bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical improvement and immunological changes in atopic dermatitis patients undergoing subcutaneous immunotherapy with a house dust mite allergoid: a pilot study
Authors: Bussmann C. , Maintz L. , Hart J. , Allam J.‐P. , Vrtala S. , Chen K.‐W. , Bieber T. , Thomas W. R. , Valenta R. , Zuberbier T. , Sager A. , Novak N. 
Published: July 2007

SummaryBackground
House dust mites (HDMs) represent significant indoor allergen sources for patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). Subcutaneous allergen‐specific immunotherapy (SCIT) has been shown to be successful in patients with allergic rhinitis and mild asthma and might represent an attractive therapeutic option for the long‐term treatment of HDM sensitizations in AD patients. However, only a few studies have been conducted on the effectiveness of HDM SCIT in AD, resulting in controversial clinical results. Data on immunological changes induced by SCIT in AD patients are rare.Objectives
We performed an open pilot study to assess clinical changes and objective laboratory parameters and evaluate the benefit of HDM SCIT in 25 AD patients with IgE‐mediated sensitization against HDM.Methods
The severity of AD was evaluated by the severity scoring of atopic dermatitis system (SCORAD). Specific IgE and IgG4 against HDM and serum levels of TARC/CCL17, MDC/CCL22, IL‐16, IL‐4, IFN‐γ, IL‐10 and TGF‐β1 were measured during SCIT.Results
Subjective and objective SCORAD improved significantly within only 4 weeks of treatment. The level of the tolerogenic cytokine IL‐10 increased, whereas CCL17 and IL‐16 decreased in the sera of the patients during SCIT. Allergen specific IgE decreased, while IgG4 increased during SCIT.Conclusion
In this open‐label pilot study, SCIT with an HDM extract in patients with AD led to a significant improvement of AD mirrored by a reduction of SCORAD as well as serological and immunological changes, which might serve as valuable parameters to estimate the therapeutic effect of SCIT.
Effects of photoperiod and temperature on the development of Bonagota cranaodes
Authors: CORACINI MIRYAN D. A. , ZARBIN PAULO H. G. , BENGTSSON MARIE , KOVALESKI ADALÉCIO , VILELA EVALDO F. , TOREZAN LUCIANA L. , HICKEL EDUARDO R. , WITZGALL PETER 
Published: July 2007

Abstract The Brazilian apple leafroller, Bonagota cranaodes (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) is reared in the laboratory under a long‐day (LD 14 : 10 h) and a short‐day (LD 7 : 17 h) photoperiod at 22 °C, and under two different temperatures (10–13 °C and 21–22 °C). The development time from larval to adult eclosion do not differ between the two photoperiods, but did between the two temperature regimes. However, the larvae do not enter diapause, even under short day conditions and low temperatures. The number of adults obtained does not differ with temperature and light conditions. Field captures with pheromone traps show that Brazilian apple leafroller occurs in apple orchards throughout the year and the population densities are lower in winter. Accordingly, control measures should be taken during the off‐season.
Toc64/OEP64 is not essential for the efficient import of proteins into chloroplasts inArabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Aronsson Henrik , Boij Patrik , Patel Ramesh , Wardle Anthony , Töpel Mats , Jarvis Paul 
Published: July 2007

SummaryToc64/OEP64 was identified biochemically in pea as a putative component of the chloroplast protein import apparatus. In Arabidopsis, three paralogous genes (atTOC64‐III,atTOC64‐VandatTOC64‐I) encode Toc64‐related proteins, and these have been reported to localize in chloroplasts, mitochondria and the cytosol, respectively. To assess the role of the atToc64‐III protein in chloroplast protein import in anin vivocontext, we identified and characterized Arabidopsis knockout mutants. The absence of detectable defects intoc64‐IIIsingle mutants raised the possibility of redundancy, and prompted us to also identifytoc64‐Vandtoc64‐Imutants, cross them totoc64‐III, and generate double‐ and triple‐mutant combinations. Thetoc64mutants were analysed carefully with respect to a variety of criteria, including chlorophyll accumulation, photosynthetic performance, organellar ultrastructure and chloroplast protein accumulation. In each case, the mutant plants were indistinguishable from wild type. Furthermore, the efficiency of chloroplast protein import was not affected by thetoc64mutations, even when a putative substrate of the atToc64‐III protein (wheatgerm‐translated precursor of the 33 kDa subunit of the oxygen‐evolving complex, OE33) was examined. Moreover, under various stress conditions (high light, osmotic stress and cold), thetoc64triple‐mutant plants were not significantly different from wild type. These results demonstrate that Toc64/OEP64 is not essential for the efficient import of proteins into chloroplasts in Arabidopsis, and draw into question the functional significance of this component.
AXL and AXR1 have redundant functions in RUB conjugation and growth and development in Arabidopsis
Authors: Dharmasiri Nihal , Dharmasiri S. , Weijers D. , Karunarathna N. , Jurgens G. , Estelle M. 
Published: July 2007

