bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influence of landscape pattern on breeding distribution and success in a threatened Alcid, the marbled murrelet: model transferability and management implications
Authors: ZHARIKOV YURI , LANK DAVID B. , COOKE FRED 
Published: April 2007

Summary

The marbled murrelet Brachyramphus marmoratus is a threatened Alcid nesting in old‐growth coastal forests from central California to Alaska. Logging has greatly reduced the amount and altered the pattern of the species’ nesting habitat. Landscape fragmentation effects on the breeding ecology of the species are poorly understood because of the inaccessibility of nest sites.
Using radio‐telemetry, 157 marbled murrelet nests were located in two old‐growth areas in British Columbia, Canada, with different logging histories. Probable breeding success was estimated from nest attendance patterns by radio‐tagged parents. Information‐theoretic and hypothesis‐testing methods were used to model breeding distribution (used vs. random unknown sites) and success (successful vs. failed nests) within c. 50‐km radius extents at a scale of 2·3‐km radius landscapes. Intersite transferability of distribution models was tested.
Breeding distribution was positively related with old‐growth patch proximity, edge density (natural and artificial) and contrast, proportion of landscape under old‐growth or core habitat, and interspersion of old‐growth patches; it was negatively related with coastal zone proximity and mean old‐growth patch size. Breeding success was negatively affected by the edge contrast, coast proximity and proportion of young forest, probably reflecting the distribution of nest predators.
All distribution models discriminated well between used and random landscapes within the training area. Intersite model transferability was good for 50% of the models. The models less predictive of the training site (area under the curve 0·676–0·738) were more transferable, probably because at the training site, which had considerably less old‐growth nesting habitat (18% of extent) than the testing site (55%), breeding distribution was driven by a different subset of predictors.
Synthesis and applications. Geographic information system (GIS) data were helpful in discriminating between landscapes known to be used by nesting marbled murrelets and those with unknown breeding status. Previous indirect inferences about landscape‐level effects on breeding distribution in the birds were shown to correspond with their true nesting distribution. Our results suggest that habitat fragmentation per se need not have a negative effect on the birds beyond that as a result of habitat loss, unless associated with an increased abundance of predators. Our results fine‐tune the existing habitat conservation guidelines by suggesting that protection of old‐growth forest adjacent to clearcuts is important. We provide a means for desktop classification of marbled murrelet landscapes. We advise the application of several different models, depending on the amount of remaining old‐growth forest, to evaluate the consistency of predictions.
Treatment of malignant ascites in patients with advanced cancer: Peritoneovenous shunt versus paracentesis
Authors: Seike Masahiro , Maetani Iruru , Sakai Yoshihiro 
Published: April 2007

AbstractBackground:  Malignant ascites in patients with advanced cancer is often difficult to treat and effective palliation is not achieved.Methods:  We performed peritoneovenous shunt (PVS) placement in patients with malignant ascites, who were admitted to our institution between January 2000 and March 2005. The outcome of PVS placement was compared with paracentesis as a treatment option during the same period. Comparisons included changes in abdominal girth, hematocrit (Hct), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cr) measurements before and after PVS placement. The number of procedures, changes in the postoperative performance score, the median survival, possibility of discharge, and complications were compared between the two groups.Results:  Twenty patients underwent PVS placement and 49 patients were subjected to paracentesis. After PVS, abdominal girth and Hct decreased significantly. BUN and Cr tended to decrease. The median number of procedures was less in the PVS group than in the paracentesis group (one vs two, respectively; P < 0.0001). The postoperative performance score showed a significant improvement following PVS placement (P = 0.0026). Median survival was significantly longer for patients undergoing PVS placement than for those undergoing paracentesis (42 days vs 18 days, respectively; P = 0.003). The rate of possible discharge was significantly higher for patients undergoing PVS placement (P = 0.0076). Severe complications were observed in one patient in the PVS group and in seven patients in the paracentesis group.Conclusions:  PVS placement provides an effective treatment option for patients with refractory malignant ascites in advanced cancer, and yields a higher likelihood of discharge compared with conventional paracentesis.
Grape seed extract reduces oxidative stress and fibrosis in experimental biliary obstruction
Authors: Dulundu Ender , Ozel Yahya , Topaloglu Umit , Toklu Hale , Ercan Feriha , Gedik Nursal , Şener Goksel 
Published: April 2007

