bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The magnitude and selectivity of natural and multiple anthropogenic mortality causes in hunted brown bears
Authors: Bischof Richard , Swenson Jon E. , Yoccoz Nigel G. , Mysterud Atle , Gimenez Olivier 
Published: February 2009

SummaryThe population dynamic and evolutionary effects of harvesting are receiving growing attention among biologists. Cause‐specific estimates of mortality are necessary to determine and compare the magnitude and selectivity of hunting and other types of mortalities. In addition to the logistic and financial constraints on longitudinal studies, they are complicated by the fact that nonhunting mortality in managed populations usually consists of a mix of natural and human‐caused factors.We used multistate capture–recapture (MCR) models to estimate cause‐specific survival of brown bears (Ursus arctos) in two subpopulations in Sweden over a 23‐year period. In our analysis, we distinguished between legal hunting and other sources of mortality, such as intraspecific predation, accidents, poaching, and damage control removals. We also tested whether a strong increase in harvest quotas after 1997 in one of the subpopulations affected vulnerability to legal hunting.Although only a fraction of mortalities other than legal hunting could be considered natural, this group of causes showed a general pattern of demographic selectivity expected from natural mortality regimes in populations of long‐lived species, namely greater vulnerability of young animals. On the other hand, demographic effects on hunting vulnerability were weak and inconsistent. Our findings support the assumption that hunting and other mortalities were additive.As expected, an increase in hunting pressure coincided with a correspondingly large increase in vulnerability to hunting in the affected subpopulation. Because even unbiased harvest can lead to selective pressures on life‐history traits, such as size at primiparity, increasing harvest quotas may not only affect population growth directly, but could also alter optimal life‐history strategies in brown bears and other carnivores.Legal hunting is the most conveniently assessed and the most easily managed cause of mortality in many wild populations of large mammals. Although legal hunting is the single‐most important cause of mortality for brown bears in Sweden, the combined mortality from other causes is of considerable magnitude and additionally shows greater selectivity in terms of sex and age than legal hunting. Therefore, its role in population dynamics and evolution should not be underestimated.
Barriers to the self‐care of type 2 diabetes from both patients’ and providers’ perspectives: literature review
Authors: Pun Sandra PY , Coates Vivien , Benzie Iris FF 
Published: February 2009

Aim.  To review systematically the literature about barriers to diabetes self‐care from both patients’ and healthcare providers’ perspectives.Background.  Diabetes mellitus is a global health concern due to rapidly increasing prevalence. The healthcare costs for diabetes care and related complications are high. Tight glycaemic control achieved by intensive therapy has been shown to lower the risk of complications. Despite the provision of comprehensive management programmes, patients are often unable to achieve the desired outcomes. It is essential to understand the barriers to diabetes self‐care in order to promote successfully self‐care behaviours.Methods.  A search of OVID Medline (R), CINAHL, Cochrane Library and British Nursing Index was carried out during 1986–2007 using keywords: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, self care, patient compliance, patient adherence and barriers to diabetes self care. Manual searching of relevant nursing journals and sourcing of secondary research extended the search.Results.  A total of 16 original research papers using various methods including survey, descriptive correlational, sequential explanatory mixed‐method and qualitative exploratory design were reviewed. In total, over 8900 patients and 4550 healthcare providers were recruited from over 28 countries in these studies. Major barriers identified included psychosocial, socioeconomic, physical, environmental and cultural factors.Conclusions.  Healthcare providers can enhance patient empowerment and participation with family support to achieve feasible targets. Better health care delivery systems and reforms that improve affordability, accessibility, and efficiency of care are essential for helping both providers and patients to meet desirable standards of diabetes care.Relevance to clinical practice.  Understanding barriers to diabetes self‐care is the first step in facilitating providers to identify their role in enabling patients to overcome these barriers. Healthcare providers can develop strategies to clarify and individualise treatment guidelines, implement continuing education, improve communication skills, and help motivate patients to achieve desired behavioral changes.
A chance at survival: gene expression noise and phenotypic diversification strategies
Authors: Fraser Dawn , Kærn Mads 
Published: February 2009

SummaryPhenotypic diversification plays a central role in evolution and provides species with a capacity to survive environmental adversity. The profound impact of random molecular events on the shaping of life is well accepted in the context of chance mutations and genetic drift; however, the evolution of the regulatory networks encoding microorganismal stress response and survival strategies might also have been significantly influenced by gene expression noise. This likelihood has inspired numerous investigations to characterize the sources of phenotypic diversity within isogenic populations, and to explore their direct and potential biological implications. Here, we discuss different scenarios where gene expression noise might bestow a selective advantage under stress, highlighting a potentially fundamental role of stochastic mechanisms in the evolution of microbial survival strategies.
Obesity, adipokines and asthma
Authors: Jartti T. , Saarikoski L. , Jartti L. , Lisinen I. , Jula A. , Huupponen R. , Viikari J. , Raitakari O. T. 
Published: February 2009

