bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Seed availability and gap size influence seedling emergence of dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) in grasslands
Authors: Martinkova Z. , Honek A. , Pekar S. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractDandelion (Taraxacum officinale agg.) seedlings colonize gaps in agricultural grassland and give rise to weedy pastures. It was investigated how this colonization is affected by seed availability and gap size. Flowering, seed production and spontaneous seedling emergence in artificial gaps were recorded at seven grassland sites. Fifteen to 126 flowers m−2 (2·2–18·6 thousands of seeds m−2) were produced at particular sites in May 2005. Seed availability explained 0·91 of the between‐site variation in seedling abundance. Seedling populations represented c. 0·03 of the seed produced at these sites. Shading, pH, soil nutrients and soil texture did not affect seedling emergence. In 2006, seed was sown at one site in small (33 cm2) and large (400 cm2) gaps on eight occassions during the growing season. Time to germination was on average 10 d shorter and 0·20 more of the seed germinated in small than large gaps, and both varied significantly with date of sowing. Germination was not limited by low temperature. Predation of seeds may have decreased the density of established seedlings. Patches of dandelions in sparse or weakly disturbed grassland are unlikely to disappear spontaneously and repeated cutting during spring flowering is recommended as an effective means of management.
Landscape genetics of California mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus): the roles of ecological and historical factors in generating differentiation
Authors: PEASE KATHERINE M. , FREEDMAN ADAM H. , POLLINGER JOHN P. , MCCORMACK JOHN E. , BUERMANN WOLFGANG , RODZEN JEFF , BANKS JIM , MEREDITH ERIN , BLEICH VERNON C. , SCHAEFER ROBERT J. , JONES KEN , WAYNE ROBERT K. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractLandscape genetics is an emerging discipline that utilizes environmental and historical data to understand geographic patterns of genetic diversity. Niche modelling has added a new dimension to such efforts by allowing species–environmental associations to be projected into the past so that hypotheses about historical vicariance can be generated and tested independently with genetic data. However, previous approaches have primarily utilized DNA sequence data to test inferences about historical isolation and may have missed very recent episodes of environmentally mediated divergence. We type 15 microsatellite loci in California mule deer and identify five genetic groupings through a Structure analysis that are also well predicted by environmental data. We project the niches of these five deer ecotypes to the last glacial maximum (LGM) and show they overlap to a much greater extent than today, suggesting that vicariance associated with the LGM cannot explain the present‐day genetic patterns. Further, we analyse mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence trees to search for evidence of historical vicariance and find only two well‐supported clades. A coalescence‐based analysis of mtDNA data shows that the genetic divergence of the mule deer genetic clusters in California is recent and appears to be mediated by ecological factors. The importance of environmental factors in explaining the genetic diversity of California mule deer is unexpected given that they are highly mobile species and have a broad habitat distribution. Geographic differences in the timing of reproduction and peak vegetation as well as habitat choice reflecting natal origin may explain the persistence of genetic subdivision.
IL1β‐ and LPS‐induced serotonin secretion is increased in EC cells derived from Crohn’s disease
Authors: Kidd M. , Gustafsson B. I. , Drozdov I. , Modlin I. M. 
Published: March 2009

Abstract  Gut mucosal enterochromaffin (EC) cells are regarded as key regulators of intestinal motility and fluid secretion via secretion of serotonin (5HT), are increased in numbers in mucosal inflammation and located in close proximity to immune cells. We examined whether interleukin (IL)1β and Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced EC cell 5HT release through Toll‐like/IL‐1 (TIL) receptor activation, nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) and mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation and evaluated whether somatostatin could inhibit this phenomenon. Pure (>98%) human intestinal EC cells were isolated by fluorescent activated cell sorting from preparations of normal (n = 5) and Crohn’s colitis (n = 6) mucosa. 5HT release was measured (ELISA), and NFκB and ERK phosphorylation quantitated (ELISA) in response to IL1β and LPS. 5HT secretion was increased by both E. coli LPS (EC50 = 5 ng mL−1) and IL1β (EC50 = 0.05 pmol L−1) >2‐fold (P < 0.05) in Crohn’s EC cells compared with normal EC cells. Secretion was reversible by the TLR4 antagonist, E. coli K12 LPS (IC50 = 12 ng mL−1) and the IL1β receptor antagonist (ILRA; IC50 = 3.4 ng mL−1). IL1β caused significant (P < 0.05) NFκB and MAPK phosphorylation (40–55%). The somatostatin analogue, lanreotide inhibited IL1β‐stimulated secretion in Crohn’s (IC50 = 0.61 nmol L−1) and normal EC cells (IC50 = 1.8 nmol L−1). Interleukins (IL1β) and bacterial products (E. coli LPS) stimulated 5HT secretion from Crohn’s EC cells via TIL receptor activation (TLR4 and IL1β). Immune‐mediated alterations in EC cell secretion of 5HT may represent a component of the pathogenesis of abnormal bowel function in Crohn’s disease. Inhibition of EC cell‐mediated 5HT secretion may be an alternative therapeutic strategy in the amelioration of inflammatory bowel disease symptomatology.
Community health insurance in sub‐Saharan Africa: what operational difficulties hamper its successful development?
Authors: De Allegri Manuela , Sauerborn Rainer , Kouyaté Bocar , Flessa Steffen 
Published: March 2009

