bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Crack cocaine trajectories among users in a midwestern American city
Authors: Falck Russel S. , Wang Jichuan , Carlson Robert G. 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACTAims  Although crack cocaine first appeared in cities in the United States in the mid‐1980s, little is known about its use over long periods of time. This study identified crack cocaine user groups on the basis of long‐term trajectories.Design  Following a natural history approach, data were collected periodically from 1996 to 2005. Group‐based modeling assessed the probability of a crack smoker becoming abstinent during the observation period.Setting  A targeted sampling plan guided the recruitment of a community sample of crack cocaine users in Dayton, Ohio.Participants  Crack smokers (n = 430) 18 years or older whose urine tested positive for cocaine metabolites at the baseline interview.Measurements  Interviewer‐administered and audio computer self‐administered, structured questionnaires were used to collect data on a range of variables, including frequency of crack use. Abstinence was defined as not having used crack for at least 6 consecutive months during the study.Findings  Three trajectory‐based groups were identified: (1) No Change, characterized by a very low probability of abstinence; (2) Some Change, characterized by a low to moderate probability of abstinence; and (3) Dramatic Change, characterized by a high probability of abstinence. African Americans and men were significantly less likely to become abstinent. For the majority of the people (63.6%), crack use was uninterrupted by extended periods of abstinence during the study.Conclusion  Crack cocaine use that persists for a decade or longer may well be the norm for a large proportion of people who have experience with the drug.
An activating mutation of the Sclerotinia sclerotiorum pac1 gene increases oxalic acid production at low pH but decreases virulence
Authors: KIM YOUNG TAE , PRUSKY DOV , ROLLINS JEFFREY A. 
Published: July 2007

SUMMARYThe production of oxalic acid by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is regulated by the ambient pH environment. This regulation and that of a few investigated pH‐responsive genes is mediated in part by the zinc finger transcription factor encoded by pac1, an orthologue of the Aspergillus nidulans pacC gene. We manipulated the pac1 sequence by site‐directed mutagenesis to create a dominant activating pac1c mutation and introduced this allele into a pac1 loss‐of‐function (Δpac1) strain. Consistent with a constitutive activation of Pac1 function, oxalic acid accumulation in recovered Δpac1‐pac1c strains was largely independent of ambient pH. Likewise, all three Δpac1‐pac1c strains accumulated detectable pac1 transcripts in a pH 3 environment; however, accumulation of pac1 transcripts remained alkaline‐inducible, but much reduced relative to wild‐type in two of the three Δpac1‐pac1c strains. Surprisingly, the accumulation of pg1 and acp1 transcripts, normally favoured by low pH conditions, were up‐regulated across the range of ambient pH conditions examined (pH 3.4–7.2). Accumulation of neutral pH‐expressed endopolygalacturonase‐6 (pg6) transcripts, however, did not differ from wild‐type. In pathogenicity assays using Arabidopsis and detached tomato leaflets, Δpac1‐pac1c strains were reduced in virulence despite the ability to accumulate oxalic acid independent of the prevailing ambient pH environment. These results support the hypothesis that appropriate gene regulation in response to ambient pH is important for full S. sclerotiorum virulence independent of oxalic acid accumulation.
Prevalence and severity of asthma and allergies in schoolchildren in Lhasa, Tibet
Authors: Droma Y. , Kunii O. , Yangzom Y. , Shan M. , Pingzo L. , Song P. 
Published: July 2007

