bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Planning and analysis of three‐arm non‐inferiority trials with binary endpoints
Authors: Kieser Meinhard , Friede Tim 
Published: May 2006

AbstractThree‐arm trials including an experimental treatment, an active control and a placebo group are frequently preferred for the assessment of non‐inferiority. In contrast to two‐arm non‐inferiority studies, these designs allow a direct proof of efficacy of a new treatment by comparison with placebo. As a further advantage, the test problem for establishing non‐inferiority can be formulated in such a way that rejection of the null hypothesis assures that a pre‐defined portion of the (unknown) effect the reference shows versus placebo is preserved by the treatment under investigation. We present statistical methods for this study design and the situation of a binary outcome variable. Asymptotic test procedures are given and their actual type I error rates are calculated. Approximate sample size formulae are derived and their accuracy is discussed. Furthermore, the question of optimal allocation of the total sample size is considered. Power properties of the testing strategy including a pre‐test for assay sensitivity are presented. The derived methods are illustrated by application to a clinical trial in depression. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chronic itch and pain—Similarities and differences
Authors: Ständer Sonja , Schmelz Martin 
Published: May 2006

AbstractBoth, pruritus and pain are aversive, but clearly distinct sensations originating in the peripheral and central nervous system. During the last years, many interactions between itch and pain in acute transmission and sensitization processes have been identified. It is common experience that the itch sensation can be reduced by the painful sensations caused by scratching. Vice versa analgesia may reduce this inhibition and thus enhance itch. This phenomenon is particularly relevant to spinally administered μ‐opioid receptor agonists, which induce segmental analgesia often combined with segmental pruritus. The peripheral and central sensitization to pain and to itch exhibits striking similarities. Classical inflammatory mediators such as bradykinin have been shown to sensitize nociceptors for both itch and pain. Also regulation of gene expression induced by trophic factors, such as NGF, plays a major role in persistently increased neuronal sensitivity for itch and pain. Finally, itch and pain exhibit corresponding patterns of central sensitization. The knowledge of antagonistic interaction, but also of similar sensitization processes has major implication for antipruritic therapeutic approaches.
Selection of assessment methods for evaluating banana weevil Cosmopolites sordidus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) damage on highland cooking banana (Musa spp., genome group AAA-EA)
Authors: Gold C.S. , Ragama P.E. , Coe R. , Rukazambuga N.D.T.M. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractCosmopolites sordidus (Germar) is an important pest on bananas and plantains. Population build-up is slow and damage becomes increasingly important in successive crop cycles (ratoons). Yield loss results from plant loss, mat disappearance and reduced bunch size. Damage assessment requires destructive sampling and is most often done on corms of recently harvested plants. A wide range of damage assessment methods exist and there are no agreed protocols. It is critical to know what types of damage best reflect C. sordidus pest status through their relationships with yield loss. Multiple damage assessment parameters (i.e. for the corm periphery, cortex and central cylinder) were employed in two yield loss trials and a cultivar-screening trial in Uganda. Damage to the central cylinder had a greater effect on plant size and yield loss than damage to the cortex or corm periphery. In some cases, a combined assessment of damage to the central cylinder and cortex showed a better relationship with yield loss than an assessment of the central cylinder alone. Correlation, logistic and linear regression analyses showed weak to modest correlations between damage to the corm periphery and damage to the central cylinder. Thus, damage to the corm periphery is not a strong predictor of the more important damage to the central cylinder. Therefore, C. sordidus damage assessment should target the central cylinder and cortex.
Transgenic tobacco plants expressing dsRNA can prevent infection by Tobacco mosaic virus
Authors: Kai Zhang , Yan-Bing Niu , Xue-Ping Zhou 
Published: May 2006

