bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Numts help to reconstruct the demographic history of the ocellated lizard (Lacerta lepida) in a secondary contact zone
Authors: MIRALDO ANDREIA , HEWITT GODFREY M. , DEAR PAUL H. , PAULO OCTAVIO S. , EMERSON BRENT C. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractIn northwestern Iberia, two largely allopatric Lacerta lepida mitochondrial lineages occur, L5 occurring to the south of Douro River and L3 to the north, with a zone of putative secondary contact in the region of the Douro River valley. Cytochrome b sequence chromatograms with polymorphisms at nucleotide sites diagnostic for the two lineages were detected in individuals in the region of the Douro River and further north within the range of L3. We show that these polymorphisms are caused by the presence of four different numts (I–IV) co‐occurring with the L3 genome, together with low levels of heteroplasmy. Two of the numts (I and II) are similar to the mitochondrial genome of L5 but are quite divergent from the mitochondrial genome of L3 where they occur. We show that these numts are derived from the mitochondrial genome of L5 and were incorporated in L3 through hybridization at the time of secondary contact between the lineages. The additional incidence of these numts to the north of the putative contact zone is consistent with an earlier postglacial northward range expansion of L5, preceding that of L3. We show that genetic exchange between the lineages responsible for the origin of these numts in L3 after secondary contact occurred prior to, or coincident with, the northward expansion of L3. This study shows that, in the context of phylogeographic analysis, numts can provide evidence for past demographic events and can be useful tools for the reconstruction of complex evolutionary histories.
Effects of Adductor‐Canal‐Blockade on pain and ambulation after total knee arthroplasty: a randomized study
Authors: JENSTRUP M. T. , JÆGER P. , LUND J. , FOMSGAARD J. S. , BACHE S. , MATHIESEN O. , LARSEN T. K. , DAHL J. B. 
Published: January 2012

BackgroundTotal knee arthroplasty (TKA) is associated with intense post‐operative pain. Besides providing optimal analgesia, reduction in side effects and enhanced mobilization are important in this elderly population. The adductor‐canal‐blockade is theoretically an almost pure sensory blockade. We hypothesized that the adductor‐canal‐blockade may reduce morphine consumption (primary endpoint), improve pain relief, enhance early ambulation ability, and reduce side effects (secondary endpoints) after TKA compared with placebo.MethodsPatients aged 50–85 years scheduled for TKA were included in this parallel double‐blind, placebo‐controlled randomized trial. The patients were allocated to receive a continuous adductor‐canal‐blockade with intermittent boluses via a catheter with either ropivacaine 0.75% (n = 34) or placebo (n = 37) (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01104883).ResultsSeventy‐five patients were randomized in a 1 : 1 ratio and 71 patients were analyzed. Morphine consumption from 0 to 24 h was significantly reduced in the ropivacaine group compared with the placebo group (40 ± 21 vs. 56 ± 26 mg, P = 0.006). Pain was significantly reduced in the ropivacaine group during 45 degrees flexion of the knee (P = 0.01), but not at rest (P = 0.06). Patients in the ropivacaine group performed the ambulation test, the Timed‐Up‐and‐Go (TUG) test, at 24 h significantly faster than patients in the placebo group (36 ± 17 vs. 50 ± 29 s, P = 0.03).ConclusionThe adductor‐canal‐blockade significantly reduced morphine consumption and pain during 45 degrees flexion of the knee compared with placebo. In addition, the adductor‐canal‐blockade significantly enhanced ambulation ability assessed by the TUG test.
The impact of uniform and mixed species blood meals on the fitness of the mosquito vector Anopheles gambiae s.s: does a specialist pay for diversifying its host species diet?
Authors: LYIMO I. N. , KEEGAN S. P. , RANFORD‐CARTWRIGHT L. C. , FERGUSON H. M. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractWe investigated the fitness consequences of specialization in an organism whose host choice has an immense impact on human health: the African malaria vector Anopheles gambiae s.s. We tested whether this mosquito’s specialism on humans can be attributed to the relative fitness benefits of specialist vs. generalist feeding strategies by contrasting their fecundity and survival on human‐only and mixed host diets consisting of blood meals from humans and animals. When given only one blood meal, An. gambiae s.s. survived significantly longer on human and bovine blood, than on canine or avian blood. However, when blood fed repeatedly, there was no evidence that the fitness of An. gambiae s.s. fed a human‐only diet was greater than those fed generalist diets. This suggests that the adoption of generalist host feeding strategies in An. gambiae s.s. is not constrained by intraspecific variation in the resource quality of blood from other available host species.
Understanding Oral Learners
Authors: Moon W. Jay 
Published: January 2012