AbstractBackground and Aim:  The aim of this study was to assess the protective effect of grape seed extract (GSE) against oxidative liver injury and fibrosis induced by biliary obstruction in rats.Methods:  Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups; control (C), GSE‐treated, bile duct ligated (BDL), and BDL and GSE‐treated (BDL + GSE) groups. GSE was administered at a dose of 50 mg/kg a day orally for 28 days. Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels were determined to assess liver function and tissue damage, respectively. Tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) and antioxidant capacity (AOC) were assayed in plasma samples. Liver tissues were taken for determination of the hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and collagen content. Production of reactive oxidants was monitored by chemiluminescence (CL) assay.Results:  Serum AST, ALT, LDH and plasma TNF‐α were elevated in the BDL group as compared to the control group and were significantly decreased with GSE treatment. Plasma AOC and hepatic GSH level, depressed by BDL, was elevated back to the control level in the GSE‐treated BDL group. Increases in tissue MDA level, MPO activity and collagen content due to BDL were also attenuated by GSE treatment. Furthermore, luminol and lucigenin CL values in the BDL group increased dramatically compared to the control and were reduced by GSE treatment.Discussion:  These results suggest that GSE protects the liver from oxidative damage following bile duct ligation in rats. This effect possibly involves the inhibition of neutrophil infiltration and lipid peroxidation; thus, restoration of oxidant and antioxidant status in the tissue.
Evolutive phases of experimental prehepatic portal hypertension
Authors: Aller Maria‐Angeles , Nava Maria‐Paz , Cuellar Carmen , Chivato Tomas , Arias Jorge‐Luis , Sanchez‐Patan Fernando , De Vicente Felipe , Alvarez Emilio , Arias Jaime 
Published: April 2007

AbstractPartial portal vein ligation is the experimental model most frequently used to study prehepatic portal hypertension. Different systemic and splanchnic biochemical and histological alterations in short‐term (28–45 days) and long‐term (12–14 months) evolutive phases which has been described in this experimental model suggest the existence of different pathophysiological mechanisms involved in their production. The enteropathy produced could develop in three phases: an early or acute phase with vasomotor hemodynamic alterations (ischemia‐reperfusion associated with intestinal hyperemia, edema and oxidative stress); an intermediate phase with immunological alterations (mesenteric lymphadenopathy, increased mucosal infiltration by mast cells and the hepato‐intestinal release of pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory mediators); and a late or chronic phase with intestinal remodeling (vascular and epithelial). The alterations which are produced in these three evolutive phases make it possible to propose an inflammatory etiopathogeny for hypertensive portal enteropathy.
Oxidative stress and metabolism in animal model of colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium
Authors: Damiani Carlos R , Benetton César A F , Stoffel Cristhopher , Bardini Katrine C , Cardoso Vilson H , Di Giunta Gabriela , Pinho Ricardo A , Dal‐Pizzol Felipe , Streck Emilio L 
Published: April 2007

