bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Talonavicular joint arthrodesis for the treatment of pes planus valgus in older children and adolescents with cerebral palsy
Authors: Turriago Camilo Andrés , Arbeláez Myriam Fernanda , Becerra Luis Carlos 
Published: March 2009

Purpose The purpose of this report is to review our experience with talonavicular joint arthrodesis for the treatment of severe valgus foot deformities in older children and adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP). Methods The clinical, radiographic, and gait parameters results after talonavicular joint arthrodesis were retrospectively reviewed in 32 patients (59 feet) with valgus deformities of the foot. The surgery was performed as part of multiple simultaneous surgeries for the treatment of gait disorders. The mean age of the patients was 13.9 years (range 9–20 years) and the mean follow-up was 40 months (range 18.3–66.7 months). Results The clinical and radiographic measurements improved significantly ( P = 0.000). There were no significant changes in gait parameters. Symptoms were relieved in most patients with symptomatic preoperative feet. The most frequent complication was pseudoarthrosis, which occurred in seven feet. We found a high rate of satisfaction of patients (or parents) and most of them recommended the procedure to other patients with the same condition. Conclusion Talonavicular joint arthrodesis is a reliable technique that provides both functionally and cosmetically good results with a low rate of complications in the treatment of severe pes planus valgus in older children and adolescents with CP. Careful examination should rule out concomitant ankle valgus deformities. A stable fixation of the arthrodesis is recommended.
Antinociceptive effect of the cannabinoid agonist, WIN 55,212‐2, in the orofacial and temporomandibular formalin tests
Authors: Burgos Elisa , Pascual David , Martín María Isabel , Goicoechea Carlos 
Published: March 2009

AbstractOrofacial pain disorders are frequent in the general population and their pharmacological treatment is not always adequately resolved. Cannabinoids have demonstrated their analgesic effect in several pain conditions, both in animal models and in clinical situations. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the cannabinoid‐mediated antinociception in two inflammatory models of orofacial pain (orofacial and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) formalin test) and to compare it with a spinal inflammatory model (paw formalin test). WIN 55,212‐2 (0.5, 1 mg/kg), a synthetic cannabinoid agonist, was intraperitoneally (i.p.) administered prior to formalin and significantly reduced the nociceptive behavioural responses in these inflammatory tests. To elucidate which subtype of receptor could be involved in such effect, two selective cannabinoid antagonists were administered prior to WIN. SR141716A (1 mg/kg i.p.), the CB1 receptor‐selective antagonist, was able to prevent the cannabinoid‐induced analgesia in all three models, whereas SR144528 (1 mg/kg i.p.), the CB2 receptor‐selective antagonist, only prevented it in the paw formalin test. A comparison with the antinociceptive effects of morphine (2.5, 5, 10 mg/kg, i.p.), indomethacin (2.5, 5 mg/kg, i.p.) and ketamine (25, 50 mg/kg, i.p.) was also performed. Morphine displayed a dose‐dependent reduction of acute and inflammatory pain in all three models, whereas indomethacin and ketamine only attenuated inflammatory pain at the highest tested doses. These results indicate that the cannabinoid‐induced antinociception in the orofacial region is mediated by activation of CB1 cannabinoid receptor. Moreover WIN was as effective as morphine and more effective than indomethacin and ketamine, in oral inflammatory pain.
