bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Leaf domatia and protection of a predatory mite Typhlodromus doreenae Schicha (Acari: Phytoseiidae) from drying humidity
Authors: Rowles Alexei D , O'Dowd Dennis J 
Published: November 2009

AbstractWhen plant characteristics influence interactions between herbivores and their natural enemies, mutualism can result between plants and the third trophic level. Leaf domatia, small hair tufts, pockets, or pits in the leaf surface, frequently shelter predaceous and fungivorous mites that may decrease the impact of plant herbivores and fungal pathogens. Benefits that accrue to sheltered mites are unclear. One hypothesis is that domatia protect mites from drying humidity they would otherwise experience on the leaf surface. This hypothesis was tested using laboratory microcosms with leaves of two plant species, Viburnum tinus (Caprifoliaceae) and Coprosma repens (Rubiaceae), and a native Australian phytoseiid mite, Typhlodromus doreenae. Domatia were either removed or retained on leaves and the distribution and performance of T. doreenae provided with pollen as a food source was assessed at four levels of relative humidity (30%, 50%, 70% and 98% RH). When domatia were available, most adults and offspring of T. doreenae were found there, irrespective of RH level or plant species. The presence of domatia increased retention of adult mites on leaves of C. repens but not V. tinus. Domatia of both plant species increased mite reproduction but only at RH >70% on C. repens and at 98% on V. tinus. These results indicate that T. doreenae benefits from domatia, but these benefits are not strongly related to drying humidity. Other hypotheses, including escape from predators, may better explain association of mites with leaf domatia. Irrespective of RH, this predatory mite did benefit from use of domatia for shelter and reproduction, supporting a key requirement for plant–mite mutualism.
Temperature and developmental interactions in a multitrophic parasitoid guild
Authors: Rice Anthony D , Allen Geoff R 
Published: November 2009

AbstractThe lower developmental thresholds and thermal constants (day‐degree requirements) for three larval parasitoids and one hyperparasitoid were estimated and compared with those of their host, the eucalypt defoliating leaf beetle, Paropsisterna (=Chrysophtharta) agricola Chapuis (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Paropsini). The lower developmental thresholds and thermal constants for the primary parasitoids Eadya paropsidis Huddleston and Short (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Euphorinae), Paropsivora australis Macquart and Balde striatum Rice (Diptera: Tachinidae: Blondeliini) were estimated at 5.9°C, 294 DD (egg to pupa), 6.2°C, 385 DD (egg to adult), and 6.3°C, 345 DD (larva to adult) respectively. Developmental thresholds of all three parasitoids were lower than their host, and all three required fewer day‐degrees for generational development than their host. The developmental threshold for Mesochorus sp. (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Mesochorinae), a hyperparasitoid of the tachinid fly, B. striatum, was 9.7°C which is higher than B. striatum, the primary host and P. agricola, the secondary host. The thermal constant of 333 DD for Mesochorus sp. is also lower than its primary and secondary host.
Reliability of volumetric and gravimetric methods for estimating the number of Carpophilus spp. (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) in traps
Authors: Hossain Mofakhar S , Hossain Mamun A B M , Chandra Subhash , Williams David G 
Published: November 2009

AbstractReliable estimation of insect population size is a pre‐requisite to understand population dynamics and to develop management strategies for pest infestations. We report the results of three sampling studies to identify reliable methods of estimating the number of carpophilus beetles in traps. Study 1 compared reliability of volumetric and gravimetric methods. Fresh beetles and beetles dried for 24, 48 and 72 h were used. The reliability in terms of consistency and precision was quantified. A reliable method must first be consistent, quantified by a linear trend of zero slope. Volumetric methods using fresh and 24 h dried beetles were consistent and had good precision. Study 2 investigated the influence of sample size on reliability of volumetric estimation of number of fresh beetles using a 5 mL cylinder. Study 3 examined the influence of cylinder size on reliable volumetric estimation of 1000 fresh beetles. All three sample and cylinder sizes investigated were consistent and had good precision. These results suggest that volumetric methods are generally consistent and possess good precision, a 5 mL cylinder may be used for reliable volumetric estimation of up to 500 beetles, and a 50 mL cylinder may be used for reliable volumetric estimation of larger numbers of beetles. A model is developed to predict the number of fresh beetles from their measured volume. Advantages of volumetric methods compared with gravimetric methods are discussed.
Unusual case of neotrichy in a new species of oribatid mite (Acari, Oribatida, Steganacaridae)
Authors: Niedbała Wojciech 
Published: November 2009

