bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Physiological and hormonal aspects in female domestic pigeons (Columba livia) associated with breeding stage and experience
Authors: Dong X. Y. , Zhang M. , Jia Y. X. , Zou X. T. 
Published: August 2012

SummaryThe present study examined the changes in serum biochemical values, hormone profiles and ovary prolactin receptor (PRLR) gene expression occurring in female domestic pigeons (Columba livia) under different breeding status and experience. The egg‐laying pigeons had lower calcium, total protein, albumin, prolactin levels and higher oestrogen levels than those of incubating birds (p < 0.05). First‐time breeders had higher (p < 0.05) progesterone levels and lower (p < 0.05) prolactin levels than that of experienced ones. The levels of oestrogen and follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) increased with age (p < 0.05). The very old birds showed a pronounced increase (p < 0.05) in PRL, FSH and progesterone and a little decrease in oestrogen. Serum prolactin level was not correlated with the ovary PRLR mRNA expression pattern among all the pigeons. Results showed that serum physiological profile of female pigeons was correlated with breeding status, whereas reproductive hormone levels were correlated with advancing breeding experience. It was concluded that female pigeons had a good ability of recovering from nutrient loss after each breeding attempts, and the degradation of reproductive performance might be attributed to changes in the endocrine system.
Nocturnal enuresis
Authors: Harari Michael D 
Published: July 2012

AbstractNocturnal enuresis (NE) is increasingly seen as part of a heterogeneous phenomenon that at times will include daytime lower urinary tract symptoms such as urgency, frequency and wetting – with reduced bladder storage, usually due to an overactive bladder. In turn, these may be associated with constipation and/or faecal soiling. This paper discusses these considerations in the management of NE.
Impact of pre‐implant lower urinary tract symptoms on postoperative urinary morbidity after permanent prostate brachytherapy
Authors: Teishima Jun , Iwamoto Hideo , Miyamoto Katsutoshi , Shoji Koichi , Masumoto Hiroshi , Inoue Shogo , Kobayashi Kanao , Kajiwara Mitsuru , Matsubara Akio 
Published: August 2012

Objectives:  To assess the impact of baseline lower urinary tract symptoms on postoperative urinary morbidity in patients being treated for prostate cancer with 125‐I permanent prostate brachytherapy.Methods:  A total of 104 prostate cancer patients were enrolled in this study. Their urinary morbidity was followed up using the International Prostate Symptom Score and Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite for 12 months or more after permanent prostate brachytherapy. Patients were classified into two groups based on their baseline International Prostate Symptom Score: the low International Prostate Symptom Score group (score ≤ 7) and the high International Prostate Symptom Score group (score ≥ 8). Urinary morbidity was estimated in each group based on the results of the International Prostate Symptom Score and Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite measured before permanent prostate brachytherapy, and at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after the end of all radiation therapy.Results:  The overall mean total International Prostate Symptom Score, International Prostate Symptom Score quality of life score, and urinary‐related scores for Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite were significantly worse at 1 month after the end of treatment, but they improved gradually after the treatment and recovered to the baseline level within 12 months. Even in the high‐International Prostate Symptom Score group, the International Prostate Symptom Score and International Prostate Symptom Score Quality of Life score were significantly worse at 1–3 months after permanent prostate brachytherapy, and then recovered to the baseline level without prolongation. Although the urination‐related Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite score in the high‐International Prostate Symptom Score group was significantly worse at 1 month after permanent prostate brachytherapy in comparison with that in the low‐International Prostate Symptom Score group, it recovered to the baseline level without prolongation.Conclusions:  The present findings suggest that the presence of lower urinary tract symptoms before implantation does not prolong urinary morbidity after permanent prostate brachytherapy.
Successful management of cervico‐isthmic pregnancy delivered at term
Authors: Sakai Atsuhiko , Fujita Yasuyuki , Yumoto Yasuo , Fukushima Kotaro , Kobayashi Hiroaki , Wake Norio 
Published: July 2012

