bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
‘Social evils’ and harm reduction: the evolving policy environment for human immunodeficiency virus prevention among injection drug users in China and Vietnam
Authors: Hammett Theodore M. , Wu Zunyou , Duc Tran Tien , Stephens David , Sullivan Sheena , Liu Wei , Chen Yi , Ngu Doan , Des Jarlais Don C. 
Published: November 2007

ABSTRACTAims  This paper reviews the evolution of government policies in China and Vietnam regarding harm reduction interventions for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention, such as needle/syringe provision and opioid substitution treatment.Methods  The work is based upon the authors' experiences in and observations of these policy developments, as well as relevant government policy documents and legislation.Results  Both countries are experiencing HIV epidemics driven by injection drug use and have maintained generally severe policies towards injection drug users (IDUs). In recent years, however, they have also officially endorsed harm reduction. We sought to understand how and why this apparently surprising policy evolution took place. Factors associated with growing support for harm reduction were similar but not identical in China and Vietnam. These included the emergence of effective ‘champions’ for such policies, an ethos of pragmatism and receptivity to evidence, growing collaboration across public health, police and other sectors, the influence of contingent events such as the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemic and pressure from donors and international organizations to adopt best practice in HIV prevention.Conclusions  Ongoing challenges and lessons learned include the persistence of tensions between drug control and harm reduction that may have negative effects on programs until a fully harmonized policy environment is established. Excessive reliance on law enforcement and forced detoxification will not solve the problems of substance abuse or of HIV among drug users. Ongoing evaluation of harm reduction programs, as well as increased levels of multi‐sectoral training, collaboration and support are also needed.
Unintentional drug overdose death trends in New Mexico, USA, 1990–2005: combinations of heroin, cocaine, prescription opioids and alcohol
Authors: Shah Nina G. , Lathrop Sarah L. , Reichard R. Ross , Landen Michael G. 
Published: November 2007

ABSTRACTAims  To determine the contribution of heroin, prescription opioids, cocaine and alcohol/drug combinations to the total overdose death rate and identify changes in drug overdose patterns among New Mexico subpopulations.Design  We analyzed medical examiner data for all unintentional drug overdose deaths in New Mexico during 1990–2005. Age‐adjusted drug overdose death rates were calculated by sex and race/ethnicity; we modeled overall drug overdose death adjusting for age and region.Findings  The total unintentional drug overdose death rate in New Mexico increased from 5.6 per 100 000 in 1990 to 15.5 per 100 000 in 2005. Deaths caused by heroin, prescription opioids, cocaine and alcohol/drug combinations together ranged from 89% to 98% of the total. Heroin caused the most deaths during 1990–2005, with a notable rate increase in prescription opioid overdose death during 1998–2005 (58%). During 1990–2005, the 196% increase in single drug category overdose death was driven by prescription opioids alone and heroin alone; the 148% increase in multi‐drug category overdose death was driven by heroin/alcohol and heroin/cocaine. Hispanic males had the highest overdose death rate, followed by white males, white females, Hispanic females and American Indians. The most common categories causing death were heroin alone and heroin/alcohol among Hispanic males, heroin/alcohol among American Indian males and prescription opioids alone among white males and all female subpopulations.Conclusions  Interventions to prevent drug overdose death should be targeted according to use patterns among at‐risk subpopulations. A comprehensive approach addressing both illicit and prescription drug users, and people who use these drugs concurrently, is needed to reduce overdose death.
The use of teak (Tectona grandis) plantations by large mammals in the Kilombero Valley, southern Tanzania
Authors: Bonnington C. , Weaver D. , Fanning E. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractThe establishment of plantations is impacting the large mammal populations of the Kilombero Valley, Tanzania. Animal spoors were used as a proxy for activity to determine the influence of teak stand age on mammals. Habitat variables were compared between different aged stands to investigate the relationship between mammal activity and vegetation characteristics. Vegetation surveys found plantation composition to differ with age; with young stands characterized by slender teak trees, limited leaf litter, abundant grass layer and substantial bare ground. Older plantations contained a high leaf litter layer and dead wood, low grass abundance and minimal bare ground. Spoor transects revealed that mammal species number decreased as the teak matured. Of those vegetation variables tested, grass and bare ground abundance explained significantly the variation in species number and in individual species’ habitat use between differently aged stands; therefore this habitat use was influenced by the foraging value of the plantation. This study showed that several species (some of which warrant conservation attention, such as elephant) use plantations <6 years old to a greater extent than plantations >6 years. Thus, there is a need for conservation measures, such as wildlife corridors and staggered teak planting to be continued, allowing large mammal movements in the valley.
Habitat preferences of the forest birds on the island of Príncipe, Gulf of Guinea
Authors: Dallimer Martin , King Tony 
Published: November 2007

