bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Obstetric brachial plexus palsy: a prospective, population‐based study of incidence, recovery, and residual impairment at 18 months of age
Authors: LAGERKVIST ANNA‐LENA , JOHANSSON URBAN , JOHANSSON ANNIKA , BAGER BÖRJE , UVEBRANT PAUL 
Published: December 2009

Aim  The aim of this investigation was to study the incidence of obstetric brachial plexus palsy (OBPP), to prospectively follow the recovery process, to assess the functional outcome at 18 months of age, and to find early prognostic indicators.Method  Of the 38 749 children born between 1999 and 2001 in western Sweden, 114 (70 males, 44 females) had an OBPP. Ninety‐eight children were examined on six occasions at up to 18 months of age. Muscle strength, range of motion, hand preference, and functional abilities were noted, and the severity of the OBPP was classified.Results  The incidence of OBPP was 2.9 per 1000 live births, and the incidence of persisting OBPP was 0.46 per 1000. At 3 months of age, the predictive value of regained elbow flexion for complete recovery was 100%, 99% of shoulder external rotation, and 96% of forearm supination. Most of the 18 children with persisting OBPP could perform functional activities but asymmetries were noted. Five children had a mild, 11 had a moderate, and two had a severe impairment. Three had undergone nerve surgery, one with a mild and two with a severe persisting impairment.Interpretation  Most children with an OBPP recover completely. Muscle strength at 3 months of age can be used to predict outcome.
Electromyographic tools to assess hemidiaphragm paralysis
Authors: Jammes Yves , Budin‐Poirier Cécile , Brégeon Fabienne 
Published: December 2009

SummaryNon‐invasive measurements of the phrenic nerve conduction time (CT) and diaphragmatic electromyographic response to voluntary inspiratory efforts may help to document an abnormal diaphragmatic function in the presence of hemidiaphragm elevation on chest radiographs. Twenty‐one patients were addressed for the diagnosis of abnormal placement and motion of the right (13) or left (8) cupola on chest radiographs. CT was measured by recording the diaphragmatic M‐wave evoked by electrical transcutaneous phrenic nerve stimulation. The integrated diaphragmatic surface electromyogram (Edi) was recorded during sniff and Müller manoeuvres. Four patients were followed up during the next 8–16 months. Among the twenty‐one patients, five (24%) had a lengthened or absent CT. A right‐to‐left peak Edi asymmetry was measured in fourteen (67%), including those having abnormal CT. Agreement between side‐related radiographic abnormalities and Edi asymmetry was high in the cases of an elevation of the right cupola (12/13, 92%) but poor when the left cupola was suspected (1/8, 13%). Long‐term follow‐up of Edi asymmetry showed a partial or total recovery. Thus, the combination of measurements of phrenic nerve CT and Edi recordings during voluntary inspiratory efforts confirmed 67% of the radiographic suspicion of diaphragmatic dysfunction.
Seasonal changes of phospholipids in last instar larvae of rice stem borer Chilo suppressalis Walker (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)
Authors: IZUMI Yohei , KATAGIRI Chihiro , SONODA Shoji , TSUMUKI Hisaaki 
Published: December 2009

AbstractPhospholipids of the cell membrane have been studied from the viewpoint of how overwintering insects inhabiting temperate zones adapt to low temperature. The transition of cell membrane phospholipids from a liquid crystalline phase to a gel phase is a crucial cause of cold or freezing injuries. We determined the qualitative and quantitative changes of phospholipids in the last instar larvae of the rice stem borer in summer and winter. We found that the total amount of their phospholipids did not change significantly between summer and winter and that the sum of phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) comprised about 85% of their total phospholipids. In summer, the ratio of their PE to PC was almost one, while from autumn to mid‐winter it increased and reached three in February. The fatty acid compositions of PC hardly changed, and the percentage of unsaturated fatty acids did not exceed 50%. In contrast, the percentage of unsaturated fatty acids of PE in overwintering larvae increased up to 80% as ambient temperatures fell and oleic acid mainly contributed to the high percentage of unsaturation. In the present study, the relationship between the quantitative and qualitative changes of phospholipids and adaptation of the rice stem borer to cold winter climate are discussed.
Effect of stinging nettle habitats on aphidophagous predators and parasitoids in wheat and green pea fields with special attention to the invader Harmonia axyridis Pallas (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)
Authors: ALHMEDI Ammar , HAUBRUGE Eric , FRANCIS Frédéric 
Published: December 2009

