bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Variability in pain response to a non‐pharmacological intervention across repeated routine pain exposure in preterm infants: a feasibility study
Authors: Cignacco E , Denhaerynck K , Nelle M , Bührer C , Engberg S 
Published: January 2009

AbstractAim: To explore the variability in pain response in preterm infants across time who received sucrose during routine heel stick.Method: Single group, exploratory repeated measures design.Setting: Two tertiary level neonatal intensive care units (NICU) in Switzerland.Subjects: Nine preterm infants born between 28 2/7 and 31 4/7 weeks of gestation during their first 14 days of life.Measurements: Pain was assessed by the Bernese Pain Scale for Neonates (BPSN), the Premature Infant Pain Profile (PIPP) and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Salivary cortisol was analysed.Results: 72–94% of the variability was within‐subject variability, indicating inconsistency of pain responses across the 5 heel sticks. Interrater agreement was highest during heel sticks 1–3 and decreased during heel stick 4 and 5, indicating a possible alteration of pain patterns. No significant differences in the amount of cortisol could be detected before and after the heel sticks (p = 0.55), indicating no stress‐induced peak after the painful intervention. However, a general gradual decrease of cortisol levels across time could be detected.Conclusion: A high variability in pain response among preterm neonates across time could be described. Consistency of cortisol levels before and after the heel sticks could indicate the effectiveness of sucrose across time.
Interlaboratory evaluation of two Reverse‐transcriptase Polymeric Chain Reaction‐based methods for detection of four fruit tree viruses
Authors: Massart S. , Brostaux Y. , Barbarossa L. , Batlle A. , Cesar V. , Dutrecq O. , Fonseca F. , Guillem R. , Komorowska B. , Olmos A. , Steyer S. , Wetzel T. , Kummert J. , Jijakli M.H. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractRecent technological development of molecular methods has led to the proliferation of new rapid PCR or reverse‐transcriptase (RT)‐PCR‐derived diagnostic tests for plant viruses. Nevertheless, for routine use, the reliability of all these new methods is not widely established and there is still an apprehension to adopt them in official diagnostic for certification of plant material. This is partly because of the lack of confidence in the obtained results and the poor knowledge on the reproducibility and limits of the RT‐PCR protocols. There is a lack of information on the adequate risk assessment in the use of this new technology. An interlaboratory evaluation of two RT‐PCR duplex protocols for the detection of four different fruit tree viruses was performed to address these questions. Identical samples were sent as crude extract preparation to each of the participant laboratories. Samples were coded to ensure a double‐blind test. General principles of result analysis are described, for example calculation of parameters such as specificity, sensitivity, repeatability, reproducibility, likelihood ratios and post‐test probabilities. These parameters and the integration of the protocols within official certification scheme are discussed. Finally, guidelines for researchers desirous of validating their new plant virus diagnostic protocols through interlaboratory evaluation are suggested.
Phosphorylation of Microtubule‐associated Protein SB401 from Solanum berthaultii Regulates Its Effect on Microtubules
Authors: Liu Bao‐Quan , Jin Lifeng , Zhu Lei , Li Jiejie , Huang Shuli , Yuan Ming 
Published: January 2009

Abstract We reported previously that the protein SB401 from Solanum berthaultii binds to and bundles both microtubules and F‐actin. In the current study, we investigated the regulation of SB401 activity by its phosphorylation. Our experimental results showed that the phosphorylation of SB401 by casein kinase II (CKII) downregulates the activities of SB401, namely the bundling of microtubules and enhancement of the polymerization of tubulin. However, phosphorylation of SB401 had no observable effect on its bundling of F‐actin. Further investigation using extract of potato pollen indicated that a CKII‐like kinase may exist in potato pollen. Antibodies against CKII alpha recognized specifically a major band from the pollen extract and the pollen extract was able to phosphorylate the SB401 protein in vitro. The CKII‐like kinase showed a similar ability to downregulate the bundling of microtubules. Our experiments demonstrated that phosphorylation plays an important role in the regulation of SB401 activity. We propose that this phosphorylation may regulate the effects of SB401 on microtubules and the actin cytoskeleton.
From alert commander to passive spectator: older male carers’ experience of receiving formal support
Authors: Sandberg Jonas , Eriksson Henrik 
Published: January 2009

