bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reproductive compensation
Authors: GOWATY PATRICIA ADAIR 
Published: June 2008

AbstractThe reproductive compensation hypothesis says that individuals constrained by ecological or social forces to reproduce with partners they do not prefer compensate for likely offspring viability deficits. The reproductive compensation hypothesis assumes that (i) pathogens and parasites evolve more rapidly than their hosts, (ii) mate preferences predict variation in health and viability of offspring, (iii) social and ecological factors keep some individuals from mating with their preferred partners (some are constrained to mate with partners they do not prefer), (iv) all individuals may be induced to compensate, so that (v) variation in compensation is due to environmental and developmental factors affecting between‐individual abilities to express compensatory mechanisms. Selection favouring compensation may act through variation in prezygotic physiological mechanisms, zygotic mechanisms, or parental care to eggs or young that enhance offspring health, increasing the likelihood that some offspring survive to reproductive age, often at a survival cost to the parents. Compensation may be through increased number of eggs laid or offspring born, a compensatory effort working during a single reproductive bout that sometimes will match the number of offspring surviving to reproductive age produced by unconstrained parents during the same bout. The reproductive compensation hypothesis therefore predicts trade‐offs in components of fitness for breeders, such that parents constrained to mating with a nonpreferred partner, but who compensate sometimes match their current productivity (number of offspring at reproductive age) to unconstrained parents (those breeding with their preferred partners), and, when all else is equal, die faster than unconstrained parents. The reproductive compensation hypothesis emphasizes that reproductive competition is not just between constrained and unconstrained individuals, but also among constrained individuals who do and do not compensate. The reproductive compensation hypothesis may thus explain previously unexplained between‐population and within‐population, between‐individual variation in reproductive success, survival, physiology and behaviour.
Detection of hepatitis A virus RNA from children patients with acute and fulminant hepatitis of unknown etiology in Vietnam: Genomic characterization of Vietnamese HAV strain
Authors: Hoang Phuc Le , Trong Khanh Huu , Tran Tung Thanh , Huy Tran Thien Tuan , Abe Kenji 
Published: June 2008

AbstractBackground: Although it is thought that Vietnam is a high endemic region of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection, there is no report on genomic characterization of HAV spread in Vietnam. The purpose of the present paper was therefore to identify various virus infections from 33 children with acute or fulminant hepatitis of unknown etiology admitted to Children’s Hospital No.1 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.Methods: Anti‐HAV IgM and IgG were assayed by ELISA. Viral RNA and DNA were determined by PCR method. HAV genes isolated by PCR were sequenced and characterized by phylogenetic analysis.Results: Anti‐HAV IgM was detected in 18 of 26 acute hepatitis (69.2%) and one of seven (14.3%) fulminant hepatitis patients. Furthermore, HAV‐RNA in serum was identified in five of 26 acute (19.2%) and two of seven (28.6%) fulminant hepatitis patients, respectively, on nested reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction. Among the seven HAV‐RNA‐positive patients tested, two (28.6%) were negative for anti‐HAV IgM. We also obtained seven isolates containing the HAV genome with the viral protein 1 (VP1) region sequence. All Vietnamese HAV isolates formed a cluster and belonged to genotype IA according to phylogenetic analysis based on the short sequences of VP1‐2A junction region.Conclusion: HAV is an important agent with regard to fulminant hepatitis among children in Vietnam. To the authors’ knowledge this is the first report on Vietnamese HAV strain confirmed on sequencing.
Neurological presentations of conversion disorders in a group of Singapore children
Authors: Teo Wan‐yee , Choong Chew‐Thye 
Published: June 2008

AbstractBackground:Neurological presentations of conversion disorders in children are not uncommon. Conversion disorders mimicking neurological conditions constitute a group of underdiagnosed conditions.Methods:This was a retrospective study of 13 children with neurological presentations of conversion disorders who were admitted to hospital. Patients were followed for 1–4 years.Results:Paralysis was the most common neurological symptom, patients presented with multiple, complex conversion symptoms and other neurological symptoms such as seizures and headache. The affected children underwent complete physical, neurological examination and psychological evaluation. Investigations included blood tests, cranial imaging and electroencephalography. Most common external environmental factors detected were school stress and change in family situation. Five of 13 patients had family members who were reported to have medical conditions with presentations similar to patients’ neurological and psychological problem. All the patients were admitted, five patients required multiple admissions. Ten patients eventually had good outcome in terms of academic grades and social functioning.Conclusion:Diagnosis of conversion disorders mimicking neurological conditions can be challenging. There is a need to heighten awareness of this entity for early recognition and diagnosis. Awareness of this entity coupled with a high index of suspicion can facilitate accurate and earlier diagnosis.
Birth size effect on pulmonary functions and atopic sensitization in preadolescence
Authors: Bostanci İlknur , Dilli Dilek , Dallar Yıldiz 
Published: June 2008

