bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Contrasting characteristics in increasing and decreasing phases of the Nerita japonica (Mollusca: Gastropoda) population on a boulder shore
Authors: Takada Yoshitake 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThe present study demonstrated the seasonal and annual fluctuations in population characteristics of Nerita japonica on a boulder shore at Amakusa, Japan, and examined key characteristics in the increasing and decreasing phases for population monitoring. Monthly quantitative quadrat sampling and subsequent mark‐recapture experiments were carried out during two periods: from April 1989 to July 1990 (1st period), and from August 1991 to November 1992 (2nd period). The density of the population was in a decreasing phase during the 1st period and in an increasing phase during the 2nd period. The density increase coincided with the extension of the vertical distribution range to a lower tide level, increase in the number of recruitment events, increase in the proportion of juveniles within the population, and increase in the survival of juveniles and adults. The growth rate was slightly increased but the average shell length of adult cohorts did not show any change. Additional observations showed a continued density increase and range extension until 1994. On the other hand, the density decrease coincided with recruitment failure and a low rate of survival with an unchanged range of the vertical distribution. Thus, for monitoring the population of N. japonica, recruitment success and changes in density and distribution range are key characteristics, but the shell size is not. These findings show the potential usefulness of N. japonica as an indicator of the shore environment.
Optimization of Selective Lipase‐Catalyzed Feruloylated Monoacylglycerols by Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Zheng Yan , Quan Jing , Zhu Li‐Min , Jiang Bo , Nie Hua‐Li 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThe use of solvent engineering to achieve selective enzymatic synthesis of feruloylated acylglycerols during the transesterification of ethyl ferulate with TAG was investigated. Novozym 435 catalyzed transesterification of ethyl ferulate and TAG resulted in a mixture of feruloylated monoacylglycerols (FMAG) and feruloylated diacylglycerols (FDAG). These feruloylated acylglycerols have recently received much attention because of their health benefits, antioxidant properties and UV absorption. However, FMAG in a pure form is more advantageous than the FMAG–FDAG mixture in exhibiting stabilizing, emulsifying and conditioning properties. Thus, it is significant to perform efficient selectivity in the synthetic process. In this present study, the effect of various solvent mixtures, including unitary, binary and ternary organic media selective enzymatic synthesis of feruloylated acylglycerols was investigated by response surface methodology. Selectivity towards FMAG substantially increased from 14.5% in the unitary solvent n‐hexane to 94.2% in the binary mixtures of 2‐methyl‐2‐butanol (2M2B) and toluene (1:1, v/v). The maximum conversion achieved was 75.4% in this binary mixture medium. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that 99.6% of the observed variation was explained by the polynomial model. Lack of fit analysis indicated that the regress equation was adequate for predicting the degree of the selectivity.
Plastic Surgery Reconstruction of the Diabetic Foot
Authors: Zgonis Thomas , Stapleton John J. , Rodriguez Roberto H. , Girard‐Powell Valerie A. , Cromack Douglas T. 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTSOFT TISSUE RECONSTRUCTION of the diabetic foot is a challenge for the perioperative team.PRIMARY CLOSURE may not be an option and secondary healing may not be reliable. Therefore, surgery is vital and should be coordinated among a well‐functioning multidisciplinary team that specializes in caring for patients with diabetes mellitus.TEAM MEMBERS must have expertise in reconstructive surgery to ensure adequate wound healing.THIS ARTICLE EMPHASIZES the appropriate timing and staging of surgery, discusses the most common plastic surgery techniques, and underscores the importance of a team approach in the management of diabetic foot wounds. AORN J 87 (May 2008) 951‐966. © AORN, Inc, 2008.
Surgical Management of Diabetic Foot Infections and Amputations
Authors: Zgonis Thomas , Stapleton John J. , Girard‐Powell Valerie A. , Hagino Ryan T. 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTTHE INCIDENCE OF DIABETES with severe foot infections (eg, necrotizing fasciitis, gas gangrene, ascending cellulitis, infection with systemic toxicity or metabolic instability) has risen significantly during the past decade.FOOT INFECTIONS are a major cause of hospitalization and subsequent lower extremity amputation among patients with diabetes mellitus who have a history of a preexisting ulceration.SURGICAL MANAGEMENT often is required to address severe diabetic foot infections because they can be limb‐ or life‐threatening. Critical limb ischemia, neuropathy, and an immunocompromised host, which often are associated with diabetic foot infections, complicate treatment and are associated with a poorer prognosis.AORN J87 (May 2008) 935–946. © AORN, Inc, 2008.
MULTIPLE SOLUTIONS FOR A DIRICHLET PROBLEM WITH p-LAPLACIAN AND SET-VALUED NONLINEARITY
Authors: AVERNA D. , MARANO S. A. , MOTREANU D. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThe existence of a negative solution, of a positive solution, and of a sign-changing solution to a Dirichlet eigenvalue problem with p-Laplacian and multi-valued nonlinearity is investigated via sub- and supersolution methods as well as variational techniques for nonsmooth functions.
Safety of barley starch syrup in patients with allergy to cereals
Authors: Nermes Merja , Karvonen Henna , Sarkkinen Essi , Isolauri Erika 
Published: May 2008