Aim.  The aim was to describe older male carers’ experience of receiving formal support.Background.  To older male carers, creating new roles seems to be important. Their need for support in their caregiving is poorly understood.Design.  A qualitative approach with a critical perspective on men and masculinities was used.Participants.  Focus groups comprising a total of 11 men were used.Methods.  Qualitative content analysis was adopted.Results.  Three categories of response were found: ‘using ad hoc solutions for maintaining a protective environment’, ‘coping but being left behind’ and ‘recapturing the caregiving role’.Discussion.  Not only the quantity of support services offered to older male carers but also their quality dimension, based on a genuine understanding of the men’s support needs, must be addressed.Conclusions.  Professional caregivers attempt to relieve the men of their care obligations entirely. A reciprocal arrangement involving the men as partners, instead, may help them to regard their caring experience as valuable, which is important to their self‐image.Relevance to clinical practice.  These men’s socially based networks need to be recognized by professional caregivers as important, to reframe the men’s identity and notion of masculinity.
Effect of weather factors on populations of Helicoverpa armigera moths at cotton‐based agro‐ecological sites
Authors: AHEER Ghulam Mustafa , ALI Amjad , AKRAM Muhammad 
Published: January 2009

AbstractPheromone trapping was used to monitor populations of the moth Helicoverpa armigera at five cotton‐based agro‐ecological sites – river, vegetable, orchard, forest and clean cultivation (areas under only cotton cultivation) – in the Bahawalpur district, Pakistan. Three locations at each site were chosen and three pheromone traps at each location were installed in cotton fields. Moth catches were recorded at 15–20 day intervals from 24 October 2004 to 19 December 2006. In 2004, the river sites showed the maximum trapped population of H. armigera (0.22/trap) followed by 0.165 per trap at the vegetable sites. Orchard, clean cultivation and forest sites had zero moth catches. In 2005, the river sites again showed the highest trapped population (0.57/trap), followed by clean cultivation (0.45/trap), vegetable (0.44/trap), orchard (0.40/trap) and forest (0.29/trap). The moths appeared during July to December and March to May. In 2006, sites showed non‐significant difference, with a population range of 0.47 to 0.97 moths per trap. On average, river sites peaked at 0.49 per trap, followed by vegetable (0.38), clean cultivation (0.47), orchard (0.35) and forest (0.25) sites. The peak was observed on 3 April 2006, and moths appeared during February to July and October to December. The minimum temperature in river, forest and clean cultivation sites; the maximum temperature in orchard sites; and the average temperature in river, orchard, forest and clean cultivation sites showed significant positive correlations with trapped moth populations. Relative humidity showed significant negative correlation with population at the orchard sites in 2005. All weather factors during 2004 and 2006 showed non‐significant correlations with the moth populations. No model was found to be best fit by multiple linear regression analysis; however, relative humidity, minimum temperature, maximum temperature, minimum temperature and maximum temperature contributed 8.40, 10.23, 2.43, 4.53 and 2.53% to the population fluctuation of the moth at river, vegetable, orchard, forest and clean cultivation sites, respectively.
Male and female genitalia in some Libyan species of Acrididae (Orthoptera: Acridoidea)
Authors: USMANI Mohammad Kamil 
Published: January 2009

