bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Oral Langerhans cell histiocytosis in Malaysian children: a 40‐year experience
Authors: JALIL AJURA BT ABDUL , HIN‐LAU SHIN 
Published: April 2009

Background.  Oral Langerhans cell histiocytosis is generally seen in children.Objective.  To determine the clinicopathological features of oral LCH in Malaysian paediatric patients.Methods.  A retrospective study was carried out to determine the clinicopathological features of Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH), Letterer–Siwe disease, Hand–Schuller–Christian disease, eosinophilic granuloma, and histiocytosis X occurring in the oral cavity in children, diagnosed histologically in the main oral histopathology laboratory in Malaysia from 1967 to 2007.Result.  There were 17 cases (eight girls and nine boys) with age ranging from 1 to 7 years. There were ten Malays, four Chinese, two Indians, and one of other ethnicity. Thirteen cases presented as gingival swellings with six of these cases accompanied with mobility of the teeth. Nine cases involved the mandible, two in the maxilla, and two cases in both the maxilla and mandible. The radiographic findings were mentioned only in nine cases with presence of bony erosion or destruction of the jaw bones. Four cases had punched‐out radiolucencies of the skull. The patients also had other systemic signs and symptoms: skin lesions (n = 5), hepatosplenomegaly (n = 2), prolonged fever (n = 2), diabetes insipidus (n = 1), and exophthalmos (n = 1). Two cases were known cases of systemic LCH.Conclusion.  The histopathologic features of LCH are easily recognized; however, with the development of immunostaining, the use of CD1a helps in confirming the diagnosis.
The effects of orthodontic appliances on Candida in the human mouth
Authors: HIBINO KYOKO , WONG RICKY W. K. , HÄGG URBAN , SAMARANAYAKE LAKSHMAN P. 
Published: April 2009

Background.  Candida is an opportunistic pathogen present in about 50–60% of the healthy human population, and becomes pathogenic when the host immune defence is undermined such as in HIV infection. Adhesion and colonization of the oral cavity by Candida albicans is an initial step in candidosis, and the presence of orthodontic and other oral appliances seems to alter the oral ecological environment, hence may tip the balance to favour the candidal presence.Objective.  The purpose of this paper was to review the literature with specific attention to prevalence; intra‐oral density of the candidal organisms; and Candida carriage status in orthodontic patients before, during, and after treatment.Conclusions.  The limited amount of literature demonstrated that the density of Candida increases; the most common Candida species isolated in the orthodontic patients was C. albicans; and that there seems to be a direct relationship between the presence of a removable appliance, Candida, and low salivary pH levels. No healthy patients developed Candida infection from the orthodontic appliances. However, there seems to be a trend that some non‐Candida carriers converted to Candida carriers following the insertion of the appliances by unknown mechanism. This may indicate a more cautious approach when providing orthodontic treatments to immunocompromised children concerning the possible increased risk of candidal infection.
Three‐dimensional space changes after premature loss of a maxillary primary first molar
Authors: PARK KITAE , JUNG DA‐WOON , KIM JI‐YEON 
Published: April 2009

Background.  A space maintainer is generally preferred when a primary first molar is lost before or during active eruption of the first permanent molars in order to prevent space loss. However, controversy prevails regarding the space loss after eruption of the permanent first molars.Aim.  The purpose of this study was to examine spatial changes subsequent to premature loss of a maxillary primary first molar after the eruption of the permanent first molars.Design.  Thirteen children, five girls and eight boys, expecting premature extraction of a maxillary primary first molar because of caries and/or failed pulp therapy, were selected. Spatial changes were investigated using a three‐dimensional laser scanner by comparing the primary molar space, arch width, arch length, and arch perimeter before and after the extraction of a maxillary primary first molar. Also, the inclination and angulation changes in the maxillary primary canines, primary second molars, and permanent first molars adjacent to the extraction site were investigated before and after the extraction of the maxillary primary first molar in order to examine the source of space loss.Results.  There was no statistically significant space loss on the extraction side compared to the control side (P = 0.33). No consistent findings were seen on the inclination and angulation changes on the extraction side.Conclusions.  The premature loss of a maxillary primary first molar, in cases with class I molar relationship, has limited influence on the space in permanent dentition.