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract. Its etiology remains unclear, but it appears to result from a dysregulated immune response, with infiltration of phagocytic leukocytes into the mucosal interstitium. The production and release of reactive oxygen species by immune cells seems to play a crucial role in physiopathology of colitis. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of N‐acetylcysteine (NAC) and deferoxamine (DFX) in the treatment of colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS).Methods:  The effects of NAC and DRX on rats with DSS‐induced colitis were determined by measuring intestinal parameters of oxidative stress and mitochondrial function, inflammatory response and bowel histopathological alterations.Results:  DSS increased white blood cells count and NAC and DFX did not prevent this effect. However, DSS increased mitochondrial respiratory chain complex IV in colon of rats and NAC and DFX prevented this alteration. In addition, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances were increased in colon of DSS‐treated rats. NAC and DFX, when taken together, prevented this effect. Complex II and succinate dehydrogenase were not affected by DSS, as protein carbonyl content.Conclusions:  It is speculated that NAC and DFX might be useful for treatment of colitis, but further research is necessary to clarify these effects.
Surgical strategies and predictors of outcome for malignant neuroendocrine tumors of the pancreas
Authors: Bahra Marcus , Jacob Dietmar , Pascher Andreas , Plockinger Ursula , Kristiansen Glen , Neuhaus Peter , Langrehr Jan M 
Published: April 2007

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Neuroendocrine pancreatic carcinomas are rare and little information on factors influencing the clinical course and prognosis is presently available. The aim of this study was to retrospectively review all patients who underwent pancreatic resection for malignant neuroendocrine tumor of the pancreas at the one department from 1989 to 2003.Methods:  Eleven male and eight female patients with a mean age of 51 years (range 13–76 years) underwent surgery for malignant neuroendocrine tumor of the pancreas. The prognostic relevance for long‐term survival was investigated for intrapancreatic localization of the primary, histological classification including proliferation index (Ki67), lymph node involvement, surgical treatment and long‐term survival after resection. The clinical course after resection was also evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed using multivariate analysis and Kaplan–Meier method.Results:  Functional or non‐functional tumors occurred in six (32%) and 13 (68%) patients, respectively. The tumors were located in the pancreatic head in 10 patients (53%), body in three (15%) and tail in two (11%). Multilocular tumors were found in five (26%). Surgical procedures performed were six pylorus preserving pancreaticoduodenectomies (32%), four standard pancreaticoduodenectomies (21%), four distal pancreatectomies (21%), three total pancreatectomies (15%) and two segmental resections (11%). Multivariate analysis showed sex (P = 0.018), Ki67 proliferation index (P = 0.023), tumor diameter (P = 0.02) and tumor site (P = 0.011) as significant predictors of outcome.Conclusion:  Malignant neuroendocrine tumors of the pancreas are associated with poor prognosis. Surgical resection is an appropriate and safe procedure with low morbidity rates. The prognosis seems to be determined by various biological factors. However, with regard to the principles of surgical oncology, tumor‐free resection margins are important and radical surgical procedures are justified in selected patients.
Combining Police Perceptions with Police Records of Serious Crime Areas: A Modelling Approach
Authors: Haining Robert , Law Jane 
Published: April 2007

SummaryThe paper investigates the location of serious crime neighbourhoods in Sheffield, England, in 1998 on the basis of two sources of data: senior police officer perceptions of where such neighbourhoods are and the evidence that is contained in the police's own database of recorded crime. We report the results of modelling these two spatial distributions by using 2001 census data on output areas. We also demonstrate how expert knowledge might be combined with the evidence that is contained in large georeferenced databases. We conclude with an evaluation of the use of model-based approaches to identifying high crime areas. The purpose of the paper is to go beyond descriptive mapping of crime data and to explore how to combine, in a formal way, different types of knowledge in the analysis of crime and disorder maps.
Who Captures the Marks for the Petersen Estimator?
Authors: Goudie I. B. J. , Goudie M. 
Published: April 2007

