bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Canker and dieback on Platanus x acerifolia caused by Diaporthe scabra
Authors: Grasso F. M. , Marini M. , Vitale A. , Firrao G. , Granata G. 
Published: June 2012

SummaryCankers and dieback on London plane caused by Diaporthe scabra have been observed in urban plantings in Catania, Italy. Symptoms were delayed spring flush, trunk cankers, small chlorotic leaves associated with dead terminal or lateral branches and an early defoliation. Isolations from infected wood on PDA led to the isolation of the anamorph Phomopsis scabra with α‐conidia production. The infected wood placed in a moist chamber developed pycnidia with α and β conidia and perithecia of the teleomorph D. scabra. Sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacers ITS1 and ITS2, the ribosomal intragenic spacer beta‐tubulin 1 and beta‐tubulin 2 genes, congruently indicated that the D. scabra isolate is phylogenetically related to two strains of D. helianthi isolated in Italy from sunflower and to strains of D. eres. Inoculations on young plants of London plane growing in pots confirmed the pathogenicity of the isolated fungus. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the disease in Italy.
Root and butt rot caused by Heterobasidion annosum in Atlantic coniferous ecosystems of Spain
Authors: Mesanza N. , Iturritxa E. 
Published: June 2012

SummaryIn the second half of the 20th century, the forested surface in northern Spain started to increase during a process of reforestation and the replacement of native forest. This reforestation was performed mostly by introducing monocultures of exotic coniferous species. One of the implications of intense forest exploitation and the introduction of new forest species is an increase in disease outbreaks. Because the genus Heterobasidion includes some of the most significant conifer pathogens in the world, surveys were conducted to collect and identify
H

eterobasidion isolates associated with diverse hosts within coniferous forests and plantations in the Basque Country, northern Spain. A total of 159 stands were surveyed, and 45 isolates were obtained from different trees. Based on sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer region of the ribosomal DNA, all collected isolates were identified as European
H

eterobasidion annosum s.s. (European P‐type). Heterobasidion annosum was detected in 28.3% of the sampled stands, with the following distribution by host: Chamaecyparis lawsoniana (11.1%),
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inus pinaster (2.2%),
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. radiata (42.2%),
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. nigra (2.2%),
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. sylvestris (17.8%),
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seudotsuga menziesii (17.8%) and
P

icea abies (6.7%). The spatial distribution of the population showed a high degree of clustering. This is the first report of
H
. annosum s.s. causing damage to forest plantations of Chamaecyparis lawsoniana,
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inus pinaster,
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. radiata,
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seudotsuga menziesii and
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icea abies in Spain. In the current context of forest pathosystems, the management practice of replacing susceptible forest species with resistant species is recommended.
Interventional pulmonology: Focus on pulmonary diagnostics
Authors: CZARNECKA KASIA , YASUFUKU KAZUHIRO 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACTInterventional pulmonology (IP) allows comprehensive assessment of patients with benign and malignant airway, lung parenchymal and pleural disease. This relatively new branch of pulmonary medicine utilizes advanced diagnostic and therapeutic techniques to treat patients with pulmonary diseases. Endobronchial ultrasound revolutionized assessment of pulmonary nodules, mediastinal lymphadenopathy and lung cancer staging allowing minimally invasive, highly accurate assessment of lung parenchymal and mediastinal disease, with both macro‐ and microscopic tissue characterization including molecular signature analysis. High‐spatial resolution, new endobronchial imaging techniques including autofluorescence bronchoscopy, narrow‐band imaging, optical coherence tomography and confocal microscopy enable detailed evaluation of airways with increasing role in detection and treatment of malignancies arising in central airways. Precision in peripheral lesion localization has been increased through innovative navigational techniques including navigational bronchoscopy and electromagnetic navigation. Pleural diseases can be assessed with the use of non‐invasive pleural ultrasonography, with high sensitivity and specificity for malignant disease detection. Medical pleuroscopy is a minimally invasive technique improving diagnostic safety and precision of pleural disease and pleural effusion assessment. In this review, we discuss the newest advances in diagnostic modalities utilized in IP, indications for their use, their diagnostic accuracy, efficacy, safety and challenges in application of these technologies in assessment of thoracic diseases.
Ocular toxoplasmosis II: clinical features, pathology and management
Authors: Butler Nicholas J , Furtado João M , Winthrop Kevin L , Smith Justine R 
Published: June 2012

