bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Eggshell pigmentation indicates pesticide contamination
Authors: Jagannath A. , Shore R. F. , Walker L. A. , Ferns P. N. , Gosler A. G. 
Published: September 2007

Summary

Persistent pesticide residues remain a significant environmental pollutant, reducing breeding success of predatory birds even where such pesticides have been banned for many years. The ability to detect such residues inexpensively without destructive sampling would be a valuable tool for ecotoxicological monitoring. We suggest that assaying eggshell colour might provide such a tool.
Recent studies have revealed two mechanisms affecting eggshell pigmentation in, and believed to be specific to, passerine birds. In the great tit Parus major, reddish protoporphyrin speckles on their otherwise white eggs coincide precisely with thin shell and are related to calcium shortage. In the pied flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca, the intensity of the eggshell's blue‐green ground‐colour (pigment biliverdin) is related to the female's health (immunocompetence) at laying. We studied the effect of the insecticide DDT (notorious for reducing eggshell thickness in raptors by blocking calcium availability to the shell gland) on the eggshell pigmentation of Eurasian sparrowhawks Accipiter nisus (Falconiformes), whose eggshells show both protoporphyrin spotting and a blue‐green biliverdin‐based ground colour.
Eggshells showing protoporphyrin spots as an internalized pigment layer also showed a strong correlation between DDE levels (DDT metabolite) and shell thickness. The shells were also significantly thinner at these spots. Eggshell thickness was uncorrelated with DDE levels in eggs that lacked such spotting.
The green‐ness of the ground colour, related to biliverdin pigment, also increased with DDE levels but, unlike the protoporphyrins, this increase was independent of eggshell thickness.
We also noted that the colour of eggs collected before 1930 was consistent with the environmental absence of DDT.
Synthesis and applications. DDT occurrence in predatory birds indicates ecosystem‐wide contamination. Correlation between eggshell colour and DDT concentration indicates that pigmentation might be used as a non‐destructive assay for DDT (which is still in widespread use, particularly for combating malaria) in eggs. Further studies should allow our findings to be applied to other raptor species. Our results corroborate the associations of protoporphyrin pigmentation with shell thinning and biliverdin with female immunocompetence described for passerines, but their occurrence in a falconiform implies that these effects evolved long before the appearance of the order Passeriformes.
Estimating causal parameters without target populations
Authors: Shahar Eyal 
Published: September 2007