It is not known whether trace amounts of proteins that may remain in cereal-starch-derived food ingredients even after food processing can trigger allergic symptoms in cereal-allergic individuals. The aim of this study was to find out if barley starch syrup causes allergic reactions in patients with allergy to wheat, barley, rye or oats. Fifteen children with allergy to these cereals, confirmed by double-blind placebo-controlled food challenge (DBPCFC), were selected for the study. When exposed to cereals, seven of the children (47 %) showed immediate type reactions, such as urticaria, rash or anaphylaxis. Eight of the children (53 %) showed delayed type reactions, such as deterioration of atopic dermatitis or diarrhoea. The fifteen children with allergy to cereals were exposed to barley starch syrup in DBPCFC and none of them showed any objective signs of allergy. On skin-prick tests (SPT), five of the children (33·3 %) showed a positive ( ≥ 3 mm) reaction to at least one of the cereals but none of them to barley starch syrup. This study confirmed with 98 % confidence that at least 90 % of the patients with verified allergy to cereals will not react with allergic symptoms to barley starch syrup.
Simulation of sow herd dynamics with emphasis on performance and distribution of periodic task events
Authors: MARTEL G. , DEDIEU B. , DOURMAD J.-Y. 
Published: May 2008

SUMMARYCurrently, the diversity of sow herd management strategies has been described but there are no tools that explore how it promotes sow herd performance nor how it or performance are linked to work organization problems. The goal of the current study was to build a herd dynamic, stochastic object-oriented model capable of representing the herd dynamics and performance, and to predict the number of events workers will have to deal with. Each sow is individually represented in the model and the model works as a discrete event simulator with a predefined time step of 1 h. At each time step of simulation, the model searches for an event to be processed. An event may imply change of sow physiological state (e.g. oestrus, farrowing and insemination) and/or request an action from a worker (e.g. oestrous detection and farrowing supervision). This action may result in the planning of a new event (e.g. farrowing after mating) and/or modification of sow state (e.g. from oestrus to pregnant). The occurrences of some technical activities such as weaning are defined in time and frequency according to the management strategy of the farmer. The model is stochastic as sow biology is represented by several normal univariate distributions according to parity or by a threshold (fertility, abortion and mortality rates). When sows return into oestrus after mating they can be moved to another batch or culled depending on batch management strategy and culling policy. Outputs of this model focus on productivity of sows and distribution of tasks over the week. Definitions of the duration of simulation and number of replications to obtain the steady state and the variability of results are presented. The model is able to simulate several batch farrowing systems (BFS) and results of 1-, 3- and 4-week BFS are presented. Several simulations with modified management (no oestrous detection during the weekend and change of the weaning day) or with modified sow biology (increased variability of the weaning-to-oestrus interval and lower fertility rate) are performed. Results indicate that these modifications have specific consequences on performance and task distribution according to the BFS. The model provides useful information concerning the effects of herd management strategies on productivity and distribution of events over time and their sensitivity to biological criteria.
Early oral feeding following total laryngectomy
Authors: Aswani J , Thandar M , Otiti J , Fagan J 
Published: May 2008

