bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Trends in Obesity and Its Distribution: Data From the Northern Sweden MONICA Survey, 1986–2004
Authors: Lilja Mikael , Eliasson Mats , Stegmayr Birgitta , Olsson Tommy , Söderberg Stefan 
Published: February 2008

Objective: Obesity, especially abdominal, is a risk factor for many diseases. This study explored trends in the prevalence of general and abdominal obesity, 1986–2004, in northern Sweden.Methods and Procedures: Cross‐sectional population surveys were performed in 1986, 1990, 1994, 1999, and 2004; 250 men and 250 women aged 25–34, 35–44, 45–54, and 55–64 years (from 1994, also 65–74 years) were randomly selected; the overall participation rate was 77%. Anthropometric data were used.Results: Weight and BMI increased in all men, most significantly in men aged 25–64 years (P < 0.0005). Weight increased in women aged 25–64 years (P < 0.005) and BMI in women aged 25–44 years (P < 0.005). Prevalence of obesity (BMI ≥ 30) increased significantly in men aged 25–44 and 55–74 years (P < 0.005; for men 65–74 years old, P < 0.05) and in women aged 25–44 years (P < 0.005). Waist circumference decreased significantly between 1986 and 1990 in all women (P < 0.005) and in men aged 55–64 years (P < 0.05). After 1990 waist circumference increased, most markedly so in women; by 2004 circumference measurements for women, and for men aged 55–64 years, were equal to those of 1986, while for men aged 25–54 years they were higher. Prevalence of abdominal obesity has increased since 1990, most markedly so in women aged 45–64 years (P < 0.0005).Discussion: The rapid increase in both general and central obesity raises concern for the future; increasing abdominal obesity in women is particularly alarming.
A systematic review of commonly used medical treatments for hirsutism in women
Authors: Koulouri Olympia , Conway Gerard S. 
Published: February 2008

SummaryObjective  To evaluate the efficacy of various drug treatments in common use for hirsutism in women.Design  A systematic review of published randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We included RCTs that tested commonly prescribed pharmaceutical treatments for hirsutism and the most common outcome measure, a decrease in Ferriman–Gallwey (F–G) score for hirsutism after 6 months of treatment. We excluded trials using unconventional treatments, alternative treatment outcomes, and trials referring to women with conditions other than polycystic ovary syndrome or idiopathic hirsutism.Results  We identified 79 RCTs of which 28 were eligible for analysis. A significant reduction in hirsutism was found for flutamide, spironolactone, cyproterone acetate combined with an oral contraceptive, thiazolidinediones, oral contraceptive pills (OCPs), finasteride and metformin but not for placebo. Reduction in F–G score in response to treatment was negatively associated with body mass index (BMI) (r = –0·38; P = 0·004).Conclusions  Seven different drug groups result in improvement in hirsutism and creative use of these will open new options for women with hirsutism. Obesity has a negative impact on the efficacy of treatments for hirsutism, thus appropriate lifestyle advice is necessary for a successful treatment programme.
A non‐native invasive grass increases soil carbon flux in a Hawaiian tropical dry forest
Authors: LITTON CREIGHTON M. , SANDQUIST DARREN R. , CORDELL SUSAN 
Published: February 2008