SummaryIn recent years, a number of reviews have generated evidence on the potential of community health insurance (CHI) to increase access to care and offer financial protection against the cost of illness for poor people excluded from formal insurance systems. Field experience, however, shows that in sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA), a series of operational difficulties still hampers the successful development of CHI, yielding negative effects on potential progress towards increased access to care and improved financial protection. Through a careful assessment of the existing literature, including peer‐reviewed articles, books, consultancy reports, and manuscripts from international organizations, we produce an analytical review of such difficulties. Our aim is to provide policy makers with the necessary knowledge on the problems at stake and with policy propositions to offset such problems, strengthening CHI and enhancing its role within SSA health systems. Our review of the literature reveals that the major difficulties currently faced by CHI in SSA are operational in nature and cluster around five areas: (i) lack of clear legislative and regulatory framework; (ii) low enrolment rates; (iii) insufficient risk management measures; (iv) weak managerial capacity; and (v) high overhead costs. Consequently, our review calls for appropriate policy interventions, specifically: (i) greater commitment towards the development of adequate legislation in support of CHI; (ii) increasing uptake of measures to expand equitable enrolment; (iii) the adoption of adequate risk management measures in all schemes; (iv) substantial investments from host countries as well as from sponsoring agencies to improve managerial capacity; and (v) collective efforts to contain overhead costs.
Intrathecal neostigmine with bupivacaine for infants undergoing lower abdominal and urogenital procedures: dose response
Authors: BATRA Y. K. , RAJEEV S. , PANDA N. B. , LOKESH V. C. , RAO K. L. N. 
Published: March 2009

Background: Intrathecal (IT) neostigmine produces dose‐dependent analgesia in adults. However, the dose of spinal neostigmine has not been investigated in infants. The purpose of this study was to assess spinal anesthesia (SA) duration provided by four doses of spinal neostigmine added to bupivacaine for lower abdominal and urogenital procedures in infants.Methods: Seventy‐five infants were randomized into five groups. The control group B received IT plain 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine. Groups BN.25, BN.50, BN.75, and BN1.0 received bupivacaine with 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1 μg/kg of neostigmine, respectively. The primary variable was the duration of anesthesia assessed by recovery of hip flexion. Postoperative pain with facial expression, leg activity, arm activity, crying and consolability scale score,and rescue analgesic requirements were the secondary variables measured, and the side effects were noted.Results: Seventy‐three infants completed the study. There was a significant linear increase in SA duration with IT neostigmine to 65.2 (4.3) min with 0.5 μg/kg (P<0.01), 88.2 (5.1) with 0.75 μg/kg (P<0.001) and 92 (4.3) with 1 μg/kg (P<0.001) from 52.4 (4.3) min with bupivacaine alone. SA duration showed no significant difference between plain bupivacaine and BN.25 (P=0.100) or between groups BN.75 and BN1.0 (P=0.451). Groups BN.75 and BN1.0 had significantly reduced pain scores, and the median duration before the first dose rescue analgesic was requested prolonged significantly (P<0.001) compared with the other three groups.Conclusions: IT neostigmine at a dose of 0.75 μg/kg added to bupivacaine significantly prolonged SA duration with reduced postoperative pain scores and rescue analgesic requirements in infants undergoing lower abdominal and urogenital procedures. No additional benefits were provided on increasing it to 1 μg/kg.
Acceleromyography and mechanomyography for establishing potency of neuromuscular blocking agents: a randomized‐controlled trial
Authors: CLAUDIUS C. , SKOVGAARD L. T. , VIBY‐MOGENSEN J. 
Published: March 2009