AbstractInverted repeats of the partial movement protein gene (ΔMP) of Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) were introduced into the plant expression vector pBin438, and the recombinant plasmids were transformed into Agrobacterium tumefaciens EHA105 by a tri-parental mating method. Fifty transgenic plants of Nicotiana tabacum cv. Yunyan 87 were obtained after Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. PCR and Southern blot analyses showed that the target gene had integrated into the tobacco plant genome. When transgenic tobacco plants were challenged with TMV, symptoms expression and triple antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (TAS-ELISA) showed that transgenic plants had three kinds of phenotypes in response to the virus infection: immune (10%), resistant (4%) and susceptible (86%). Northern blot analysis showed that the levels of target mRNA accumulation varied among transgenic tobacco lines and a negative correlation between target mRNA accumulation and virus resistance was observed.
Transgenic rapeseed: environmental release and its biosafety relevance in China
Authors: Chang-Ming Lu , Ling Xiao , Yu-Hua Wu 
Published: May 2006

AbstractResearch into, and the environmental release of, transgenic rapeseed in China are overviewed and the environmental risks are assessed, focusing on competitive survival ability, gene dispersal and biodiversity impact of transgenic rapeseed. It is concluded that transgenic rapeseed has a higher probability of gene dispersal when compared with other major crops. Brassica napus may transfer genes through pollen and seeds to vegetables and wild species of B. rapa and B. juncea, for which China is the biodiversity centre and also the country of highest consumption. It is considered that the risk of gene dispersal is present, but can be reduced to an acceptable limit. Commercialization of transgenic rapeseed should not be stopped, but should be built on a safe and sound basis by building a reasonable management system. Awarenes of biosafety considerations for transgenic rapeseed should be strengthened, and a technical platform of genetically modified organism (GMO) detection and monitoring should be properly established. Countermeasures against environmental risks are also discussed.
Development of a Controlled Vocabulary and Software Application to Analyze Fruit Shape Variation in Tomato and Other Plant Species
Authors: Brewer Marin Talbot , Lang Lixin , Fujimura Kikuo , Dujmovic Nancy , Gray Simon , van der Knaap Esther 
Published: May 2006

Abstract
The domestication and improvement of fruit-bearing crops resulted in a large diversity of fruit form. To facilitate consistent terminology pertaining to shape, a controlled vocabulary focusing specifically on fruit shape traits was developed. Mathematical equations were established for the attributes so that objective, quantitative measurements of fruit shape could be conducted. The controlled vocabulary and equations were integrated into a newly developed software application, Tomato Analyzer, which conducts semiautomatic phenotypic measurements. To demonstrate the utility of Tomato Analyzer in the detection of shape variation, fruit from two F2 populations of tomato (Solanum spp.) were analyzed. Principal components analysis was used to identify the traits that best described shape variation within as well as between the two populations. The three principal components were analyzed as traits, and several significant quantitative trait loci (QTL) were identified in both populations. The usefulness and flexibility of the software was further demonstrated by analyzing the distal fruit end angle of fruit at various user-defined settings. Results of the QTL analyses indicated that significance levels of detected QTL were greatly improved by selecting the setting that maximized phenotypic variation in a given population. Tomato Analyzer was also applied to conduct phenotypic analyses of fruit from several other species, demonstrating that many of the algorithms developed for tomato could be readily applied to other plants. The controlled vocabulary, algorithms, and software application presented herein will provide plant scientists with novel tools to consistently, accurately, and efficiently describe two-dimensional fruit shapes.
Bird species richness patterns of northern Taiwan: primary productivity, human population density, and habitat heterogeneity
Authors: Koh Chao‐Nien , Lee Pei‐Fen , Lin Ruey‐Shing 
Published: May 2006

