bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Onychomycosis by Chaetomium spp.
Authors: Serrano Falcón Cristina , Serrano Falcón Ma del Mar , Delgado Ceballos Jaime , Delgado Florencio Vicente , Crespo Erchiga Vicente , Serrano Ortega Salvio 
Published: May 2008

SummaryOnychomycosis is one of the most common infections of the nail. It can be caused by dermatophytes, Candida species and other fungi. Although moulds can cause onychomycosis, they account for a minority of cases, mainly great toenail onychomycosis. We describe a case of an 11‐year‐old girl who developed an onychomycosis by Chaetomium species in second and third toenails.
Electrophoretic karyotyping of Cryptococcus neoformans AD‐hybrid strains
Authors: Esposto Maria Carmela , Cogliati Massimo , Tortorano Anna Maria , Viviani Maria Anna 
Published: May 2008

SummaryThis study investigated the differences in genome structure between haploid serotype A and D isolates and AD‐hybrid strains of Cryptococcus neoformans, and the correlation between the karyotype of A and D strains with their mating ability. The electrophoretic karyotyping of 16 AD‐hybrid, eight haploid serotype‐A MATα, and eight haploid serotype‐D MATαC. neoformans isolates was performed. These 32 isolates presented, two by two, the same genotype and flow cytometry profile. Five clusters were identified, each including VNI (serotype A), VNIV (serotype D) haploid strains and VNIII AD hybrids. Similarly, mating types were also randomly distributed in the five clusters. In addition, AD‐hybrid isolates, with double content of DNA, showed only a slight increase in both the number of chromosomal bands and the calculated genome size compared with haploid isolates. Data support the hypothesis that hybrid isolates are aneuploids (2n+x) rather than eudiploids (2n). In addition, a set of six mating type a strains were karyotyped and then used for mating experiments carried out crossing the haploid isolates with similar or different karyotype profile strains. Isolates with completely different karyotype were able to mate confirming that meiosis occurred even in the presence of chromosomes of different lengths.
Oesophageal aspergillosis in a case of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia successfully treated with caspofungin alone due to liposomal amphotericin B induced severe hepatotoxicity
Authors: Akyol Erikci A. , Ozyurt M. , Terekeci H. , Ozturk A. , Karabudak O. , Oncu K. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryAspergillosis is one of the most common invasive fungal infections in immunocompromised patients. Sinonasal region and upper respiratory tract are commonly involved regions whereas oesophagus is seldom involved. We present an 18‐year‐old male with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia with aspergillosis of oesophagus which is a rare region of involvement. The diagnosis was confirmed by the examination of the cultures of endoscopic biopsy material. The patient was already receiving empirical liposomal amphotericin B, due to severe hepatotoxicity the therapy was switched to another antifungal (caspofungin). Here we report a case of successful treatment of invasive oesophageal aspergillosis by caspofungin.
Oral yeast carriage in HIV‐infected and non‐infected populations in Rosario, Argentina
Authors: Luque A. G. , Biasoli M. S. , Tosello M. E. , Binolfi A. , Lupo S. , Magaró H. M. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryThe objectives of the present study were: (i) to assess the frequency of oral colonisation by Candida species in HIV‐positive patients and to compare it with a population of HIV‐negative individuals, (ii) to determine the prevalence of C. dubliniensis in both populations and (iii) to determine the susceptibility of C. dubliniensis and other Candida species isolated from HIV‐positive patients to the most commonly used antifungal agents. Oral samples were obtained from 101 HIV‐positive and 108 HIV‐negative subjects. For yeast identification, we used morphology in cornmeal agar, the API 20C Aux, growth at 45 °C, d‐xylose assimilation, morphology in sunflower seed agar and PCR. The frequency of isolation of Candida in HIV‐positive patients was: C. albicans, 60.7%; C. dubliniensis, 20.2%; C. glabrata, 5.6%; C. krusei, 5.6%; C. tropicalis, 4.5%; others, <5%. The frequency of isolation of Candida in HIV‐negative patients was: C. albicans, 73.9%; C. tropicalis, 15.5%; C. dubliniensis, 2.1%; C. glabrata, 2.1%; C. parapsilosis, 2.1%; others, <5%. The oral colonisation by yeast in the HIV‐positive patients was higher than that in the HIV‐negative subjects. The susceptibilities of 42 Candida isolates to three antifungal agents were determined. All isolates of C. dubliniensis were susceptible to fluconazole, although several individuals had been previously treated with this drug. Out of the 42 Candida isolates, 10 presented resistance to fluconazole and 10 to itraconazole. The presence of Candida species, resistant to commonly used antifungal agents, represents a potential risk in immunocompromised patients.