AbstractObjectives:To determine whether, in a developing world context, early oral feeding after laryngectomy is safe, cost-effective and appropriate.Study design:A prospective study of early oral feeding after laryngectomy, compared with retrospective, historical delayed feeding controls.Method:Forty patients underwent total laryngectomy for advanced carcinoma of the larynx with or without hypopharyngeal involvement, not requiring tongue base resection or myocutaneous flaps, and were commenced on oral feeding on the second post-operative day. Thirty-nine laryngectomy patients previously managed in the same unit who had received conventional, delayed oral feeding served as controls.Results:Pharyngocutaneous fistulae developed in 20 per cent of the early feeding patients, compared with 15.4 per cent of the delayed oral feeding controls (p = 0.592). For patients who did not develop fistulae, hospitalisation was shorter in the early oral feeding group (p = 0.007).Conclusion:Early oral feeding for laryngectomy patients is recommended, both in developed and developing countries.
Evaluation of caspase-3 and caspase-8 deregulation in tongue squamous cell carcinoma, based on immunohistochemistry and computerised image analysis
Authors: Andressakis D , Lazaris A C , Tsiambas E , Kavantzas N , Rapidis A , Patsouris E 
Published: May 2008

AbstractAims:To investigate the potential role of caspase-3 and caspase-8 protein expression in the biological behaviour of tongue squamous cell carcinoma.Materials and methods:We conducted immunohistochemical analyses of 87 specimens of primary tongue squamous cell carcinoma, using monoclonal anti-caspase-3 and anti-caspase-8 antibodies. A digital image analysis assay was also performed in order to evaluate the results.Results:Reduced expression of caspase-8 and -3 proteins was observed in 30/87 (34.5 per cent) and 79/87 (90.5 per cent) cases, respectively. Cox regression analysis showed no prognostic significance for the association between overall protein expression of either marker and survival probability (p = 0.174 for caspase-3; p = 0.608 for caspase-8). Interestingly, the size of the examined tumours was strongly correlated with survival status (p = 0.024).Conclusions:Simultaneous deregulation of caspase-8 and -3 is a frequent event in tongue squamous cell carcinoma. Activation of caspase-3, which is predominantly down-regulated, may be a crucial process for induction of apoptosis and response to therapeutic strategies.
Tuplespace-based computing for the Semantic Web: a survey of the state-of-the-art
Authors: NIXON LYNDON J. B. , SIMPERL ELENA , KRUMMENACHER RETO , MARTIN-RECUERDA FRANCISCO 
Published: May 2008