Background: Acceleromyography (AMG) is increasingly being used in neuromuscular research, including in studies establishing the potency of neuromuscular blocking and reversal agents. However, AMG is insufficiently validated for use interchangeably with the gold standard, mechanomyography (MMG) for this purpose. The aim of this study was to compare AMG and MMG for establishing dose–response relationship and potency, using rocuronium as an example.Methods: We included 40 adult patients in this randomized‐controlled single‐dose response study. Anaesthesia was induced and maintained with propofol and opioid. Neuromuscular blockade was induced with rocuronium 100, 150, 200 or 250 μg/kg. Neuromuscular monitoring was performed with AMG (TOF‐Watch® SX) with pre‐load (Hand Adapter) at one arm and MMG (modified TOF‐Watch® SX) on the other, using 0.1 Hz single twitch stimulation. Dose–response relationships were determined for both recording methods using log (dose) against probit (maximum block). The obtained slopes of the regression lines, ED50, ED95 and the maximum block were compared.Results: The ED50 and ED95 [95% confidence interval (CI)] for AMG were 185 μg/kg (167–205 μg/kg) and 368 μg/kg (288–470 μg/kg), compared with 174 μg/kg (159–191 μg/kg) and 338 μg/kg (273–418 μg/kg) for MMG. There were no statistically significant biases in maximum block, ED50, ED95 or slopes obtained with the two methods.Conclusion: Our results indicate that any possible difference between AMG and MMG is so small that it justifies AMG to be used for establishing the potency of neuromuscular blocking agents. However, the wide CIs show that we cannot rule out a 13% higher ED50 and a 26% higher ED95 for AMG.
Attenuation of a rocuronium‐induced neuromuscular block in patients receiving prednisolone
Authors: SOLTÉSZ S. , MENCKE T. , STUNZ M. , DIEFENBACH C. , ZIEGELER S. , MOLTER G. P. 
Published: March 2009

Background: This study tested the influence of continuous medication (more than 4 weeks) with prednisolone on a rocuronium‐induced neuromuscular block.Methods: The time course of a rocuronium‐induced neuromuscular blockade (0.3 mg/kg) was investigated in 40 patients with chronic inflammatory bowel disease undergoing elective abdominal surgery. The primary end point was the time from the start of injection of rocuronium until recovery of the TOF ratio to 0.9. Twenty patients received continuous medication with prednisolone (group A), and 20 were without glucocorticoid medication (group B). Additionally, another 20 patients without inflammatory bowel disease and without glucocorticoid medication served as control (group C).Results: The onset time was prolonged in group A [253 (51.2) s] compared with group B [187 (61.3) s]. Twitch height at the onset of the block was higher in group A [16.5 (0–61)%] than that in group B [5.0 (0–33)%]. The duration to 25% twitch height was shorter in group A [12.6 (0–20.7) min] compared with group B [16.7 (0–25.3) min] and group C [16.9 (0–29.3) min]. The recovery to a train‐of‐four ratio of 0.9 was reduced in group A [25.7 (23–34.3) min] compared with group B [34.7 (32.7–44.2) min] and group C [36.5 (31.7–42.3) min].Conclusions: Prednisolone treatment in patients with inflammatory bowel disease is associated with a delayed onset and a shorter duration of action of rocuronium. The presence of an inflammatory bowel disease did not influence the neuromuscular block.
Rapid thawing of fresh‐frozen plasma with radio wave‐based thawing technology and effects on coagulation factors during prolonged storage at 4°C
Authors: Boström F. , Ekemar L. , Olsson D. , Egberg N. , Lundahl J. 
Published: March 2009