Microsporum gypseum infection in the Siena area in 2005–2006
Authors: Romano C. , Massai L. , Gallo A. , Fimiani M. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryFourteen cases of dermatophytosis caused by Microsporum gypseum, representing 6.8% of all dermatophytic infections reported, were diagnosed in Siena, Italy, between 2005 and 2006. There were as follows: six cases of tinea corporis, one case of tinea corporis associated with tinea capitis, one case of tinea corporis associated with tinea barbae, one kerion on the head, one tinea cruris, one tinea faciei, one tinea barbae, two onychomycosis. In the three subjects with tinea corporis, the clinical appearance was impetigo‐like, psoriasis‐like and pityriasis rosea‐like respectively. In another case, the lesion was indicative of tinea imbricata. The diagnosis was based on mycological examination. In six cases, the source of infection was a cat, whereas in the others it was contact with soil.
What determines the relationship between plant diversity and habitat productivity?
Authors: Zobel Martin , Pärtel Meelis 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTThe relationship between biodiversity and habitat productivity has been a fundamental topic in ecology. Although the relationship between these parameters may exhibit different shapes, the unimodal shape has been frequently encountered. The decrease in diversity at high productivity has usually been attributed to competitive exclusion. We suggest that evolutionary history and dispersal limitation may be even more important in shaping the diversity–productivity relationship. On a global scale, unimodal diversity–productivity relationships dominate in temperate regions, whereas positive relationships are more common in the tropics. This difference can be accounted for by contrasting evolutionary history. Temperate regions have smaller species pools for productive habitats since these habitats have been scarce historically for speciation, while the opposite is true for the tropics. In addition, dispersal within a region may limit diversity either due to the lack of dispersal syndromes at low productivity or the low number of diaspores at high productivity. Thereafter, biotic interactions (competition and facilitation) can shape the relationship. All these processes can act independently or concurrently. We recommend that the common approach to examining empirical diversity–environmental relationships should start with the role of large‐scale processes such as evolutionary history and dispersal limitation, followed by influences associated with ecological interactions.
Patterns of island occupancy in bats: influences of area and isolation on insular incidence of volant mammals
Authors: Frick Winifred F. , Hayes John P. , Heady III Paul A. 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTAim  The influence of landscape structure on the distribution patterns of bats remains poorly understood for many species. This study investigates the relationship between area and isolation of islands and the probability of occurrence of six bat species to determine whether persistence and immigration abilities vary among bat species and foraging guilds.Location  Thirty‐two islands in the Gulf of California near the Baja California peninsula in north‐west Mexico.Methods  Using logistic regression and Akaike information criterion (AIC) model selection, we compared five a priori models for each of six bat species to explain patterns of island occupancy, including random patterns, minimum area effects, maximum isolation effects, additive area and isolation effects and compensatory area and isolation effects.Results  Five species of insectivorous bats (Pipistrellus hesperus, Myotis californicus, Macrotus californicus, Antrozous pallidus and Mormoops megalophylla) displayed minimum area thresholds on incidence. The probability of occurrence tended to decrease at moderate distances of isolation (c. 10–15 km) for these species (excepting A. pallidus). The distributions of two non‐insectivorous species (Leptonycteris curasoae and Myotis vivesi) were not influenced by island size and isolation.Main conclusions  Minimum area thresholds on incidence suggest that island occupancy by insectivorous bats may be limited by resource requirements. Islands smaller than 100 ha typically did not support occupancy or use by insectivorous bats, except at minimal isolation distances. Insectivorous bat species may also be more sensitive to moderate levels of habitat isolation in some landscape contexts than previously expected. Our results suggest that differences in foraging habits may have important implications for understanding the distribution patterns of bats.