AbstractRationale  In recent years, numerous research methodologists have argued forcefully that any estimated effect from an observational study or a randomized trial should apply to a ‘target population’– to a finite group of people. Some methods to adjust for confounders heavily draw upon this idea.Aims and Objectives  I cite a recently published paper in The American Journal of Epidemiology that linked methods to adjust for confounders to the concept of a ‘target population’. I explain that the requirement to specify a finite population as the target of causal inference is rooted in two extreme models of causation: determinism and stochastic causation.Conclusions  I argue that the ‘target population’ epistemology is scientifically irrelevant and so are methods to handle confounders that are founded on this paradigm, namely, standardization, inverse‐probability‐of‐treatment weighting and SMR‐weighting. Finally, I propose a simple alternative framework under an indeterministic model of causation. According to my proposed model, a causal parameter is not tied to any finite population and its estimate is a (fallible) scientific conjecture about a homogeneous, individual‐level effect.
An investigation of obese adults’ views of the outcomes of dietary treatment
Authors: Jones N. , Furlanetto D. L. C. , Jackson J. A. , Kinn S. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractBackground  Although recommendations about the treatment of obesity have been well documented, there is little research into how obese individuals view the outcomes of dietary treatment. It has been suggested that patient involvement in evaluating treatment outcomes may help target issues to assist with the ongoing improvement of dietetic services. The aim of this qualitative study was to collect patients’ views on the dietetic service, the treatment outcomes in terms of lifestyle change and the impact that attending the dietetic service had on their lives in order to improve dietetic treatment, and to assist in the selection of appropriate outcome measurements in the future.Methods  Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 24 obese patients attending dietetic clinics in Ayrshire, West of Scotland for weight management (advice on healthy eating and physical activity to achieve an energy deficit). Patients’ views were transcribed, grouped and coded using content analysis.Results  Views included the importance of attending the dietitian for support to achieve weight management and a need to ‘feel accountable to someone’. Interviewees valued information provided regarding diet, physical activity, behavioural strategies and the risks of obesity. Patients described the impact of obesity on their lives and identified changes to their lifestyles and health since attending the dietitian. They also identified barriers to change, e.g. feeling frustrated and overwhelmed about the changes necessary.Conclusion  This study extends the current knowledge of patients’ views of their treatment outcomes, which may be important in helping dietitians devise appropriate patient‐centred outcome measures. However, as this is a small sample, further long term research into a wider range of current and discharged patients’ views is required.
A survey of provision of dietetic services for coeliac disease in the UK
Authors: Nelson M. , Mendoza N. , McGough N. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractBackground  Management guidelines for care of coeliac patients published by the British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG), 2002 recommend that patients should see a dietitian at diagnosis and at least at annual review. In the absence of information on dietetic provision in coeliac disease management in the UK and with surveys in other countries suggesting that patients with coeliac disease gain most information from coeliac support groups (Green et al., 2001), Coeliac UK set out to investigate dietetic services for coeliac patients in the UK.Methods  Questionnaires were sent to dietetic departments in the UK via the Regional Managers Group of the British Dietetic Association (BDA) by email. The questionnaires were in two parts, the first was completed by the dietetic manager and the second by the dietitian with the main responsibility for the management of coeliac patients within the department.Results  Over one‐quarter of departments reported allocating a maximum of 1 h of dietitians’ time per month per 100 000 population to seeing coeliac patients. More hours were allocated to coeliac patients in departments where dietitians had attended coeliac disease training, where dietitians were professional members of Coeliac UK or where coeliac patient care was undertaken by a multi‐disciplinary team.Conclusion  There is wide variation in dietetic provision for diagnosed coeliac patients in the UK. The Coeliac UK survey suggests that the current level of dietetic provision is in the region of one‐third of what is required according to the BSG management guidelines (British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG), 2002) to provide diagnosed coeliacs with only basic support and annual review.
Electron precession microdiffraction as a useful tool for the identification of the space group
Authors: MORNIROLI J.‐P. , REDJAIMIA A. 
Published: September 2007

SummaryThe possible space groups of a crystal can be identified from a few zone axis microdiffraction patterns provided the position (and not the intensity) of the reflections on the patterns is taken into account. The method is based on the observation of the shifts and the periodicity differences between the reflections located in the first‐order Laue zone (FOLZ) with respect to the ones located in the zero‐order Laue zone (ZOLZ).Electron precession microdiffraction patterns display more reflections in the ZOLZ and in the FOLZ than in the conventional microdiffraction patterns and this number increases with the precession angle. It is shown, from the TiAl example given in the present study, that this interesting feature brings a strong beneficial effect for the identification of the possible space groups since it becomes very easy to identify unambiguously the FOLZ/ZOLZ shifts and periodicity differences. In addition, the diffracted intensity on the precession patterns is the integrated intensity and this intensity can also be used to identify the Laue class.
Phacomatosis pigmentovascularis type IIIb
Authors: Seckin Dilek , Yucelten Deniz , Aytug Ayse , Demirkesen Cuyan 
Published: September 2007