ABSTRACTEnergy, climate, habitat heterogeneity, and human activity are important correlates of spatial variation in species richness. We examined the correlation between species richness and these variables using the birds that breed in northern Taiwan. We conducted general linear models (GLMs) and spatial correlation models to examine the relationship between bird species richness (BSR) and environmental variables. We found that normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) was the most important predictor of BSR. We suggest productivity is the primary process of BSR. Additionally, we hypothesized that scale dependency might exist in the relationship between BSR and NDVI in Taiwan. Human population density, the second most important factor, was inversely correlated with BSR. The factor and BSR did not have similar response to NDVI, which contradicted observations in most of the previous studies on human population vs. species richness. We proposed that the human population density had an effect on NDVI, which in turn had an effect on BSR. Moreover, we hypothesized that the contradiction between our study and the previous studies might arise from a higher level of human disturbance in Taiwan than in other areas. The necessity of conserving native species in intensively developed lowlands of Taiwan cannot be overemphasized. Number of land cover type was another significant predictor of BSR. Habitat heterogeneity may have an effect on BSR in Taiwan.
Morphology of the male reproductive system and sperm ultrastructure of Leucoptera coffeella (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae)
Authors: Alves L. , Mancini K. , Lino‐Neto J. , Dolder H. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractThe male reproductive tract of Leucoptera coffeella was processed for light and transmission electron microscopy. In the testis, the eupyrene cells are arranged in individual cysts, while the apyrene cysts form aggregates, never observed in other Lepidoptera. Both cysts contain 128 spermatozoa, which differ from the typical pattern. In the seminal vesicle, both types of spermatozoa are dispersed in the lumen, also different from other Lepidoptera. The apyrene spermatozoa are similar to those observed for other Lepidoptera. They present an anterior region covered by a dense cap and the flagellum is composed of a 9 + 9 + 2 axoneme and two mitochondrial derivatives. The eupyrene spermatozoa, however, differ from the typical pattern for Lepidoptera. Their anterior region contains a nucleus, an acrosome and a peculiar arc of eight accessory microtubules connected to the plasma membrane by dense bridges. In the nucleus–flagellum region, the ninth accessory microtubule is assembled between both mitochondrial derivatives, to participate in the axoneme. The flagellum comprises a 9 + 9 + 2 axoneme and two mitochondrial derivatives with paracrystalline cores. External to the plasma membrane and close to the accessory microtubules, there are tufts of an amorphous material, suggesting reduced lacinate appendages, while the reticular ones are absent. The reduction of lacinate appendages and the absence of sperm bundles in the seminal vesicle support the concept that the appendages of other Lepidoptera could be associated with the eupyrene aggregations. The characters ‘number of spermatozoa per cyst’ and ‘absence of bundles’ should be considered plesiomorphic, supporting the position of this taxon in the base of the Ditrysia.
Tumour volume is an independent predictor of prostate‐specific antigen recurrence in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy for clinically localized prostate cancer
Authors: NELSON BRADFORD A. , SHAPPELL SCOTT B. , CHANG SAM S. , WELLS NANCY , FARNHAM SCOTT B. , SMITH JOSEPH A. , COOKSON MICHAEL S. 
Published: May 2006

Authors from the USA sought to establish the relationship between tumour volume, pathological stage and outcomes after radical prostatectomy. In a large series of patients they found that tumour volume was correlated directly with pathological stage, and that it was independently correlated with PSA recurrence. The authors suggested that tumour volume had a potential use for prognostication in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy.Two papers, one from the USA and one from Germany, advise a re‐staging TUR in patients with superficial bladder cancer who are at high risk of early tumour progression. In a large series of patients they found that residual tumour after initial resection was commoner than might be expected, and that the second resection indicated the way to earlier radical treatment and a better prognosis.OBJECTIVETo establish the relationship between tumour volume (TV), pathological stage and outcome after radical prostatectomy (RP), as TV is theoretically an important variable in prostate cancer pathology, but to date it has not been routinely reported and its independent prognostic significance is not well defined.PATIENTS AND METHODSThe study included 431 consecutive patients undergoing RP for clinically localized cancer, from January 2000 to January 2002, who had a pathological examination of totally submitted whole‐mount processed RP specimens. In addition to Gleason grade, tumour stage and margin assessment by standard techniques, TV was determined by digital planimetry. The total TV or index TV, for cases with obvious discrete separate tumours, were correlated with pathological stage and prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) recurrence.RESULTSThe mean (range) follow‐up was 25.4 (6–51) months, and the mean TV for all patients was 3.28 (0.4–38.8) mL. There was a direct correlation between TV and pathological stage (P < 0.001). The TV for organ‐confined and extraprostatic disease was 2.09 and 6.02 mL, respectively (P < 0.001). In a multivariate analysis, TV was an independent predictor of PSA recurrence (P = 0.04). The mean TV for patients with PSA recurrence vs no recurrence was 6.8 and 2.6 mL, respectively (P < 0.001).CONCLUSIONTV correlates directly with pathological stage in RP specimens; furthermore, it is independently correlated with PSA recurrence. TV has potential use for prognostication in patients undergoing RP, and may be combined with other well established clinical variables to aid in predicting outcomes.
Calcium currents in interstitial cells from the guinea‐pig bladder
Authors: McCLOSKEY KAREN D. 
Published: May 2006