AbstractA 29‐year‐old woman was diagnosed with a cervico‐isthmic pregnancy based on ultrasound findings at 8 weeks of gestation. At 30 weeks of gestation, placenta previa was confirmed. During cesarean section at 37 weeks, the placenta did not spontaneously detach from the uterus; therefore, we decided to leave it in the uterus to avoid major hemorrhage. Blood loss was 775 mL and a healthy infant was delivered. After the operation, weekly methotrexate injection was initiated. Shortly after the eighth course of injection, massive vaginal bleeding suddenly occurred and bilateral uterine artery embolization was performed to control it. After the procedure, the retained placental tissue was removed and the patient was discharged with good general condition. Although a cervico‐isthmic pregnancy constitutes a high‐risk pregnancy, fertility‐sparing management without a hysterectomy or blood transfusion was possible by not removing the placenta manually during the operation.
The influence of bilingualism on speech production: A systematic review
Authors: Hambly Helen , Wren Yvonne , McLeod Sharynne , Roulstone Sue 
Published: July 2012

AbstractBackgroundChildren who are bilingual and have speech sound disorder are likely to be under‐referred, possibly due to confusion about typical speech acquisition in bilingual children.AimsTo investigate what is known about the impact of bilingualism on children's acquisition of speech in English to facilitate the identification and treatment of bilingual children with speech sound disorder.Methods & ProceduresA systematic review of studies from the last 50 years was conducted. Studies investigating speech acquisition in bilingual infants and children (where one language was English) were identified through searching seven electronic databases, bibliographies of relevant articles and e‐mailing authors. Sixty‐six studies investigating bilingual speech production met inclusion criteria, with 53 describing typically developing children and 13 describing children with speech sound disorder. The 66 studies were analysed thematically and summarized in terms of methods, key findings and underlying theories.Main ContributionThere was limited evidence to suggest that bilingual children develop speech at a slower rate than their monolingual peers; however, there was evidence for qualitative differences and increased variation in speech production. Nearly all studies provide evidence for transfer between the two phonological and language structures, although the amount of transfer varied between studies. There was evidence of positive and negative transfer of features from the dominant language (L1) to the second language (L2) as well as from L2 to L1. Positive transfer became more evident with increased age and length of exposure to a second language. More recently researchers have moved away from investigating whether there are one or two phonological systems and accept that there are two systems that interact. Interest has shifted to examining how phonological systems interact and to identifying factors that influence interactions. The review revealed a number of inconsistencies in the findings of studies due to differences in methodology, languages investigated and degree of language exposure. Overall, measurement issues were addressed well but most studies provided limited sample information about language experience, schooling and socio‐economic status.Conclusions & ImplicationsThere are differences in speech sound acquisition between monolingual and bilingual children in terms of rate and patterns of error, with both positive and negative transfer occurring in bilingual children.
The importance of who infects whom: the evolution of diversity in host resistance to infectious disease
Authors: Boots Mike , White Andy , Best Alex , Bowers Roger 
Published: August 2012

AbstractVariation for resistance to infectious disease is ubiquitous and critical to host and parasite evolution and to disease impact, spread and control. However, the processes that generate and maintain this diversity are not understood. We examine how ecological feedbacks generate diversity in host defence focussing on when polymorphism can evolve without co‐evolution of the parasite. Our key result is that when there is heritable variation in hosts in both their transmissibility and susceptibility along with costs to resistance, there is the possibility of the evolution of polymorphism. We argue that a wide range of behavioural or physiological mechanisms may lead to relationships between transmissibility and susceptibility that generate diversity. We illustrate this by showing that a tendency for higher contacts between related individuals leads to polymorphism. Only dimorphisms can evolve when infection is determined only by an individuals' susceptibility or when transmissibility and susceptibility are simply positively or negatively correlated.
Tagaturonate–fructuronate epimerase UxaE, a novel enzyme in the hexuronate catabolic network in Thermotoga maritima
Authors: Rodionova Irina A. , Scott David A. , Grishin Nick V. , Osterman Andrei L. , Rodionov Dmitry A. 
Published: July 2012