AbstractThe relative occurrence and seasonal abundance of aphids and their natural enemies were visually assessed between May and July 2005–2006 in four types of habitats located in Gembloux (Namur province, Belgium): green pea, wheat and stinging nettle either planted in or naturally growing in woodland adjacent to these crops. Results showed that: (i) Acyrthosiphon pisum Harris, Sitobion avenae F. and Microlophium carnosum Buckton were the most common aphid species, respectively, on green pea, wheat and stinging nettle either in or near field crops; (ii) stinging nettle and field crops shared several important aphidophagous insect species such as the ladybird Coccinella septempunctata L., hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus De Geer and braconid wasp Aphidius ervi Haliday; (iii) the shared beneficial species were typically recorded earlier on stinging nettles than on crops; and (iv) the spatial occurrence of the invasive ladybird Harmonia axyridis Pallas was distinctly associated with stinging nettles, particularly in 2005. Stinging nettles and field crops partially coincide in time, enabling the movement of natural enemies among them. These findings suggest that the presence of stinging nettles in landscapes seems to enhance the local density of aphidophagous insect communities necessary for aphid biocontrol in field crops.
Pre‐dispersal seed predation of bayberry Myrica rubra by Thiotricha pancratiastis (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) on Yakushima Island, Japan
Authors: FUJITA Mariko , MATSUI Kiyoshi , TERAKAWA Mari , KOMAI Furumi , YUMOTO Takakazu , MAETO Kaoru 
Published: December 2009

AbstractWe investigated pre‐dispersal seed predation by insects in a bayberry Myrica rubra Sieb. et Zucc. (Myricaceae) on Yakushima Island, Japan. To clarify the patterns of seed fate and predation, all fruit that fell into seed traps were collected to allow any insect larvae within the fruit to emerge, and the fruit were finally dissected to determine whether or not they had been attacked by insect predators. Two lepidopteran species, Thiotricha pancratiastis (Meyrick) (Gelechiidae) and Neoblastobasis spiniharpella Kuznetzov & Sinev (Blastobasidae), emerged from the fruits. Thiotricha pancratiastis is the major seed predator of M. rubra, attacking the fruits intensively during the primary stage of fruit development. Thiotricha pancratiastis had been known as a foliage feeder (leaf miner) of M. rubra, but we revealed that the insect is also an important seed predator of the bayberry.
The genus Asiabregma Belokobylskij, Zaldivar & Maeto (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) from China, with description of a new species
Authors: TAN Jiang‐Li , HE Jun‐Hua , CHEN Xue‐Xin 
Published: December 2009

AbstractThe small Asian genus Asiabregma Belokobylskij, Zaldivar & Maeto 2008 is recorded from China for the first time and one new species, A. achterbergi sp. nov., is described and illustrated. A key to species of genus Asiabregma is updated to include A. achterbergi. The relationship between Asiabregma and other members of the subtribe Facitorina and the systematic position of Facitorina are discussed.
Mites of family Macrochelidae (Acari: Gamasida) associated with dung beetles in Mt Merapi National Park, Jogyakarta, Java, Indonesia
Authors: HARTINI Sri , DWIBADRA Dhian , TAKAKU Gen 
Published: December 2009

AbstractFourteen mite species in three genera of the family Macrochelidae were collected from the body surface of dung beetles (Scarabaeidae) in Mt Merapi National Park, Jogyakarta, Indonesia. Of these, three species, Macrocheles turgoensis n. sp., M. pumilus n. sp. and Glyptholaspis merapiensis n. sp., were described as new to science. The remaining 11 species were Glyptholaspis fimicola (Sellnick, 1931), Neopodocinum spinirostris (Berlese, 1910), M. dispar (Berlese, 1910), M. entetiensis Hartini and Takaku, 2005, M. hallidayi Walter and Krantz, 1986, M. jabarensis Hartini and Takaku, 2003, M. merdarius (Berlese, 1889), M. muscaedomesticae (Scopoli, 1772), M. oigru Walter and Krantz, 1986, M. sukaramiensis Takaku, 2001 and M. sp. aff. glaber (Müller, 1860).
Effects of nematode parasitism on mycophagous drosophilid species in northern Japan
Authors: YOROZUYA Hiroshi 
Published: December 2009