SummaryCullin‐RING ubiquitin‐protein ligases such as the Skp1, cullin, F‐box protein (SCF) have been implicated in many growth and developmental processes in plants. Normal SCF function requires that the CUL1 subunit be post‐translationally modified by related to ubiquitin (RUB), a protein related to ubiquitin. This process is mediated by two enzymes: the RUB‐activating and RUB‐conjugating enzymes. In Arabidopsis, the RUB‐activating enzyme is a heterodimer consisting of AXR1 and ECR1. Mutations in the AXR1 gene result in a pleiotropic phenotype that includes resistance to the plant hormone auxin. Here we report that the AXL (AXR1‐like) gene also functions in the RUB conjugation pathway. Overexpression of AXL in the axr1‐3 background complements the axr1‐3 phenotype. Biochemical analysis indicates that AXL overexpression restores CUL1 modification to the wild‐type level, indicating that AXR1 and AXL have the same biochemical activity. Although the axl mutant resembles wild‐type plants, the majority of axr1 axl‐1 double mutants are embryo or seedling lethal. Furthermore, the axl‐1 mutation reveals novel RUB‐dependent processes in embryo development. We conclude that AXR1 and AXL function redundantly in the RUB conjugating pathway.
Interspecific interactions in phytophagous insects revisited: a quantitative assessment of competition theory
Authors: Kaplan Ian , Denno Robert F. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThe importance of interspecific competition is a highly controversial and unresolved issue for community ecology in general, and for phytophagous insects in particular. Recent advancements, however, in our understanding of indirect (plant‐ and enemy‐mediated) interactions challenge the historical paradigms of competition. Thus, in the context of this rapidly developing field, we re‐evaluate the evidence for interspecific competition in phytophagous insects using a meta‐analysis of published studies. Our analysis is specifically designed to test the assumptions underlying traditional competition theory, namely that competitive interactions are symmetrical, necessitate spatial and temporal co‐occurrence, and increase in intensity as the density, phylogenetic similarity, and niche overlap of competing species increase. Despite finding frequent evidence for competition, we found very little evidence that plant‐feeding insects conform to theoretical predictions for interspecific competition. Interactions were highly asymmetrical, similar in magnitude within vs. between feeding guilds (chewers vs. sap‐feeders), and were unaffected by the quantity of resources removed (% defoliation). There was mixed support for the effects of phylogeny, spatial/temporal separation, and the relative strength of intra‐ vs. interspecific competition. Clearly, a new paradigm that accounts for indirect interactions and facilitation is required to describe how interspecific competition contributes to the organization of phytophagous insect communities, and perhaps to other plant and animal communities as well.
Metabolic capacity of Bacillus cereus strains ATCC 14579 and ATCC 10987 interlinked with comparative genomics
Authors: Mols Maarten , De Been Mark , Zwietering Marcel H. , Moezelaar Roy , Abee Tjakko 
Published: July 2007