SummaryWe examine the claim that the well-known Petersen estimator which is used in population size estimation was not in fact used by the scientist after whom it is named. We show how, in the early years of the last century, the modern use of the Petersen estimator grew from that of the fishing coefficient. Contending with the somewhat conflicting claims that were made at the time, and what by modern standards is poor referencing of sources, we investigate where the credit lies for these concepts, and the principles and protocols which support them. We assess also how far attributions of credit were affected by practical considerations, and the history of the estimator by the nature of the problems being pursued. We identify scientists whose early work on marking and estimating fish populations deserves more credit than it has received.
Estimating the Impact of the Specialist Schools Programme on Secondary School Examination Results in England*
Authors: Taylor Jim 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThis paper investigates the impact of the specialist schools programme in England on examination performance at age 16. Two approaches are used. The first uses pupil‐level data from the 2003 National Pupil Database. The second uses panel data methods and is based on time‐series data for secondary schools during 1992–2003. The paper also investigates the distributional consequences of the specialist schools programme. Specialist schools perform marginally better than their non‐specialist counterparts (especially in science, business studies and technology) but by much less than is indicated by previous studies. The programme does not appear to have had adverse distributional consequences.
Has the EU's Single Market Programme Fostered Competition? Testing for a Decrease in Mark‐up Ratios in EU Industries*
Authors: Badinger Harald 
Published: April 2007

AbstractWe use a panel approach, covering 10 EU Member States over the period 1981–99, for each of three major industry groups (manufacturing, construction and services) and 18 more detailed industries to test whether the EU's Single Market Programme has led to a reduction in firms’ mark‐ups over marginal costs. We address explicitly the uncertainty with respect to the timing of the changeover and allow for a possibly continuous regime shift in a smooth transition analysis. Where regime shifts can be found, the velocity of transition is extremely high, making the linear model a justifiable approximation. We also test for discrete structural breaks in the time window from 1986 to 1996, taking up endogeneity concerns in a generalized method of moments framework. Mark‐up reductions are found for aggregate manufacturing (although it is also suggested that mark‐ups increased in some manufacturing industries in the precompletion period at the end of the 1980s) and also for construction. In contrast, mark‐ups have gone up in most service industries since the early 1990s, which confirms the weak state of the Single Market for services and suggests that anti‐competitive defence strategies have emerged in EU service industries.
Safety of meloxicam to critically endangered Gyps vultures and other scavenging birds in India
Authors: Swarup D. , Patra R. C. , Prakash V. , Cuthbert R. , Das D. , Avari P. , Pain D. J. , Green R. E. , Sharma A. K. , Saini M. , Das D. , Taggart M. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractWidespread veterinary use of the non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug diclofenac is responsible for the population collapse of three species of Gyps vulture in south Asia; these species are now critically endangered. Vultures die when they consume carcasses of livestock that contain lethal residues of diclofenac. National and international conservation organizations have urgently recommended that diclofenac be banned and replaced with alternative drugs that are relatively safe to Gyps vultures and other scavenging birds. We tested the safety of the NSAID meloxicam on the oriental white‐backed vulture, long‐billed vulture and a range of other scavenging birds in India (Egyptian vulture Neophron percnopterus, cattle egret Bubulcus ibis, house crow Corvus splendens, large‐billed crow Corvus machrorhynchos and common mynah Acridotheres tristis). Meloxicam was administered by oral intubation [at 0.5 and 2.0 mg kg−1 vulture body weight (bw)], or through feeding with muscle or liver tissue (at 0.3 to 2.1 mg kg−1 vulture bw) from meloxicam‐treated buffalo Bubalus bubalis. We estimate that 2.0 mg kg−1 bw is the maximum likely exposure in the wild. All 31 Gyps vultures and the 20 other scavenging birds given meloxicam survived. Feeding behaviour remained normal and there were no significant differences between the treated and control groups in body mass, or the blood haematology and biochemistry parameters monitored, including those known to be affected by diclofenac (uric acid levels and alanine transferase activity). Meloxicam is used to treat a wide range of livestock ailments and is licensed and manufactured in India. We recommend that meloxicam be introduced as rapidly as possible across the Indian sub‐continent as an alternative to diclofenac.
Conservation genetics of the imperilled Barbary red deer in Tunisia
Authors: Hajji G. M. , Zachos F. E. , Charfi‐Cheikrouha F. , Hartl G. B. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractBarbary red deer Cervus elaphus barbarus from three areas in Tunisia (n=30) were analysed for genetic variability at 13 microsatellite loci and 680 bp of the mitochondrial control region. Barbary red deer, the only African deer taxon, are presently confined to a small area along the Tunisian–Algerian border and underwent a severe bottleneck in the middle of the 20th century with, on the Tunisian side, possibly only seven animals left. The genetic data showed signs of inbreeding and reflected the bottleneck event. Variability was on the lower end of the range previously reported for red deer (number of haplotypes=two, observed and expected heterozygosity 0.46 and 0.78, respectively) but not as low as might have been feared in view of the population's demographic history. The three sampling sites – among them the reserve at El Feidja from which, apart from Algerian immigrants, all extant Tunisian red deer originate – did not show any sign of genetic differentiation. The Tunisian red deer can thus probably be considered a single, genetically homogeneous population. Implications for management and conservation of the genetic findings are discussed.
Thoracotomy Elevates the Defibrillation Threshold and Modifies the Defibrillation Dose‐Response Curve
Authors: FRIEDMAN PAUL A. , STANTON MARSHALL S. 
Published: April 2007

