bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of killing conditions on the structural changes in vanilla (Vanilla planifolia, Andrews) pods during the curing process
Authors: Mariezcurrena Maria D. , Zavaleta Hilda A. , Waliszewski Krzysztof N. , Sánchez Victor 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe effect of seven methods of killing vanilla (Vanilla planifolia, Andrews) pods on disassembly of the cell wall was studied. The following methods of plant killing were considered in this study: pod immersions in hot water under three conditions (65 °C for 3 min, 70 °C for 2 min, 80 °C for 10 s each of three times in 30 s intervals), pod immersions in 1% NaOH at 22 °C or 65 °C for 3 min, pod immersions in 95% ethanol at 22 °C for 60 min, and freezing at −10 °C for 24 h. Two procedures of vanilla pod killing, pod freezing at −10 °C for 24 h or pod immersions in hot water at 80 °C for 10 s each of three times in 30 s intervals, provoked the deepest and fastest disassembly of the cell wall structure and the successive cell content blending of the vanilla pod during the 8 days after curing.
Importance: an overlooked concept in plant interaction research
Authors: Brooker Rob W. , Kikvidze Zaal 
Published: April 2008

Summary

Numerous approaches have been taken to analysing the relationship between plant interactions and environmental severity. Considerable debate surrounds this relationship and its implications for the evolution of plant strategies and traits. This debate is commonly associated with the names of two of its main protagonists: Grime and Tilman.
However, because researchers often fail to make explicit the distinction between two concepts – the importance and intensity of competition – they perpetuate this debate. To illustrate this point we discuss a new approach to examining plant interactions across gradients proposed by Wilson.
We support the main thrust of Wilson's work – improving the information provided by interaction indices. However, we highlight what we believe to be an oversight in Wilson's Discussion: the proposal that his new indices can shed light on the Grime–Tilman debate. We argue that this is not possible as Wilson's indices measure competition intensity (competition's absolute impact), whereas Grime's theories relate to competition importance (competition's relative impact).
We support our argument through re‐analysis of the data explored by Wilson, demonstrating that the relationships between competition importance, competition intensity, Wilson's new indices and biomass (a surrogate of productivity) are both complex and variable.
Wilson's discussion is part of a body of literature that overlooks the distinction between competition importance and intensity. We examine a number of other well‐known studies, demonstrating how this oversight and associated confusion are widespread, may have originated with the concept's original source, and unnecessarily perpetuate debate.
Synthesis. The concepts of competition intensity and importance are central to resolving key ecological debates, but are still overlooked in contemporary research. Their uptake and careful application would greatly aid advances in plant ecology.
Plant functional types do not predict biomass responses to removal and fertilization in Alaskan tussock tundra
Authors: Bret‐Harte M. Syndonia , Mack Michelle C. , Goldsmith Gregory R. , Sloan Daniel B. , DeMarco Jennie , Shaver Gaius R. , Ray Peter M. , Biesinger Zy , Chapin F. Stuart 
Published: April 2008

