bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Why do some species in arid lands increase under grazing? Mechanisms that favour increased abundance of Maireana pyramidata in overgrazed chenopod shrublands of South Australia
Authors: FACELLI JOSÉ M. , SPRINGBETT HEATHER 
Published: May 2009

AbstractWhile the abundance of some plant species decreases under high grazing intensity, others become more abundant. Release from competition by decreaser species contributes to this pattern in mesic systems, but this may not be the case in xeric systems where competition may be less intense. Here we examine three mechanisms that may be involved: (i) increased recruitment and growth because of soil changes produced by grazing, for example, increased soil nutrient availability through dung accumulation; (ii) increased recruitment favoured by the breaking up of the lichen crust; and (iii) reduced competition because of the decline of decreaser species. We used field and glasshouse experiments to determine the possible contribution of these mechanisms to the increase of the chenopod Maireana pyramidata around a watering point in a chenopod shrubland of South Australia. There was no evidence of nutrient accumulation close to the watering point, and while seedlings of M. pyramidata responded to nutrient addition, their growth was the same in soil collected from areas with different grazing intensity. While a broken lichen crust increased the emergence of both M. pyramidata and the decreaser Atriplex vesicaria, the effect was larger for the former. We found no competition between seedlings of the two species or between juveniles of A. vesicaria and seedlings of M. pyramidata in glasshouse experiments. Adult plants of both A. vesicaria and M. pyramidata produced similar growth reduction in seedlings of M. pyramidata. Furthermore, a field removal experiment failed to detect any competitive effect of A. vesicaria on M. pyramidata. Our data indicate that the disintegration of the soil crust by grazer activities can be a major factor controlling floristic changes in overgrazed rangelands. These results imply that factors that control establishment may be more important than competition in shaping shrub population dynamics in these systems. Ground surface itself can affect establishment opportunities, and this should be taken into account in management and restoration efforts in arid lands.
Off‐label use of rituximab in a tertiary Queensland hospital
Authors: Butterly S. J. , Pillans P. , Horn B. , Miles R. , Sturtevant J. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractBackground:  Rituximab is a monoclonal antibody directed against CD20, a pan B lymphocyte marker. It is approved in Australia for treatment of CD20‐positive B cell non‐Hodgkin lymphoma and rheumatoid arthritis. There is increasing off‐label use of rituximab in conditions where B cells and autoantibodies play a role in the pathophysiology. Rituximab is not only expensive, but its safety in unregistered indications is uncertain.Methods:  We performed a retrospective review of the off‐label use of rituximab approved by the High Cost Drug Subcommittee at the Princess Alexandra Hospital between 2005 and 2008. Cases of post transplant lymphoproliferative disorder were excluded.Results:  A total of 28 patients received rituximab for a variety of off‐label indications. There were no reported cases of serious infusion reactions or other notable adverse events. The most favourable outcomes were seen in myasthenia gravis, shrinking lung syndrome, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, prevention and treatment of renal transplant rejection and lupus nephritis. No benefit was observed in cases of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (primary or post‐transplant recurrence) and post‐transplant recurrence of haemolytic uremic syndrome. There was limited benefit in cryoglobulinaemic vasculitis. The cost of off‐label use was in excess of $210 000.Conclusion:  In the absence of formal clinical trials, decisions regarding off‐label use of rituximab are difficult. Our cases contribute to the published literature and should help provide clinicians with greater insights into which conditions are likely to respond. As can be seen in our series, rituximab benefits people with certain conditions; longevity and cost‐effectiveness are currently unknown.
