bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Laparoscopic (TEP) Versus Lichtenstein Inguinal Hernia Repair: A Comparison of Quality‐of‐Life Outcomes
Authors: Myers Eddie , Browne Katherine M. , Kavanagh Dara O. , Hurley Michael 
Published: August 2010

AbstractBackgroundLaparoscopic inguinal hernia repair has emerged as a viable alternative to the open procedure. To date, few studies have included validated measures of quality of life as end points. We compared quality‐of‐life outcomes following laparoscopic versus open repair of inguinal hernia.MethodsAll laparoscopic repairs were performed via the totally extraperitoneal route (TEP). All open procedures were Lichtenstein repairs (LR). Hernia repairs performed between January 1999 and December 2006 were included in the study. Data was recorded prospectively and each TEP repair was matched with a LR for analysis. The SF‐36 form was used to assess quality of life. Statistical significance was determined using the two‐sample Wilcoxon rank‐sum (Mann‐Whitney) test.ResultsThree hundred fourteen procedures were performed during the study period, 164 (52%) had a TEP repair and 150 (48%) had a LR. Ninety TEP repairs were matched with 90 LR. Recurrence rates were 3% following TEP repair and 2% following LR. There was a significant difference between the laparoscopic and open groups in terms of physical function (p = 0.0001), physical role (p < 0.0001), bodily pain (p = 0.0029), general health (p = 0.0025), and emotional role (p < 0.0001). There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of vitality (p = 0.2501), mental health (p = 0.08), or social functioning (p = 0.1677).ConclusionsThese data suggest that the TEP repair results in less postoperative pain, a quicker return to normal functional status, and improved quality‐of‐life outcomes with equivalent recurrence rates when compared to the LR.
An Initial Experience with Rapid Microwave Processing in the One‐Stop Breast Clinic
Authors: Parkin Edward , Hindocha Sandip , Subar Daren , Mehrban Imran , Walls Janet 
Published: August 2010

AbstractBackgroundRapid microwave processing allows core biopsy results to be obtained within a 3‐ to 4‐h time period. This study was designed to compare the accuracy and reporting time of microwave‐processed breast biopsies with samples processed using traditional methods.MethodsConcordance of the preoperative biopsy report with postoperative histology for tumor type, grade, and detection of lymphovascular invasion was recorded for both techniques. Also reviewed were the time taken between day of biopsy and day of reporting, waiting time between biopsy and surgery, and number of preoperative outpatient appointments.ResultsIn the microwave‐processed group (MG; n = 43), there was a 92% concordance rate between preoperative biopsy and postoperative histology for tumor type. In the traditional group (TG; n = 43), it was 80% (P > 0.05). For tumor grade, there was a concordance rate of 64% in MG and 93% in TG (P > 0.05). For detection of lymphovascular invasion, there was agreement in 88% of cases in MG and 67% in TG (P > 0.05). Twenty‐five patients from MG were informed of their diagnosis on the day of biopsy. There was no difference in waiting time from biopsy to surgery or number of preoperative outpatient appointments between MG and TG (P > 0.05).ConclusionsMicrowave processing allows safe and accurate immediate histological reporting. As a result, surgical management can be planned at the initial outpatient consultation.
Efficacy of Modafinil in 10 Taiwanese Patients With Narcolepsy: Findings Using the Multiple Sleep Latency Test and Epworth Sleepiness Scale
Authors: Yeh Shih‐Bin , Schenck Carlos Hugh 
Published: August 2010