AbstractBackground: The purpose of the present paper was to examine whether low birth size is associated with reduced pulmonary function and increased atopic sensitization in preadolescence.Methods: A cohort of 25 small‐for‐gestational‐age (SGA) infants and an age‐ and sex‐matched comparison group of 29 appropriate‐for‐gestational‐age (AGA) infants born in 1993/94 were studied in preadolescence. Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), and forced expiratory flow when 25–75% of FVC is expired (FEF25–75%) were measured using a spirometer. Atopic sensitization was assessed on serum total IgE levels and skin prick tests (SPT) to common allergens.Results: There were positive correlations among FEV1 (r = 0.30, P = 0.001), FVC (r = 0.20, P = 0.03), and FEF25–75% (r = 0.5, P = 0.001) and ponderal index (PI), although the FEV1/FVC ratio was not correlated with birth size. Mean value of serum total IgE was higher in SGA (106.0 ± 73.4 IU/mL) than AGA children (71.4 ± 67.1 IU/mL; P = 0.02). PI under 10th centile was associated with high IgE levels (P = 0.04, odds ratio, 3.2; 95%CI: 1.0–9.8). The overall prevalence of atopy was 14.8% and there was no significant difference between the groups (P > 0.05).Conclusion: Preadolescents who were born SGA with low birth size compared to controls had reduced pulmonary function. In preadolescence the prevalence of atopy is not higher in SGA than AGA children, although low PI at birth is associated with high IgE levels. Further follow up of this cohort is required to establish the pattern of pulmonary functions and atopic sensitizations in relation to birth size.
Investigation of age‐related developmental differences of button ability
Authors: Ohtoshi Taro , Muraki Toshiaki , Takada Satoshi 
Published: June 2008

AbstractBackground: There is little standardized information on simple and easy‐to‐use evaluation of fine motor skills in disabled children. The purpose of the present study was to determine the relationship between unbuttoning and buttoning ability and age and sex difference.Methods: One hundred and forty‐four children (63 boys and 81 girls; age range, 36–83 months) and 14 young adults took part in the present study. The children were categorized into four groups according to age. Every subject went to nursery school and/or kindergarten. On the basis of Montessori education system, unbuttoning and buttoning were performed. The time from beginning to end was measured individually. All the participants were instructed to do the task in the same way.Results: The mean time required for unbuttoning activity was decreased until 4 years old, while that for buttoning was also reduced until 5 years old, respectively. There were no significant differences between boys and girls except in unbuttoning activity at the age of 3 years.Conclusion: More attention should be paid to unbuttoning and buttoning activities in children. It might be a simple and easy‐to‐use evaluation method in the clinical setting.
Visual and brainstem auditory evoked potentials in children with headache
Authors: Unay Bulent , Ulas Umit Hidir , Karaoglu Baki , Eroglu Erdal , Akin Ridvan , Gokcay Erdal 
Published: June 2008

AbstractBackground: Headache is a common problem in the pediatric population. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate visual evoked potentials (VEP) and brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP) in children with headache.Methods: Thirty‐seven children fulfilling the International Headache Society Criteria for a diagnosis of migraine, 35 children with tension‐type headache and 40 healthy children (control group) were enrolled in the study.Results: The mean age of patients and controls was 10.4 years. P100 latency and amplitudes of migraine patients were significantly higher than children with tension‐type headache and control subjects. Children with tension‐type headache also had higher P100 latency and amplitude values than control subjects but there was no statistical difference. BAEP responses were similar between all groups.Conclusion: Measurement of VEP latency and amplitude is a valuable and reliable test for the diagnosis of migraine and can be used safely in childhood.
Estimation of fracture toughness using miniature chevron‐notched specimens
Authors: SARKAR R. , RAY K. K. 
Published: June 2008