Summary

Plant communities in natural ecosystems are changing and species are being lost due to anthropogenic impacts including global warming and increasing nitrogen (N) deposition. We removed dominant species, combinations of species and entire functional types from Alaskan tussock tundra, in the presence and absence of fertilization, to examine the effects of non‐random species loss on plant interactions and ecosystem functioning.
After 6 years, growth of remaining species had compensated for biomass loss due to removal in all treatments except the combined removal of moss, Betula nana and Ledum palustre (MBL), which removed the most biomass. Total vascular plant production returned to control levels in all removal treatments, including MBL. Inorganic soil nutrient availability, as indexed by resins, returned to control levels in all unfertilized removal treatments, except MBL.
Although biomass compensation occurred, the species that provided most of the compensating biomass in any given treatment were not from the same functional type (growth form) as the removed species. This provides empirical evidence that functional types based on effect traits are not the same as functional types based on response to perturbation. Calculations based on redistributing N from the removed species to the remaining species suggested that dominant species from other functional types contributed most of the compensatory biomass.
Fertilization did not increase total plant community biomass, because increases in graminoid and deciduous shrub biomass were offset by decreases in evergreen shrub, moss and lichen biomass. Fertilization greatly increased inorganic soil nutrient availability.
In fertilized removal treatments, deciduous shrubs and graminoids grew more than expected based on their performance in the fertilized intact community, while evergreen shrubs, mosses and lichens all grew less than expected. Deciduous shrubs performed better than graminoids when B. nana was present, but not when it had been removed.
Synthesis. Terrestrial ecosystem response to warmer temperatures and greater nutrient availability in the Arctic may result in vegetative stable‐states dominated by either deciduous shrubs or graminoids. The current relative abundance of these dominant growth forms may serve as a predictor for future vegetation composition.
Women with intellectual disability at risk of adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes
Authors: McConnell D. , Mayes R. , Llewellyn G. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractBackground  An increasing number of women with intellectual disability (ID) have children. Cross‐sectional, clinical population data suggest that these women face an increased risk of delivering preterm and/or low birthweight babies. The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence of poor pregnancy and birth outcomes in women with ID and/or self‐reported learning difficulties in an antenatal population.Methods  A total of 878 pregnant women attending their first antenatal clinic visit were ‘screened’ for ID. Pregnancy and birth outcomes data were extracted from medical records post‐partum. These data included pregnancy‐related health conditions, including pre‐eclampsia and gestational diabetes, and birth outcomes, including gestational age, birthweight, Apgar score and admission to neonatal intensive care and/or special care nursery.Results  A total of 57 (6.5%) pregnant women with ID and/or self‐reported learning difficulties were identified. These women experienced an unusually high rate of pre‐eclampsia (odds ratio = 2.85). Their children more often had low birthweights (odds ratio = 3.08), and they were more frequently admitted to neonatal intensive care or special care nursery (odds ratio = 2.51).Conclusion  Further research is needed to understand the reasons for the adverse findings of this study and identify potentially changeable factors contributing to adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes for women with ID and/or self‐reported learning difficulties and their children. To ensure quality antenatal care, health professionals may need to consider innovations such as extended consultation times, communication aids and audio‐taping consultations.
PRECLINICAL STUDY: Modulation of rat cerebellum oxidative status by prolonged red wine consumption
Authors: Assunção Marco , Santos‐Marques Maria João , De Freitas Victor , Paula‐Barbosa Manuel Maria , Carvalho Félix 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACTA number of studies support the view that wine polyphenols can reinforce the endogenous antioxidant system by reducing ethanol (EtOH)‐induced neuronal oxidative damage. Herein, we have investigated the effects of prolonged red wine (RW) consumption on several biomarkers of redox status in the cerebellum, a brain region highly vulnerable to the noxious effects of EtOH. Adult male Wistar rats were given RW with an EtOH concentration adjusted to 20% for 6 months, and the results were compared with those obtained in EtOH‐treated (20%) and pair‐fed control (PFC) animals. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione levels, and the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione‐S‐transferase (GST) and selenium‐dependent glutathione peroxidase (Se‐GPX) were estimated in cerebellum homogenates. Chronic RW ingestion resulted in diminished MDA and reduced glutathione levels in cerebellar tissue. Moreover, RW‐treated rats had a significant decrease in SOD, GR and GST activities but presented an increase in the activity of Se‐GPX compared with animals from EtOH and PFC groups. In contrast, CAT activity was not altered by RW and EtOH intakes. Taken together, these findings show that prolonged consumption of RW markedly modifies cerebellum redox status probably due to its high content of polyphenols.
Metabolic fingerprinting allows discrimination between Ulmus pumila and U. minor, and between U. minor clones of different susceptibility to Dutch elm disease
Authors: Martin J. A. , Solla A. , Coimbra M. A. , Gil L. 
Published: April 2008

