bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Biogeographical comparison of the arthropod herbivore communities associated with Lepidium draba in its native, expanded and introduced ranges
Authors: Cripps Michael G. , Schwarzländer Mark , McKenney Jessica L. , Hinz Hariet L. , Price William J. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractAim  To examine the composition and structure of the arthropod community on the invasive weed Lepidium draba in its native, expanded and introduced ranges, in order to elucidate the lack of a biotic constraint that may facilitate invasion.Location  Europe and western North America.Methods  Identical sampling protocols were used to collect data from a total of 35 populations of L. draba in its native (Eastern European), expanded (Western European) and introduced (western US) ranges. A bootstrapping analysis was used to compare herbivore richness, diversity and evenness among the regions. Core species groups (monophages, oligophages and polyphages) on the plant were defined and their abundances and host utilization patterns described.Results  Species richness was greatest in the native range, while species diversity and evenness were similar in the native and expanded range, but significantly greater than in the introduced range of L. draba. Specialist herbivore abundance was greater in the native and expanded compared with the introduced range. Oligophagous Brassicaceae‐feeders were equally abundant in all three ranges, and polyphagous herbivore abundance was significantly greater in the introduced range. Overall herbivore abundance was greater in the introduced range. Host utilization was more complete in the two European ranges due to monophagous herbivores that do not exist in the introduced range. Root feeders and gall formers were completely absent from the introduced range, which was dominated by generalist sap‐sucking herbivores. However, one indigenous stem‐mining weevil, Ceutorhynchus americanus, occurred on L. draba in the introduced range.Main conclusions  This is, to our knowledge, the first study documenting greater herbivore abundance on an invasive weed in its introduced, compared with its native, range. However, greater abundance does not necessarily translate to greater impact. We argue that, despite the greater total herbivore abundance in the introduced range, differences in the herbivore community structure (specialist vs. generalist herbivory) may contribute to the invasion success of L. draba in the western USA.
The biogeography of plant reproduction: potential determinants of species’ range sizes
Authors: Lowry E. , Lester S. E. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractAim A major biogeographical hypothesis, the ‘niche‐breadth’ hypothesis, explains species range sizes based on the extent of a species’ niche (e.g. diversity of habitats occupied; range of environmental conditions tolerated). An alternative hypothesis explains range sizes using metapopulation theory (e.g. colonization dynamics; dispersal ability). Both niche breadth and colonization ability may be related to plant species’ reproductive characteristics. We evaluate both hypotheses by examining the relationship of plant range size to mating system and genomic structure (ploidy status).Location Western North America.Methods Using a data set of 60 taxa in the genusClarkia(Onagraceae), we use three analytical techniques to examine the effect of reproductive characteristics on range size. We conduct cross‐species analyses of present‐day taxa to examine both mating system and polyploidy in relation to range size. We also conduct a phylogenetically independent contrasts analysis (usingcaicsoftware) on the relationship of mating system to range size in diploid species. Third, we compare closely related taxon pairs that differ in mating system as an alternative method to control for phylogeny.Results Polyploid species have significantly larger ranges compared with diploid species. When considering only diploid taxa, no significant relationship is found for mating system in both cross‐species and phylogenetically independent contrasts analyses. The diploid pairwise analysis, comparing only the range sizes of direct sister taxa with alternative mating systems, does show a relationship, with outcrossing species having larger ranges than self‐fertilizing species.Main conclusions We argue that genetic diversity, colonization ability, or a combination of both factors may influence plant species’ range sizes. The significant pairwise analysis suggests that both the independent contrast and the cross‐species analysis may be confounded by polytomies of species at the terminal nodes of the phylogeny, indicating the importance of comparing the results of multiple analytical techniques. We propose that the range sizes of self‐fertilizing species have a bimodal distribution, obscuring the effect of mating system on range size, and that a broader survey of plant taxa will resolve the two modes from that of the outcrossing species. Lastly, polyploid species appear to show significantly larger range sizes than diploid species, irrespective of mating system.