ABSTRACTAn approach for determining fracture toughness of materials using miniature chevron‐notched specimens is reported here for the first time. An outline of the principle and the experimental procedure for the test is depicted using results generated on eutectoid steel. Fracture toughness values of soft annealed and fully annealed eutectoid steels with inter‐lamellar spacing 167 nm and 549 nm are found to be 76 and 56 , respectively. The estimated fracture toughness values from miniature specimens are found to be in good agreement with the ones reported for similar bulk materials.
Determining the accuracy of caudal needle placement in children: a comparison of the swoosh test and ultrasonography
Authors: RAGHUNATHAN KARTHIK , SCHWARTZ DONALD , CONNELLY NEIL ROY 
Published: June 2008

SummaryBackground:  The aim of the present study was to compare two confirmatory tests ‐ the ‘swoosh’ test (auscultation during caudal injection) and real time ultrasound imaging (both transverse 2D imaging and color flow Doppler imaging) in pediatric patients receiving a caudal epidural block.Methods/Materials:  This was a retrospective observational study of caudal injections administered to 83 pediatric patients (0–11 years) presenting for elective surgery over a 4 month time period. While injecting small aliquots of local anesthetic, a standard stethoscope was placed over the lower lumbar spine to auscultate for the ‘swoosh’ test. An ultrasound machine (Sonosite Titan, Sonosite Inc., Bothell, WA, USA) was then utilized for real‐time visualization of caudal injectate. Each test performed during the caudal injection (swoosh, turbulence on 2D imaging, or color flow on Doppler imaging) was recorded as positive, negative or equivocal.Results:  Eighty out of 83 patients (96.4%) had a successful caudal block based on minimal or no perioperative narcotic use, minimal or no response to surgical stimulation, the presence of motor blockade and patient comfort in the PACU. Ultrasound was significantly superior to ‘swoosh’ for sensitivity (96.3% vs 57.5%), negative predictive (40% vs 5.6 value) % and likelihood ratio (2.89 vs 1.73). Specificity and positive predictive value were not different between ‘swoosh’ and ultrasound. Of the ultrasound tests, turbulence was more sensitive than color flow Doppler (95.0% vs 78.8%).Conclusion:  Ultrasonography is superior to the ‘swoosh’ test as an objective confirmatory technique during caudal block placement in children. We found the presence or absence of turbulence during injection within the caudal space to be the best single indicator of caudal success. We think ultrasonography should be used, if available, when teaching this technique.
Grain aphid population structure: no effect of fungal infections in a 2‐year field study in Denmark
Authors: Jensen A. B. , Hansen L. M. , Eilenberg J. 
Published: June 2008

Abstract1 Sitobion avenae (F.) is a serious pest in Danish cereal crops. To understand the population genetic structure, aphids were sampled in seven different winter wheat (Triticum sativum Lamarck) fields throughout Denmark. The aphids were genotyped with seven microsatellite markers. In total, 2075 aphids were collected and 1203 of these were genotyped.2 The Danish S. avenae populations displayed very high genotypic diversity, high percentages of unique genotypes and low linkage disequilibria; this is likely to be a result of genetic recombination encompassed by their holocyclic lifestyle. The populations showed very limited differentiation and no sign of isolation by distance. Almost all the genetic variation was ascribed within the populations rather than between populations, probably due to a high migration rate at approximate 10% per generation.3 Seasonal changes in clonal diversity and distribution of asexual summer generations of S. avenae within the infestation period in a single winter wheat field were followed over two consecutive years by weekly sampling from 60 plots each of 20 × 20 m. Clonal diversity was high in all samples with no dominant clonal lineages and no significant difference in the genotypic diversity between weeks or between years. However, a temporal genetic differentiation effect, throughout the infestation, suggests that selective factors or high temporal migration play an important role in shaping the genetic structure S. avenae.4 Analyses of fungal infected and uninfected aphids were performed to test whether some clonal linage were more often infected by fungi from the Entomophthorales under field conditions. In total, 54 progeny from aphids with Entomophthorales were genotyped and compared with 422 uninfected aphid genotypes. The Entomophthorales‐infected aphid genotypes did not cluster out together, suggesting that these fungal pathogens did not affect the population differentiation or clonal distribution of S. avenae in a Danish agroecosystem.5 Our findings indicate that S. avenae populations can be controlled using conservation biological control
Comparison of carvedilol and metoprolol on serum lipid concentration in diabetic hypertensive patients
Authors: Bell D. S. H. , Bakris G. L. , McGill J. B. 
Published: June 2008