Shapes and functions of species–area curves (II): a review of new models and parameterizations
Authors: Tjørve Even 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThis paper has extended and updated my earlier list and analysis of candidate models used in theoretical modelling and empirical examination of species–area relationships (SARs). I have also reviewed trivariate models that can be applied to include a second independent variable (in addition to area) and discussed extensively the justifications for fitting curves to SARs and the choice of model. There is also a summary of the characteristics of several new candidate models, especially extended power models, logarithmic models and parameterizations of the negative‐exponential family and the logistic family. I have, moreover, examined the characteristics and shapes of trivariate linear, logarithmic and power models, including combination variables and interaction terms. The choice of models according to best fit may conflict with problems of non‐normality or heteroscedasticity. The need to compare parameter estimates between data sets should also affect model choice. With few data points and large scatter, models with few parameters are often preferable. With narrow‐scale windows, even inflexible models such as the power model and the logarithmic model may produce good fits, whereas with wider‐scale windows where inflexible models do not fit well, more flexible models such as the second persistence (P2) model and the cumulative Weibull distribution may be preferable. When extrapolations and expected shapes are important, one should consider models with expected shapes, e.g. the power model for sample area curves and the P2 model for isolate curves. The choice of trivariate models poses special challenges, which one can more effectively evaluate by inspecting graphical plots.
A phylogenetic test of multiple proposals for the origins of the East Indies coral reef biota
Authors: Halas D. , Winterbottom R. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractAim  We analysed data on Indo‐Pacific coral reef taxa to test four mechanisms proposed for the origins of the biodiversity centre in the East Indies Triangle: (1) the centre of origin hypothesis, (2) the centre of accumulation hypothesis, (3) the centre of overlap hypothesis, and (4) the bioaccumulation hypothesis.Location  The Indian and western Pacific oceans.Methods  The data set consisted of eight clades of fishes, four of corals and one of molluscs, consisting of a total of 95 species, with 72 informative nodes, in 29 areas. We used phylogenetic analysis for comparing trees (PACT) to reconstruct reticulate area relationships.Results  An analysis using PACT produced very little congruence between area relationships among the histories of the taxa examined. Only two sets of two taxa each showed substantial congruence; several other taxa showed partial congruence.Main conclusions  Despite numerous ‘explanatory’ claims for the incredible biodiversity of the marine macrofauna of the East Indies Triangle, the patterns obtained here did not accord with any of the hypotheses proposed. It is possible that, with the addition of more taxa, additional patterns would emerge. Much more systematic work within the East Indies is required to resolve this problem.
Extracutaneous neutrophilic inflammation in a dog with lesions resembling Sweet's Syndrome
Authors: Johnson Charles S. , May Elizabeth R. , Myers Ronald K. , Hostetter Jesse M. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractA 7‐year‐old‐spayed female standard poodle dog presented to the Iowa State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital with an 8‐day history of lethargy, left hind limb lameness, ptyalism and peripheral lymphadenomegaly. On physical examination, the dog was lethargic, febrile (40.5 °C) and had multifocal to coalescing erythematous papular to pustular eruptions on the skin of all four limbs, periocularly and on the ventral and lateral thorax and abdomen. Histopathological findings from skin biopsies of the papules revealed a severe diffuse neutrophilic dermatitis with sub‐ and intra‐epithelial pustules. Four days after being admitted the dog died from cardiac and respiratory failure. At necropsy, in addition to the multifocal to coalescing erythematous papules, the skin contained scattered pustules. Additionally, the subcutaneous tissue surrounding the right stifle was diffusely oedematous, and the peripheral and visceral lymph nodes were enlarged. The predominant histologic lesion was neutrophilic inflammation, in the absence of detectable bacteria in the skin, heart, lungs, oesophagus and left tarsus. In the absence of neoplasia or bacteraemia, a syndrome similar to Sweet's Syndrome should be considered as a differential diagnosis in dogs with cutaneous and extracutaneous neutrophilic infiltrates.
