bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Determination of the optical sign of a crystal by a conoscopic method
Authors: Pikoul Olga 
Published: July 2010

To determine the optical sign of an investigated crystal plate, a conoscopic pattern of the latter is changed in an optical system without a polarizing microscope. To change the conoscopic pattern, an auxiliary plane-parallel crystal plate of arbitrary thickness and known optical sign is used. Such a plate, which is either capable of rotation about its vertical axis or fixed at a small angle to the investigated plate, is introduced into the optical system. Upon rotation of the auxiliary crystal plate, isochromatic rings on the conoscopic pattern are offset. Based on the direction of the offset from the centre of the pattern, a conclusion is drawn about the optical sign of the investigated crystal plate. When the auxiliary crystal plate is fixed at a small angle to the investigated plate, either two or three conoscopic patterns are observed on the screen. The optical sign of the investigated crystal plate is determined by the number of conoscopic patterns on the screen. If there are three patterns, then the optical signs of the auxiliary and the investigated plates are the same. If there are two patterns, then the optical signs of the auxiliary and the investigated plates are opposite.
Effects of acetyl‐L‐carnitine and oxfenicine on aorta stiffness in diabetic rats
Authors: Chang Kuo‐Chu , Tseng Chuen‐Den , Lu Shao‐Chun , Liang Jin‐Tung , Wu Ming‐Shiou , Tsai Ming‐Shian , Hsu Kwan‐Lih 
Published: July 2010

Eur J Clin Invest 2010; 40 (11): 1002–1010AbstractBackground  We compared the haemodynamic and metabolic effects of acetyl‐L‐carnitine (one of the carnitine derivatives) and of oxfenicine (a carnitine palmitoyltransferase‐1 inhibitor) in streptozotocin‐induced diabetes in male Wistar rats.Materials and methods  Diabetes was induced by a single tail vein injection of 55 mg kg−1 streptozotocin. The diabetic animals daily treated with either acetyl‐L‐carnitine (150 mg kg−1 in drinking water) or oxfenicine (150 mg kg−1 by oral gavage) for 8 weeks,were compared with the untreated age‐matched diabetic controls. Arterial wave reflection was derived using the impulse response function of the filtered aortic input impedance spectra. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) measurement was used to estimate malondialdehyde (MDA) content.Results  Oxfenicine, but not acetyl‐L‐carnitine, increased total peripheral resistance in diabetes, which paralleled its elevation in plasma levels of free fatty acids. By contrast, acetyl‐L‐carnitine, but not oxfenicine, resulted in a significant increase in wave transit time and a decrease in wave reflection factor, suggesting that acetyl‐L‐carnitine may attenuate the diabetes‐induced deterioration in systolic loading condition for the left ventricle. This was in parallel with its lowering of MDA/TBARS content in plasma and aortic walls in diabetes. Acetyl‐L‐carnitine therapy also prevented the diabetes‐related cardiac hypertrophy, as evidenced by the reduction in ratio of the left ventricular weight to body weight.Conclusion  Acetyl‐L‐carnitine, but not oxfenicine, attenuates aortic stiffening and cardiac hypertrophy, possibly through its decrease of lipid oxidation‐derived MDA/TBARS in the rats with insulin deficiency.
Dental health and salivary Streptococcus mutans levels in a group of children with heart defects
Authors: POLLARD M. A. , CURZON M. E. J. 