AbstractA new species of ptyctimous mites, Austrophthiracarus nimius sp. nov., shows pletrotrichy of notogastral and ano‐adanal plates and especially pletrotrichy of prodorsum. The latter is a unique feature for the first time reported for a species of ptyctimous mites. The majority of the species of Austrophthiracarus Balogh & Mahunka from Australian Region are characterised by neotrichy of notogastral and adanal setae; however, the new species has the highest reported number of notogastral setae (40–45 pairs).
Biochemical mechanisms of insecticide resistance in the diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidopterata: Yponomeutidae), in the Sydney region, Australia
Authors: Eziah Vincent Y , Rose Harley A , Wilkes Meredith , Clift Alan D 
Published: November 2009

AbstractFollowing the detection of resistant diamondback moth (DBM) populations to synthetic pyrethroid, organophosphorus and indoxacarb insecticides in the Sydney Basin, a study of the major biochemical mechanisms was conducted to determine the type of resistance in these populations. The activity of cytochrome P450 monooxygenases increased two‐ to sixfold when compared with the susceptible strain. Up to a 1.9‐fold increase in esterase activity in resistant strains compared with the susceptible strain was observed. In vitro inhibition studies showed that profenofos, methamidophos and chlorpyrifos strongly inhibited the esterases while permethrin and esfenvalerate resulted in less than 30% inhibition. Qualitative analysis of the esterases using native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed four bands in both the susceptible and resistant individuals with more intense staining in the resistant individuals. The development of these bands was inhibited by methamidophos and chlorpyrifos pretreatment of the protein extract while permethrin and esfenvalerate did not exhibit this effect. Glutathione S‐transferase (GST) activity was significantly higher in two field populations compared with the remaining populations. Overall, the study showed that the mechanisms of insecticide resistance in the DBM populations in the area studied were due to cytochrome P450 monooxygenases, esterase and GSTs, and possibly other non‐metabolic mechanisms that were not investigated in the present study.
Treatment of encapsulated pleural effusions in children: A prospective trial
Authors: Kobr Jiri , Pizingerova Katerina , Sasek Lumir , Fremuth Jiri , Siala Konrad , Racek Jaroslav 
Published: November 2009

AbstractBackground:  The aim of this study was to improve the efficacy of treatment of complicated pleural effusions.Methods:  In this prospective study, 76 consecutive children (average age 5.0 ± 4.14 years) fulfilling the required classification criteria were duly treated with chest tube placement and divided into two groups depending on the presence of encapsulated or non‐encapsulated effusions. Treatment of the former group was supplemented by intrapleural fibrinolysis. The effectiveness of treatment was assessed in terms of chest tube dwell‐time and total length of hospitalization. Regression analysis was performed using independent factors that were associated with these dependent factors. Value differences for P < 0.05 were considered significant.Results:  The ultrasound pleural distance and lactic‐dehydrogenase content in the pleural fluid was significantly associated with the length of treatment (P < 0.01). Improved response to treatment, reduced duration of hospitalization (9.2 ± 1.9 vs 11.5 ± 0.9; P < 0.01) and tube dwell‐time (7.6 ± 1.3 vs 9.5 ± 0.9; P < 0.01) was achieved in the intrapleural‐fibrinolysis‐treated group (n= 38) compared with controls (n= 38), with virtually the same total tube output (606.1 ± 257.5 vs 673.1 ± 347.4; P= 0.175). All patients were completely cured. Following 104 applications of the fibrinolytic agent there was one change in coagulation parameters: hypofibrinogenemia (in 1%).Conclusions:  The authors recommend intrapleural fibrinolysis as an effective and safe alternative treatment strategy in treating encapsulated pleural effusions in children.
Determination of SIFs, crack‐tip coordinates and crack angle of anisotropic materials
Authors: JU S.H. , CHIU C.Y. , JHAO B.J. 
Published: November 2009

