bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fecundity, longevity and establishment of Otiorhynchus sulcatus (Fabricius) and Otiorhynchus ovatus (Linnaeus) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) from the Pacific North‐west of the United States of America on selected host plants
Authors: Fisher James R. 
Published: September 2006

Abstract1 The fecundity, longevity and establishment of Otiorhynchus sulcatus and Otiorhynchus ovatus from the Pacific North‐west U.S.A. was studied on five selected host plants: Picea abies‘Nidiformis’, Picea glauca‘Conica’, Taxus baccata, Rhododendron catawbiense‘Boursault’ and Fragaria×ananassa‘Totem’.2 Teneral adults were used to study adult longevity and reproductive success. Leaves of these host plants were used for sustenance for 9 months. Larval establishment was studied by infesting potted host plants with eggs.3 Fragaria×ananassa‘Totem’ produced the longest survival, shortest preoviposition time, the greatest number of eggs, and the highest fertility for adults of both species. Picea spp. were not good adult hosts for O. sulcatus. Taxus was a good adult host for O. sulcatus, but was a nonhost for adults and larvae of O. ovatus.4 Adult hosts did not affect preoviposition time or egg viability with O. ovatus adults. With O. sulcatus, preoviposition time was greatly increased and egg viability was < 50% on Picea spp.5 The best larval host was F.×ananassa‘Totem’ for O. sulcatus and P. glauca‘Conica’ for O. ovatus. Rhododendron was a poor larval host for both species.6 When all of the studies on these two pests are considered, O. sulcatus appears to have varying host preferences from among its many geographical areas of occurrence whereas O. ovatus has a more universal host selection.
Predator–prey interactions: why do larger albatrosses eat bigger squid?
Authors: Xavier J. C. , Croxall J. P. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractThe relationship between predator sizes and prey sizes is well documented for terrestrial but rarely for marine ecosystems. We show that wandering albatrosses, the biggest albatross species, feed on larger cephalopod prey than those consumed by smaller albatrosses (grey‐headed and black‐browed albatrosses). This reflects differences in timing of breeding, foraging ecology and their feeding methods. Wandering albatrosses breed later in the year, during the austral winter, than smaller albatrosses (therefore catching older squid) and forage most of the year in Antarctic open waters, sub‐Antarctic, subtropical and tropical waters, overlapping minimally with the smaller albatrosses' foraging range while breeding. Also, wandering albatrosses mostly scavenge whereas smaller albatrosses feed more on live prey. Prey ecology may also play a key role because many squid species might experience post‐spawning mortality during the austral winter, becoming easily available to wandering albatrosses. Spawning in winter can be linked to predator avoidance (i.e. reduction in mortality in winter by avoiding pelagic predators) and would allow squid larvae to develop and take advantage of the high productivity (i.e. Antarctic phytoplankton bloom) in spring and at the beginning of summer. Thus, aspects of prey and predator ecology may combine to generate observed differences in prey size.
Eye shape and activity pattern in birds
Authors: Hall M. I. , Ross C. F. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractMany aspects of an animal's ecology are associated with activity pattern, the time of day when that animal is awake and active. There are two major activity patterns:diurnal, active during the day in a light‐rich, or photopic, environment, andnocturnal, active after sunset in a light‐limited, or scotopic, environment. Birds are alsocathemeral, or equally likely to be awake at any time of day, orcrepuscular, awake and active at dawn and dusk. Each of these activity patterns is associated with different levels of ambient light. This study examines how the morphology (size and shape) of the eye varies according to these different light environments for birds in a phylogenetic context. Activity pattern has a significant influence on eye shape and size in birds. Birds that are adapted for scotopic vision have eye shapes that are optimized for visual sensitivity, with larger corneal diameters relative to axial lengths. Birds that are adapted for photopic vision have eye shapes that are optimized for visual acuity, with larger axial lengths relative to corneal diameters. Birds adapted for scotopic vision also exhibit absolutely larger corneal diameters and axial lengths than do photopic birds. The results indicate that the light level under which the bird functions has a more significant influence on eye shape than phylogeny.
Variations in the diet of introduced Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) inferred using stable isotope analysis
Authors: Major H. L. , Jones I. L. , Charette M. R. , Diamond A. W. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractThe presence of introduced Norway ratsRattus norvegicushas raised concerns for the fate of the large least aukletAethia pusillacolony situated at Sirius Point, Kiska Island, Alaska. Previous studies have documented extreme interannual variation in least auklet reproductive success and potential drastic population declines, both of which have been attributed to the varying abundance of, and predation by, Norway rats. A diet study would resolve the uncertainty that remains about the role of rats in the auklet's reproductive failure and the colony's decline. Our main objectives here were to quantify the variation in diet of introduced Norway rats and assess predation on least auklets. Using stable isotope analysis we document wide variability in rat diet dependent on location and provide direct evidence that Norway rats are preferentially preying on least auklets at Sirius Point. In conclusion, we hypothesize that the observed wide variability in rat diet will contribute to the persistence of rats on Kiska long after auklets have been extirpated. The persistence of rats enabled by their foraging plasticity will increase their effects by creating ecological traps within which prospecting individuals will fall and be depredated. This has large conservation consequences as it suggests that when seabirds are extirpated recolonization by prospecting birds is virtually impossible and island ecosystems will continue to be negatively affected and altered as long as introduced predators, such as rats, remain within them.
Consideration of the relationship between depression and dementia
Authors: KASAHARA Hiroo , TSUMURA Maki , OCHIAI Yusuke , FURUKAWA Haruko , AOKI Kimiyoshi , ITO Tatsuhiko , KADA Hirohide , HASHIDUME Toshihiko , NAKANISHI Tatsuro 
Published: September 2006