Atrial fibrillation and the risk of death in patients with heart failure: a literature‐based meta‐analysis
Authors: Wasywich C. A. , Pope A. J. , Somaratne J. , Poppe K. K. , Whalley G. A. , Doughty R. N. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractBackground: Heart failure (HF) and atrial fibrillation (AF) are common, associated with significant morbidity and mortality, and frequently coexist. It is uncertain from published data if the presence of AF in patients with HF is associated with an incremental adverse outcome. The aim of this study was to combine the results of all studies investigating prognosis for patients with HF and AF compared with those in sinus rhythm (SR) to asses the mortality risk associated with this arrhythmia.Methods: Electronic databases were searched (Biological Abstracts, Current Contents, EMBASE, Medline, Medline In‐progress, PubMed and Scopus), to 31 December 2006, using the key words congestive heart failure, heart failure, ventricular dysfunction, atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, sinus rhythm, prognosis, outcome, death and hospitalization. Bibliographies of retrieved publications were hand searched. Studies were eligible if they included a HF population and if outcomes were reported by cardiac rhythm (AF or SR). Studies were reviewed by predetermined protocol (including quality assessment). Data were pooled using a random effects model.Results: Twenty studies were included (from 3380 initially identified) representing 32946 patients (10819 deaths). Nine randomized controlled trials (RCT) were included. The prevalence of AF was 15%, crude mortality rates were 46% (AF) and 33% (SR). The odds ratio for death was 1.33 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.12–1.59) for AF compared with SR. Eleven observational studies were included. The prevalence of AF was 23%, crude mortality rates were 38% (AF) and 25% (SR). The odds ratio for death was 1.57 (95% CI 1.20–2.05) for AF compared with SR.Conclusion: This meta‐analysis demonstrates that AF is associated with worse outcomes for patients with HF compared with those with SR. Further research is required to determine whether the adverse outcome associated with AF is related to the arrhythmia itself, or to variables, such as HF severity, patient age and comorbidity.
Involvement of hypothalamic peptides in the anorectic action of the CB1 receptor antagonist rimonabant (SR 141716)
Authors: Verty Aaron N. A. , Boon Wee M. , Mallet Paul E. , McGregor Iain S. , Oldfield Brian J. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractNumerous studies have demonstrated that administration of rimonabant (SR 141716), a CB1 receptor antagonist, causes a decrease in energy intake. However, the mechanisms by which rimonabant exerts its anorectic actions are unclear. The main focus of the study reported here was to establish the chemical identity of neurons that may subserve the anorectic effects of rimonabant. As such three approaches were utilised: (i) the identification of rimonabant‐activated neurons using Fos as a marker of neuronal activity; (ii) the identification of the chemical phenotype of rimonabant‐activated neurons by combining immunocytochemical identification of Fos and feeding‐related peptides; and (iii) the evaluation of the effect of rimonabant on messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein for a number of feeding‐related peptides. Rimonabant‐induced Fos‐positive nuclei were localized within a range of discrete hypothalamic regions with a predominance in the parvocellular part of the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, dorsomedial hypothalamus, arcuate nucleus and lateral hypothalamic area. Furthermore, Fos labelling within these hypothalamic regions was colocalized with anorexigenic and orexigenic peptides including melanin‐concentrating hormone (MCH), orexin, cocaine‐ and amphetamine‐regulated transcript (CART) and alpha‐melanocyte‐stimulating hormone (α‐MSH). Rimonabant specifically induced a decrease in NPY and an increase in CART and α‐MSH mRNA and protein, consistent with its effect in reducing food intake and increasing energy expenditure. As such these data provide insights into the mechanisms of action that may underpin rimonabant’s effects on energy balance and body weight.