AbstractA five‐year research project of seminary students from various cultural backgrounds revealed that the slight majority of contemporary seminary students studied are oral learners. Oral learners learn best and have their lives most transformed when professors utilize oral teaching and assessment methods. After explaining several preferences of oral learners, suggestions for effective teaching are provided in this article in order to improve both teaching and assessment of oral learners. Applications are provided for face‐to‐face and online learning contexts.
Risk of extrathymic cancer in patients with myasthenia gravis in Taiwan: a nationwide population‐based study
Authors: Liu C.‐J. , Chang Y.‐S. , Teng C.‐J. , Chen T.‐J. , Ou S.‐M. , Tzeng C.‐H. , Wang S.‐J. 
Published: January 2012

Background and purpose:  The relationship between myasthenia gravis (MG) and extrathymic malignancies has not been determined. This study aimed to explore the risk of extrathymic malignancy in patients with MG based on a nationwide population‐based dataset.Methods:  We identified 2614 patients with MG from the Taiwan National Health Insurance database between 1997 and 2005 and compared the incidence rates of extrathymic malignancies with 15 684 randomly selected age‐, sex‐, and comorbidity‐matched subjects without MG. Both cohorts were followed until the end of 2009. Cox proportional hazard model was used to evaluate the predictors of extrathymic malignancy in the MG cohort, including age, sex, comorbidities, and prescription drugs.Results:  After an average follow‐up of 8 years, the MG cohort had a higher risk of extrathymic cancers with an incidence rate ratio (IRR) of 1.38 (95% CI 1.12–1.68, P = 0.002) than the control cohort. Although breast cancer was the most common cancer found, no statistically significant relationship between MG and any specific malignancy was observed. Cox multivariate proportional hazards analysis showed that only age (HR = 1.05, 95% CI 1.04–1.06, P < 0.001) and liver cirrhosis (IRR = 3.85, 95% CI 1.22–12.14, P = 0.021) were predictors of extrathymic cancers in the MG cohort.Conclusions:  Our study showed that patients with MG had an increased risk of extrathymic malignancy in a follow‐up of 8 years, but no specific susceptibility to certain malignancies was found.
Sex differences in perihemorrhagic edema evolution after spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage
Authors: Wagner I. , Volbers B. , Kloska S. , Doerfler A. , Schwab S. , Staykov D. 
Published: January 2012

Background and purpose: Clinical data on sex differences in perihemorrhagic edema (PHE) after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) are lacking.Methods: Patients with spontaneous supratentorial ICH who had received standard conservative treatment were identified retrospectively. PHE development was assessed over a 14‐day period on follow‐up CT scans (days 1, 2–4, 5–7, 8–11, and 12–14). ICH and PHE volumes were assessed semiautomatically and compared between men and women.Results: A total of 387 patients (233 men) were included. Starting at days 2–4, women showed lower PHE values (P < 0.05; days 2–4, 8–11) or a trend toward significance (P ≤ 0.1; days 5–7, 12–14).Conclusions: Female sex may predict lower PHE volumes.
Inverse Association Between Helicobacter pylori and Pediatric Asthma in a High‐Prevalence Population
Authors: Zevit Noam , Balicer Ran D. , Cohen Herman Avner , Karsh Dorit , Niv Yaron , Shamir Raanan 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBackground:  Helicobacter pylori‐associated disease has led to aggressive diagnostic and eradication protocols that are partially responsible for the decrease in prevalence of H. pylori carriage. Recent evidence indicates that in low‐prevalence populations, H. pylori may have protective effects on allergic diseases. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between pediatric asthma and H. pylori infection in a population with high prevalence of H. pylori infection.Materials and Methods:  A national referral laboratory was screened for all 13C urea breath tests performed in children aged 5–18 years between 2007 and 2008, for patient demographics and physician‐diagnosed asthma. Data concerning asthma‐associated medication usage were extracted from electronic medical records and databases. Data were analyzed using a stepwise logistic regression model.Results:  During the study period, 6959 patients underwent urea breath testing (average age 12.4 ± 3.5 years). Of these, 3175/6959 (45.6%) were positive for H. pylori, and 578/6959 (8.3%) had asthma. Rates of asthma in H. pylori‐positive and H. pylori‐negative children were 7.3 and 9.1%, respectively (odds ratio 0.82; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.69–0.98; p = .032). We also confirmed that male gender, urban residence, and age are associated with childhood asthma.Conclusions:  We demonstrate an inverse association between H. pylori and pediatric asthma in a population with a high prevalence of H. pylori.
Microstructural Evolution from Praseodymium‐Containing Zircon Gels to Prx‐ZrSiO4 Solid Solutions
Authors: Montoya Noemi , Alarcón Javier 
Published: January 2012