A small acidic protein 1 (SMAP1) mediates responses of the Arabidopsis root to the synthetic auxin 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid
Authors: Rahman Abidur , Nakasone Akari , Chhun Tory , Ooura Chiharu , Biswas Kamal Kanti , Uchimiya Hirofumi , Tsurumi Seiji , Baskin Tobias I. , Tanaka Atsushi , Oono Yutaka 
Published: July 2006

Summary2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4‐D), a chemical analogue of indole‐3‐acetic acid (IAA), is widely used as a growth regulator and exogenous source of auxin. Because 2,4‐D evokes physiological and molecular responses similar to those evoked by IAA, it is believed that they share a common response pathway. Here, we show that a mutant, antiauxin resistant1 (aar1), identified in a screen for resistance to the anti‐auxin p‐chlorophenoxy‐isobutyric acid (PCIB), is resistant to 2,4‐D, yet nevertheless responds like the wild‐type to IAA and 1‐napthaleneacetic acid in root elongation and lateral root induction assays. That the aar1 mutation alters 2,4‐D responsiveness specifically was confirmed by analysis of GUS expression in the DR5:GUS and HS:AXR3NT‐GUS backgrounds, as well as by real‐time PCR quantification of IAA11 expression. The two characterized aar1 alleles both harbor multi‐gene deletions; however, 2,4‐D responsiveness was restored by transformation with one of the genes missing in both alleles, and the 2,4‐D‐resistant phenotype was reproduced by decreasing the expression of the same gene in the wild‐type using an RNAi construct. The gene encodes a small, acidic protein (SMAP1) with unknown function and present in plants, animals and invertebrates but not in fungi or prokaryotes. Taken together, these results suggest that SMAP1 is a regulatory component that mediates responses to 2,4‐D, and that responses to 2,4‐D and IAA are partially distinct.
An unusual presentation of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in a black epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EV) patient
Authors: Sanclemente Gloria , García José‐J. , Gómez Luis‐F. , Tyring Stephen K. , Wolff Juan C. , Correa Luis A. , Rady Peter 
Published: July 2006

A 25‐year‐old black man had a 20‐year history of disseminated plaques on his body. Two years before consultation he noticed several tumors on the genitalia. Physical examination revealed generalized, coalescing, hypopigmented plaques with a very defined and keratotic border that resembled actinic porokeratosis. (Fig. 1). Multiple verrucous and moist tumors were observed on the scrotum (Fig. 2). His past medical history was unremarkable, and no family member had the disease.Generalized, coalescing, hypopigmented plaquesimageMultiple verrucous and moist tumors on the scrotumimageHistology of the body lesions revealed hyperkeratosis with a horny‐layer, basket‐weave appearance, large and clear blue–gray keratinocytes with finely granular cytoplasm and vacuolized nuclei, and abundant keratohyaline granules located in the upper epidermal layer (Fig. 3). Scrotum biopsy showed hyperkeratosis, irregular acanthosis with papillomatosis, and koilocytic figures.Hyperkeratosis with basket‐weave appearance of the horny layer and vacuolated blue–gray keratinocytes (hematoxylin and eosin stain, ×20)imageThe genital lesions were treated with monthly cryotherapy plus surgical excision with complete disappearance of the lesions. A decrease in ultraviolet exposure and daily sun‐block were encouraged for epidermodysplasia verruciformis lesions. After genital wart clearance, follow‐ups are being scheduled every 4 months, with no new lesions to date.