OBJECTIVETo determine whether there are inward currents in interstitial cells (IC) isolated from the guinea‐pig detrusor and if so, to characterise them using the patch‐clamp technique and pharmacological agents.MATERIALS AND METHODSUsing the whole‐cell patch‐clamp technique, inward currents were studied in IC enzymatically isolated from the detrusor of the guinea‐pig bladder. Currents were evoked by stepping positively from a holding potential of − 80 mV.RESULTSOutward K+ currents were blocked by Cs+ internal solution to reveal inward currents, which activated at voltages more positive than − 50 mV, peaked at 0 mV, reversed near + 50 mV and were half‐maximally activated at − 27 mV. The inward currents showed voltage‐dependent inactivation and were half‐maximally inactivated at − 36 mV. Fitting the activation and inactivation data with a Boltzmann function revealed a window current between − 40 mV and + 20 mV. The decay of the current evoked at 0 mV could be fitted with a single exponential with a mean time‐constant of 88 ms. Replacing external Ca2+ with Ba2+ significantly increased this to 344 ms. The current amplitude was augmented by Ba2+, and by Bay K 8644. Inward currents were significantly reduced by 1 µm nifedipine, across the voltage range, but the blockade was more effective on the current evoked at 0 mV than that evoked by a step to − 20 mV, perhaps indicating voltage‐dependence of the action of nifedipine or another component of inward current. Increasing the concentration of the drug to 10 µm caused no further significant reduction either at 0 mV or at −20 mV. However, in the presence of 1 µm nifedipine the latter current was significantly reduced by 100 µm Ni2+. Both currents were significantly reduced in Ca2+‐free solution.CONCLUSIONSIC from the guinea‐pig detrusor possess inward currents with typical characteristics of L‐type Ca2+ current. They also have a component of inward Ca2+ current, which was resistant to nifedipine, but sensitive to Ni2+. Further work is needed to characterise the latter conductance.
Distribution of nodal metastases after chemotherapy in nonseminomatous testis cancer: a possible indication for limited dissection
Authors: EHRLICH YARON , YOSSEPOWITCH OFER , KEDAR DANIEL , BANIEL JACK 
Published: May 2006

