bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exogenous Glycinebetaine and Salicylic Acid Application Improves Water Relations, Allometry and Quality of Hybrid Sunflower under Water Deficit Conditions
Authors: Hussain M. , Malik M. A. , Farooq M. , Khan M. B. , Akram M. , Saleem M. F. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractLimited water availability hampers the sustainability of crop production. Exogenous application of glycinebetaine (GB) and salicylic acid (SA) has been found very effective in reducing the adverse effects of water scarcity. This study was conducted to examine the possible role of exogenous GB and SA application in improving the growth and water relations of hybrid sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) under different irrigation regimes. There were three levels of irrigation, viz. control (normal irrigations), water stress at budding stage (irrigation missing at budding stage) and water stress at flowering stage (FS) (irrigation missing at FS). GB and SA were applied exogenously at 100 and 0.724 mm respectively, each at the budding and FS. Control plants did not receive application of GB and SA. Water stress reduced the leaf area index (LAI), leaf area duration (LAD), crop growth rate (CGR), leaf relative water contents, water potential, osmotic potential, turgor pressure, achene yield and water use efficiency. Nevertheless, exogenous GB and SA application appreciably improved these attributes under water stress. However, exogenous GB application at the FS was more effective than other treatments. Net assimilation rate was not affected by water stress as well as application of GB and SA. The protein contents were considerably increased by water stress at different growth stages, but were reduced by exogenous GB and SA application. The effects of water stress and foliar application of GB were more pronounced when applied at FS than at the budding stage. Moreover, exogenous GB application was only advantageous under stress conditions.
Potato virus Y Strain Spectrum in New Zealand – Absence of Recombinant N:O Strains
Authors: Fomitcheva Victoria W. , Fletcher John D. , Schubert Joerg 
Published: February 2009

Abstract Potato virus Y (PVY) is a serious plant pathogen, causing severe yield losses worldwide on members of the Solanaceae, including potato, pepper, tomato and tobacco. During the last two decades new virus strains have been detected, including those representing recombinants between N‐ and O‐strains, now designated PVYNTN and PVYN‐Wilga, respectively. The question of whether recombination is easily induced in nature by mixed infections of potato might be answered by an investigation of strains appearing under isolated conditions such as those in New Zealand. More than 30 PVY isolates collected during the last 20 years were characterized biologically, serologically and using molecular biological approaches. The New Zealand population of PVY isolates was mainly composed of PVYN and PVYO. To date no recombinant strains have been found among the isolates tested. Similarly, experiments performed with these isolates on potatoes under greenhouse conditions with mixed infection PVYN/PVYO did not result in signs of recombination. This raises the question as to the driving force for the appearance of recombinant strains. It also demonstrates the efficacy of plant quarantine measures in New Zealand over the past 20 years.
Completion of the Nucleotide Sequence of a Brazilian Isolate of Southern bean mosaic virus
Authors: Ozato Júnior Tadaiti , Gaspar José Osmar , Belintani Priscila 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThe sequence of the central part (ORF2) of a Brazilian isolate of Southern bean mosaic virus (SBMVSP) is described. This ORF is 2888 nt long and together with the previously‐sequenced 5′ and 3′ ends provides the complete nucleotide sequence of this virus isolate. The SBMVSP RNA encodes four overlapping open reading frames (ORF1, ORF2a, ORF2b, ORF4) and has a genome organization similar to that of the Cocksfoot mottle sobemovirus.
Infection Potential of Hairy Nightshade (Solanum sarrachoides) by Phytophthora infestans and Late Blight Implications of the Alternate Host
Authors: Olanya Ocen M. , Plant Andrew B. , Larkin Robert P. , Honeycutt Charles W. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractInfection of hairy nightshade (Solanum sarrachoides Sendt.) by Phytophthora infestans has been reported. However, the epidemiological significance of hairy nightshade to potato late blight is not well known. Disease development and infection rates of P. infestans were quantified on hairy nightshade relative to tomato (cv. Brandywine) and potato (cv. Shepody) hosts to evaluate infection potential at 14, 18, 22 and 26°C and 72, 82, 87, and 92% relative humidity (RH). The susceptibility of hairy nightshade to inoculum levels, weed ontogeny, and sporangia production potential were also investigated. Late blight development varied among hairy nightshade, tomato and potato hosts. Pathogen infection rates ranged from 0.0325 to 0.4674 gompits/day (unit for quantifying infection rates), and were significantly (P < 0.05) greater on potato and tomato than on hairy nightshade. Late blight severity was variably affected by RH. Disease levels on hairy nightshade varied with inoculum load; and ranged from 9 to 26% and 26 to 37% at low (5 × 103) and high (25 × 103) sporangia concentrations, respectively. Late blight was recorded irrespective of hairy nightshade ontogeny, and was significantly greater on 8–10 than 4–6‐week‐old plants. These results indicate that pathogen, environmental and host factors affect late blight development on hairy nightshade.
Four‐country surveillance of intestinal intussusception and diarrhoea in children
Authors: Awasthi Shally , Agarwal Girdhar G , Mishra Vikas , Nag Vijay Laxmi , El Sayed Hesham Fathey , Da Cunha Antonio Jose Ledo , Madeiro Alvaro , Jain Dipty , Macharia William M , Ndung'u James , Awasthi Saumya , Wakhlu Ashish 
Published: February 2009