Phacomatosis pigmentovascularis (PPV) is a group of syndromes comprising coexistent vascular and pigmentary nevi, which is first classified into five subtypes and then further categorized according to the absence or presence of associated systemic findings as type (a) and (b), respectively. This case report is of an 11‐year‐old Turkish girl with extensive vascular nevus and nevus spilus. Because of coexistent scoliosis, the patient represents an example of PPV type IIIb. Including the present case, a total of eight cases of PPV type IIIb have been reported to date. The case is discussed in view of the new classification proposed by Happle.7
A new cardiac manifestation associated with woolly hair: report of two cases of woolly hair, palmoplantar keratoderma, and mitral valve regurgitation
Authors: Zandi Soodabeh , Farajzadeh Saeedeh 
Published: September 2007

AbstractTwo siblings (a 24‐year‐old woman and a 14‐year‐old girl) with congenital woolly hair, epidermolytic palmoplantar keratoderma, and mitral valve regurgitation are described. An interesting additional feature in one of the patients (the 14‐year‐old girl) was posterior subcapsular cataract.The association of woolly hair and mitral valve regurgitation has not been reported previously. The occurrence of cataract in one of our patients is also a new ophthalmologic finding in this hair shaft anomaly.
Melanonychia striata in Chinese children and adults
Authors: Leung Alexander K. C. , Robson Wm. Lane M. , Liu Edmond K. H. , Kao C. Pion , Fong Justine H. S. , Leong Alexander G. , Cheung Benny C. L. , Wong Alex H. C. , Chen Sophie Y. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractBackground  There is considerable racial variation in the occurrence of melanonychia striata. The prevalence of melanonychia striata in the Chinese population is not known. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of melanonychia striata in a Chinese population of patients.Methods  Two thousand, four hundred and fifty‐seven Chinese patients attending an Asian medical clinic were examined for the presence of melanonychia striata in a cross‐sectional prevalence survey. The examinations were carried out as part of the routine medical care provided to these patients. Patients of mixed racial background were excluded. The fingernails and toenails of each patient were examined, and the presence or absence of melanonychia striata, the anatomic distribution of the lesion, and the age and sex of the patient were recorded.Results  Melanonychia striata was not detected in patients aged less than 20 years. The condition was present in 0.6% of patients aged between 20 and 29 years. Thereafter, the prevalence increased gradually to 1.7% in patients aged 50 years and over. There was a significant relationship between age and the presence of melanonychia striata (χ2 = 141, P < 0.01). There was no significant sex‐related difference in the age‐specific prevalence (P > 0.05). The thumbs were most frequently affected, followed by the index fingers (P < 0.001). The condition was bilateral in 40% of cases. None of the patients had involvement of more than two digits.Conclusion  Melanonychia striata is uncommon in Chinese individuals, especially in those aged under 20 years. The male to female ratio is approximately equal. The thumbs are most frequently affected and the condition is often bilateral.
Mycophenolate mofetil vs. sirolimus in kidney transplant recipients receiving tacrolimus‐based immunosuppressive regimen
Authors: Sampaio Edison L , Pinheiro‐Machado Paula G , Garcia Riberto , Felipe Claudia R , Park Sung I , Casarini Dulce E , Moreira Silvia , Franco Marcello F , Tedesco‐Silva Jr Helio , Medina‐Pestana Jose O 
Published: September 2007