Background and Objectives  With traditional techniques the thawing time for fresh‐frozen plasma (FFP) is about 20–30 min. A new technology using radio waves, radio wave thawing device (RTD), was applied for thawing FFP. With this technology the thawing time can substantially be reduced. The new technique was compared to an established method using Heated Air Technology (HAT). Variables subjected to assessment were temperature after thawing and analysis of factor V (FV), factor VIII (FVIII), protein S.Materials and Methods  Plasma was collected from 20 plasma donors. Each donation was aliquoted into two equal units of approximately 250 ml. The plasma units were frozen and stored below –75°C. The thawing time was pre‐set to two time periods, one for each group, 23 min for HAT and 7·5 min for RTD. Thawed plasma was stored at 4 ± 2°C as liquid plasma. Samples were collected before freezing, after thawing, 1 week and 2 weeks after thawing.Results  The FV and FVIII levels were over 90% direct after thawing compared to before freezing values in both groups. At 2 weeks of storage the levels of FV and FVIII were approximately 70% and 50%, respectively, compared to before freezing values. Protein S levels decreased slightly during storage. No significant differences in the decline of quality were observed between the two groups.Conclusion  The new radio wave technology for thawing of FFP has a significant reduction of thawing time. The impact of thawing and storage on FV, FVIII, protein S does not significantly differ between HAT and RTD.
Ecology of Armillaria species in managed forests and plantations in Serbia
Authors: Keča N. , Karadžić D. , Woodward S. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryThe distribution of Armillaria species was investigated in Serbian forest ecosystems, in relation to the main host species attacked, forest‐types, geography and altitude. In total, 388 isolates were identified from 36 host species in 47 sites. Armillaria gallica was the most commonly observed species with the widest distribution and with an altitudinal range of 70–1450 m, it was the dominating Armillaria species in lowland alluvial forests and in Quercus and Fagus forests at higher elevations. Armillaria mellea occurred in Quercus spp. – dominated forests in the north and central regions at 70–1050 m. Sixty‐eight per cent of the A. mellea isolates were collected from living hosts, most commonly in declining conifer plantations. Armillaria ostoyae was distributed in the cooler coniferous forest types and plantations in the Dinaric Alps in the south of Serbia, at 850–1820 m. Armillaria cepistipes was found in the eastern and southern hilly and mountainous regions of the country, at 600–1900 m. Most isolates were obtained from conifers and rhizomorphs in the soil around decaying stumps. Armillaria tabescens was found only on dead oak material in the northern and eastern regions of the country at altitudes lower than 600 m.
Turkish Heterobasidion abietinum is pathogenic to inoculated Abies nordmanniana ssp. nordmanniana and ssp. bornmülleriana
Authors: Lehtijärvi A. , Aday A. G. , Doğmuş‐Lehtijärvi H. T. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryFour‐year‐old seedlings of Abies nordmanniana ssp. bornmülleriana and 5‐year‐old seedlings of Abies nordmanniana ssp. nordmanniana were inoculated on the lower stem with 28 Heterobasidion abietinum isolates originating from four different regions of Turkey. Replicate seedlings were incubated in greenhouse and growth chamber. After 7 weeks, infection incidence, mortality, lesion length in the inner bark and fungal growth in the sapwood were examined. Infection incidence in different host–incubation combinations ranged between 70.5 and 79.5% and the average mortality rate was 4.2%. Average lesion lengths varied between 8.4 and 33.9 mm, and average fungal growth between 18.7 and 34.8 mm. There was a significant positive correlation between lesion length in the inner bark and fungal growth in sapwood on both hosts and conditions. Clear differences in virulence between H. abietinum isolates originating from different regions were not found. The results indicate that H. abietinum is pathogenic on both investigated subspecies of A. nordmanniana. Both lesion length and fungal growth were greater on ssp. bornmülleriana, indicating that it would be more susceptible than ssp. nordmanniana.
Quantitative evaluation of corneal epithelial oedema by confocal microscopy
Authors: Morishige Naoyuki , Takahashi Norihisa , Chikamoto Nobuhiko , Nishida Teruo 
Published: March 2009