Aim:  Establishment of baseline epidemiology of intussusception in developing countries has become a necessity with the possibility of reintroduction of rotavirus vaccine. The current study assessed the seasonal trend in cases admitted with intussusceptions and dehydrating acute watery diarrhoea in children aged 2 months to 10 years.Methods:  In a prospective surveillance study, teaching and research hospital sites in India (Lucknow and Nagpur), Brazil (Fortazela), Egypt (Ismailia) and Kenya (Nairobi) established a surveillance where a network of hospitals with surgical facilities catered to a reference population of about 1–2 million for reporting of intussusception. One large hospital per site also recruited admitted cases of acute watery diarrhoea.Results:  From April 2004 to March 2006, 173 and 2346 cases of intussusception and diarrhoea, respectively, were recruited. Cases of intussusception had no apparent seasonality. Most cases of intussusception (61.3%) (107/173) were in the ≤1 year age group, with males comprising 68.8% (119/173) of all cases. Hospital mortality of intussusception was 4.2% (4/96). Cases of diarrhoea peaked in March, with 56.6% (1328/2346) of admitted cases being males. Majority (83.1%) of cases of diarrhoea had received antibiotics, and the hospital mortality was 0.8% (18/2280).Conclusion:  Intussusception in the four participating countries exhibited no seasonal trend. We found that it is feasible to establish a surveillance network for intussusception in developing countries. Future efforts must define population base before the introduction of rotavirus vaccine and continue for some years thereafter.
Ventilator‐associated pneumonia in a paediatric intensive care unit in a developing country with high HIV prevalence
Authors: Morrow Brenda M , Argent Andrew C 
Published: February 2009

Aim:  To obtain preliminary prevalence, aetiological and outcome data on South African paediatric patients with ventilator‐associated pneumonia (VAP).Methods:  Non‐bronchoscopic bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) specimens taken between January 2004 and September 2005 were prospectively recorded and related clinical data were retrospectively reviewed. VAP was defined as a new isolate on BAL and a modified Clinical Pulmonary Infection Score ≥5.Results:  A total of 230 patients aged 3.9 (2.2–9.1) months (median interquartile range (IQR) ) underwent 309 BALs during 244 paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admissions. Most patients (84%) were admitted with acute infectious diseases, with a 70% incidence of comorbidity. Thirty‐three patients (14.3%) were HIV‐exposed but uninfected and 58 (25.2%) were HIV‐infected.Of 172 BALs taken ≥48 h after intubation, 63 specimens from 55 patients fulfilled VAP criteria. Acinetobacter baumannii was the most common VAP pathogen, followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae, viruses, yeasts and Staphylococcus aureus.Patients who developed VAP had a higher proportion of comorbid conditions (76% vs. 55%, P= 0.01) and reintubations (39% vs. 12%, P < 0.0001) when compared with non‐VAP patients. Median (IQR) length of PICU stay was 12.5 (5–21) days versus 8 (5–14) days (P= 0.03); and the risk adjusted PICU mortality was 1.38 versus 0.79 (P= 0.002) in VAP versus non‐VAP patients, respectively.Conclusions:  VAP is associated with significant morbidity and mortality and may relate to the high incidence of comorbid conditions in this population. Primary VAP pathogens differ from developed countries.
Pilot evaluation of an early intervention programme for children at risk
Authors: Gwynne Kerry , Blick Bijou A , Duffy Gabrielle M 
Published: February 2009