AbstractNon‐native plants are invading terrestrial ecosystems across the globe, yet little is known about how invasions impact carbon (C) cycling or how these impacts will be influenced by climate change. We quantified the effect of a non‐native C4 grass invasion on soil C pools and fluxes in a Hawaiian tropical dry forest over 2 years in which annual precipitation was average (Year 1) and ∼60% higher than average (Year 2). Work was conducted in a series of forested plots where the grass understory was completely removed (removal plots) or left intact (grass plots) for 3 years before experiment initiation. We hypothesized that grass invasion would: (i) not change total soil C pools, (ii) increase the flux of C into and out of soils, and (iii) increase the sensitivity of soil C flux to variability in precipitation. In grass plots, grasses accounted for 25–34% of litter layer C and ∼70% of fine root C. However, no differences were observed between treatments in the size of any soil C pools. Moreover, grass‐derived C constituted a negligible fraction of the large mineral soil C pool (< 3%) despite being present in the system for ≥50 years. Tree litterfall was ∼45% lower in grass plots, but grass‐derived litterfall more than compensated for this reduction in both years. Annual cumulative soil‐surface CO2 efflux (Rsoil) was ∼40% higher in grass plots in both years, and increased in both treatments by ∼36% in the wetter Year 2. Despite minimal grass‐derived mineral soil C, > 75% of Rsoil in grass plots was of C4 (i.e. grass) origin. These results demonstrate that grass invasion in forest ecosystems can increase the flux of C into and out of soils without changing total C pools, at least over the short term and as long as the native tree canopy remains intact, and that invasion‐mediated changes in belowground C cycling are sensitive to precipitation.
Thirty‐five years of synchrony in the organic matter concentrations of Swedish rivers explained by variation in flow and sulphate
Authors: ERLANDSSON MARTIN , BUFFAM ISHI , FÖLSTER JENS , LAUDON HJALMAR , TEMNERUD JOHAN , WEYHENMEYER GESA A. , BISHOP KEVIN 
Published: February 2008

AbstractIncreasing concentrations of organic matter (OM) in surface waters have been noted over large parts of the boreal/nemoral zone in Europe and North America. This has raised questions about the causes and the likelihood of further increases. A number of drivers have been proposed, including temperature, hydrology, as well as ‐ and Cl− deposition. The data reported so far, however, have been insufficient to define the relative importance of different drivers in landscapes where they interact. Thirty‐five years of monthly measurements of absorbance and chemical oxygen demand (COD), two common proxies for OM, from 28 large Scandinavian catchments provide an unprecedented opportunity to resolve the importance of hypothesized drivers. For 21 of the catchments, there are 18 years of total organic carbon (TOC) measurements as well. Despite the heterogeneity of the catchments with regards to climate, size and land use, there is a high degree of synchronicity in OM across the entire region. Rivers go from widespread trends of decreasing OM to increasing trends and back again three times in the 35‐year record. This synchronicity in decadal scale oscillations and long‐term trends suggest a common set of dominant OM drivers in these landscapes. Here, we use regression models to test the importance of different potential drivers. We show that flow and together can predict most of the interannual variability in OM proxies, up to 88% for absorbance, up to 78% for COD. Two other candidate drivers, air temperature and Cl−, add little explanatory value. Declines in anthropogenic since the mid‐1970s are thus related to the observed OM increases in Scandinavia, but, in contrast to many recent studies, flow emerges as an even more important driver of OM variability. Stabilizing levels also mean that hydrology is likely to be the major driver of future variability and trends in OM.
Biogeographical patterns of Chinese spiders (Arachnida: Araneae) based on a parsimony analysis of endemicity
Authors: Meng Kaibaryer , Li Shuqiang , Murphy Robert W. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractAim  The distributions of Chinese spiders are used to form biotic regions and to infer biogeographical patterns.Location  China.Methods  China was initially divided into 294 quadrats of 2° latitude by 2° longitude. The distributions of 958 species of spiders were summarized for each quadrat. Subsequently, these quadrats were pooled into 28 areas based on topographical characteristics and to a lesser extent on the distributions of spiders. Parsimony analysis of endemicity (PAE) was used to classify the 28 areas based on the shared distributional patterns of spiders.Results  China was found to have seven major biogeographical regions based on the distributional patterns of spiders: Western Northern region (clade B2: Tibetan Plateau and Inner Mongolia‐Xinjiang subregions), Central Northern region (clade B3), Eastern Northern region (clade B4), Central region (clade C2), Eastern Southern region (clade C3), Western Southern region (clade C4), and Central Southern region (clade C5).Main conclusions  The distributional patterns of Chinese spiders correspond broadly to geological provinces. A comparison of the geological provinces and the distributional patterns of spiders reveals that the spiders occur south of the geological provinces. Furthermore, a general biogeographical classification with five natural areas is suggested as follows: Tibetan Plateau, Central Northern, Eastern Northern, Western Northern (excluding Tibetan Plateau), and Southern regions.
The biogeography of seaweeds in Southeast Alaska
Authors: Lindstrom Sandra C. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractAim  This article reviews the history of seaweed collections in Southeast Alaska from the early Russian explorers to contemporary efforts. It summarizes other studies of Southeast Alaskan seaweeds from a biogeographical perspective, and compares the known seaweed flora near three population centres (Ketchikan, Sitka and Juneau) with those of other regions within Alaska, and with nearby regions.Location  For this article, Southeast Alaska includes all inside and outside waters of the Alexander Archipelago from Dixon Entrance (54°40′ N, 133°00′ W) to Icy Point (58°23′10″ N, 137°04′20″ W).Methods  The literature on seaweeds occurring in Southeast Alaska is reviewed from a biogeographical perspective, and herbarium records for Southeast Alaska from the Alaska Seaweed Database project are used to provide an overview of the biogeography of the area. Records for the population centres of Ketchikan, Sitka and Juneau are compared with records from other areas within Alaska and with nearby regions to determine floristic similarities.Results  Southeast Alaska has the most diverse seaweed flora of any region of Alaska. A list of species known to occur in Southeast Alaska is appended (in Supplementary Material) and includes their reported occurrences in three population centres (Juneau, Ketchikan and Sitka). Recognition of at least three distinct biogeographical areas associated with these three centres is supported by a comparison of their floras with those of other regions in the North Pacific. A close relationship of some species with conspecifics in the north‐west Atlantic is also noted. In contrast, ecological, physiological and genetic differentiation of Southeast Alaskan seaweeds from conspecifics in Washington State or even from different areas of Southeast Alaska are documented. A ShoreZone coastal habitat system, which is being implemented to inventory and map the entire shoreline of Southeast Alaska, is defining new biogeographical units called ‘bioareas’ on the basis of the distribution of canopy kelps and lower intertidal algal assemblages.Main conclusions  Southeast Alaska has the most diverse seaweed flora of any region of Alaska. This is a reflection of its extensive coastline, with varied past and present environmental conditions. Different parts of Southeast Alaska show similarities to different areas outside Southeast Alaska. Despite this, much remains to be learned about the biogeography of seaweeds in Southeast Alaska, and many questions remain to be answered.
The evolution of H ii galaxies: testing the bursting scenario through the use of self-consistent models
Authors: Martín-Manjón M. L. , Mollá M. , Díaz A. I. , Terlevich R. 
Published: February 2008