Published: July 2010

Summary. One‐hundred children aged 2–16 years who were attending the Outpatients Department of the Yorkshire Regional Cardiac Centre were examined for dental caries, gingivitis, plaque and calculus. A control group of 100 children was also examined. A saliva sample was taken from each child in the study group to assess the level of Streptococcus mutans colonization. Comparing study and control groups, dental caries experience (dmft) was significantly higher only in the primary teeth of 5–9‐year‐old children in the study group, and there were no significant differences in gingivitis, plaque or calculus. The S. mutans count was found to be positively correlated to the number of decayed teeth in the study group.Resumé.Cent enfants, âgés de2à16 ans, suivis en consultation externe au Centre de Cardiologie Régional du Yorkshire, ont été examinés en ce qui concerne les caries, la gingivite, la plaque dentaire et le tartre. Un groupe de contrôle de cent enfants a été aussi examiné. Le taux de S. mutans aété déterminé dans un échantillon de salive prélevé chez chaque enfant pour connaitre le niveau de colonisation. En comparant les deux groupes, l'indice CAO était plus élevé de façon significative chez les dents temporaires des enfants de 5–9 ans du groupe étudié mais il n'y avait pas de différence pour la gingivite, la plaque dentaire ou le tartre. Le nombre de S. mutans est corrélé de façon significative au nombre de dents cariées dans le groupe étudié.Zusammenfassung.100 Kinder im Alter von 2–16 ambulante Patienten des Yorkshire Regional Herzzentrums wurden untersucht bezüglich der Kariesanfälligkeit, Gingivitis und den weichen und harten Beläge. Ebenso wurde eine Kontrollgruppe von ebenfalls 100 Kindern untersucht. Eine Speichelprobe wurde von jedem Kind der Studiengruppe entnommen und das Grad der Kolonisation mit dem S. Mutans festgestellt. Der Vergleich der Studiengruppe mit der Kontrollgruppe ergab, dass der (dmft) signifikant höher war nur bei den Milchzähnen der 5–9 jährigen Kinder der Studiengruppe. Keine signifikante Unterschiede wurden gefunden bei der Gingivitis und der Beläge. Die Anzahl der S. Mutans war in positiver Relation zu der Anzahl der befallenen Zähne in der Studiengruppe.Resumen.Cien niños de 2–16 años de edad atendidos en el Departamento de Consulta Externa del Centro Cardiológico Regional de Yorkshire fueron examinados para evaluar caries, gingivitis, placa y cálculos. Un grupo control de 100 niños tambien fue examinado. De cada niño se tomo muestra salival para evaluar el nivel de colonización del S. mutans. Comparando el grupo de estudio con el control, la experiencia de caries (dmft) fue significativamente mas alta solo en los dientes temporales de los niños de 5–9 años en el grupo de estudio y no hubo diferencias significativas en la gingivitis, placa o cálculos. En el grupo de estudio se encontro que el número de S. mutans estuvo correlacionado con el número de dientes cariados.
Dental caries in 12‐year‐old children in Salford, UK: changes over 28 years
Authors: WHITTLE J. G. , DAVIES KATHERINE W. 
Published: July 2010

Summary. A sample of 111 12‐year‐old children in Salford, UK was examined in 1988, and the findings compared with those of a survey carried out in 1960 of 12‐year‐old children in the same city. Between 1960 and 1988, the mean DMFT of the boys fell from 604 to 2·34 and that of the girls from 6·54 to 3·40. All types of teeth were affected by caries in 1960 but in 1988 none of the canines and mandibular lateral incisors were affected. In 1960 the permanent first molars contributed 57% of the boys' and 54% of the girls' total DMFT while in 1988 they contributed 87% of the boys' and 73% of the girls' DMFT. Jackson's Treatment Index showed that the dental services were making a greater impact in 1988; for the boys it rose from 29·5 to 63·2 and for the girls from 27·8 to 62·3.Resumé.Un énchantillon de 111 enfants âgés de 12 ans de Salford (Grande‐Bretagne) a été examiné en 1983 et les résultats comparés avec ceux d'une étude réalisée en 1960 chez des enfants âges de 12 ans de la même ville. Entre 1960 et 1988, la moyenne CAO est tombée de 6·04 à 2·34 chez les garçons et de 6·54 a 3·40 chez les filles. Toutes les dents étaient atteintes par la carie en 1960 mais en 1988 aucune canine et incisive latérale inférieure n'était atteinte. En 1960, les premières molaires permanentes contribuaient pour 57% chez les garçons et 54% chez les filles à l'indice CAO alors qu'en 1988 elles y contribuaient pour.Zusammenfassung.In 1988 wurde eine Gruppe von 111; 12‐jahrigen Kindern aus Salford untersucht. Die Befunde wurden verglichen mit dem Untersuch von 1960 an gleichaltrigen Kindern der selben Stadt. Von 1960 bis 1988 fiel der durchschnittliche DMFT‐Index der Knaben von 6·04 auf 2·34. Der der Mädchen von 6·54 auf 3·40. In 1960 waren noch alle Zähne befallen. In 1988 keine der Eckzähne und der seitlichen unteren Schneidezähne. Die ersten Molaren machten 1960 noch 57% bei de Knaben und 54% bei den Mädchen des gesammten DMFT