OBJECTIVETo assess the clinical and pathological findings of patients treated by bilateral retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) after chemotherapy, to identify a subset for whom modified template nodal resection might be contemplated, as bilateral RPLND is the treatment of choice in patients with residual retroperitoneal disease after chemotherapy for nonseminomatous germ‐cell tumour (GCT).PATIENTS AND METHODSThe medical records were reviewed of 50 consecutive patients who had RPLND after chemotherapy between 1996 and 2005. Bilateral template RPLND was performed uniformly. Extracted lymph nodes were surgically stratified into three distinct anatomical zones by two sagittal planes running in front of the aorta and the inferior vena cava. The pathological findings were correlated with the side of the primary lesion and the extent of metastatic disease before chemotherapy.RESULTSPathological assessment of the resected lymph nodes revealed teratoma in 28 patients (56%), viable carcinoma in three (6%), and necrosis or fibrosis in 19 (38%). All clinical stage Is, IIA and IIB left‐sided primary tumours followed a predictable pattern of spread constricted to a modified left‐sided template. Patients with clinical stage IIC and III, or right‐sided primary tumour, had a less predictable metastatic pattern, having crossover metastases to the contralateral template.CONCLUSIONBilateral RPLND should be considered as the reference standard in patients with metastatic GCT and residual retroperitoneal mass after completing chemotherapy. However, the present data suggest that a modified template dissection might be considered even after chemotherapy in patients with left‐sided primary tumours and limited nodal involvement at presentation.
Urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy: incidence by definition, risk factors and temporal trend in a large series with a long‐term follow‐up
Authors: SACCO EMILIO , PRAYER‐GALETTI TOMMASO , PINTO FRANCESCO , FRACALANZA SIMONETTA , BETTO GIOVANNI , PAGANO FRANCESCO , ARTIBANI WALTER 
Published: May 2006

OBJECTIVESTo investigate the incidence of urinary incontinence and its development over time, to compare the effects of alternative definitions on the incontinence rate and to explore risk factors for incontinence after radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) for clinically localized prostate cancer.PATIENTS AND METHODSUrinary continence was assessed using a questionnaire administered by a third party in 1144 consecutive patients after undergoing RRP at our department from January 1986 to December 2001. Overall, 985 men (86%) were suitable for evaluation (mean age 64.5 years, mean follow‐up 95.5 months). We compared the effects of three definitions on the actuarial rate of continence: (1) no or occasional pad use; (2) 0 or 1 pads used daily, but for occasional dribbling only; (3) 0–1 pads daily. The time to recovery of continence was defined as the date on which the patient met the continence definitions. The impact of incontinence on health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) was also evaluated. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify predictors of incontinence, using data gathered prospectively.RESULTSAt the last follow‐up at 24 months after RRP, 83%, 92.3% and 93.4% of men achieved continence according to definitions 1, 2 and 3, respectively. The difference in time to recovering continence was significant for definition 1 compared to the others (P < 0.001). Most men using 1 pad/day complained of occasional dribbling only (89.3%), considered themselves continent (98%) and their HRQoL was not as seriously affected as those requiring ≥ 2 pads/day. Men continent (by definition 3) at 2 years had an actuarial probability of preserving continence of 72.2% at the last follow‐up. On multivariate analysis the age at surgery (P = 0.009), anastomotic stricture and follow‐up interval (both P < 0.001) were independent prognostic factors. Bilateral neurovascular bundle resection was another independent predictive factor (P = 0.03) in the subset of the last 560 men with available data on surgical technique. The reduction in the incidence of incontinence over time was as high as 86%.CONCLUSIONSContinence improves progressively until 2 years from RRP but some patients can become incontinent later. The criterion of pad use discriminates well between men with a limited reduction in their QoL (no or one pad used) and those with a markedly affected QoL (≥2 pads/day). It could be clinically valid to consider users of 1 pad/day as continent. Age, bilateral neurovascular bundle resection and anastomotic stricture are significant risk factors for incontinence. There was a marked trend for the incidence of incontinence and anastomotic stricture to decrease with time.
Aim, shoot, ready! Future teachers learn to ‘do’ video
Authors: Hernández‐Ramos Pedro 
Published: May 2006

AbstractThis paper describes an intensive 2‐hr workshop designed to introduce preservice teachers to digital video in the context of an instructional technology course or as a stand‐alone activity. Acknowledging time constraints in most real‐life instructional situations, this format takes novices with no or very limited knowledge of video making to the point where they have experienced most of the steps involved in crafting a finished (though almost certainly unpolished) digital video. Conversations introduce project‐based collaborative learning as the pedagogical context for digital video production, the value of supporting a sense of creativity in students to promote deeper engagement with subject matter through hands‐on activities, and how to involve a variety of learning modalities as opposed to predominantly passive reading and listening. Possible extensions like time‐lapsed video are discussed.