Context:  Vasoconstricting beta‐blocker use is associated with a reduction in HDL cholesterol, higher triglyceride, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels, whereas carvedilol, a vasodilating beta‐blocker, has not been associated with these effects.Objective:  To compare in a randomized, double‐blind study, the effects of the beta 1‐blocker metoprolol tartrate with the combined alpha 1, beta‐blocker carvedilol on serum lipid concentrations.Methods:  A prospective randomized, double‐blind, parallel‐group trial compared the effects of carvedilol and metoprolol on total cholesterol, triglycerides, calculated LDL, HDL and non‐HDL cholesterol levels at baseline and after 5 months of therapy as a secondary objective in the Glycemic Effects in Diabetes Mellitus: Carvedilol‐Metoprolol Comparison in Hypertensive (GEMINI) study. In this study, 1235 participants with type 2 diabetes and hypertension who were receiving renin‐angiotensin system blockers were randomized either to carvedilol, receiving 6.25–25 mg twice daily, or to metoprolol tartrate, receiving 50–200 mg twice daily. If needed, hydrochlorothiazide and a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker were added to achieve blood pressure goals.Results:  In the metoprolol tartrate group, triglycerides and non‐HDL cholesterol increased and both the LDL and the HDL cholesterol levels decreased. In the carvedilol group, total LDL and HDL cholesterol decreased, non‐HDL cholesterol was unchanged and triglycerides increased. Comparing the carvedilol and metoprolol tartrate groups, there was no statistically significant difference in LDL and HDL cholesterol levels, but there was a significantly greater decreases with carvedilol in total cholesterol [−2.9%, 95% confidence interval (CI) −4.60 to −1.15, p < 0.001], triglycerides (−9.8%, 95% CI −13.7, −5.75%, p < 0.001) and non‐HDL cholesterol (−4.03%, 95% CI −6.3 to −1.8, p < 0.0006). At the end of the study, significantly more participants in the metoprolol tartrate group had had initiation of statin therapy or the statin dose increased than those in the carvedilol group (11 vs. 32%, p = 0.04).Conclusions:  In patients with type 2 diabetes currently receiving a renin‐angiotensin blocker, compared with metoprolol tartrate, the addition of carvedilol for blood pressure control resulted in a significant decrease in triglyceride, total cholesterol and non‐HDL cholesterol levels. The use of metoprolol resulted in a significantly greater rate of initiation of statin therapy or an increase in the dose of existing statin therapy when compared with carvedilol utilization.
Effects of fat supplementation on glycaemic response and gastric emptying in adolescents with Type 1 diabetes
Authors: Lodefalk M. , Åman J. , Bang P. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractAims  To compare the glycaemic response to meals with different fat content in adolescents with Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and to investigate associations with gastric emptying.Methods  In this randomized, cross‐over study, paired results were obtained from seven adolescents with T1DM who ingested on different days two meals with the same carbohydrate and protein content, but different fat and energy content (2 and 38 g fat, 320 and 640 kcal, respectively). Paracetamol was mixed into the meals and gastric emptying was estimated by the paracetamol absorption method. All subjects were normoglycaemic and given 7 IU insulin aspart at commencement of ingestion. Postprandial blood samples were taken during 4 h.Results  The areas under the curves for plasma glucose and serum paracetamol concentrations were larger after the low‐fat than after the high‐fat meal during the first 2 h (P = 0.047 and P = 0.041, respectively). The difference between meals in time‐to‐peak in glucose and paracetamol concentrations did not reach statistical significance (high‐fat vs. low‐fat meal: 210 min (120–240) vs. 120 min (50–240), P = 0.080 and 120 min (75–180) vs. 60 min (60–120), P = 0.051, respectively). Changes in glucose concentrations correlated with simultaneous changes in paracetamol concentrations (P < 0.001).Conclusions  For the first time, we have shown that the initial glycaemic response is reduced after a meal with higher compared with a meal with lower fat content in adolescents with T1DM given a rapid‐acting insulin analogue preprandially. The type and dose of preprandial insulin may need adjustment to the fat content of the meal to reach postprandial normoglycaemia.
Identification of Persistent Cycles in Non‐Gaussian Long‐Memory Time Series
Authors: Boutahar Mohamed 
Published: June 2008