AbstractThe term, ocular toxoplasmosis, refers to eye disease related to infection with the parasite, Toxoplasma gondii. Recurrent posterior uveitis is the typical form of this disease, characterized by unilateral, necrotizing retinitis with secondary choroiditis, occurring adjacent to a pigmented retinochoroidal scar and associated with retinal vasculitis and vitritis. Multiple atypical presentations are also described, and severe inflammation is observed in immunocompromised patients. Histopathological correlations demonstrate focal coagulative retinal necrosis, and early in the course of the disease, this inflammation is based in the inner retina. For typical ocular toxoplasmosis, a diagnosis is easily made on clinical examination. In atypical cases, ocular fluid testing to detect parasite DNA by polymerase chain reaction or to determine intraocular production of specific antibody may be extremely helpful for establishing aetiology. Given the high seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in most communities, serological testing for T. gondii antibodies is generally not useful. Despite a lack of published evidence for effectiveness of current therapies, most ophthalmologists elect to treat patients with ocular toxoplasmosis that reduces or threatens to impact vision. Classic therapy consists of oral pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine, plus systemic corticosteroid. Substantial toxicity of this drug combination has spurred interest in alternative antimicrobials, as well as local forms of drug delivery. At this time, however, no therapeutic approach is curative of ocular toxoplasmosis.
Does amblyopia have a functional impact? Findings from the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study
Authors: Wilson Graham A , Welch David 
Published: June 2012

AbstractBackground:  Existing data on the functional impact of amblyopia are conflicting. The functional impact of amblyopia is a critical component of the viability and effectiveness of childhood vision screening programmes and treatment regimes.Design:  Prospective longitudinal birth cohort (the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study).Participants:  One thousand thirty‐seven children born in Dunedin, New Zealand, between April 1972 and March 1973, assessed from ages 3 to 32 years.Methods:  Comparison of study members with no amblyopia, recovered amblyopia, possible amblyopia or amblyopia according to both classic (6/12 visual acuity or worse in at least one eye, or a two‐line or greater differential between the visual acuity in both eyes) and modern (6/9 visual acuity or worse in at least one eye) definitions of amblyopia.Main Outcome Measures:  Childhood motor development, teenage self‐esteem and adult socioeconomic status (assessed by occupation, education, reading ability and income).Results:  There was no evidence of poorer motor development, lower self‐esteem or reduced adult socioeconomic status in study members with amblyopia or recovered amblyopia when compared with those with no amblyopia.Conclusions:  Amblyopia or having recovered amblyopia does not functionally impact on childhood motor development, teenage self‐esteem or adult socioeconomic status within this cohort. The wide range of visual deficits and adaptations that are known to occur in amblyopic vision do not translate into important ‘real life’ outcomes for the study members with amblyopia or recovered amblyopia. The age‐related cumulative lifetime risk of bilateral visual impairment in amblyopia will be assessed in future studies.
An integrated approach to design novel therapeutic interventions for demyelinating disorders
Authors: Vidaurre Oscar G. , Liu Jia , Haines Jeffery , Sandoval Juan , Nowakowski Richard , Casaccia Patrizia 
Published: June 2012

