bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Delivery of macromolecules to plant parasitic nematodes using a tobacco rattle virus vector
Authors: Valentine Tracy A. , Randall Eva , Wypijewski Krzysztof , Chapman Sean , Jones John , Oparka Karl J. 
Published: September 2007

SummaryPlant parasitic nematodes cause significant damage to crops on a worldwide scale. These nematodes are often soil dwelling but rely on plants for food and to sustain them during reproduction. Complex interactions occur between plants and nematodes during the nematode life cycle with plant roots developing specialized feeding structures through which nematodes withdraw nutrients. Here we describe a novel method for delivering macromolecules to feeding nematodes using a virus‐based vector [tobacco rattle virus (TRV)]. We show that the parasitic nematode Heterodera schachtii will ingest fluorescent proteins transiently expressed in plant roots infected with a TRV construct carrying the appropriate protein sequence. A prerequisite for this delivery is the presence of replicating virus in root tips prior to the formation of nematode‐induced syncytia. We show also that TRV vectors expressing nematode gene sequences can be used to induce RNAi in the feeding nematodes.
superwoman1‐cleistogamy, a hopeful allele for gene containment in GM rice
Authors: Yoshida Hitoshi , Itoh Jun‐Ichi , Ohmori Shinnosuke , Miyoshi Kazumaru , Horigome Ayako , Uchida Eiji , Kimizu Mayumi , Matsumura Yoko , Kusaba Makoto , Satoh Hikaru , Nagato Yasuo 
Published: September 2007

SummaryCleistogamy is an efficient strategy for preventing gene flow from genetically modified (GM) crops. We identified a cleistogamous mutant of rice harbouring a missense mutation (the 45th residue isoleucine to threonine; I45T) in the class‐B MADS‐box geneSUPERWOMAN1(SPW1), which specifies the identities of lodicules (equivalent to petals) and stamens. In the mutant,spw1‐cls, the stamens are normal, but the lodicules are transformed homeotically to lodicule–glume mosaic organs, thereby engendering cleistogamy. Since this mutation does not affect other agronomic traits, it can be used in crosses to produce transgenic lines that do not cause environmental perturbation. Molecular analysis revealed that the reduced heterodimerization ability of SPW1I45Twith its counterpart class‐B proteins OsMADS2 and OsMADS4 caused altered lodicule identity.spw1‐clsis the first useful mutant for practical gene containment in GM rice. Cleistogamy is possible in many cereals by engineering class‐B floral homeotic genes and thereby inducing lodicule identity changes.
On Environmental Policy and Permitting
Authors: BONTEMS PHILIPPE , BOURGEON JEAN‐MARC 
Published: September 2007

AbstractThe literature on environmental policy under adverse selection usually assumes that firms' profit vary monotonically with a private information parameter. However, it is easy to demonstrate using standard production setups that regularity is not the rule. We show that policy requirements are very sensitive to this assumption. In particular, the optimal instrument resembles more an “adaptable” pollution standard than the economic instrument of an environmental tax. We also show that permitting, which results in some firms overinvesting in pollution‐control equipment, does not serve the objective of improving the environment but rather allows the agency to increase the proceeds of the policy.
Strategyproof Cost Sharing of Multiple Excludable Public Goods
Authors: MUTUSWAMI SURESH 
Published: September 2007

AbstractIn a model of cost sharing of multiple excludable public goods, we examine the properties of mechanisms satisfying strategyproofness, no subsidy, outcome non‐bossiness, budget balance, individual rationality and consumer sovereignty. We show that such mechanisms in general will not satisfy the equity property of equal treatment of equals. This contrasts with the single excludable public good case.
Correcting Market Failure Due to Interdependent Preferences: When Is Piecemeal Policy Possible?
Authors: RANDON EMANUELA , SIMMONS PETER 
Published: September 2007

AbstractAllowing for general utility interdependence and agent heterogeneity, we characterize taxes that will generate first best solutions in markets. We show the equivalence of tax corrections derived from the Marshallian and compensated demand approaches. Next we analyze the conditions that are required for the market failure to be corrected by: (1) specific indirect ad valorem taxes on commodities, (2) the same proportional tax rate on every commodity, and (3) a proportional income tax rate on each individual. The conditions are related to the restrictions necessary to have H synthetic consumers without externalities who replicate behavior of individuals with externalities.
On the Optimality of Search Matching Equilibrium When Workers Are Risk Averse
Authors: LEHMANN ETIENNE , VAN DER LINDEN BRUNO 
Published: September 2007

