bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of population size on plant reproduction and pollinator abundance in a specialized pollination system
Authors: Klank Charlotte , Pluess Andrea R. , Ghazoul Jaboury 
Published: August 2010

Summary1. Many plant species are currently experiencing negative consequences of habitat fragmentation as a result of reductions in population size and disruptions in pollination services. Plants in specialized pollination systems might be especially vulnerable to changes in plant population size and density resulting from land‐use changes.2. Representing such a system, we chose the globeflowerTrollius europaeusL. with its pollinating flyChiastocheta, which also acts as a seed predator at its larval stage, to investigate the effects of small plant population size on reproductive success and pollinator abundance.3. Reproductive output ofT. europaeusdeclined with increasing plant population size, whileChiastochetaabundance withinT. europaeusflowers was independent of plant population size. However, at the local level,Chiastochetanumbers within flowers were inversely correlated to localT. europaeusflower density. We further found that increasing floral densities increased plant reproductive success at the population level.4. Chiastochetaabundance was the main driver of reproductive output ofT. europaeusthrough its dual role as an obligate pollinator and seed predator: at least someChiastochetaflies were needed to secure pollination, but a continued increase inChiastochetaflies within a flower incurred seed predation costs that greatly reduced reproductive success. Thus, high local flower density contributed positively to per capita reproductive output by dilutingChiastochetaabundance within flowers independently of overall population size.5. Synthesis. Our findings highlight that plant population size is not always the main determinant of reproductive success for populations, but that other factors such as plant density and the specific ecology of a pollinator and its interplay with other population parameters can be more important in determining the fate of a population. Furthermore, the effects of plant population size and floral density on pollinator visitation inT. europaeusvary across scales, with implications for plant fitness. It is therefore important not to focus solely on pure plant population size in determining population viability. Thus, from a conservation perspective, even small and isolatedT. europaeuspopulations may be viable and resistant to pollination‐associated vulnerabilities depending on plant density at local (subpopulation) scales.
Conventional and advanced time series estimation: application to the Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society (ANZICS) adult patient database, 1993–2006
Authors: Moran John L. , Solomon Patricia J. ,   for the Adult Database Management Committee (ADMC) of the Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society (ANZICS)
Published: August 2010

AbstractRationale Time series analysis has seen limited application in the biomedical Literature. The utility of conventional and advanced time series estimators was explored for intensive care unit (ICU) outcome series.Methods Monthly mean time series, 1993–2006, for hospital mortality, severity‐of‐illness score (APACHE III), ventilation fraction and patient type (medical and surgical), were generated from the Australia and New Zealand Intensive Care Society adult patient database. Analyses encompassed geographical seasonal mortality patterns, series structural time changes, mortality series volatility using autoregressive moving average and Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedasticity models in which predicted variances are updated adaptively, and bivariate and multivariate (vector error correction models) cointegrating relationships between series.Results The mortality series exhibited marked seasonality, declining mortality trend and substantial autocorrelation beyond 24 lags. Mortality increased in winter months (July–August); the medical series featured annual cycling, whereas the surgical demonstrated long and short (3–4 months) cycling. Series structural breaks were apparent in January 1995 and December 2002. The covariance stationary first‐differenced mortality series was consistent with a seasonal autoregressive moving average process; the observed conditional‐variance volatility (1993–1995) and residual Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedasticity effects entailed a Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedasticity model, preferred by information criterion and mean model forecast performance. Bivariate cointegration, indicating long‐term equilibrium relationships, was established between mortality and severity‐of‐illness scores at the database level and for categories of ICUs. Multivariate cointegration was demonstrated for {log APACHE III score, log ICU length of stay, ICU mortality and ventilation fraction}.Conclusions A system approach to understanding series time‐dependence may be established using conventional and advanced econometric time series estimators.
The use of statistical process control (risk‐adjusted CUSUM, risk‐adjusted RSPRT and CRAM with prediction limits) for monitoring the outcomes of out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest patients rescued by the EMS system
Authors: Chen Tsung‐Tai , Chung Kuo‐Piao , Hu Fu‐Chang , Fan Chieh‐Min , Yang Ming‐Chin 
Published: August 2010

