bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Enhancing invertebrate food resources for skylarks in cereal ecosystems: how useful are in‐crop agri‐environment scheme management options?
Authors: Smith Barbara , Holland John , Jones Naomi , Moreby Stephen , Morris Anthony J. , Southway Sue 
Published: March 2009

Summary

UK agri‐environment schemes rarely address within‐crop biodiversity yet this habitat is used almost exclusively by some taxa. With the removal of set‐aside, maximizing the ecological services provided by in‐crop management options is critical. Field trials of small undrilled patches in the cropped area have been shown to increase skylark Alauda arvensis numbers and breeding productivity. This response may reflect a benefit for lower trophic levels, such as the invertebrates and arable plants on which birds feed. The technique has now been adopted as an option in the Environmental Stewardship scheme in England.
Two within‐field management techniques (undrilled patches and wide‐spaced rows) were compared with standard row spacing on 10 conventionally managed farms growing winter wheat in northern and eastern England in 2002 and 2003. The effect of the treatments on invertebrate abundance, particularly invertebrates known to be important food for birds, was compared and the link between cover of arable weeds and invertebrate abundance was assessed. The diet of chicks located on the treatments was compared by faecal analysis.
On a field scale, the treatments did not consistently increase invertebrate numbers. Invertebrates either colonized or avoided undrilled patches in the crop. The extent to which patches were colonized was dependent on vegetation cover, with the invertebrate assemblage structure responding strongly to broadleaved weed cover and, to a lesser extent, grass cover.
The diet of skylark chicks did not differ between nests located in the two treatments.
Synthesis and applications. Neither undrilled patches nor wide‐spaced rows benefited invertebrate populations at the field scale. The value of undrilled patches for invertebrates would be enhanced by promoting weed cover, particularly broadleaved weeds; this could be achieved by creating the patches in the spring using cultivation and avoiding spraying with broad‐spectrum herbicides. Higher numbers of non‐pernicious weeds could provide food and refuge for invertebrates which are a food source for skylarks and other farmland birds that forage in the crop.
Super‐stretched pachytene chromosomes for fluorescence in situ hybridization mapping and immunodetection of DNA methylation
Authors: Koo Dal‐Hoe , Jiang Jiming 
Published: March 2009