AbstractA comparative study of male and female genitalia was carried out in thirty‐seven Libyan species representing twenty genera of the family Acrididae. An attempt has been made to describe and illustrate the different structures, namely, epiphallus, aedeagus, subgenital plate, supra‐anal plate and cerci of the male, and spermatheca, ovipositor, subgenital plate, supra‐anal plate and cerci of the female, in Acridids, with an aim to discover their significance in order to make the identification of genera and species, together with other generic characters, more perfect and convenient. Distinct family characters are shield or bridge‐shaped condition of epiphallus; presence or absence of dorso‐lateral appendices, oval sclerites and lophi on epiphallus; divided, undivided or flexured condition of aedeagus; presence or absence of gonopore process on aedeagus; condition of apical and pre‐apical diverticula of spermatheca; presence or absence of glandular pouches of Cornstock and Kellog on female subgenital plate; and rudimentary or well developed condition of egg‐guide. Stable characters for separating the subfamilies are taken to be presence or absence of ancorae on epiphallus, long or short condition of aedeagal sclerites; elongate, slender or short and broad condition of ovipositor valves: presence or absence of Jannone's organs and setae on posterior margin of female subgenital plate; and shape of diverticula of spermatheca. Useful generic characters are shape of male subgenital plate, supra‐anal plate and cerci, broad or narrow condition of bridge, presence or absence of branch of bridge connecting lophi with bridge of epiphallus; mono‐, bi‐ or tri‐lobate condition of lophi of epiphallus, length and upcurved or downcurved condition of apical valve of aedeagus, shape of posterior margin of female subgenital plate, presence of setae on the whole posterior margin or confined to lateral margins only; and toothed, tuberculate or smooth condition of ovipositor valves, length of the lateral apodeme in relation to the dorsal valves. Specific characters are shape of egg‐guide of female subgenital plate, shape of ovipositor valves and apical tips, shape of male supra‐anal plate and cerci, size of anterior and posterior lobes of lophi of epiphallus, size and shape of ancorae, shape of apical valves of aedeagus; and size of apical and pre‐apical diverticula and presence of protuberance on pre‐apical diverticulum.
Larvicidal and smoke repellency effect of Toddalia asiatica and Aegle marmelos against the dengue vector, Aedes aegypti (Insecta: Diptera: Culicidae)
Authors: VINEETHA Arunachalam , MURUGAN Kadarkarai 
Published: January 2009

AbstractInvestigations were made to evaluate the larvicidal activity and smoke repellent potential of Toddalia asiatica (L.) and Aegle marmelos at different concentrations (20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 p.p.m.) against first to fourth instar larvae and pupae of Aedes aegypti (L.). The LC50 of A. marmelos and T. asiatica against first instars was 50.960 and 47.893 p.p.m., respectively; against second instars, 52.979 and 50.922; third instars, 56.653 and 54.461; and fourth instars, 60.778 and 61.278. The LC50 and LC90 for A. marmelos and T. asiatica against pupae were 56.634 and 112.992, and 53.64 and 116.22 p.p.m., respectively. The smoke toxicity of T. asiatica against Ae. aegypti was greater than that of A. marmelos. Smoke‐exposed gravid females oviposited fewer eggs when compared to those that were not exposed to smoke. Smoke‐exposed females hatched a lower percentage of eggs compared to unexposed females.
Seasonal prevalence of mosquitoes collected from light traps in the Republic of Korea, 2005
Authors: KIM Heung Chul , CHONG Sung Tae , COLLIER Brett W. , KLEIN Terry A. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractAdult mosquito surveillance was conducted during 2005 at 22 US military installations and two training sites located in six provinces in the Republic of Korea. Adult mosquitoes were collected in New Jersey light traps from 1 May to 15 October to determine threshold levels to initiate pesticide applications based on trap indices. A total of 27 363 adult mosquitoes (22 368 [81.7%] females and 4995 [18.3%] males) comprising 15 species (including five members of the Anopheles sinensis group) belonging to seven genera were collected. The most common species collected were members of the Anopheles sinensis Wiedemann group (50.2%), followed by Culex tritaeniorhynchus Giles (30.6%), Aedes vexans nipponii (Theobald) (11.8%), and Culex pipiens Coquillett (6.3%) females. Trap indices varied widely for species over their range, due in part to geographical distribution and degree of association with urban or rural communities.
New record of Orthotylus pallen (Matsumura) (Hemiptera: Miridae) from Korea, with a key to and checklist of Korean species
Authors: KWON Yong Jung , CHO Young Jae , SUH Sang Jae 
Published: January 2009

Abstract Orthotylus pallen (Mastumura, 1911) is recorded for the first time from Korea and is diagnosed. An image of its dorsal habitus as well as illustrations of the male and female genitalia are provided. A key to and checklist of Korean Orthotylus species are given.
BmNPV chitinase gene deletion enhances foreign gene expression in a BmN cell system
Authors: WANG Fang , ZHANG Chuan‐Xi 
Published: January 2009