aus. In 1988 waren es 87% resp. 73%. Der Jackson Behandlung‐sindex zeigte eine Erhöhung der zahn‐ärztzlichen Leistungen von 29·5 zu 63·2 bei den Knaben und von 27·8 zu 62·3 bei den Mädchen.Resumen.Una muestra de 111 niños de 12 años de edad de Salford, Reino Unido, fue examinada en 1988 y los hallazgos comparados con los obtenidos en un examen realizado en 1960 en niños de 12 años de edad de la misma ciudad. Entre 1960 y 1988, la media DMFT de los niños disminuyó de 6·04 a 2·34 y en las hembras de 6·54 a 3·40. Todos los tipos de dientes fueron afectados por caries en 1960 mientras que en 1988 ninguno de los caninos e incisivos laterales mandibulares fueron afectados. En 1960, los primeros molares permanentes contribuyeron al 57% en los niños y 54% en las niñas en el total de DMFT mientras que en 1988 contribuyeron al 87% en los niños y 73% en las niñas en el total de DMFT. El Indice de Tratamiento de Jackson mostro que los servicios odontológicos tuvieron mayor impacto en 1988; para los varones aumentó de 29·5 a 63·2 y para las hembras de 27·8 a 62·3
Heat shock proteins (chaperones) in fish and shellfish and their potential role in relation to fish health: a review
Authors: Roberts R J , Agius C , Saliba C , Bossier P , Sung Y Y 
Published: July 2010

AbstractHeat shock proteins (HSPs), also known as stress proteins and extrinsic chaperones, are a suite of highly conserved proteins of varying molecular weight (c. 16–100 kDa) produced in all cellular organisms when they are exposed to stress. They develop following up‐regulation of specific genes, whose transcription is mediated by the interaction of heat shock factors with heat shock elements in gene promoter regions. HSPs function as helper molecules or chaperones for all protein and lipid metabolic activities of the cell, and it is now recognized that the up‐regulation in response to stress is universal to all cells and not restricted to heat stress. Thus, other stressors such as anoxia, ischaemia, toxins, protein degradation, hypoxia, acidosis and microbial damage will also lead to their up‐regulation. They play a fundamental role in the regulation of normal protein synthesis within the cell. HSP families, such as HSP90 and HSP70, are critical to the folding and assembly of other cellular proteins and are also involved in regulation of kinetic partitioning between folding, translocation and aggregation within the cell. HSPs also have a wider role in relation to the function of the immune system, apoptosis and various facets of the inflammatory process. In aquatic animals, they have been shown to play an important role in health, in relation to the host response to environmental pollutants, to food toxins and in particular in the development of inflammation and the specific and non‐specific immune responses to bacterial and viral infections in both finfish and shrimp. With the recent development of non‐traumatic methods for enhancing HSP levels in fish and shrimp populations via heat, via provision of exogenous HSPs or by oral or water administration of HSP stimulants, they have also, in addition to the health effects, been demonstrated to be valuable in contributing to reducing trauma and physical stress in relation to husbandry events such as transportation and vaccination.
A novel class of peptide pheromone precursors in ascomycetous fungi
Authors: Schmoll Monika , Seibel Christian , Tisch Doris , Dorrer Marcel , Kubicek Christian P. 
Published: July 2010

SummaryRecently, sexual development in the heterothallic ascomycete Trichoderma reesei (anamorph of Hypocrea jecorina) has been achieved and thus initiated attempts to elucidate regulation and determinants of this process. While the α‐type pheromone of this fungus fits the consensus known from other fungi, the assumed a‐type peptide pheromone precursor shows remarkably unusual characteristics: it comprises three copies of the motif (LI)GC(TS)VM thus constituting a CAAX domain at the C‐terminus and two Kex2‐protease sites. This structure shares characteristics of both a‐ and α‐type peptide pheromone precursors. Presence of hybrid‐type peptide pheromone precursor 1 (hpp1) is essential for male fertility, thus indicating its functionality as a peptide pheromone precursor, while its phosphorylation site is not relevant for this process. However, sexual development in a female fertile background is not perturbed in the absence of hpp1, which rules out a higher order function in this process. Open reading frames encoding proteins with similar characteristics to HPP1 were also found in Fusarium spp., of which Fusarium solani still retains a putative a‐factor‐like protein, but so far in no other fungal genome available. We therefore propose the novel class of h‐type (hybrid) peptide pheromone precursors with H. jecorina HPP1 as the first member of this class.
Chronic non‐malignant pain patients report as poor health‐related quality of life as palliative cancer patients
Authors: FREDHEIM O. M. S. , KAASA S. , FAYERS P. , SALTNES T. , JORDHØY M. , BORCHGREVINK P. C. 