AbstractBackground:  To develop a novel quantitative index for evaluation of corneal epithelial oedema, the pixel intensity of confocal microscopic images was measured derived from the basal cell layer (BCL) of the corneal epithelium in normal eyes, eyes before and after cataract surgery, and eyes affected by bullous keratopathy.Methods:  Five eyes of five normal volunteers, 14 eyes of 11 cataract patients and 12 eyes of 12 bullous keratopathy patients were examined by confocal microscopy. The cataract patients underwent cataract surgery, and they were examined by confocal microscopy, corneal pachymetry, and anterior fluorometry both before and at various times after surgery. The pixel intensity of BCL images obtained by confocal microscopy was measured and expressed as the BCL index.Results:  The coefficient of variation for repeated (five times) measurement of the BCL index in each of the five normal eyes was 3.4%. The BCL index was 54.8 ± 5.3 (mean ± SD) before surgery, increased significantly to 65.2 ± 10.0 on the day after surgery, and gradually decreased thereafter in the cataract patients. The time‐course of the BCL index coincided well with that of corneal thickness and anterior fluorometry value. The BCL index in eyes affected by bullous keratopathy was significantly increased at 95.0 ± 6.4.Conclusion:  The BCL index was increased after cataract surgery and in eyes affected by bullous keratopathy, conditions associated with corneal epithelial oedema. This quantitative measure obtained by confocal microscopy may prove useful in the clinical evaluation of corneal epithelial oedema.
URGENT CAPSULE ENDOSCOPY IS USEFUL IN SEVERE OBSCURE‐OVERT GASTROINTESTINAL BLEEDING
Authors: Almeida Nuno , Figueiredo Pedro , Lopes Sandra , Freire Paulo , Lérias Clotilde , Gouveia Hermano , Leitão Maximino C. 
Published: March 2009

Aim:  With capsule endoscopy (CE) it is possible to examine the entire small bowel. The present study assessed the diagnostic yield of CE in severe obscure‐overt gastrointestinal bleeding (OOGIB).Methods:  During a 3‐year period, 15 capsule examinations (4.5% of all CE in a single institution) were carried out in 15 patients (11 men; mean age 69.9 ± 20.1 years) with severe ongoing bleeding, defined as persistent melena and/or hematochezia, with hemodynamic instability and the need for significant red blood cell transfusion. CE was carried out after non‐diagnostic standard upper and lower endoscopy. The mean time from admission until CE was 4.1 ± 4.4 days (0–15 days).Results:  CE revealed active bleeding in seven patients and signs of recent bleeding in four. Etiology of bleeding was correctly diagnosed in 11 patients (73.3%) (portal hypertension enteropathy, three patients; subepithelial ulcerated lesion, two patients; angiodysplasia, two patients; jejunal ulcer with visible vessel, one patient; multiple small bowel ulcers, one patient; jejunal tumor, one patient; jejunal mucosa irregularity with adherent clot, one patient). One patient (6.7%) had active bleeding but no visible lesion. As a consequence of the capsule findings, specific therapeutic measures were undertaken in 11 patients (73.3%) with five managed conservatively, four endoscopically and two surgically. Two patients experienced bleeding recurrence. One of them, with a probable small bowel tumor, refused any other interventions.Conclusions:  CE is useful in patients with severe OOGIB by providing positive findings in the majority of patients, with subsequent impact on therapeutic procedures.
Dental and radiographic findings as predictors of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women
Authors: Erdogan Özgür , Incki Kuntay Kerim , Benlidayı Mehmet Emre , Şeydaoglu Gülşah , Kelekci Sefa 
Published: March 2009

Aim:  The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between dental findings and osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.Methods:  One hundred and eight postmenopausal women were recruited for the study. All participants underwent dual X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA). The number of remaining teeth, clinical attachment loss, pocket depth and mobility of each tooth were determined. Radiodensitometric analyses were performed on digital periapical radiographs utilizing an aluminum stepwedge technique. The appearance of inferior mandibular cortex posterior of the mental foramina region was scored according to the classification by Klemetti.Results:  The number of remaining teeth, attachment loss values, Klemetti Index scores and the radiodensitometric scores showed a significant relationship with skeletal bone density.Conclusion:  Tooth loss, an increased clinical attachment level, reduced density on digital periapical radiographs and an eroded appearance of the inferior mandibular cortex in panoramic radiographs are associated with low‐skeletal bone mineral density.
Ultrasound guided transversus abdominis plane block in infants, children and adolescents: a simple procedural guidance for their performance
Authors: SURESH SANTHANAM , CHAN VINCENT W.S. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryThe transversus abdominis plane block (TAP) has been described recently for pain management following abdominal surgery. Although many techniques have been described using anatomical landmarks, a simple ultrasound (US) guidance technique for the block has not been described in children. An article published by Hebbard and colleagues on the use of US‐guidance for TAP blocks described the technique with the probe positioned at the midaxillary line with a needle insertion that is located further medial on the abdominal wall. This technique, although feasible in adults is not possible in children due to the need for obtaining a more thorough spread of the local anesthetic solution. We describe in this article, a user‐friendly approach to the placement of a TAP block in infants, children and adolescents. Further pharmacokinetic data has to be obtained for actual dosing for these blocks in infants and children.