Structural evolution and coupled microstructural transformations occurred on annealing mineralizer‐free Pr‐containing ZrSiO4 gels up to final praseodymium‐doped zircon yellow pigments are reported. Gels with nominal compositions Prx‐ZrSiO4, 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.125, were prepared from mixtures of zirconium and silicon alkoxides and praseodymium acetylacetonate. Crystallization pathway and microstructural changes of thermally treated dried gels were followed by infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, field emission scanning and transmission electron microscopies, respectively.Results indicated that the crystallization pathway through the whole process of final Prx‐ZrSiO4 solid solutions formation displayed three well‐defined steps. The crystallization of tetragonal Pr‐containing ZrO2 nanocrystals occurred first, followed by their phase transformation to the monoclinic form. The last step was the reaction between the monoclinic Pr‐zirconia and the amorphous silica and its kinetics was dependent on the amount of the nominal praseodymium content.The microstructure before the Pr‐zircon formation consisted of an arrangement of tetragonal‐ or monoclinic Pr‐containing ZrO2 particles coated by an amorphous silica layer, with sizes lower than 100 nm and between 200 and 400 nm, respectively. The final Prx‐ZrSiO4 solid solution products were particles sized in the range between 200 nm and 1 μm. Microstructural changes revealed that the whole formation process to final Prx‐ZrSiO4 non‐aggregated particles was led by the synthetic procedure used for the preparation of gel precursors.
To grow fast or to grow big? Time‐limited larvae of Eilema depressum speed up their growth and reduce number of instars
Authors: Pöykkö Heikki , Hyvärinen Marko 
Published: January 2012

