bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Annual mass treatment with albendazole might eliminate human oesophagostomiasis from the endemic focus in northern Ghana
Authors: Ziem J. B. , Olsen A. , Magnussen P. , Horton J. , Spannbrucker N. , Yelifari L. , Nana Biritwum K. , Polderman A. M. 
Published: October 2006

SummaryAs a follow‐up to the study by Ziem et al., in this issue, efforts to control human oesophagostomiasis and hookworm infections in northern Ghana were pursued, and the results evaluated in collaboration with the Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination Programme. This phase of evaluation of the impact of mass treatment was no longer limited to a small‐scale research setting: it was done both in the context of an operationally viable national control programme and as a continuation of the Oesophagostomum Intervention Research Project (OIRP). The methods of evaluation included classical stool examination with Kato thick smears, stool culture and ultrasound examination of the colon wall. The results showed that yearly population‐based albendazole–ivermectin treatment in 11 villages scattered over north‐eastern Ghana, with a treatment coverage of 70–75%, resulted in a reduction of Oesophagostomum prevalence from about 20% pre‐intervention to less than 1% after 2 years of mass treatment. Simultaneously, hookworm prevalence went down from 70% to approximately 15%. The data, however, cannot be readily compared with those of Ziem et al. because of the relatively crude diagnostic (single stool cultures) screening system that had to be used for the evaluation of the large‐scale control programme. In the research area of the OIRP, interruption of mass treatment resulted in a rising hookworm prevalence. The Oesophagostomum prevalence, on the other hand, continued to go down. Transmission of human oesophagostomiasis appears interruptible and small numbers of persistent cases of Oesophagostomum infection were shown insufficient to serve as a nucleus of renewed spread of the infection. The data suggest that both the infection with and the pathology due to human oesophagostomiasis can be eliminated and that elimination is likely to be achieved through operationally feasible albendazole–ivermectin treatment as used by the Global Alliance for the Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis.
Divergence in Female Duetting Signals in theEnchenopa binotataSpecies Complex of Treehoppers (Hemiptera: Membracidae)
Authors: Rodríguez Rafael L. , Cocroft Reginald B. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractSexual communication often involves signal exchanges between the sexes, or duetting, in which mate choice is expressed through response signals. With both sexes acting as signalers and receivers, variation in the signals of males and females may be important for mate choice, reproductive isolation, and divergence. In theEnchenopa binotataspecies complex – a case study of sympatric speciation in which vibrational duetting may have an important role – male signals are species‐specific, females choose among males on the basis of signal traits that reflect species and individual differences, and female preferences have exerted divergent selection on male signals. Here, we describe variation in female signals in theE. binotataspecies complex. We report substantial species differences in the spectral and temporal features of female signals, and in their timing relative to male signals. These differences were similar in range to differences in male signals in theE. binotatacomplex. We consider processes that might contribute to divergence in female signals, and suggest that signal evolution in theE. binotatacomplex may be influenced by mate choice in both sexes.
Patterns in the within‐tree distribution of the emerald ash borer Agrilus planipennis (Fairmaire) in young, green‐ash plantations of south‐western Ontario, Canada
Authors: Timms Laura L , Smith Sandy M , De Groot Peter 
Published: October 2006

Abstract1 The emerald ash borer Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) is a serious exotic pest of ash trees (Fraxinus spp.) in North America, and is responsible for the deaths of millions of trees in Ontario and Michigan. One of the greatest challenges facing the successful management of the pest is the ability to accurately detect its presence in a tree.2 Observations were made on A. planipennis larval feeding galleries found within 65 young, green‐ash trees cut from plantations in Essex County, Ontario, Canada. The within‐tree distributions of feeding galleries were described in relation to height‐above‐ground, stem diameter, bark thickness and stem aspect.3 Galleries were not distributed randomly or evenly; minimum boundaries of stem diameter and bark thickness and a maximum boundary of height‐above‐ground were detected. Indications of maximum boundaries for stem diameter and bark thickness were also observed. Galleries were found most often on the south‐west side of the tree.4 Using the technique of upper boundary regression, we were able to identify significant quadratic relationships between A. planipennis gallery density and stem diameter and bark thickness, as well as a significant negative linear relationship between gallery density and height‐above‐ground.5 Agrilus planipennis gallery density in newly‐infested trees was lower than in previously‐infested trees, and was observed to peak at smaller stem diameters and bark thicknesses than in previously‐infested trees.6 Survey teams would increase their probability of detecting new A. planipennis infestations by initiating searches for exit holes and feeding galleries in trunk sections and branches of approximately 7 cm in diameter.
Species status and population structure of the Australian Eucalyptus pest Paropsis atomaria Olivier (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)
Authors: Schutze Mark K. , Mather Peter B. , Clarke Anthony R. 
Published: October 2006