SummaryThermotoga maritima is a marine hyperthermophilic microorganism that degrades a wide range of simple and complex carbohydrates including pectin and produces fermentative hydrogen at high yield. Galacturonate and glucuronate, two abundant hexuronic acids in pectin and xylan, respectively, are catabolized via committed metabolic pathways to supply carbon and energy for a variety of microorganisms. By a combination of bioinformatics and experimental techniques we identified a novel enzyme family (named UxaE) catalysing a previously unknown reaction in the hexuronic acid catabolic pathway, epimerization of tagaturonate to fructuronate. The enzymatic activity of the purified recombinant tagaturonate epimerase from T. maritima was directly confirmed and kinetically characterized. Its function was also confirmed by genetic complementation of the growth of the Escherichia coli uxaB knockout mutant strain on galacturonate. An inferred novel galacturonate to mannonate catabolic pathway in T. maritima was reconstituted in vitro using a mixture of recombinant purified enzymes UxaE, UxaC and UxuB. Members of the newly identified UxaE family were identified in ∼ 50 phylogenetically diverse heterotrophic bacteria from aquatic and soil environments. The genomic context of respective genes and reconstruction of associated pathways suggest that UxaE enzymatic and biological function remains conserved in all of these species.
Effect of Coherin™ on intraocular pressure, pupil size and heart rate in the glaucomatous Beagle: a pilot study
Authors: MacKay Edward O. , Gelatt Kirk N. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractObjective To evaluate effects of Coherin™ on intraocular pressure (IOP), pupil size (PS), and heart rate (HR) in glaucomatous Beagles in single‐dose studies in a pilot study.Materials and methods Intraocular pressure, PS, and HR were measured in eight glaucomatous Beagles. One randomly chosen eye received single 50 μL doses of differing concentrations of Coherin™ (treated eye) or vehicle (placebo‐treated eye), and the fellow eye served as the untreated control. After the first measurements, a single dose of either Coherin™ or sterile water vehicle was instilled in the drug and placebo eyes, respectively.Results The mean ± SEM diurnal changes in IOP after 0.005%, 0.01%, 0.2%, 0.284%, 1%, 2%, and 4% topical Coherin™ once daily were 7.6 ± 3.2 mmHg, 15.5 ± 5.3 mmHg, 11.2 ± 4.4 mmHg, 11.8 ± 4.4 mmHg, 19.1 ± 3.8 mmHg, 5.0 ± 1.8 mmHg, and 8.8 ± 2.8 mmHg, respectively. The declines in IOP were significantly different (P < 0.05) from the untreated control eyes with the 0.2% and 0.284% Coherin™‐treated eyes and suggestive for 1% Coherin™ concentrations. No signs of irritation, significant PS, and HR changes were detected in the Coherin™‐treated eyes.Conclusion Of seven different concentrations, 2% and 0.248% Coherin™ produced significant declines in IOP in the glaucomatous beagle in single‐dose studies when compared to both untreated control and placebo‐treated eyes. One percent Coherin™ solution produced significant IOP decreases compared with the placebo‐treated eye but not the untreated control eyes. No local ocular irritation, PS and HR changes were observed in Coherin™‐treated eyes. This pilot study suggests that topical Coherin™ has potential as an ocular hypotensive agent.
Neoliberalization, Housing Institutions and Variegated Gentrification: How the ‘Third Wave’ Broke in Amsterdam
Authors: van Gent W.P.C. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractNeil Smith argues that in the last two decades gentrification has become a generalized global urban phenomenon. His theory is at a high level of abstraction, as it links urban gentrification to globalization, financial capitalism and neoliberalization. With these global processes, all cities have experienced ‘third wave’ gentrification. The theory, however, leaves little room for variegations of gentrification, apart from characterizing geographical differences as idiosyncrasies or as minor variations. This downplays the role of intervening mechanisms that impinge upon the pursuit and social outcomes of gentrification. This article aims to amend abstract theory by looking at Amsterdam from a historical institutional perspective. In Amsterdam, gentrification was particularly made possible by a process of neoliberalization within the housing system. However, as institutional change is incremental and based on layering and conversion, many older institutional arrangements remain in place. These arrangements tend to slow gentrification and assuage social consequences. Nevertheless, neoliberal modifications to the housing system have been accelerating the pursuit of gentrification. Current policies will very likely lead to exclusionary displacement.
Urban Renewal in Istanbul: Reconfigured Spaces, Robotic Lives
Authors: Karaman Ozan 
Published: July 2012