SummaryExperiments were conducted to test whether Fourier transform‐infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy, coupled with chemometric methods, can distinguish healthy xylem tissues collected from elms known to differ significantly in their susceptibility to Ophiostoma novo‐ulmi Brasier. Twig samples from resistant Ulmus pumila L., susceptible U. minor Mill. and resistant U. minor clones were harvested on 1 May, 15 May, 1 June, 1 July and 1 September 2004, and subjected to FT‐IR analysis. The application of principal component analysis to the spectral data, followed by discriminant function analysis, discriminated between the three groups of samples in all harvesting dates. The examination of the DF‐loading plots allowed the identification of key regions within the spectra for the separation between clusters. The chemical assignments of these key regions allowed the following interpretations to be made: (i) U. pumila tissues contained enhanced levels of starch, cellulose and lignin with respect to U. minor tissues and (ii) resistant U. minor tissues contained enhanced levels of starch, cellulose and pectic polysaccharides with respect to susceptible U. minor tissues. The possible roles of the compositional differences in disease resistance, as well as the potential use of FT‐IR spectroscopy and chemometrics as a tool for screening resistant elms are discussed.
Identification of cherry incompatibility alleles by microarray
Authors: Pasquer F. , Frey B. , Frey J. E. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractWe have developed a microarray for identification of sweet cherry incompatibility alleles. Using intron sequence information of the S‐RNase gene, we have created a microarray chip that allows the specific recognition of the incompatibility alleles present in a cultivar. Most of the probes designed showed high specificity towards their alleles. In the original set of probes, cross‐hybridization was observed between a few alleles with high sequence similarity. As our identification system is based on the combined hybridization information from both introns, we were able to identify false positive and unspecific probes which could be eliminated from our microarray. The optimized microarray was tested on cultivars with known alleles. The chip correctly identified all alleles tested. Furthermore, it was also possible to identify alleles in other cultivars where, so far, only one allele has been determined and also to determine in sour cherry the alleles originating from the sweet cherry parent. Our results demonstrate the great promise of microarray technology for this novel application.
Plaque‐like dermatofibroma: A distinct and rare benign neoplasm?
Authors: Leow Liang Joo , Sinclair Peter A , Horton Jeremy J 
Published: April 2008

SUMMARYUnusual large dermatofibromata are reported in a 40‐year‐old man and a 48‐year‐old man, who both presented with plaques on a lower limb. The largest plaque in each case was well‐defined, reddish brown, indurated and measured 50 mm × 30 mm and 70 mm × 40 mm, respectively. Several satellite lesions were present around the large plaques. Dermoscopic examination showed diffuse homogenous pigmentation in the absence of other diagnostic criteria for dermatofibroma. Light microscopy of biopsies from each patient displayed similar features. There was a dermal proliferation of fibrohistiocytic cells that entrapped intervening thickened collagen fibres. The overlying epidermis was acanthotic, and in some instances this showed basal hyperpigmentation. There was no evidence of malignancy. Immunohistochemical staining was positive for Factor XIIIa and negative for CD34. Based on the histological findings, a diagnosis of dermatofibroma was made for each of these cases. Fewer than 20 adult cases of large dermatofibroma of this scale, designated giant dermatofibroma, have been reported to date; and only two have shown a plaque‐like appearance, the remainder being pedunculated. The authors propose plaque‐like dermatofibroma as a variety of large dermatofibroma distinct to pedunculated giant dermatofibroma.
Bullous systemic lupus erythematosus responding to dapsone
Authors: Ludgate Mathew W , Greig Deborah E 
Published: April 2008

SUMMARYA 29‐year‐old woman with a 4‐week history of systemic lupus erythematosus presented acutely with a severe generalized tense vesicular and bullous eruption with involvement of mucosal surfaces. At the time of her initial diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus, she had declined treatment, preferring to explore complementary medical therapies. Skin biopsy showed subepidermal blister formation with inflammation at the dermoepidermal junction. Direct immunofluorescence revealed strongly positive linear deposition of IgG and IgM, and positive linear granular deposition of IgA along the basement membrane zone. Electron microscopy showed that the level of the basement membrane split was below the lamina densa. A diagnosis of bullous systemic lupus erythematosus was made and dapsone was commenced, with a dramatic improvement in her skin eruption. The patient again declined further treatment of her systemic disease and sought complementary therapies, and subsequently presented with cerebral involvement.
Cutaneous chancroid in a visitor from Vanuatu
Authors: McBride William JH , Hannah Rory CS , Le Cornec Genevera M , Bletchly Cheryl 
Published: April 2008