Abstract:  Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and sirolimus (SRL) are effective immunosuppressive drugs with distinct safety profile.Methods:  Kidney transplant recipients receiving tacrolimus (TAC)‐based immunosuppressive regimen were randomized to receive fixed daily doses of MMF (2 g/d, n = 50) or SRL (one loading dose of 15 mg, 5 mg/d till day 7 and 2 mg/d thereafter, n = 50) without induction therapy.Results:  No differences were observed in the incidence of the composite (biopsy‐confirmed acute rejection, graft loss or death) end‐point (18% vs. 16%, p = 1.000), biopsy confirmed acute rejection (12% vs. 14%, p = 1.000), one‐yr patient (94% vs. 98%, p = 0.308), graft (92% vs. 98%, p = 0.168), and death‐censored graft survival (98% vs. 100%, p = 0.317) comparing patients receiving MMF or SRL respectively. Patients receiving SRL showed worse safety outcomes, higher mean creatinine (1.6 ± 0.5 mg/dL vs. 1.4 ± 0.3 mg/dL, p = 0.007), higher proportion of patients with proteinuria (52.0% vs. 10.7%, p = 0.041), higher mean urinary protein concentrations (0.3 ± 0.5 g/L vs. 0.1 ± 0.2 g/L, p = 0.012), higher mean cholesterol concentration (217 mg/dL vs. 190 mg/dL, p = 0.030), and higher proportion of patients prematurely discontinued from randomized therapy (26% vs. 8%, p = 0.031).Conclusion:  In patients receiving TAC, MMF produced similar efficacy but superior safety profile compared with SRL.
A framework for power and sensitivity analyses for quantitative genetic studies of natural populations, and case studies in Soay sheep (Ovis aries)
Authors: MORRISSEY M. B. , WILSON A. J. , PEMBERTON J. M. , FERGUSON M. M. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractStudies of the quantitative genetics of natural populations have contributed greatly to evolutionary biology in recent years. However, while pedigree data required are often uncertain (i.e. incomplete and partly erroneous) and limited, means to evaluate the effects of such uncertainties have not been developed. We have therefore developed a general framework for power and sensitivity analyses of such studies. We propose that researchers first generate a set of pedigree data that they wish to use in a quantitative genetic study, as well as data regarding errors that occur in that pedigree. This pedigree is then permuted using the data regarding errors to generate hypothetical ‘true’ and ‘assumed’ pedigrees that differ so as to mimic pedigree errors that might occur in the study system under consideration. Phenotypic data are then simulated across the true pedigree (according to user‐defined genetic and environmental covariance structures), before being analysed with standard quantitative genetic techniques in conjunction with the ‘assumed’ pedigree data. To illustrate this approach, we conducted power and sensitivity analyses in a well‐known study of Soay sheep (Ovis aries). We found that, although the estimation of simple genetic (co)variance structures is fairly robust to pedigree errors, some potentially serious biases were detected under more complex scenarios involving maternal effects. Power analyses also showed that this study system provides high power to detect heritabilities as low as about 0.09. Given this range of results, we suggest that such power and sensitivity analyses could greatly complement empirical studies, and we provide the computer program pedantics to aid in their application.
The Technological Gap for Maize Cultivation and Soil Properties in a Watershed of Guatemala
Authors: Fournier J. M. , Stamp P. , Bolaños J. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractThe technological gap is wide between potential and actual maize yields in the tropics. An estimation and explanation of the existing yield gap in a model region of Guatemala were attempted. Experiments were carried out on the hypothesis that soil constraints like lack of nutrients exist on 74 farms in four seasons from 1996 to 1998. The hybrid HB‐83 was compared with local varieties. Treatments included no fertilizer or the application of recommended and supra optimum amounts of fertilizers. The P and K availability was low. At the site with the lowest yield potential, HB‐83 yielded 65 % more than the local varieties, while at the site with the highest yield potential, this relative yield advantage was only 28 %. However, the absolute yield difference between HB‐83 and the local varieties was 70 % higher at the site with the highest yield potential compared with the site with the lowest yield potential, with grain yields ranging from 5.21 to 0.29 t ha−1for local varieties. There were few significant correlations between soil parameters and plant traits. Plant nutrient constraints besides NPK and liming did not seem to limit the yield potential in the Polochic watershed. A combination of soil management practices, liming in association with corrected levels of P, and use of crop cultivars developed for these low pH conditions could lead to sustainable and productive maize production.
Feasibility of using interpolated contours of targets and organs at risk in intensity‐modulated radiation therapy treatment planning for advanced‐stage nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Chau MC , Leung SF , Kam KM , Cheung KY , Kwan WH , Yu KH , Chiu KW , Chan TC 
Published: September 2007

