bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of experimental acidification and alkalinization on soil and growth and health of Acer saccharum Marsh.
Authors: Ouimet Rock , Moore Jean‐David , Duchesne Louis 
Published: September 2008

AbstractExperimental application of eight acidifying, neutral, or alkalizer compounds (range: –16 to 16 kmol ha–1 of acid‐neutralizing capacity [ANC]) was realized in two northern hardwood stands having significantly different soil base saturation (BS) (a “poor” and a “rich” site) to assess responses of soil physico‐chemical properties, and nutrition, growth, and health of sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) trees in the short (3 y) and longer term (10 y). The treatments influenced the main indicators of acidity in the forest floor (soil exchangeable‐Ca saturation [SCa], BS, exchangeable‐acidity saturation [SH+Al], and the SCa/SH+Al ratio) at both sites, their values increasing (decreasing for SH+Al) along the ANC treatment gradient in both the short and longer term, except for pH. Base saturation of the upper 15 cm of the mineral B horizons of soils was influenced at the two sites 10 y after treatment application. Although ANC treatments affected nutrient concentrations of tree foliage in the short term, their effect was no longer detectable after 10 y at the two sites. Growth, however, was strongly related to ANC treatments after 10 y, but only at the poor site. From 1990 to 2000, the basal‐area growth rate of trees at the poor site was (mean ± SE) –0.62 ± 0.28 cm2 y–2 tree–1 for the most negative ANC treatment to +0.90 ± 0.20 cm2 y–2 tree–1 for the most positive ANC treatment. A climatic‐stress episode occurring in 1995/96 appeared to accentuate the growth decline of trees subjected to the most negative ANC treatment at the poor site. The experimental results support the hypothesis that atmospheric acid deposition load can cause forest soil base‐cation depletion, acidification, and predispose sugar maple to health and growth decline in the longer term in base‐cation‐poor soils, and that the phenomenon may be reversible by adding alkalizers.
Regression algorithm correcting for partial volume effects in arterial spin labeling MRI
Authors: Asllani Iris , Borogovac Ajna , Brown Truman R. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractPartial volume effects (PVE) are a consequence of limited spatial resolution in brain imaging. In arterial spin labeling (ASL) MRI, the problem is exacerbated by the nonlinear dependency of the ASL signal on magnetization contributions from each tissue within an imaged voxel. We have developed an algorithm that corrects for PVE in ASL imaging. The algorithm is based on a model that represents the voxel intensity as a weighted sum of pure tissue contribution, where the weighting coefficients are the tissue's fractional volume in the voxel. Using this algorithm, we were able to estimate cerebral blood flow (CBF) for gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) independently. The average voxelwise ratio of GM to WM CBF was ∼3.2, in good agreement with reports in the literature. As proof of concept, data from PVE‐corrected method were compared with those from the conventional, PVE‐uncorrected method. As hypothesized, the two yielded similar CBF values for voxels containing >95% GM and differed in proportion with the voxels' heterogeneity. More importantly, the GM CBF assessed with the PVE‐corrected method was independent of the voxels' heterogeneity, implying that estimation of flow was unaffected by PVE. An example of application of this algorithm in motor‐activation data is also given. Magn Reson Med, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Do not resuscitate does not mean do not treat: how palliative care and other modalities can help facilitate communication about goals of care in advanced illness
Authors: Smith Cardinale B. , Bunch O'Neill Lynn 
Published: September 2008