SummaryBackground
The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) demonstrated that large variations existed in the prevalence of symptoms of asthma, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and eczema throughout the world and that environmental factors and lifestyle customs are major determinants of the prevalence and severity of these diseases. However, the relevant data about children living at high‐altitude locations were considered to be underreported.Objective
The ISAAC Phase III programme was carried out in Lhasa, the Tibetan Autonomous Region in China, at an elevation of 3658 m above sea level to examine the occurrence of asthma, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and eczema in schoolchildren aged 13–14 years.Methods
All 3196 schoolchildren in eight public junior high schools in urban Lhasa who were confirmed to be 13–14 years old were invited and participated in both written and video questionnaire investigations, among which 3190 pieces of data (49.8% of boys and 50.2% of girls) were validated and analysed.Results
Among the overall observations, the prevalence of ‘having ever experienced wheezing’, ‘current wheezing’ and ‘diagnosed to have asthma’ was 1.4%, 0.8% and 1.1%, respectively. The prevalence of current exercise‐induced asthma and current nocturnal cough was 7.1% and 4.6%, respectively. The current prevalence of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and eczema was 5.2% and 0.4%, respectively. In addition, the prevalence of rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms during the past 12 months showed no discernable differences throughout the year.Conclusion
The prevalence of asthma, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and eczema over the past 12 months was the lowest among the centres, that performed ISAAC worldwide.
L‐T3 preparation for whole‐body scintigraphy: a randomized‐controlled trial
Authors: Leboeuf Rébecca , Perron Patrice , Carpentier André C. , Verreault Jean , Langlois Marie‐France 
Published: July 2007

SummaryBackground  Patients with thyroid cancer often need whole‐body scintigraphy (WBS) under TSH stimulation after 4–6 weeks withdrawal from levothyroxine (L‐T4). Patients often become severely hypothyroid with impaired quality of life. Liothyronine (L‐T3) substitution is used empirically to prepare patients; however, no data exist to prove its benefit.Objectives  To compare the hypothyroid state in patients receiving either placebo or L‐T3 following L‐T4 withdrawal and to evaluate the time needed for adequate TSH elevation in preparation for WBS.Methods  At the time of L‐T4 withdrawal, patients were randomized to receive L‐T3 (50 µg qd) or placebo for 3 weeks, after which treatment was stopped. A validated evaluation of hypothyroidism (Billewicz score) was administered in a double‐blind fashion every 2 weeks until the WBS. TSH, fT4 and fT3 were measured weekly.Results  A total of 20 patients were randomized between September 2003 and May 2005. There was no difference in the Billewicz score at any time between the two groups. Before WBS, both groups were profoundly hypothyroid. TSH at time of WBS was similar in both groups. The time needed to reach a TSH level of more than 30 mUI/l was longer in L‐T3 group (mean ± SD: 32 ± 4 days vs. 17 ± 9 days in placebo group, P = 0·006).Conclusion  Preparation for WBS with L‐T3 does not prevent profound hypothyroidism and delays TSH elevation required for WBS. L‐T4 withdrawal alone for 2–3 weeks is simpler and sufficient to allow TSH to reach a level of more than 30 mUI/l in the majority of patients without increasing morbidity from hypothyroidism.
Body fat in nonobese women with prolactinoma treated with dopamine agonists
Authors: Naliato Erika C. O. , Violante Alice H. D. , Caldas Dayse , Filho Adilson Lamounier , Loureiro Christiane R. , Fontes Rosita , Schrank Yolanda , Souza Rodrigo G. , Costa Patricia L. M. , Colao Annamaria 
Published: July 2007

SummaryObjectives  To evaluate body fat in nonobese women with prolactinoma treated with dopamine agonists, using whole body dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) and to correlate DXA results with biochemical data and clinical aspects of the prolactinoma.Design, patients and measurements  A cross‐sectional study was performed in two University referral centres. Thirty‐one nonobese premenopausal women with prolactinoma were subjected to DXA and blood analysis at clinical evaluation. They were compared with 21 control women of similar age and body mass index (BMI).Results  Women with prolactinoma treated with dopamine agonists and controls had similar body fat percentages in all sites evaluated with DXA (arms, legs, trunk, android, gynoid and total body). Patients with normal PRL levels at study entry had lower body fat percentages in all sites. In the patient group, arm, leg, truncal, android, gynoid and total body fat were positively associated with PRL levels.Conclusion  Body fat percentage is similar in nonobese women with prolactinoma and in controls. The lower body fat content in patients with normal PRL levels is likely to be due to the metabolic effects of adequate dopamine receptor type 2 (DR2) activation as a result of regular dopamine agonist treatment. This finding reinforces the importance of the appropriate treatment with dopamine agonists in women with prolactinoma, which, besides normalizing PRL levels, reduces body fat content and the consequent risk of developing Metabolic Syndrome and its complications.
Health outcome measurements in children with sleep disordered breathing
Authors: Georgalas C. , Babar‐Craig H. , Arora A. , Narula A. 
Published: July 2007