AbstractThis is the first report describing the efficacy of modafinil therapy for narcolepsy in patients in Taiwan. The purpose of this study was to compare the objective Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) and the subjective Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) for evaluating the efficacy of modafinil in treating excessive daytime sleepiness in patients with narcolepsy in Taiwan. Ten consecutive patients with narcolepsy‐with‐cataplexy who were treated with 200 mg/day modafinil for more than 6 months at our sleep center between January 2003 and December 2007 were included in this study. This comparative study was prompted by the requirement of the Bureau of National Health Insurance in Taiwan that modafinil users need to be followed up with MSLTs every 6–12 months. The mean age at onset of narcolepsy onset in these 10 patients was 11.8 ± 3.3 years, and eight (80%) were male. We compared the differences in MSLT and ESS between baseline and follow‐up at 6–12 months after starting modafinil therapy using paired t tests. ESS scores (p < 0.001) were considerably more sensitive than MSLT scores (p < 0.05) in documenting efficacy of modafinil and that the improvements in MSLT scores were minimal and remained in the pathologically sleepy range. These findings suggest that the ESS is a more sensitive and clinically meaningful tool to evaluate the efficacy of modafinil in narcolepsy.
Relapsed Acute Pancreatitis as the Initial Presentation of Pancreatic Cancer in a Young Man: A Case Report
Authors: Tsai Ming‐Ju , Liao Kuo‐Sheng , Shih Paul Ming‐Chen , Lee King‐Teh , Chuang Wan‐Long , Chiu Yu‐Jui , Lin Zu‐Yau 
Published: August 2010

AbstractIn this report, we describe a 31‐year‐old man in whom acute pancreatitis was the initial feature of a subsequently diagnosed pancreatic adenocarcinoma with multiple metastases. He initially presented at our hospital with acute pancreatitis. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed a mildly dilated pancreatic duct and an enlarged pancreatic head. Although a follow‐up abdominal ultrasonography revealed a progressively dilated pancreatic duct and a progressively enlarged pancreatic head, he refused further investigation and was lost to follow‐up. Four months later, he returned to our hospital with relapsed acute pancreatitis. Obstructive jaundice was noted and drainage was performed. Because choledochoplasty with multiple balloon catheters was not fully effective, biliary tract bypass surgery was carried out. Intraoperative biopsy confirmed pancreatic adenocarcinoma with multiple metastases. The patient died of massive gastrointestinal bleeding a few weeks later. To our knowledge, this is the youngest case of pancreatic cancer with the uncommon initial presentation of acute pancreatitis reported in the literature. For a patient with acute pancreatitis, particularly recurrent episodes, but with no known risk factors for pancreatitis, a pancreatic neoplasm should be considered as a potential underlying cause, even in a young man.
Modelling the potential winter distribution of the endangered Black-capped Vireo (Vireo atricapilla)
Authors: VEGA RIVERA JORGE H. , ORTEGA-HUERTA MIGUEL A. , SARKAR SAHOTRA , RAPPOLE JOHN H. 
Published: August 2010

SummaryWe applied the ecological niche/habitat modelling approach to predict the potential winter distribution of the endangered Black-capped VireoVireo atricapilla. We used historical and current field records along with climatic and topographic variables to generate three different models (Biomapper, Maxent, and GARP). Using field data on species occurrence, a model was selected based on the accuracy of assessment results. A final model was obtained by eliminating those areas mapped as known unsuitable habitat, using high resolution land use/land cover data. The GARP model obtained the best accuracy values. It showed the winter distribution of the Black-capped Vireo to cover an area in western Mexico of about 141,000 km2that runs along the Pacific coast from southern Sonora (Río Yaqui, Alvaro Obregón Dam) to the southern state of Oaxaca (Salina Cruz on the Pacific coast and Matias Romero, and inland). One third of the proposed model’s area was located at elevations of 0–500 m, while 83% occurred at elevations < 1,250 m; however, a significant area (17%) consists of sites > 1,250 m in elevation. For the most part, the distribution model proposed closely followed the tropical dry forest boundaries and clearly avoided temperate areas at higher elevations. This situation seems to be critical for the species, since the dry forest is one of most endangered Neotropical ecosystems, both nationally and internationally. Furthermore, the array of areas under protection regimes included only about 7.1% of the predicted wintering area. However, this figure could be misleading when it is considered that some protected areas are just “paper reserves” without significant conservation programmes developedin situ.
Effects of power lines on flight behaviour of the West-Pannonian Great BustardOtis tardapopulation
Authors: RAAB RAINER , SPAKOVSZKY PÉTER , JULIUS EIKE , SCHÜTZ CLAUDIA , SCHULZE CHRISTIAN H. 
Published: August 2010