Comparison between spontaneous and kainate‐induced gamma oscillations in the mouse hippocampus in vitro
Authors: Pietersen Alexander N.J. , Patel Nisha , Jefferys John G.R. , Vreugdenhil Martin 
Published: May 2009

AbstractNeuronal synchronization at gamma frequency, implicated in cognition, can be evoked in hippocampal slices by pharmacological activation. We characterized spontaneous small‐amplitude gamma oscillations (SγO) recorded in area CA3 of mouse hippocampal slices and compared it with kainate‐induced gamma oscillations (KγO). SγO had a lower peak frequency, a more sinusoidal waveform and was spatially less coherent than KγO, irrespective of oscillation amplitude. CA3a had the smallest oscillation power, phase‐led CA3c by ∼4 ms and had the highest SγO frequency in isolated subslices. During SγO CA3c neurons fired at the rebound of inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs) that were associated with a current source in stratum lucidum, whereas CA3a neurons often fired from spikelets, 3–4 ms earlier in the cycle, and had smaller IPSPs. Kainate induced faster/larger IPSPs that were associated with an earlier current source in stratum pyramidale. SγO and KγO power were dependent on α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors, gap junctions and γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)A receptors. SγO was suppressed by elevating extracellular KCl, blocking N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) receptors or muscarinic receptors, or activating GluR5‐containing kainate receptors. SγO was not affected by blocking metabotropic glutamate receptors or hyperpolarization‐activated currents. The adenosine A1 receptor antagonist 8‐cyclopentyl‐1,3‐dimethoxyxanthine (8‐CPT) and the CB1 cannabinoid receptor antagonist N‐(piperidin‐1‐yl)‐5‐(4‐iodophenyl)‐1‐(2,4‐dichlorophenyl)‐4‐methyl‐1H‐pyrazole‐3‐carboxamide (AM251) increased SγO power, indicating that endogenous adenosine and/or endocannabinoids suppress or prevent SγO in vitro. SγO emerges from a similar basic network as KγO, but differs in involvement of somatically projecting interneurons and pharmacological modulation profile. These observations advocate the use of SγO as a natural model for hippocampal gamma oscillations, particularly during less activated behavioural states.
Occurrence and distribution of sesamoid bones in squamates: a comparative approach
Authors: Jerez Adriana , Mangione Susana , Abdala Virginia 
Published: May 2009

AbstractJerez, A., Mangione, S. and Abdala, V. 2010. Occurrence and distribution of sesamoid bones in squamates: a comparative approach.—Acta Zoologica (Stockholm) 91: 295–305Sesamoids are defined as skeletal elements that develop within a continuous band of regular dense connective tissue (tendon or ligament) adjacent to an articulation or joint. In this work, we discuss developmental data on two squamate species, provide data on the onset of the squamate sesamoids and the muscles they are associated to. Our results show that Mabuya mabouya and Liolaemus albiceps exhibited rather similar ontogenetic patterns and that the first sesamoids appear in embryos. The ossifying sesamoid timing is different between M. mabouya and L. albiceps, being faster in the former. In adults, we found 41 sesamoids, considering both fore and hindlimbs. We did not find any intrataxonomic differences, or any differences between the right and left side of the specimens in relation to the sesamoid presence. We recognize four types of sesamoids: (1) embedded sesamoids; (2) interosseus sesamoids; (3) glide sesamoids; and (4) supporting sesamoids. A table is included with a preliminary survey of the sesamoid distribution pattern in 10 Squamate clades.
Parallel increase of plasma apoproteins C‐II and C‐III in Type 2 diabetic patients
Authors: Béliard S. , Nogueira J. P. , Maraninchi M. , Lairon D. , Nicolay A. , Giral P. , Portugal H. , Vialettes B. , Valéro R. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractAims  To determine plasma levels of apoprotein (apo) C‐II and apoprotein C‐III in Type 2 diabetic patients and to examine the clinical and biological factors that are associated with elevated apoC concentrations.Methods  We measured apoC‐II and apoC‐III in total plasma and in non‐high‐density lipoprotein fractions by an immunoturbidimetric assay in 88 Caucasian Type 2 diabetic patients and in 138 healthy control subjects.Results  Plasma levels of both apoC‐II and apoC‐III were increased in Type 2 diabetic patients. The clinical conditions associated with an increase of plasma apoC‐II and apoC‐III were abdominal obesity, body mass index, poor glycaemic control and lack of insulin treatment. However, when multivariate analysis was used, plasma apoCs levels correlated with triglyceride levels only. The apoC‐III/apoC‐II ratio was similar in the Type 2 diabetic and control subjects.Conclusions  Our study shows the parallel increase of apoC‐II and C‐III in Type 2 diabetic patients. This parallel increase is related to hypertriglyceridaemia only.
