bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Declining rapeseed yields in Finland: how, why and what next?
Authors: PELTONEN-SAINIO P. , JAUHIAINEN L. , HANNUKKALA A. 
Published: August 2007

SUMMARYAverage seed yields per hectare of Brassica oilseed crops in Finland, mainly summer turnip rape (Brassica rapa L. var. oleifera subvar. annua), which covers 0·93–0·99 of the total oil crop cultivation area depending on year, have fallen dramatically during the last 15 years. This downward trend is contrary to those in other temperate regions, where rapeseed yields have increased or levelled off after reaching a relatively high level. The 5-year moving averages for Finland show that seed yield started to diminish gradually after reaching its highest level of over 1700 kg/ha in the early 1990s. By 2005 it had fallen to 1270 kg/ha. The present study evaluated the possible reasons for the recorded collapse in Finnish turnip rape yields. All the statistical analyses were based on large, previously produced, datasets from multi-location Agrifood Research Finland (MTT) Official Variety Tests, Finnish Food Safety Authority (EVIRA) Seed Testing datasets and the Information Centre of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry in Finland (TIKE) national production datasets. Results from MTT trials indicated that the latest turnip rape cultivars were more sensitive to elevated temperatures at late seed set and during seed fill – and such temperatures often occurred during the years of greatest yield reduction. When taking into account how commonly sown these cultivars were at national level during the last 10 years, increased sensitivity contributed to up to two thirds of the recorded yield reduction. Even though the growing area of turnip rape has slightly exceeded 100 000 ha, after long being 60 000–70 000 ha, by extending cultivation to more northern areas of Finland, such changes do not explain the yield collapse according to data from TIKE. Furthermore, lower national yields do not stem from larger, but rather are associated with narrower within year variation in seed yield. Additional empirical work is needed to understand the causes of increased temperature sensitivity in modern cultivars (e.g. possible linkage to drought, diseases and/or drastically increased seed energy content). Furthermore, a national survey is essential for a thorough and up-to-date picture of the prevalence of pests and diseases in turnip rape and their contribution to reduced yields.
Real-time video recording of eye movements – an inexpensive system
Authors: Nandi R , Pajaniappane A , Palaniappan R 
Published: August 2007

AbstractAnalysis of eye movements is essential for investigating vestibular disturbances. Video-oculography, although expensive, is a valuable and sensitive tool that allows accurate estimation of eye movements. We describe a simple and inexpensive method of recording as well as analysing eye movements using a commercially available miniature digital video surveillance camera and an MP4 digital media recorder.
Expression and clinical significance of Ki-67, oestrogen and progesterone receptors in acoustic neuroma
Authors: Cafer S , Bayramoglu I , Uzum N , Yilmaz M , Memis L , Uygur K 
Published: August 2007

AbstractObjective:The objective was to assess the presence of Ki-67, and oestrogen and progesterone hormone receptors as well as their clinical correlates in acoustic neuroma.Methods:Medical records of 59 patients who were operated on for acoustic neuroma between 1995 and 2003 were evaluated retrospectively. Formaldehyde-fixed paraffin-embedded archival acoustic neuroma specimens of the patients were used for immunohistochemical assessments of oestrogen and progesterone hormone receptors, and Ki-67 proliferative marker.Results:Tumour sizes were small (<19 mm), medium (20–39 mm) and large (>40 mm) in 21, 35 and 3 patients, respectively. On immunohistochemistry, all samples were (+) for progesterone receptor and (–) for oestrogen receptor staining. Ki-67 staining was encountered in 34 of 59 (57.6 per cent) patients, and Ki-67 values ranged from 0 per cent to 10.9 per cent (mean 1.36 per cent). There was no correlation between Ki-67, gender, tumour size and symptoms of the patients (p > 0.05).Conclusion:Oestrogen is not an important hormone in acoustic neuroma due to the absence of oestrogen receptor expression in the tissue samples. Since the progesterone receptor is expressed in all acoustic neuroma samples, further studies are necessary to find out about the inhibitory effect of antiprogesterone treatment on acoustic neuroma growth, which may be important particularly in elderly people or high-risk patients. Although Ki-67 is expressed in the majority of acoustic neuromas, it is not an important marker in clinical practice due to a lack of any correlation with the clinical parameters.
Preservation of residual hearing following cochlear implantation: comparison between three surgical techniques
Authors: Berrettini S , Forli F , Passetti S 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThe preservation of residual hearing is becoming a high priority in cochlear implant surgery. It allows better speech understanding and ensures long-lasting and stable performance; it also allows the possibility, in selected cases, of combining electro-acoustic stimulation in the same ear.We present the results of a retrospective study of the conservation of residual hearing in three different groups of patients who had undergone cochlear implantation using three different cochlear implant electrode arrays, combined with three different surgical techniques for the cochleostomy. The study aimed to evaluate which approach allowed greater preservation of residual hearing.The best residual hearing preservation results (i.e. preservation in 81.8 per cent of patients) were achieved with the Contour Advance electrode array, using the Advance Off-Stylet technique and performing a modified anterior inferior cochleostomy; this combination enabled reduced trauma to the lateral wall of the cochlea during electrode insertion.
Treatment of piriform fossa sinuses with monopolar diathermy
Authors: Ahmed J , De S , Hore I D B , Bailey C M , Hartley B E J 
Published: August 2007