AbstractThe literature was reviewed with regard to the relationship between Alzheimer’s dementia (AD) and depression. Then comparison was made of the case for depression as a precursor symptom of AD versus the case for depression as the initial symptom of AD. We also discussed such points as the coexistence of depression and AD, pseudodementia, etc. Finally, we postulated that the relationship between AD and depression shows a spectrum, and on that basis we attempted to define six clinical patterns.
Evaluation of gender differences in caregiver burden in home care: Nagoya Longitudinal Study of the Frail Elderly (NLS‐FE)
Authors: HIRAKAWA Yoshihisa , KUZUYA Masafumi , MASUDA Yuichiro , ENOKI Hiromi , IWATA Mitsunaga , HASEGAWA Jun , IGUCHI Akihisa 
Published: September 2006

AbstractBackground:  Japan is presently experiencing a growth in the number of male caregivers and this situation has given rise to some concerns over gender differences. Previous studies have suggested that there are gender differences in caregiver burden in home care, however, it is still unclear whether or not gender differences exist. We therefore conducted this study to attain a better understanding of the Japanese male caregiver burden in home care, using data from the Nagoya Longitudinal Study of Frail Elderly (NLS‐FE).Methods:  NLS‐FE is a large prospective study of community‐dwelling elderly persons eligible for public long‐term care insurance who live in Nagoya city and use the services of the Nagoya City Health Care Service Foundation for Older People, which comprises 17 visiting nursing stations and corresponding care‐managing centers, from November to December 2003. Data used in this study included the Japanese version of the Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview, caregivers’ and dependents’ characteristics, and the caregiving situation. The differences in dependent and caregiver characteristics between male and female caregiver groups were assessed using the χ2‐test for categorical variables or the unpaired t‐test for continuous variables. Multiple logistic regression was used to examine the association between dependent and caregiver characteristics and caregiver burden.Results:  A total of 399 male caregivers and 1193 female caregivers were included in our analysis. Before and after controlling baseline variables, we did not detect a difference between male and female caregivers with respect to caregiver burden.Conclusion:  Our study suggests that differences in caregiver burden may not necessarily exist between male and female caregivers in Japan.
Alcoholic brain damage and dementia viewed by MRI, with special consideration on frontal atrophy and white matter damage in dyslipidemic patients
Authors: NAMURA Ikuro 
Published: September 2006