Aim:  Children from vulnerable families, where there is social disadvantage, parental mental health problems, substance abuse or domestic violence, are at risk of attention, language, learning and behaviour problems because of poor attachment and lack of stimulation in the early years. Three primary modes of early intervention have been shown to produce sustained improvements in children's health, education and well‐being despite these risk factors. This pilot aimed to evaluate the Spilstead Model (SM) of early intervention in Australia, which provides a uniquely integrated model of centre‐based care, incorporating all three best‐practice approaches.Method:  The study targeted all new clients who attended the SM programme over a 12‐month period. A battery of standardised clinician and parent‐rated measures assessed parent, child and family functioning via pre‐post test research design.Results:  Results indicated large effect size changes (P < 0.01) in parent/child interaction; reduced parent stress; parental satisfaction; parent confidence; parental capacity; family interactions; child well‐being; and total family functioning. A total of 71% of children who presented on initial developmental screening with delays in the clinical range were found to be within the normal range on post‐testing; 41% moved from the below average range to scores within the normal range in language development. Parents noted improvements in externalising behaviours of large effect size (1.46).Conclusions:  (i) Results were highly positive for both children and parents; (ii) the synergistic nature of the SM may have the potential to maximise outcomes for families via a cumulative programme effect; and (iii) implications for further research were established.
Prevalence and predictors of immunization in a health insurance plan in a developing country
Authors: Sinno Durriyah D. , Shoaib Hikma A. , Musharrafieh Umayyah M. , Hamadeh Ghassan N. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractBackground:  The aim of the present study was to describe rates and predictors of compliance with immunization schedule among children enrolled in the Health Insurance Plan of the American University of Beirut.Methods:  Charts were reviewed for 774 children, and 154 parents underwent a randomly selected sample survey of demographic characteristics, parental behavior and attitudes, and health‐care system variables.Results:  The overall compliance rate was 49.9%. By age 4 years, 54.6% of children had taken the required vaccines on time. A total of 86% of parents whose children were non‐compliant had recall bias. Age of the child (older), incorrect parental perception of immunization status, mother’s low education, and use of other health‐care facility, were associated with non‐compliance.Conclusions:  Health education about vaccines should be promoted, with an emphasis on high‐risk groups. Recall systems and other tools to increase immunization coverage may have an effective role, but in developing countries, aspects such as wide availability of computers and addresses need to be secured before such implementation.
Relationship between body image and lifestyle factors in Japanese adolescent girls
Authors: Mori Kyoko , Sekine Michikazu , Yamagami Takashi , Kagamimori Sadanobu 
Published: February 2009

AbstractBackground:  Body image, defined here as an inaccurate perception of personal bodyweight, plays a significant role in the development of obesity, eating problems and eating disorders. Certain lifestyle factors may influence an individual’s body image, but current knowledge is based mainly on studies in Western populations.Methods:  The associations between body image and lifestyle factors were investigated in samples of the Japanese female adolescent population.Results:  Respondents who reported that they ate meals slowly (odds ratio [OR] 1.81, P < 0.001) or only consumed small amounts of food (OR 3.17, P < 0.001) were more likely to underestimate their body image, as determined by their body mass index, than eaters who had average behavior for this age group. Individuals who reported eating faster (OR 1.47, P < 0.001) or consuming large amounts (OR 1.67, P < 0.001); those who do not eat breakfast on a daily basis (OR 1.35, P = 0.006); those who go to bed later than the average time for this age group (OR 1.38, P < 0.001) or sleep <7 h (OR 1.40, P < 0.001) and those individuals who rarely exercise (OR 1.27, P = 0.03) were more likely to overestimate their body image, as determined by BMI, compared with those who had average eating, sleeping and exercise behaviors for this age group.Conclusions:  Variation from the norm in eating, sleeping and exercise behaviors showed a relationship with a distorted perception of body image in Japanese adolescent girls. These findings are of potential importance in understanding the underlying mechanisms involved in the development of body image and for exploring interventional approaches.
Applications of the rep‐PCR DNA fingerprinting technique to study microbial diversity, ecology and evolution
Authors: Ishii Satoshi , Sadowsky Michael J. 
Published: February 2009