AbstractObjective  Based on previous experience from surgical surveillance, risk‐adjusted cumulative sum (CUSUM)‐type charts were applied to monitor out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patient mortality.Materials and methods  Data from 2356 OHCA patients were collected by the Taipei County Fire Bureau from June 2006 to November 2007. Logistic regression analysis was applied to create a risk‐adjusted model. Next, a risk‐adjusted CUSUM chart, a risk‐adjusted resetting sequential probability ratio test chart and a cumulative risk‐adjusted mortality with prediction limits chart were used to detect excess deaths of the OHCA patients rescued by the emergency medical service (EMS) system.Results  The overall mortality rate, defined as having no return of spontaneous circulation, was 79.3%. These three charts signalled an increase in the death rate at similar sites, and also suggested a small process shift.Conclusion  A visual approach to EMS systems monitoring that combines the risk‐adjusted cumulative sum, Risk‐adjusted resetting sequential probability ratio test and cumulative risk‐adjusted mortality with prediction limits charts was established. It was found that this approach can be effectively used by the EMS community to monitor OHCA outcomes in real time.
The role of autophagy in anticancer therapy: promises and uncertainties
Authors: Tschan M. P. , Simon H.‐U. 
Published: August 2010

Abstract.  Tschan MP, Simon H‐U. (Department of Medical Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital; and Institute of Pharmacology, University of Bern; Bern, Switzerland) The role of autophagy in anticancer therapy: promises and uncertainties (Symposium). J Intern Med 2010; 268: 410–418.Autophagy (literally self‐eating) is a catabolic mechanism involved in the recycling and turnover of cytoplasmic constituents. Although often referred to as type II programmed cell death, autophagy is primarily a survival rather than a cell death mechanism in response to different stress stimuli. Autophagy is a process in which part of the cytoplasm or entire organelles are sequestered into double‐membrane vesicles, called autophagosomes, which ultimately fuse with lysosomes to degrade their contents. Studies show that autophagy is associated with a number of pathological conditions, including cancer, infectious diseases, myopathies and neurodegenerative disorders. With respect to cancer, it has been suggested that the early stages of tumourigenesis are associated with downregulation of autophagy‐related (ATG) genes. Indeed, several ATG genes display tumour suppressor function, including Beclin1, which is frequently hemizygously deleted in breast cancer cells. Conversely, in advanced stages of tumourigenesis or during anticancer therapy, autophagy may promote survival of tumour cells in adverse environmental conditions. Therefore, a thorough understanding of autophagy in different cancer types and stages is a prerequisite to determine an autophagy‐activating or autophagy‐inhibiting treatment strategy.
Hybridization and introgression across different ploidy levels in the Neotropical orchidsEpidendrum fulgensandE. puniceoluteum(Orchidaceae)
Authors: PINHEIRO FÁBIO , De BARROS FÁBIO , PALMA‐SILVA CLARISSE , MEYER DIOGO , FAY MICHAEL F. , SUZUKI ROGÉRIO M. , LEXER CHRISTIAN , COZZOLINO SALVATORE 
Published: August 2010