AbstractTherapeutic strategies are often based on two general principles: interference with the pathogenic process and repair of the damaged tissues. Recent studies, however, have suggested that several pathological conditions may result from the interplay between genetic susceptibility traits and environmental influences that, by modulating the epigenome, also affect disease onset and progression. Based on lessons from neural development, it is conceivable that new lines of preventive and possibly therapeutic intervention might be developed to modulate disease onset or decrease the severity of the symptoms. This review will discuss these concepts within the context of multiple sclerosis, the most common demyelinating disease of the central nervous system, and the leading cause of progressive neurological disability in young adults.
What does the developing brain tell us about neural diseases?
Authors: Stoeckli Esther T. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractIn a recently published report, the European Brain Council estimated that the annual cost of brain disorders is larger than the cost of all other disease areas combined, including cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and diabetes. The World Health Organization concluded that approximately one‐third of the total burden of disease in Europe is attributable to brain disorders. Therefore, drug development for neural diseases should flourish and attract large pharmaceutical companies and smaller enterprises alike. However, this is far from being the case: industry is cutting down on research and investment in brain disorders in Europe. Political reasons may be contributing to this, but they do not constitute the only explanation. An important reason for the decreasing interest and investment is the lack of drug targets in neural diseases. In order to change this, greater efforts at understanding the etiologies and pathogenetic mechanisms of disorders of both the developing and the adult brain are required. We need to strengthen basic research to understand the brain in health and disease. A shift from translational to basic research is required to meet the need for drugs and therapies in the future. In support of this, I summarize some recent studies indicating that the developing brain has much to offer in this respect. The processes and genes involved in brain development are linked to the etiologies not only of neurodevelopmental but also of neurodegenerative diseases.
The IMF, the World Bank, and the Global Economic Crisis: Exploring Paradigm Continuity
Authors: Güven Ali Burak 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACTA thematic examination of the IMF and the World Bank's recent crisis programmes finds strong evidence of prescriptive continuity with the pre‐crisis repertoire of these organizations, contradicting their legacy of policy adaptation during times of systemic turbulence. How are we to account for this anomaly? The current specialist literature on the Fund and Bank offers plausible explanations, mainly by stressing principal–agent relations and intra‐organizational dynamics. Yet these lender‐oriented approaches need to be complemented by looking at the demand side of the lending relationship as well, that is, by focusing on the Fund and Bank's borrowers. Of particular relevance is the growing diversification of development trajectories in the South, which creates strong disincentives against paradigm recalibration. The article highlights the analytic potential of one vital dimension of this diversification: the shrinking common ground of macroeconomic failure in large emerging economies, illustrated here in a brief comparison of Mexico, Thailand and Turkey.
Between Hermeneutics and Formalism: the Lento from Tippett's Concerto for Orchestra (Or: Music Analysis after Lawrence Kramer)
Authors: CLARKE DAVID 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACTAn account of the slow movement of Tippett's Concerto for Orchestra can be productively interwoven with a discussion about musical meaning. This provides a focus for the question of whether musical meaning should be regarded as primarily intrinsic or as located within what is linguistically predicable of music within cultural (or ‘worldly’) discourses. Methodologically, this is homologous with a distinction between formalist and hermeneutic approaches, corresponding loosely to disciplinary distinctions between music analysis and approaches of the so‐called New Musicology. The work of Lawrence Kramer is paradigmatic of the latter, while writings by Derek Puffett, notably his analysis of Tippett's Second Quartet, illustrate the former.Complementary analyses of the Lento from Tippett's Concerto, drawing on the composer's second opera, King Priam, as an intertext, reveal the potential and limitations of hermeneutics and formalism. I suggest that we should not be misguided into an a priori privileging of one approach over the other, but instead attempt correctly to construe the relationship between them. Kramer considers analysis to be no more (or less) than the means to hermeneutics, and assumes the possibility of a relatively unproblematic translation from one mode of enquiry to the other. But the knowledge they produce is not coterminous, which leaves open the pursuit of the musically intrinsic, as well as the question of what approaches are suggested by the space between.
Development, cognition, and behaviour in Pitt–Hopkins syndrome
Authors: VAN BALKOM INGRID D C , VUIJK PIETER JELLE , FRANSSENS MARIJKE , HOEK HANS W , HENNEKAM RAOUL C M 
Published: June 2012