Canine nodular dermatophytosis (kerion): 23 cases
Authors: Cornegliani Luisa , Persico Paola , Colombo Silvia 
Published: April 2009

AbstractDermatophytosis is a common zoonotic disease, and one of its clinical presentations in the dog is nodular dermatophytosis (kerion). Because the infection is located within the dermis, routine diagnostic tests such as a Wood's lamp examination, microscopic examination of hair shafts for fungal elements and fungal culture can yield negative results. In such cases, histopathological examination with routine and special stains (periodic acid‐Schiff, Gomori methenamine silver) is required to confirm the diagnosis. Nodular dermatophytosis in 23 dogs of different breed, age and sex with single or multiple nodules is described. Twelve dogs had a single nodule, and 11 dogs showed multiple lesions. Wood's lamp examination was negative in all cases. Microscopic examination of plucked hairs showed arthrospores in 8 of 23 cases. Skin scrapings in mineral oil looking for arthrospores and/or hyphae were positive in 12 cases. Impression smears of exudates were diagnostic in 21 of 23 cases (91%), showing arthrospores within fragments of hair shafts or free among neutrophils and macrophages (pyogranulomatous inflammation). Histopathology was performed in two cases. Fungal culture was positive for Microsporum canis in 16 dogs and for Microsporum gypseum in one dog. In six cases, the causative agent was not identified by fungal culture. All dogs were treated with systemic antifungal therapy and in eight cases with concurrent antibiotic therapy. Nodular dermatophytosis resolved in all dogs with the prescribed treatments within 4 to 8 weeks. Transmission to people or other pets in the home was not found.
The Smell of New Competitors: The Response of American Mink,Mustela vison, to the Odours of Otter,Lutra lutraand Polecat,M. putorius
Authors: Harrington Lauren A. , Harrington Andrew L. , Macdonald David W. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractWe tested the response of wild American mink (an established alien species in the UK), to the odours of unfamiliar mink, European polecat and Eurasian otter. Polecats are similar in size and habits to mink, otters are larger than mink and a dominant competitor; both are native to the UK and both were absent during the original colonization by mink but are now undergoing natural population recoveries. The response of mink to experimental odours was assessed by counting the numbers of tracks (footprints) on rafts treated with anal gland secretions, and compared with response to a control raft, on two rivers in the Upper Thames valley, UK. Remote video showed that the number of tracks was positively correlated with the time that mink spent investigating an odour. We found that mink were attracted to the odours of both unfamiliar mink and polecats. There was little evidence that mink avoided the odour of otters. We suggest that, during an encounter with a polecat, mink may behave much as they would to a conspecific. We infer from the response of mink to the odour of otters, that, if mink do avoid otters, the mechanism of avoidance is likely to be complex, situation‐dependent and perhaps affected by prior experience.
Sex Differences in Retrieval Behavior by the Biparental Convict Cichlid
Authors: Snekser Jennifer L. , Itzkowitz Murray 
Published: April 2009

AbstractBiparental species occasionally demonstrate a division of roles in which parents perform sex‐typical tasks, with females offering direct care and spending the majority of their time with the offspring while males are more indirect in their care, providing the majority of defense against potential brood predators. To examine the flexibility in the sex‐typical roles shown by convict cichlids (Amatitlania nigrofasciata), we displaced non‐swimming young at three different distances from the nest and then analyzed the retrieval behaviors of each parent. Retrieval of altricial young is a behavior commonly used to measure parental care in mammalian studies, but has rarely been used in other taxa. We found sex differences in retrieval behavior: on average, females retrieved young close to the nest and males retrieved young far from the nest. This difference in parental contribution suggests a division of labor with sex‐specific roles. Sex differences may be due to proximity to young and/or apparent risk of offspring predation. Additionally, we found that latency to first retrieval and total time spent retrieving young remained consistent across the various displacement distances, suggesting that retrieval is an essential parental behavior. Additionally, we include observations of wriggler retrieval by parents in a natural population of Costa Rican convict cichlids.