SummaryMeiotic pachytene chromosome‐based fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) mapping is one of the most important tools in plant molecular cytogenetic research. Here we report a simple technique that allows stretching of pachytene chromosomes of maize to up to at least 20 times their original size. A modified Carnoy’s II fixative (6:1:3 ethanol:chloroform:acetic acid) was used in the procedure, and proved to be key for super‐stretching of pachytene chromosomes. We demonstrate that super‐stretched pachytene chromosomes provide unprecedented resolution for chromosome‐based FISH mapping. DNA probes separated by as little as 50 kb can be resolved on super‐stretched chromosomes. A combination of FISH with immunofluorescent detection of 5‐methyl cytosine on super‐stretched pachytene chromosomes provides a powerful tool to reveal DNA methylation of specific chromosomal domains, especially those associated with highly repetitive DNA sequences.
Re‐induction of obese body weight occurs more rapidly and at lower caloric intake in beagles
Authors: Nagaoka D. , Mitsuhashi Y. , Angell R. , Bigley K. E. , Bauer J. E. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryFor the purpose of investigating the mechanism of obesity‐induction/re‐induction including weight‐cycling in beagles, a study was conducted using commercially available dog food combined with human food to mimic at home‐snacking and diet‐supplementation behaviours. Adult female beagles, which had free access to water and exercise, were used (n = 9). All dogs were initially offered two times their daily calculated number of calories using a dry extruded diet plus blend of canola and soybean oils and allowed to eat ad libitum. After 3 weeks, Pecan shortbread cookies were added to the diet mixture. Obesity was induced during a 19‐week period with 1875–2250 kcal/day consumed, on average, during this period. The dogs were then subjected to a weight‐loss regimen while consuming 490–730 kcal/day. After weight loss, a similar degree of obesity was re‐induced for 17 weeks even though dogs consumed only 1125–1250 kcal/day. Body weight, body condition scores, kcal consumption and food efficiency were recorded. Results indicated that less time and fewer kcal were required to re‐induce the same degree of obesity compared with the initial obesity induction. Human snack foods appeared to stimulate appetite and thus contribute to the obese state. Food efficiency was also increased during the obesity‐reinduction period compared with the induction period. This information may help pet owners better understand the need to limit table scraps and human‐type food snacks in dogs prone to obesity as well as weight maintenance after weight loss.
Carotid vascular remodelling in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease
Authors: RONG SHU , JIN XIUCAI , YE CHAOYANG , CHEN JIABIN , MEI CHANGLIN 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYAim:  To study carotid vascular wall remodelling in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) using integrated backscatter signal (IBS) analysis.Methods:  Included in the study were: 60 ADPKD patients with preserved renal function, including 32 patient with hypertension and 28 with normotension; 25 patients with essential hypertension; and 30 healthy volunteers. Carotid intima‐media thickness (IMT) was measured by 2‐D conventional ultrasonography. Acoustic tissue characterization of the carotid wall was assessed by IBS analysis, and the percentage of regions considered as fibromatosis was calculated in all groups.Results:  Carotid IMT in hypertensive ADPKD patients (0.8 ± 0.05 vs 0.68 ± 0.02 mm, P < 0.01 and 0.8 ± 0.05 vs 0.56 ± 0.04 mm, P < 0.01 respectively) and patients with essential hypertension (0.79 ± 0.03 vs 0.68 ± 0.02 mm, P < 0.01 and 0.79 ± 0.03 vs 0.56 ± 0.0 4 mm, P < 0.01 respectively) was significantly greater than that of normotensive patients and healthy subjects. Carotid IMT in normotensive ADPKD patients was also significantly greater than that in healthy subjects (0.68 ± 0.02 vs 0.56 ± 0.04 mm, P < 0.01). Calibrated IBS (C‐IBS) in hypertensive ADPKD patients was significantly greater than that in patients with essential hypertension and normotensive ADPKD patients (−21.2 ± 1.51 dB vs −23.1 ± 1.61 dB, P < 0.05; −21.2 ± 1.51 dB vs −24.5 ± 1.34 dB, P < 0.01). C‐IBS in normotensive ADPKD patients was significantly greater than that in healthy subjects (−24.5 ± 1.34 dB vs −26.2 ± 1.69 dB, P < 0.01). The percentage of regions that could be considered as fibromatosis in hypertensive ADPKD patients was significantly greater than that in patients with essential hypertension and normotensive ADPKD patients (30.0% vs 22.4%, P < 0.05; 30.0% vs 17.9%, P < 0.01). The percentage of regions that could be considered as fibromatosis in normotensive ADPKD patients was significantly greater than that in healthy subjects (15.2% vs 10.3%, P < 0.01).Conclusion:  Carotid remodelling occurs in the early stage of ADPKD and can be aggravated by hypertension. Fibrosis contributes to the vascular rearrangement.
Autoantibody to heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein‐A2 (RA33) in juvenile idiopathic arthritis: Clinical significance
Authors: Tomoum Hoda Y. , Mostafa Gehan A. , El‐Shahat Esraa M. F. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractBackground:  Objective biomarkers are needed for early diagnosis of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Anti‐A33 antibodies are considered good markers for adult rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but little information is available on their occurrence in JIA. The aim of the present study was therefore to investigate the value of anti‐RA33 for diagnosis of JIA (both early and established disease), and its relation to markers of disease activity, and bone resorption.Subjects:  This case–control study was conducted on 34 children with JIA. Ten patients with arthritis of short duration (<6 weeks) were included, as undifferentiated arthritis. Forty‐four age‐ and sex‐ matched healthy children served as controls. Beside evaluation and assessment of disease activity, urinary calcium, serum parathyroid hormone and serum anti‐RA33 were measured in included subjects. Joints were examined radiologically and modified Larsen index (LI) was estimated.Results:  During follow up, eight of the patients with undifferentiated arthritis were diagnosed as having early JIA. Patients with JIA (early and established cases) had higher anti‐RA33 levels than the control group (z = 6.04, 3.95, respectively). A total of 66.7% of the patients were positive for anti‐RA33, results were comparable in early and established cases. Anti‐RA33 values were correlated to disease activity (clinical and laboratory), to laboratory markers (urinary calcium, parathyroid hormone levels) and radiological evidence (LI) of bone resorption (r = 0.95, 0.63, 0.94, respectively).Conclusion:  Anti‐RA33 is detected in two‐thirds of JIA patients and occurs with comparable frequency early in the disease. Its levels are correlated to disease activity and markers of bone resorption and it seems to convey diagnostic and prognostic insights for appropriate management.
Diagnosis and treatment of lingual thyroglossal duct cyst in newborns
Authors: Bai Weiliang , Ji Wenyue , Wang Liping , Song Yan 
Published: March 2009