ABSTRACTThis paper investigates the accuracy of a numerical method incorporating an image‐correlation experiment for finding the crack‐tip coordinates, the axes of the measurement and the mixed‐mode stress intensity factors (SIFs) of anisotropic materials. Finite element and experimental simulations in this paper indicate that the proposed linear search method incorporating Powell's method is considerably stable for finding the unknown crack‐tip coordinates and measurement axes, even though the initial input is far away from the actual data. Moreover, the displacement field very near the crack tip is not necessary. In the experimental validation, the maximum SIF error of the image‐correlation experiment is about 9%, which should be acceptable for the mixed‐mode fracture problems.
Salvage high‐intensity focused ultrasound for biopsy‐confirmed local recurrence of prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy
Authors: Murota‐Kawano Akiko , Nakano Mayura , Hongo Sachiko , Shoji Sunao , Nagata Yoshihiro , Uchida Toyoaki 
Published: November 2009

Study Type – Therapy (case series)  Level of Evidence 4OBJECTIVETo present experience in high‐intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) used as a salvage therapy for biopsy‐confirmed local recurrence at the vesico‐urethral anastomosis after radical prostatectomy (RP).PATIENTS AND METHODSFrom July 2006, four patients diagnosed with prostate cancer recurrence after RP were treated with HIFU, with or without salvage radiotherapy, using the Sonablate® 500 (Focus Surgery, IN, USA). Biochemical failure was defined as in increase in prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) level of >0.2 ng/mL. No patients received any adjuvant therapy after HIFU therapy before reporting failure.RESULTSThe mean age and initial PSA level before RP was 74 years and 10.0 ng/mL, respectively. After RP, one patient was stage T2aN0M0, two were stage T3N0M0 and the last had an unknown pathological stage. Three patients received external beam radiotherapy as salvage therapy after RP. The mean PSA level before HIFU, tumour volume at the vesico‐urethral lesion and operative duration were 4.3 ng/mL, 4.6 mL and 27 min, respectively. Adenocarcinomas were confirmed by biopsy of the tumour at the vesico‐urethral anastomotic lesion before HIFU. At 24 months of follow‐up, patients 2 and 4 were classified a biochemically disease‐free. Biopsies at the anastomotic site after HIFU in three patients showed no malignancy, with fibrosis. There were no complications.CONCLUSIONSalvage HIFU for patients with recurrence after RP is feasible, even though they received salvage radiotherapy before HIFU. More patients and a longer follow‐up are needed to evaluate the safety and oncological adequacy of this new approach.
Evaluation of a severity score to predict the prognosis of Fournier’s gangrene
Authors: Luján Marco Saturnino , Budía Alberto , Di Capua Carlos , Broseta Enrique , Cruz Fernando Jiménez 
Published: November 2009

