bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Adolescent acromegaly and decreased arterial distensibility despite successful treatment
Authors: Bassareo Pier P. , Marras Andrea R. , Mercuro Giuseppe 
Published: December 2011

SummaryObjective  Cardiovascular complications that are probably related to the loss of arterial elasticity, such as secondary hypertension, occur frequently in patients with acromegaly and may persist after the condition has been treated. The aim of the study was to determine arterial compliance in adolescent patients with acromegaly who had undergone surgery to remove the adenoma in the pituitary gland. This is thought to be the first study on such patients.Patients  Sixteen patients (nine male, seven female; mean age at diagnosis, 17·6 ± 1·3 years; mean age at time of study, 23·3 ± 3·7 years) who had undergone surgery for acromegaly that was caused by a pituitary adenoma.Measurements  Arterial stiffness was measured by the standardized noninvasive QKd100–60 method. In addition, blood pressure at rest was measured, ambulatory blood pressure was monitored over a 24‐h period and transthoracic echocardiography was performed.Results  Adolescent patients who had been operated upon for acromegaly showed disadvantageous differences in 24‐h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (systolic blood pressure, P <0·001; diastolic blood pressure, P < 0·02; mean blood pressure, P < 0·01) and in QKd100–60 value (194 ± 4 vs 205 ± 5 ms, P < 0·03) compared with controls.Conclusion  Despite successful treatment, the patients showed significantly decreased arterial distensibility as compared with controls, which might explain the observed differences in blood pressure. The findings show that such patients are at increased risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, despite their being youth and the restoration of normal secretion of growth hormone/insulin growth factor.
Scaling up from epidemiology to biogeography: local infection patterns predict geographical distribution in fish parasites
Authors: Poulin Robert , Blanar Christopher A. , Thieltges David W. , Marcogliese David J. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractAim We investigated how the spatial distribution of parasites, measured as either their geographical range size or their frequency of occurrence among localities, relates to either their average local abundance or the variance in their abundance among localities where they occur.Location We used data on the abundance of 46 metazoan parasite species in 66 populations of threespine sticklebacks,Gasterosteus aculeatus, from Europe and North America.Methods For each parasite species, frequency of occurrence was calculated as the proportion of stickleback populations in which it occurred, and geographical range size as the area within the smallest possible polygon delimited using the coordinates of the localities where it occurred. Generalized linear models were used to assess how these two measures of spatial distribution were influenced by several predictor variables: geographical region (North America or Europe), life cycle (simple or complex), average local abundance, the coefficient of variation in abundance across localities, and median prevalence (proportion of infected hosts within a locality).Results Our analyses uncovered four patterns. First, parasites in North America tend to have higher frequencies of occurrence among surveyed localities, but not broader geographical ranges, than those in Europe. Second, parasite species with simple life cycles have wider geographical ranges than those with complex cycles. Third, there was a positive relationship between average abundance of the different parasite species and their frequency of occurrence, but not between average abundance and geographical range size. Fourth, the coefficient of variation in abundance covaried positively with both the frequency of occurrence and geographical range size across the different parasite species. Thus, all else being equal, parasites showing greater site‐to‐site variability in abundance occur in a greater proportion of localities and over a broader geographical area than those with a more stable abundance among sites.Main conclusions Local infection patterns are linked with large‐scale distributional patterns in fish parasites, independently of host effects, such that local commonness translates into regional commonness. The mechanisms linking parasite success at both scales remain unclear, but may include those that maintain the continuum between specialist and generalist parasites. Regardless, the observed patterns have implications for the predicted changes in the geographical distributions of many parasites in response to climate change.
Glomerular and tubular function following orthotopic liver transplantation in children treated with tacrolimus
Authors: Anastaze Stelle K. , Belli D. C. , Parvex P. , Girardin E. , Giroud A. , Wildhaber B. , McLin V. A. 