AbstractBackground:  The objective of this study was to explore the diagnosis and treatment method of lingual thyroglossal duct cyst in newborns.Method:  The clinical data of nine newborns who were diagnosed as lingual thyroglossal duct cyst were retrospectively analyzed.Results:  One lingual thyroglossal duct cyst was found when the tongue was pressed with a spatula. The other eight lingual thyroglossal duct cysts were found with a laryngoscope. Three‐dimensional computed tomography showed that the cysts were located at the base of tongue, which was round and smooth. Six of nine patients were treated with the puncture method. The fluid was drawn out, and the average volume was 1.4 mL. Follow‐up survey lasted for 1 year or more and 33.3% (2/6) of the cases recurred. For the recurrence, the two patients underwent another operation in which most of the cyst walls were removed and they had no recurrence after another year of follow‐up survey. Three of the nine patients were treated with the excision method, and they had no recurrence after 1 year of follow‐up survey.Conclusions:  The laryngoscope and three‐dimensional computed tomography examinations are important for the diagnosis of lingual thyroglossal duct cyst. Surgical removal serves as a radical cure for lingual thyroglossal duct cyst.
Two Japanese infants with congenital generalized lipodystrophy due to BSCL2 mutations
Authors: Nishiyama Atsushi , Yagi Mariko , Awano Hiroyuki , Okizuka Yo , Maeda Taro , Yoshida Shinsaku , Takeshima Yasuhiro , Matsuo Masafumi 
Published: March 2009

AbstractBackground:  Congenital generalized lipodystrophy (CGL), Berardinelli‐Seip syndrome, is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by the generalized absence of adipose tissue at birth, severe insulin resistance early in life, hypertriglyceridemia, hepatomegaly, and the development of diabetes mellitus during puberty. Recently, two genes, BSCL2 and AGPAT2, were identified as causative genes for CGL. It has been reported that patients with BSCL mutations present with more severe clinical findings than those with AGPAT2 mutations. However, the clinical course of CGL caused by BSCL2 mutations in infancy has not been fully elucidated.Methods:  Two Japanese infantile patients with CGL from independent families were examined and underwent an oral glucose tolerance test. Insulin resistance and insulin secretion were estimated using the homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance and the insulinogenic index, respectively. Sequence analysis of the entire coding region of BSCL2 and AGPAT2 was performed.Results:  Both CGL patients presented with normal glycemic profiles after oral glucose tolerance tests; however, the values from the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance were elevated and well above the cut‐off point for diagnosis of infant insulin resistance in both patients. One patient possessed a known homozygous nonsense mutation in exon 8 (c.823C>T) of BSCL2; the other had a novel homozygous missense mutation in exon 5 (c.560A>G) of BSCL2.Conclusion:  Japanese CGL patients with BSCL2 mutations presented with severe insulin resistance, even during infancy, prior to the development of diabetes mellitus.
Bacteriophages drive strain diversification in a marine Flavobacterium: implications for phage resistance and physiological properties
Authors: Middelboe Mathias , Holmfeldt Karin , Riemann Lasse , Nybroe Ole , Haaber Jakob 
Published: March 2009