AbstractA do‐not‐resuscitate (DNR) order is commonly used for hospitalized patients with advanced illness. It reflects only the desires of a patient once he or she suffers a full cardiopulmonary arrest. It does not reflect preferences about other forms of life‐sustaining treatments. This article reviews the definition of a DNR order, describes the evidence suggesting that physicians use a DNR order in making determinations about other life‐sustaining treatments, and will provide tools such as the use of palliative care consultations and combined directives in discussing overall goals of care. Mt Sinai J Med 75: 460–465, 2008. © 2008 Mount Sinai School of Medicine
The ‘Distress Barometer’: validation of method of combining the Distress Thermometer with a rated complaint scale
Authors: Bauwens S. , Baillon C. , Distelmans W. , Theuns P. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractObjective: Screening instruments may enhance the clinician's ability to detect elevated levels of distress in cancer patients, but these are often neither suitable nor effective for the routine of daily care for cancer patients. The newly developed Distress Barometer (DB) was intended to provide medical doctors with a convenient tool to interpret ‘at single glance’ the nature and the intensity of distress in ambulatory cancer patients. The DB, i.e. a combination of the Distress Thermometer (DT) and a new tool, the Colored Complaint Scale was developed to improve the specificity of distress screening without decreasing the sensitivity of the Distress Thermometer.Methods: Distress was screened in a sample of 538 out‐patients, using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the new Distress Barometer (DB).Results: The results confirm the validity of the Dutch version of the DT against the HADS as standard measure. In addition, it was found that the overall accuracy of the new DB was higher, with a sensitivity of 0.79 and a specificity of 0.81.Conclusion: These results indicate that the Distress Barometer, which is convenient for both patients and doctors, can be used as an acceptable, brief and sufficiently accurate method for detecting distress in cancer patients. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Monitoring of Venturia inaequalis harbouring the QoI resistance G143A mutation in French orchards as revealed by PCR assays
Authors: Fontaine Séverine , Remuson Florent , Fraissinet‐Tachet Laurence , Micoud Annie , Marmeisse Roland , Melayah Delphine 
Published: September 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND: Genetic resistance to QoI fungicides may account for recent failures to control Venturia inaequalis (Cooke) Winter in French orchards. Two PCR‐based assays were developed to detect the G143A point mutation in the fungal mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. The mutation is known to confer a high level of resistance to QoI fungicides. Occurrence of the G143A mutation in French field isolates collected from 2004 to 2007 was monitored.RESULTS: The QoI‐resistant cytochrome b allele was specifically detected either following the cleavage of the amplified marker by a restriction endonuclease (CAPS assay) or its amplification using an allele‐specific PCR primer. Using either method, the G143A mutation was found in 42% of the 291 field samples originating from French orchards in which apple scab proved difficult to be controlled. Monitoring of the G143A mutation in orchards located in 15 French administrative regions indicated that the mutation was detected at least once in nine of the regions, and its presence ranged from 33% to 64% of the orchards analysed in 2004 and in 2007 respectively.CONCLUSION: The PCR‐based methods developed in this study efficiently reveal the presence of the G143A mutation in French V. inaequalis field populations. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy of parotid gland swellings
Authors: Pratap R , Qayyum A , Ahmed N , Jani P , Berman L H 
Published: September 2008

AbstractObjective:To determine whether ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy is a safe and reliable investigation in cases of parotid swelling in which fine needle aspiration cytology has failed to give a definitive diagnosis.Design:Analysis of 66 ultrasound-guided core biopsy specimens of the parotid gland (the largest series reported thus far) sample number refers to histological samples throughout the paper.Subjects:All the 184 cases of parotid surgery with a histological diagnosis were included.Main outcome measures:The sensitivity, positive predictive value and diagnostic accuracy of fine needle aspiration cytology and ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy, as compared with the final histological analysis.Results:Of a total of 184 patients, 89.1 per cent (164/184) had benign parotid lesions excised. The sensitivity, positive predictive value and diagnostic accuracy of fine needle aspiration cytology for benign lesions were 76.2, 84.2 and 87.5 per cent, respectively, and those of ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy were 91.7, 98.2 and 96.4 per cent, respectively. Twenty of 184 patients (10.9 per cent) had malignant lesions. The sensitivity, positive predictive value and diagnostic accuracy of fine needle aspiration cytology for detection of malignant lesions were 60, 75 and 75 per cent, respectively, while those of ultrasound-guided core biopsy were 89, 100 and 100 per cent, respectively. Non-diagnostic rates were 25.8 per cent for fine needle aspiration cytology and 4.5 per cent for ultrasound-guided core biopsy. Only one case of complications (a sub-clinical haematoma) occurred in the ultrasound-guided core biopsy group.Conclusion:We propose ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy as a very safe and effective tool in cases of parotid swelling in which fine needle aspiration cytology has failed to give a definitive diagnosis.
Cognitive Therapy for Anxiety Disorders: Current Status and Future Challenges
Authors: McManus Freda , Grey Nick , Shafran Roz 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThis paper reviews recent theoretical, conceptual and practice developments in cognitive-behaviour therapy (CBT) for anxiety disorders. The empirical status of CBT for anxiety disorders is reviewed and recent advances in the field are outlined. Challenges for the future development of CBT for the anxiety disorders are examined in relation to the efficacy, effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the approach. It is concluded that the major challenge currently facing CBT for anxiety disorders in the UK is how to meet the increased demand for provision whilst maintaining high levels of efficacy and effectiveness. It is suggested that the creation of an evidence base for the dissemination of CBT needs to become a priority for empirical investigation in order effectively to expand the provision of CBT for anxiety disorders.
The Biasing of Figure – Ground Assignment by Shading Cues for Objects and Faces in Prosopagnosia
Authors: Hefter Rebecca , Jerskey Beth A , Barton Jason J S 
Published: September 2008