AbstractIntroduction:Embryological remnants of third or fourth branchial pouches are a rare but important cause of recurrent neck abscesses in children. They are characterised by an internal opening in the piriform fossa. Traditional management involves surgical excision of the entire tract. We present our experience with the use of monopolar diathermy applied to the internal sinus opening as a treatment modality for this condition.Materials and methods:A retrospective, case report review was performed.Results:Four cases of piriform fossa sinus were treated with monopolar diathermy to the sinus opening via an endoscopic approach. The first three cases were treated in this way for recurrence, following external tract excision, while the fourth case had simultaneous excision of the tract and diathermy to the piriform fossa opening. There were no serious complications and no recurrence within a follow-up period ranging from nine to 27 months.Discussion:Obliteration of the internal opening of these sinuses by endoscopic diathermy is a safe and effective management option for this condition, either as an alternative to or as an adjunct to external surgical excision of the tract.
Frontoethmoidal encephalomeningocoele with colpocephaly: case report and clinical review
Authors: Bhattacharjee Abhinandan , Chakraborty A , Purkaystha P 
Published: August 2007

AbstractFrontoethmoidal encephalomeningocoele is a rare congenital disease in which an intracranial mass protrudes through a midline defect from the anterior cranial fossa into the facial skeleton. The condition affects patients in South East Asian countries, such as Thailand, Burma, Malaysia and Indonesia, with frequency of 1 in 5000. The pathogenesis of encephalocoeles may be regarded as a ‘late’ neurulation defect during the fourth gestational week.We present a case of frontoethmoidal encephalomeningocoele with corpus callosal agenesis and colpocephaly; this may well be the first report of this combination. The patient had a bulging mass in the middle frontonasal area, with broadening of the nasal bridge and hypertelorism. Computed tomography scans delineated the skull defect and associated brain anomalies. A one-stage, combined transfacial–transcranial approach, correctional procedure was performed. We present here a discussion of the findings, with special reference to the condition's pathogenesis, morphological classification and evolving surgical treatments.Early diagnosis and referral, involving multidisciplinary teamwork, are of paramount importance because of the distorting influence of the extruding mass on facial growth.
Role of limited parotidectomy in management of pleomorphic adenoma
Authors: Johnson J T , Ferlito A , Fagan J J , Bradley P J , Rinaldo A 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThere is continued controversy over the extent of parotidectomy required for removal of a benign pleomorphic adenoma from the parotid gland. Currently, consensus exists that the integrity of the facial nerve must be preserved when the tumour is totally removed.As a result of experience gained in the first half of the twentieth century, it was recommended that superficial parotidectomy with facial nerve dissection should be the minimal biopsy for pleomorphic adenoma. Since that time, however, research has indicated that partial parotidectomy or extracapsular dissection of benign pleomorphic adenoma can be accomplished with preservation of the facial nerve without an increase in tumour recurrence. Partial parotidectomy or extracapsular dissection results in impaired cosmetic results and a lower incidence of Frey's syndrome, and thus may be the preferred approach when undertaken by experienced surgeons.
Ion-acoustic double layers in magnetized plasma consisting of warm adiabatic ions and non-thermal electrons having vortex-like velocity distribution: existence and stability
Authors: DAS JAYASREE , BANDYOPADHYAY ANUP , DAS K. P. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractA combined Schamel's modified Korteweg–de Vries–Zakharov– Kuznetsov (S–KdV–ZK) equation efficiently describes the nonlinear behaviour of ion-acoustic waves in a plasma consisting of warm adiabatic ions and non-thermal electrons (due to the presence of fast energetic electrons) having vortex-like velocity distribution function (due to the presence of trapped electrons), immersed in a uniform (space-independent) and static (time-independent) magnetic field, when the vortex-like velocity distribution function of electrons approaches the non-thermal velocity distribution function of electrons as prescribed by Cairns et al. (1995 Electrostatic solitary structures in non-thermal plasmas.Geophys. Res. Lett.22, 2709–2712), i.e. when the contribution of trapped electrons tends to zero. This combined S–KdV–ZK equation admits a double-layer solution propagating obliquely to the external uniform and static magnetic field. The condition for the existence of this double-layer solution has been derived. The three-dimensional stabilities of the double-layer solutions propagating obliquely to the external uniform and static magnetic field have been investigated by the multiple-scale perturbation expansion method of Allen and Rowlands (1993 Determination of growth rate for linearized Zakharov–Kuznetsov equation.J. Plasma Phys.50, 413–424; 1995 Stability obliquely propagating plane solitons of the Zakharov–Kuznetsov equation.J. Plasma Phys.53, 63–73). It is found that the double-layer solutions of the combined S–KdV–ZK equation are stable at the lowest order, i.e. up to the orderk, wherekis the wave number of perturbation.
Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection among Egyptian children: impact of social background and effect on growth
Authors: Mohammad Mahmoud A , Hussein Laila , Coward Andy , Jackson Sarah J 
Published: August 2007