AbstractLong‐term intake of excessive alcohol causes various forms of brain damage, most of which are now visualized by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and proved to be contributing to the early onset of dementia. Bi‐frontal atrophy has a unique position among these various forms of damage because of its lobar conformation localized only to the higher cortex, and because the same kind of atrophy is also seen in dyslipidemic patients like hypercholesterolemia. Multiple logistic regression analysis of 3100 subjects with MRI revealed no other significant group for this finding. Morphological features of this type of atrophy and its rate of progression are described in this paper, and computerized image analysis showed that this atrophy seems to depend mainly on the decrease of white matter. However, a common biochemical factor underlying the frontal atrophy in these two groups has not yet been identified. Importantly, dyslipidemic patients also show some type of T2 high white matter changes, which are not seen in ‘pure’ alcoholics. For dyslipidemic patients, this white matter change, which seems to be the degradation of myelin sheath, is another basis for early dementia. Although the author can propose a new concept of ‘dyslipidemic dementia’ due to frontal atrophy and white matter damage, details of its mechanism and its relation to alcoholism are left to future investigations.
High‐Frequency Intracerebral EEG Activity (100–500 Hz) Following Interictal Spikes
Authors: Urrestarazu Elena , Jirsch Jeffrey D. , LeVan Pierre , Hall Jeffery 
Published: September 2006

Summary:  Purpose: High‐frequency activity has been recorded with intracerebral microelectrodes in epileptic patients and related to seizure genesis. Our goal was to analyze high‐frequency activity recorded with electroencephalograph (EEG) macroelectrodes during the slow wave immediately following interictal spikes, given the potential importance of this presumed hyperpolarization in transforming spikes into seizures. Methods: Depth electrode EEG recordings from 10 patients with intractable focal epilepsy were low‐pass filtered at 500 Hz and sampled at 2,000 Hz. Spikes were categorized according to localization and morphology. Segments of 256 ms were selected immediately following (postspike), and 2 s before each spike (baseline). Power was estimated in subgamma (0–40 Hz), gamma (40–100 Hz), high frequency (100–200 Hz), and very high frequency (250–500 Hz) bands. Results: Changes in power above 100 Hz were seen in 22 of 29 spike categories, consisting primarily of a widespread decrease in frequencies above 100 Hz. This decrease became spatially more restricted as frequencies increased, and coincided with the localization of largest spikes for the highest frequencies. High‐frequency power decreases were prominent in the hippocampus but less common in amygdala and neocortex. High‐frequency power increases were observed in the amygdala. Conclusions: Thus high‐frequency EEG activity can be recorded with macroelectrodes in humans and may provide insights on neuronal mechanisms related to human epilepsy. This activity undergoes consistent modifications after EEG spikes. We propose that the reduction in high frequencies reflects a postspike depression in neuronal activity that is more pronounced in the region of spike generation. This depression is almost always seen in hippocampus but less in amygdala.
Nonconvulsive Status Epilepticus in Children: Clinical and EEG Characteristics
Authors: Tay Stacey K.H. , Hirsch Lawrence J. , Leary Linda , Jette Nathalie , Wittman John , Akman Cigdem I. 
Published: September 2006