Prosopagnosia is defined by impaired recognition of the identity of specific faces. Whether the perception of faces at the categorical level (recognizing that a face is a face) is also impaired to a lesser degree is unclear. We examined whether prosopagnosia is associated with impaired detection of facial contours in a bistable display, by testing a series of five prosopagnosic patients on a variation of Rubin's vase illusion, in which shading was introduced to bias perception towards either the face or the vase. We also included a control bistable display in which a disc or an aperture were the two possible percepts. With the control disc/aperture test, prosopagnosic patients did not generate a normal sigmoid function, but a U-shaped function, indicating that they perceived the shading but had difficulty in using the shading to make the appropriate figure – ground assignment. While controls still generated a sigmoid function for the vase/face test, prosopagnosic patients showed a severe impairment in using shading to make consistent perceptual assignments. We conclude that prosopagnosic patients have difficulty in using shading to segment figures from background correctly, particularly with complex stimuli like faces. This suggests that a subtler defect in face categorization accompanies their severe defect in face identification, consistent with predictions of computational models and recent data from functional imaging.
Adolescent methamphetamine use and sexual risk behaviour in secondary school students in Cape Town, South Africa
Authors: PLÜDDEMANN ANDREAS , FLISHER ALAN J. , MATHEWS CATHERINE , CARNEY TARA , LOMBARD CARL 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThis study investigated involvement in substance use and sexual activities among adolescents in Cape Town, and specifically the associations between methampethamine use and sexual risk behaviours. Data were collected from 15 randomly selected and 15 matched schools in Cape Town via quantitative questionnaires. Students used hand‐held computers (PDAs) to answer the questions. A total of 4605 grade 9 students were sampled. Male and female students were almost equally likely to have used methamphetamine at least once (13% versus 12%). Students who had used methamphetamine in the past 30 days were significantly more likely to have had vaginal, anal or oral sex than students who had never used it, to have been pregnant/been responsible for a pregnancy and to have been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection. Logistic regression analysis indicated significant associations between methamphetamine use in the past 12 months and engaging in vaginal and anal sex. Drug abuse and sexually transmitted infections (STI) prevention services should incorporate the link between drugs and STI into their prevention and education strategies, especially those aimed at school‐going adolescents.
The IκBα/NF‐κB complex has two hot spots, one at either end of the interface
Authors: Bergqvist Simon , Ghosh Gourisankar , Komives Elizabeth A. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractIκBα binds to and inhibits the transcriptional activity of NF‐κB family members via its ankyrin repeat (AR) domain. The binding affinity of IκBα with NF‐κB(p50/p65) heterodimers and NF‐κB(p65/65) homodimers is in the picomolar range, and in the cell, this results in long half‐lives of the complexes. Direct binding experiments have been performed using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) on a series of truncations and mutations in order to understand what regions of the interface are most important for the tight binding affinity of this complex. We previously showed that interactions between residues 305 and 321 of NF‐κB(p65) with the first AR of IκBα are critical for the binding energy. Interactions in this region are responsible for more than 7 kcal/mol of the binding energy. Here we show equally drastic consequences for the binding energy occur upon truncation of even a few residues at the C terminus of IκBα. Thus, the interface actually has two hot spots, one at either end of the elongated and large surface of interaction. These results suggest a “squeeze” mechanism that leads to the extremely high affinity of the IκBα•NF‐κB complex through stabilization of the ankyrin repeat domain.
‘Form variation’ of the O12 antigen is critical for persistence of Salmonella Typhimurium in the murine intestine
Authors: Bogomolnaya Lydia M. , Santiviago Carlos A. , Yang Hee‐Jeong , Baumler Andreas J. , Andrews‐Polymenis Helene L. 
Published: September 2008

