bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of controlled release copper sulphate and tributyltin fluoride on the mortality and infectivity ofSchistosoma mansonicercariae
Authors: Viyanant Vithoon , Thirachantra Sanam , Sornmani Santasiri 
Published: November 2009

ABSTRACTMortality and infectivity orSchistosoma mansonicercariae were tested against various concentrations of controlled release copper sulphate (EC-8) and tributyltin fluoride (CBL-9B). The results indicate that survival of cercariae varied with concentrations of molluscicide and times of exposures. Statistical analysis reveals that LC50and LC90for EC-8 were 1·8mg/1/hour and 1·82 mg/1/hour while LC50and LC90for CBL-9B were 16·8 μg/1/hour and 21·7 μg/1/hour respectively. Sublethal concentration of both molluscicides reduced cercarial infectivity considerably. The doses of 0·25 to 0·5 mg/1/hour for EC-8 and 2·0 to 6·0 μg/1/hour for CBL-9B were found to be sufficient to inhabit cercarial penetration of the host skin.
Pathology associated with vaccination against Schistosoma mansoni in mice using cryopreserved radiation-attenuated schistosomula
Authors: James E. R. , Lucas S. B. , Dobinson A. R. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractTwenty-one mice were injected intramusclarly with 2000 Schistosoma mansoni schistosomula irradiated at 20 Krad and cryopreserved; three mice were killed on each of days 0, 2, 5, 9, 19, 28 and 44 days after infection and muscle from the site of injection in the left hind leg, the lungs and livers removed for histological examination. Schistosomula were seen in sections from the leg muscle from days 0 to 19 inclusive, in the lungs from day 2 to day 28 inclusive and in the livers from days 9 to 28 inclusive. Most schistosomula were seen in sections of the leg muscle with considerably fewer parasites occurring in the lungs and especially the livers. Granulomatous reactions comprising cosinophils, polymorphs, plasma cells and macrophages were first seen in the leg muscle on day 2, in the lungs on day 5 and in the liver on day 19. The peak infiammatory reactions appeared to occur between days 5 and 9, 9 and 19 and 28 and 44 respectively in the three tissues. The pathology is discussed in relation to the dose of irradiation required to attenuate the schistosomula for optimal immunogenicity.
The role of scaffold proteins in JNK signalling
Authors: Engström W. , Ward A. , Moorwood K. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractThis paper summarises how scaffold proteins affects and regulate the JNK signalling pathway. We believe that some of these scaffold proteins, by virtue of their anchoring and catalytic properties contribute to a high degree of specificity of intra cellular signalling pathways that regulate the progression through the cell cycle.
Submerged macrophytes as indicators of the ecological quality of lakes
Authors: SØNDERGAARD MARTIN , JOHANSSON LISELOTTE S. , LAURIDSEN TORBEN L. , JØRGENSEN TORBEN B. , LIBORIUSSEN LONE , JEPPESEN ERIK 
Published: November 2009

Summary1. We analysed submerged macrophyte communities from 300 Danish lakes to determine the efficacy of different species, maximum colonisation depth (Cmax) of plants as well as coverage and plant volume inhabited (PVI) as indicators of eutrophication.2. Most species occurred at a wide range of phosphorus and chlorophyll a (Chla) concentrations, but some species of isoetids (Lobelia, Isoëtes) and Potamogeton (Potamogeton gramineus, Potamogeton alpinus and Potamogeton filiformis) were mainly found at low nutrient concentrations and hence may be considered as indicators of nutrient poor conditions. However, species typically found in nutrient‐rich conditions, such as Elodea canadensis and Potamogeton pectinatus, were also found at total phosphorus (TP) <0.02 mg P L−1 and Chla <5 μg L−1 and therefore cannot be considered as reliable indicators of eutrophic conditions.3. Submerged macrophyte coverage, PVI and the Cmax were negatively correlated with TP and Chla. However, variability among lakes was high and no clear thresholds were observed. At TP between 0.03 and 0.07 mg P L−1 plant coverage in shallow lakes ranged from nearly 0 to 100%, whilst at concentrations between 0.10 and 0.20 mg P L−1 only 29% of the lakes had coverage >10%. Cmax was found to be a useful indicator only in deep lakes with unvegetated areas in the deeper part, whereas the use of coverage was restricted to shallow lakes or shallow areas of deep lakes.4. Overall, submerged macrophytes responded clearly to eutrophication, but the metrics investigated here showed no well‐defined thresholds. We developed a simple index based on species richness, presence of indicator species, coverage and Cmax, which might be used to track major changes in macrophyte communities and for lake classification.
The impact of nurse empowerment on job satisfaction
Authors: Ning Sun , Zhong He , Libo Wang , Qiujie Li 
Published: November 2009