The inner ear is involved in the aggravation of nociceptive behavior induced by lowering barometric pressure of nerve injured rats
Authors: Funakubo Megumi , Sato Jun , Honda Takashi , Mizumura Kazue 
Published: March 2009

AbstractPatients suffering from neuropathic pain often complain of pain aggravation when the weather is changing. The exact mechanism for weather change‐induced pain has not been clarified. We have previously demonstrated that experimentally lowering barometric pressure (LP) intensifies pain‐related behaviors in rats with chronic constriction injury (CCI). In the present experiment we examined whether this pain aggravating effect of LP exposure in nerve injured rats is still present after lesioning of the inner ear. We used both CCI and spinal nerve ligation (SNL) models for this study. We injected into the middle ear sodium arsanilate solution (100 mg/ml, 50 μl/ear), which is known to degenerate vestibular hair cells, under anesthesia the day before surgery. Rats were exposed to LP (27 hPa decrease over 8 min) 7–9 days after CCI or 5–8 days after SNL surgery, and pain‐related behavior (number of paw lifts induced by von Frey hair stimuli) was measured. When the inner ear lesioned SNL or CCI rats were exposed to LP, they showed no augmentation of pain‐related behavior. On the other hand, the pain aggravating effect of a temperature decrease (from 24 to 17 °C) was maintained in both SNL and CCI rats. These results suggest that the barometric sensor/sensing system influencing nociceptive behavior during LP in rats is located in the inner ear.
Homocysteine induces oxidative stress, inflammatory infiltration, fibrosis and reduces glycogen/glycoprotein content in liver of rats
Authors: Matté Cristiane , Stefanello Francieli M. , Mackedanz Vanize , Pederzolli Carolina D. , Lamers Marcelo L. , Dutra‐Filho Carlos S. , dos Santos Marinilce F. , Wyse Angela T.S. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractHyperhomocysteinemia has been related to various diseases, including homocystinuria, neurodegenerative and hepatic diseases. In the present study we initially investigated the effect of chronic homocysteine administration on some parameters of oxidative stress, named total radical‐trapping antioxidant potential, total antioxidant reactivity, catalase activity, chemiluminescence, thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances, and total thiol content in liver of rats. We also performed histological analysis, evaluating steatosis, inflammatory infiltration, fibrosis, and glycogen/glycoprotein content in liver tissue sections from hyperhomocysteinemic rats. Finally, we evaluated the activities of aminotransferases in liver and plasma of hyperhomocysteinemic rats. Wistar rats received daily subcutaneous injection of Hcy from their 6th to their 28th day of life. Twelve hours after the last injection the rats were sacrificed, liver and plasma were collected. Hyperhomocysteinemia decreased antioxidant defenses and total thiol content, and increased lipid peroxidation in liver of rats, characterizing a reliable oxidative stress. Histological analysis indicated the presence of inflammatory infiltrate, fibrosis and reduced content of glycogen/glycoprotein in liver tissue sections from hyperhomocysteinemic rats. Aminotransferases activities were not altered by homocysteine. Our data showed a consistent profile of liver injury elicited by homocysteine, which could contribute to explain, at least in part, the mechanisms involved in human liver diseases associated to hyperhomocysteinemia.
The contentious role of civil society in reconstituting democracy in the European Union
Authors: Liebert Ulrike 
Published: March 2009

AbstractAssuming that an EU supportive civil society is neither a preconditions nor a “quantité négligeable” in the EU's struggle for a democratically legitimate constitutional settlement, the article explores the contentious role of civil society in the EU's “would-be democratic” polity, arguing that this offers opportunities for European political information and reasoned communication that provide uninformed and disgruntled citizens with democratic alternatives to post-democratic withdrawal, and politically accountable and responsive leaders with necessary feedback. An Europeanisation perspective is adopted to develop a framework for analysing the domestic politics of European constitutional treaty reform. This analytical framework rests on three key components: first, the “misfits” between member states’ and EU democratic norms in the context of the “fragmented democratic legitimacy” of the composite EU polity [Schmidt, V. A. (2006). Democracy in Europe. Oxford: The EU and National Polities]. Second, a typology of practices chosen by civil society actors for responding to EU treaty reforms, categorised in terms of “exit, voice, and loyalty”. And third, as a key for explaining variations in organised civil society's strategies in EU reform politics, the different kinds of ideas that intermediary actor cherish regarding their preferred model of European democracy. The article derives a number of empirical propositions from this framework, leaving it to future research to systematically test how the impacts by national democratic contexts on the contentious role of civil society in EU politics are shaped by competing ideas about a primarily national, supranational or a cosmopolitan-transnational model of democracy in Europe.