AbstractObjectiveThe study aim was to assess the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in Egyptian schoolchildren and its effect on growth parameters.DesignA cross-sectional population-based study was conducted among 286 schoolchildren (168 boys and 118 girls), with a mean age of 11.04 ± 0.19 years, to determine the prevalence of H. pylori. The presence of the bacterium was assessed using the [13C]urea breath test. Relevant personal and socio-economic data on risk factors for infection were collected. Height and weight were analysed in relation to H. pylori infection.ResultsThe overall prevalence of H. pylori infection was 72.38%. Attending school in a socially deprived area and residing in an overcrowded home were the major risk factors for infection. Differences between infected and non-infected children were significant with regard to body weight and height (weight: 39.5 ± 1.0 vs. 44.6 ± 1.8 kg, P = 0.05; height: 139.9 ± 1.3 vs. 144.2 ± 2.1 cm; P = 0.009). The number of children (both boys and girls) falling below the 5th percentile of height-for-age was significantly higher in infected than non-infected children (P = 001), similarly for Z-scores for height-for-age below –2.0 (P = 0.003).ConclusionThe results demonstrate not only that the prevalence of H. pylori infection is extremely high among Egyptian schoolchildren, but also that the adverse effects of the infection reach far beyond the stomach. Evidence of the burden of infection on growth failure is presented.
The effects of smoking on bone health
Authors: Wong Peter K. K. , Christie Jemma J. , Wark John D. 
Published: August 2007

Osteoporotic fractures are a major public health problem in most developed countries and an increasing concern in much of the developing world. This healthcare burden will increase significantly worldwide over the next 20 years due to aging of the population. Smoking is a key lifestyle risk factor for bone loss and fractures that appears to be independent of other risk factors for fracture such as age, weight, sex and menopausal status. This review discusses the effects of smoking on bone health in pre-menopausal and post-menopausal women and men. Data from twin studies and the three main published meta-analyses are presented. Possible mechanisms by which smoking affects bone mass are reviewed. Despite smoking being a major lifestyle risk factor for osteoporosis, the mechanisms underlying smoking-associated bone loss and fracture risk remain poorly understood. The effect appears dose-dependent, and may be, at least partially, reversible. However, more work is required to confirm and characterize the reversibility of smoking-associated bone defects. Finally, strategies for quitting smoking are discussed. Encouragement of lifestyle alterations, including smoking cessation, should be a major component of any bone therapeutic programme.
The α-adducin Gly460Trp polymorphism and the antihypertensive effects of exercise among men with high blood pressure
Authors: Pescatello Linda S. , Blanchard Bruce E. , Tsongalis Gregory J. , Maresh Carl M. , O'Connell Ann , Thompson Paul D. 
Published: August 2007