AbstractThe hypothesis of gene flow between species with large differences in chromosome numbers has rarely been tested in the wild, mainly because species of different ploidy are commonly assumed to be reproductively isolated from each other because of instantaneous and strong postzygotic barriers. In this study, a broad‐scale survey of molecular variation was carried out between two orchid species with different ploidy levels:Epidendrum fulgens(2n = 2x = 24 chromosomes) andEpidendrum puniceoluteum(2n = 4x = 52 chromosomes). To test the strength of their reproductive barriers, we investigated the distribution of genetic variation in sympatric and allopatric populations of these two species and conducted crossing experiments. Nuclear and plastid microsatellite loci were used to genotype 463 individuals from eight populations across the geographical range of both species along the Brazilian coastal plain. All six sympatric populations analysed presented hybrid zones, indicating that hybridization betweenE. fulgensandE. puniceoluteumis a common phenomenon. Bayesian assignment analysis detected the presence of F1and F2individuals and also signs of introgression, demonstrating a high potential for interspecific gene flow. Introgression occurs preferentially fromE. fulgenstoE. puniceoluteum. Pure parental individuals of both species display strong genotype–habitat associations, indicating that environment‐dependent selection could be acting in all hybrid zones. This study suggests that hybridization and introgression are evolutionary processes playing a role in the diversification ofEpidendrumand indicates the importance of investigations of hybrid zones in understanding reproductive barriers and speciation processes in Neotropical orchid species.
Phylogeography of ninespine sticklebacks (Pungitius pungitius) in North America: glacial refugia and the origins of adaptive traits
Authors: ALDENHOVEN JACLYN T. , MILLER MATTHEW A. , CORNELI PATRICE SHOWERS , SHAPIRO MICHAEL D. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractThe current geographical distribution of the ninespine stickleback (Pungitius pungitius) was shaped in large part by the glaciation events of the Pleistocene epoch (2.6 Mya–10 Kya). Previous efforts to elucidate the phylogeographical history of the ninespine stickleback in North America have focused on a limited set of morphological traits, some of which are likely subject to widespread convergent evolution, thereby potentially obscuring relationships among populations. In this study, we used genetic information from both mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences and nuclear microsatellite markers to determine the phylogenetic relationships among ninespine stickleback populations. We found that ninespine sticklebacks in North America probably dispersed from at least three glacial refugia—the Mississippi, Bering, and Atlantic refugia—not two as previously thought. However, by applying a molecular clock to our mtDNA data, we found that these three groups diverged long before the most recent glacial period. Our new phylogeny serves as a critical framework for examining the evolution of derived traits in this species, including adaptive phenotypes that evolved multiple times in different lineages. In particular, we inferred that loss of the pelvic (hind fin) skeleton probably evolved independently in populations descended from each of the three putative North American refugia.
Development of the Alaska agricultural weed flora 1981–2004: a case for prevention
Authors: CONN J S , WERDIN‐PFISTERER N R , BEATTIE K L 
Published: August 2010

Conn JS, Werdin‐Pfisterer NR & Beattie KL (2011). Development of the Alaska agricultural weed flora 1981–2004: a case for prevention. Weed Research 51, 63–70.SummaryAlaska provides a unique laboratory to study the development of agricultural weed floras, since fields were first cleared in 1900–1985. Changes in weed species composition between 1981 and 2004 were studied in 80 agricultural fields near Fairbanks, Nenana, Delta Junction and Palmer, Alaska. Cover and density of all plants were measured in quadrats along a transect in each field. Environmental and management information were collected, including field age, weed control methods, crop, elevation, latitude, longitude, surrounding vegetation type and canopy shading. Detrended correspondence analysis was used to ordinate fields based on weed vegetation. Spearman correlations and graphical overlays were used to examine relationships between environmental and management variables and ordination axes. We found seven weed species that were new to Alaskan agriculture since 1981. Crop, canopy shading, elevation, latitude and longitude were important weed flora determinants. Two distinct weed community/crop associations were identified: (i) vegetables + potatoes and (ii) perennial grass (hay + grass seed). Non‐native weed species colonised fields that were largely weed‐free in 1981, when a similar weed survey was made. The failure to use weed prevention programmes since 1981, resulted in 40 000 ha of new agricultural land that must be managed for non‐native weeds.
Poor durability of lamivudine effectiveness despite stringent cessation criteria: A prospective clinical study in hepatitis B e antigen‐negative chronic hepatitis B patients
Authors: Liu Feng , Wang Lei , Li Xiao Ying , Liu You De , Wang Jing Bo , Zhang Zhao Hua , Wang Yao Zong 
Published: August 2010

AbstractBackground and Aims:  Lamivudine, a nucleoside analog, is commonly used for treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) but its durability of effectiveness after withdrawal is still uncertain. This study was designed to assess the durability of lamivudine treatment with stringent cessation criteria in hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)‐negative patients and to explore potential predictive factors.Methods:  Sixty one HBeAg‐negative CHB patients who had received lamivudine for at least 24 months and had maintained undetectable serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA plus normal alanine aminotransferase for ≥ 18 months before withdrawal were included. They were followed up monthly during the first 4 months and at 3‐month or 6‐month intervals thereafter. Relapse was defined as serum HBV DNA ≥ 104 copies/mL.Results:  Thirty one of 61 patients relapsed during follow‐up, over 90% occurred within 18 months after lamivudine withdrawal. Cumulative relapse rates at months 6, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 60 were 26.2%, 43.6%, 49.7%, 52.1%, 56.1% and 56.1%, respectively. Cox regression revealed that age was the only predictive factor for relapse, with lower relapse rates found in younger patients. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) turned negative in eight patients, and none of them relapsed during follow‐up.Conclusion:  Effectiveness of lamivudine treatment is not durable in HBeAg‐negative CHB patients even when stringent cessation criteria are adopted, with the exception of patients aged ≤ 20 years. The ideal end point of lamivudine treatment is clearance of serum HBsAg.
Effect of change in transporter expression on gadolinium‐ethoxybenzyl‐diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging during hepatocarcinogenesis in rats
Authors: Tsuda Natsuko , Harada Kenichi , Matsui Osamu 
Published: August 2010