Published: December 2011

Anastaze Stelle K, Belli DC, Parvex P, Girardin E, Giroud A, Wildhaber B, McLin VA. Glomerular and tubular function following orthotopic liver transplantation in children treated with tacrolimus.Abstract:  The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of TAC on medium term (three‐yr follow‐up) renal function in pediatric liver transplant (OLT) recipients. Glomerular and tubular indices were retrospectively analyzed in 24 consecutive OLT pediatric recipients on TAC. CrCl increased significantly each month post‐OLT (p = 0.003), with a trend toward significance between pre‐OLT and 36 months (p = 0.17). There was no correlation between CrCl and TAC troughs (p = 0.783). Sixteen percent of patients had CrCl <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 pre‐OLT vs. none at 36 months post‐OLT. TRP values were normal throughout the study. UPr/Cr decreased insignificantly over time and correlated significantly with TAC trough levels (p = 0.031). UCa/Cr values normalized by the third‐month post‐OLT, decreasing significantly over the time (p = 0.000) but did not correlate with TAC troughs. At three months post‐OLT, 65.2% of patients needed antihypertensive therapy, and no patients needed more than one antihypertensive treatment after one yr. Despite nephrotoxic side effects in the early postoperative phase, this study shows that 65.5% patients had a normal renal function by three yr post‐OLT. Tubular indices correlated with TAC trough levels.
Donor‐derived organ transplant transmission of coccidioidomycosis
Authors: Dierberg K.L. , Marr K.A. , Subramanian A. , Nace H. , Desai N. , Locke J.E. , Zhang S. , Diaz J. , Chamberlain C. , Neofytos D. 
Published: December 2011

Abstract:Coccidioidomycosis in solid organ transplant recipients most often occurs as a result of primary infection or reactivation of latent infection. Herein, we report a series of cases of transplant‐related transmission of coccidioidomycosis from a single donor from a non‐endemic region whose organs were transplanted to 5 different recipients. In all, 3 of the 5 recipients developed evidence of Coccidioides infection, 2 of whom had disseminated disease. The degree of T‐cell immunosuppression and timing of antifungal therapy initiation likely contributed to development of disease and disease severity in these recipients. This case series highlights the importance of having a high index of suspicion for Coccidioides infection in solid organ transplant recipients, even if the donor does not have known exposure, given the difficulties of obtaining a detailed and accurate travel history from next‐of‐kin.
Patterns of floral colour neighbourhood and their effects on female reproductive success in anAntirrhinumhybrid zone
Authors: TASTARD E. , FERDY J.‐B. , BURRUS M. , THÉBAUD C. , ANDALO C. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThe maintenance of genetic integrity of parental populations is often explained by selection against hybrids. However, the selection agents are usually unknown. The role of environmental biotic interactions is often suspected but has rarely been demonstrated. In plants for instance, mutualism with pollinators may be involved. After verification that pollen deposition is a limiting factor for fruit set, we used an individual‐based study and a representation of pollinator colour perception to test the effects of local plant density and floral colour neighbourhood on female reproductive success in anAntirrhinumhybrid zone. In addition to flower colour and density effects, the composition of the floral neighbourhood was found to influence fruit set, suggesting that most plants were usually better fertilized when similar to their neighbours. However, the plants of one particular type were sometimes favoured when very different from their neighbours. The implications for hybrid zone dynamics are discussed.