Abstract1 Paropsis atomaria Olivier represents an emergent pest of Eucalyptus plantations in Queensland and New South Wales, Australia. Most prior studies on the biology and control of P. atomaria have centred on populations from Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory, but the biological relationship between beetles from Canberra and those from up to 1500 km further north are unknown.2 DNA markers were used to determine whether P. atomaria from Canberra are the same biological species as those from Eucalyptus forestry plantations in northern New South Wales and Queensland, where the beetle has become an important pest. Using the mitochondrial gene, cytochrome c oxidase I (COI), individuals collected from across the distribution of P. atomaria were investigated for haplotype diversity and levels of mitochondrial divergence.3 Within P. atomaria, genetic distance averaged 0.5% across 23 unique haplotypes for 93 individuals, with an average of 14% difference between P. atomaria and the outgroup species, Paropsis obsoleta. Significant genetic structure was observed relative to geographical distribution, but not with respect to host plant species of origin. Greatest divergence was between the southern‐most sample site (Canberra) and northern sites in New South Wales and Queensland, indicating reduced gene flow between these regions.4 Individuals from across eastern Australia belong to the same genetic species with population substructuring evident. Consequently, there is no evidence to suggest cryptic species complexes exist within the currently defined taxon. Continued implementation of control strategies for P. atomaria across its distribution is appropriate.
Valuation Effects of Short Sale Constraints: the Case of Corporate Takeovers
Authors: Alexandridis George , Antoniou Antonios , Zhao Huainan 
Published: October 2006

Abstract We examine the relation between the degree of short sale constraints for acquiring firms' equity and post takeover stock performance. We find that negative long‐run abnormal returns appear to decline (in economic and statistical terms) as the extent and persistence of institutional block‐holder ownership increase, after accounting for the size, book‐to‐market and method of payment effects. In the spirit of Miller (1977), such evidence implies that the degree of short sale constraints serves as an important determinant of acquiring firms' short‐run overpricing. It appears that the presence of concentrated institutional presence mitigates and in most cases eliminates, through effective arbitrage, any short‐run overpricing that may be responsible for the long‐run underperformance of acquirers, preserving in this way efficiency in the takeover markets.
Use of respite care and coping strategies among Irish families of children with intellectual disabilities1
Authors: Mac Donald Elaine , Fitzsimons Elaine , Walsh Patricia Noonan 
Published: October 2006

Accessible summary

This research was done in Ireland with carers of children with learning disability.
The researchers wanted to learn more about how carers cope and why carers use respite care.
This research found that:
This research will help service providers to plan and run respite care to suit families better. Other researchers will understand more about how male and female carers cope.

SummaryThe study aimed to identify patterns of respite use and coping strategies among family caregivers in a region of Ireland. Firstly, we asked what child and family characteristics were associated with use of respite care. Secondly, we explored coping strategies reported by family carers. The study was undertaken with a view to informing respite service provision and redressing a gap in the literature on family caregiving. Findings differed from former research by suggesting that the likelihood of families using respite care was not significantly related to presence of challenging behaviours or level of support required by children. Additionally, likelihood of using respite care was not significantly related to family size and social support. Female carers tended to use more ‘problem solving’ strategies than males. Male carers tended to use more ‘managing meaning’ coping strategies than females, although some strategies were shared across genders. The need for carers to have confirmation of high standards of care and the importance of supporting male carers was discussed. Study limitations and implications for service provision and research were explored.
Three‐dimensional MRI perfusion maps: a step beyond volumetric analysis in mental disorders
Authors: Fabene Paolo F. , Farace Paolo , Brambilla Paolo , Andreone Nicola , Cerini Roberto , Pelizza Luisa , Versace Amelia , Rambaldelli Gianluca , Birbaumer Niels , Tansella Michele , Sbarbati Andrea 
Published: October 2006