Abstract Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) is extensively being studied as an expression vector for heterologous gene expression in silkworm‐derived cells as well as in the host larvae or pupae. BmNPV chitinase is necessary for liquefaction of the virus‐infected host insect. The influence of chitinase on the efficiency of foreign gene expression was studied to provide a scientific basis for improving the BmNPV expression system. The BmNPV chitinase gene (chiA) was deleted and the expression level of the polyhedrin promoter controlling the lacZ gene in BmN cells was determined. Sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS)–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) showed that β‐galactosidase accounted for approximately 6.9 and 7.7% of the total protein in BmN cells infected with the chiA deficient BmlacZ+chiA− at 3 and 4 days post infection, while the total protein was 3.2 and 4.2% in cells infected with BmlacZ+. The relative β‐galactosidase activities in BmlacZ+chiA−‐infected cells improved 2.33‐ and 1.56‐fold compared to those of BmlacZ+‐infected cells at 3 and 4 days post infection. The results of the present study suggest that chitinase deletion could improve the lacZ expression level in the BmNPV‐BmN cell expression system.
Seasonal and geographical toxicity of Indoxacarb against Helicoverpa armigera and influence of different host plants against Indoxacarb in India, 2005–2007
Authors: GHODKI Basweshwar S. , THAKARE Shivcharan M. , MOHARIL Mangesh P. , RAO Nagarjuna G. V. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractIndoxacarb, an oxadiazine insecticide, was evaluated for its effectiveness against Helicoverpa armigera collected from selected locations in India. Determination of Indoxacarb efficacy was done using a log‐dose probit (LDP) bioassay against third instars collected from cotton (Gossypium arborium) fields near Akola, India. Monthly levels of toxicity of Indoxacarb were determined from July 2005 to March 2007. The maximum tolerance level of Indoxacarb was reported for the Amaravati strain (5.09 p.p.m.) and the minimum tolerance level for the Fatehbad strain (0.22 p.p.m.). Seasonal monitoring of Indoxacarb toxicity revealed an increased trend in tolerance from July 2005 to February 2006, which decreased from March 2006. The LC50 of Indoxacarb was 2.71 p.p.m. in July 2005 and 17.14 p.p.m. in February 2006. During 2006–2007, the LC50 was 3.84 p.p.m. at the start of the season and in March 2007 it was 13.51 p.p.m. The minimum LC50 of Indoxacarb was reported for H. armigera larvae fed on Legasca spp. (1.62 p.p.m.) and the maximum LC50 was reported for H. armigera reared on chickpea (Cicer arietium) (8.45 p.p.m.). LC50 of 2.73 and 4.56 p.p.m. were reported for H. armigera fed on cotton (Gossypium arborium) and pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan), respectively.
Larvicidal and insect growth regulator effect of α‐amyrin acetate from Catharanthus Roseus Linn against the malaria vector Anopheles Stephensi Liston (Diptera: Culicidae)
Authors: KUPPUSAMY Chenniappan , MURUGAN Kadarkarai , ARUL Narayanasamy , YASODHA Perumal 
Published: January 2009

AbstractVector control is a serious concern in developing countries. Over the past two decades, phytochemicals have received progressively more attention as insecticide alternatives, and they have recently become the focus in the concept of integrated vector control. α‐Amyrin acetate, the n‐hexane fraction of acetone extract from the leaves of Catharanthus roseus, was evaluated for its larvicidal, pupicidal and fecundity effects as well as insect growth regulator activity against the malaria vector Anopheles stephensi Liston. The highest concentration of 1 p.p.m. produced 100% mortality in first to second instars and 94% mortality in third and fourth instars. In addition, the duration of larval instars and the total developmental time were prolonged, while female longevity and fecundity were markedly decreased. The suppression of pupation and adult emergence was probably due to its action similar to juvenile hormone analogs in combination with growth regulator activity and toxicity, which reduced the overall performance of the malaria vector An. stephensi.
Quantification ofWolbachiacopy number inTrichogrammaeggs (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae): Lysozyme treatment significantly improves total gene yield from the Gram‐negative bacterium
Authors: JEONG Gilsang , STOUTHAMER Richard 
Published: January 2009