Summary:  Background: Nonconvulsive status epilepticus (NCSE) is a highly heterogeneous clinical condition that is understudied in the pediatric population. Objective: To analyze the epidemiological, clinical, and electroencephalograpic features in pediatric patients with NCSE. Methods: We identified 19 pediatric patients with NCSE from the epilepsy database of the Comprehensive Epilepsy Center at, Columbia University between June 2000 and December 2003. Continuous electroencephalographic (EEG) monitoring was analyzed and chart review was performed. Results: The patients ranged from 1 month old to 17 years of age. Five patients developed NCSE following convulsive status epilepticus (CSE), and a further 12 patients developed NCSE after brief convulsions. Two developed NCSE as the first manifestation during a comatose state following hypoxic events. Acute hypoxic‐ischemic injury was the most frequent etiology of NCSE in our population (5 of 19; 26%), followed by exacerbation of underlying neurometabolic disease (4 of 19; 21%), acute infection (3 of 19; 16%), change in antiepileptic drug regimen (3 of 19;16%), refractory epilepsy (2 of 19; 11%) and intracranial hemorrhage (2 of 19; 11%). Six patients had associated periodic lateralized epileptiform discharges (PLEDs), one had generalized periodic epileptiform discharges (GPEDs). Five (5 of 19; 26%) patients died of the underlying acute medical illness. Periodic discharges were associated with worse outcome. Conclusion: The majority of our patients with NCSE had preceding seizures in the acute setting prior to the diagnosis of NCSE, though most of these seizures were brief, isolated convulsions (12 patients) rather than CSE (five patients). Prolonged EEG monitoring to exclude NCSE may be warranted in pediatric patients even after brief convulsive seizures. Prompt recognition and treatment may be necessary to improve neurological outcome.
Ictal Perfusion Patterns Associated with Single MRI‐Visible Focal Dysplastic Lesions: Implications for the Noninvasive Delineation of the Epileptogenic Zone
Authors: Dupont Patrick , Van Paesschen Wim , Palmini Andre , Ambayi Rudo , Van Loon Johannes , Goffin Jan , Weckhuysen Sarah , Sunaert Stefan , Thomas Bejoy , Demaerel Philippe , Sciot Raf , Becker Albert J. , Vanbilloen Hubert , Mortelmans Luc , Van Laere Koen 
Published: September 2006

Summary:  Background: Invasive electroencephalogram (EEG) studies are often considered necessary to localize the epileptogenic zone in partial epilepsies associated with focal dysplastic lesions (FDL). Our aim was to evaluate the relationships between subtraction ictal SPECT coregistered with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (SISCOM) hyperperfusion clusters and MRI‐visible FDL, and to establish a preliminary algorithm for a noninvasive presurgical evaluation protocol for MRI‐visible FDLs in patients with refractory epilepsy. Methods: Fifteen consecutive patients with refractory partial epilepsy and a single MRI‐visible FDL underwent a noninvasive presurgical evaluation including SISCOM. Each hyperperfusion cluster was visually analyzed, automatically quantitated, and its distance form the lesion as outlined on the MRI was measured. In patients who underwent surgery, the volumes of resected brain tissue containing the FDL, the SISCOM hyperperfusion cluster, and surrounding regions were assessed on postoperative MRI and correlated with surgical outcome. Results: Fourteen of the 15 patients (93%) showed SISCOM hyperperfusion overlapping with the FDL. The FDL was detected only after reevaluation of the MRI guided by the ictal SPECT in 7 of the 15 patients (47%). Four distinct hyperperfusion patterns were observed, representing different degrees of seizure propagation. Nine patients have been operated on. Five have been seizure‐free since surgery and one since a reoperation. The degree of resection of the MRI‐visible FDL was the major determinant of surgical outcome. Full resection of the SISCOM hyperperfusion cluster was not required to render a patient seizure‐free. Conclusion: Detailed analysis of SISCOM hyperperfusion patterns is a promising tool to detect subtle FDL on MRI and to establish the epileptic nature of these lesions noninvasively. Overlap between the SISCOM hyperperfusion cluster and MRI‐visible FDL in a noninvasive presurgical evaluation with concordant data may suffice to proceed to epilepsy surgery aimed at removing the MRI‐visible FDL and the part of the hyperperfusion cluster within and immediately surrounding the FDL.
Possible association between mother's periodontal status and preterm delivery
Authors: Radnai Márta , Gorzó István , Urbán Edit , Eller József , Novák Tibor , Pál Attila 
Published: September 2006