Thoracotomy Elevates the Defibrillation Threshold. Introduction: Despite innovations in nonthoracotomy defibrillation systems, thoracotomies are still required in some clinical settings and are utilized in many animal‐based research protocols. The effect of a thoracotomy on defibrillation energy, however, has not been well characterized. Methods and Results: Ten dogs in the immediate testing; group underwent defibrillation testing immediately following a thoracotomy: another ten dogs in the delayed testing group were given 48 to 72 hours of recovery before defibrillation testing. A right ventricular endocardial coil to cutaneous thoracic patch biphasic system was used. At the time of defibrillation testing, the immediate testing group had a faster mean heart rate (144.7 ± 30.2 vs 105.8 ± 17.5 beats/min, P < 0.01), higher mean pulmonary artery pressures (systolic: 18.14 ± 9.48 vs 11.28 ± 6.46 mmHg. P = 0.1; diastolic: 6.59 ± 2.88 vs 3.89 ± 1.75 mmHg, P <0.051, and higher mean defibrillation shock impedance (89.0 ± 11.6 vs 70.9 ± 7.3 ω, P < 0.002) than the delayed group. The mean ED50 (energy with a 50% success rate) was significantly higher in the immediate group than in the delayed group (26.9 ± 14.9 vs 14.2 ± 6.9 J, P < 0.05), and the slopes of the dose‐response curves were significantly different (P = 0.03). Conclusion: In a right ventricular endocardial to cutaneous patch system, thoracotomy significantly and transiently increased the defibrillation threshold and modified the defibrillation dose‐response curve.
Long‐Term Follow‐Up of Corridor Operation for Lone Atrial Fibrillation:
Authors: van HEMEL NORBERT M. , DEFAUW JO J.A.M. , GUIRAUDON GÉRARD M. , KELDER JOHANNES C. , JESSURUN EMILE R. , ERNST JEF M.P.G. 
Published: April 2007

Late Results of Surgery for AF. Introduction: Currently, surgery‐ and catheter‐mediated ablation is applied when drug refractoriness of atrial fibrillation is evident, although little is known about the long‐term incidence of new atrial arrhythmia and the preservation of sinus node function. Methods and Results: To address this issue, 30 patients with successful corridor surgery for lone paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and normal preoperative sinus node function were followed in a single outpatient department. Five years after surgery, the actuarial proportion of patients with recurrence of atrial fibrillation arising in the corridor was 8%± 5%, with new atrial arrhythmias consisting of atrial flutter and atrial tachycardia in the corridor 27%± 8%, and with incompetent sinus node requiring pacing therapy 13%± 6%. Right atrial transport was preserved in 69% of the patients without recurrence of atrial fibrillation and normal sinus node function. Stroke was documented in two patients. Conclusions: Corridor surgery for atrial fibrillation is a transient or palliative treatment instead of a definitive therapy for drug refractory atrial fibrillation. This observation strongly affects patient selection for this intervention and constitutes a word of caution for other, non‐pharmacologic interventions for drug refractory atrial fibrillation.