Manipulation of monoubiquitin improves salt tolerance in transgenic tobacco
Authors: Zhang J. , Guo Q. F. , Feng Y. N. , Li F. , Gong J. F. , Fan Z. Y. , Wang W. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractUbiquitin (Ub) is regarded as a stress protein involved in many stress responses. In this paper, sense and antisense transgenic tobacco plants, as well as the wild type and vector control, were used to study the role of Ub in salt tolerance of plants. In sense Ta‐Ub2 transgenic tobacco plants, there was higher expression of Ub protein conjugates than in the wild type and vector control, but the reverse trend was observed in antisense Nt‐Ub1 transgenic plants. The germination rate of tobacco seed, growth status and photosynthesis of the tobacco plants suggested that over‐expressing Ub promoted the growth of transgenic tobacco plants and enhanced their salt tolerance, but the opposite effect was seen in plants with repressed Ub expression. Changes in antioxidant capacity may be one of the mechanisms underlying Ub‐regulated salt tolerance. Furthermore, improved tolerance to a combination of stresses was also observed in the sense transgenic tobacco plants. These findings imply that Ub is involved in the tolerance of plants to abiotic stress.
Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome complicated by severe community‐acquired pneumonia due to methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus positive for Panton‐Valentine leukocidin
Authors: Tsangaris Iraklis , Paramythiotou Elissavet , Tsaknis Georgios , Argentos Stylianos , Antoniadou Anastasia , Kopterides Petros , Armaganidis Apostolos 
Published: December 2011

AbstractWe report a case of severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) complicated by community‐acquired methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus–Panton‐Valentine leukocidin positive (CAMRSA‐PVL[+]) necrotizing pneumonia, sepsis and multiple organ failure (MOF) in a previously immunocompetent female. The patient required prolonged ventilatory support and intensive care unit (ICU) hospitalization. Multiple cavities and severely affected lung function persist 1 year after discharge.
Displacement of the common carotid artery after laryngeal mask airway placement in infants and children*
Authors: Matsuda Yoshifumi , Arai Toshimi 
Published: December 2011

SummaryBackground:  In adults, placement of the laryngeal mask airway causes increased overlapping of the internal jugular vein (IJV) and common carotid artery (CCA). However, few studies in children have been reported. The aim of this study was to describe the degree of overlap of the IJV and the CCA before and after laryngeal mask airway placement in infants and children.Method:  There were 160 children scheduled to undergo Protex® SoftSeal® and Ambu® placement. Patients were initially positioned in the 15° Trendelenburg position with their heads rotated 30° to the left. The ultrasound probe was placed perpendicular to the skin, and the images of the right IJV and CCA were collected at the level of the cricoid cartilage. Following laryngeal mask airway placement, images were collected in the same manner.Results:  No statistically significant changes were observed in the overlap index before and after laryngeal mask airway placement. By inflating the laryngeal mask airway cuff, migration of the vessel forward was 24.38% and outward migration was 13.99%.Conclusion:  There was no remarkable change in the overlap index before and after laryngeal mask airway placement in children.
Microsporidia infecting Apis mellifera: coexistence or competition. Is Nosema ceranae replacing Nosema apis?
Authors: Martín‐Hernández Raquel , Botías Cristina , Bailón Encarna Garrido , Martínez‐Salvador Amparo , Prieto Lourdes , Meana Aránzazu , Higes Mariano 
Published: December 2011

SummaryNosema ceranae has been suggested to be replacing Nosema apis in some populations of Apis mellifera honeybees. However, this replacement from one to the other is not supported when studying the distribution and prevalence of both microsporidia in professional apiaries in Spanish territories (transverse study), their seasonal pattern in experimental hives with co‐infection or their prevalence at individual level (either in worker bees or drones). Nevertheless, N. ceranae has shown to present a higher prevalence at all the studied levels that could indicate any advantage for its development over N. apis or that it is more adapted to Spanish conditions. Also, both microsporidia show a different pattern of preference for its development according to the prevalence in the different Spanish bioclimatic belts studied. Finally, the fact that all analyses were carried out using an Internal PCR Control (IPC) newly developed guarantees the confidence of the data extracted from the PCR analyses. This IPC provides a useful tool for laboratory detection of honeybee pathogens.