AbstractMycophagous drosophilids and their nematode parasites were studied in an intensive census conducted throughout the active season over four years (2000–2003) in Hokkaido, northern Japan. Using census data, I assessed the prevalence of nematode parasitism through seasons, determined its effects on drosophilid female fertility and tested the “disproportionate parasitism hypothesis” to evaluate its effects on drosophilid community structure. Over the four‐year census, a total of 43 fungal species were found on the census route and 18 177 adult drosophilid flies were collected. The yearly parasitism rate on the total drosophilid community varied from 6.2% in 2000 to 5.1% in 2001 and 3.0% in 2002 and 2003. There was strong seasonal variation in the prevalence of parasitism. In addition, parasitism rates varied among drosophilid species. All parasitized females carried only small numbers of eggs. Thus, nematode parasitism had a strong deleterious effect on the fitness of infected flies. The relative abundance of drosophilid species and parasitism rate were not significantly correlated. Thus, the disproportionate parasitism hypothesis likely does not apply to the mycophagous drosophilid community in Japan.
The Effect of Life Cycle Cost Information on Consumer Investment Decisions Regarding Eco‐Innovation
Authors: Kaenzig Josef , Wüstenhagen Rolf 
Published: December 2009

SummaryLife cycle cost (LCC) computations are a well‐established instrument for the evaluation of intertemporal choices in organizations, but they have not been widely adopted by private consumers yet. Consumer investment decisions for products and services with higher initial costs and lower operating costs are potentially subject to numerous cognitive biases, such as present‐biased preferences or framing effects. This article suggests a classification for categorizing different cost profiles for eco‐innovation and a conceptual model for the influence of LCC information on consumer decisions regarding eco‐innovation. It derives hypotheses on the decision‐making process for eco‐innovation from a theoretical perspective. To verify the hypotheses, the publication reviews empirical studies evaluating the effects of LCC information on consumer investment decisions. It can be concluded that rather than finding ways to make customers pay more for environmentally sound products, the marketing challenge for eco‐innovation should be reconceptualized as one of lowering customers’ perceived initial cost and increasing awareness of LCC. Most existing studies report a positive effect of LCC information on the purchase likelihood of eco‐innovations. Disclosing LCC information provides an important base for long‐term thinking on the individual, corporate, and policy levels.
The role of CTGF in the diabetic rat retina and its relationship with VEGF and TGF‐β2, elucidated by treatment with CTGFsiRNA
Authors: Yang Hongwei , Huang Yonggang , Chen Xiaolong , Liu Jie , Lu Yan , Bu Limin , Xia Likun , Xiao Wei , Chen Ming , Nie Qingzhu , Liu Zheli 
Published: December 2009

Acta Ophthalmol. 2010: 88: 652–659Abstract.Purpose:  The critical association of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) with diabetic retinopathy (DR) remains to be clarified. We detected alterations in the gene and protein expression of CTGF and related cytokines, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and transforming growth factor‐β2 (TGF‐β2), and their response to small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting the CTGF (CTGFsiRNA) in the retina of diabetic rats. The relationships between CTGF, VEGF and TGF‐β2 levels, as well as the degree of apoptosis in the diabetic retina, were also investigated.Methods:  Diabetes was induced in rats by the β‐cell toxin streptozotocin (STZ). Retinas were obtained from control and diabetic rats and similar animals treated with CTGFsiRNA by intravitreal injection. mRNA level and protein expression of CTGF, VEGF and TGF‐β2 were measured by reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) and Western blotting, and located by immunohistochemistry. Retinal apoptosis was detected by TUNEL staining.Results:  The levels of CTGF, VEGF and TGF‐β2 and the number of TUNEL‐positive nuclei were significantly higher in diabetic retinas than in control retinas (p < 0.01). The level of CTGF rose at 8 weeks, earlier than levels of VEGF and TGF‐β2, which rose at 12 weeks after the onset of diabetes. The difference was significant (p < 0.05). siRNA‐mediated inhibition of CTGF mRNA inhibited retinal VEGF and TGF‐β2 and also resulted in a significant decrease in apoptosis. Significant correlations were found between CTGF and VEGF (p = 0.009), CTGF and TGF‐β2 (p = 0.01), and apoptosis and these three cytokines (p < 0.01) in the rat retina early in diabetes.Conclusions:  These results suggest that the diabetes‐mediated increase in CTGF upregulates VEGF and TGF‐β2 expression and induces apoptosis in the retina. This elevation may be inhibited by treatment with CTGFsiRNA. Connective tissue growth factor may serve as a potential target for the prevention and treatment of DR.
Combined
ramR
Mutation and Presence of a Tn
1721
-Associated
tet
(A) Variant in a Clinical Isolate of
Salmonella enterica
Serovar Hadar Resistant to Tigecycline
Authors: Hentschke M. , Christner M. , Sobottka I. , Aepfelbacher M. , Rohde H. 
Published: December 2009