Objective:  To validate the Child Health Questionnaire, measure quality of life in children with obstructive sleep apnoea and assess the impact of surgery.Methods:  The primary carer of a consecutive series of 42 patients with sleep disordered breathing referred to a paediatric otolaryngology clinic completed the Child Health Questionnaire (version PF 28). Questionnaires were analysed for data quality and completeness, item/scale correlation, internal consistency and discriminant validity, interscale correlation and reliability. Following overnight pulse oximetry 37 children were diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnoea and underwent adenotonsillectomy.Results:  Child Health Questionnaire Physical Functioning 28 demonstrated excellent measuring characteristics in our population. Compared with normative data, children with obstructive sleep apnoea and their carers suffer a significant quality of life deficit, involving 10 of 13 subscales of the Child Health Questionnaire. This was most prominent in parental emotional impact, general health perception and family activities. There was no correlation between the severity of obstructive sleep apnoea and quality of life indices. Following surgery, there was a significant improvement in all Child Health Questionnaire subscales, which became equivalent to healthy children.Conclusion:  The Child Health Questionnaire Physical Functioning 28 is an accurate and reliable way of assessing the impact of obstructive sleep apnoea on the quality of life in children in Britain. This appears to be significant in most aspects of a child's life, but is fully reversed following surgery.
Endonasal endoscopic approach to the petrous apex: an image‐guided quantitative anatomical study1
Authors: Chatrath P. , Nouraei S.A.R. , De Cordova J. , Patel M. , Saleh H.A. 
Published: July 2007

Background:  The petrous apex is a relatively inaccessible region, deeply situated within the skull base. Removal of lesions from this area, traditionally accomplished via lateral approaches, can cause significant morbidity. We undertook an anatomical study to investigate the surgical anatomy of the petrous apex through an endonasal endoscopic approach, which has been sporadically described in the literature, to investigate its feasibility and to characterise clear and consistent surgical landmarks for access.Methods:  Cadaveric dissections were performed on five heads. Pre‐dissection computed tomography scans were used, with the BrainLabTM navigation system, to verify entry into the petrous apex. Surgical landmarks were characterised in relation to fixed sphenoid sinus structures, and surgical access before and after drilling the sphenoid sinus rostrum was quantitatively compared.Results:  The landmark for entry into the petrous apex was the intersection of a vertical line halfway between the medial surface of the internal carotid artery and the midline, with a horizontal line one‐third of the way up from the postero‐inferior floor of the sphenoid sinus. The dimensions of the postero‐superior sphenoid sinus were characterised by the inter‐carotid distance, pituitary‐to‐sphenoid‐floor distance and the width of the sphenoid sinus floor, which were 15 ± 3 mm, 16 ± 3 mm and 26 ± 1.6 mm respectively. The surface area of surgical access was 193 ± 28 mm2, increasing to 316 ± 39 mm2 after drilling of the sphenoid rostrum (P < 0.001; paired t‐test).Conclusions:  Endoscopic approach to the petrous apex is anatomically feasible, and, aided by image navigation, could extend the scope of endonasal surgery to access highly‐selected lesions in the middle cranial fossa.
A pilot randomized controlled trial of coblation tonsillectomy versus dissection tonsillectomy with bipolar diathermy haemostasis
Authors: Mitic S. , Tvinnereim M. , Lie E. , Šaltytė B.J. 
Published: July 2007