Background:  The prevalence of asthma and obesity is increasing concomitantly, but many aspects of this link are unclear. Our objective was to examine whether obesity is associated with asthma in three time points of life, and whether immunomodulatory adipokines, leptin and adiponectin are linked to overweight‐associated asthma.Methods:  We studied the association between obesity and asthma at ages 3–18 years [mean (SD), 10 years (5), n = 3582, year 1980], 9–24 years [16 years (5), n = 2764, 1986] and 24–39 years [32 years (5), n = 2620, 2001] in a prospective cohort study and further tested for associations with serum leptin and adiponectin concentrations. Data on allergy status, smoking and other laboratory values (serum insulin, plasma C‐reactive protein and serum lipid values) were also analyzed.Results:  Allergy and parental asthma were significantly associated with asthma at all ages. At ages 24–39 years, but not earlier, body mass index (BMI) (odds ratio, OR 1.05; P = 0.019) and female gender (OR 1.56; P = 0.031) were independently associated with asthma. Increase in BMI was also associated with incident asthma during adulthood (OR 1.08; P = 0.030). Levels of leptin, adiponectin or any other obesity‐related biomarker were not independently associated with asthma.Conclusions:  Asthma is linked with obesity in adults, but our results do not support a significant role for leptin, adiponectin or any other obesity‐related biomarker studied in this association. Other factors should be sought for better understanding the connection between obesity and asthma.
The impact of functioning pancreas–kidney transplantation and pancreas alone transplantation on the lipid metabolism of statin‐naïve diabetic patients
Authors: Lauria Márcio W , Figueiró José Maria , Machado Lucas José Campos , Sanches Marcelo D. , Lana Ângela Maria Quintão , Ribeiro‐Oliveira Jr Antônio 
Published: February 2009

Abstract: Objective:  To compare the lipid profile (total cholesterol – TC, triglycerides – TG, high density lipoprotein cholesterol – HDL‐c, low density lipoprotein cholesterol – LDL‐c and non‐HDL cholesterol – NHDL‐c) of patients with functioning pancreas–kidney transplantation (PKT) or pancreas transplantation alone (PTA) after one (T1) and two yr (T2) following their pre‐transplantation data (T0).Methods:  Fifty‐three type 1 diabetic patients underwent pancreas transplantation (42 PKT and 11 PTA) remaining euglycemic after transplantation were evaluated before and one and two yr after the procedures. They were using predominantly tacrolimus‐mycophenolate mofetil‐based immunosuppression and low glucocorticoid dose with systemic venous drainage of the pancreatic graft. None of them used hypolipidemic agents for economical reasons. Lipids were reported as means ± standard error of the mean. Data obtained in T0 were compared with T1 and T2 using ANOVA followed by Student’s t‐test.Results:  TC, LDL‐c, NHDL‐c and TG were lower in T1 and T2 when compared with T0 (p < 0.05) in PKT, while no change was observed for HDL‐c (p > 0.05). PTA group showed no significant changes in lipids.Conclusion:  In spite of the known side effects of tacrolimus‐based immunosuppression to lipids, our study with a statin‐naïve sample showed improvements (PKT) or stabilization (PTA) in the serum lipid profile after pancreas transplantation.
Microbial communities in roots of Pinus sylvestris seedlings with damping‐off symptoms in two forest nurseries as determined by ITS1/2 rDNA sequencing
Authors: Kwaśna H. , Bateman G. L. 
Published: February 2009

SummaryA methodological molecular procedure, which included extraction and cloning of the ITS1/2 rDNA of root‐associated organisms with subsequent transformation and sequencing of representative clones, was effective for detection, discrimination and determination of the frequency of the main damping‐off pathogens in roots of Pinus sylvestris seedlings growing in different forest‐tree nursery soils and exhibiting different rates of disease progress. Roots exhibiting slower damping‐off progression were colonized by Fusarium oxysporum, Neonectria radicicola (Ascomycota) and Pythium spp. (Oomycota), which comprised 50% of the microbial community. Roots exhibiting faster damping‐off progression were dominated by Thanatephorus cucumeris (Basidiomycota), which comprised 80% of the microbial community. The microbial community was more diverse in roots with slower damping‐off progression (14 species) than in roots with faster disease progression (seven species).
PCR‐RFLP markers identify three lineages of the North American and European populations of Phytophthora ramorum
Authors: Elliott M. , Sumampong G. , Varga A. , Shamoun S. F. , James D. , Masri S. , Brière S. C. , Grünwald N. J. 
Published: February 2009