AbstractBackground and Aims: To analyze the difference in signal intensity on gadolinium‐ethoxybenzyl‐diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd‐EOB‐DTPA)‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) among various hepatocellular nodules during hepatocarcinogenesis as correlated with the expressions of the transporters of Gd‐EOB‐DTPA.Methods: We received institutional animal review board approval prior to the commencement of all studies. Forty rats were divided into three groups. The rats in the tumor groups received N‐nitrosomorpholine solution (n = 16), and rats in the cirrhosis group (thioacetamide [TAA] group) received thioacetamide solution (n = 12). As a control, the remaining 12 rats were fed normal water. Each group was divided into two sub‐groups: Group 1 for Gd‐EOB‐DTPA‐enhanced MRI (0.025 mmol Gd/kg,n = 7) and Group 2 for reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction to compare transporter (oatp1 and mrp2) expressions (n = 5 for control and TAA groups,n = 9 for tumor groups).Results: Signal enhancement of tumors decreased according to the progress of hepatocarcinogenesis. Although the relative enhancement of each tumor group was significantly lower than that of the control group (P < 0.01), and there was no significant difference between TAA, hyperplastic nodules (HPN), and HCCwellgroups. The relative enhancement of the HCCmodgroup was significantly lower than the other groups (P < 0.01). The oatp1 expression of HPN tended to be higher than those of HCCwelland HCCmod. The mrp2 expression of TAA was significantly higher than those of HCCwell, HCCmod, HPN and control (P < 0.01). The mrp2 expression of HPN tended to be higher than those of HCCwelland HCCmod.Conclusion: It was suggested that the signal enhancement on Gd‐EOB‐DTPA‐enhanced MRI would correlate with the transporter expression in various hepatocellular nodules during hepatocarcinogenesis.
The novel nomogram of Gleason sum upgrade: Possible application for the eligible criteria of low dose rate brachytherapy
Authors: Budäus Lars , Graefen Markus , Salomon Georg , Isbarn Hendrik , Lughezzani Giovanni , Sun Maxine , Chun Felix KH , Schlomm Thorsten , Steuber Thomas , Haese Alexander , Koellermann Jens , Sauter Guido , Fisch Margit , Heinzer Hans , Huland Hartwig , Karakiewicz Pierre I 
Published: August 2010

Objective:  To examine the rate of Gleason sum upgrading (GSU) from a sum of 6 to a Gleason sum of ≥7 in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy (RP), who fulfilled the recommendations for low dose rate brachytherapy (Gleason sum 6, prostate‐specific antigen ≤10 ng/mL, clinical stage ≤T2a and prostate volume ≤50 mL), and to test the performance of an existing nomogram for prediction of GSU in this specific cohort of patients.Methods:  The analysis focused on 414 patients, who fulfilled the European Society for Therapeutic Radiation and Oncology and American Brachytherapy Society criteria for low dose rate brachytherapy (LD‐BT) and underwent a 10‐core prostate biopsy followed by RP. The rate of GSU was tabulated and the ability of available clinical and pathological parameters for predicting GSU was tested. Finally, the performance of an existing GSU nomogram was explored.Results:  The overall rate of GSU was 35.5%. When applied to LD‐BT candidates, the existing nomogram was 65.8% accurate versus 70.8% for the new nomogram. In decision curve analysis tests, the new nomogram fared substantially better than the assumption that no patient is upgraded and better than the existing nomogram.Conclusions:  GSU represents an important issue in LD‐BT candidates. The new nomogram might improve patient selection for LD‐BT and cancer control outcome by excluding patients with an elevated probability of GSU.
Maternal Mortality in a Rural Based Teaching Hospital
Authors: Santpur Suresh Rao , Savaikar S.V. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractThe studies of Maternal Mortality from time to time is a good yardstick to assess the standard of Maternal care available to the population. The Maternal Mortality rate in developing countries, like ours, does not show a demonstrable decrease at least in rural areas. Most of the papers published are from urban areas with all modern facilities. Therefore a study of Maternal Mortality in a rural based teaching hospital like Wanless Hospital Miraj, India was undertaken. The Maternal deaths for over a period of 5 years were analysed taking the FIGO definition and classification as the basis.The Maternal Mortality rate during this period was 18 per 1000 total births and 14.8 per 1000 total births when abortion deaths are excluded.The main causes of death, their preventability or otherwise, are discussed and also the means suggested to reduce it in rural areas.
In Vitro Effects of Steroids upon the Production of Progesterone from Pregnenolone in the Human Corpus Luteum
Authors: Sani Yumiko , Okinaga Shoichi , Arai Kiyoshi 
Published: August 2010