SummaryA large number of repetitive DNA sequences are found in multiple sites in the genomes of numerous bacteria, archaea and eukarya. While the functions of many of these repetitive sequence elements are unknown, they have proven to be useful as the basis of several powerful tools for use in molecular diagnostics, medical microbiology, epidemiological analyses and environmental microbiology. The repetitive sequence‐based PCR or rep‐PCR DNA fingerprint technique uses primers targeting several of these repetitive elements and PCR to generate unique DNA profiles or ‘fingerprints’ of individual microbial strains. Although this technique has been extensively used to examine diversity among variety of prokaryotic microorganisms, rep‐PCR DNA fingerprinting can also be applied to microbial ecology and microbial evolution studies since it has the power to distinguish microbes at the strain or isolate level. Recent advancement in rep‐PCR methodology has resulted in increased accuracy, reproducibility and throughput. In this minireview, we summarize recent improvements in rep‐PCR DNA fingerprinting methodology, and discuss its applications to address fundamentally important questions in microbial ecology and evolution.
Linnaeus and the invisible world
Authors: Nyman Hans , Nilsson Lennart 
Published: February 2009

Linnaeus expressed his fascination for microscopy in his work Mundum Invisibilem 1767 (the invisible world), which was one of the very first attempts to bring light and order to the microscopic discoveries of the time. Linnaeus wrote about his only microscopic experiment in the same publication. He wanted to know where to place the fungi in his grand ‘Systema Naturae’, but misinterpreted the results of the experiment completely. This is perhaps one of Linnaeus’ greatest and least known mistakes, but one that somehow boosted development anyway.We took the original microscope models used by Linnaeus, took photos, and compared them with images obtained with modern instruments. Our experiments revealed several new findings, and let us understand why Linnaeus made his mistake. One other finding is that Linnaeus must have used the most modern and advanced compound microscope of his time, a large Cuff microscope in his experiment. Only two large microscopes by Cuff were available in Sweden by the time. A large Cuff microscope was found in Sweden lately. This microscope is probably the actual instrument that Linnaeus used.
Can contemporary transrectal prostate biopsy accurately select candidates for hemi‐ablative focal therapy of prostate cancer?
Authors: Tareen Basir , Godoy Guilherme , Sankin Alex , Temkin Steve , Lepor Herbert , Taneja Samir S. 
Published: February 2009

OBJECTIVETo determine if biopsy characteristics can be used to identify men with unilateral prostate cancer on radical prostatectomy (RP) pathological specimens, thereby selecting candidates for hemi‐ablative focal therapy.PATIENTS AND METHODSOf 1458 men who had RP from January 2000 to June 2007, we identified 590 of 880 evaluable patients with unilateral disease on their preoperative biopsy. Charts were reviewed to record preoperative prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) level, high‐grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN), clinical stage, Gleason score, perineural invasion (PNI), prostate volume, number of positive cores, and percentage of positive cores. Final surgical pathology was evaluated for unilateral cancer. Univariate analysis was used (logistic regression method) to identify independent predictors of unilateral disease on the RP specimen. A subset analysis was done in men with low‐risk disease, defined as clinical stage T1C, Gleason score <7 and a PSA level of <10 ng/mL.RESULTSOf 590 men with unilateral disease on biopsy, 163 (27.3%) had unilateral disease on the RP specimen. Pathological features, including HGPIN (P = 0.714), Gleason score (P > 0.608), PNI (P = 0.714), number of positive cores (P = 0.076), percentage of cores positive (P = 0.056), prostate volume (P = 0.285), and PSA level (P = 0.062) did not improve the prediction of unilateral disease. When men with unilateral cancer were further stratified to include only those with low‐risk disease, 28.4% had unilateral disease on the RP specimen. None of the biopsy or clinical features evaluated were predictors of unilateral disease on the RP specimen.CONCLUSIONUnilateral prostate cancer on biopsy predicts unilateral disease on RP pathology in only 27.6% of cases. The predictive ability is not improved by adding biopsy and clinical characteristics. Additional methods are needed to accurately identify men appropriate for focal therapy.
A tertiary experience of urethral diverticulectomy: diagnosis, imaging and surgical outcomes
Authors: Ockrim Jeremy L. , Allen Daryl J. , Shah P. Julian , Greenwell Tamsin J. 
Published: February 2009