Objectives:  To compare postoperative recovery in children between 4 and 12 years undergoing tonsillectomy, using either coblation tonsillectomy or dissection tonsillectomy with bipolar diathermy haemostasis.Design:  A prospective, single blind, randomised controlled trial.Setting:  ENT clinic, University Teaching Hospital.Participants:  Forty paediatric patients, aged between 4 and 12 years and between 16 and 60 kg in weight with standard indication for tonsillectomy.Methods:  Patients were randomly allocated to either coblation tonsillectomy or dissection tonsillectomy groups. Patients, parents, and nurses were blinded for operation method. Parents were asked to fill out a postoperative diary from 1 to 10 days.Main outcome measures:  Primary outcomes were scored for postoperative pain, nutrition, activity, and use of analgetics for each of the 10 postoperative days. Secondary outcomes were estimated from the nurses’ postoperative data and 10‐day follow‐up statistics regarding crossing of the two‐score limit.Results:  The groups were statistically comparable by age, weight and operation type. There was no significant difference in operation time in two groups. Intra‐operative bleeding was significantly less in the coblation group. Statistically significant differences between dissection tonsillectomy and coblation tonsillectomy were found in the day when a score of two of five was passed in pain scores (9.6 versus 6.2), nutrition scores (8.9 versus 6.6), activity score (8.4 versus 6.6) and medicine intake (9.4 versus 6.4), We found parallelism, between regression lines, that indicates better postoperative life quality for the coblation tonsillectomy group and approximately 2 days’ shorter recovery time.Conclusion:  In our pilot study, patients undergoing coblation tonsillectomy reported less pain, quicker return to normal diet, quicker return to normal activity, and less use of analgetics over a 10‐day period than patients undergoing dissection tonsillectomy. Our results indicate that the recovery period for coblation tonsillectomy was approximately 2 days shorter and demonstrated less morbidity.
SerenoCemTM‐glass ionomeric granules: a 3‐year follow‐up assessment of their effectiveness in mastoid obliteration
Authors: Clark M.P.A. , Bottrill I. 
Published: July 2007

Keypoints• A chronically discharging cavity is a complication of canal‐wall down mastoidectomy procedures.• Mastoid obliteration can reduce this otorrhoea, with many techniques and materials for obliteration described.• This study assesses the effectiveness of SerenoCem™ granules in providing successful obliteration, by recording the need for subsequent aural care and patient satisfaction using the Glasgow Benefit Inventory.• All ears were made dry by the procedure (three after revision). Aural care visits reduced [down 9.2 (95% CI 4.7–13.8) over 2 years] and quality of life benefited [total postoperative Glasgow Benefit Inventory score 21.8 (95% CI 10.1–33.6)] significantly, suggesting that SerenoCem™ granules are a useful biomaterial to consider in mastoid obliteration.• Postoperative infection can prevent osseointegration of the SerenoCem™.
Head and neck cancer waiting times
Authors: Webb C.J. , Benton J. , Tandon S. , Jones T.M. , Roland N.J. 
Published: July 2007

Keypoints• The guidelines for treating cancer changed in December 2005 to no longer than 62 days from urgent referral to treatment, or 31 days from diagnosis to treatment.• The use, by general practitioners, of suspected head and neck cancer proformas has reduced the time taken from referral to first outpatient appointment from 15 days in 2003 to 5.5 days in 2005.• The introduction of specific radiology request forms for suspected malignancy has allowed easier identification of requests for imaging and subsequently a shorter waiting time for radiological investigations from 23 days in 2003 to 10 days in 2005.• The appointment of a new dedicated head and neck cancer consultant at Aintree and the provision of another linear accelerator have reduced the waiting time for surgery from 68 days in 2003 to 39 days in 2005 and radiotherapy from 86 days in 2003 to 52.6 days in 2005.• Patients not referred as suspected cancer patients who subsequently receive primary radiotherapy for a head and neck cancer fall outside the 62 day rule, being treated on average 70 days after referral.
Separating host‐tree and environmental determinants of honeydew production by Ultracoelostoma scale insects in a Nothofagus forest
Authors: DUNGAN ROGER J. , KELLY DAVE , TURNBULL MATTHEW 
Published: July 2007