Sensory System Affects Orientational Strategy in a Short‐Range Spatial Task in Blind and Eyed Morphs of the Fish,Astyanax fasciatus
Authors: Sutherland Laura , Holbrook Robert I. , Burt De Perera Theresa 
Published: April 2009

AbstractIn the concerted effort to discover the mechanisms that animals use to orient through space, little attention has been given to the role of the sensory system on shaping orientational strategy. This study tests whether animals with different sensory systems use different mechanisms to orient. The characin fishAstyanax fasciatus(Cuvier, 1819) exists in two morphs in the same species – a number of populations of blind cave fish that rely on their lateral line to gain fine‐scale information from their surroundings, and eyed surface populations that can also use visual cues. Both forms of the species were trained to orient to a goal signalled by landmarks and by egocentrically based cues (turn left or right) in a T‐maze. When these cues were placed in conflict by switching the landmark position, only the eyed fish used the landmarks to orient, reflecting a difference in the way that the two sensory systems of these animals operate. Our results have implications for the evolution of the mechanisms of orientation, suggesting that these mechanisms may be constrained by the sensory cues that are available and hence the type of information that animals are able to glean from their surroundings.
The Allure of the Distinctive: Reduced Sexual Responsiveness of Female Guppies to ‘Redundant’ Male Colour Patterns
Authors: Hampton Katherine J. , Hughes Kimberly A. , Houde Anne E. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractFrequency‐dependent mating behaviour has the potential to maintain genetic variation in characteristics of organisms. The colour patterns of guppies (Poecilia reticulata) provide an example of one of the most extreme genetically based polymorphisms known in nature, for which frequency‐dependent mate choice could be a mechanism. Numerous studies have shown that female guppies base mating preferences on male colour patterns and there is evidence that females prefer to mate with males displaying novel or unfamiliar colour patterns. This preference could lead to frequency‐dependent mating success in males. Nevertheless, the possibility that female sexual responsiveness itself may depend on the frequency of male types has not been tested systematically in guppies or any other species. This study examined the sexual responses of female guppies in experimental groups consisting of two males with similar (redundant) and two males with different (unique) colour patterns. We found that female guppies were much more likely to respond sexually to the displays of unique males than to those of redundant males. Further, there was no effect of orange colouration on female responsiveness as has been documented for this population in several previous studies, thus, discrimination against redundant male types appears to have overridden directional selection based on colour pattern characteristics. This discrimination against redundant male types could in turn lead to frequency‐dependent mating success in males and maintenance of colour pattern polymorphism.
Intelligence in Corvids and Apes: A Case of Convergent Evolution?
Authors: Seed Amanda , Emery Nathan , Clayton Nicola 
Published: April 2009

AbstractIntelligence is suggested to have evolved in primates in response to complexities in the environment faced by their ancestors. Corvids, a large‐brained group of birds, have been suggested to have undergone a convergent evolution of intelligence [Emery & Clayton (2004)Science, Vol. 306, pp. 1903–1907]. Here we review evidence for the proposal from both ultimate and proximate perspectives. While we show that many of the proposed hypotheses for the evolutionary origin of great ape intelligence also apply to corvids, further study is needed to reveal the selective pressures that resulted in the evolution of intelligent behaviour in both corvids and apes. For comparative proximate analyses we emphasize the need to be explicit about the level of analysis to reveal the type of convergence that has taken place. Although there is evidence that corvids and apes solve social and physical problems with similar speed and flexibility, there is a great deal more to be learned about the representations and algorithms underpinning these computations in both groups. We discuss recent comparative work that has addressed proximate questions at this level, and suggest directions for future research.