Published: July 2010

Background: Patients with chronic non‐malignant pain (CNMP) conditions are known to report reduced health‐related quality of life (HRQoL). The objective of this exploratory study was to compare HRQoL between patients admitted to a multidisciplinary pain centre, palliative cancer (PC) patients and national norms.Methods: HRQoL data from 288 patients with CNMP admitted to the multidisciplinary pain centre at Trondheim University Hospital were compared with 434 patients with advanced cancer included in a trial of comprehensive palliative care in the hospital palliative medicine unit and national norms. HRQoL was assessed using the EORTC QLQ‐C30. Age‐ and gender‐adjusted norm data were calculated and compared between the two groups.Results: Scores from both groups deviated from adjusted norm data on all scales, with poorer functioning and more symptoms. Compared with PC patients, CNMP patients reported a larger deviation (worse scores) on global quality of life, cognitive functioning, pain, sleep disturbances and financial difficulties. Deviations from norm data were similar for physical, social and emotional functioning, diarrhoea, dyspnoea and fatigue. PC patients reported worse scores on role functioning, nausea/vomiting, loss of appetite and constipation.Conclusion: CNMP patients admitted to multidisciplinary pain centres report significantly reduced HRQoL, in addition to severe pain. They consider their HRQoL to be as poor as HRQoL reported from dying cancer patients and substantially poorer than national norms. Factors other than the biological severity of the disease seem to be of major importance for self‐reported HRQoL.
Observations on the biology of the potato tuber moth Phthorimaea operculella Zell. (Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae) in Iraq1
Authors: Al‐Ali A. S. , Al‐Neamy I. K. , Abbas S. A. , Abdul‐Masih A. M. E. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThe life‐history of Phthorimaea operculella was observed on potato tubers in laboratory. The incubation period for eggs was 2.3–7.2 days, while larval development period was 6.2–29.5 days, and that for the pupal development was 4.1–12.6 days. The pre‐oviposition period ranged between 1.6 and 7.9 days. The generations varied in duration from 17.5 days (summer) to 57.2 days (winter). Eight generations developed between November 22, 1973 and July 29, 1974, while the ninth generation failed to proceed beyond the larval stage. Mortality of eggs and pupae was almost zero, and that of larvae was 12.8–100%, while that of adults was not determined. Sex ratio was almost 1:1. Temperature extremes of 4 and 36° C proved to be lethal to all stages.ZusammenfassungBeobachtungen über die Biologie der Kartoflelmotte Phthorimaea operculella Zell. (Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae) im IrakEs wurde die Lebensweise der Kartoffelmotte während 8 Generationen in einem Jahr an Kartoffeln im Labor untersucht. Es variierten: die Eientwicklung zwischen 2,3 und 7,2 Tage, die Larvenentwicklung zwischen 6,2 und 29,5 Tage, die Puppenentwicklung zwischen 4,1 und 12,6 Tagen, die Praeovipositionsperiode zwischen 1,6 und 7,9 Tagen und die Gesamtentwicklungszeit einer Generation zwischen 17,5 Tagen (im Sommer) und 57,2 Tagen (im Winter). Zwischen dem 22. 11. 1973 und dem 29. 7. 1974 entwickelten sich 8 Generationen, während die 9. Generation danach in Larvendiapause fiel.Die Mortalität der Eier und Puppen war gleich Null, die der Larven betrug 12,8 bis 100%. Das Geschlechterverhältnis war ausgeglichen. Unterhalb 4° und oberhalb 36° C starben alle Stadien ab.
Forstentomologie und Forstschutz in Brasilien1
Authors: Schönherr J. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractForest entomology and forest protection in BrazilThe author reports on the situation and organization of forest protection measures in Brazil and on the forest entomological problems, developped from the intensive reforestations in the South of the country. In this connection the cultivation of Central American Pine species (Pinus elliottii, P. taeda a. o.) within the areal of Araucaria angustifolia is placed in the foreground.ZusammenfassungDer Autor berichtet aus zweijähriger Erfahrung im Lande über die Situation und Organisation des Forstschutzes in Brasilien sowie über die mit der intensiven Aufforstung im Süden Brasiliens zusammenhängenden forstentomologischen Probleme. Im Vordergrund steht dabei der Anbau mittelamerikanischer Kiefern (Pinus elliottii, P. taeda u. a.) im Verbreitungsgebiet der Araukarie (Araucaria angustifolia).