AbstractThe forests of southwest Príncipe are recognized as important for biodiversity conservation. Here, we study the distribution and density of fifteen of the island’s endemic bird species (including three Globally Threatened and one Near‐Threatened) within the National Park. The endemic subspecies of the Near‐Threatened Gulf of Guinea thrush occurred at a density of 0.08 birds ha−1, which is far lower than its sister subspecies on the neighbouring island of São Tomé. We also present evidence that the effects of access routes around the protected area exert an influence on bird species within the National Park. The grey parrot, which still suffers from illegal hunting, was more likely to be encountered further away from roads, with 25% of variation in its occurrence explained by distance to the nearest road. In addition, the occurrence of all four threatened species was more likely further from access routes. Careful consideration must therefore be given to the potential impacts within the National Park of developments outside the currently protected area.
Monitoring and management of the endangered Cape mountain zebra Equus zebra zebra in the Western Cape, South Africa
Authors: Smith Rebecca K. , Marais Andrae , Chadwick Peter , Lloyd Peter H. , Hill Russell A. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractDe Hoop Nature Reserve and a neighbouring conservancy contain the most genetically diverse subpopulation of the Endangered (IUCN) Cape mountain zebra (Equus zebra zebra Linnaeus 1758). Although vital for the long‐term stability of the meta‐population, the population had received limited monitoring post‐1999. We summarize data obtained during a population monitoring programme established in 2005. Ninety‐nine individuals were identified indicating a decline in annual population growth from 6.6% (1995–1999) to 4.5% (1999–2005). The population was male biased and the deficit of females is likely to have prevented additional breeding herd formation resulting in excess nonbreeding males. These animals are currently of limited reproductive value to the meta‐population and may be contributing to the decline in reproductive potential at De Hoop by competing for limited resources. One solution may be to translocate ‘excess’ males to reinforce existing small populations or establish new populations with females from elsewhere provided that a minimum of 78 animals is maintained at De Hoop to limit genetic loss. Population monitoring and effective management strategies for the De Hoop population and the meta‐population are vital to ensure the long‐term survival of Cape mountain zebra and for the success of other species recovery programmes.
Neutrophil elastase mutations and risk of leukaemia in severe congenital neutropenia
Authors: Rosenberg Philip S. , Alter Blanche P. , Link Daniel C. , Stein Steven , Rodger Elin , Bolyard Audrey A. , Aprikyan Andrew A. , Bonilla Mary A. , Dror Yigal , Kannourakis George , Newburger Peter E. , Boxer Laurence A. , Dale David C. 
Published: November 2007