SummaryGenetic, structural and physiological differences between strains of the marine bacterium Cellulophaga baltica MM#3 (Flavobacteriaceae) developing in response to the activity of two virulent bacteriophages, ΦSM and ΦST, was investigated during 3 weeks incubation in chemostat cultures. A distinct strain succession towards increased phage resistance and a diversification of the metabolic properties was observed. During the incubation the bacterial population diversified from a single strain, which was sensitive to 24 tested Cellulophaga phages, into a multistrain and multiresistant population, where the dominant strains had lost susceptibility to up to 22 of the tested phages. By the end of the experiment the cultures reached a quasi steady state dominated by ΦST‐resistant and ΦSM + ΦST‐resistant strains coexisting with small populations of phage‐sensitive strains sustaining both phages at densities of > 106 plaque forming units (pfu) ml−1. Loss of susceptibility to phage infection was associated with a reduction in the strains' ability to metabolize various carbon sources as demonstrated by BIOLOG assays. This suggested a cost of resistance in terms of reduced physiological capacity. However, there was no direct correlation between the degree of resistance and the loss of metabolic properties, suggesting either the occurrence of compensatory mutations in successful strains or that the cost of resistance in some strains was associated with properties not resolved by the BIOLOG assay. The study represents the first direct demonstration of phage‐driven generation of functional diversity within a marine bacterial host population with significant implications for both phage susceptibility and physiological properties. We propose, therefore, that phage‐mediated selection for resistant strains contributes significantly to the extensive microdiversity observed within specific bacterial species in marine environments.
Prospective assessment of systemic therapy followed by surgical removal of metastases in selected patients with renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Daliani Danai D. , Tannir Nizar M. , Papandreou Christos N. , Wang Xuemei , Swisher Stephen , Wood Christopher G. , Swanson David A. , Logothetis Christopher J. , Jonasch Eric 
Published: March 2009

OBJECTIVETo prospectively establish objective selection criteria for metastasectomy in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC).PATIENTS AND METHODSBetween 1991 and 1999, 38 patients with mRCC with responsive or stable disease after initial systemic therapy, and with potentially resectable disease, were enrolled. Patients had a metastasectomy with curative intent and received consolidative adjuvant systemic therapy.RESULTSOf the patients enrolled, 79% had stable disease after initial systemic therapy and 21% had a partial or complete response. Most (84%) had metastasectomy of one organ site. There was surgically no evidence of disease (sNED) in 76%. Operative morbidity and mortality were acceptable and 90% of the patients received adjuvant systemic therapy. The median (95% confidence interval) survival was 4.7  (3.0–7.8) years, and the median time to progression was 1.8 (0.8–3.1) years. Eight of 38 patients (21%) remained free of disease by the end of the study. Significant predictors of outcome were lack of sNED after metastasectomy, and the presence of pulmonary metastases. The median overall survival for those who had sNED was 5.6 years, vs 1.4 years for those who did not (P < 0.001).CONCLUSIONSMetastasectomy in patients with mRCC not progressing after systemic therapy is feasible, with acceptable morbidity. Predictive factors for long‐term outcome include pulmonary metastases and sNED. Future work evaluating treatments that can convert patients into surgical candidates will increase the cure rate of patients with mRCC.
Comparison of intravesical botulinum toxin type A injections plus hydrodistention with hydrodistention alone for the treatment of refractory interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome
Authors: Kuo Hann‐Chorng , Chancellor Michael B. 
Published: March 2009