AbstractA new type of magnetic resonance imaging analysis, based on fusion of three‐dimensional reconstructions of time‐to‐peak parametric maps and high‐resolution T1‐weighted images, is proposed in order to evaluate the perfusion of selected volumes of interest. Because in recent years a wealth of data have suggested the crucial involvement of vascular alterations in mental diseases, we tested our new method on a restricted sample of schizophrenic patients and matched healthy controls. The perfusion of the whole brain was compared with that of the caudate nucleus by means of intrasubject analysis. As expected, owing to the encephalic vascular pattern, a significantly lower time‐to‐peak was observed in the caudate nucleus than in the whole brain in all healthy controls, indicating that the suggested method has enough sensitivity to detect subtle perfusion changes even in small volumes of interest. Interestingly, a less uniform pattern was observed in the schizophrenic patients. The latter finding needs to be replicated in an adequate number of subjects. In summary, the three‐dimensional analysis method we propose has been shown to be a feasible tool for revealing subtle vascular changes both in normal subjects and in pathological conditions.
Assessing the Disease Burden Due to Epilepsy by Disability Adjusted Life Year in Rural China
Authors: Ding Ding , Hong Zhen , Wang Wen‐zhi , Wu Jian‐zhong , De Boer Hanneke M. , Prilipko Leonid , Sander Josemir W. 
Published: October 2006

Summary:  Purpose: To demonstrate the application of Disability Adjusted Life Year (DALY) as an aid in health outcome measures to evaluate the epilepsy disease burden in rural China and to provide Chinese data to achieve a better understanding of disease burden due to epilepsy. Methods: The DALY is the sum of the number of years of survival with disability (Years Lived with Disability, YLD) and the number of years lost because of premature mortality (Years of Life Lost, YLL). We calculated the YLD based on the prevalence survey of epilepsy among 66,393 people sampled in Heilongjiang, Henan, Jiangsu, Ningxia, Shanghai, and Shanxi provinces in 2000. The epilepsy mortality data from Chinese literature provided the YLL due to epilepsy. We applied sensitivity analysis to evaluate the influence of uncertainty on the epilepsy mortality value and disability weight in the study. Results: In 2000, epilepsy caused 1.83 and 2.48 DALY lost per 1,000 population in Henan and Ningxia province, which had the lowest and the highest DALY lost among the six study areas. Overall, epilepsy caused 1.41 YLLs and 0.67 YLDs per 1,000 population; thus the DALYs lost because of epilepsy was 2.08 per 1,000 population, representing the epilepsy disease burden in rural China. Conclusions: The DALY measure, which includes the extent of disability from epilepsy, provides a useful tool for the epilepsy disease burden assessment. The disease burden of epilepsy in China is considered higher than previous estimations.
A Prospective Study of Postictal Psychoses with Emphasis on the Periictal Type
Authors: Oshima Tomohiro , Tadokoro Yukari , Kanemoto Kousuke 
Published: October 2006