AbstractTitle.  The impact of nurse empowerment on job satisfaction. Aim.  This paper is a report of a study conducted to test Kanter’s organizational empowerment theoretical model specifying the relationships among demographics, structural empowerment, and job satisfaction.Background.  Empowerment has become an increasingly important factor in determining nurses’ job satisfaction in current restructured work environments in China.Methods.  A correlational, cross‐sectional design was used to test Kanter’s organizational empowerment model with a sample of 650 full‐time nurses employed in six Chinese hospitals in 2007, with a response rate of 92% (n = 598). The instruments used were the Demographic Data Questionnaire, Conditions of Work Effectiveness Questionnaire‐II, and Job Satisfaction Scale.Results.  The three lowest scoring items for Conditions of Work Effectiveness Questionnaire‐II were resources, opportunity and informal power. The job satisfaction items revealing most dissatisfaction were workload and compensation, professional promotion, amount of work responsibility, work environments, and organizational policies. A statistically significant positive correlation was found between empowerment and job satisfaction (r = 0·547, P < 0·01). The demographic factors influencing empowerment were work objectives and age. The influencing factors for job satisfaction were work objectives and education level.Conclusion.  The results provide support for Kanter’s organizational empowerment theory in the Chinese nurse population. Nurses who view their work environments as empowering are more likely to provide high quality care. Enhancing empowerment in a supportive environment would allow nurses to experience satisfaction with their jobs.
Pathogenicity of biological control agents for livestock ectoparasites: a simulation analysis
Authors: ROSE H. , WALL R. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractThe management of arthropod ectoparasites of livestock currently relies largely on the use of neurotoxic chemicals. However, concerns over the development of resistance, as well as operator and environmental contamination, have stimulated research into alternative approaches to their control, including the use of biological pathogens. The search for suitable pathogens often focuses on identifying the most highly virulent agents for application. However, practical issues such as the ability of a pathogen to penetrate to the skin through hair or wool, tolerance of high skin surface temperatures and high residual activity may mean that the most virulent pathogens are not necessarily the most appropriate for commercial application. Here, a simulation model is constructed and used to highlight a range of key features which characterize suitable pathogens for such application. Sensitivity analysis shows that even a relatively low probability of infection following contact between infectious and susceptible individuals may give acceptable control, providing it is counterbalanced by higher survival of both infected and infectious parasite hosts in order to allow the rate of transmission to exceed the threshold required to suppress parasite population growth. The model highlights the need for studies attempting to identify sustainable biocontrol agents to explore the use of pathogens which have a range of the characteristics that contribute to overall pathogenicity, but which are also most compatible with practical application systems.
Seasonal abundance of anopheline mosquitoes and their association with rainfall and malaria along the Matapí River, Amapí, Brazil
Authors: GALARDO A. K. R. , ZIMMERMAN R. H. , LOUNIBOS L. P. , YOUNG L. J. , GALARDO C. D. , ARRUDA M. , D'ALMEIDA COUTO A. A. R. 
Published: November 2009