Abstract
We have computed a series of realistic and self-consistent models of the emitted spectra of H ii galaxies. Our models combine different codes of chemical evolution, evolutionary population synthesis and photoionization. The emitted spectrum of H ii galaxies is reproduced by means of the photoionization code cloudy, using as ionizing spectrum the spectral energy distribution of the modelled H ii galaxy, which in turn is calculated according to a star formation history and a metallicity evolution given by a chemical evolution model that follows the abundances of 15 different elements. The contribution of emission lines to the broad-band colours is explicitly taken into account.
The results of our code are compared with photometric and spectroscopic data of H ii galaxies. Our technique reproduces observed diagnostic diagrams, abundances, equivalent width–colour and equivalent width–metallicity relations for local H ii galaxies.
Appropriate Timing of CD40 Ligation for RNA‐Pulsed DCs to Induce Antitumor Immunity
Authors: Miura S. , Kagamu H. , Tanaka H. , Yoshizawa H. , Gejyo F. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractDendritic cell (DC) based anti‐cancer immunotherapy is believed to be a promising treatment. However, appropriate conditioning including the method of antigen loading and stimulation for DC maturation is still unclear. Total RNA pulsing is one of the most attractive methods to load antigen, since RNA is easily replicated by the PCR technique and is absolutely free of tumor cell contamination. On the other hand, CD40 ligation is capable of producing one of the most potent signals for immature DCs to start functional maturation, which is required to induce adaptive immunity, resulting in altered migration ability to secondary lymphoid organs and augmented antigen presenting activity. Here, we demonstrate that DCs pulsed with total RNA extracted from tumor cells required CD40 stimulation with an appropriate sequence to present tumor‐associated antigens. RNA derived antigens were presented for both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in an antigen‐specific manner. Dendritic cells that were pulsed with RNA followed by the stimulation through CD40 successfully primed antitumor effector T cells in draining LNs and subsequently induced antitumor protective immunity.
Neutrophilic figurate erythema
Authors: Özdemir Mustafa , Engin Burhan , Toy Hatice , Demirkesen Cuyan 
Published: February 2008