Photogrammetric Techniques for Voxel‐Based Flow Velocity Field Measurement
Authors: Westfeld Patrick , Maas Hans‐Gerd 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThe paper presents improved photogrammetric techniques for the determination of 3D flow velocity fields with the goal of optimising the performance, efficiency and flexibility of the method. This includes a multi‐camera system configuration and calibration, as well as approaches for volumetric reconstruction. The result of the volumetric reconstruction process is a time‐resolved, voxel‐space representation of tracer particles marking a flow. Using a high‐speed camera, a typical data‐set consists of 1000 volumetric data‐sets per second, each with 1000 × 1000 × 300 voxels. 3D tracking in the time‐resolved voxel data is performed by 3D least squares tracking, determining 12 parameters of a 3D affine transformation between cuboids in successive voxel data‐sets. Besides the cuboid translation, these parameters also include information on the shear tensor of each cuboid. The tomographic reconstruction methods and the cuboid tracking have been implemented and validated with both simulated and real data in an experimental set‐up of a vortex ring in a water tank.
The Patient Observer: Eye‐Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing for the Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress following Childbirth
Authors: Stramrood Claire A.I. , van der Velde Janneke , Doornbos Bennard , Marieke Paarlberg K. , Weijmar Schultz Willibrord C.M. , van Pampus Maria G. 
Published: December 2011

Abstract:  Background:  No standard intervention with proved effectiveness is available for women with posttraumatic stress following childbirth because of insufficient research. The objective of this paper was to evaluate the possibility of using eye‐movement desensitization and reprocessing treatment for women with symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder following childbirth. The treatment is internationally recognized as one of the interventions of choice for the condition, but little is known about its effects in women who experienced the delivery as traumatic.Methods:  Three women suffering from posttraumatic stress symptoms following the birth of their first child were treated with eye‐movement desensitization and reprocessing during their next pregnancy. Patient A developed posttraumatic stress symptoms following the lengthy labor of her first child that ended in an emergency cesarean section after unsuccessful vacuum extraction. Patient B suffered a second degree vaginal rupture, resulting in pain and inability to engage in sexual intercourse for years. Patient C developed severe preeclampsia postpartum requiring intravenous treatment.Results:  Patients received eye‐movement desensitization and reprocessing treatment during their second pregnancy, using the standard protocol. The treatment resulted in fewer posttraumatic stress symptoms and more confidence about their pregnancy and upcoming delivery compared with before the treatment. Despite delivery complications in Patient A (secondary cesarean section due to insufficient engaging of the fetal head); Patient B (second degree vaginal rupture, this time without subsequent dyspareunia); and Patient C (postpartum hemorrhage, postpartum hypertension requiring intravenous treatment), all three women looked back positively at the second delivery experience.Conclusions:  Treatment with eye‐movement desensitization and reprocessing reduced posttraumatic stress symptoms in these three women. They were all sufficiently confident to attempt vaginal birth rather than demanding an elective cesarean section. We advocate a large‐scale, randomized controlled trial involving women with postpartum posttraumatic stress disorder to evaluate the effect of eye‐movement desensitization and reprocessing in this patient group. (BIRTH 39:1 March 2012)
Smoke‐Free Policy and Alcohol Use Among Undergraduate College Students
Authors: Butler Karen M. , Rayens Mary Kay , Hahn Ellen J. , Adkins Sarah M. , Staten Ruth R. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to assess attitudes and behaviors related to smoke‐free policy among undergraduate student alcohol drinkers on a campus in a community with smoke‐free bars.Design and SampleThis was a secondary data analysis of a study in which participants completed mailed surveys assessing demographic characteristics, attitudes and behaviors related to alcohol and tobacco use and smoke‐free policy (n = 337). Opinion and behavior items were summarized descriptively; associations were examined using Kruskal Wallis tests and chi‐square tests of association. Logistic regression tested for predictors of importance of smoke‐free policy.ResultsRespondents were predominantly female and Caucasian; mean age 20.3 years. One fourth were current smokers. Seventy‐nine percent said the community smoke‐free law had no effect on frequency of visiting bars. Eighty‐seven percent said smoke‐free policy in campus buildings was “somewhat” or “very important.” Predictors of perceived importance of smoke‐free policy included gender and smoking status.ConclusionsMost smokers in this sample did not experience a change in their motivation to quit smoking or in number of cigarettes smoked daily. Implementation of a community smoke‐free law did not reduce the likelihood of visiting bars. Women and nonsmokers were more likely to rate smoke‐free campus policy as very important.