Flight take-off and walking behavior of insecticide-susceptible and – resistant strains of Sitophilus zeamais exposed to deltamethrin
Authors: Guedes N.M.P. , Guedes R.N.C. , Ferreira G.H. , Silva L.B. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractInsects have evolved a variety of physiological and behavioral responses to various toxins in natural and managed ecosystems. However, insect behavior is seldom considered in insecticide studies although insects are capable of changing their behavior in response to their sensory perception of insecticides, which may compromise insecticide efficacy. This is particularly serious for insect pests that are physiologically resistant to insecticides since insecticide avoidance may further compromise their management. Locomotion plays a major role determining insecticide exposure and was, therefore, considered in investigating the behavioral responses of male and female adult insects from an insecticide-susceptible and two insecticide-resistant strains of the maize weevil Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), a major pest of stored cereals. Different dose-dependent behavioral responses were expected among strains with behavioral resistance less likely to occur in physiologically resistant insects since they are able to withstand higher doses of insecticide. The behavioral responses to deltamethrin-sprayed surfaces differed among the maize weevil strains. Such responses were concentration-independent for all of the strains. Stimulus-independent behavioral resistance was unrelated to physiological resistance with one resistant strain exhibiting higher rates of flight take-off and the other resistant strain exhibiting lower flight take-off. Female mobility was similar for all strains, unlike male mobility. Males of each strain exhibited a pattern of mobility following the same trend of flight take-off. Behavioral patterns of response to insecticide are, therefore, variable among strains, particularly among insecticide-resistant strains, and worth considering in resistance surveys and management programs.
Trophic controls delaying foraging by termites: reasons for the ground being brown?
Authors: DeSouza O. , Araújo A.P.A. , Reis-Jr R. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractWhy is the ground brown, when detritivores and decomposers have the numbers and ability to speed up the turnover of dark-coloured soil organic carbon? We consider this soil analogue to the ‘green world’ hypothesis measuring in the field how fast termites occupied cellulosic baits of varying quantity and quality and how predation risks by ants affect such encounters. Single baits with ants were occupied by termites later than triple baits without ants, implying that termites may spend longer searching for suitable food than feeding on it, thereby delaying decomposition rates of both chosen and neglected items. Because termites' feeding speeds up dissimilation of polymers by decomposers, such results may imply that bottom-up and top-down forces, ultimately, impair carbon processing and release from soil. We argue that the ground is brown partly because of delays imposed upon termites' use of resources by bottom-up and top-down forces.
Novel use of stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) as a tool for isolation of oviposition site attractants for gravidCulex quinquefasciatus
Authors: Carson C. , Birkett M.A. , Logan J.G. , Mawa K. , Pates H.V. , Pickett J.A. , Rwegoshora R.T. , Tungu P.K. , Cameron M.M. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractMosquitoes such asCulex quinquefasciatusSay (Diptera: Culicidae) are important vectors of organisms that cause disease in humans. Research into the development of effective standardized odour baits for blood-fed females (oviposition attractants), to enable entomological monitoring of vector populations, is hampered by complex protocols for extraction of physiologically active volatile chemicals from natural breeding site water samples, which have produced inconsistent results. Air entrainment and solvent extraction are technically demanding methods and are impractical for use in resource poor environments where mosquito-borne disease is most prevalent. This study reports the first use of a simple, robust extraction technique, stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE), to extract behaviourally active small lipophilic molecules (SLMs) present in water samples collected fromCx. quinquefasciatusbreeding sites in Tanzania. Extracts from a pit latrine and from a cess pool breeding site attracted more gravidCx. quinquefasciatusin pair choice bioassays than control extracts, and coupled gas chromatography-electroantennography (GC-EAG) allowed tentative identification of 15 electrophysiologically active chemicals, including the known oviposition attractant, skatole (3-methylindole). Here, we have demonstrated, using simple pair choice bioassays in controlled laboratory conditions, that SBSE is effective for the extraction of behaviourally and electrophysiologically active semiochemicals from mosquito breeding site waters. Further research is required to confirm that SBSE is an appropriate technique for use in field surveys in the search for oviposition cues forCx. quinquefasciatus.