Validation of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) core set for diabetes mellitus from the patient perspective using focus groups
Authors: Kirchberger I. , Coenen M. , Hierl F. X. , Dieterle C. , Seissler J. , Stucki G. , Cieza A. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractAims The Comprehensive ICF Core Set for diabetes mellitus (DM) is a specific application of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) of the World Health Organization for clinical and research purposes involving the disorder. It represents the typical spectrum of functional problems in patients with DM. The objective of the study was to validate the Comprehensive ICF Core Set for DM from the perspective of patients. The specific aims were to explore the aspects of function and health important to patients with DM using focus group methodology and to examine to what extent these aspects are represented by the Comprehensive ICF Core Set for DM.Methods A qualitative study using focus group methodology was conducted. Sampling of patients followed the maximum variation strategy. Sample size was determined by saturation. The focus group discussions were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim. The meaning condensation procedure was used for data analysis. The resulting meaningful concepts were linked to ICF categories according to established linking rules.Results Forty patients participated in eight focus groups. Seventy‐five of the 85 ICF categories contained in the Comprehensive ICF Core Set for DM were identified by the patients. Forty‐seven additional categories that are not covered by the Comprehensive ICF Core Set for DM were identified.Conclusions The Comprehensive ICF Core Set for DM could be largely confirmed by the focus groups. Categories currently not covered by the Comprehensive ICF Core Set for DM should be investigated further.
Relative contributions of nine genes in the pathway of histidine biosynthesis to the control of free histidine concentrations inArabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Rees Jonathan D. , Ingle Robert A. , Smith J. Andrew C. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryDespite the functional importance of histidine (His) as an essential amino acid in proteins and as a metal‐coordinating ligand, comparatively little is known about the regulation of its biosynthesis in plants and the potential for metabolic engineering of this pathway. To investigate the contribution of different steps in the pathway to overall control of His biosynthesis, nine His biosynthetic genes were individually over‐expressed inArabidopsis thalianato determine their effects on free amino acid pools. Constitutive, CaMV35S‐driven over‐expression of the cDNAs encoding either isoform of ATP‐phosphoribosyltransferase (ATP‐PRT), the first enzyme in the pathway, was sufficient to increase the pool of free His by up to 42‐fold in shoot tissue ofArabidopsis, with negligible effect on any other amino acid. In contrast, over‐expression of cDNAs for seven other enzymes in the biosynthetic pathway had no effect on His content, suggesting that control of the pool of free His resides largely with ATP‐PRT activity. Over‐expression of ATP‐PRT and increased His content had a negative pleiotropic effect on plant biomass production in35S:PRT1lines, but this effect was not observed in35S:PRT2lines. In the presence of 100 µM Ni, which was inhibitory to wild‐type plants, a strong positive correlation was observed between free His content and biomass production, indicating that the metabolic cost of His overproduction was outweighed by the benefit of increased tolerance to Ni. His‐overproducing plants also displayed somewhat elevated tolerance to Co and Zn, but not to Cd or Cu, indicating chemical selectivity in intracellular metal binding by His.
PARTIALLY LINEAR MODEL SELECTION BY THE BOOTSTRAP
Authors: Müller Samuel , Vial Céline 
Published: May 2009

SummaryWe propose a new approach to the selection of partially linear models based on the conditional expected prediction square loss function, which is estimated using the bootstrap. Because of the different speeds of convergence of the linear and the nonlinear parts, a key idea is to select each part separately. In the first step, we select the nonlinear components using an ‘m‐out‐of‐n’ residual bootstrap that ensures good properties for the nonparametric bootstrap estimator. The second step selects the linear components from the remaining explanatory variables, and the non‐zero parameters are selected based on a two‐level residual bootstrap. We show that the model selection procedure is consistent under some conditions, and our simulations suggest that it selects the true model most often than the other selection procedures considered.
GATT/WTO Promotes Trade Strongly: Sample Selection and Model Specification
Authors: Liu Xuepeng 
Published: May 2009

AbstractSome recent empirical studies examine the impact of the GATT/WTO on trade. This paper investigates the sample selection bias and the gravity model specification issues in the literature. First, the GATT/WTO not only makes existing trading partners trade more at the intensive margin, but also creates new trading relationships at the extensive margin. Most existing papers exclude zero trade observations and hence ignore the extensive margin. Secondly, due to the violation of some maintained assumptions, the traditional log‐linear gravity regressions fail to uncover the role of the GATT/WTO even at the intensive margin. Using a large bilateral panel dataset including zero trade flows and a more appropriate econometric method, this paper finds that the GATT/WTO has been very effective in promoting world trade at both the intensive and extensive margins.