SummarySevere congenital neutropenia (SCN) is a heterogeneous bone marrow failure syndrome predisposing to myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukaemia (MDS/AML). We studied 82 North American and Australian SCN patients enrolled in the Severe Chronic Neutropenia International Registry who were on long‐term treatment with granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor and for whom the neutrophil elastase (ELA2) gene was sequenced. There was no significant difference in the risk of MDS/AML in patients with mutant versus wild‐type ELA2: the respective cumulative incidences at 15 years were 36% and 25% (P = 0·96). Patients with either mutant or wild‐type ELA2 should be followed closely for leukaemic transformation.
ABT‐737 is a useful component of combinatory chemotherapies for chronic myeloid leukaemias with diverse drug‐resistance mechanisms
Authors: Kuroda Junya , Kimura Shinya , Andreeff Michael , Ashihara Eishi , Kamitsuji Yuri , Yokota Asumi , Kawata Eri , Takeuchi Miki , Tanaka Ruriko , Murotani Yoshihide , Matsumoto Yosuke , Tanaka Hideo , Strasser Andreas , Taniwaki Masafumi , Maekawa Taira 
Published: November 2007

SummaryThe effect of ABT‐737, a BH3‐mimicking inhibitor for anti‐apoptotic Bcl‐2 and Bcl‐XL, but not Mcl‐1, against Bcr‐Abl‐positive (Bcr‐Abl+) leukaemic cells was examined. ABT‐737 potently induced apoptosis in Bcr‐Abl+ chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) cell lines and primary CML samples in vitro and prolonged the survival of mice xenografted with BV173 cells, a CML cell line. Higher expression of anti‐apoptotic Bcl‐2 proteins reduced cell killing by ABT‐737 in each cell line, but there was no correlation between the sensitivities to ABT‐737 and the specific expression patterns of Bcl‐2 family proteins among cell lines. Thus, the cell killing effect of ABT‐737 must be determined not only by the expression patterns of Bcl‐2 family proteins but also by other mechanisms, such as high expression of Bcr‐Abl, or a drug‐efflux pump, in CML cells. ABT‐737 augmented the cell killing effect of imatinib in Bcr‐Abl+ cells with diverse drug‐resistance mechanisms unless leukaemic cells harboured imatinib‐insensitive Abl kinase domain mutations, such as T315I. The combination of homoharringtonine that reduces Mcl‐1 enhanced the killing by ABT‐737 strongly in Bcr‐Abl+ cells even with T315I mutation. These results suggest that ABT‐737 is a useful component of chemotherapies for CML with diverse drug‐resistance mechanisms.
Endophytic fungi decrease available resources for the aphid Rhopalosiphum padi and impair their ability to induce defences against predators
Authors: ZÜST TOBIAS , HÄRRI SIMONE A. , MÜLLER CHRISTINE B. 
Published: November 2007

Abstract 1. The production of winged morphs is a well known mechanism of induced defence in aphids to escape from natural enemies, and is also a reaction to poor resource quality.2. Host plants of aphids often associate with endophytic fungi that have been shown to reduce the fitness of some species of aphids.3. It was hypothesised that endophyte infection of host plants that represent a low quality plant resource should increase the aphid’s induced response to a predator because both low plant quality and predator presence represent a stronger cue for wing production than predator presence alone.4. In a laboratory experiment, bird cherry‐oat aphids Rhopalosiphum padi L. were exposed to the factors predator threat and endophyte infection and the effects of these factors on the proportion of winged morphs produced by the aphid colonies was analysed.5. The presence of endophytic fungi strongly decreased aphid colony sizes. When a predator threat was present, all colonies on endophyte‐free grasses produced winged morphs whereas only a few colonies were able to produce winged morphs on endophyte‐infected grasses. However, these few colonies produced larger proportions of winged morphs than colonies on endophyte‐free grasses. Without a predator threat, no colonies on endophyte‐infected grasses produced any winged morphs.6. These results show that aphids in stressed conditions and with reduced fitness will only invest in inducible defences when predators are present but are unable to produce winged morphs in response to endophyte presence.
Effects of aphids on foliar foraging by Argentine ants and the resulting effects on other arthropods
Authors: GROVER CRYSTAL D. , DAYTON KATHLEEN C. , MENKE SEAN B. , HOLWAY DAVID A. 
Published: November 2007