The Belgrade dermatovenereologic moulage collection: past and present
Authors: Medenica L , Lalevic‐Vasic B , Skiljevic DS 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThe Belgrade dermatovenereologic moulge collection is formed during the period between 1925 and 1958, with one break between 1940 and 1950. The first moulages have been created after the foundation of the Belgrade University's School of Medicine and the Institute of Dermatology and Venereology (IDV), when this form of education became very significant. The collection is now comprised of 350 moulages, of which 280 pieces are completely preserved, whereas 70 are previously damaged. This article describes the work of two authors of moulages: one was Dr. Sergej Pavlovic Alisov, physician, amateur sculptor and painter, and the other was academic sculptor Vojislav Sikoparija. Wide variety of presented cases of skin and venereal diseases have been analysed; before World War I, there was a high proportion and florid pathology of venereal diseases and leprosy, whereas after World War II, these diseases became infrequent. Moulages at the IDV display high authenticity, which in some cases, made possible the correction of original diagnosis according to current criteria. Moulages represent a very significant subject of medical profession, and the need of an expert opinion on the conservation and reparation of moulages, which could be implemented by those in possession of such collections, is emphasized.
Serotonergic potentiation of dark pulse‐induced phase‐shifting effects at midday in hamsters
Authors: Mendoza Jorge , Clesse Daniel , Pévet Paul , Challet Etienne 
Published: May 2008

AbstractIn mammals, resetting of the suprachiasmatic clock (SCN) by behavioral activation or serotonin (5‐HT) agonists is mimicked by dark pulses, presented during subjective day in constant light (LL). Because behavioral resetting may be mediated in part by 5‐HT inputs to the SCN, here we determined whether 5‐HT system can modulate dark‐induced phase‐shifts in Syrian hamsters housed in LL. Two hours of darkness at mid‐subjective day (circadian time 6; CT‐6) resulted in increased concentrations of 5‐HT in the SCN tissue and induction of c‐FOS expression in the raphe nuclei. Injections of the 5‐HT1A/7 agonist (+)8‐OH‐DPAT or dark pulses at CT‐6 induced phase‐advances of the wheel‐running activity rhythm and down‐regulated the expression of the clock genes Per1‐2 and c‐FOS in the SCN in a similar way. The combination of both treatments [(+)8‐OH‐DPAT + dark pulses], however, resulted in larger phase‐advances, while associated molecular changes were not significantly modified, except for the gene Dbp, in comparison to (+)8‐OH‐DPAT or dark pulses alone. Dark resetting was blocked by pre‐treatment with a 5‐HT7 antagonist, but not with a 5‐HT1A antagonist. The additive phase‐shifts of two different cues to reset the SCN clock open wide the gateway for non‐photic shifting, leading to new strategies in chronotherapy.
Did the Federal Crop Insurance Reform Act Alter Farm Enterprise Diversification?
Authors: O’Donoghue Erik J. , Roberts Michael J. , Key Nigel 
Published: May 2008

AbstractWe estimate how much United States farms changed enterprise diversification in response to a marked increase in crop insurance coverage brought about by the 1994 Federal Crop Insurance Reform Act, which substantially increased insurance subsidies. The analysis exploits farm‐level panel census data to compare farm‐specific changes in enterprise diversification over time. By examining diversification decisions of the same farms over time, we control for time‐invariant unobserved individual heterogeneity. We then use pooled cross‐sectional data from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Resource Management Survey to estimate the relationship between farm diversification and average returns. We find that the insurance subsidies caused a modest increase in enterprise specialisation and production efficiency. Estimated efficiency gains are far less than the subsidies.