AbstractWe herein report a 39‐year‐old woman presented with annular plaque with central clearing on the back, extremities, and breasts. The lesions had raised, firm erythematous borders included a trailing scale. On histologic examination, a perivascular inflammatory cell infiltrate composed of neutrophils and mononuclear inflammatory cells in the upper dermis was shown. We consider our case to represent idiopathic figurate erythema with a dominant infiltration of neutrophils.
Comparison of efficacy of azithromycin vs. doxycycline in the treatment of rosacea: a randomized open clinical trial
Authors: Akhyani Maryam , Ehsani Amir Houshang , Ghiasi Maryam , Jafari Alireza Keshtcar 
Published: February 2008

AbstractBackground  Rosacea is a common inflammatory disorder of the skin. Systemic antibiotics currently used in the treatment of rosacea are sometimes associated with uncomfortable side effects. Therefore, a need for an effective agent with few side effects and good patient compliance exists. Azithromycin, a macrolide antibiotic with prolonged mode of action, has recently been found to be an effective alternative in the treatment of inflammatory acne.Methods  For evaluation of the efficacy of azithromycin in the treatment of rosacea, we planned a randomized, open, clinical trial study to compare the efficacy of azithromycin with doxycycline in the treatment of this disease. Sixty‐seven patients were randomized to receive either azithromycin 500 mg thrice weekly (on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday) in the first, 250 mg thrice weekly (on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday) in the second, and 250 mg twice weekly (on Tuesday, and Saturday) in the third month. The other group was given doxycycline 100 mg/day for the three months. Clinical assessment was made at baseline, at the end of first, second, third, and 2 months after treatment. Side affects were recorded. The limitation of this study is that there was no blindness.Results  Statistically significant improvement was obtained with both drugs. Neither drug was shown to be more effective than the other. In the azithromycin group four patients had diarrhea, while epigastric burning was seen in two patients using doxycycline.Conclusion  This study indicates that azithromycin is at least as effective as doxycycline in the treatment of rosacea.
Primary mucinous carcinoma of the skin: a population‐based study
Authors: Breiting Line , Christensen Lise , Dahlstrøm Karin , Breiting Vibeke , Winther Jeanette Falck 
Published: February 2008

AbstractBackground  Primary mucinous carcinoma of the skin (PMCS) is a rare malignant tumor deriving from the sweat glands. It is typically located on the head and is often mistaken for a metastasis from a more common primary tumor of the breast or gastrointestinal tract. We present the first population‐based study of PMCS.Materials and Methods  Data on PMCS was obtained from the Danish Cancer Registry, which has recorded incident cases of cancer on a nationwide basis since 1943. We extracted all patients diagnosed 1978–2003 with PMCS.Results  Fifteen cases of PMCS have been registered during the study period of 26 years, seven in men and eight in women. The patient was typically in his or her 60th or 70th decennium. Seven cases were found on the scalp or neck, five on the eyelids, two on the face, and one on the trunk. Only one recurred, and apart from one regional metastasis, no distant spread or PMCS related deaths were reported.Conclusion  PMCS is a rare, slow‐growing tumor which rarely metastasizes and is associated with low mortality. The age‐standardized incidence rate, based on data from a population‐based cancer registry of high quality and validity, is less than 0.1 per million. However, the precise number may be higher, since PMCS is an indolent tumor, which may be mistaken for a benign tumor and thus not always examined histologically.
PRECLINICAL STUDY: Proteomic analysis of methamphetamine‐induced reinforcement processes within the mesolimbic dopamine system
Authors: Yang Moon Hee , Kim Seyoon , Jung Min‐Suk , Shim Jung Hee , Ryu Na Kyung , Yook Yeon Joo , Jang Choon‐Gon , Bahk Young Yil , Kim Kee‐Won , Park Jong Hoon 
Published: February 2008