ABSTRACT

A
Salmonella enterica
serovar Hadar strain resistant to tigecycline (MIC, 16 μg/ml) was isolated. Molecular characterization revealed the presence of a plasmid-borne
tet
(A) variant associated with Tn
1721
mediating a rise of the MIC for tigecycline when transferred to
Escherichia coli
. Additionally, a truncating mutation in
ramR
was detected. Transformation with wild-type
ramR
but not with the mutated
ramR
lowered the MIC for tigecycline. Characterization of this
Salmonella
isolate implicates
ramR
in resistance to tigecycline.
Spread of a Chromosomal Cefixime-Resistant
penA
Gene among Different
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Lineages
Authors: Ohnishi Makoto , Watanabe Yuko , Ono Emi , Takahashi Chieko , Oya Hitomi , Kuroki Toshiro , Shimuta Ken , Okazaki Norio , Nakayama Shu-ichi , Watanabe Haruo 
Published: December 2009

ABSTRACT

In
Neisse
ria gonorrhoeae
, the mosaic type of
penA
, which encodes penicillin-binding protein 2 (PBP 2), is associated with reduced susceptibility to oral cephalosporins. To investigate the relatedness of
N. gonorrhoeae
clinical isolates with reduced susceptibility, we sequenced the
penA
genes of 32 isolates. Five different amino acid sequence types of PBP 2 were identified, but all seemed to be derivatives of pattern X of PBP 2 (PBP 2-X). However, multilocus sequence typing of the isolates showed that the isolates belonged to six different sequence types. As PBP 2-X was identified in three different sequence types, horizontal transfer of the
penA
allele encoding PBP2-X was suggested. We demonstrated that the
penA
gene could be transferred from an isolate with reduced susceptibility to a sensitive isolate by natural transformation. Comparison of the sequence of the
penA
-flanking regions of 12 transformants with those of the donor and the recipient suggested that at least a 4-kb DNA segment, including the
penA
gene, was transferred. During horizontal transfer, some of the
penA
alleles also acquired variations due to point mutations and genetic exchange within the allele. Our results provide evidence that the capacity for natural transformation in
N. gonorrhoeae
plays a role in the spread of chromosomal antibiotic resistance genes and the generation of diversity in such genes.
Early Viral Kinetics of Telbivudine and Entecavir: Results of a 12-Week Randomized Exploratory Study with Patients with HBeAg-Positive Chronic Hepatitis B
Authors: Suh Dong Jin , Um Soon Ho , Herrmann Eva , Kim Ju-Hyun , Lee Young Sok , Lee Heon Ju , Lee Myung Seok , Lee Youn-Jae , Bao Weibin , Lopez Patricia , Lee Han Chu , Avila Claudio , Zeuzem Stefan 
Published: December 2009

ABSTRACTWe characterized the early viral kinetic profiles of telbivudine and entecavir and the effects of these potent nucleoside analogs on hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA and alanine aminotransferase levels in adults with hepatitis B e antigen-positive compensated chronic hepatitis B. Forty-four patients were enrolled in this open-label, parallel-group, multicenter study and randomized to receive telbivudine or entecavir for 12 weeks. Reductions in hepatitis B virus DNA and alanine aminotransferase levels from baseline to weeks 2, 4, 8, and 12 were assessed. Viral kinetic parameters, including viral clearance per day, loss of infected cells per day, and efficiency of inhibition of viral production, were estimated by using a biphasic mathematical model. Statistical analyses were limited to descriptive analyses. The 2 treatment groups achieved similar reductions in HBV DNA and alanine aminotransferase levels. Mean reductions in levels of hepatitis B virus DNA at week 12 were 6.6 ± 1.6 and 6.5 ± 1.5 log10copies/ml for the telbivudine- and entecavir-treated patients, respectively. There were no significant differences between groups in values for mean viral clearance per day, mean loss of infected cells per day, or efficiency of blocking viral production. The safety profiles for both medications were favorable. During the first 12 weeks of treatment, telbivudine and entecavir demonstrated similar antiviral potencies, resulting in a rapid and profound suppression of serum hepatitis B virus DNA and reduction of alanine aminotransferase levels. No differences in the effects of these 2 agents on early viral kinetics were observed. Both medications were well tolerated.
Exploiting the Drug-Activating Properties of a Novel Trypanosomal Nitroreductase
Authors: Hall Belinda S. , Wu Xinghua , Hu Longqin , Wilkinson Shane R. 
Published: December 2009