Abstract.  Asymptotic distribution is derived for the least squares estimates (LSE) in the unstable AR(p) process driven by a non‐Gaussian long‐memory disturbance. The characteristic polynomial of the autoregressive process is assumed to have pairs of complex roots on the unit circle. In order to describe the limiting distribution of the LSE, two limit theorems involving long‐memory processes are established in this article. The first theorem gives the limiting distribution of the weighted sum,
image
is a non‐Gaussian long‐memory moving‐average process and (cn,k,1 ≤ k ≤ n) is a given sequence of weights; the second theorem is a functional central limit theorem for the sine and cosine Fourier transforms
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Nematode resistance
Authors: Fuller Victoria L. , Lilley Catherine J. , Urwin Peter E. 
Published: June 2008

SummaryPlant‐parasitic nematodes are major pests of both temperate and tropical agriculture. Many of the most damaging species employ an advanced parasitic strategy in which they induce redifferentiation of root cells to form specialized feeding structures able to support nematode growth and reproduction over several weeks. Current control measures, particularly in intensive agriculture systems, rely heavily on nematicides but alternative strategies are required as effective chemicals are withdrawn from use. Here, we review the different approaches that are being developed to provide resistance to a range of nematode species. Natural, R gene‐based resistance is currently exploited in traditional breeding programmes and research is ongoing to characterize the molecular basis for the observed resistant phenotypes. A number of transgenic approaches hold promise, the best described being the expression of proteinase inhibitors to disrupt nematode digestion. The application of plant‐delivered RNA interference (RNAi) to silence essential nematode genes has recently emerged as a potentially valuable resistance strategy.

Contents

Summary
27

I.
Introduction
28

II.
Root‐knot and cyst nematode parasitism
28

III.
Natural resistance genes
29

IV.
Transgenic proteinase inhibitor (PI)‐based control of plant‐parasitic nematodes
34

V.
Other anti‐nematode proteins
36

VI.
In planta RNAi to target plant‐parasitic nematodes
38

VII.
Concluding remarks
39

Acknowledgements
40

References
40
Cytosolic phospholipase A2α inhibition prevents neuronal NMDA receptor‐stimulated arachidonic acid mobilization and prostaglandin production but not subsequent cell death
Authors: Taylor Ava L. , Bonventre Joseph V. , Uliasz Tracy F. , Hewett James A. , Hewett Sandra J. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractPhospholipase A2(PLA2) enzymes encompass a superfamily of at least 13 extracellular and intracellular esterases that hydrolyze thesn‐2 fatty acyl bonds of phospholipids to yield fatty acids and lysophospholipids. The purpose of this study was to characterize which phospholipase paralog regulates NMDA receptor‐mediated arachidonic acid (AA) release. Using mixed cortical cell cultures containing both neurons and astrocytes, we found that [3H]‐AA released into the extracellular medium following NMDA receptor stimulation (100 μM) increased with time and was completely prevented by the addition of the NMDA receptor antagonist MK‐801 (10 μM) or by removal of extracellular Ca2+. Neither diacylglycerol lipase inhibition (RHC‐80267; 10 μM) nor selective inhibition of Ca2+‐independent PLA2[bromoenol lactone (BEL); 10 μM] alone had an effect on NMDA receptor‐stimulated release of [3H]‐AA. Release was prevented by methyl arachidonyl fluorophosphonate (MAFP) (5 μM) and AACOCF3(1 μM), inhibitors of both cytosolic PLA2(cPLA2) and Ca2+‐independent PLA2isozymes. This inhibition effectively translated to block of NMDA‐induced prostaglandin (PG) production. An inhibitor of p38MAPK, SB 203580 (7.5 μM), also significantly reduced NMDA‐induced PG production providing suggestive evidence for the role of cPLA2α. Its involvement in release was confirmed using cultures derived from mice deficient in cPLA2α, which failed to produce PGs in response to NMDA receptor stimulation. Interestingly, neither MAFP, AACOCF3nor cultures derived from cPLA2α null mutant animals showed any protection against NMDA‐mediated neurotoxicity, indicating that inhibition of this enzyme may not be a viable protective strategy in disorders of the cortex involving over‐activation of the NMDA receptor.