Improving the Drought Tolerance in Rice (Oryza sativa L.) by Exogenous Application of Salicylic Acid
Authors: Farooq M. , Basra S. M. A. , Wahid A. , Ahmad N. , Saleem B. A. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractDrought stress encumbers the rice growth predominantly by oxidative damage to biological membranes and disturbed tissue water status. In this study, the role of salicylic acid (SA) to induce drought tolerance in aromatic fine grain rice cultivar Basmati 2000 was evaluated. SA was applied as seed and foliar treatments. For seed treatment, rice seeds were soaked in 50, 100 and 150 mg l−1 aerated solution of SA for 48 h and then dried back. Treated and untreated seeds were sown in plastic pots in a phytotron. At four leaf stage, one set of plants was subjected to drought stress, while the other remained well watered. Drought was maintained at 50 % of field capacity by watering every alternate day. For exogenous application, SA was applied 50, 100 and 150 mg l−1 at five leaf stage. In the control, SA was neither applied exogenously nor as seed treatment. Drought stress severely affected the seedling fresh and dry weight, photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, plant water relations and starch metabolism; however, SA application improved the performance of rice under both normal and stress conditions. Drought tolerance in rice was well associated with the accumulation of compatible solutes, maintenance of tissue water potential and enhanced potency of antioxidant system, which improved the integrity of cellular membranes and facilitated the rice plant to sustain photosynthesis and general metabolism. Foliar treatments were more effective than the seed treatments. Foliar application with 100 mg l−1 (FA 100) was the best treatment to induce the drought tolerance and improve the performance under normal and stress conditions compared with the control or other treatments used in this study.
Family experiences of home caring for patients with HIV/AIDs in rural Limpopo Province, South Africa
Authors: Tshililo Azwidihwi R. , Davhana‐Maselesele Mashudu 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThe increasing rate of patients with HIV/AIDS brings a burden to the already weakened health care delivery systems in Limpopo Province, South Africa. Hospitals alone cannot deal with the needs of AIDS patients effectively; the patients are discharged to be cared for at home. A qualitative study was conducted to explore and describe the experiences of the family members that are caring for patients with HIV/AIDS at home. Interviews were conducted with 12 participants who were purposively selected as the caregivers of patients suffering from AIDS at home. Ethical measures were adhered to for the protection of the participants. The findings revealed that the family members experience negative feelings, characterized by sadness, pain, anger, depression, and frustration, as they care for their loved one within the context of extreme poverty. Quality care was compromised in situations where basic resources were not available. Guidelines to assist families in caring for their loved one with HIV/AIDS at home were developed.
Elevated intraperitoneal matrix metalloproteinases‐8 and ‐9 in patients who develop anastomotic leakage after rectal cancer surgery: a pilot study
Authors: Pasternak B. , Matthiessen P. , Jansson K. , Andersson M. , Aspenberg P. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractObjective  Experimental studies suggest that matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) enzymes mediate the early tissue breakdown that leads to a decrease in intestinal anastomotic strength. Patients with upregulation of MMPs in intestinal biopsies have an increased rate of anastomotic leakage. We measured MMPs and their inhibitors [tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs)] in postoperative intraperitoneal fluid after rectal cancer surgery, and hypothesized that they would be elevated in patients who later would develop anastomotic leakage.Method  Twenty‐nine patients with rectal carcinoma underwent low anterior resection of the rectum for cancer. Intraperitoneal fluid was collected via a pelvic drain at a median of 4 h postoperatively. MMP‐1, ‐2, ‐3, ‐7, ‐8, ‐9 and ‐13 were determined using particle‐based multiplex flow‐cytometry. TIMP‐1 and ‐2 were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays. MMP‐9 was considered the main outcome variable.Results  Ten patients developed anastomotic leakage. These patients had increased intraperitoneal MMP‐9 [median difference (m.d.) 29%; P = 0.03] and MMP‐8 (m.d. 58%; P = 0.02), compared with patients who did not develop leakage. There were no differences between the groups for other MMPs and TIMPs.Conclusion  Matrix metalloproteinase‐8 and ‐9 appear to have an important role in the development of anastomotic leakage and may be promising pharmacological targets to protect anastomotic integrity. We suggest further investigation of MMPs as markers for anastomotic leakage.