Summary Salmonella enterica subspecies I serotypes are responsible for the vast majority of salmonellosis in mammals and birds, yet only a few factors specific to this group that allow them to persist in this niche have been identified. We show that STM0557, a S. enterica subspecies I‐specific gene encoding an inner membrane protein, is critical for faecal shedding and intestinal persistence of S. enterica serotype Typhimurium ATCC14028 in Salmonella‐resistant mice, but mutations in this gene do not diminish short‐term intestinal colonization or invasion of cultured epithelial cells. STM0557 and two neighbouring genes, located on a pathogenicity island termed SPI‐16, resemble genes of the gtrA,B, gtr(type) cluster in seroconverting bacteriophages. In general, the gtr genes encode proteins responsible for serotype conversion of the infected bacterium by addition glucose residues to repeating O‐antigen subunits of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In lysogenized Shigella, such modifications have been previously shown to be constitutively expressed and to facilitate invasion of host cells. We show that serotype Typhimurium gtr orthologues, STM0557–0559, are responsible for ‘form variation’ or glucosylation of the O12 antigen galactose (4 position) to generate the 12‐2 variant. Form variation in Typhimurium is not constitutive, but occurred upon exposure and during intracellular growth of serotype Typhimurium in J774 macrophages. Our data suggest that the 12‐2 antigen is a S. enterica subspecies I‐specific LPS modification that enhances long‐term intestinal colonization, and is in contrast to the role of O‐antigen variation described for Shigella.
Plasma amitriptyline level after acute administration, and driving performance in healthy volunteers
Authors: Iwamoto Kunihiro , Kawamura Yukiko , Takahashi Masahiro , Uchiyama Yuji , Ebe Kazutoshi , Yoshida Keizo , Iidaka Tetsuya , Noda Yukihiro , Ozaki Norio 
Published: September 2008

Aims:  Amitriptyline triggers the impairment of cognitive and motor functions and has been confirmed to have harmful effects on driving performance. Although interindividual differences in plasma concentration may cause variations in driving performance, the relationship between plasma amitriptyline concentration and its effect on driving performance has not been completely elucidated. Thus, the aim of the present study was to assess the influence of individual pharmacokinetic differences on driving performance and cognitive functions.Methods:  In this double‐blinded study, 17 healthy male volunteers were given an acute, single, 25‐mg dose of amitriptyline. The subjects were assigned three driving simulator tasks, three cognitive tasks, and the questionnaire of the Stanford Sleepiness Scale at the baseline and at 4 h after dosing. The plasma amitriptyline concentrations were measured on high‐performance liquid chromatography.Results:  A significant positive correlation was observed between the plasma amitriptyline concentration and road‐tracking performance (r = 0.543, P < 0.05). There was no significant correlation between the plasma amitriptyline concentration and other driving performance, cognitive functions, and subjective somnolence.Conclusions:  Amitriptyline produces a concentration‐related impairment on road‐tracking performance. Therapeutic monitoring of amitriptyline would be useful for predicting the difficulties involved while driving.
Cognitive functions in bipolar affective disorder and schizophrenia: Comparison
Authors: Pradhan Basant K. , Chakrabarti Subho , Nehra Ritu , Mankotia Anupama 
Published: September 2008