Association of serum lipids with diabetic retinopathy in urban South Indians—the Chennai Urban Rural Epidemiology Study (CURES) Eye Study—2
Authors: Rema M. , Srivastava B. K. , Anitha B. , Deepa R. , Mohan V. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractAims  To study the association of serum lipids with diabetic retinopathy (DR) in Type 2 diabetic subjects.Methods  Type 2 diabetic subjects (n = 1736) were randomly selected from the Chennai Urban Rural Epidemiology Study (CURES), which was carried out on a representative population of Chennai in South India. DR was diagnosed by retinal colour photography and classified according to the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) grading system. Classification of lipid abnormalities was done according to the National Cholesterol Education Programme–Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP–ATP III) Guidelines.Results  The mean serum cholesterol (P = 0.024), serum triglycerides (P = 0.017) and non‐high‐density lipoprotein (HDL)‐cholesterol (P = 0.025) concentrations were higher in subjects with DR compared with those without DR. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that after adjusting for age, gender, duration of diabetes, total cholesterol Standardised regression estimate (SRE) = 1.178, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.042, 1.331, P = 0.014), non‐HDL‐cholesterol (SRE = 1.169, 95% CI 1.040, 1.313, P = 0.012) and serum triglycerides (SRE = 1.292, 95% CI 1.136, 1.467, P = 0.001) were associated with DR and non‐HDL‐cholesterol (SRE = 1.264, 95% CI 1.000, 1.592, P = 0.045) and low‐density lipoprotein (LDL)‐cholesterol (SRE = 1.453, 95% CI 1.107, 1.896, P = 0.005) with diabetic macular oedema (DME). After adjusting for HbA1c and body mass index, only triglycerides maintained a significant association with DR (SRE = 1.137, 95% CI 1.000, 1.291, P = 0.007) and LDL‐cholesterol with macular oedema (SRE = 1.358, 95% CI 1.034, 1.774, P = 0.026).Conclusions  There is a significant association of serum triglycerides with DR and LDL‐cholesterol with DME.
Employee innovation behaviour in health care: the influence from management and colleagues
Authors: Åmo B.W. 
Published: July 2006

Aim:  This article reports how ‘important others’ and position in the organizational hierarchy relate to employee innovation behaviour. Empowerment of healthcare workers to engage in innovation behaviour is desired by management in Norwegian municipalities as it is regarded as a way of getting more health care for less money. Innovation behaviour is also desired by nurses’ and other healthcare workers’ professional organizations of as it is regarded as a way of improving the working conditions of the healthcare worker.Background:  The theoretical discussion in this paper includes corporate entrepreneurship, ‘important others’ and employee innovation behaviour.Methods:  This article reports on a study concerning empowerment of nurses and other healthcare workers (n = 555) in Norwegian municipalities. The statistical methods used include multiple regressions.Findings:  The study reveals that there were differences between the nurse (registered nurses), auxiliary nurses (nurse aides) and unskilled healthcare workers concerning how they perceived the opinion of the management and the opinion of the colleagues about how suitable it was to present innovation behaviour at the workplace. Moreover, the different groups of healthcare workers assign different levels of importance to this influence.Conclusions:  It is suggested that the findings put forward in this article may lead to an improved understanding of the dynamics behind employee innovation behaviour, and that such knowledge could improve the care provided to the patients, the cost of the care and the working conditions of nurses and other healthcare workers.
Emotional and informational support for families during their child’s illness
Authors: Sarajärvi A. , Haapamäki M.L. , Paavilainen E. 
Published: July 2006

Purpose:  To describe and compare the support provided by nursing staff to families during their child’s illness from the viewpoint of families and nurses.Method:  A survey method was used. Data were collected by questionnaires planned for families and staff separately. The study population consisted of families who visited paediatric outpatient clinics, families with hospitalized children (n = 344) and the paediatric nursing staff (n = 60).Findings:  Almost half of the families had received adequate emotional and informational support from the nursing staff for their physical and psychological reactions. One‐fifth of the families reported that they had not been supported at all during the child’s hospitalization. According to families and nurses, the support was provided in the forms of discussion, listening and giving time.Implications for practice:  Families’ and nurses’ suggestions for development of support were related to the time resources of the staff, to the flow of information, to more client‐centred attitudes, to being appreciated and listened to and to home care guidance. However, the pervasiveness of this problem in the international literature suggests that deeper consideration of possible underlying reasons for this phenomenon is called for.