Abstract.Three communities separated by 1.5–7.0 km, along the Matapí River, Amapá State, Brazil, were sampled monthly from April 2003 to November 2005 to determine relationships between seasonal abundance of host‐seeking anophelines, rainfall and malaria cases. Out of the 759 821 adult female anophelines collected, Anopheles darlingi Root (Diptera: Culicidae) was the most abundant (56.2%) followed by An. marajoara Galvão & Damasceno (24.6%), An. nuneztovari Gabaldón (12.4%), An. intermedius (Chagas) (4.4%) and An. triannulatus (Neiva and Pinto) (2.3%). Vector abundance, as measured by human landing catches, fluctuated during the course of the study and varied in species‐specific ways with seasonal patterns of rainfall. Anopheles darlingi and An. triannulatus were more abundant during the wet‐dry transition period in June to August, whereas An. marajoara began to increase in abundance in February in two villages, and during the wet‐dry transition in the other village. Anopheles nuneztovari and An. intermedius increased in abundance shortly after the rains began in January to February. A generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) analysis of 32 consecutive months of collections showed significant differences in abundance for each species by village and date (P < 0.0001). Correlations between lagged rainfall and abundances also differed among species. A strong positive correlation of An. darlingi abundance with rainfall lagged by 4 and 5 months (Pearson's r = 0.472–0.676) was consistent among villages and suggests that rainfall may predict vector abundance. Significant correlations were detected between numbers of malaria cases and abundances of suspected vector species. The present study shows how long‐term field research may connect entomological and climatological correlates with malaria incidence.
Navigating ethical discharge planning: A case study in older adult rehabilitation
Authors: Durocher Evelyne , Gibson Barbara E. 
Published: November 2009

Background:  Ethical issues are becoming more complex as individuals live longer with increased disability and medical needs. This article elucidates common ethical issues encountered in discharge planning with older adults.Methods:  We conducted normative ethical analysis of a clinical case using methods of philosophical inquiry, including thick description, reflexivity, conceptual clarification and examination of competing arguments for internal consistency.Results:  The analysis demonstrates how health‐care teams struggle to balance protection from harm while honouring informed choices. We argue that ethical discharge planning requires judicious identification of client values, even if these conflict with team determinations of best interests.Conclusion:  Dialogue is needed to identify risks, help clients determine their personal level of acceptable risk and determine provisions to minimise risks.
Hypermethylation downregulates Runx3 gene expression and its restoration suppresses gastric epithelial cell growth by inducing p27 and caspase3 in human gastric cancer
Authors: Chen Weichang , Gao Nan , Shen Yuling , Cen Jian‐nong 
Published: November 2009

AbstractBackground and Aims:  Runx family transcription factors are integral components of transforming growth factor‐β signaling pathways and have been implicated in cell cycle regulation, differentiation, apoptosis, and malignant transformation. The silencing of tumor suppressor genes by aberrant hypermethylation occurs frequently in human cancer. It has been noted previously that Runx3 is regarded as an important tumor suppressor gene.Methods:  Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to measure Runx3 and the DNA methyltransferase 1 (Dnmt1) messenger RNA (mRNA) expression level of paired samples of primary gastric cancer and corresponding non‐cancerous gastric mucosae, which were obtained from surgically resected specimens of 70 patients. Western blot was used to detect the expression of Runx3 at protein levels. The promoter methylation status was measured by using methylation‐specific polymerase chain reaction. We used Annexin V‐FITC/PI assay to detect cell apoptosis, and the cell cycle was also analyzed. In order to examine the cell cycle and/or apoptosis, we determined p27 and caspase 3 expression by immunohistological analysis.Results:  Our results demonstrate a loss or substantial decrease of Runx3 expression in 70 cases of gastric tumors as compared with that in normal gastric mucosa (0.5749 ± 0.3580 vs 1.7252 ± 0.4085, P < 0.05). The protein levels of the Runx3 gene were significantly lower in gastric cancers than those in adjacent normal tissues. The hypermethylation of Runx3 was involved in 50% (28/56) of gastric cancer tissues, which had reduced Runx3 mRNA expression. The differences of the Dnmt1 mRNA level were significant between the methylated and unmethylated Runx3 cancerous groups. Runx3 methylation was significantly correlated with increased Dnmt1 (r = 0.64, P < 0.01). Enforced restoration of Runx3 expression led to the induction of cell apoptosis and upregulation of p27 and caspase3 expression in vitro.Conclusions:  Our results suggest that a decrease of Runx3 expression by DNA hypermethylation is frequently associated with the evolution of gastric cancer. Runx3 was an independent prognostic factor and a potential therapeutic target for gastric cancer.
Corporate communication of financial risk
Authors: Taylor Grantley , Tower Greg , Neilson John 
Published: November 2009