AbstractAccording to life‐history theory, longer development time may result in bigger adults. However, reaction norms describing age and size at maturity often follow an L‐shaped form. This relationship is attributable to the simple notion that slowly growing individuals may not lengthen their development excessively after the maturation decision has been made, for example, when development is time limited in seasonal environments. In arthropods, growth occurs within instars, and thus the optimal growth strategy might be mediated by the phenotypic adjustment of instar numbers. We studied the relationship between age and size at maturity of a lichen‐feeding moth, Eilema depressum (Esper) (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae: Lithosiinae), and the variability of instar numbers in relation to achieved adult body mass and time used for maturation. A positive relationship between age and size at maturity was found across developmental pathways and a negative one within the developmental pathways. Directly developing larvae had higher growth rates, attained smaller pupal mass, and passed fewer instars than larvae maturing after overwintering. Host quality did not affect whether larvae matured during the remaining or the next season. High variation in the number of instars together with variable growth rates indicates high plasticity in adaptation to varying environmental conditions. Our results also confirm previous results that instar number variability may be a key characteristic mediating age and size at maturity in insects.
Effects of daily management changes on behavioral patterns of a solitary female African elephant (Loxodonta africana) in a zoo
Authors: KOYAMA Nao , UENO Yoshikazu , EGUCHI Yusuke , UETAKE Katsuji , TANAKA Toshio 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACTThis study investigated the effects of changes in daily management on behavior of a solitary female elephant in a zoo. The activity budget and space utilization of the subject and the management changes were recorded for 1 year after the conspecific male died. The observation days could be categorized into five clusters (C1–C5) by the characteristic behavioral pattern of each day. C1 had the highest percentage of resting of all clusters, and was observed after the loss of the conspecific and the beginning of use of the indoor exhibition room at night. C2, which had the highest percentage of stereotypy of any cluster, was observed after the beginning of habituation to the indoor exhibition room. Also, when the time schedule of management was changed irregularly, the subject frequently exhibited stereotypic pacing (C2, C4). The subject tended to rest when exhibiting lameness in the left hind limb (C3). In C5, activity reached a high level when she could utilize a familiar place under a stable management schedule. These results indicate that management changes affected the mental stability of an elephant in the early stage of social isolation.
Role of illness and medication perceptions on adherence to medication in a group of Iranian patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: AFLAKSEIR Abdulaziz 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBackground:  The aim of this study was to examine the role of illness and medication perceptions on medication adherence in a group of Iranian patients with type 2 diabetes.Methods:  A total of 102 patients with type 2 diabetes was recruited from an outpatient clinic in Shiraz, Iran, using the convenience sampling method. The participants completed the Illness Perception Questionnaire‐Revised (IPQ‐R), Belief Medication Questionnaire (BMQ), and Medication Adherence Report Scale (MARS).Results:  The findings of the study revealed that illness perception, including timeline (chronic –the belief that diabetes would last a long time), predicted a higher level of medication adherence, while medication belief (concern – holding concerns about the potential negative effects of medicines) predicted a lower level of adherence to medicines. This prediction was above and beyond the relevant and demographic variables such as age and the duration of illness.Conclusions:  The findings of this study suggest that medication beliefs, such as concern about the negative effects of medicines, have an important role in the low level of adherence to medication for diabetic patients in Iran.
Cost‐effectiveness analysis on the surveillance for hepatocellular carcinoma in liver cirrhosis patients using contrast‐enhanced ultrasonography
Authors: Tanaka Hironori , Iijima Hiroko , Nouso Kazuhiro , Aoki Noriaki , Iwai Takashi , Takashima Tomoyuki , Sakai Yoshiyuki , Aizawa Nobuhiro , Iwata Kazunari , Ikeda Naoto , Iwata Yoshinori , Enomoto Hirayuki , Saito Masaki , Imanishi Hiroyasu , Nishiguchi Shuhei 
Published: January 2012

Aim:  Sonazoid is a new contrast agent for ultrasonography (US). Contrast‐enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) using Sonazoid enables Kupffer imaging, which improves the sensitivity of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) detection. However, there are no studies on the cost‐effectiveness of HCC surveillance using Sonazoid.Methods:  We constructed a Markov model simulating the natural history of HCV‐related liver cirrhosis (LC) patients, and compared three strategies (no surveillance, US surveillance and CEUS surveillance). The transition probability and cost data were obtained from published data. The simulation and analysis were performed using TreeAge pro 2009 software.Results:  When compared to the no surveillance group, the US and CEUS surveillance groups increased the life expectancy by 1.67 and 1.99 quality‐adjusted life‐years (QALY), respectively, and the incremental cost effectiveness ratio (ICER) were 17 296 $US/QALY and 18 384 $US/QALY, respectively. These results were both less than the commonly‐accepted threshold of $US 50 000/QALY. Even if the CEUS surveillance group was compared with the US surveillance group, the ICER was $US 24 250 and thus cost‐effective. Sensitivity analysis showed that the annual incidence of HCC and CEUS sensitivity were two critical parameters. However, when the annual incidence of HCC is more than 2% and/or the CEUS sensitivity is more than 80%, the ICER was also cost‐effective.Conclusions:  Contrast‐enhanced ultrasonography surveillance for HCC is a cost‐effective strategy for LC patients and gains their longest additional life years, with similar degree of ICER in the US surveillance group. CEUS surveillance using Sonazoid is expected to be used not only in Japan, but also world‐wide.
Aberrant first fixations when looking at inverted faces in various poses: The result of the centre‐of‐gravity effect?
Authors: Hills Peter J. , Sullivan Anthony J. , Pake J. Michael 
Published: January 2012