AbstractThis paper revisits the normative properties of search‐matching economies when homogeneous workers have concave utility functions and wages are bargained over. The optimal allocation of resources is characterized first when information is perfect and second when search effort is not observable. In the former case, employees should be unable to extract a rent. The optimal marginal tax rate is then 100%. As search effort becomes unobservable, an appropriate positive rent is needed and the optimal marginal tax rate is lower. Moreover, the pretax wage is lower in order to boost labor demand. Finally, in both cases, nonlinear income taxation is a key complement to unemployment insurance.
Piecemeal Multilateral Environmental Policy Reforms under Asymmetric Oligopoly
Authors: LAHIRI SAJAL , SYMEONIDIS GEORGE 
Published: September 2007

AbstractWe develop a general two‐country model with oligopolistic interdependence in which a fixed number of firms make their output and emission decisions simultaneously. We examine the effect of multilateral reforms of emission taxes on global emission levels. With sufficient asymmetry in pollution intensities between the two countries, a proportional multilateral increase in emission tax rates can increase global emission levels. However, a multilateral equal increase of emission tax rates unambiguously reduces global emission levels. We also consider the case of free entry and exit of firms, and find a rule of multilateral reforms which unambiguously lowers total emission levels.
Reproduction in male swamp wallabies (Wallabia bicolor): puberty and the effects of season
Authors: Paplinska Justyna Zofia , Moyle Richard L. C. , Wreford Nigel G. , Temple‐Smith Peter D. M. , Renfree Marilyn B. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractThis study describes pubertal changes in testes and epididymides and seasonal changes in the adult male reproductive organs and plasma androgen concentrations of the swamp wallaby (Wallabia bicolor). Pre‐pubescent males had testes with solid seminiferous cords and spermatogenesis only to the stage of gonocytes. Their epididymides had empty lumina along their entire length. The testes of three males undergoing puberty had some lumen formation and mitotic activity. Their epididymides were similar in appearance to those of adult males but were entirely devoid of any cells within the lumen of the duct. Three other pubescent males showed full lumen formation in the testes and spermatogenesis up to the elongating spermatid stage. Their epididymides were similar in appearance to those of adult males but with no spermatozoa in the duct. However, cells of testicular origin were found in the lumen of the duct in all regions suggesting that testicular fluids and immature germ cells shed into the rete testes flow through the seminiferous tubules into the epididymis before the release of mature testicular spermatozoa. The weights of testes and epididymides of adult males showed no change throughout the year but prostate weight and plasma androgen concentrations varied significantly with season, with maximums in spring and summer and minimums in winter. The volume fraction of Leydig cells and seminiferous tubules was significantly lower in winter than in summer; but, despite this, maturing spermatozoa were found in the testes throughout the year. Females in the area conceived year‐round, suggesting that seasonal changes in the male reproductive tract did not prevent at least some males from breeding throughout the year.
Establishment, maintenance and modifications of the lower jaw dentition of wild Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) throughout its life cycle
Authors: Huysseune Ann , Hall Brian K. , Witten P. Eckhard 
Published: September 2007