SUMMARYA 23‐year‐old woman from Vanuatu presented to an Australian hospital with a 3‐week history of a non‐healing ulcer on the lower leg. A swab was submitted for a multiplex polymerase chain reaction designed to investigate genital ulcerative conditions. Haemophilus ducreyi was detected and the gene product was subsequently sequenced, confirming the diagnosis of cutaneous chancroid. The lesion responded to intramuscular benzathine penicillin. This report adds further evidence that cutaneous chancroid should be considered in the evaluation of skin ulcers in the south Pacific.
Prospective study of patch testing in patients with vulval pruritus
Authors: Haverhoek Emma , Reid Catherine , Gordon Lynne , Marshman Gillian , Wood Jane , Selva‐Nayagam Priya 
Published: April 2008

SUMMARYForty‐three patients with the primary complaint of vulval pruritus were recruited to take part in this prospective patch‐testing study. A detailed questionnaire was administered to each and patch testing to an extended battery of allergens was undertaken. This included the European standard series, preservatives, corticosteroids and a battery of common over‐the‐counter topical vulval treatments. Analysis of demographic data and prior treatments used, and various other parameters, were studied in the context of patch‐test results. This prospective study reports a very high rate of contact sensitivity in patients presenting with vulval pruritus, with 81.4% of those tested having at least one contact allergen detected. One or more clinically relevant allergens were found in 44% of the subjects patch tested. The variables found to predict a greater likelihood of a contact allergy were a biopsy diagnosis of vulval dermatitis, the use of multiple topical treatments, sexual inactivity and patients with severe pruritus on a self‐reported scale. Most importantly, many clinically relevant allergens these patients reacted to were outside the European standard series. This highlights the need for an extended series in this patient population.
Tertiary paediatric obesity services in Australia
Authors: Spilchak Pamela J , Denney‐Wilson Elizabeth , King Lesley , Baur Louise A 
Published: April 2008

Aim:  To examine the nature and availability of paediatric obesity services in tertiary care settings across the states/territories of Australia.Methods:  Surveys were sent to all clinicians identified as offering obesity services to children and adolescents. Respondents were asked to identify other service providers in their area, who were also asked to complete the survey.Results:  Sixteen clinicians responded to the survey, from 20 requests. The clinicians who responded identified nine services in three of the eight states/territories of Australia. Existing services are limited to children and adolescents with severe obesity, with an average of 12 new referrals per service each month and an average waiting time of 5 months for an appointment. Most services involve a multidisciplinary approach, although the mix of staff varies considerably and emphasises nutrition rather than physical activity approaches.Conclusions:  Despite the public attention devoted to paediatric obesity, tertiary services in Australia are inadequate to meet the increasing incidence and prevalence of this complex condition. The development of tertiary services as part of service delivery arrangements for paediatric obesity and its associated morbidities must become a priority within the health system.
Single versus bihemispheric amplitude‐integrated electroencephalography in relation to cerebral injury and outcome in the term encephalopathic infant
Authors: Lavery Shelly , Shah Divyen K , Hunt Rodney W , Filan Peter M , Doyle Lex W , Inder Terrie E 
Published: April 2008