Abstract 1. Although interactions between ants and honeydew‐producing insects have received considerable study, relatively little is known about how these interactions alter the behaviour of ants in ways that affect other arthropods. In this study, field and greenhouse experiments were performed that examined how the presence of aphids (Aphis fabae solanella) on Solanum nigrum influenced the foraging behaviour of Argentine ants (Linepithema humile) and, in turn, modified the extent to which ants deter larval lacewings (Chrysoperla rufilabris), which are known aphid predators.2. A field experiment demonstrated that the level of foliar foraging by ants increased linearly with aphid abundance, whereas no relationship existed between the level of ground foraging by ants and aphid abundance.3. In the greenhouse, as in the field, foliar foraging by ants greatly increased when aphids were present. Higher levels of foliar foraging led to a twofold increase in the likelihood that ants contacted aphid predators. As a result of these increased encounters with ants, lacewing larvae were twice as likely to be removed from plants with aphids compared with plants without aphids. Once contact was made, however, the behaviour of ants towards lacewing larvae appeared similar between the two experimental groups.4. Argentine ants drive away or prey upon a diversity of arthropod predators and parasitoids, but they also exhibit aggression towards certain herbivores. Future work should attempt to quantify how the ecological effects that result from interactions between honeydew‐producing insects and invasive ants, such as L. humile, differ from those that result from interactions between honeydew‐producing insects and native ants.
The quantitative analysis of peripheral blood FOXP3‐expressing T cells in systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis patients
Authors: Lin S.‐C. , Chen K.‐H. , Lin C.‐H. , Kuo C.‐C. , Ling Q.‐D. , Chan C.‐H. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractBackground  Expressed in naturally occurring CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells, FoxP3 plays an important role in maintaining immune tolerance. We therefore evaluated the possibility that the peripheral blood FOXP3+ T‐cell deficiency is associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Materials and methods  The FOXP3 expression in peripheral blood T cells were evaluated and correlated to the CD4 and CD25 expression by flow cytometric analysis. Cell frequencies of FOXP3+ T cells among CD4+ T cells and absolute FOXP3+ T cell counts in SLE and RA patients were determined for the statistical comparison with those in normal controls, and their correlation with disease activities in SLE patients was evaluated. The FOXP3 transcript levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were also determined to correlate the FOXP3+ T‐cell quantity and to evaluate the possible dysregulation in the expression of two FOXP3 mRNA variants in patients.Results  SLE patients had the higher FOXP3+ T‐cell frequency and absolute CD4+CD25−FOXP3+ cell count than normal individuals, and the frequencies of CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ and CD4+FOXP3+ cells were positively correlated with the disease activities in SLE patients. In contrast, the differences in frequencies and absolute counts of FOXP3+ T cells between normal controls and RA patients were found to be insignificant. Moreover, SLE and RA patients appear to express two FOXP3 transcript variants in peripheral blood mononuclear cells at the levels similar to normal individuals.Conclusions  The peripheral blood FOXP3+ T‐cell frequency among CD4+ T cells is altered in SLE patients with the active disease activity. Therefore, the analysis on peripheral blood FOXP3+ T cells may be useful for the evaluation of lupus disease activity.
Assessing risk of myocardial infarction and stroke: new data from the Prospective Cardiovascular Münster (PROCAM) study‡
Authors: Assmann G. , Schulte H. , Cullen P. , Seedorf U. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractObjectives  Based on the data of the Prospective Cardiovascular Münster (PROCAM) study, a prospective study of men and women at work in the north‐west of Germany, we aimed (i) to develop a refined scoring scheme for calculating the risk of acute coronary events among adult and elderly men and women; and (ii) to generate a new scoring scheme for calculating the risk of ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA).Methods  The coronary risk score was derived from a Weibull function using data from 18 460 men and 8515 women who were recruited before 1996 and had a mean follow‐up period of 12 ± 6 years. The stroke score was derived using a Cox proportional hazards model using data of 5905 men and 2225 women aged 35–65 years with at least 10 years of unbroken follow‐up.Results  The coronary risk score was based on 511 major coronary events, 462 (168 fatal, 294 non‐fatal) in men and 49 (18 fatal, 31 non‐fatal) in women and included the risk factors LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, smoking status, triglycerides and diabetes mellitus status. It was accurate in both sexes over an age range from 20 to 75 years with an area under the receiver‐operating characteristics (ROC) curve of 0·82. The stroke score was based on 85 cerebral ischaemic events (21 TIAs, 64 ischaemic strokes) and included the risk factors age, sex, diabetes mellitus status, smoking status and systolic blood pressure. It had an area under the ROC curve of 0·78 and identified a high‐risk group comprising only 4% of the study population that contained 31% of all cerebral ischaemic events.Conclusion  Both new PROCAM risk scores provide simple and effective ways to assess the risk of acute coronary events and ischaemic stroke in the general population and will improve the ability of physicians to target measures in an effort to prevent these potentially devastating conditions.
Fractionation of dissolved organic carbon from soil solution with immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography
Authors: Paunovic I. , Schulin R. , Nowack B. 
Published: November 2007