Re‐examining the relationship between sexual maturation and age of response to methyl eugenol in males of the oriental fruit fly
Authors: Shelly Todd E. , Edu James , Pahio Elaine , Wee Suk Ling , Nishida Ritsuo 
Published: May 2008

AbstractMales of the oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae), are strongly attracted to, and feed voraciously on, methyl eugenol (ME) and use metabolites of this chemical to synthesize their sex pheromone. Previously, Wong et al. (1989) proposed that B. dorsalis males were attracted to ME even before attaining sexual maturity. However, their interpretation is possibly confounded by the fact that, in monitoring age‐related mating readiness, males were presented with equal‐aged females. As a result, if females mature more slowly than males, the age of male sexual maturation may have been overestimated, which may have accounted for the discrepancy observed between male age of ME responsiveness and mating activity. Here, we re‐examined the relationship between male age and mating readiness by comparing male mating activity when presented with same‐aged females vs. sexually mature females. In addition, we measured the age‐dependent response of B. dorsalis males to ME by recording (i) capture in ME‐baited traps, and (ii) feeding duration on ME‐containing paper discs. Our data support the conclusion of Wong et al. (1989) that B. dorsalis males show attraction to, and feed on, ME before attaining sexual maturity, but suggest that a marked difference in ME response and mating activity exists over a shorter age interval than indicated by Wong et al. (1989). Early attraction to, but not ingestion of, ME was related to accelerated sexual maturation. Unexpectedly, ingestion of ME by sexually immature males did not boost their mating success in trials conducted 10 days after feeding on the lure.
Reciprocal interactions between the cabbage root fly (Delia radicum) and two glucosinolate phenotypes of Barbarea vulgaris
Authors: Van Leur Hanneke , Raaijmakers Ciska E. , Van Dam Nicole M. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThe cabbage root fly, Delia radicum L. (Diptera: Anthomyiidae), has a life cycle with spatially separated components: adults live and oviposit above ground, whereas larvae feed and pupate below ground. Oviposition choice is affected by shoot glucosinolates. However, little is known about below‐ground plant defence against D. radicum. Here, we investigate the effect of glucosinolates on oviposition preference and performance of D. radicum, using two naturally occurring heritable chemotypes of Barbarea vulgaris R. Br. (Brassicaceae) with different glucosinolate profiles: BAR‐type plants (the most common and genetically dominant glucosinolate profile, dominated by glucobarbarin) and NAS‐type plants (the recessive phenotype, dominated by gluconasturtiin). Performance was studied by applying 10 neonate D. radicum larvae per plant and measuring pupal biomass after 18 days. There was no difference in retrieval, but pupae had a higher biomass after development on BAR‐type plants. On average, BAR‐type plants received 1.8 times more eggs than NAS types, but this difference was not statistically significant. In a separate experiment, we compared the physiological response of both chemotypes to D. radicum feeding. Infestation reduced root and shoot biomass, root sugar and amino acid levels, and shoot sugar levels. Except for shoot sugar levels, these responses did not differ between the two chemotypes. Shoot or root glucosinolate profiles did not change on infestation. As glucosinolate profiles were the only consistent difference between the chemotypes, it is likely that this difference caused the reduced biomass of D. radicum pupae on NAS‐type plants. In an experimental garden, plants were heavily infested by root flies, but we found no differences in the percentage of fallen‐over flower stalks between the chemotypes. Overall, we found more pupae in the soil near BAR‐type plants, but this was not statistically significant. The results of the performance experiment suggest that BAR‐type plants may be more suitable hosts than NAS‐type plants.
Resistance of apple trees to Cydia pomonella egg‐laying due to leaf surface metabolites
Authors: Lombarkia Nadia , Derridj Sylvie 
Published: May 2008

AbstractDuring host plant selection and particularly after alighting on a plant, chemical cues from the plant surface influence an insect's acceptance of the plant and, subsequently, its egg‐laying behaviour. Primary metabolites in the phylloplane may be more important than hitherto known. We have shown that soluble carbohydrates, such as glucose, fructose, and sucrose, and sugar alcohols, such as sorbitol, quebrachitol, and myo‐inositol, can be detected by insects after contacting the plant and that they positively influence egg‐laying of the codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), on apple trees. We addressed the question whether a lack of these substances could also explain apple tree resistance to C. pomonella in terms of reduced egg‐laying. Leaf surface washings were collected in an apple orchard by spraying water on the resistant cultivar X65‐11 and on the susceptible cultivar P5R50A4. The washings were tested on a nylon cloth on isolated females under no‐choice conditions. The washings were analysed and synthetic blends, each consisting of the six metabolites in the proportions established in the leaf surface washings of both cultivars, were then tested for their effect on egg‐laying of C. pomonella. Dose–response egg‐laying tests were carried out on substrates impregnated with the X65‐11 leaf surface blend at 1, 100, 1 000, and 10 000 times the natural dose. Egg‐laying behaviour in the bioassays with leaf surface washings of both cultivars closely resembled egg‐laying in the orchard. Washings of P5R50A4 stimulated egg‐laying to a greater extent than those of X65‐11 and the water control. Synthetic blends reduced substrate acceptance and egg‐laying, compared to the washings of X65‐11. Ratios between components within the blend are responsible for this resistance. In conclusion, quantities and ratios of the six primary metabolites found on the leaf surface may influence host preference of C. pomonella as well as their egg‐laying behaviour, thus they may play a role in the trees’ resistance to the codling moth.