Aim  The aim of the study was to collect detailed data on behavioural, adaptive, and psychological functioning in 10 individuals with Pitt–Hopkins syndrome (PTHS), with specific attention to manifestations of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).Method  The participants (four females, six males), residing in the Netherlands and Belgium, were ascertained through the Dutch national PTHS support group. Median age of participants was 10 years, the age range was between 32 and 289 months. They underwent psychiatric examinations and neuropsychological measurements using a comprehensive assessment battery. Additionally, parental information was gathered through standardized interviews and questionnaires. Findings were compared with those from the literature.Results  All participants showed profound intellectual disability, amiable demeanour with minimal maladaptive behaviours, severe impairments of communication and language, and intense, frequent motor stereotypies. Impairments in all participants were beyond what would be expected for cognitive abilities, fitting a classification of ASD.Interpretation  Patients with PTHS are characterized not only by specific physical and genetic manifestations but also by specific behavioural and cognitive characteristics. Studying behaviour and cognition may improve diagnosis and prognosis, allows recognition of comorbidities, and contributes to adequate counselling of families.
Stigma in school‐based mental health: perceptions of young people and service providers
Authors: Bowers Hayley , Manion Ian , Papadopoulos Despina , Gauvreau Emily 
Published: June 2012

BackgroundMental health affects one in five young people, with the majority avoiding help due to stigma. In this study, young people's (n = 49) perception of stigma as a barrier to accessing school‐based mental health services was compared with that of service providers (n = 63), along with the perceived extent of mental health problems and availability of school‐based mental health resources.MethodParticipants completed a survey or interview. EBSCO and PubMed databases were used for the duration of this study, from August 2010 to September 2011.ResultsA greater proportion of young people versus providers reported stigma as the largest barrier to accessing mental health services. In addition, most young people reported that school‐based mental health resources were scarce.ConclusionsThese results emphasize the need for young people's involvement in mental health initiatives.
Redescription and palaeobiology ofPalaeoscorpius devonicusLehmann, 1944 from the Lower Devonian Hunsrück Slate of Germany
Authors: KÜHL GABRIELE , BERGMANN ALEXANDRA , DUNLOP JASON , GARWOOD RUSSEL J. , RUST JES 
Published: June 2012

Abstract: Palaeoscorpius devonicusLehmann, 1944 is known from only a single specimen, found in the Eschenbach Pit near Bundenbach in the Lower Devonian Hunsrück Slate of Germany. It is a key fossil, having been interpreted both as the most basal member of the Scorpiones and as one of the order’s most likely candidates for an aquatic mode of life. Prepared both ventrally and dorsally, some aspects of its morphology remain problematic. Here, with the aid of new techniques, including computed tomography, we present a re‐investigation of this scorpion’s anatomy and a new reconstruction, with a particular focus on the species’ original habitat. On the basis of the environmental interpretation of the Hunsrück Slate and the completeness of the specimen, previous authors concluded thatP. devonicuswas marine, but none offered convincing morphological evidence. Recent studies of the deposit’s environment suggest that the Hunsrück Sea was part of an intrashelf basin, relatively close to the coastline, and fossils of land plants show that terrestrial wash‐in occasionally occurred. Our revised interpretation of the fossil’s morphology demonstrates that the scorpion was most probably terrestrial. Internal mesosomal organs are interpreted as book lungs, but other terrestrial adaptations are lacking. The absence of both coxapophyses and gnathobases makes determining the scorpion’s feeding mechanism difficult. Interpreting the scorpion’s character states within a phylogenetic framework, especially the possible presence of book lungs, implies either that the plesiomorphic position ofP. devonicusis no longer supported or that the development of book lungs had already taken place early in the scorpion lineage.
Portal hypertension and liver cirrhosis in rats: effect of the β3‐adrenoceptor agonist SR58611A
Authors: Vasina Valentina , Giannone Ferdinando , Domenicali Marco , Latorre Rocco , Berzigotti Annalisa , Caraceni Paolo , Zoli Marco , De Ponti Fabrizio , Bernardi Mauro 
Published: June 2012