Summary Phytophthora ramorum, the cause of sudden oak death and ramorum blight, has three major clonal lineages and two mating types. Molecular tests currently available for detecting P. ramorum do not distinguish between clonal lineages and mating type is determined by cultural methods on a limited number of samples. In some molecular diagnostic tests, cross‐reaction with other closely related species such as P. hibernalis, P. foliorum or P. lateralis can occur. Regions in the mitochondrial gene Cox1 are different among P. ramorum lineages and mitochondrial genotyping of the North American and European populations seems to be sufficient to differentiate between mating types, because the EU1 lineage is mostly A1 and both NA1 and NA2 lineages are A2. In our study, we were able to identify P. ramorum isolates according to lineage using polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment‐length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP) of the Cox1 gene, first by using ApoI to separate P. ramorum from other species and EU1 from North American populations, and then AvaI to distinguish between NA1 and NA2 genotypes. However, P. foliorum had the same restriction profile as P. ramorum NA1 isolates.
Detection of quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with resistance to whitebacked planthopper (Sogatella furcifera) in rice (Oryza sativa)
Authors: Geethanjali S. , Kadirvel P. , Gunathilagaraj K. , Maheswaran M. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractWhitebacked planthopper (WBPH) is an important insect pest of rice. In this study, we report quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with resistance to WBPH using a doubled‐haploid (DH) mapping population derived from the cross IR64/Azucena. We evaluated a set of 91 DH lines using various screening tests which measure seedling resistance, antibiosis and tolerance to WBPH. QTL analysis involving a RFLP map of 175 markers detected a significant QTL on chromosome 7 (RG511‐RG477) associated with seedling resistance to WBPH. In addition, QTL analysis involving available defence related candidate genes as markers on a sub set of 60 DH lines showed significant association of genomic regions on chromosome 1 (W1‐pMRF1), 2 (XLRfrI7‐RG157) and 7 (RG711‐CDO418) with resistance to WBPH. Several suggestive QTL were detected on chromosomes 2, 3, 6, 7, 8 and 11 showing the possibility of their association with resistance to WBPH. The phenotypic contribution of the QTL ranged from 8.4% to 32.1%. Some of the WBPH resistance QTL detected in this study showed similar map positions with the QTL reported for resistance to brown planthopper (BPH) in the same mapping population. These results would be useful for attempts to trace the genes associated with resistance to planthoppers in rice.
Detection of QTLs for bread‐making quality in wheat using a recombinant inbred line population
Authors: Li Y. , Song Y. , Zhou R. , Branlard G. , Jia J. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractWhereas gluten fraction accounts for 30–60% of the variation in wheat bread‐making quality, there remains substantial variation determined by non‐gluten factors. The objective of this study was to detect new loci for wheat quality. The genetics of sodium dodecyl sulphate‐sedimentation volume (Ssd), grain hardness (GH), grain protein content, wet gluten content (WGC) and water absorption (Abs) in a set of 198 recombinant inbred lines derived from two commercial varieties was studied by quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis. A genetic map based on 255 marker loci, consisting of 250 simple sequence repeat markers and five glutenin loci, Glu‐A1, Glu‐B1, Glu‐D1, Glu‐B3 and Glu‐D3, was constructed. A total of 73 QTLs were detected for all traits. A major QTL for GH was detected on chromosome 1B and its relative contribution to phenotypic variation was 27.7%. A major QTL for Abs on chromosome 5D explained more than 30% of the phenotypic variation. Variations in Ssd were explained by four kinds of genes. Some QTLs for correlated traits mapped to the same regions forming QTL clusters or indicated pleiotropic effects.
Assessment and measurement of health literacy: An integrative review of the literature
Authors: Mancuso Josephine M. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractResearch linking health literacy to health knowledge, health behaviors, health outcomes, health disparity, health status, and increasing health‐care costs is prevalent around the globe. Given the importance of health literacy, it is prudent to examine the tools available to assure that patients are health‐literate. This article provides an integrative review in order to investigate what has been developed to evaluate health literacy in the health‐care setting. The research questions considered include: (i) Which instruments or screening tools are available to assess or measure health literacy in the clinical setting?; and (ii) What are the psychometric properties, advantages, and limitations of the identified tools? A number of databases are utilized to locate research specific to this topic. The research is analyzed, the findings are summarized, and the limitations are mentioned. The implications, recommendations, and the need for future research are discussed.
Premature menopause: Exploring the experience through online communication
Authors: Halliday Lesley , Boughton Maureen 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThe authors explored the experience of premature menopause by analyzing 1350 posted messages by 98 women, with unique usernames, to an online discussion board over a 90 day period between December 2005 and March 2006. Four particularly problematic aspects emerged that related to the following themes: legitimizing the symptoms, the impact of diagnosis (“losing me”), treatment (“regaining me”), and feeling alone. It appeared that premature menopause, regardless of the cause, was a largely negative experience, compounded by the often lengthy process of confirming a diagnosis based on ambiguous and often vague symptoms, the scarcity of suitable information about the condition, and the subjective lack of perceived support that the women received. Furthermore, a feeling of being different, through the lack of menstruation and fertility choices, often led to relationship problems and generally a loss of well‐being. Women with premature menopause would benefit from the development of tailored information and support that addresses these problematic aspects of the condition.
Physicians' perceptions of protocol‐directed weaning in an intensive care unit in Norway
Authors: Hansen Britt Sætre , Severinsson Elisabeth 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThe aim of this paper is to identify physicians' perceptions of protocol‐directed weaning from mechanical ventilation in an intensive care unit in Norway. Errors occur in the absence of procedures, plans, and a team culture. Standardized weaning protocols, or pathways, offer a systematic approach. The focus group method was used. Four themes emerged: (i) acceptance, where the participants perceived the protocol as having a positive influence on the weaning process, although some barriers were identified, such as its failure to facilitate the “difficult‐to‐wean” patient; (ii) indignant responses, which gave the impression that the protocol was prescribed for the benefit of the nurses; (iii) ambivalence was evident in the two different approaches to the weaning process when problems occurred, which were “directing” and “collaborating”; and (iv) continuity and professional competence were perceived as important aspects of the weaning process. An unclear pattern of responsibility and poor interprofessional collaboration and communication were reported.
Presumed circle area ratio of the prostate in a community‐based group of men
Authors: St Sauver Jennifer L. , Jacobson Debra J. , McGree Michaela E. , Girman Cynthia J. , Nehra Ajay , Lieber Michael M. , Jacobsen Steven J. 
Published: February 2009