Summary:  Purpose: To assess prospectively episodes of postictal psychosis. Methods: We followed 108 consecutive patients with temporal lobe epilepsy, who were divided into three groups: those without psychotic episodes (n = 87, N group), those with interictal psychosis (n = 13, IIP group), and those with postictal psychosis (n = 8, PIP group). The first episode of postictal psychosis, which was defined as a psychotic episode that occurred within 1 week after the end or within 3 days before the beginning of seizure clusters, was assessed with the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) and Social Dysfunction and Aggression Scale (SDAS) during the observation period. Results: The duration of illness was significantly different between the N and PIP groups (p = 0.004) and between the N and IIP groups (p = 0.039). The average initial BPRS score (obtained 3.0 days after the end of the seizure cluster) was 19.7, and then decreased to 5.8 after 1 week, and finally normalized at 1.5 after 1 month. A statistically significant decrease in BPRS scores was found between the initial assessment and those obtained after 1 week (p = 0.011). Those who had psychotic episodes without a lucid interval tended to have episodes more often than monthly, and experienced additional seizure recurrence even during the psychotic episodes. Two patients exhibited a frank manic phase, and three patients showed excessively aggressive behavior, as determined by the SDAS. Conclusions: Postictal psychosis should be subdivided into the nuclear type, with an established clinical picture as an indirect aftereffect of seizure activity, and the atypical periictal type, which is a direct manifestation of limbic discharge.
Reduced expression of vps11 causes less pigmentation in medaka, Oryzias latipes
Authors: Yu Jia‐Fei , Fukamachi Shoji , Mitani Hiroshi , Hori Hiroshi , Kanamori Akira 
Published: October 2006

SummaryIn this article, we describe the medaka mutant pale gray eyes (pge) that shows reduction of black, white, and silver pigmentation and lethality approximately a week after hatching. The pge mutation was mapped to the tip of linkage group 14 and no recombinations were observed between the mutation and medaka vps11 in 900 meioses. Vps 11 is one of the evolutionarily conserved class C vacuolar protein sorting genes (c‐vps: vps11, vps16, vps18, and vps33), whose products physically associate to form the c‐vps protein complex required for vesicle docking and fusion in the budding yeast. Mutations in vps16, vps18, and vps33 are known to result in decreased pigmentation in organisms such as Drosophila. We cloned the full‐length medaka vps11 cDNA by rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) and found no RACE products from the pge mutants. Similarly, no vps11 transcripts were detected from the pge mutants by Northern analysis. The injection of an antisense morpholino against vps11 phenocopied the pge mutant. Taken together, the results suggest that reduced expression of medaka vps11 causes pge and that medaka vps11 is indispensable for survival and normal pigmentation.
Muscle type‐specific response of PGC‐1α and oxidative enzymes during voluntary wheel running in mouse skeletal muscle
Authors: Ikeda S. , Kawamoto H. , Kasaoka K. , Hitomi Y. , Kizaki T. , Sankai Y. , Ohno H. , Haga S. , Takemasa T. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractAim:  It is generally accepted that endurance exercise increases the expression of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ coactivator‐1α (PGC‐1α), which governs the expression of oxidative metabolic enzymes. A previous report demonstrated that the regulation of mitochondrial protein expression in skeletal muscles in response to cold exposure depends on muscle fibre type. Cold exposure and endurance exercise are both metabolic challenges that require adjustments in mitochondrial energy metabolism, we hypothesized that the exercise‐induced increase in oxidative enzymes and PGC‐1α expression is higher in fast‐type than in slow‐type muscle.Methods:  Female ICR mice were individually housed in cages equipped with running wheel for 1, 2, 4, 6 or 8 weeks. The soleus, plantaris (PLA) and tibialis anterior (TA) muscles were then prepared from each mouse. The expression levels of PGC‐1α, mitochondrial proteins and GLUT4 were evaluated by Western blotting.Results:  The expression level of PGC‐1α was increased only in the PLA muscle. Furthermore, the expression levels of all mitochondrial proteins and GLUT4 in the PLA muscle were increased. In the TA muscle, although there was no increase in PGC‐1α expression, the expression levels of mitochondrial proteins and GLUT4 were increased.Conclusions:  These results suggest that muscle type‐specific responses occur during endurance exercise, and that the increase in PGC‐1α expression is not the only factor that promotes oxidative capacity as a result of endurance exercise.
Numerical Prediction Method for Growth and Deformation of Filter Cakes
Authors: Parry A. J. 
Published: October 2006