Summary Bacillus cereus is an important food‐borne pathogen and spoilage organism. In this study, numerous phenotypes and the genomes of B. cereus strains ATCC 14579 and ATCC 10987 were analysed to compare their metabolic capacity and stress resistance potential. The growth performance of the two strains was assessed for nearly 2000 phenotypes, including use of nutrient sources, performance in acid and basic environments, osmo‐tolerance and antibiotic resistance. Several food‐relevant phenotypic differences were found between ATCC 14579 and ATCC 10987, such as differences in utilization of carbohydrates, peptides, amino acids and ammonia. Subsequently, the genomes of both strains were analysed with INPARANOID to search for strain‐specific open reading frames (ORFs). B. cereus ATCC 14579 and ATCC 10987 were found to harbour 983 and 1360 strain‐specific ORFs respectively. The strain‐specific phenotypic features were interlinked with corresponding genetic features and for several phenotypic differences a related strain‐specific genetic feature could be identified. In conclusion, the combination of phenotypic data with strain‐specific genomic differences has led to detailed insight into the performance of the two B. cereus strains, and may supply indicators for the performance of these bacteria in different environments and ecological niches.
THE PLIGHT OF THE DISCONTENTED CONSUMER
Authors: THOMAS WILLIAM R. , SHUPTRINE F. KELLY , SHARMA ALOK 
Published: July 2007

This study represents an in‐depth, empirical investigation of the consumer as he engages in what is being referred to in recent literature as ‘the consumer complaint process’ or ‘consumer complaining behaviour’.Using durable goods as a reference point, consumer efforts to seek redress for major complaints are examined to determine the variety and extent of the behaviour they made toward complaint resolution, and the ultimate results of their efforts.The findings of the study identify the kinds of goods associated with most complaining behaviour, and seem to be consistent with results found in other studies relating to such products. Less than half of those consumers having a major complaint take any kind of overt action to seek redress. However, if action is taken, successful complaint resolution is achieved by most. Males and those with college degrees are more prone to pursue complaints; however, there was no relationship of any of the demographic factors examined with the results of complaining behaviour.Out of the study come some important prescriptions for consumers, for business and industry, and for those who make public policy.
GENERIC AND MANUFACTURERS' BRAND GROCERY PRODUCTS: THE ISSUE OF QUALITY*
Authors: MCENALLY MARTHA R. , HAWES JON M. 
Published: July 2007

This paper reports the results of an investigation of taste perceptions and preferences for three generic and three manufacturers' brand grocery products: dry roasted peanuts, apple sauce and powdered orange drink mix. Blind taste tests of a generic and of a manufacturer's brand in each of these product categories were conducted. Respondents evaluated each item in terms of several physical attributes associated with each of the products.In addition, measures of the perceived similarity and of the preference for the items within each of the three product categories were collected. A multi‐attribute model was employed to predict respondent's preferences, and the predictive accuracy was found to be quite high. Implications of the findings for consumers and home economists are discussed.
A WORLD SURVEY OF HOME ECONOMICS EDUCATION IN A CO‐EDUCATIONAL CURRICULUM
Authors: KIMURA HARUMI 
Published: July 2007

A world questionnaire survey has been undertaken to obtain some information on the present position of home economics in co‐educational curriculum development. Responses were received from nineteen countries from all over the world.Home economics education occurs within formal education in every country, and in most countries the extent of home economics education for boys has been increasing, compared with the UNESCO survey carried out 10 years ago. Coeducational home economics has been regarded as important both by government and the public by 84% of all respondents, though there are many difficulties in the implementation and in the practice of co‐education, e.g. social prejudice and decisions about curriculum content.
THE EFFECT OF THE OXIDATION REACTION OF SODIUM PERBORATE ON THE DAMAGE TO THE COTTON DURING WASHING
Authors: JOKELAINEN AILI , KUJALA TARJA 
Published: July 2007

The purpose of this study was to explain the effect of activated sodium perborate on cotton cloth. The comparison between the damage caused by basic and activated detergent was based on practical washing tests. The washing temperatures were 60°C and 90°C. Damage to the cotton was determined with a physical (tenacity) and a chemical (fluidity) method.Damage to the cotton increased as the temperature rose. Washing with basic detergent at 60°C did the least damage to the cotton. The activated detergent at 60°C damaged the cotton more strongly, but slightly less than the basic detergent at 90°C.Damage to cotton caused by washing can be determined more rapidly and more reliably with a chemical method than with a physical one.
Dispersed alarm systems – a review
Authors: PARRY MALCOM , BAKER STEPHEN 
Published: July 2007