Vasomotion dynamics following calcium spiking depend on both cell signalling and limited constriction velocity in rat mesenteric small arteries
Authors: VanBavel Ed , Van Der Meulen Esther T. , Spaan Jos A.E. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractVascular smooth muscle cell contraction depends on intracellular calcium. However, calcium‐contraction coupling involves a complex array of intracellular processes. Quantitating the dynamical relation between calcium perturbations and resulting changes in tone may help identifying these processes. We hypothesized that in small arteries accurate quantitation can be achieved during rhythmic vasomotion, and questioned whether these dynamics depend on intracellular signalling or physical vasoconstriction. We studied calcium‐constriction dynamics in cannulated and pressurized rat mesenteric small arteries (∼300 μm in diameter). Combined application of tetra‐ethyl ammonium (TEA) and BayK8644 induced rhythmicity, consisting of regular and irregular calcium spiking and superposition of spikes. Calcium spikes induced delayed vasomotion cycles. Their dynamic relation could be fitted by a linear second‐order model. The dirac impulse response of this model had an amplitude that was strongly reduced with increasing perfusion pressure between 17 and 98 mmHg, while time to peak and relaxation time were the largest at an intermediate pressure (57 mmHg: respectively 0.9 and 2.3 sec). To address to what extent these dynamics reside in intracellular signalling or vasoconstriction, we applied rhythmic increases in pressure counteracting the vasoconstriction. This revealed that calcium‐activation coupling became faster when vasoconstriction was counteracted. During such compensation, a calcium impulse response remained that lasted 0.5 sec to peak activation, followed by a 1.0 sec relaxation time, attributable to signalling dynamics. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the feasibility of quantitating calcium‐activation dynamics in vasomoting small arteries. These dynamics relate to both intracellular sig‐nalling and actual vasoconstriction. Performing such analyses during pharmacological intervention and in genetic models provides a tool for unravelling calcium‐contraction coupling in small arteries.
Identification of serum endoglin as a novel prognostic marker after acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Cruz‐Gonzalez Ignacio , Pabón Pedro , Rodríguez‐Barbero Alicia , Martín‐Moreiras Javier , Pericacho Miguel , Sánchez Pedro L , Ramirez Victor , Sánchez‐Ledesma María , Martín‐Herrero Francisco , Jiménez‐Candil Javier , Maree Andrew O , Sánchez‐Rodríguez Angel , Martín‐Luengo Cándido , López‐Novoa José M 
Published: May 2008

AbstractEndoglin is a proliferation‐associated and hypoxia‐inducible protein expressed in endothelial cells. The levels of soluble circulating endoglin and their prognostic significance in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are not known. In this observational prospective study serum endoglin levels were measured by ELISA in 183 AMI patients upon admission to hospital and 48 hrs later and in 72 healthy controls. Endoglin levels in AMI patients on admission were significantly lower than in healthy controls (4.25 ± 0.99 ng/ml versus 4.59 ± 0.87 ng/ml; P= 0.013), and decreased further in the first 48 hours (3.65 ± 0.76 ng/ml, P < 0.001). Upon follow‐up (median 319 days), patients who died had a significantly greater decrease in serum endoglin level over the first 48 hrs than those who survived (1.03 ± 0.91 versus 0.54 ± 0.55 ng/ml; P= 0.025). Endoglin decrease was an independent predictor of short‐term (30 days) (hazard ratio 2.33;95% CI = 1.27–4.23; P= 0.006) cardiovascular mortality, and also predicts overall cardiovascular mortality during the follow‐up (median 319 days) in AMI patients (hazard ratio 2.13;95% CI = 1.20–3.78; P= 0.01). In conclusion, early changes in serum endoglin may predict mortality after AMI.