ABSTRACTMethamphetamine (MAP) is a commonly used, addictive drug, and a powerful stimulant that dramatically affects the central nervous system. In this study, we used the conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm in order to study the reinforcing properties of MAP and the herewith associated changes in proteins within the mesolimbic dopamine system. A CPP was induced by MAP after three intermittent intraperitoneal injections (1 mg/kg) in rats and protein profiles in the nucleus accumbens, striatum, prefrontal cortex, cingulate cortex and hippocampus were compared with a saline‐treated control group. In addition, a group of animals was run through extinction and protein profiles were compared with a non‐extinguished group. Protein screening was conducted using two‐dimensional electrophoresis analysis which identified 27 proteins in the group that showed MAP‐induced CPP. Some of the proteins were confirmed by Western lot analysis. Identified proteins had functions related to the cytoskeleton, transport/endocytosis or exocytosis (e.g. profilin‐2 and syntaxin‐binding protein), and signal transduction, among others.
A preliminary comparison of the prevalence of transfusion reactions in recipients of platelet components from donors with and without human leucocyte antigen antibodies
Authors: Fadeyi E. A. , Adams S. , Sheldon S. , Leitman S. F. , Wesley R. , Klein H. G. , Stroncek D. F. 
Published: February 2008

Background  Human leucocyte antigen (HLA) antibodies have been implicated in transfusion‐related acute lung injury, but the probability that the transfusion of a blood component containing HLA antibodies will cause a reaction is not known. This study compared the prevalence of reactions associated with the transfusion of platelet components with and without HLA antibodies.Study Design and Methods  This retrospective study tested 96 consecutive apheresis platelet donors for HLA class I and II antibodies. Matched control donors without HLA antibodies were selected and records were reviewed to determine the proportion of components from each group that caused reactions. In addition, all apheresis platelet donors involved with two or more reactions were identified and tested for HLA class I antibodies.Results  Five of the 96 donors had antibodies to class I or class II antigens and, of these, four had components transfused. The prevalence of reactions to components from these four donors with HLA antibodies and the 12 matched control donors without antibodies was similar (three reactions to 167 transfusions or 1·8% vs. three to 295 or 1·0%, respectively, P = 0·32). A retrospective review of the transfusion records from all platelet donors found that components from 22 caused two or more reactions and three (13·6%) had antibodies to HLA class I compared to 4·2% of the consecutively selected donors (P = 0·12). None of the patients experienced transfusion‐related acute lung injury.Conclusion  Reactions associated with transfusion of apheresis platelets containing HLA antibodies are unusual.
Size‐Dependent Sex Allocation in Cynoglossum officinale for Different Genotypes Under Uniform Favourable Conditions
Authors: Rademaker Mariëlle C. J. , Klinkhamer P. G. L. 
Published: February 2008

Abstract: Field observations showed that small plants often have lower female investment than large plants. Field‐collected data do not elucidate, however, whether this pattern is an in herent effect of size or if it is caused by poorer environmental quality of sites where small plants are growing and/or by geno‐typic differences between small and large plants. Therefore, the relationship between plant mass and flower and seed pro duction was measured under favourable conditions using full‐sibs and clones of Cynogiossum officinale. The aim of this study is to determine if the pattern of size‐dependent gender was maintained if both small and large plants are grown under fa vourable conditions, and if this pattern is consistent among genotypes.Over all genotypes, smaller plants produced more flowers per unit plant mass compared to large plants. On the other hand, seed production per unit plant mass did not significantly differ between plants of different sizes. As a result, the number of seeds per flower increased with increasing plant mass, large plants produced 1.5 times more seeds per flower compared to small plants. Thus small plants emphasize the male side, whereas large plants emphasize the female side of production. We conclude that, even under favourable environmental condi tions, all genotypes examined maintain size‐dependent sex allo cation (SDS).When analysed separately, we found no genetic variation in seed production among genotypes (full sibs and clones). In con trast, genotypes differed significantly in flower production. Nei ther the number of seeds per gram plant mass nor per flower differed significantly among genotypes. In our experiment no evidence was found for a negative genetic correlation between flower production per unit plant mass and seed production per unit plant mass.