Background:  The demand for early diagnosis and prognostication of cerebral injury in the encephalopathic term infant is increasing to facilitate appropriate management. The single‐channel amplitude‐integrated electroencephalogram (S‐aEEG) has been shown to have predictive utility for the severely encephalopathic infant. New bedside aEEG devices with more channels are entering the neonatal environment. Little data are available to compare the utility of two channels (B‐aEEG) with that of an S‐aEEG recording.Aim:  To compare the utility of the S‐aEEG and the B‐aEEG in the prediction of cerebral injury, as determined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and neurodevelopmental outcome in the term encephalopathic infant.Methods:  Term encephalopathic infants, with or without seizures, admitted to a level III NICU were included in this study. These infants had simultaneous S‐aEEG and B‐aEEG recordings. MRI was undertaken during the clinical course and classified as to the extent of cerebral injury. Neurological outcome was assessed at 2 years of age.Results:  Twenty‐eight encephalopathic term infants were included in the study. There was high level of agreement between both brain monitors (Kappa = 0.68, P < 0.001), but there was disagreement in the classification in four cases where the S‐aEEG was normal when the B‐aEEG was severely abnormal (McNemar's test P = 0.046). Of note in these four cases, all had a severely abnormal MRI and poor neurodevelopmental outcome at 2 years.Conclusion:  Amplitude measurements by the B‐aEEG appear more sensitive in detecting cerebral injury in comparison with the S‐aEEG, particularly in the setting of unilateral injury.
Diagnostic value of carcinoembryonic antigen in malignant pleural effusion: A meta‐analysis
Authors: SHI Huan‐Zhong , LIANG Qiu‐Li , JIANG Jing , QIN Xue‐Jun , YANG Hai‐Bo 
Published: April 2008

Background and objective:  Conventional tests are not always helpful in making a diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion (MPE). Many studies have investigated the utility of pleural carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in the early diagnosis of MPE. The present meta‐analysis determined the accuracy of CEA measurement in the diagnosis of MPE.Methods:  A systematic review of English language studies was conducted and data on the accuracy of pleural CEA concentrations in the diagnosis of MPE were pooled using random effects models. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to summarize the overall test performance.Results:  Forty‐five studies met the inclusion criteria for the meta‐analysis. The summary estimates for CEA in the diagnosis of MPE were: sensitivity 0.54 (95% CI: 0.52–0.55), specificity 0.94 (95% CI: 0.93–0.95), positive likelihood ratio 9.52 (95% CI: 6.97–13.01), negative likelihood ratio 0.49 (95% CI: 0.44–0.54) and diagnostic odds ratio 22.5 (95% CI: 15.6–32.5). Analysis of a subset of 11 studies which examined the value of pleural CEA in ruling out a diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma found that the sensitivity and specificity of a CEA level exceeding cut‐off values were 0.97 (95% CI: 0.93–0.99) and 0.60 (95% CI: 0.55–0.65), respectively.Conclusions:  Measurement of pleural CEA is likely to be a useful diagnostic tool for confirming MPE, and is also helpful in the differential diagnosis between malignant pleural mesothelioma and metastatic lung cancer. The results of CEA assays should be interpreted in parallel with clinical findings and the results of conventional tests.
Assessing adherence and factors associated with adherence in young children with asthma
Authors: BURGESS Scott W. , SLY Peter D. , MORAWSKA Alina , DEVADASON Sunalene G. 
Published: April 2008

Background and objective:  Adherence with preventive asthma medication by young children is an important factor when evaluating a suboptimal response to treatment. However, few data exist regarding the accuracy of subjective measures of adherence and factors associated with adherence in young children.Methods:  Fifty‐one asthmatic children aged 18 months to 7 years had their use of preventive asthma medication monitored using an electronic monitoring device (Smartinhaler) for 1 month. At a follow‐up visit the child's parent was asked how often medication had been given and they also completed a confidential questionnaire that included questions about medication usage, barriers to optimal adherence and parenting. The treating physician made an estimate of the child's likely use of medication.Results:  The median use of medication as determined by the Smartinhaler was 70.5% (range 21.4–100%). The parents' verbal reports (85.1%) and questionnaire responses (84.2%) overestimated medication usage. The physician was not able to determine which parents correctly estimated their child's use of medication (P = 0.28). The child's age, level of parental education and annual family income did not influence adherence. Parents reported simply ‘forgetting’ or their child's ‘reaction to being given medication’ as the principal barriers to adherence. There was a significant association between how stressful the parent found parenting and adherence (P = 0.05).Conclusion:  Adherence with preventive medication, even within the context of a research study, was generally low and highly variable. Subjective measures of adherence were found to overestimate adherence in young asthmatics.