OBJECTIVETo review the outcomes of consecutive patients referred with urethral diverticula to a tertiary centre; to investigate the diagnostic, imaging and surgical factors relevant to success.PATIENTS AND METHODSA retrospective case note review of 30 consecutive patients treated between January 1999–2007 was performed and data retrieved on demographics, presenting symptoms, preoperative imaging, surgical technique, outcomes and need for further intervention.RESULTSAll patients were tertiary referrals, four after failed local repairs. The mean (range) interval between initial presentation and repair was 48 (1–264) months. Only seven patients (23%) had all three symptoms of the classical triad of dysuria, dyspareunia and dribble, whilst 23% did not have any of these symptoms. Transvaginal ultrasonography showed the diverticulum in six of nine patients, voiding cysto‐urethrography (VCUG) in 13 of 18 patients (72%) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in all 11 patients assessed. MRI accurately imaged diverticular configuration, whilst VCUG assessed detrusor and sphincteric function. Twenty‐nine (97%) patients were cured of their diverticulum; all 19 patients with simple diverticula were cured at first attempt, whilst 17 procedures were performed on the 11 patients with complex diverticula. Twenty of 24 (83%) repairs were successful using three‐layered closure, 9 of 11 using Martius interposition, and one using bulbospongiosus muscle interposition. There were three primary repair failures; two circumferential diverticula repaired with Martius interposition and one partial horseshoe diverticulum repaired without interposition had partial recurrences. Both were subsequently repaired successfully. One patient with chronic urethral pain from multiple, infected recurrences was eventually diverted. A pubovaginal sling procedure was required in only one (3.3%) patient with persistent pre‐existing stress urinary incontinence (SUI).CONCLUSIONSThe presentation of urethral diverticula is diverse and diagnosis frequently delayed. The most useful preoperative imaging is MRI and VCUG to assess diverticular anatomy and detrusor/urethral function, respectively. In simple cases, transvaginal excision with three‐layer closure is curative, whilst more extensive, persistent or SUI‐associated diverticula require Martius fat interposition. Sling procedures can be deferred until the results of primary excision are assessed.
Multiple Imputation for Combining Confidential Data Owned by Two Agencies
Authors: Kohnen Christine N. , Reiter Jerome P. 
Published: February 2009

SummaryStatistical agencies that own different databases on overlapping subjects can benefit greatly from combining their data. These benefits are passed on to secondary data analysts when the combined data are disseminated to the public. Sometimes combining data across agencies or sharing these data with the public is not possible: one or both of these actions may break promises of confidentiality that have been given to data subjects. We describe an approach that is based on two stages of multiple imputation that facilitates data sharing and dissemination under restrictions of confidentiality. We present new inferential methods that properly account for the uncertainty that is caused by the two stages of imputation. We illustrate the approach by using artificial and genuine data.
A PROPERTY TAXATION MECHANISM WITH SELF‐ASSESSMENT
Authors: Gstach Dieter 
Published: February 2009

ABSTRACTThis paper analyzes a variant of the classic idea for property taxation based on owner's self‐assessment. To induce reporting of market values tax authorities announce to purchase some of the properties randomly at declared values under certain conditions. These conditions are based on properties of the distribution of declared values. It is proven that a unique Nash equilibrium of this taxation game among tax payers exists in which all of them report market values and tax authorities do not purchase any property.