Population Ageing and the Labour Market: Evidence from Italy
Authors: Mosca Irene 
Published: May 2009

AbstractIndividual data from eight waves of the European Community Household Panel are used to investigate the impact of cohort size on age‐earnings and employment profiles of Italian male workers. Evidence that over the life cycle cohort size depresses employment opportunities of men with low education and earnings and employment rates of men with intermediate and high qualifications born into large cohorts is found. These results are used to carry out a simple simulation where the average future wages of Italian male workers are projected for the next 4.5 decades. According to this simulation, the wages of Italian male workers will follow a hump‐shaped pattern in the next three decades, before slightly increasing again.
The Structure of Wages by Firm Size: A Comparison of Canada and the USA
Authors: Lluis Stéphanie 
Published: May 2009

AbstractCross‐country comparisons of the skill premium between USA and Canada show differences in the returns to higher education between the two countries since the 1980s. This paper analyses whether such differences could be related to differences in skill distribution and worker sorting across firm size between the two countries. Estimation of the wage structure by size for male non‐unionized workers in the private sector reveals that selectivity effects on wages are present and similar in both countries. There are significant and substantial cross‐country differences in the returns to education among large firms, especially for younger workers.
Endogenous Contracts in Unionized Oligopoly
Authors: Kesavayuth Dusanee , Zikos Vasileios 
Published: May 2009

AbstractWe study the endogenous determination of contracts in a unionized oligopoly and the welfare implications thereof. Alternative contracts specify the sequencing in the selection of R&D and wages. They can be classified as ‘fixed’ when the unions set wages before the firms make their R&D decisions or ‘floating’ when the sequencing of these choices is reversed. If the unions are highly employment‐oriented, we find that either all firm–union pairs choose floating‐wage contracts or both contract types may coexist depending on the degree of technological spillovers. However, when the unions have stronger preference over attaining a good wage deal, then it becomes very likely that fixed‐wage contracts will endogenously emerge because they can serve as an insurance device against oppor tunistic wage increases. Our welfare analysis suggests that welfare‐improving contracts may nevertheless not always arise in equilibrium.
New karyotypic data for Asian rodents (Rodentia, Muridae) with the first report of B‐chromosomes in the genus Mus
Authors: Badenhorst D. , Herbreteau V. , Chaval Y. , Pagès M. , Robinson T. J. , Rerkamnuaychoke W. , Morand S. , Hugot J.‐P. , Dobigny G. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractKaryotypes of 18 rodent species collected in various localities in Thailand were analysed as part of an epidemiological survey of the region using conventional cytogenetic techniques. The aim was to re‐assess the reliability of karyotype‐based diagnoses of Thai rodents using an updated taxonomic framework. The species examined include Menetes berdmorei (Sciuridae), Mus caroli, Mus cervicolor and Mus cookii, Hapalomys delacouri, Chiropodomys gliroides, as well as several representatives of most of the lineages of the Rattini tribe, that is Rattus exulans, Rattus losea, Rattus tanezumi, Leopoldamys edwardsi, Leopoldamys neilli, Maxomys surifer, Niviventer fulvescens, Berylmys berdmorei, Berylmys bowersi, Bandicota indica and Bandicota savilei (Muridae). The first descriptions of G‐ and/or C‐banding karyotypes are provided for several of these, that is, B. savilei, L. edwardsi, M. surifer, B. berdmorei, B. bowersi, N. fulvescens and H. delacouri. Although largely in agreement with available data, our findings on chromosome morphology differ slightly from those published for L. edwardsi, M. surifer, B. savilei and the two Berylmys species, B. berdmorei and B. bowersi. In addition, we document the novel finding of B‐chromosomes in the genera Berylmys, Bandicota and the emblematic Mus. Importantly, few species‐specific chromosomal characteristic could be identified within most of the genera investigated in our study and, in contrast to previous claims, the usefulness of karyotypes for diagnosing these Asian murid species appears to be limited.