SummaryFlight directions of Great BustardsOtis tardaafter take-off were used to analyse effects of power lines on spatial movements of this highly endangered bird species. Data on flight directions came from Great Bustard observations conducted in eastern Austria (northern and eastern parts of Lower Austria, northern part of Burgenland), western Slovakia and western Hungary. Flight directions were determined by a constructed line connecting take-off site and the bird’s position after a flown distance of 100 m. Up to a distance of 800 m from the nearest power line, mean flight direction of Great Bustards after take-off deviated significantly from a random distribution. The mean flight direction angles clearly indicate that take-off flight routes point away from power lines at an angle of approximately 180°. Furthermore, flight directions of bustards still deviated from a random distribution in two 200-m distance bands much further away from power lines (> 1,200–1,400 m, > 1,400–1,600 m), possibly suggesting that even at larger distances from power lines flight directions might still be affected by such artificial linear landscape structures. With increasing distance to nearest power lines, mean vector lengthrvalues of flight paths decrease significantly, while circular standard deviationsSvalues increase significantly. Very similar results were achieved independently if all data were pooled or analysed separately for individual study areas for which the number of flight observations was large enough to conduct reliable analyses. Our study reports a strong effect of power lines on the flight behaviour of Great Bustards, at least up to a distance of 800 m, perhaps even up to 1,600 m. Although this may significantly reduce the risk of collision with power lines it most likely has severe consequences for the spatial movements of birds within the entire landscape and between potentially suitable breeding and foraging habitats.
Lip Movement Exaggerations During Infant-Directed Speech
Authors: Green Jordan R. , Nip Ignatius S. B. , Wilson Erin M. , Mefferd Antje S. , Yunusova Yana 
Published: August 2010

Purpose
Although a growing body of literature has indentified the positive effects of visual speech on speech and language learning, oral movements of infant-directed speech (IDS) have rarely been studied. This investigation used 3-dimensional motion capture technology to describe how mothers modify their lip movements when talking to their infants.

Method
Lip movements were recorded from 25 mothers as they spoke to their infants and other adults. Lip shapes were analyzed for differences across speaking conditions. The maximum fundamental frequency, duration, acoustic intensity, and first and second formant frequency of each vowel also were measured.

Results
Lip movements were significantly larger during IDS than during adult-directed speech, although the exaggerations were vowel specific. All of the vowels produced during IDS were characterized by an elevated vocal pitch and a slowed speaking rate when compared with vowels produced during adult-directed speech.

Conclusion
The pattern of lip-shape exaggerations did not provide support for the hypothesis that mothers produce exemplar visual models of vowels during IDS. Future work is required to determine whether the observed increases in vertical lip aperture engender visual and acoustic enhancements that facilitate the early learning of speech.
A Gain-of-Function Mutation in the Arabidopsis Disease Resistance Gene RPP4 Confers Sensitivity to Low Temperature
Authors: Huang Xiaozhen , Li Jianyong , Bao Fei , Zhang Xiaoyan , Yang Shuhua 
Published: August 2010