Mammalian sperm and oviducts are sexually selected: evidence for co‐evolution
Authors: Anderson M. J. , Dixson A. S. , Dixson A. F. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractOviduct length was measured in 48 species representing 33 genera of mammals in order to examine possible relationships between female morphology and the occurrence of sperm competition due to matings with multiple males. Multiple regression analyses revealed that residuals of oviduct length were positively correlated both with residuals of testes weight and with sperm midpiece volume in the genera and species studied. These correlations remained significant after application of comparative analysis of independent contrasts to control for possible phylogenetic biases in the data set. These results indicate that sexual selection (relating to sperm competition and cryptic female choice) has influenced co‐evolution of oviduct length, testes size and sperm morphology in mammals.
Density of Microhodotermes viator (Hodotermitidae) mounds in southern Africa in relation to rainfall and vegetative productivity gradients
Authors: Picker M. D. , Hoffman M. T. , Leverton B. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractGiant earth mounds (heuweltjies) formed by the southern harvester termite Microhodotermes viator occupy a large proportion of the land surface of the Succulent karoo, Nama‐karoo and Fynbos biomes. Microhodotermes viator is associated with specific vegetation types and low winter rainfall, prompting the hypothesis that rainfall and vegetative productivity govern the distribution and population densities of M. viator. Using an analysis of aerial photographs, the density of termite mounds at 34 sites in 10 vegetation types was determined across the full range of their distribution. The number of mounds ranged from 143 to 704 km−2 with a mean of 297. When all sites were considered together, mound density was not related to temperature, altitude, rainfall and vegetative productivity [as measured by the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI)]. However, if the single Fynbos and five Coastal Renosterveld sites (with rainfall >350 mm  year−1) were excluded from the analysis, then mound density was significantly related to both rainfall and NDVI values. A separate analysis of the relationship between mound density, rainfall and soil fertility was undertaken. There was a significant relationship between rainfall and mound density for sites occurring on soils of high‐fertility status but not for sites occurring on soils of low‐fertility status. These results suggest that soil fertility and vegetation composition are parameters that influence the effect of rainfall and vegetative productivity on termite mound distribution and density. Finally, the positive relationship between rainfall and mound density in areas with <350 mm year−1 suggests that M. viator populations are in equilibrium with climatic conditions. This provides further evidence that heuweltjies are constructed by their current occupants, M. viator, and are not the product of an extinct termite species as has been suggested previously.
Effect of cooling on the responses of human saphenous vein to fentanyl, remifentanil and sufentanil
Authors: Şahin Ayşe Saide , Duman Ateş , Günaydin Ishak Gürsel , Şahin Tahir Kemal , Görmüş Niyazi , Duman Ipek 
Published: July 2006

AbstractWe studied the vasodilatory effects of fentanyl, remifentanil and sufentanil on the human saphenous vein strips at 37, 32 and 28 °C. Fentanyl produced concentration‐dependent relaxation of human saphenous vein strips precontracted with 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT) at every temperature studied. Compared with vein strips at 37 °C, relaxant responses to each one concentration of fentanyl were significantly reduced at 32 and 28 °C. Remifentanil relaxed vein strips in a concentration‐dependent way and the relaxation for all concentrations were significantly greater at 32 and 28 °C compared with 37 °C. Sufentanil produced concentration‐dependent relaxation in saphenous vein strips precontracted with 5‐HT. These relaxant responses were similar at 32 °C compared with 37 °C. When bath temperature was lowered from 37 to 28 °C, the relaxant responses to sufentanil were significantly reduced. In summary, the present study suggests that cooling reduces the relaxation caused by fentanyl and sufentanil on human saphenous veins but augments the relaxation with remifentanil. The augmented vasodilatory effect of remifentanil with cooling may be useful on systemic vascular resistance and organ preservation under hypothermic conditions like cardiopulmonary bypass surgery.
MUTUAL FUND PERFORMANCE PERSISTENCE AND COMPETITION: A CROSS‐SECTOR ANALYSIS
Authors: Keswani Aneel , Stolin David 
Published: July 2006

AbstractExisting work on mutual fund performance persistence obtains diverse results, depending on the group of funds studied. We examine whether performance persistence within a peer group of competing mutual funds depends on the group's composition. The U.K. mutual fund industry is ideal for such an examination because funds compete within strictly defined sectors. We consider several attributes related to the intensity of competition within a sector and use them to explain sector‐level persistence. We find robust evidence that persistence is higher in sectors where concentration of assets under management is higher.