OBJECTIVETo determine the normal values for the presumed circle area ratio (PCAR) in a group of community‐based men, and to determine whether PCAR is associated with specific urological outcomes.PATIENTS AND METHODSThe study was a cross‐sectional analysis among 328 Caucasian men (94% participation) residing in Olmsted County, Minnesota, USA. The PCAR was measured during prostatic ultrasonography. Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) were measured using the American Urologic Association Symptom Index. The peak urinary flow rate was measured by a uroflowmeter, and the postvoid residual volume (PVR) was assessed using the BladderScanTM BVM 6500 (Verathon, Bothell, WA, USA). Correlations between PCAR and presence of LUTS, peak urinary flow rate, and PVR were determined using Spearman correlation coefficients. Unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were calculated using logistic regression to determine the associations between PCAR thresholds and categorical urological outcomes.RESULTSThe median (interquartile range) PCAR was 0.85 (0.81–0.88). After adjusting for age and total prostate volume, men who had PCARs of >0.90 were more likely to have elevated overall and obstructive symptom scores (OR 2.95, 95% confidence interval 1.39–6.25, and 3.47, 1.63–7.39, respectively).CONCLUSIONPCAR might add further information beyond total prostate volume when predicting the development of obstructive LUTS.
Decrease of urinary nerve growth factor levels after antimuscarinic therapy in patients with overactive bladder
Authors: Liu Hsin‐Tzu , Chancellor Michael B. , Kuo Hann‐Chorng 
Published: February 2009

OBJECTIVETo determine urinary nerve growth factor (NGF) levels in patients with overactive bladder (OAB) and after treatment with antimuscarinics.PATIENTS AND METHODSUrinary NGF levels were measured in 38 ‘normal’ controls and 70 patients with OAB. Patients were treated with tolterodine 4 mg once daily. Urinary NGF levels were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay method and normalized by urinary creatinine levels (NGF/Cr). The urinary NGF/Cr levels and urgency severity scale (USS) were compared at baseline, 1, 2 and 3 months after antimuscarinics, and 1 month after discontinuing treatment.RESULTSThe urinary NGF/Cr level was very low in normal controls with a mean (sem) of 0.005 (0.003). Patients with OAB had significantly higher baseline urinary NGF/Cr levels than the controls. Urinary NGF/Cr levels were significantly reduced at 3 months in 50 responders (1.10 [0.26] before vs 0.41 [0.09] after, P = 0.008) but not in the 20 non‐responders (1.38 [0.54] before vs 1.30 [0.46] after, P = 0.879). However, after discontinuing antimuscarinic treatment for 1 month, the urinary NGF/Cr level was elevated in 23 responders at 0.83 (0.33) and in five non‐responders at 2.72 (1.41). The USS scores significantly changed with the change of urinary NGF/Cr levels in responders at different time points. The voided volume increased but maximum urinary flow rate and postvoid residual volume did not increase in responders after 3‐months of antimuscarinic treatment. The limitation of this study was the lack of a control arm for comparison.CONCLUSIONSChanges in the urinary NGF levels were associated with the changes of the USS scores after antimuscarinic treatment and discontinued medication. The urinary NGF level could be a potential biomarker for evaluating therapeutic results of antimuscarinics therapy.