AbstractIn this paper we elucidate the pattern of initiation of the first teeth and the pattern of tooth replacement on the dentary of wild Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.), throughout nearly all stages of its life cycle, using serially sectioned heads and jaws, cleared and stained animals, and X‐rays. The dentary teeth are set in one row. Tooth germs appear around hatching, first in odd positions, followed by even positions. From position 8 further backwards, teeth are added in adjacent positions. The first replacement teeth appear in animals of about 30 mm fork length. On the dentary of early life stages (alevins and fry), every position in the tooth row holds a functional (i.e. attached and erupted) tooth and a replacement tooth. The alternating pattern set up anteriorly in the dentary by the first‐generation teeth changes in juveniles (parr) whereby teeth are in a similar functional (for the erupted teeth) or developmental stage (for the replacement teeth) every three positions. This pattern is also observed in marine animals during their marine life phase and in both sexes of adult animals prior to spawning (grilse and salmon), but every position now holds either a functional tooth or a mineralised replacement tooth. This is likely due to the fact that replacement tooth germs have to grow to a larger size before mineralisation starts. In the following spring, the dentary tooth pattern of animals that have survived spawning (kelts) is highly variable. The abundance of functional teeth in post‐spawning animals nevertheless indicates that teeth are not lost over winter.We confirm the earlier reported lack of evidence for the existence of an edentulous life phase, preceding the appearance of so‐called breeding teeth during upstream migration to the spawning grounds, and consider breeding teeth to be just another tooth generation in a regularly replacing dentition. This study shows how Atlantic salmon maintains a functional adaptive dentition throughout its complex life cycle.
The effect of tibiofemoral loading on proximal tibiofibular joint motion*
Authors: Scott Jacob , Lee Ho , Barsoum Wael , Van Den Bogert Antonie J. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractThe human proximal tibiofibular joint (PTFJ) and its relationship to overall knee joint mechanics have been largely unexplored. This study describes force/displacement data from experiments done on four human cadaveric knee specimens and general conclusions obtained with the help of a statistical modeling technique. Specimens were rigidly affixed at the tibia to a force plate and the femur was attached to a custom made device allowing for manual load application. Motion of the fibular head was tracked relative to the tibial plateau by means of reflective markers and a high speed digital camera synchronized with the force plate data stream. Each specimen was subjected to a range of loading conditions and a quadratic regression model was created and then used to predict the specimen's response to standardized loading conditions and compare these across specimens. Statistical analysis was performed with a three‐factor analysis of variance with repeated measures.Proximal tibiofibular joint motion was largest in the anterior‐posterior direction with translations of 1–3 mm observed during a range of physiological loading conditions. The applied internal‐external rotation moment had a significant effect on proximal tibiofibular joint translation (P < 0.05). Effects of varus‐valgus loading and flexion angle were seen in some specimens. This study demonstrates that substantial proximal tibiofibular joint motion can occur in physiologic loading states. Preservation of proximal tibiofibular joint function, and anatomical variations which affect this function, may need to be considered when designing surgical procedures for the knee joint.
Induced abortion and risk of small‐for‐gestational‐age birth
Authors: Parazzini F , Cipriani S , Chiaffarino F , Sandretti F , Bortolus R , Chiantera V 
Published: September 2007

Objective  To investigate the possibility of an association between previous induced abortion and subsequent birth of a small‐for‐gestational‐age (SGA) infant.Design  Case–control study.Setting  General and university hospitals.Methods  Cases were 555 women who delivered SGA babies. Controls were 1966 women who gave birth at term (>37 weeks of gestation) to healthy infants of normal weight on randomly selected days at the hospital where cases had been identified. All women in the case and control categories were interviewed on the obstetric wards by one of a team of six interviewers. During the interviews, information was obtained regarding general socio‐demographic factors, personal characteristics and habits, gynaecological and obstetric history, general anamnesis, family history of obstetric and gynaecological diseases, and the age of the father of the child. Further information on current pregnancy and delivery was also collected. We used conditional multiple logistic regression (with age as the matching variable), with maximum likelihood fitting, to obtain odds ratios and their corresponding 95% CIs. Included in the regression equations were terms for education, plus terms significantly associated in this data set with the risk of SGA birth (smoking in pregnancy, history of SGA, gestational hypertension and parity).Population  Women admitted to a general and a university hospital.Results  No significant increase in the risk of SGA birth was observed in women with a previous induced abortion [odds ratio (OR) 1.0; 95% CI 0.6–1.7]. The OR for SGA birth was 1.2 (95% CI 0.7–2.1) for preterm and 1.0 (95% CI 0.7–1.4) for term SGA births.Conclusion  This study found no association between risk of SGA birth and induced abortion.
The effect of cigarette or sheesha smoking on first‐trimester markers of Down syndrome
Authors: Ardawi MSM , Nasrat HA , Rouzi AA , Qari MH , Al‐Qahtani MH , Abuzenadah AM 
Published: September 2007