The increase in the number of retired, elderly and very old in society has begun to pose the problem of how to provide access to care services for those in households which are not purpose built, specially adapted and serviced accommodation.Liberalization of telecommunications in the U.K. allied to technical advances have allowed ‘dispersed alarm systems’ to be developed and thus provide a means of communication between isolated elderly people in distress and a central emergency service.The selection of an appropriate system and its management are discussed in this paper.
Factors affecting productivity in nutrient consumption
Authors: NORUM PAMELA S. 
Published: July 2007

Nutrient demand consumption behaviour has been investigated by a number of researchers. One aspect of such behaviour that has been largely ignored is the productive use of available nutrient resources within households. The purpose of this paper was to examine the effects of various socio‐economic and demographic variables on the productive use of selected dietary components.Household production provided the theoretical framework for studying nutrient productivity within households. From this framework, average productivity ratios for calories, protein and fat were developed. Data for the empirical analyses were taken from the 1977–78 Nationwide Food Consumption Survey. The results indicate that an average of 66–80% of these nutrient resources that were available to households were actually consumed. Households appear to make more productive use of their available protein resources relative to calories and fat. The effects of theoretically justified exogenous variables on the productivity of these dietary components were also examined. The results have implications for marketers, as well as educators who work with families in managing their resources.
Consumer behaviour of children in primary school age
Authors: ÖZGEN ÖZLEN , GÖNEN EMINE 
Published: July 2007

Most research on consumer behaviour is concerned with adult behaviour, because the purchasing power of a household lies predominantly with the adults. However, children do undertake the management of a certain amount of money at early ages, and the importance of children, obviously an integral part of the family, in overall family consumption has been increasing gradually. In order to help children become ‘conscious’ consumers, it would be most useful to treat them separately for the purpose of defining consumer behaviour.In this research, using a population of 300 pupils, in the age groups of 8–9 years and 11–12 years, from six primary schools of different socio‐economic levels, the consumption behaviour, behavioural forms of purchase and factors influencing such purchase forms of purchase forms of children have been studied.
An examination of life‐course use of housing information by the elderly
Authors: GALLOWAY ALISON , ROBERTSON HILARY 
Published: July 2007

An examination of the housing decisions of a group of elderly (n= 43) was undertaken to establish the nature of information used throughout the life course and to determine the degree of success of a variety of sources of information in promoting housing satisfaction. A purposive sample of elderly men and women in different tenure groups and house types, from a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds and encompassing ‘young old’ as well as ‘old old’ were interviewed to establish patterns of formal and informal information flow and to determine, as far as is possible, whether information was actively or passively acquired.As would be perhaps expected, elderly owner occupiers, and particularly those from socioeconomic groups I, II and IIIN had used, and continue to use, formal sources of information to a far greater extent than did elderly tenants who had been in manual occupations, who preferred (and had always preferred) to look to family and friends to satisfy their housing information needs. Written information on housing choices appeared to be of limited value to most elderly, although it may be the case that leaflets and booklets are inappropriate sources of housing information for all age groups, not simply the elderly.
Orofacial dyskinesia associated with tiemonium
Authors: Klouz Anis , Zaïem Ahmed , Trabelsi Sameh , Loueslati Mohamed Hedi , Lakhal Mohamed , Belkahia Chalbi 
Published: July 2007

AbstractTiemonium, an anti‐spasmodic drug, can have adverse effects related to its anti‐muscarinic effect. Dyskinesia is described with other anti‐cholinergic drugs, but there are no reports of dyskinesia associated with tiemonium. We report a reversible orofacial dyskinesia following tiemonium intake (contained in Viscéralgine forte®) in a woman with positive rechallenge. She presented these symptoms two times after two separate injections with an interval of 2 months. The case was reported to the Tunisian Centre of Pharmacovigilance.
Modeling the Effects of Fire on the Long‐Term Dynamics and Restoration of Yellow Pine and Oak Forests in the Southern Appalachian Mountains
Authors: Lafon Charles W. , Waldron John D. , Cairns David M. , Tchakerian Maria D. , Coulson Robert N. , Klepzig Kier D. 
Published: July 2007

