age. The sT level was determined before the procedure using a chemiluminescent assay, and the ratio of sT to PSA (sT/PSA) was calculated after transforming sT measurements from ng/dL to ng/mL. The percentage free PSA (%fPSA) and PSA density were also included in this analysis.RESULTSThe overall cancer detection rate was 42.1%. The median sT level was 469 ng/dL in men with cancer and 499 ng/dL in those without (P = 0.521). The median sT/PSA was 0.68 and 0.74, respectively (P = 0.215). However, the median %fPSA was 14 in men with cancer and 17 in men without (P < 0.001) and the median PSA density was 0.22 and 0.16, respectively (P < 0.001). The multivariate analysis confirmed the independent predictive value only for %fPSA (odds ratio 0.94, 95% confidence interval 0.91–0.98) and PSA density (5.8, 3.42–19.8).CONCLUSIONThese results do not support the use of sT/PSA for predicting the risk of prostate cancer and to increase the specificity of PSA.
The independent value of tumour volume in a contemporary cohort of men treated with radical prostatectomy for clinically localized disease
Authors: Porten Sima P. , Cooperberg Matthew R. , Carroll Peter R. 
Published: August 2009

Study Type – Prognosis (case series)  Level of Evidence 4OBJECTIVETo determine if prostate tumour volume is an independent prognostic factor in a contemporary cohort of men who had a radical prostatectomy (RP) for clinically localized disease, as the effect of tumour volume on prostate cancer outcomes has not been consistently shown in the era of widespread screening with prostate‐specific antigen (PSA).PATIENTS AND METHODSThe study included 856 men who had RP from 1998 to 2007 for localized prostate cancer. Tumour volume based on pathology was analysed as a continuous and categorized (<0.26, 0.26–0.50, 0.51–1.00, 1.01–2.00, 2.01–4.00, >4.00 mL) variable using Cox proportional hazards regression and Kaplan‐Meier analysis. A multivariable analysis was also conducted controlling for PSA level, Gleason grade, surgical margins, and pathological stage.RESULTSTumour volume had a positive association with grade and stage, but did not correlate with biochemical recurrence‐free survival on univariate analysis as a continuous variable (hazard ratio 1.00, P = 0.09), and was only statistically significant for volumes of >4 mL as a categorical variable. No tumour volume was an independent predictor of prostate cancer recurrence on multivariate analysis. There was no difference between tumour volume and time to cancer recurrence for organ‐confined tumours using Kaplan‐Meier analysis. In low‐risk patients (PSA level <10 ng/mL, Gleason score ≤6, clinical stage T1c/T2a) tumour volume did not correlate with biochemical recurrence‐free survival in univariate or multivariable analysis.CONCLUSIONSThere is no evidence that tumour volume is an independent predictor of prostate cancer outcome and it should not be considered as a marker of tumour risk, behaviour or prognosis.
Do Differences in Financial Development Explain the Global Pattern of Current Account Imbalances?
Authors: Gruber Joseph , Kamin Steven 
Published: August 2009

AbstractBuilding on the panel‐regression approach of Chinn and Prasad (2003) and Gruber and Kamin (2007), we assess whether differences in financial development can explain the large developing‐country surpluses or large US deficits. We find little evidence to support these hypotheses. We also assess whether differences in asset returns, an alternative measure of the attractiveness of financial assets, can explain the international pattern of capital flows. Lower bond yields have been generally associated with larger current account deficits in industrial countries. However, US bond yields have not been significantly lower than those in other industrial economies, suggesting that US financial assets have not been unusually attractive. We consider an alternative hypothesis that spending in the United States was uniquely responsive to lower costs of capital. However, we found this hypothesis also to be weak, as household saving rates have declined throughout the industrial economies.
Capital Flows, Capitalization, and Openness in Emerging East Asian Economies
Authors: Mandilaras Alex , Popper Helen 
Published: August 2009

AbstractWe examine the international capital flows of seven East Asian emerging economies over the last decade and a half. We find that domestic capital market conditions appear to be the best predictors of the changes in the total capital flows of these countries. Overall, changes in capital market openness are less helpful in explaining the behavior of the recent capital flows of these economies. Finally, we find that, while US macroeconomic conditions are strong predictors of GDP growth in the region, US conditions matter very little for the region's capital flows.