OBJECTIVETo compare the clinical effectiveness of botulinum toxin type A (BoNT‐A) injections followed by hydrodistention (HD) with HD alone in patients with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS).PATIENTS AND METHODSA prospective, randomized study was performed in a urological referral centre. In all, 67 patients with IC/PBS who had failed conventional treatments were enrolled. Of these, 44 patients received suburothelial injection with 200 U (15) or 100 U (29) of BoNT‐A followed by cystoscopic HD 2 weeks later (BoNT‐A groups). The control group (23 patients) received the identical HD procedure with no BoNT‐A injection. All patients remained on baseline medications of pentosan polysulphate throughout the study. Bladder pain visual analogue scale (VAS), O’Leary‐Sant symptom and problem indexes, functional bladder capacity (FBC) and urodynamic variables were measured at baseline and after treatment. Global response assessment was used to evaluate successful treatment response.RESULTSThe IC/PBS symptom score significantly decreased in all three groups, but VAS reduction, FBC and cystometric bladder capacity increases were significant only in the BoNT‐A groups at 3 months. Of the 44 patients in the BoNT‐A group 31 (71%) had a successful result at 6 months. A successful result at 12 and 24 months was reported in 24 (55%) and 13 (30%) patients in BoNT‐A group, respectively, compared with only six (26%) and four (17%) in the control group (P = 0.002).CONCLUSIONIntravesical injections of BoNT‐A followed by HD produced significantly better clinical results than HD alone in patients with IC/PBS.
TRADE LIBERALIZATION AND THE EXTENSIVE MARGIN
Authors: Mukerji Purba 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACTTrade barriers can lead to the disappearance of products and impose huge costs. Allowing for the realistic possibility that imported products are substituted by domestic varieties this paper finds that the cost of protection that allows for disappearance of products, the ‘Romer cost,’ is higher below a tariff threshold. This threshold depends on the substitutability of domestic for foreign products. This is important for developing countries where inferior technology leads to poor substitutability and traditional calculations underestimate the cost. Analysis of new varieties trade after the Indian liberalization supports the findings in the context of a developing country.
PENSION FUNDING IN A UNIONIZED ECONOMY
Authors: Adam Antonis , Moutos Thomas 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACTThis paper analyzes the effects of pension funding for a small open economy in which wages are subject to bargaining. Using an overlapping‐generations framework, we show that a reform away from a Pay‐As‐You‐Go towards a funded pension system will be Pareto improving only if the reform results in a reduction in the steady‐state unemployment rate. However, the reduction in the unemployment rate is by no means warranted: although for pension systems which involve a limited amount of intra‐generational redistribution this is likely, for systems displaying a high degree of intra‐generational redistribution the unemployment rate may well rise thus preventing the realization of welfare gains.
WHEN DO SOCIAL NORMS REPLACE STATUS‐SEEKING CONSUMPTION? AN APPLICATION TO THE CONSUMPTION OF CLEANLINESS
Authors: Woersdorfer Julia Sophie 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACTInterdependencies in consumer behavior stem from either status‐seeking consumption or compliance with social norms. This paper analyzes how a consumption act changes from a means to signal the consumer's status to a means of norm compliance. It is shown that such a transformation can only be understood when consumer motivations other than social recognition are taken into account. We depict norm emergence as a learning process based on changing associations between a specific consumption act and widely shared, non‐subjectivist consumer needs. Our conjectures are illustrated by means of a case study: the emergence of the cleanliness norm in the 19th century.
Prevalence and clinical features of LRRK2 mutations in patients with Parkinson’s disease in southern Spain
Authors: Gao L. , Gómez‐Garre P. , Díaz‐Corrales F. J. , Carrillo F. , Carballo M. , Palomino A. , Díaz‐Martín J. , Mejías R. , Vime P. J. , López‐Barneo J. , Mir P. 
Published: March 2009

Background and purpose: Mutations in leucine‐rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene are associated with both familial and idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (PD), whereas mutations in PARK2 (PARKIN) gene result in early onset recessive PD. Here, the objectives were to determine the frequency of LRRK2 G2019S and R1441G mutations in a PD population from southern Spain; to search for LRRK2 mutations in familial PD cases and to study the effect of PARKIN mutations on clinical features of LRRK2‐associated; PD.Methods: We included 187 PD patients (172 idiopathic, 15 familial) and 287 control subjects from southern Spain. LRRK2 and PARKIN mutations were screened, and clinical features of LRRK2‐associated PD were examined.Results: Three (1.7%) idiopathic PD patients carried the G2019S, whereas another three (1.7%) had the R1441G. A novel polymorphism D1420N was found in two (13.3%) familial PD patients. One G2019S carrier also had a homozygous PARKIN deletion, who had early onset PD with clinical symptoms similar to those with PARKIN‐associated PD. The remaining LRRK2‐asscociated patients had clinical manifestations similar to those with idiopathic PD.Conclusions: G2019S and R1441G are common LRRK2 mutations in PD patients in this region. PARKIN mutations override clinical features in LRRK2‐associated PD.
Personal values and the ‘country‐of‐origin effect’: the moderating role of consumers' demographics
Authors: De Moura Engracia Giraldi Janaina , Ikeda Ana Akemi 
Published: March 2009

AbstractThis article has addressed the following research problem: what consumers' personal values most influence the country‐of‐origin effect? Furthermore, it has verified whether there are differences on this influence, in terms of consumers' demographic characteristics such as gender, age and country familiarity. A descriptive and quantitative empirical research has been used to analyse the product category of Chinese home appliances, using a sample of Brazilian executives. Results have shown that consumers' personal values exert different influences on the evaluation of foreign products. Most influences of personal values on the country‐of‐origin effect are negative; the more important the personal values, the more negative the products are evaluated. Exceptions are for women. With the results of this research, marketing professionals and theoreticians may better manage the use of a product's country of origin as a marketing tool in international marketing activities.