Abstract We used LANDIS, a model of forest disturbance and succession, to simulate successional dynamics of forests in the southern Appalachian Mountains. The simulated environments are based on the Great Smoky Mountains landscapes studied by Whittaker. We focused on the consequences of two contrasting disturbance regimes—fire exclusion versus frequent burning—for the Yellow pine (Pinus L., subgenus Diploxylon Koehne) and oak (Quercus L.) forests that occupy dry mountain slopes and ridgetops. These ecosystems are a conservation priority, and declines in their abundance have stimulated considerable interest in the use of fire for ecosystem restoration. Under fire exclusion, the abundance of Yellow pines is projected to decrease, even on the driest sites (ridgetops, south‐ and west‐facing slopes). Hardwoods and White pine (P. strobus L.) replace the Yellow pines. In contrast, frequent burning promotes high levels of Table Mountain pine (P. pungens Lamb.) and Pitch pine (P. rigida Mill.) on the driest sites and reduces the abundance of less fire‐tolerant species. Our simulations also imply that fire maintains open woodland conditions, rather than closed‐canopy forest. For oaks, fire exclusion is beneficial on the driest sites because it permits oaks to replace the pines. On moister sites (north‐ and east‐facing slopes), however, fire exclusion leads to a diverse mix of oaks and other species, whereas frequent burning favors Chestnut oak (Q. montana Willd.) and White oak (Q. alba L.) dominance. Our results suggest that reintroducing fire may help restore decadent pine and oak stands in the southern Appalachian Mountains.
Does Restoration Enhance Regeneration of Seasonal Deciduous Forests in Pastures in Central Brazil?
Authors: Sampaio Alexandre B. , Holl Karen D. , Scariot Aldicir 
Published: July 2007

Abstract The goal of restoration is to accelerate ecosystem recovery, but in ecosystems that naturally regenerate rapidly restoration techniques need to be selected carefully to facilitate rather than impede natural recovery. We compared the effects of five restoration techniques, such as plowing the soil, removing grasses, adding forest litter, seeding, and planting nursery‐growing seedlings, on the regeneration of seasonal deciduous forest trees in four abandoned pastures in central Brazil. We monitored all woody stems immediately prior to treatments and again 14 months after the treatments. We recorded an average of 16,663 tree stems per hectare and a total of 83 species before implementing treatments. Planting strongly increased species richness; adding litter and seeding had weaker positive effects on richness; and plowing and grass removal had no effect. Plowing substantially reduced the density of naturally established stems. Despite the high survival of planted seedlings, stem density in planting treatments did not change because the tractor and digging holes to plant seedlings caused mortality of naturally regenerating seedlings. Tree stems grew more in the grass release plots than in the control plots. Our results suggest that early succession of seasonal deciduous forest in pastures in the region studied does not need to be stimulated once the perturbation is stopped and that intensive restoration efforts may actually slow recovery. We recommend only enrichment planting of seedlings that are not able to resprout.
Stream Restoration in the Pacific Northwest: Analysis of Interviews with Project Managers
Authors: Rumps Jeanne M. , Katz Stephen L. , Barnas Katie , Morehead Mark D. , Jenkinson Robin , Clayton Stephen R. , Goodwin Peter 
Published: July 2007

Abstract Hundreds of millions of dollars per year are spent on river restoration in the Pacific Northwest (PNW), but little is known about the effectiveness of this effort. To help address this gap, we analyzed a database containing 23,000 projects at 35,000 locations in the region. We selected a subset of these projects for interviews using a survey instrument developed by a national team of scientists. In total, 47 project contacts in the PNW were interviewed to learn from the individuals directly involved in restoration. At least one‐third of the projects surveyed (34%) did not conduct sufficient monitoring to evaluate effectiveness. More than two‐thirds (70%) of all respondents reported their projects were successful, but 43% either have no success criteria or are unaware of any criteria for their project. Although almost two‐thirds (66%) of respondents anticipate a need for ongoing project maintenance, less than half (43%) have maintenance funds available. These findings suggest that establishing a connection between effectiveness monitoring and project implementation is not a usual component of project design. Consequently, we can only assess the benefits in a few isolated projects and cannot quantify the cumulative benefits of restoration on a larger scale. These findings highlight the need for (1) planning prior to implementation of restoration projects that accounts for monitoring design; (2) coordinated effectiveness monitoring to assess cumulative effects of restoration; and (3) management and maintenance of projects based on real measures of project performance.