AbstractThe article discusses Turkey's property‐led residential redevelopment model. This entails the demolition of an existing settlement, replacing it with blocks of apartments (usually constructed on the exact same site and at a higher density), some of which are then made available to displaced residents for purchase via mortgage loans with long maturities. While the authorities promote this model of urban renewal as an innovative public housing policy, I argue that, far from being an exception to market‐rate housing, the model is in fact a market‐disciplinary tool. It seeks to incorporate into the formal market not just spontaneously developed and only partially regulated spaces, but also the conduct of residents living in these informal neighborhoods. The article contributes to the immense literature on urban renewal and organized struggles around the right to housing by showing that urban renewal is not simply about dispossession and displacement. In the Turkish case, urban renewal does not necessarily seek to displace poor residents (even though it often ends up doing so), rather to incorporate them into a nascent mortgage origination market. The second half of the article introduces and elaborates on a case study in Istanbul.
Randomized Controlled Pilot Study of 2 Weeks' Treatment With High Cutoff Membrane for Hemodialysis Patients With Elevated C‐Reactive Protein
Authors: Fiedler Roman , Neugebauer Felix , Ulrich Christof , Wienke Andreas , Gromann Cora , Storr Markus , Böhler Torsten , Seibert Eric , Girndt Matthias 
Published: July 2012

AbstractChronic inflammation in hemodialysis (HD) patients is associated with cardiovascular complications and mortality. Circulating immune active proteins in the molecular range 15–45 kD that cannot be efficiently cleared by high‐flux (HF) dialysis may be causally involved. We intended to test the feasibility of using a high cutoff (HCO) dialyzer in chronic HD patients and its influence on inflammation and monocyte activation. The Gambro HCO1100 dialyzer was compared to a conventional HF membrane in a randomized double‐blind crossover trial in 19 chronic HD patients selected for the presence of elevated serum C‐reactive protein levels. Patients were treated for six consecutive dialysis sessions (2 weeks) with each membrane. Safety analysis recorded adverse events and albumin losses through the protein‐leaking membranes. Efficacy analysis observed reductions in the number of proinflammatory (CD14+CD16+) monocyte subpopulations in circulating blood. Treatment with the HCO membrane was well tolerated, although the number of adverse events was slightly higher. Despite significant serum albumin loss (from 34.1 ± 2.7 to 29.6 ± 3.0 g/L; P < 0.01), there was no need to supplement albumin, and rising activity of cholinesterase during HCO treatment indicated compensation by enhanced hepatic synthesis. The HCO membrane cleared high amounts of proinflammatory cytokines, but did not reduce predialysis inflammatory monocytes and markers. Although the time of HD session was extended, the study was hampered by a lower Kt/V in the HCO compared to the HF period. Treatment of chronic HD patients with this HCO dialyzer for 2 weeks is tolerable in terms of albumin loss and able to clear proinflammatory cytokines; however, this was not sufficient to decrease monocyte activation. Therefore, a more selective, less albumin‐leaking membrane is desirable to allow prolonged high‐efficient dialysis with more effective cytokine clearance.
Structural Change and the Environment
Authors: Lan Jun , Lenzen Manfred , Dietzenbacher Erik , Moran Daniel , Kanemoto Keiichiro , Murray Joy , Geschke Arne 
Published: August 2012