The α-adducin Gly460Trp polymorphism alters renal sodium transport and is associated with hypertension. Despite the immediate sodium- and volume-depleting effects of aerobic exercise, the influence of the α-adducin Gly460Trp polymorphism on PEH (postexercise hypotension) has not been studied. In the present study we examined the effects of the α-adducin Gly460Trp polymorphism on PEH among 48 men (42.6±1.6 years; mean±S.E.M.) with high BP (blood pressure; 144.0±1.7/84.7±1.1 mmHg). Subjects completed three experiments: non-exercise control and two cycle exercise sessions at 40% (light exercise) and 60% (moderate exercise) of maximal oxygen consumption. Subjects left the laboratory wearing an ambulatory BP monitor. PCR and restriction enzyme digestion determined the genotypes. No subjects had the Trp460Trp genotype due to the low frequency of 5% in the population. Repeated measure ANCOVA tested whether BP differed over time between experimental conditions and genotypes (Gly460Gly, n=36; Gly460Trp, n=12). Among Gly460Gly genotypes, SBP (systolic BP) was reduced by 5.2±1.4 mmHg after moderate exercise compared with non-exercise controls over 9 h (P&lt;0.01). Among Gly460Trp genotypes, SBP was lowered by 7.8±2.3 mmHg; after light exercise compared with non-exercise controls over 9 h (P&lt;0.05). The SBP reductions after light exercise (0.6±1.3 compared with 7.8±2.3 mmHg; P&lt;0.05) but not moderate exercise (5.2±1.4 compared with 3.8±2.4 mmHg; P≥0.05) differed between the Gly460Gly and Gly460Trp genotypes respectively. Men with Gly460Gly had a reduced SBP after moderate exercise, whereas men with Gly460Trp had a reduced SBP after light exercise. However, only the SBP reductions after light exercise differed between genotypes. Our findings indicate that the α-adducin Gly460Trp genotype may be useful in identifying men who have a reduced BP after lower intensity aerobic exercise.
Inspiratory muscle strength in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease depending on disease severity
Authors: Kabitz Hans-Joachim , Walterspacher Stephan , Walker David , Windisch Wolfram 
Published: August 2007

Staging criteria for COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) include symptoms and lung function parameters, but the role of reduced inspiratory muscle strength related to disease severity remains unclear. Therefore the present study tested whether inspiratory muscle strength is reduced in COPD and is related to disease severity according to GOLD (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease) criteria and assessed its clinical impact. PImax (maximal inspiratory mouth occlusion pressure), SnPna (sniff nasal pressure) and TwPmo (twitch mouth pressure) following bilateral anterior magnetic phrenic nerve stimulation were assessed in 33 COPD patients (8 GOLD0, 6 GOLDI, 6 GOLDII, 7 GOLDIII and 6 GOLDIV) and in 28 matched controls. Furthermore, all participants performed a standardized 6 min walking test. In comparison with controls, PImax (11.6±2.5 compared with 7.3±3.0 kPa; P&lt;0.001), SnPna (9.7±2.5 compared with 6.9±3.3 kPa; P&lt;0.001) and TwPmo (1.6±0.6 compared with 0.8±0.4 kPa; P&lt;0.001) were markedly lower in COPD patients. TwPmo decreased with increasing COPD stage. TwPmo was correlated with walking distance (r=0.75; P&lt;0.001), dyspnoea (r=−0.61; P&lt;0.001) and blood gas values following exercise (r&gt;0.57; P&lt;0.001). Inspiratory muscle strength, as reliably assessed by TwPmo, decreased with increasing severity of COPD and should be considered as an important factor in rating disease severity and to reflect burden in COPD.
Abnormal regional myocardial deformation properties and increased aortic stiffness in normotensive patients with aortic coarctation despite successful correction: an ABPM, standard echocardiography and strain rate imaging study
Authors: di Salvo Giovanni , Pacileo Giuseppe , Limongelli Giuseppe , Verrengia Marina , Rea Alessandra , Santoro Giuseppe , Gala Simona , Castaldi Biagio , D'andrea Antonello , Caso Pio , Giovanna Russo Maria , Calabró Raffaele 
Published: August 2007