AbstractSemantic technologies promise to solve many challenging problems of the present Web applications. As they achieve a feasible level of maturity, they become increasingly accepted in various business settings at enterprise level. By contrast, their usability in open environments such as the Web—with respect to issues such asscalability,dynamismandopenness—still requires additional investigation. In particular, Semantic Web services have inherited the Web service communication model, which is primarily based on synchronous message exchange technology such as remote procedure call (RPC), thus being incompatible with the REST (REpresentational State Transfer) architectural model of the Web. Recent advances in the field of middleware propose‘semantic tuplespace computing’as an instrument for coping with this situation. Arguing that truly Web-compliant Web service communication should be based, analogously to the conventional Web, on shared access to persistently published data instead of message passing, space-based middleware introduces acoordination infrastructureby means of which services can exchange information in a time- and reference-decoupled manner. In this article, we introduce the most important approaches in this newly emerging field. Our objective is to analyze and compare the solutions proposed so far, thus giving an account of the current state-of-the-art, and identifying new directions of research and development.
A one-day education in soft tissue massage: Experiences and opinions as evaluated by nursing staff in palliative care
Authors: Cronfalk Berit Seiger , Friedrichsen Maria , Milberg Anna , Strang Peter 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTObjective:Increasing awareness of well-being aspects of physical touch has spurred the appreciation for soft tissue massage (STM) as part of palliative care. Educational programs are available but with no specific focus on utilization for this kind of care. The aim was to study the feasibility of a 1-day course in STM in clarifying nursing staff's experiences and opinions, but also to shed light on their motivation and ability to employ STM in the care of dying cancer patients.Method:In all, 135 nursing staff participated. The course consisted of theory and hands-on training (hand-foot-, back massage). Focus-groups with 30/135 randomly chosen participants were conducted 4 weeks after the intervention. This study engaged a qualitative approach using content analysis.Results:The overall opinion of the 1-day course was positive. The majority experienced the contents of the course to be adequate and sufficient for clinical care. They emphasized the pedagogical expertise as valuable for the learning process. The majority of nurses shared the opinion that their extended knowledge clarified their attitudes on STM as a complement in palliative care. Still, a few found it to be too basic and/or intimate. Three categories emerged during the analysis: experiences of and attitudes toward the education, experiences of implementing the skills in every-day care situations, and attitudes to the physical body in nursing care.Significance of results:The approach to learning and the pedagogical skills of the teacher proved to be of importance for how new knowledge was perceived among nurses. The findings may encourage hospital organizations to introduce short courses in STM as an alternative to more extensive education.
EM-random forest and new measures of variable importance for multi-locus quantitative trait linkage analysis
Authors: Lee Sophia S. F. , Sun Lei , Kustra Rafal , Bull Shelley B. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractMotivation: We developed an EM-random forest (EMRF) for Haseman–Elston quantitative trait linkage analysis that accounts for marker ambiguity and weighs each sib-pair according to the posterior identical by descent (IBD) distribution. The usual random forest (RF) variable importance (VI) index used to rank markers for variable selection is not optimal when applied to linkage data because of correlation between markers. We define new VI indices that borrow information from linked markers using the correlation structure inherent in IBD linkage data.Results: Using simulations, we find that the new VI indices in EMRF performed better than the original RF VI index and performed similarly or better than EM-Haseman–Elston regression LOD score for various genetic models. Moreover, tree size and markers subset size evaluated at each node are important considerations in RFs.Availability: The source code for EMRF written in C is available at www.infornomics.utoronto.ca/downloads/EMRFContact: bull@mshri.on.caSupplementary information: Supplementary data are available at www.infornomics.utoronto.ca/downloads/EMRF
Clinicopathologic presentations of dermatomycoses in cancer patients
Authors: Quatresooz P , Piérard‐Franchimont C , Arrese JE , Piérard GE 
Published: May 2008

AbstractMany of the skin fungal infections in cancer patients may look similar to those infections in non‐cancer patients. However, in some cases, they become more extensive and even life threatening. Prolonged and severe neutropenia is the main risk factor for the dramatic issue of fungal infections. The dermatomycoses in cancer patients can be classified in four broad groups: primary superficial dermatophytoses, primary superficial yeast infections, opportunistic mold infections with distinct potential for dissemination and secondary cutaneous manifestations of fungaemia. Occasionally, more than one fungus are found inside a given skin lesion. A special condition is represented by the mycotic colonization of mucosal squamous cell carcinomas. Angio‐invasion by fungi accounts for the frequency of disseminated infections prevailing in immunocompromised cancer patients. In case of skin involvement, the dermatologist may assist by recognizing subtle semiological signs and performing biopsies for swift histological examination, molecular biology and/or culture.
Transcriptional regulation of ASK/Dbf4 in cutaneous melanoma is dependent on E2F1
Authors: Nambiar Sandeep , Mirmohammadsadegh Alireza , Hassan Mohamed , Hegemann Johannes H. , Hengge Ulrich R. 
Published: May 2008