AbstractThis study provides insights on the Financial Risk Management Disclosure (FRMD) patterns of Australian listed resource companies for the 2002–2006 period leading up to and immediately following adoption of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Regression analysis demonstrates that corporate governance and capital raisings of firms are significant and positively associated with FRMD patterns. In contrast, overseas stock exchange listing of firms is significantly negatively associated with FRMD patterns. The findings show that the introduction of IFRS changes corporation’s willingness to communicate risk information.
Agency problems and audit fees: further tests of the free cash flow hypothesis
Authors: Griffin Paul A. , Lont David H. , Sun Yuan 
Published: November 2009

AbstractThis study finds that the agency problems of companies with high free cash flow (FCF) and low growth opportunities induce auditors of companies in the US to raise audit fees to compensate for the additional effort. We also find that high FCF companies with high growth prospects have higher audit fees. In both cases, higher debt levels moderate the increased fees, consistent with the role of debt as a monitoring mechanism. Other mechanisms to mitigate the agency costs of FCF such as dividend payout and share repurchase (not studied earlier) do not moderate the higher audit fees.
Underwriter reputation, earnings management and the long‐run performance of initial public offerings
Authors: Chang Shao‐Chi , Chung Tsai‐Yen , Lin Wen‐Chun 
Published: November 2009

AbstractThis study contributes to the extant literature on the nature of earnings management surrounding initial public offerings (IPOs) by investigating the role of underwriter reputation. We argue that prestigious underwriters will protect their reputation by carefully monitoring and certifying financial information on IPO firms, thereby limiting any potential earnings manipulation. As a result, those IPO firms that are associated with more prestigious underwriters are likely to exhibit substantially less‐aggressive earnings management. Conversely, we find the existence of a negative relationship between earnings management and the post‐offer performance of an IPO firm’s stocks only for those firms associated with less‐prestigious underwriters.
Transthyretin as a potential CSF biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia with Lewy bodies: effects of treatment with cholinesterase inhibitors
Authors: Schultz K. , Nilsson K. , Nielsen J. E. , Lindquist S. G. , Hjermind L. E. , Andersen B. B. , Wallin A. , Nilsson C. , Petersén Å. 
Published: November 2009

Background:  Previous studies have indicated that transthyretin (TTR) levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are altered in depression and dementia. The present study aimed to investigate whether CSF TTR can be used to discriminate between patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and patients with dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) with or without medication, as well as to reveal whether CSF TTR correlates with depression in dementia.Methods:  CSF samples from 59 patients with AD, 13 patients with DLB and 13 healthy controls were collected, and biochemical analysis was performed. Subjects were assessed for the presence of depression.Results:  No significant differences in CSF TTR were found between AD, DLB, and control subjects or between depressed and non‐depressed dementia patients. Interestingly, we found a significant reduction in CSF TTR (14%) in AD patients who were medicated with cholinesterase inhibitors compared to those AD patients who were not.Conclusions:  Significant reductions in CSF TTR were found after cholinesterase inhibitor treatment in patients with AD compared to untreated individuals. CSF TTR was unaltered in patients with DLB and had no relationship to depression in the present cohort with dementias.
Changes in regional cerebral blood flow in the right cortex homologous to left language areas are directly affected by left hemispheric damage in aphasic stroke patients: evaluation by Tc‐ECD SPECT and novel analytic software
Authors: Uruma G. , Kakuda W. , Abo M. 
Published: November 2009