The Electoral Consequences of Direct Political Action: Evidence from Brazil
Authors: Brown David S. , Brown J. Christopher , Donaghy Maureen M. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractDemocracy affords citizens the ability to influence policy through participation in elections and through direct political action. Though previous scholarship evaluates the impact each strategy has on outcomes, little if any work exists that examines how one strategy, direct action, affects success in the other, elections. This study analyzes the relationship between land occupations and the electoral success of the Workers' Party in Brazil between 1996 and 2006. It finds that the relationship varies in presidential and mayoral elections depending on income inequality and incumbency. Once the PT captures the presidential office in 2002, these effects disappear, suggesting that the effect of political protest also depends on who is in office.
Patterns in aphid honeydew production parallel diurnal shifts in phloem sap composition
Authors: Taylor S. H. , Parker W. E. , Douglas A. E. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractVariation in phloem sap composition is important in determining aphid performance and is known to occur at both diurnal timescales and in response to plant age. For field grown potato plants, Solanum tuberosum L. (Solanaceae), we determined diurnal variation in components of phloem sap, measured by ethylene diamine tetra‐acetate exudation, and tested for impacts of plant age. The effects of plant age and diurnal cycles on honeydew production by Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Thomas) and Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (both Hemiptera: Aphididae) were also quantified. Both the ratio of sucrose to amino acids and the composition of amino acids in phloem sap varied significantly with time of day. Dietary essential amino acids contributed a smaller proportion of amino acids in the phloem sap of older plants and during early phases of the diurnal cycle. The only significant effect on aphid honeydew production was of the diurnal cycle for Ma. euphorbiae, although increased honeydew production during the day when compared with the production at night, was consistent across the two species. In contrast with studies carried out at seasonal scales, we found limited evidence for variation in phloem sap composition in response to plant age, consistent with our results for honeydew production. These data highlight the need for improved understanding of how seasonal and diurnal physiology of plants influence performance in phloem sap feeding insects.
Determining the best method of Nellcor pulse oximeter sensor application in neonates
Authors: Saraswat A , Simionato L , Dawson JA , Thio M , Kamlin COF , Owen L , Schmölzer G , Davis PG 
Published: December 2011

AbstractAim:  To identify the optimal sensor application method that gave the quickest display of accurate heart rate (HR) data using the Nellcor OxiMax N‐600x pulse oximeter (PO).Methods:  Stable infants who were monitored with an electrocardiograph were included. Three sensor application techniques were studied: (i) sensor connected to cable, then applied to infant; (ii) sensor connected to cable, applied to investigator’s finger, and then to infant; (iii) sensor applied to infant, then connected to cable. The order of techniques tested was randomized for each infant. Time taken to apply the PO sensor, to display data and to display accurate data (HRPO = HRECG ± 3 bpm) were recorded using a stopwatch.Results:  Forty infants were studied [mean (SD) birthweight, 1455 (872) g; gestational age, 31 (4) weeks; post‐menstrual age, 34 (4) weeks]. Method 3 acquired any data significantly faster than methods 1 (p = 0.013; CI, −9.6 to −3.0 sec) and 2 (p = 0.004; CI, −5.9 to −1.2 sec). Method 3 acquired accurate data significantly faster than method 1 (p = 0.016; CI, −9.4 to −1.0 sec), but not method 2 (p = 0.28).Conclusion:  Applying the sensor to the infant before connecting it to the cable yields the fastest acquisition of accurate HR data from the Nellcor PO.