ABSTRACT

Nitroheterocyclic prodrugs have been used to treat trypanosomal diseases for more than 40 years. Recently, the key step involved in the activation of these compounds has been elucidated and shown to be catalyzed by a type I nitroreductase (NTR). This class of enzyme is normally associated with bacteria and is absent from most eukaryotes, with trypanosomes being a major exception. Here we exploit this difference by evaluating the trypanocidal activity of a library of nitrobenzylphosphoramide mustards against bloodstream-form
Trypanosoma brucei
parasites. Biochemical screening against the purified enzyme revealed that a subset of halogenated nitroaromatic compounds were effective substrates for
T. brucei
NTR (TbNTR), having apparent
K
cat
/

K
m

values approximately 100 times greater than nifurtimox. When tested against
T. brucei
, cytotoxicity mirrored enzyme activity, with 50% inhibitory concentrations of the most potent substrates being less than 10 nM.
T. brucei
NTR plays a key role in parasite killing: heterozygous lines displayed resistance to the compounds, while parasites overexpressing the enzyme showed hypersensitivity. We also evaluated the cytotoxicities of substrates with the highest trypanocidal activities by using mammalian THP-1 cells. The relative toxicities of these newly identified compounds were much lower than that of nifurtimox. We conclude that halogenated nitrobenzylphosphoramide mustards represent a novel class of antitrypanosomal agents, and their efficacy validates the strategy of specifically targeting NTR activity to develop new therapeutics.
AtolCMutant ofFrancisella tularensisIs Hypercytotoxic Compared to the Wild Type and Elicits Increased Proinflammatory Responses from Host Cells
Authors: Platz Gabrielle J. , Bublitz DeAnna C. , Mena Patricio , Benach Jorge L. , Furie Martha B. , Thanassi David G. 
Published: December 2009

ABSTRACTThe highly infectious bacteriumFrancisella tularensisis a facultative intracellular pathogen and the causative agent of tularemia. TolC, which is an outer membrane protein involved in drug efflux and type I protein secretion, is required for the virulence of theF. tularensislive vaccine strain (LVS) in mice. Here, we show that an LVS ΔtolCmutant colonizes livers, spleens, and lungs of mice infected intradermally or intranasally, but it is present at lower numbers in these organs than in those infected with the parental LVS. For both routes of infection, colonization by the ΔtolCmutant is most severely affected in the lungs, suggesting that TolC function is particularly important in this organ. The ΔtolCmutant is hypercytotoxic to murine and human macrophages compared to the wild-type LVS, and it elicits the increased secretion of proinflammatory chemokines from human macrophages and endothelial cells. Taken together, these data suggest that TolC function is required forF. tularensisto inhibit host cell death and dampen host immune responses. We propose that, in the absence of TolC,F. tularensisinduces excessive host cell death, causing the bacterium to lose its intracellular replicative niche. This results in lower bacterial numbers, which then are cleared by the increased innate immune response of the host.
Discerning responses of down wood and understory vegetation abundance to riparian buffer width and thinning treatments: an equivalence–inequivalence approach
Authors: Anderson Paul D. , Meleason Mark A. 
Published: December 2009

The combined effectiveness of thinning and riparian buffers for increasing structural complexity while maintaining riparian function in second-growth forests is not well documented. We surveyed down wood and vegetation cover along transects from stream center, through buffers ranging from <5 to 150 m width into thinned stands, patch openings, or unthinned stands of 40- to 65-year-old Douglas-fir ( Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) forests in western Oregon, USA. Small-wood cover became more homogeneous among stream reaches within 5 years following thinning, primarily due to decreases for reaches having the greatest pretreatment abundance. Mean shrub cover converged, predominantly because of decreases in patch openings. Herbaceous cover increased, particularly in patch openings. Relative to unthinned stands, herbaceous cover was similar in wide buffers and increased in the narrowest buffers and in narrow buffers adjacent to patch openings. Moss cover tended to increase in thinned areas and decrease in patch openings. Both conventional point-null hypothesis tests and inequivalence tests suggested that wood and vegetation responses within buffers of ≥15 m width were insensitive to the treatments. However, inherently conservative equivalence tests infrequently inferred similarity between thinned stands or buffers and untreated stands. Difficulties defining ecologically important effect size can limit the inferential utility of equivalence–inequivalance testing.