Survival and complication rates of combined tooth–implant‐supported fixed partial dentures
Authors: Nickenig Hans‐Joachim , Schäfer Corinna , Spiekermann Hubertus 
Published: July 2006

AbstractObjectives: The objective of this study has been to review the incidence of biological and technical complications in case of tooth–implant‐supported fixed partial denture (FPD) treatments on the basis of survival data regarding clinical cases.Material and methods: Based on the treatment documentations of a Bundeswehr dental clinic (Cologne‐Wahn German Air Force Garrison), the medical charts of 83 patients with tooth‐implant‐supported FPDs were completely recorded. The median follow‐up time was 4.73 (time range: 2.2–8.3) years. In the process, survival curves according to Kaplan and Meier were applied in addition to frequency counts.Results: A total of 84 tooth‐implant (83 patients) connected prostheses were followed (132 abutment teeth, 142 implant abutments (Branemark, Straumann). FPDs: the time‐dependent illustration reveals that after 5 years, as many as 10% of the tooth‐implant‐supported FPDs already had to be subjected to a technical modification (renewal (n=2), reintegration (n=4), veneer fracture (n=5), fracture of frame (n=2)). In contrast to non‐rigid connection of teeth and implants, technical modification measures were rarely required in case of tooth‐implant‐supported FPDs with a rigid connection. There was no statistical difference between technical complications and the used implant system. Abutment teeth and implants: during the observation period, none of the functionally loaded implants (n=142) had to be removed. Three of the overall 132 abutment teeth were lost because of periodontal inflammation. The time‐dependent illustration reveals, that after 5 years as many as 8% of the abutment teeth already required corresponding therapeutic measures (periodontal treatment (5%), filling therapy (2.5%), endodontic treatment (0.5%)). After as few as 3 years, the connection related complications of implant abutments (abutment or occlusal screw loosening, loss of cementation) already had to be corrected in approximately 8% of the cases. In the utilization period there was no screw or abutment fracture.Conclusion: Technical complications of implant‐supported FPDs are dependent on the different bridge configurations. When using rigid functional connections, similarly favourable values will be achieved as in case of solely implant‐supported FPDs. In this study other characteristics like different fixation systems (screwed vs. cemented) or various implant systems had no significant effect to the rate of technical complications.
Stability and marginal bone level measurements of unsplinted implants used for mandibular overdentures: a 1‐year randomized prospective clinical study comparing early and conventional loading protocols
Authors: Turkyilmaz Ilser , Sennerby Lars , Tumer Celal , Yenigul Muhittin , Avci Mehmet 
Published: July 2006

AbstractObjectives: The aim of this study was to compare the performance of two non‐splinted implants used as retention for a mandibular overdenture when applying conventional or early loading protocols.Material and methods: Twenty edentulous patients were treated with two unsplinted and non‐submerged implants (15 mm long, TiUnite RP, Brånemark System) in the anterior mandible. The patients were randomly allotted into two groups: (i) test group (Group A), in which the overdenture was connected 1 week after surgery, and (ii) control group (Group B), in which the overdenture was connected after 12 weeks of healing. Resonance frequency analyses (RFA) for implant stability measurements were performed at implant surgery and after 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. Marginal bone levels were evaluated at implant surgery and after 6 and 12 months.Results: No implant from either group was lost and all implants showed less than 1 mm of marginal bone resorption during the first year. The mean implant stability quotient (ISQ) values at implant surgery were 76.2±2.8 for Group A and 75.6±4.5 for Group B. The 12‐month measurements showed 76.4±2.5 ISQ and 76.4±2.8 ISQ for Groups A and B, respectively. There were no statistically significant changes between or within the groups with time. There were no differences in marginal bone loss, which was on average 0.3 mm for both groups after 1 year.Conclusion: Although a limited number of patients were followed for 1 year only, the results of the present study indicate that early loading of two unsplinted 15 mm long implants with an overdenture does not negatively affect implant stability or marginal bone conditions when compared with implants subjected to 12 weeks of healing before loading.