SummaryTo assess the dosimetric effect of using interpolated contours in planning intensity‐modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for advanced T‐stage nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The present study focused on T3–T4 tumours where the proximity of targets to neurological organs poses a stringent test on the feasibility of such an approach. Contours of targets and organs were delineated on CT images of 2.5‐mm interval and a reference IMRT plan was generated. An investigative (INV) IMRT plan was then generated with the same planning protocol, but based on interpolated contours that replaced deleted contours on alternate slices. The reference and INV plans were compared. Regarding target coverage, all targets in the INV plans met the acceptance criteria except for the PTV in one case. Regarding organs, the mean dose to 1% volume of the brainstem and spinal cord in the INV plans were kept below their dose limits. No significant differences in the mean doses to others organs were found. Satisfactory target coverage and protection of critical organs to a degree similar to full‐scale contouring could be achieved with use of interpolated contours. The saving in manpower time for contouring is expected to significantly improve the throughput of the IMRT planning process.
Effects of latanoprost, timolol and GLC756, a novel dopamine D2 agonist and D1 antagonist on LTC4 release after rat mast cell activation
Authors: Laengle Ulrich W , Markstein Rudolf , Pralet Dominique , Seewald Wolfgang , Roman Danielle 
Published: September 2007

AbstractPurpose:  Mast cells participate in ocular allergic inflammation by releasing biologically active mediators. Leukotrienes are released from activated mast cells via an IgE‐dependent mechanism, and play a crucial role in ocular allergic inflammation. In this study, the effect of three topical antiglaucoma drugs, that is, latanoprost, timolol and GLC756, a novel dopamine D2 agonist and D1 antagonist, on leukotriene C4 (LTC4) release after rat mast cell activation was examined.Methods:  A rat basophilic leukaemia RBL‐2H3 mast cell line was activated via IgE/anti‐IgE. Rat mast cells were incubated with latanoprost, timolol, or GLC756 at concentrations of 0.1, 1, 10 and 30 μM. LTC4 concentration in supernatant was assessed 5 h post activation by EIA.Results:  Compared with controls, timolol showed no relevant effect on LTC4 release, 5 h after mast cell activation. Latanoprost and GLC756, in contrast, revealed an inhibitory effect on LTC4 release, which was dose‐related and statistically significant at the concentrations of 10 and 30 μM.Conclusion:  The results of this study suggest that timolol has no significant influence on LTC4 release from activated mast cells. By contrast, latanoprost and GLC756 inhibited LTC4 release, suggesting a possible anti‐inflammatory effect on ocular allergic inflammatory processes in topical glaucoma medication.
Surgical load and long‐term outcome for patients with Kock continent ileostomy
Authors: Wasmuth H. H. , Svinsås M. , Tranø G. , Rydning A. , Endreseth B. H. , Wibe A. , Myrvold H. E. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractObjective  The aim of the study was to evaluate the results of Kock continent ileostomy (CI) during the same period when ileal pouch–anal anastomosis was the preferred operation for patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP).Method  During the period 1983–2002, 50 patients underwent CI. The surgical technique was unchanged during the period. Follow‐up included all patients. Forty‐eight patients had UC, two of these had the diagnosis later changed to Crohn's disease and two had FAP.Results  Twenty‐two patients had 38 reoperations, four (8%) of whom had the pouch removed. The main causes for reoperation included leakage and difficulty in intubation due to sliding of the nipple valve (42%), fistula formation (29%) and stenosis (21%). Seventeen (45%) underwent a revision of the nipple valve and the pouch and nine (24%) a local procedure. The reoperation rate was higher among patients having a conventional ileostomy converted to CI than among those having CI. As a primary procedure (P = 0.016). The risk of a second reoperation was higher for those reoperated within the first year after having a CI, than for those reoperated later (P = 0.007).Conclusions  The reoperation rate of patients with CI is high but the removal rate of the pouch is low and is not associated with a high rate of revision. CI is a good alternative to conventional ileostomy in patients not suitable for restorative proctocolectomy or where this procedure has failed.