Objective  To investigate the influence of cigarette or sheesha smoking on first‐trimester markers of Down syndrome.Design  A prospective observational study.Setting  Primary care centres and antenatal clinics of Maternity and Children Hospital, King Abdulaziz University Hospital and New Jeddah Clinic Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.Population  Women with a singleton pregnancy who were either nonsmokers (n= 1736) or cigarette smokers (n= 420) or sheesha smokers (n= 181).Methods  Fetal nuchal translucency thickness (fetal NT), maternal serum free beta‐human chorionic gonadotrophin (free β‐hCG) and pregnancy‐associated plasma protein‐A (PAPP‐A) were measured at 11 weeks 0 days to 13 weeks 6 days of gestation in all women. Women were grouped according to smoking status, confirmed by maternal serum cotinine measurements, and analyte levels between groups were compared.Main outcome measures  Fetal NT, maternal serum free β‐hCG, PAPP‐A and cotinine measurements.Results  Compared with nonsmoking women, fetal NT was significantly increased and free β‐hCG and PAPP‐A levels were significantly decreased in both cigarette and sheesha smokers. There were significant relationships between all three markers and the number of sheeshas consumed per day.Conclusions  Cigarette and sheesha smoking significantly affect first‐trimester markers of Down syndrome (fetal NT, free β‐hCG and PAPP‐A). Correction for this effect in women who smoke might improve the effectiveness of first‐trimester screening for Down syndrome in these women. The underlying mechanism(s) relating smoking to the changes in first‐trimester markers require further studies.
Misoprostol for treatment of incomplete abortion at the regional hospital level: results from Tanzania
Authors: Shwekerela B , Kalumuna R , Kipingili R , Mashaka N , Westheimer E , Clark W , Winikoff B 
Published: September 2007

Objective  To investigate the safety, efficacy, and acceptability of misoprostol versus manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) for treatment of incomplete abortion.Design  A prospective open‐label randomised trial.Setting  Kagera Regional Hospital, Bukoba, Tanzania.Sample  Three hundred women with a clinical diagnosis of incomplete abortion and a uterine size <12 weeks.Methods  A total of 150 women were randomised to either a single dose of 600 micrograms of oral misoprostol or MVA. If abortion was clinically complete at 7‐day follow up, the woman was released from the study. If it was still incomplete, the woman was offered the choice of an additional 1‐week follow up or immediate MVA. Cases still incomplete after a further week were offered MVA.Main outcome measures  Incidence of successful abortion (success defined as no secondary surgical intervention provided), incidence of adverse effects, patient satisfaction.Results  Success was very high in both arms (misoprostol: 99%; MVA: 100%; difference not significant). Most adverse effects were higher in the misoprostol arm, although the mean pain score was higher in the MVA arm (3.0 versus 3.5; P < 0.001). More women were very satisfied with misoprostol (75%) than with MVA (55%, P= 0.001), and a higher proportion of women in the misoprostol arm said that they would recommend the treatment to a friend (95% versus 75%, P < 0.001).Conclusion  Misoprostol is as effective as MVA at treating incomplete abortion at uterine size of <12 weeks. The acceptability of misoprostol appears higher. Given the many practical advantages of misoprostol over MVA in low‐resource settings, misoprostol should be more widely available for treatment of incomplete abortion in the developing world.
Autonomic dysfunction in HIV patients on antiretroviral therapy: studies of heart rate variability
Authors: Lebech Anne‐Mette , Kristoffersen Ulrik Sloth , Mehlsen Jesper , Wiinberg Niels , Petersen Claus Leth , Hesse Birger , Gerstoft Jan , Kjaer Andreas 
Published: September 2007

SummaryBackground:  The presence of autonomic dysfunction in HIV patients is largely unknown. Early studies found autonomic dysfunction in patients with AIDS. Introduction of highly active antiretroviral combination therapy (ART) has dramatically changed the course of the disease and improved prognosis and decreased morbidity. At present it is not known whether introduction of ART also has decreased autonomic dysfunction.Aim:  To evaluate whether autonomic dysfunction is present in an ART‐treated HIV population.Methods:  HIV patients receiving ART for at least 3 years (n = 16) and an age‐matched control group of healthy volunteers (n = 12) were included. All were non‐smokers, non‐diabetic and had never received medication for dyslipidaemia or hypertension. Following a 10 min resting period a 5 min ECG recording was performed. Heart rate variability (HRV) analysis was performed in accordance with current guidelines and data reported as median (interquartile range).Results:  The resting heart rate was higher in HIV patients compared with controls [69 (62–74) versus 57 (52–60); P<0·001]. Total HRV measured as standard deviation of normal‐to‐normal (SONN) was lower in the HIV group compared with the controls [36 (25–55) versus 74 (57–84) ms; P<0·01] as was parasympathetic activity measured as square root of the mean squared difference of successive normal‐to‐normal intervals (RMSSD) [22 (9–30) versus 35 (24–62) ms; P<0·05]. Low frequency power was lower in the HIV group compared with the control group [294 (161–602) versus 946 (711–1668) ms2; P<0·01]. High frequency power as well as systolic and diastolic blood pressure did not differ between the groups.Conclusions:  The HIV patients in ART have increased resting heart rate and decreased short‐term heart rate variability indicating parasympathetic dysfunction.
Angiographic No‐Reflow Phenomenon and Plaque Characteristics by Virtual Histology Intravascular Ultrasound in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: NAKAMURA TOMOHIRO , KUBO NORIFUMI , AKO JUNYA , MOMOMURA SHIN‐ICHI 
Published: September 2007