Abstract
How plants adapt to low temperature is not well understood. To identify components involved in low-temperature signaling, we characterized the previously isolated chilling-sensitive2 mutant (chs2) of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). This mutant grew normally at 22°C but showed phenotypes similar to activation of defense responses when shifted to temperatures below 16°C. These phenotypes include yellowish and collapsed leaves, increased electrolyte leakage, up-regulation of PATHOGENESIS RELATED genes, and accumulation of excess hydrogen peroxide and salicylic acid (SA). Moreover, the chs2 mutant was seedling lethal when germinated at or shifted for more than 3 d to low temperatures of 4°C to 12°C. Map-based cloning revealed that a single amino acid substitution occurred in the TIR-NB-LRR (for Toll/Interleukin-1 receptor- nucleotide-binding Leucine-rich repeat)-type resistance (R) protein RPP4 (for Recognition of Peronospora parasitica4), which causes a deregulation of the R protein in a temperature-dependent manner. The chs2 mutation led to an increase in the mutated RPP4 mRNA transcript, activation of defense responses, and an induction of cell death at low temperatures. In addition, a chs2 intragenic suppressor, in which the mutation occurs in the conserved NB domain, abolished defense responses at lower temperatures. Genetic analyses of chs2 in combination with known SA pathway and immune signaling mutants indicate that the chs2-conferred temperature sensitivity requires ENHANCED DISEASE SUSCEPTIBILITY1, REQUIRED FOR Mla12 RESISTANCE, and SUPPRESSOR OF G2 ALLELE OF skp1 but does not require PHYTOALEXIN DEFICIENT4, NONEXPRESSOR OF PR GENES1, or SA. This study reveals that an activated TIR-NB-LRR protein has a large impact on temperature sensitivity in plant growth and survival.
The MicroRNA159-Regulated GAMYB-like Genes Inhibit Growth and Promote Programmed Cell Death in Arabidopsis
Authors: Alonso-Peral Maria M. , Li Junyan , Li Yanjiao , Allen Robert S. , Schnippenkoetter Wendelin , Ohms Stephen , White Rosemary G. , Millar Anthony A. 
Published: August 2010

Abstract
The microRNA159 (miR159) family represses the conserved GAMYB-like genes that encode R2R3 MYB domain transcription factors that have been implicated in gibberellin (GA) signaling in anthers and germinating seeds. In Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), the two major miR159 family members, miR159a and miR159b, are functionally specific for two GAMYB-like genes, MYB33 and MYB65. These transcription factors have been shown to be involved in anther development, but there are differing reports about their role in the promotion of flowering and little is known about their function in seed germination. To understand the function of this pathway, we identified the genes and processes controlled by these GAMYB-like genes. First, we demonstrate that miR159 completely represses MYB33 and MYB65 in vegetative tissues. We show that GA does not release this repression and that these transcription factors are not required for flowering or growth. By contrast, in the absence of miR159, the deregulation of MYB33 and MYB65 in vegetative tissues up-regulates genes that are highly expressed in the aleurone and GA induced during seed germination. Confirming that these genes are GAMYB-like regulated, their expression was reduced in myb33.myb65.myb101 seeds. Aleurone vacuolation, a GA-mediated programmed cell death process required for germination, was impaired in these seeds. Finally, the deregulation of MYB33 and MYB65 in vegetative tissues inhibits growth by reducing cell proliferation. Therefore, we conclude that miR159 acts as a molecular switch, only permitting the expression of GAMYB-like genes in anthers and seeds. In seeds, these transcription factors participate in GA-induced pathways required for aleurone development and death.
The glabra1 Mutation Affects Cuticle Formation and Plant Responses to Microbes
Authors: Xia Ye , Yu Keshun , Navarre Duroy , Seebold Kenneth , Kachroo Aardra , Kachroo Pradeep 
Published: August 2010