Study Type – Prognosis (case series) Level of Evidence 4OBJECTIVETo determine the validity of a Fournier’s gangrene severity index (FGSI), developed to assign a numerical score describing the severity of FG, and evaluate factors in the survival of patients with FG.PATIENTS AND METHODSWe retrospectively reviewed 51 patients diagnosed with FG between 1994 and 2006. Data were collected on their medical history, which included vital signs (temperature, heart and respiratory rates) and metabolic variables (sodium, potassium, creatinine, bicarbonate levels, haematocrit, and white blood cell count). We computed a score relating to the severity of the disease at the time, and compared it to other features according to whether the patient survived or died. The different prognostic factors were assessed by univariate analysis with the Mann–Whitney U and Kendall A‐B tests.RESULTSOf the evaluated 51 inpatients, eight died (16%) and 43 survived (84%). The median (range) age was 63 (17–85) years and the median time from the onset of the symptoms until the admission to the emergency room was 7.8 (1–60) days. The mean hospital stay was 33 (2–90) days and 17 patients were admitted to the intensive‐care unit for a mean of 4.5 days. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups. Body surfaces involved were the scrotum in five patients (10%), the penis and scrotum in 11 (22%), the scrotum and perineum in 30 (59%) and the abdominal wall in five (10%). There was no statistically significant difference in the distribution in those who survived or died (P = 0.131). The median age of 60 (17–81) years in the survivors was significantly lower than that of 73.5  (50–85) years in those who died (P = 0.02). There was no significant difference (P = 0.06) between the number of repeated debridements in the survivors (3.23) and those who died (5.25). The mean (range) FGSI score for survivors was 6.7 (0–14), vs 8.7 (6–13) for those who died (P = 0.12). The only laboratory variables associated with death were serum bicarbonate (P = 0.04) and serum sodium (P = 0.02) levels.CONCLUSIONSFG is an unpredictable disease process with wide variability in its presentation. In our experience, the FGSI gives no indication of the likelihood of survival, but the risk factors for predicting the severity of FG seem to be greater in older patients and those with high sodium and low bicarbonate levels.
The train drivers' strike in Germany 2007–2008: warnings for the future of the German trade union movement?
Authors: Hoffmann Jürgen , Schmidt Rudi 
Published: November 2009

ABSTRACTThe authors review the strike that took place during 2007–08 that was called by the oldest existing German trade union, the professional union of train drivers Gewerkschaft Deutscher Lokführer (GDL). In so doing, the outcome of the strike is analysed, together with the dynamics of relationship between the GDL, the industrial union TRANSNET, the Gewerkschaft der Bahnbeamten und Anwärter (DBDA), the union of the civil servants employed by the German railway, and the railway company Deutsche Bahn (DB AG). These relationships are examined as paradigmatic of politics of a particularistic organisation like GDL and for politics of an encompassing organisation like TRANSNET. These relationships raise the question: would the growth of professional unions in Germany lead to an erosion of the German system of industrial relations, which currently is still relatively stable due to the predominance of encompassing industrial unions?
Recast directive on European works councils: cosmetic surgery or substantial progress?
Authors: Jagodziński Romuald 
Published: November 2009