Objective:
This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the occurrence of the angiographic no‐reflow phenomenon in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and the preintervention plaque composition as assessed by virtual histology intravascular ultrasound (VH‐IVUS).
Background:
The angiographic no‐reflow phenomenon is an adverse prognostic factor in patients with AMI.
Method:
We enrolled consecutive 50 patients with ST‐elevation AMI was treated by primary stent implantation. All culprit lesions were imaged by VH‐IVUS before stent implantation. The angiographic no‐reflow phenomenon was defined as a decrease in final TIMI flow grade compared with TIMI flow grade before stent implantation. Results: Eight of 50 patients developed angiographic no‐reflow after stent implantation. Gray‐scale intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) showed significantly larger external elastic membrane volume and plaque burden in the no‐reflow group. VH‐IVUS showed a trend toward larger percentage of fibro‐fatty plaque volume in the no‐reflow group than in the reflow group (23.1 ± 3.5 vs. 17.0 ± 1.1%, P = 0.05). The presence of “marble”‐like image, mainly consisting of fibro‐fatty and fibrous plaque (plaque volume of fibro‐fatty + fibrous >80% and containing fibro‐fatty plaque volume >10%) was associated with angiographic no‐reflow (P = 0.02). Corrected TIMI frame counts of the cases with “marble”‐like image were significantly larger than the cases without it (46.8 ± 5.6 vs. 27.4 ± 2.3, P = 0.01).
Conclusion:
The culprit lesions with large plaque burden, or with “marble”‐like image by VH‐IVUS, are associated with the angiographic no‐reflow phenomenon in patients with AMI.
Initial Experience with Alcohol Septal Ablation Using a Novel Magnetic Navigation System
Authors: BUERGLER JOHN M. , ALAM SHAHED , SPENCER WILLIAM , KLEIMAN NEAL S. , MELENDEZ YELENA , FRANKLIN JENNIFER , NAGUEH SHERIF F. 
Published: September 2007

Objectives:
We compared the use of magnetically assisted intervention (MAI) with conventional guidewire techniques to perform alcohol septal ablation (ASA) in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM).
Background:
Treatment of symptomatic patients with HOCM using ASA has been established as an effective therapy. However, in many cases cannulaton of the septal artery can be technically challenging. Recently, a magnetically directed guidewire system has been developed to assist in navigation in difficult percutaneous interventions. By directing the guidewire to the septal branch, this system has potential to shorten the procedure time and increase success and safety of ASA in patients with HOCM.
Methods:
From October 2004 through October 2006, 44 consecutive patients underwent ASA using MAI with the Niobe® system (Stereotaxis, Inc., St. Louis, MO). We compared these patients to 29 age‐ and gradient‐matched cases using conventional techniques performed by an operator with >100 prior cases.
Results:
All procedures were successful. Both the MAI and conventional groups had improved symptoms, exercise times, and reduced gradients compared with baseline. One dissection occurred in the conventional group. Although there were no aggregate differences in acute or 3‐month clinical outcomes, the time required for guidewire cannulation of the septal branch decreased progressively with increasing experience (third tertile vs first tertile (3 [1.25–4.75 vs 10.5 [6–17] minutes, P = 0.004) compared with the conventional group (6 [2–10.25] minutes, P = 0.075 vs third tertile), suggesting a learning curve for MAI.
Conclusions:
MAI has the potential to improve wiring time and outcomes of HOCM patients undergoing ASA.