AbstractTheWolbachiabacterium is one of the most prevalent endosymbionts of arthropods. The bacterium is known to induce four distinct reproductive manipulations in its various hosts; namely, cytoplasmic incompatibility, feminization, male killing and parthenogenesis induction. The bacterial titer has been thought to have an important role in expression of these phenotypes. Although host eggs of the bacterium are the place where all of the manipulations take place, in most cases, they are not big enough to be subjected to mechanical disruption to extract genetic materials from them. Furthermore, DNA extraction protocols generally involve washing steps in which part of the DNA is lost. With the simple three step digestion protocol we developed, we were able to preserve the whole genome and measure the titer ofWolbachiain individualTrichogrammaeggs by real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which was comparable to the titer by visual observation.
Death, Burial, and the Study of Contemporary Japanese Buddhism
Authors: Rowe Mark 
Published: January 2009

AbstractThis article approaches mortuary practices as a window into the current state of Japanese Buddhism. Despite widespread scholarly awareness of the intimate connection between Buddhism and death throughout much of Japanese history, to date little work has been done to explore the profound significance of changing burial practices on all of the major sects today. Making the argument that ‘funerary Buddhism’ (sōshiki Bukkyō) is important to both think about and think with, this article provides an overview of funerary culture in Japan and reflects upon what contemporary changes to that culture tell us about Japanese Buddhism.
Microbial degradation of lignin: how a bulky recalcitrant polymer is efficiently recycled in nature and how we can take advantage of this
Authors: Ruiz‐Dueñas Francisco J. , Martínez Ángel T. 
Published: January 2009

SummaryLignin is the second most abundant constituent of the cell wall of vascular plants, where it protects cellulose towards hydrolytic attack by saprophytic and pathogenic microbes. Its removal represents a key step for carbon recycling in land ecosystems, as well as a central issue for industrial utilization of plant biomass. The lignin polymer is highly recalcitrant towards chemical and biological degradation due to its molecular architecture, where different non‐phenolic phenylpropanoid units form a complex three‐dimensional network linked by a variety of ether and carbon–carbon bonds. Ligninolytic microbes have developed a unique strategy to handle lignin degradation based on unspecific one‐electron oxidation of the benzenic rings in the different lignin substructures by extracellular haemperoxidases acting synergistically with peroxide‐generating oxidases. These peroxidases posses two outstanding characteristics: (i) they have unusually high redox potential due to haem pocket architecture that enables oxidation of non‐phenolic aromatic rings, and (ii) they are able to generate a protein oxidizer by electron transfer to the haem cofactor forming a catalytic tryptophanyl‐free radical at the protein surface, where it can interact with the bulky lignin polymer. The structure–function information currently available is being used to build tailor‐made peroxidases and other oxidoreductases as industrial biocatalysts.
Chitosan and its antimicrobial potential – a critical literature survey
Authors: Raafat Dina , Sahl Hans‐Georg 
Published: January 2009

SummaryChitosan, an aminopolysaccharide biopolymer, has a unique chemical structure as a linear polycation with a high charge density, reactive hydroxyl and amino groups as well as extensive hydrogen bonding. It displays excellent biocompatibility, physical stability and processability. The term ‘chitosan’ describes a heterogenous group of polymers combining a group of physicochemical and biological characteristics, which allow for a wide scope of applications that are both fascinating and as yet uncharted. The increased awareness of the potentials and industrial value of this biopolymer lead to its utilization in many applications of technical interest, and increasingly in the biomedical arena. Although not primarily used as an antimicrobial agent, its utility as an ingredient in both food and pharmaceutical formulations lately gained more interest, when a scientific understanding of at least some of the pharmacological activities of this versatile carbohydrate began to evolve. However, understanding the various factors that affect its antimicrobial activity has become a key issue for a better usage and a more efficient optimization of chitosan formulations. Moreover, the use of chitosan in antimicrobial systems should be based on sufficient knowledge of the complex mechanisms of its antimicrobial mode of action, which in turn would help to arrive at an appreciation of its entire antimicrobial potential.