Face recognition is essential in everyday human life, and all faces are encountered in different poses. However, when a face is inverted, difficulties arise for recognition and eye movements may (Barton, Radcliffe, Cherkasova, Edleman, & Intriligator, 2006) or may not be disrupted (Williams & Henderson, 2007). The present study explored the effects of orientation and pose on recognition and eye movements during a standard old/new recognition task in order to resolve whether inversion disrupts eye movements. Eye‐tracking data looked at the first fixations, the number of fixations, and the duration of fixations over a face. A standard inversion effect was observed, but the three‐quarter view advantage was not observed. Eye‐movement data revealed that the eyes were the most sampled feature (in terms of first fixation, number of fixations, and duration of fixation) for all upright faces, however, other features were sampled first for inverted faces. These results are consistent with Barton et al.'s (2006) but not Williams and Henderson's (2007) findings: possible explanations for this are discussed with the caveat that the same images were used from learning to test.
Which questions of two commonly used multidimensional palliative care patient reported outcome measures are most useful? Results from the European and African PRISMA survey
Authors: Higginson Irene J , Simon Steffen T , Benalia Hamid , Downing Julia , Daveson Barbara A , Harding Richard , Bausewein Claudia 
Published: January 2012

AimTo evaluate the views of clinicians and researchers on their use of outcome measures and which questions are most important in palliative and end-of-life care.MethodsOnline survey of professionals working in clinical care, clinical audit and research in palliative care across Europe and Africa identified through national and international associations and databases. Questions focused on measures used, reasons and which questions were important in two commonly used multidimensional measures, the Palliative care Outcome Scale (POS) and the Support Team Assessment Schedule (STAS).ResultsThe overall completion rate was 59% (392/663). Three outcome measures were commonly used by over one in four respondents for clinical practice and over one in 10 for research: the Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS), followed by the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) and the POS. Measures were used twice as often in clinical practice as in research. The main uses were similar: assessing patients' symptoms/needs (88% and 85% of POS and STAS users, respectively), monitoring changes (62%, 58%), evaluating care (61%, 48%) and assessing family needs (59%, 60%). Respondents rated the most important questions as pain, symptoms, emotional and family aspects. There were no differences in the choice of the most important questions between doctors and nurses or between researchers and clinicians.ConclusionsIn palliative care, outcome measures often used in clinical practice are also often used in research. Questions relating to pain, symptoms, emotional needs and family concerns are consistently considered the most useful and important in palliative patient reported outcome measures (PROMs).
DNA Methylation Does Not Stably Lock Gene Expression but Instead Serves as a Molecular Mark for Gene Silencing Memory
Authors: Raynal Noël J.-M. , Si Jiali , Taby Rodolphe F. , Gharibyan Vazganush , Ahmed Saira , Jelinek Jaroslav , Estécio Marcos R.H. , Issa Jean-Pierre J. 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
DNA methylation is commonly thought of as a “molecular lock” that leads to permanent gene silencing. To investigate this notion, we tested 24 different histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) on colon cancer cells that harbor a GFP locus stably integrated and silenced by a hypermethylated cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter. We found that HDACi efficiently reactivated expression of GFP and many other endogenous genes silenced by DNA hypermethylation. After treatment, all promoters were marked with active chromatin, yet DNA hypermethylation did not change. Thus, DNA methylation could not prevent gene reactivation by drug-induced resetting of the chromatin state. In evaluating the relative contribution of DNA methylation and histone modifications to stable gene silencing, we followed expression levels of GFP and other genes silenced by DNA hypermethylation over time after treatment with HDACi or DNA-demethylating drugs. Reactivation of methylated loci by HDACi was detectable for only 2 weeks, whereas DNA-demethylating drugs induced permanent epigenetic reprogramming. Therefore, DNA methylation cannot be considered as a lock for gene expression but rather as a memory signal for long-term maintenance of gene silencing. These findings define chromatin as an important druggable target for cancer epigenetic therapy and suggest that removal of DNA methylation signals is required to achieve long-term gene reactivation. Cancer Res; 72(5); 1170–81. ©2012 AACR.