Background:  The objective of this study was to clarify the influence of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) changes in language‐relevant areas of the dominant hemisphere on rCBF in each region in the non‐dominant hemisphere in post‐stroke aphasic patients.Methods:  The study subjects were 27 aphasic patients who suffered their first symptomatic stroke in the left hemisphere. In each subject, we measured rCBF by means of 99mTc‐ethylcysteinate dimmer single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). The SPECT images were analyzed by the statistical imaging analysis programs easy Z‐score Imaging System (eZIS) and voxel‐based stereotactic extraction estimation (vbSEE). Segmented into Brodmann Area (BA) levels, Regions of Interest (ROIs) were set in language‐relevant areas bilaterally, and changes in the relative rCBF as average negative and positive Z‐values were computed fully automatically. To assess the relationship between rCBF changes of each ROIs in the left and right hemispheres, the Spearman ranked correlation analysis and stepwise multiple regression analysis were applied.Results:  Globally, a negative and asymmetric influence of rCBF changes in the language‐relevant areas of the dominant hemisphere on the right hemisphere was found. The rCBF decrease in left BA22 significantly influenced the rCBF increase in right BA39, BA40, BA44 and BA45.Conclusions:  The results suggested that the chronic increase in rCBF in the right language‐relevant areas is due at least in part to reduction in the trancallosal inhibitory activity of the language‐dominant left hemisphere caused by the stroke lesion itself and that these relationships are not always symmetric.
Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) induced by cefotaxime
Authors: Chaabane Amel , Aouam Karim , Gassab Lies , Njim Leila , Boughattas Naceur A. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractWe report a case of acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) after cefotaxime use confirmed by a positive patch test. A 30‐year‐old woman received cefotaxime, fosfomycin and ciprofloxacin for sinusitis. Twelve days after drug initiation, she developed an extending pustular erythema associated with fever. Laboratory investigations showed marked leukocytosis. His blood chemistry was normal. The histological examination showed parakeratosis, spongiosis and nonfollicular intra‐epidermal pustules consistent with AGEP. All medications were withdrawn. The symptoms resolved within 11 days after cefotaxime discontinuation. Patch tests were positive to cefotaxime after 48 h, while ciprofloxacin and fosfomycin yielded negative findings. Based on the Naranjo algorithm, it is probable that AGEP reaction was caused by cefotaxime. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of AGEP associated with positive cefotaxime patch testing.
Watershed erosion risk assessment and management utilizing revised universal soil loss equation‐geographic information systems in the Mediterranean environments
Authors: Abu Hammad Ahmad 
Published: November 2009

AbstractThe generation of an easily adaptable method for erosion risk assessment is important for management and conservation of the available resources in developing countries. The study aims to assess the risk of soil erosion by using an integrated, easy to apply, time‐ and money‐conserving revised universal soil loss equation‐geographic information systems (RUSLE‐GIS)‐based model in the Eastern part of the Mediterranean. Although the model showed a good efficiency in predicting the annual soil loss (R2=0.68), the limited runoff–erosion data warrant the need for long‐term data to test and calibrate the model. The model showed that 24% of the watershed area has an annual soil loss exceeding the soil loss tolerance (SLT) of the area (5 Mg/ha). When all the RUSLE factors were kept constant, except the C factor, the model showed the highest soil loss potential under olive groves (20–30 Mg/ha), and the lowest under wheat and barley (5 Mg/ha). The application of proper conservation practices to these areas is thus important, i.e. reducing the number of tillage and/or time of tillage practices.
Determinants of Pathology in Light‐irradiated Cells
Authors: Sinyakov Michael S. , Zhevelev Helena M. , Avtalion Ramy R. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractThis work is devoted to further evaluation of pathological states in light‐irradiated cells in terms of relationship between the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) count. Human leukocytes were isolated from 34 donors exhibiting flu‐like symptoms, irradiated with a nonlaser blue light (2 and 5 mW cm−2) and examined for ROS production by a chemiluminescence (CL) assay. The level of ROS was measured as a basal chemiluminescence before (BCL0) and after (BCL) irradiation. In our preceding study (Sinyakov, M. et al. [2007] Photomed. Laser Surg.25, 257–263), PMN‐oriented group analysis was applied to a data set divided into light‐resistant and light‐sensitive points, and cell responsiveness to light was suggested for prognostic evaluation of pathology. In the present work, BCL‐oriented analysis was performed on the whole data set to evaluate the individual contribution of every point. BCL level and PMN count were confirmed to be independent variables. Sign‐specific delta (DEL) values (DEL = BCL − BCL0) were assessed in relation to respective levels of BCL, BCL0 and PMN counts. DEL and BCL0 were found to be reliable photochemical indices of pathology. Taken together, the results obtained from group and individual analyses provide a novel outlook on the dynamics of pathological development and indicate a promising potential of the assay as a fast discriminator between the nonpathological state and different levels of pathology.