Restricted development of the parasitic mite Varroa jacobsoni Oud. in the Cape honeybee Apis mellifera capensis Esch.1
Authors: MORITZ R. F. A. , HÄNEL H. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThe Cape honey bee, Apis mellifera capensis Esch. has a shorter development than European races of Apis mellifera. Due to the short post capping stage, the development of the parasitic mite Varroa jacobsoni is restricted. Only 21% of all reproductive mites are able to produce infective offspring instead of 100% in Apis mellifera carnica. Laboratory experiments as well as field observations indicate that the course of Varroatosis in the Cape honeybee will not be as dangerous as in European honeybees.ZusammenfassungEingeschränkte Entwicklung der parasitischen Milbe Varroa jacobsoni Oud. in der Kap‐Honigbiene, Apis mellifera capensis Esch.Die Kap‐Honigbiene (Apis mellifera capensis) hat gegenüber den europäischen Rassen von Apis mellifera eine deutlich verkürzte Entwicklungszeit. Für die Vermehrung der parasitischen Milbe Varroa jacobsoni ist die Zeitspanne entscheidend, die zwischen der Zellverdecklung und dem Schlupf der adulten Biene liegt. Hier schränkt die Kürze der Zeit bei der Kap‐Biene die Vermehrung drastisch ein. Nur 21% der untersuchten, reproduktionsfähigen Milbenweibchen waren in der Lage infektiöse Töchter zu erzeugen. Dagegen fanden sich bei 100% der untersuchten Milben in A. mellifera carnica‐Zellen ausgewachsene Nachkommen. Laborversuche wie auch Beobachtungen im Freiland weisen darauf hin, daß sich der Verlauf der Varroatose bei Kap‐Bienen deutlich weniger gefährlich darstellt als in den europäischen Bienenrassen.
Serum levels of platelet‐derived growth factor‐BB and vascular endothelial growth factor as prognostic factors for patients with fulminant hepatic failure
Authors: Takayama Hiroki , Miyake Yasuhiro , Nouso Kazuhiro , Ikeda Fusao , Shiraha Hidenori , Takaki Akinobu , Kobashi Haruhiko , Yamamoto Kazuhide 
Published: July 2010

AbstractBackground and Aims:  In animal models for acute liver injury, the administration of some angiogenic factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and granulocyte‐colony stimulating factor (G‐CSF) are shown to reduce liver injury and improve liver proliferative capacity. The aim of the present study was to assess the role of angiogenic factors in fulminant hepatic failure (FHF).Methods:  Serum levels of nine angiogenic factors (angiopoietin‐2, follistatin, G‐CSF, hepatocyte growth factor [HGF], interleukin‐8, leptin, platelet‐derived growth factor [PDGF]‐BB, platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule‐1 and VEGF) were measured using the Bio‐Plex Protein Array System in 30 patients, 17 of whom were diagnosed with FHF, 13 with acute hepatitis (AH), and 20 controls.Results:  Serum levels of PDGF‐BB and VEGF were lower in FHF patients than AH patients and controls (PDGF‐BB; 2050 ± 1572 pg/mL vs 4521 ± 2419 pg/mL vs 8506 ± 5500 pg/mL, VEGF; 39 ± 38 pg/mL vs 144 ± 122 pg/mL vs 205 ± 121 pg/mL). By using univariate logistic regression models, serum levels of PDGF‐BB and VEGF were associated with poor outcomes. Serum PDGF‐BB levels were strongly correlated with serum VEGF levels (r = 0.70). Furthermore, serum PDGF‐BB levels were significantly correlated with platelet counts (r = 0.79), PT activity (r = 0.37) and D.Bil/T.Bil ratio (r = 0.50), while serum VEGF levels were significantly correlated with platelet counts (r = 0.68) and PT activity (r = 0.38).Conclusions:  We consider that serum levels of PDGF‐BB and VEGF are worth investigating as biomarkers for predicting outcomes of FHF patients.
Managing acute medical admissions: a survey of acute medical services and medical assessment and planning units in New Zealand
Authors: Providence C. , Gommans J. , Burns A. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractAims:  To determine the current provision of acute medical services, including the development of medical assessment and planning units (MAPUs), by district health boards (DHBs) throughout New Zealand (NZ).Methods:  A questionnaire‐based survey about organisation of acute medical services and establishment of MAPUs was sent to all 21 DHBs in NZ.Results:  All 21 DHBs responded. Seven DHBs serving 42% of the population have established MAPUs since 2003 and a further six have plans to do so over the next 3 years, potentially expanding service to 73% of the NZ population. All seven current MAPUs are in close proximity to and accept patients directly from emergency departments. Each MAPU has a documented target length of stay, four units have referral protocols, five provide guidelines for management of common medical emergencies and five routinely audit unit performance. Five MAPUs have cardiac monitored beds and isolation rooms. Rapid access is available to computed tomography scanning (six units), ultrasound (five) and echocardiography (four). Two units have no nominated physician leadership and two lack dedicated therapy resources. General physicians are involved in provision of acute medical services in 20 of 21 DHBs.Conclusions:  Medical assessment and planning units have become an important component of acute medical service provision in NZ. The established units largely comply with Australasian recommendations, although important deficiencies exist. Training of physicians must combine the needs of acute medical patients and clinical roles of physicians within MAPUs with local DHB requirements for services to be most effective.