Background:  Melanoma is a complex genetic disease, the management of which will require an in‐depth understanding of the biology underlying its initiation and progression. Recently, we have reported the differential regulation of a novel gene, namely ASK/Dbf4, in melanoma and suggested upregulation of ASK/Dbf4 as a novel molecular determinant with prognostic relevance that confers a proliferative advantage in cutaneous melanoma. As trans‐acting factor binding is fundamental to understand the regulation of gene expression, this study focuses on characterization of the specific transcriptional regulation of ASK/Dbf4 in melanoma.Objective:  We investigated whether ASK/Dbf4 is a transcriptional target of the important cell cycle regulator E2F1 in melanoma.Results:  As evidenced by gel supershift assays on nuclear extracts from various melanoma cell lines (SK‐MEL‐28, MV3, M13, A375 and BLM), E2F1 bound to the ASK/Dbf4 minimal promoter (MP). In addition, cisplatin‐mediated abrogation of E2F1 binding to the ASK/Dbf4 MP resulted in a transcriptional decrease in ASK/Dbf4. Further, the current study also demonstrated that ASK/Dbf4 regulation was refractory to UVB, a well‐known risk factor for melanoma.Conclusions:  In summary, our study not only elucidated that ASK/Dbf4, a novel cell survival gene in melanoma was transcriptionally regulated by E2F1, but also that the induction of ASK/Dbf4 was refractory to UVB exposure suggesting that its upregulation was not an early event in melanomagenesis.
Serological survey for evidence of Leptospira interrogans in free‐living platypuses (Ornithorhynchus anatinus)
Authors: LOEWENSTEIN L , MCLACHLAN‐TROUP T , HARTLEY M , ENGLISH A 
Published: May 2008

Objective  To survey free‐living platypuses for evidence of Leptospira interrogans.Methods  A serological study of Leptospira antibodies was carried out on 21 platypuses captured between May and October 2001 in the Wollondilly River 200 km south of Sydney, New South Wales.Results  Positive reactions, all to the L Hardjo serovar, were seen in 14 (66%) of the captured animals, with adult males showing a higher prevalence of antibodies than adult females. Several individual platypuses showed a high titre of L Hardjo antibodies, and some animals demonstrated cross‐reactions to the serovars L Medanensis and L Kremastos.Conclusion  The serological findings demonstrate that these animals are constantly exposed to infection with Leptospira in their environment, but it is not known if platypuses suffer from clinical leptospirosis or if they mount an immune response, but are unaffected by the bacteria. The prevalence of Leptospira infection among the platypus population could not be precisely estimated because of the unknown number of individuals inhabiting the Wollondilly River inside the survey property. Domestic livestock, mostly cattle, may be the major source of Leptospira infection. The effects of this disease on population dynamics and on reproduction in wild platypuses are not well understood. The role of other wildlife in the transmission and maintenance of Leptospira in the environment is unknown.
Ultrasound and Doppler findings in the Achilles tendon among middle-aged recreational floor-ball players in direct relation to a match: Figure 1
Authors: Fahlström M , Alfredson H 
Published: May 2008

ObjectiveIn this study, structure, blood flow and thickness in the Achilles tendon related to tendon-loading activity were investigated.DesignExamination by ultrasound (US) and colour Doppler (CD) immediately before and after 1 h of floor-ball matchplay.SettingSports Medicine Unit, Umeå University, SwedenParticipants36 Achilles tendons in 18 middle-aged (mean 39 years) recreational male floor-ball players.Main outcome measurementsStructure and high blood flow (HBF)/neovessels (NV) in the tendons were registered. Tendon thickness was measured 3 and 4.5 cm above the upper calcaneus and at the thickest part of the tendon.ResultsThe US examination showed that 11/36 tendons (30.5%) in nine individuals had structural changes before and after the floor-ball match. In 7/36 tendons (five with structural changes), there were HBF/NV before, and after, the match. In six of these seven tendons, the blood flow was higher after than before the match. In three more tendons (two with structural changes), there were HBF/NV after, but not before, the match.After the match, mean tendon thickness had decreased significantly in both normal tendons and tendons with structural changes at the 3-cm level (6.0 (1.0) mm to 5.8 (0.9) mm; p<0.019), at the 4.5-cm level (5.7 (1.1) mm to 5.5 (1.0) mm; p<0.044), and at the thickest part (6.6 (1.1) mm to 6.3 (1.2) mm; p<0.000).ConclusionsIn about 1/3 of the tendons, there were structural changes, about half of those tendons also had HBF/NV, which was higher after, than before, the match. Mean tendon thickness in both normal tendons and tendons with structural changes had decreased significantly after a 1-h floor-ball match.