ABSTRACTOverdue by nine years, contested by employers and awaited by trade unions, a review of the European works council Directive 94/45/EC finally became reality in 2009. This article presents background information about the positions of the European social partners and other institutional EU actors in order to understand the outcome of the events of 2008–09. Focus is directed towards providing a general overview of the new elements in the recast directive on European works councils (EWCs). Keeping the different views on EWCs of the social partners in perspective, the article argues that the recast directive, despite its shortcomings, represents progress rather than superficial cosmetic surgery.
The presence of a vocal ligament in fetuses: a histochemical and ultrastructural study
Authors: Nita Luciana M. , Battlehner Claudia N. , Ferreira Marcelo A. , Imamura Rui , Sennes Luiz U. , Caldini Elia G. , Tsuji Domingos H. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractAlthough it is currently believed that the vocal ligament of humans undergoes considerable development postnatally, there is no consensus as to the age at which it first emerges. In the newborn infant, the lamina propria has been described as containing a sparse collection of relatively unorganized fibres. In this study we obtained larynges from autopsy of human fetuses aged 7–9 months and used light and electron microscopy to study the collagenous and elastic system fibres in the lamina propria of the vocal fold. Collagen fibres were viewed using the Picrosirius polarization method and elastic system fibres were stained using Weigert’s resorcin–fuchsin after oxidation with oxone. The histochemical and electron microscopic observations were consistent, showing collagen populations with an asymmetric distribution across different compartments of the lamina propria. In the central region, the collagen appeared as thin, weakly birefringent, greenish fibres when viewed using the Picrosirius polarization method, whereas the superficial and deep regions contained thick collagen fibres that displayed a strong red or yellow birefringence. These findings suggest that the thin fibres in the central region consist mainly of type III collagen, whereas type I collagen predominates in the superficial and deep regions, as has been reported in studies of adult vocal folds. Similarly, elastic system fibres showed a differential distribution throughout the lamina propria. Their distribution pattern was complementary to that of collagen fibres, with a much greater density of elastic fibres apparent in the central region than in the superficial and deep regions. This distribution of collagen and elastic fibres in the fetal vocal fold mirrors that classically described for the adult vocal ligament, suggesting that a vocal ligament has already begun to develop by the time of birth. The apparently high level of organization of connective tissue components in the newborn is in contrast to current hypotheses that argue that the mechanical stimuli of phonation are essential to the determination of the layered structure of the lamina propria and suggests that genetic factors may play a more significant role in the development of the vocal ligament than previously believed.
Immunohistochemical detection of estrogen receptor β in alveolar bone cells of estradiol‐treated female rats: possible direct action of estrogen on osteoclast life span
Authors: Cruzoé‐Souza Mady , Sasso‐Cerri Estela , Cerri Paulo S. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractThe role of estrogen in bone resorption has been specifically related to the effect of estrogen on the signalling pathway that inhibits the formation of osteoclasts. However, osteoclast apoptosis and a significant reduction in the number of these cells have been observed in the alveolar bone of female rats treated with estradiol. In the present study, the expression of estrogen receptor β (ERβ) in the cells of alveolar bone was evaluated in estradiol‐treated and ‐untreated female rats. In order to test the possible direct action of estrogen on osteoclasts, the relationship between apoptosis and ERβ expression in these cells was also analysed. The animals received estradiol for 14 days and the alveolar bone fragments were embedded in paraffin for the quantification of tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase‐positive osteoclasts. The expression of ERβ and apoptosis in the osteoclasts were evaluated by ERβ immunohistochemistry and Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP Nick‐End Labelling (TUNEL) methods, respectively. To confirm osteoclast death by apoptosis, these cells were analysed under transmission electron microscopy. Some osteoclasts from estradiol‐treated animals were found to be undergoing apoptosis and the number of tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase‐positive osteoclasts was significantly reduced. ERβ immunolabelling was observed in the cytoplasm and nuclei of active osteoblasts, osteocytes and osteoclasts in both groups, suggesting a direct participation of estrogen on alveolar bone cells. However, following estradiol treatment, a strong ERβ immunolabelling was often observed in the TUNEL‐positive osteoclasts. Therefore, these results indicate that, in addition to the other signalling pathway, the reduction of alveolar bone resorption is also related to a direct action of estrogen on osteoclasts, promoting apoptosis in these cells, via ERβ.
The state of consumer health information: an overview
Authors: Smith Sarah , Duman Mark 
Published: November 2009

AbstractBackground:  Consumer health information is becoming increasingly important and health policy in the UK is beginning to reflect this. This has implications for information producers, providers and users, with the move towards a more patient‐centred health service.Objectives:  This review aims to provide a broad overview of the current state of consumer health information in the UK. It examines the changing roles of information producers, providers and users, exploring the impact of health literacy and new technologies. It features some of the current library and consumer health information projects taking place in the UK and discusses the role that libraries may play in the future.Methods:  The article focuses on consumer health information in a policy context. It is based on the experiences of the authors' work for the Patient Information Forum and knowledge of consumer health information. A number of library and information professionals were consulted regarding the library and information projects.Conclusions:  Communication between health professionals and patients, and between health educators and the public, is key in order for consumer health information to have the ability to improve health outcomes. Further, especially local, investment into the production, distribution and delivery of consumer health information is recommended.