AbstractBackground: A case–control study was undertaken to detect whether initial chronic localized periodontitis could be a risk factor for preterm birth (PB) and foetal growth restriction.Methods: A PB case was defined if a patient had a threatening premature event during pregnancy pre‐term premature rupture of membranes, or spontaneous pre‐term delivery, before the 37th week of pregnancy, and/or the weight of the newborn was <2500 g. Into the PB (case) group, 77 women were allocated, while 84 were included in the control group, all of whom had delivery after the 37th gestational week and with a newborn weighing 2500 g.Results: A significant association was found between PB and initial chronic localized periodontitis, the criteria being bleeding at 50% of the examined teeth and having at least at one site at 4 mm probing depth (p=0.0001). The adjusted odds ratio for initial chronic localized periodontitis was 3.32, 95% CI: 1.64–6.69. The average weight of newborns of mothers with periodontitis was significantly less than that of the women without periodontitis (p=0.002).Conclusions: The results support the hypothesis that initial chronic localized periodontitis of pregnant women could lead to PB, and birth‐weight reduction.
Periodontal parameters and platelet‐activating factor levels in serum and gingival crevicular fluid in a Chinese population
Authors: Zheng Pei , Chen Hui , Shi Sailang , Jepsen Søren , Eberhard Jörg 
Published: September 2006

AbstractAim: Platelet‐activating factor (PAF) is a potent proinflammatory mediator and has been implicated in cardiovascular pathophysiology. The present clinical study assessed the relation between the severity of periodontal disease and PAF levels in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and serum.Methods: A total of 60 non‐smoking subjects (21 periodontitis, 19 gingivitis patients and 20 healthy individuals) were included. Probing depth, attachment level, bleeding on probing, plaque index and sulphide levels were recorded at six sites of each tooth. GCF and blood samples were collected from all individuals, and PAF levels were investigated by enzyme‐linked immunoabsorbent assay.Results: The periodontitis group showed significantly higher PAF levels in the serum (329.3±287.3 pg/ml) and GCF (21.8±7.0 pg/sample) compared with the gingivitis group (138.0±77.9 pg/ml, 13.8±3.6 pg/sample) and with healthy controls (68.9±42.8 pg/ml, 2.4±2.7 pg/sample). The differences between patients and controls were statistically significant (p0.05). Positive correlations were observed between PAF levels in GCF and serum and for PAF levels and clinical parameters.Conclusion: The present findings suggest a role of PAF in the pathogenesis of periodontitis. Based on the observed close correlation of GCF and serum PAF levels, future studies are warranted to test the hypothesis of a possible link between periodontitis and adverse systemic events mediated by PAF.
Diagnostic and Prognostic Impact of Nuclear Medicine in the Management of Acute Chest Pain
Authors: Pirich C. , Rettenbacher L. 
Published: September 2006

SummaryLife‐threatening and prevalent causes of acute chest pain can be ruled out by nuclear medicine techniques. Among them acute coronary syndromes (ACS), acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or suspected pulmonary embolism (PE) are the main indications for the use of nuclear medicine techniques in patients presenting with chest pain to the emergency department (ED). Myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) using nuclear techniques is a well established diagnostic tool in the management of patients with ACS or AMI providing non‐invasively information about perfusion and function. Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is routinely applied for MPI allowing the characterization of localization, extent and severity of perfusion abnormalities. SPECT MPI is accurate and feasible in the clinical settings of patients presenting with chest pain. Pulmonary embolism is a common clinical disorder that is associated with high morbidity and mortality if untreated. Because of the unspecific symptoms commonly observed with the disease confirmation or exclusion of PE needs to be done in many cases admitted to ED. Various diagnostic strategies are available to confirm or rule out PE. Discordance between clinical probability and the results of diagnostic tests require imaging studies. Both lung perfusion and ventilation scintigraphy are safe, feasible and reliable methods enabling to exclude PE in patients with a low clinical probability. In summary, the documented prognostic value of scintigraphic parameters is of clinical importance to guide decision‐making in the patient with acute chest pain. Additionally, the cost‐effectiveness of nuclear medicine techniques in the work‐up of patients with chest pain has been demonstrated.
Multidetector CT of Acute Aortic Syndrome
Authors: Reddy G. P. 
Published: September 2006

SummaryAcute aortic syndrome is charaterised by aortic pain in a patient with a history of hypertension. Causes of this syndrome include aortic dissection, intramural haematoma and penetrating ulcer. The aorta must be fully assessed with an accurate imaging examination when the syndrome is suspected clinically. Multidetector computed tomography is reliable and efficient and is the modality of choice for the evaluation of acute aortic syndrome.