Genome size ofPachypsylla venusta(Hemiptera: Psyllidae) and the ploidy of its bacteriocyte, the symbiotic host cell that harbors intracellular mutualistic bacteria with the smallest cellular genome
Authors: Nakabachi A. , Koshikawa S. , Miura T. , Miyagishima S. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractPsyllids harbor the primary symbiont,Carsonella ruddii(γ-Proteobacteria), within the cytoplasm of specialized cells called bacteriocytes.Carsonellahas the smallest known cellular genome (160 kb), lacking numerous genes that appear to be essential for bacterial life. This raises the question regarding the genetic mechanisms of the host which supports the survival ofCarsonella. Our preceding analyses have indicated that some of the genes that are encoded in the psyllid genome and which are highly expressed in the bacteriocyte are of bacterial origin. This implies that psyllids acquired genes from bacteria by lateral gene transfer (LGT) and are using these genes to maintain the primary symbiont,Carsonella. To reveal the complete picture of LGT from symbiotic bacteria to the genome of psyllids, whole genome analysis of psyllids is essential. In order to assess the feasibility of whole genome analysis of the host psyllid, the genome size of the hackberry petiole gall psyllid,Pachypsylla venusta, was estimated. Feulgen image analysis densitometry and flow cytometry demonstrated that the haploid genome size ofP. venustais 0.74 pg (724 Mb), verifying the feasibility of whole genome analysis. Feulgen image analysis densitometry further revealed that bacteriocytes ofP. venustaare invariably 16-ploid. This higher ploidy may be essential to facilitate the symbiotic relationship with bacteria, as it appears to be a feature common to insect bacteriocytes. These results provide a foundation for genomics-based research into host-symbiont interactions.
The Role of the United Nations, the African Union and Africa's Sub-Regional Organizations in Dealing with Africa's Human Rights Problems: Connecting Humanitarian Intervention and the Responsibility to Protect
Authors: Sarkin Jeremy 
Published: March 2009

AbstractThis article examines the basis for humanitarian intervention (HI) in the United Nations Charter, the African Union (AU) Charter and in a number of African sub-regional institutions. It traces the historical development of HI and argues that, while the right to HI emerged more than 100 years ago, that right also emerges from the Genocide Convention. The article argues that this treaty connects HI to the developing norm of the responsibility to protect (R2P) and examines the extent to which R2P is garnering wider support around the world. It focuses on the UN, and the various AU and sub-regional institutions and instruments that sanction HI. It assesses whether intervention can be authorized even in the absence of a UN Security Council mandate and examines the principles, application and interrelationship of R2P and HI in the African context. It traces the use of these norms in Africa, including in the various sub-regional structures, and evaluates the AU's political will and capability to deal with conflict and human rights abuse.
The Enforcement of Basic Rights and Freedoms and the State of Judicial Activism in Tanzania
Authors: Wambali Michael KB 
Published: March 2009

AbstractThis article re-assesses the means available for the effective enforcement of human rights in Tanzania based on the valid assumption that the proclamation of human rights in legal instruments, be they at the domestic or international level, is meaningless without the entrenchment of effective enforcement procedures. Particular attention is directed towards the re-examination of the capacity and ability of the courts to meet the challenges posed by human rights and political discourses in their ongoing transformation. The issue is whether they can be said to be adequately providing effective avenues for the promotion, protection and enforcement of human rights.