SummaryThe presence and identity of Cu‐complexing ligands in soil solution strongly affects biogeochemistry, bioavailability and the fate of Cu in soils. In this study, we compared the influence of heavy metal pollution, vegetation and soil type on the amount and characterization of ligands able to form ternary complexes with Cu in soil solution. For separation and characterization, we applied immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography (IMAC) combined with fluorescence spectroscopy. All separated IMAC‐fractions exhibited excitation‐emission wavelengths of humic‐like fluorescence (240–285/365–434 nm). Protein‐type fluorescence (270–280/295–365 nm) and fluorescence at 330–340/375–385 nm were detected only in the retained fraction whereas carboxylate‐type fluorescence (300–310/420–430 nm) was observed only in the non‐retained fraction. These findings are in agreement with the behaviour of model ligands. The IMAC‐retained ligands represented between 5 and 30% of dissolved organic carbon. The soil type and the vegetation had the largest influence on the quality and quantity of Cu ligands able to form ternary complexes. In the topsoil, the IMAC retained fraction was greater in soil without vegetation (16%) compared with soil with vegetation (12%). A larger amount (75%) of the protein‐type ligands able to form ternary complexes with Cu was found in soil with vegetation compared with plant‐free soil (69%). Metal pollution also affected the composition of the extracted ligands; the fraction with protein‐type ligands decreased from 75% in unpolluted to 65% in the polluted topsoil. The results show that IMAC‐retained ligands are related to the biological activity in soils.
Determination of refractory organic matter in marine sediments by chemical oxidation, analytical pyrolysis and solid‐state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy
Authors: De La Rosa J. M. , González‐Pérez J. A. , Hatcher P. G. , Knicker H. , González‐Vila F. J. 
Published: November 2007

SummarySeeking to quantify the amount of refractory organic matter (ROM), which includes black carbon‐like material (BC), in marine sediments, we have applied a two‐step procedure that consists of a chemical oxidation with sodium chlorite of the demineralized sediments followed by integration of the aromatic C region in the remaining residues by solid‐state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The efficacy for lignin removal was tested by analytical pyrolysis in the presence of tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide (TMAH). Riverine, estuarine and offshore marine sediment samples were collected from the southwest Atlantic coast of Spain, a site of geological and environmental interest. Measured contents of BC‐like material ranged between 3.0 and 45.7% of the total organic carbon. Greater relative BC contents were found in riverine sediments close to urban areas, which show an elevated input of anthropogenic organic material. The contents of BC‐like material in offshore marine sediments (5.5–6.1%) were similar to those previously reported for these kinds of samples. However, NMR and pyrolysis‐GC/MS of the isolated ROM reveals that abundant refractory aliphatic organic material remains in most of the marine samples after chlorite oxidation. We suggest that this pool of aliphatic carbon may play an important role as a stable carbon pool within the global C cycle.