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE β3‐Adrenoceptors participate in the regulation of vascular tone in physiological and pathological conditions. We aimed to assess the effect of pharmacological modulation of β3‐adrenoceptors on portal pressure (PP) and systemic haemodynamics and their expression in the liver and mesenteric vessels of cirrhotic rats.EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH PP, central venous pressure (CVP) and systemic haemodynamics were invasively assessed in control and CCl4‐treated cirrhotic rats before and during infusion of the selective β3‐adrenoceptor agonist, SR58611A. Tissue samples were also collected from liver, heart, portal vein and mesenteric artery for immunohistochemistry and molecular biology analysis. The effect of SR58611A on isolated portal vein was assessed.KEY RESULTS At baseline, cirrhotic rats showed portal hypertension, reduced CVP and hyperdynamic circulation. SR58611A induced a significant, dose‐dependent decrease in PP in cirrhotic rats, but not in controls. Although both groups manifested a dose‐dependent reduction in mean arterial pressure, this effect was associated with decreased cardiac index (CI) and unchanged indicized peripheral vascular resistance (PVRI) in cirrhotic rats and increased CI and decreased PVRI in control animals. Pretreatment with the selective β3‐adrenoceptor antagonist SR59230 prevented all SR58611A‐induced changes in cirrhotic rats. SR58611A concentration‐dependently relaxed portal vein in cirrhotic rats to a significantly greater extent than in healthy rats; pretreatment with SR59230A completely prevented SR58611A‐induced cirrhotic portal vein relaxation. Finally, β3‐adrenoceptors were identified in the liver, heart and portal vein of cirrhotic and control animals; their expression was increased in cirrhotic rats.CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS β3‐Adrenoceptors are altered in portal hypertension of experimental cirrhosis and may represent a novel therapeutic target.
An ultrathin poly(l‐lactic acid) nanosheet as a burn wound dressing for protection against bacterial infection
Authors: Miyazaki Hiromi , Kinoshita Manabu , Saito Akihiro , Fujie Toshinori , Kabata Koki , Hara Etsuko , Ono Satoshi , Takeoka Shinji , Saitoh Daizoh 
Published: June 2012

AbstractBurn wounds are highly susceptible to bacterial infection due to impairment of the skin's integrity. Therefore, prevention of bacterial colonization/infection in the wound is crucial for the management of burns, including partial‐thickness burn injuries. Although partial‐thickness burn injuries still retain the potential for reepithelialization, the complication of wound infection severely impairs the reepithelialization even in such superficial burn injuries. We recently developed a biocompatible nanosheet consisting of poly(l‐lactic acid) (PLLA). The PLLA nanosheets have many useful and advantageous biological properties for their application as a wound dressing, such as sufficient flexibility, transparency, and adhesiveness. We herein investigated the suitability of the PLLA nanosheets as a wound dressing for partial‐thickness burn wounds in mice. The PLLA nanosheets tightly adhered to the wound without any adhesive agents. Although wound infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the controls significantly impaired reepithelialization of burn wounds, dressing with the PLLA nanosheet markedly protected against bacterial wound infection, thereby improving wound healing in the mice receiving partial‐thickness burn injuries. The PLLA nanosheet also showed a potent barrier ability for protecting against bacterial penetration in vitro. The ultrathin PLLA nanosheet may be applied as a protective dressing to reduce environmental contamination of bacteria in a partial‐thickness burn wound.
Interferon‐gamma inhibits healing post scald burn injury
Authors: Shen Haitao , Yao Pamela , Lee Eunyoung , Greenhalgh David , Soulika Athena M. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractImpaired healing after severe burns remains a reason for prolonged hospitalization, opportunistic infections, and debilitating scarring. Interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ) is an important immune regulator that has been shown to inhibit collagen synthesis by fibroblasts, resulting in delayed healing in incision wounds. To determine whether IFN‐γ plays similar roles in the healing process after severe burn, we induced scald injury in mice deficient or sufficient in IFN‐γ and examined local responses. In the absence of IFN‐γ, scalded areas healed faster. This was associated with attenuated local inflammatory responses, enhanced reepithelialization, increased proliferation of keratinocytes in reepithelialized leading edges, and up‐regulation of growth factors in burned skin areas. Furthermore, angiogenesis and myofibroblast formation commenced and terminated earlier in IFN‐γ–/– mice compared with wild type (WT) controls. Our observations demonstrate that inhibition of IFN‐γ results in accelerated healing after burn injury by dampening excessive inflammation and facilitating reepithelialization, collagen deposition, and wound contraction.