Abstract 1. Sugar‐rich honeydew excreted (‘produced’) by insects feeding on phloem sap is a key energy flow in a range of temperate and tropical ecosystems. The present study measured honeydew produced by Ultracoelostoma sp. (Homoptera: Coelostomidiidae) scale insects feeding on Nothofagus solandri var. solandri (Hook f.) Oerst. trees in a temperate evergreen forest in New Zealand. Simultaneous measurements of environmental variables and canopy photosynthesis were conducted to allow separation of host‐tree and environmental determinants of honeydew production. These relationships were further examined in experiments where canopy photosynthesis was manipulated by shading or plant nitrogen levels increased by foliar spray.2. Rates of honeydew production varied nine‐fold from a maximum (± 1 SE) of 64.4 ± 15.2 mg dry mass m−2 bark h−1 in early summer (December) to a minimum of 7.4 ± 4.2 mg m−2 h−1 in winter (August). Rates of production measured 1.4 m from the base of the trees’ stems varied significantly with stem diameter, and were higher on medium‐sized (18 cm diameter) than small or large stems.3. Rates of production were significantly related to environmental conditions over the hours preceding measurement (air temperature and air saturation deficit averaged over the preceding 24 and 12 h respectively). There was no evidence that rates of production were directly related to short‐term changes in the supply of carbohydrates from the canopy (either when compared with measurements of unmanipulated photosynthetic rate, or after sugar levels were manipulated by shading 80% of host‐trees’ leaf area), or to changes in phloem nitrogen content.4. The results show that there is no clear effect of host‐tree carbon supply on honeydew production; if production is related to photosynthesis, the effect of this is much less important that the large and significant direct effect of environmental conditions on honeydew production.
Acorn removal and dispersal by the dung beetleThorectes lusitanicus: ecological implications
Authors: PÉREZ‐RAMOS IGNACIO M. , MARAÑÓN TEODORO , LOBO JORGE M. , VERDÚ JOSÉ R. 
Published: July 2007

Abstract1. Plant–animal interactions, and in particular the processes of seed predation and dispersal, are crucial for tree regeneration and forest dynamics. A novel and striking case of interaction between a dung beetle (Thorectes lusitanicus) and twoQuercusspecies (Q. suberandQ. canariensis) in forests of southern Spain is presented here.2. During the autumn,T. lusitanicusbeetles (endemic to the southern Iberian Peninsula) bury and feed on single‐seeded fruits (acorns) ofQuercus, with important ecological implications.3. Field experiments found differences in the removal rate of acorns byT. lusitanicus, depending on the type of microsite within the forest, the species of oak, the exclosure of large herbivores, and the forest site.4. Acorn consumption byT. lusitanicuswas studied under laboratory conditions, confirming for the first time that this dung beetle is a legitimate seed predator.5. In addition, some buried acorns can be abandoned partially predated or even intact, and emerge as seedlings; thus,T. lusitanicusalso has a potential role as secondary seed disperser.
Effects of larval energetic resources on life history and adult allocation patterns in a caddisfly (Trichoptera: Phryganeidae)
Authors: JANNOT JASON E. , BRUNEAU EVE , WISSINGER SCOTT A. 
Published: July 2007

Abstract 1. How populations respond to environmental change depends, in part, on the connection between environmental variance during early life stages and its effect on subsequent life‐history traits. For example, environmental variation during the larval stage can influence the life histories of organisms with complex life cycles by altering the amount of time spent in each stage of the life cycle as well as by altering allocation to life‐history traits during metamorphosis.2. The effects of larval energetic resources on developmental timing, adult mass, fecundity, mating success, and allocation to adult body structures (thorax, abdomen, wings) were examined in an aquatic caddisfly (Agrypnia deflata Milne, Trichoptera: Phryganeidae). Larval energetic reserves were manipulated by removing larval cases just prior to pupation. In the first experiment, cases of all individuals were removed just prior to pupation; experimental individuals were required to build a new case whereas control individuals were allowed to re‐enter their case without building. In the second experiment, energy differences were maximised between the two treatments by supplementing the larval diet of the control group and removing cases and not supplementing the diet of the experimental group.3. Male and female development time, adult mass, and female fecundity were not influenced by case removal or diet supplementation. In contrast, allocation to adult body parts indicated a trade‐off between abdominal and thoracic mass among case‐removal females, suggesting that, under larval resource stress, females adjust resource allocation during metamorphosis to alleviate potential negative impacts on clutch size. In addition, latency to copulation increased when cases were removed, indicating larval resource stress could influence male mating success.4. This study suggests that, under larval energetic stress, the negative impacts on female reproduction might be mitigated by re‐allocating resources during metamorphosis, whereas male allocation strategies might not be as flexible as female strategies.