Abstract
Systemic acquired resistance (SAR) is a form of defense that provides resistance against a broad spectrum of pathogens in plants. Previous work indicates a role for plastidial glycerolipid biosynthesis in SAR. Specifically, mutations in FATTY ACID DESATURASE7 (FAD7), which lead to reduced trienoic fatty acid levels and compromised plastidial lipid biosynthesis, have been associated with defective SAR. We show that the defective SAR in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) fad7-1 plants is not associated with a mutation in FAD7 but rather with a second-site mutation in GLABRA1 (GL1), a gene well known for its role in trichome formation. The compromised SAR in gl1 plants is associated with impairment in their cuticles. Furthermore, mutations in two other components of trichome development, GL3 and TRANSPARENT TESTA GLABRA1, also impaired cuticle development and SAR. This suggests an overlap in the biochemical pathways leading to cuticle and trichome development. Interestingly, exogenous application of gibberellic acid (GA) not only enhanced SAR in wild-type plants but also restored SAR in gl1 plants. In contrast to GA, the defense phytohoromes salicylic acid and jasmonic acid were unable to restore SAR in gl1 plants. GA application increased levels of cuticular components but not trichome formation on gl1 plants, thus implicating cuticle, but not trichomes, as an important component of SAR. Our findings question the prudence of using mutant backgrounds for genetic screens and underscore a need to reevaluate phenotypes previously studied in the gl1 background.
Endogenous Abscisic Acid as a Key Switch for Natural Variation in Flooding-Induced Shoot Elongation
Authors: Chen Xin , Pierik Ronald , Peeters Anton J.M. , Poorter Hendrik , Visser Eric J.W. , Huber Heidrun , de Kroon Hans , Voesenek Laurentius A.C.J. 
Published: August 2010

Abstract
Elongation of leaves and stem is a key trait for survival of terrestrial plants during shallow but prolonged floods that completely submerge the shoot. However, natural floods at different locations vary strongly in duration and depth, and, therefore, populations from these locations are subjected to different selection pressure, leading to intraspecific variation. Here, we identified the signal transduction component that causes response variation in shoot elongation among two accessions of the wetland plant Rumex palustris. These accessions differed 2-fold in petiole elongation rates upon submergence, with fast elongation found in a population from a river floodplain and slow elongation in plants from a lake bank. Fast petiole elongation under water consumes carbohydrates and depends on the (inter)action of the plant hormones ethylene, abscisic acid, and gibberellic acid. We found that carbohydrate levels and dynamics in shoots did not differ between the fast and slow elongating plants, but that the level of ethylene-regulated abscisic acid in petioles, and hence gibberellic acid responsiveness of these petioles explained the difference in shoot elongation upon submergence. Since this is the exact signal transduction level that also explains the variation in flooding-induced shoot elongation among plant species (namely, R. palustris and Rumex acetosa), we suggest that natural selection results in similar modification of regulatory pathways within and between species.
PHOSPHATIDIC ACID PHOSPHOHYDROLASE1 and 2 Regulate Phospholipid Synthesis at the Endoplasmic Reticulum in Arabidopsis
Authors: Eastmond Peter J. , Quettier Anne-Laure , Kroon Johan T.M. , Craddock Christian , Adams Nicolette , Slabas Antoni R. 
Published: August 2010

Abstract
Phospholipid biosynthesis is essential for the construction of most eukaryotic cell membranes, but how this process is regulated in plants remains poorly understood. Here, we show that in Arabidopsis thaliana, two Mg2+-dependent phosphatidic acid phosphohydrolases called PAH1 and PAH2 act redundantly to repress phospholipid biosynthesis at the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Leaves from pah1 pah2 double mutants contain ~1.8-fold more phospholipid than the wild type and exhibit gross changes in ER morphology, which are consistent with massive membrane overexpansion. The net rate of incorporation of [methyl-14C]choline into phosphatidylcholine (PC) is ~1.8-fold greater in the double mutant, and the transcript abundance of several key genes that encode enzymes involved in phospholipid synthesis is increased. In particular, we show that PHOSPHORYLETHANOLAMINE N-METHYLTRANSFERASE1 (PEAMT1) is upregulated at the level of transcription in pah1 pah2 leaves. PEAMT catalyzes the first committed step of choline synthesis in Arabidopsis and defines a variant pathway for PC synthesis not found in yeasts or mammals. Our data suggest that PAH1/2 play a regulatory role in phospholipid synthesis that is analogous to that described in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. However, the target enzymes differ, and key components of the signal transduction pathway do not appear to be conserved.