Alienations Under the Land Use Act and Express Declarations of Trust in Nigeria
Authors: Nwabueze Remigius N 
Published: March 2009

AbstractNigerian conveyancers routinely resort to powers of attorney and agreements to sell (estate contracts) as tools to avoid the prohibitory clauses of the Land Use Act. Judges have shown their sympathy through a strict (but beneficial) construction. Nevertheless, the current system exacerbates the risk of acquiring precarious titles in land transactions. Accordingly, this article suggests that the avoidance objective will be best achieved through the application of the principles of trust and the use of trust instruments such as express written declarations of trust.
Cold hardiness of olive (Olea europaeaL.) cultivars in cold-acclimated and non-acclimated stages: seasonal alteration of soluble sugars and phospholipids
Authors: GULEN H. , CANSEV A. , ERIS A. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYIn many plant species, several physiological and biochemical changes occur during low-temperature-induced cold acclimation. A previous study with olive cultivars (Cansevet al.2009) demonstrated a correlation between the level of accumulation of certain leaf proteins besides antioxidative enzyme activities and cold hardiness of the cultivars. The present paper analysed soluble sugar (SS) and phospholipid (PL) contents of cold-acclimated (CA) and non-acclimated (NA) leaf tissues in order to explain the mechanism of cultivar-dependent response to cold in olive. In general, cold acclimation significantly increased total soluble sugar (TSS), reducing sugars and sucrose contents of all cultivars to various extents depending on the cold hardiness of cultivars. In addition, TSS, reducing sugars and sucrose contents in cold-tolerant cultivars were significantly increased, whereas TSS, reducing sugars and sucrose contents in cold-sensitive cultivars either did not change or increased slightly in CA stage compared with those in NA stage. Even though reducing sugars were the major soluble sugar in olive leaves, levels of sucrose accumulations in CA stage compared with those in NA stage were greater than those observed in reducing sugars accumulation. Changes in levels of total PL, as well as the three individual PL fractions phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidylinositol (PI), were investigated in olive leaf tissues. Significant increases in levels of PC and PE fractions during CA compared with those in NA stage suggested that PC and PE maintained the cold hardiness of olive cultivars more effectively than did PI. Although the precise mechanisms by which olive responds to cold may still be open to discussion, soluble sugars and PL are clearly important in the ability of olive cultivars to stand against cold stress.
MALE PARTICIPATION IN PREGNANCY AND DELIVERY IN NIGERIA: A SURVEY OF ANTENATAL ATTENDEES
Authors: OLAYEMI O. , BELLO F. A. , AIMAKHU C. O. , OBAJIMI G. O. , ADEKUNLE A. O. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryThis was a cross-sectional study carried out on 462 pregnant women attending antenatal care in Ibadan, Nigeria. The study's aims were to assess the level of participation of Nigerian men in pregnancy and birth, the attitude of the women and likely targets for improved care delivery. Three hundred and forty-nine women (75.5%) were aware that husbands could participate in childbirth. Most women did not think it was their husbands' place to attend antenatal clinic (48.3%) or counselling sessions (56.7%). Nearly all husbands (97.4%) encouraged their wives to attend antenatal clinic – paying antenatal service bills (96.5%), paying for transport to the clinic (94.6%) and reminding them of their clinic visits (83.3%). Three hundred and thirty-five husbands (72.5%) accompanied their wives to the hospital for their last delivery, while 63.9% were present at last delivery. More-educated women were less likely to be accompanied to the antenatal clinic, while more-educated men were likely to accompany their wives. Yoruba husbands were less likely to accompany their wives, but Yoruba wives with non-Yoruba husbands were 12 times more likely to be accompanied. Women in the rural centre were less likely to receive help with household chores from their husbands during pregnancy, while educated women were more likely to benefit from this. Monogamous unions and increasing level of husbands' education were associated with spousal presence at delivery. It appears that male participation is satisfactory in some aspects, but increased attendance at antenatal services and delivery would be desirable.