AbstractIncubation of the 800 x g supernatant fluid of a human corpus luteum with 14C‐pregnenolone produced progesterone. The inhibitory effects of various steroids on the production of progesterone were studied. Progesterone (Ki = 2.8 μM), 17α‐hydroxy‐progesterone (1.6 μM), estrone (0.24 μM) and 17β‐estradiol (0.34 μM) showed mixed type inhibition on the activity of Δ5‐3β‐hydroxy‐steroid dehydrogenase and Δ4‐Δ5 isomerase (Km = 1.5 μM). Androstenedione (Ki = 3.0 μM) and testosterone (2.7 μM) also inhibited the production of progesterone, but 16α‐hydroxy‐progesterone was less effective (Ki = 16 μM). Among the synthetic estrogens tested, ethynylestradiol showed the highest inhibitory effect on the enzyme activity (Ki = 0.02 μM).
Maternal and Perinatal Mortality and Their Background in Japan
Authors: Shinagawa Shinryo , Katagiri Seiichi 
Published: August 2010

AbstractObstetrical and perinatal health care observed in a Japanese setting were mainly presented by focusing on the maternal and perinatal mortality.Since 1868, particularly since 1945, the Japanese people and government have endeavored sincerely to improve obstetrical and perinatal health care, and in 1977 obtained the following results: maternal mortality rate was 2.3 per 10,000 livebirths; perinatal mortality rate was 14.1 per 1,000 livebirths; 99.2 percent of women gave birth in obstetrical facilities; incidence of low birth‐weight male and female neonates was 4.61 percent and 5.40 percent, respectively; mean bodyweight in male and female neonates was 3240 gm and 3150 gm; mean number of children per couple was 1.8; neonates born to mothers from 20 to 35 years old occupied 95.5 percent of neonates; mean life expectancy of female neonates at birth was 77.95 years.However, on the other hand, many socio‐traditional factors are inhibiting a further improvement in obstetrical and perinatal health care in Japan. Some of them are a mal‐distribution of obstetrical and perinatal resources, and delay in systematization and standardization of medical institutions.We hope the errors found here in Japan will be avoided by other Asia‐Oceanic countries.
Comparative Study of Nepalese and Japanese Placentas
Authors: Yoshida Keiji , Soma Hiroaki , Kiyokawa Takashi , Mukaida Toshikazu , Tabuchi Yasuki , Isaka Keiichi , Malla Dibya 
Published: August 2010

AbstractA comparative study of one hundred and five mature placentas from Kathmandu Maternity Hospital in Nepal and 4764 mature placentas as well as 325 premature placentas in Tokyo was undertaken. In general, the infants and the placentas in the Nepalese group weighed significantly less in their mean values than those in the Japanese group. Their weights corresponded to those at 35 – 37 weeks of gestation in the Japanese group. The gross characteristics of the Nepalese placentas were represented by extensive lesions such as extrachorial placenta, marked subchrionic fibrin, chorionic cysts and abnormal insertion of the umbilical cord. On histologic examination, the Nepalese placentas showed a high incidence of inflammation as well as intensive crowding of villi associated with narrowness of the intervillous space. It is suggested that such low weights of the fetus and the placenta in the Nepalese group may result from a reduced functional capacity of the feto‐placental unit affected by specific environmental factors in Nepalese women.