SummaryWe use the input‐output tables in constant prices extended with carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions for examining the development of China, a country undergoing rapid growth. We undertake this empirical analysis in terms of a new and therefore rarely applied methodology: instead of average coefficients characterizing the average (old) technology operating throughout a particular reporting year, we calculate marginal coefficients—in monetary and CO2 terms—that capture the additional (new) technology installed after that year. Marginal coefficients are increasingly recommended in the literature for applications such as consequential life cycle assessment, where they are supposed to lead to more realistic results, especially in prospective analyses. Our work provides a first, broad overview about the magnitude and distribution of these coefficients across recent years in China's rapidly growing economy for which marginal coefficients could be expected to differ greatly from average coefficients. We find that (1) marginal coefficients can differ substantially from average coefficients, thus lending support to the need expressed in the literature for coining consequential life cycle assessment (LCA) and similar prospective assessment in marginal rather than average terms; (2) marginal CO2 emissions coefficients differ more from their average counterparts than marginal monetary coefficients, showing that for China, within‐sector technological solutions to emissions abatement have played a more important role than the reorganization of supply structures; and (3) there exists considerable scatter and variation of marginal coefficients across years, which to a certain extent precludes the identification of clear temporal and sectoral trends.
Food, Fuel, and Climate Change
Authors: Silalertruksa Thapat , Gheewala Shabbir H. 
Published: August 2012

SummaryThis study evaluates the sustainability of biodiesel for transport in Thailand in terms of the availability of fresh fruit bunches (FFB) and crude palm oil (CPO) supply to satisfy the future demands for food and fuel, and the contribution of palm biodiesel to mitigating climate change if biodiesel induces land‐use change (LUC). Five land conversions including rubber, cassava, paddy field, set‐aside land, and forest land to oil palm are considered along with their displacement effects to other land types to evaluate the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with the direct and indirect land‐use impacts. The net feedstock balance reveals that the policy to expand 0.4 million hectare (Mha) for new oil palm plantations accompanied with an increase of FFB yield to 22 megagrams per hectare (Mg/ha) by 2012 would help avoid a CPO shortage; however, this increase in land use needs to be strongly encouraged. The GHG analyses show a wide range of net GHG balances compared to diesel depending on which type of land is converted and which options are used to treat the oil palm wastes. Except for forest land conversion, direct LUC emissions from converting other lands to oil palm will render benefit to the GHG balance of biodiesel. Indirect LUC emissions through crop displacements, however, will generally worsen the balance. Several recommendations are therefore suggested for sustainable palm biodiesel production in the future.
Acute and Long‐Term Clinical Outcome After Endoscopic Pulmonary Vein Isolation: Results from the First Prospective, Multicenter Study
Authors: METZNER ANDREAS , WISSNER ERIK , SCHMIDT BORIS , CHUN JULIAN , HINDRICKS GERHARD , PIORKOWSKI CHRISTOPHER , OUYANG FEIFAN , KUCK KARL‐HEINZ 
Published: August 2012

Clinical Outcome After Endoscopic PVI. Introduction: The acute and long‐term outcome of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) using an endoscopic ablation system (EAS) has only been reported in single‐center studies. The current prospective, multicenter study assessed the acute and 1‐year outcome following PVI using the EAS.Methods and Results: Seventy‐two patients (34 female, mean age 58 ± 10 years) with a history (5 ± 6 years) of drug‐refractory paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) were included. Endoscopic PVI was performed in all patients. Follow‐up was based on regular telephone interviews, Holter ECG, and transtelephonic ECG recordings. Recurrence was defined as a symptomatic and/or documented AF episode >30 seconds following a blanking period of 3 months. In 72 patients, a total of 281 pulmonary veins (PVs) were targeted and 277/281 (98.6%) PVs were isolated successfully using only the EAS. PV stenosis, thrombembolic events, pericardial effusion, pericardial tamponade, and phrenic nerve palsy occurred in 0 of 72, 0 of 72, 3 of 72 (4.2%), 4 of 72 (5.6%), and in 1 of 72 (1.4%) patients, respectively. Sixty‐seven of 72 (93.1%) patients completed a follow‐up of 365 days and 42 of 67 (62.7%) patients remained in stable sinus rhythm after a single procedure. A total of 13 of 25 (52%) patients suffering from AF recurrence consented to repeat PVI using conventional radiofrequency energy 221 ± 121 days after the index procedure. LA to PV reconduction was found in 30 of 45 (67%) previously isolated PVs.Conclusions: A very high rate of acute electrical PVI is achieved using exclusively the EAS. The 1‐year single‐procedure success rate in patients with paroxysmal AF is comparable to conventional PVI. PV reconduction is the major determinant for AF recurrence. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 24, pp. 7‐13, January 2013)