The long-term follow-up data subsequent to a successful repair of AoC (aortic coarctation) show that life expectancy remains reduced. Previous standard echocardiographic studies have demonstrated normal or increased systolic cardiac function in patients following successful repair of AoC. SR (strain rate) imaging is a new technique able to detect subclinical myocardial abnormalities. In the present study we investigated whether young patients (without hypertension, as assessed using ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and an exercise test) following successful AoC repair already have abnormal myocardial deformation properties, and the relationship of the deformation properties with aortic stiffness. We studied 166 subjects, 83 AoC non-hypertensive patients (mean age 12±4 years) a number of years after successful repair of AoC and 83 age- and sex-matched subjects as controls. Peak systolic SR (1/s) for both regional longitudinal and radial function was assessed. The aortic stiffness index was calculated from the echocardiographically derived thoracic aortic diameters, and the measurement of blood pressure was obtained by cuff sphygmomanometry. The LV (left ventricular) ejection fraction was significantly increased in AoC patients, whereas regional longitudinal SRs were significantly reduced (−1.1±0.9 compared with −2±0.5, P&lt;0.0001) in patients. The aortic stiffness index was significantly increased in AoC patients (12±9, P&lt;0.0001). At multilinear regression analysis, age at repair (P=0.005; coefficient, −0.201; S.E.M., 0.027) and the aortic stiffness index (P=0.0029; coefficient, 0.334; S.E.M., 0.423) predicted longitudinal SR. Despite the presence of a successful repair for AoC, in the absence of hypertension, longitudinal deformation properties were significantly impaired. Moreover, the degree of longitudinal SR impairment was correlated with age at repair and aortic stiffness. Early repair can delay the onset of hypertension in postcoarctectomy patients, but cannot prevent the innate structural and functional abnormalities of the aorta and their deleterious effect on myocardial deformation properties.
GST Pull-down
Authors: Einarson Margret B. , Pugacheva Elena N. , Orlinick Jason R. 
Published: August 2007

INTRODUCTIONGlutathione-S-transferase (GST) fusion proteins have had a wide range of applications since their introduction as tools for synthesis of recombinant proteins in bacteria. One of these applications is their use as probes for the identification of protein-protein interactions. The pull-down method described in this protocol is fundamentally similar to immunoprecipitation. Immunoprecipitation is based on the ability of an antibody to bind to its antigen in solution, and the subsequent purification of the immunocomplex by collection on protein A- or G-coupled beads. Similarly, the GST pull-down is an affinity capture of one or more proteins (either defined or unknown) in solution by its interaction with the GST fusion probe protein and subsequent isolation of the complex by collection of the interacting proteins through the binding of GST to glutathione-coupled beads.
Far Western: Probing Membranes
Authors: Einarson Margret B. , Pugacheva Elena N. , Orlinick Jason R. 
Published: August 2007

INTRODUCTIONThe far-Western technique described in this protocol is fundamentally similar to Western blotting. In Western blots, an antibody is used to detect a query protein on a membrane. In contrast, in a far-Western blot (also known as an overlay assay) the antibody is replaced by a recombinant GST fusion protein (produced and purified from bacteria), and the assay detects the interaction of this protein with target proteins on a membrane. The membranes are washed and blocked, incubated with probe protein, washed again, and subjected to autoradiography. The GST fusion (probe) proteins are often labeled with 32P; alternatively, the membrane can be probed with unlabeled GST fusion protein, followed by detection using commercially available GST antibodies. The nonradioactive approach is substantially more expensive (due to the purchase of antibody and detection reagents) than using radioactively labeled proteins. In addition, care must be taken to control for nonspecific interactions with GST alone and a signal resulting from antibody cross-reactivity. In some instances, proteins on the membrane are not able to interact after transfer. This may be due to improper folding, particularly in the case of proteins expressed from a phage expression library. This protocol describes a way to overcome this by washing the membrane in denaturation buffer, which is then serially diluted to permit slow renaturation of the proteins.
In Situ Hybridization to Drosophila Testes: Figure 1.
Authors: Schulz Cordula 
Published: August 2007

INTRODUCTIONThe tips of Drosophila testes harbor the germ line stem cells, their amplifying daughters, and the cells of the stem cell lineage environments. These cells, located within the apical 100 μm, are specifically hard to label, as the testes appear to be less penetrable at the tips. Here we report an in situ hybridization protocol that works reliably to detect RNA in the cells at the apical tips of Drosophila testes.