Abstract
During filtration of a fluid-solid mixture, a filter cake composed of solids is formed on the upstream side of the permeable interface—the filtrate or clean fluid passes through but not the solids. This paper describes a multi-dimensional calculation framework to carry out numerical simulations of growth and deformation of a filter cake. Two examples of cake growth and deformation phenomena of interest to the oil industry are the sticking of drill string within a wellbore and the sealing of wellbore sections by expandable packers. The calculation algorithm is based on the algebraic slip mixture model, involving the solution of a non-linear transport equation for solids concentration and the mass- and momentum-conservation equations of the mixture for the velocity and pressure field. The matrix stress and flow permeability are expressed as functions of solids concentration. The viscosity in the momentum equations is modeled using the Bingham approach and proportionality between yield stress and solids matrix pressure. Velocity and pressure fields are split into filtration and deformation components, thus permitting a stable calculation scheme. The simulated results match reasonably experimental observations.
Use of Protein Microarrays To Define the Humoral Immune Response in Leprosy Patients and Identification of Disease-State-Specific Antigenic Profiles
Authors: Groathouse Nathan A. , Amin Amol , Marques Maria Angela M. , Spencer John S. , Gelber Robert , Knudson Dennis L. , Belisle John T. , Brennan Patrick J. , Slayden Richard A. 
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACTAlthough the global prevalence of leprosy has decreased over the last few decades due to an effective multidrug regimen, large numbers of new cases are still being reported, raising questions as to the ability to identify patients likely to spread disease and the effects of chemotherapy on the overall incidence of leprosy. This can partially be attributed to the lack of diagnostic markers for different clinical states of the disease and the consequent implementation of differential, optimal drug therapeutic strategies. Accordingly, comparative bioinformatics andMycobacterium lepraeprotein microarrays were applied to investigate whether leprosy patients with different clinical forms of the disease can be categorized based on differential humoral immune response patterns. Evaluation of sera from 20 clinically diagnosed leprosy patients using native protein and recombinant protein microarrays revealed unique disease-specific, humoral reactivity patterns. Statistical analysis of the serological patterns yielded distinct groups that correlated with phenolic glycolipid I reactivity and clinical diagnosis, thus demonstrating that leprosy patients, including those diagnosed with the paucibacillary, tuberculoid form of disease, can be classified based on humoral reactivity to a subset ofM. lepraeprotein antigens produced in recombinant form.
VirulentSalmonella entericaSerovar Typhimurium Evades Adaptive Immunity by Preventing Dendritic Cells from Activating T Cells
Authors: Tobar Jaime A. , Carreño Leandro J. , Bueno Susan M. , González Pablo A. , Mora Jorge E. , Quezada Sergio A. , Kalergis Alexis M. 
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACTDendritic cells (DCs) constitute the link between innate and adaptive immunity by directly recognizing pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) in bacteria and by presenting bacterial antigens to T cells. Recognition of PAMPs renders DCs as professional antigen-presenting cells able to prime naïve T cells and initiate adaptive immunity against bacteria. Therefore, interfering with DC function would promote bacterial survival and dissemination. Understanding the molecular mechanisms that have evolved in virulent bacteria to evade activation of adaptive immunity requires the characterization of virulence factors that interfere with DC function.Salmonella entericaserovar Typhimurium, the causative agent of typhoid-like disease in the mouse, can prevent antigen presentation to T cells by avoiding lysosomal degradation in DCs. Here, we show that this feature of virulentSalmonellaapplies in vivo to prevent activation of adaptive immunity. In addition, this attribute of virulentSalmonellarequires functional expression of a type three secretion system (TTSS) and effector proteins encoded within theSalmonellapathogenicity island 2 (SPI-2). In contrast to wild-type virulentSalmonella, mutant strains carrying specific deletions of SPI-2 genes encoding TTSS components or effectors proteins are targeted to lysosomes and are no longer able to prevent DCs from activating T cells in vitro or in vivo. SPI-2 mutant strains are attenuated in vivo, showing reduced tissue colonization and enhanced T-cell activation, which confers protection against a challenge with wild-type virulentSalmonella. Our data suggest that impairment of DC function by the activity of SPI-2 gene products is crucial forSalmonellapathogenesis.