Aims:  Earlier comparisons of cognitive impairment among patients with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia have found a largely similar profile of deficits, but results have varied between studies. This prompted the current attempt at another such comparison.Methods:  Executive functions, memory, IQ, attention–concentration and perceptuomotor function were assessed in 48 bipolar disorder patients with operationally defined euthymia, and compared with 32 schizophrenia patients in remission, and 23 normal controls. Comparisons were re‐attempted after controlling for years of schooling and residual affective symptoms.Results:  Uncontrolled comparisons indicated that, compared to controls, both bipolar disorder and schizophrenia patients were significantly impaired on different tests of executive function, memory, IQ and perceptuomotor functions. Controlling for years of schooling and residual affective symptoms, however, served to remove most of the differences between patients and controls, apart from some aspects of executive function in schizophrenia and memory impairment in both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Patients with schizophrenia consistently performed worse than patients with bipolar disorder, but none of the differences between schizophrenia and bipolar disorder were significant.Conclusions:  Patients with bipolar disorder exhibit cognitive difficulties that are very similar to schizophrenia in terms of their profile, although patients with schizophrenia may have more severe and widespread impairments. The resemblance in cognitive profiles has important implications for the etiology and treatment of both disorders.
Childhood emotional abuse, dissociation, and suicidality among patients with drug dependency in Turkey
Authors: Tamar‐Gurol Defne , Sar Vedat , Karadag Figen , Evren Cuneyt , Karagoz Mustafa 
Published: September 2008

Aim: The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence and correlates of dissociative disorders among patients with drug dependency.Methods: The Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES) was used to screen 104 consecutive patients at an addiction treatment center. Thirty‐seven patients who had scores ≥30 were compared with 21 patients who scored <10 on the DES. Both groups were then evaluated using the Dissociative Disorders Interview Schedule and the Structured Clinical Interview for Dissociative Disorders (SCID‐D). The interviewers were blind to the DES scores.Results: Twenty‐seven patients (26.0%) had a dissociative disorder according to the SCID‐D. Dissociative patients were younger than the non‐dissociative group. History of suicide attempt and/or childhood emotional abuse was significant predictors of a dissociative disorder. The majority (59.3%) of dissociative drug users reported that dissociative experiences had existed prior to substance use. More patients in the dissociative disorder than in the non‐dissociative group stopped their treatment prematurely.Conclusion: A considerable proportion of drug users have a dissociative disorder, which may also interfere with treatment process. The relatively young age of this subgroup of patients and frequent reports of childhood emotional abuse underline potential preventive benefits of early intervention among adolescents with developmental trauma history and dissociative psychopathology.
Subsurface microbiology and biogeochemistry of a deep, cold‐water carbonate mound from the Porcupine Seabight (IODP Expedition 307)
Authors: Webster Gordon , Blazejak Anna , Cragg Barry A. , Schippers Axel , Sass Henrik , Rinna Joachim , Tang Xiaohong , Mathes Falko , Ferdelman Timothy G. , Fry John C. , Weightman Andrew J. , Parkes R. John 
Published: September 2008

SummaryThe Porcupine Seabight Challenger Mound is the first carbonate mound to be drilled (∼270 m) and analyzed in detail microbiologically and biogeochemically. Two mound sites and a non‐mound Reference site were analyzed with a range of molecular techniques [catalyzed reporter deposition‐fluorescence in situ hybridization (CARD‐FISH), quantitative PCR (16S rRNA and functional genes, dsrA and mcrA), and 16S rRNA gene PCR‐DGGE] to assess prokaryotic diversity, and this was compared with the distribution of total and culturable cell counts, radiotracer activity measurements and geochemistry. There was a significant and active prokaryotic community both within and beneath the carbonate mound. Although total cell numbers at certain depths were lower than the global average for other subseafloor sediments and prokaryotic activities were relatively low (iron and sulfate reduction, acetate oxidation, methanogenesis) they were significantly enhanced compared with the Reference site. In addition, there was some stimulation of prokaryotic activity in the deepest sediments (Miocene, > 10 Ma) including potential for anaerobic oxidation of methane activity below the mound base. Both Bacteria and Archaea were present, with neither dominant, and these were related to sequences commonly found in other subseafloor sediments. With an estimate of some 1600 mounds in the Porcupine Basin alone, carbonate mounds may represent a significant prokaryotic subseafloor habitat.