bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tectonic and climatic control on growth and demise of the Phanh Rang Carbonate Platform offshore south Vietnam
Authors: Fyhn Michael B. W. , Boldreel Lars O. , Nielsen Lars H. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThe Phan Rang Carbonate Platform located offshore south Vietnam covers more than 15 000 km2, making it one of the largest carbonate platforms in the South China Sea. Based on 2‐D seismic analysis, this paper outlines the platform evolution and analyzes the regional tectonic, climatic and oceanic factors that controlled the platform growth and demise. This study of the Phan Rang Carbonate Platform therefore provides an analogue to the regions late Neogene carbonates that form important targets for petroleum exploration. Platform growth initiated during the late middle Miocene along the open marine Vietnamese margin and continued throughout the late synrift to early postrift period of the area terminating around Pliocene time. During this period, the structural grain, local and regional tectonics as well as oceanographic effects exerted major controls on carbonate deposition. Optimal growth conditions existed during initial platform deposition and locally accumulation rates reached ca. 230 m Ma−1. Late Miocene regional uplift caused subaerial exposure that interrupted platform growth and caused intense karstification. A gradual reestablishment of marine conditions promoted renewed platform growth. However, carbonate production was stressed by increased terrigenous input caused by onshore uplift and by inorganic nutrification of the surface waters. Nutrification probably occurred in response to increased nutrient influx derived from onshore denudation, enhanced periodically by soil ravinement during transgression. The onset or intensification of summer upwelling along the southern platform margin occurred in response to the onshore uplift and most likely contributed to the nutrification. The deteriorated growth conditions and fast subsidence resulted in platform split‐up, backstepping and local drowning. Subsequently, isolated platforms nucleated on structural highs as transgression continued. The remaining platforms thrived for a period but eventually failed to keep pace with subsidence, backstepped and drowned. The longest surviving platform now crops out at the seafloor at ca. 500 m depth.
Effectiveness and safety of short vs. long duration of antibiotic therapy for acute bacterial sinusitis: a meta‐analysis of randomized trials
Authors: Falagas Matthew E. , Karageorgopoulos Drosos E. , Grammatikos Alexandros P. , Matthaiou Dimitrios K. 
Published: September 2008

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT • Treatment guidelines generally support that a 10–14‐day antibiotic regimen should be administered to uncomplicated acute bacterial sinusitis patients.• However, the level of evidence for such a recommendation is rather weak.• Treatment of such duration may have disadvantages compared with a shorter duration but equally effective regimen, including the promotion of bacterial drug resistance, poorest patient compliance, higher toxicity, and a greater overall economic burden. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS • The findings of this meta‐analysis suggest that short‐course antibiotic treatment has similar effectiveness to longer‐course treatment for patients with acute uncomplicated bacterial sinusitis, when treatment is warranted.• However, we should underscore the importance of the clinician's own assessment, so that antimicrobial therapy should not inappropriately be curtailed in a patient not adequately responding to the regimen administered.We sought to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of short‐course antibiotic treatment for acute bacterial sinusitis (ABS) compared with longer duration treatment. We performed a meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), identified by searching PubMed and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. We included RCTs that compared short‐course (up to 7 days) vs. long‐course therapy (≥2 days longer than short‐course), with the same antimicrobial agent, in the same daily dosage, for patients with ABS. Twelve RCTs (10 double‐blinded) involving adult patients with radiologically confirmed ABS were included. There was no difference in the comparison of short‐course (3–7 days) with long‐course treatment (6–10 days) regarding clinical success [12 RCTs, 4430 patients, fixed effect model (FEM), odds ratio (OR) 0.95, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.81, 1.12]; microbiological efficacy; relapses; adverse events (10 RCTs, 4172 patients, random effects model, OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.71, 1.09); or withdrawals due to adverse events. In the sensitivity analysis comparing 5‐ vs. 10‐day regimens, clinical success was similar, although adverse events were fewer with short‐course treatment (5 RCTs, 2151 patients, FEM, OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.63, 0.98). Although antibiotics for acute sinusitis should be reserved for select patients with substantial probability of bacterial disease, accurate clinical diagnosis is often difficult to attain. Short‐course antibiotic treatment had comparable effectiveness to a longer course of therapy for ABS. Shortened treatment, particularly for patients without severe disease and complicating factors, might lead to fewer adverse events, better patient compliance, lower rates of resistance development and fewer costs.
Effect of statins on a wide range of health outcomes: a cohort study validated by comparison with randomized trials
Authors: Smeeth Liam , Douglas Ian , Hall Andrew J. , Hubbard Richard , Evans Stephen 
Published: September 2008

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT • The effect of statins on cardiovascular outcomes is well established.• Effects on numerous other health outcomes have been claimed, but results have been inconsistent.• Previous observational studies may have been affected by selection bias and confounding. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS • This study was larger and more statistically powerful than the combined total of data from all randomized trials of statins undertaken to date.• The validity of the study is supported by findings for vascular outcomes being comparable to those observed in large randomized controlled trials.• There was little evidence to support effects of statins beyond their established effects on cardiovascular disease.AIMSTo assess the effect of statins on a range of health outcomes.METHODSWe undertook a population‐based cohort study to assess the effect of statins on a range of health outcomes using a propensity score‐based method to control for differences between people prescribed and not prescribed statins. We validated our design by comparing our results for vascular outcomes with the effects established in large randomized trials. The study was based on the United Kingdom Health Improvement Network database that includes the computerized medical records of over four and a half million patients.RESULTSPeople who initiated treatment with a statin (n = 129 288) were compared with a matched sample of 600 241 people who did not initiate treatment, with a median follow‐up period of 4.4 years. Statin use was not associated with an effect on a wide range of outcomes, including infections, fractures, venous thromboembolism, gastrointestinal haemorrhage, or on specific eye, neurological or autoimmune diseases. A protective effect against dementia was observed (hazard ratio 0.80, 99% confidence interval 0.68, 0.95). There was no effect on the risk of cancer even after ≥8 years of follow‐up. The effect sizes for statins on vascular end‐points and mortality were comparable to those observed in large randomized trials, suggesting bias and confounding had been well controlled for.CONCLUSIONSWe found little evidence to support wide‐ranging effects of statins on health outcomes beyond their established beneficial effect on vascular disease.
Antiparkinsonian drug‐induced sleepiness: a double‐blind placebo‐controlled study of L‐dopa, bromocriptine and pramipexole in healthy subjects
Authors: Micallef Joëlle , Rey Marc , Eusebio Alexandre , Audebert Christine , Rouby Frank , Jouve Elisabeth , Tardieu Sophie , Blin Oliver 
Published: September 2008

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT • Dopamine agonists used in Parkinson's disease patients are associated with excessive daytime sleepiness and sleep attacks occurring without prior warning.• Parkinson's disease accounts in itself for a variety of sleep disorders. It is therefore important to study the drug‐induced sleepiness in healthy volunteers.• In healthy subjects, pramipexole has proved to decrease alertness and ropinirole to reduce sleep latency. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS • Results from our study show that pramipexole reduces the mean sleep latency as measured by the Multiple Sleep Latency Test in healthy volunteers, hence providing an objective measure of increased sleepiness.• Furthermore, the reduction in sleep latency was not associated with a subjective impression of increased sleepiness.• Such dissociation may underlie the occurrence of sleep attacks without prior warning.AIMSTo assess the sleepiness induced by pramipexole, a D2/D3‐dopamine receptor agonist commonly used in Parkinson's disease and restless legs syndrome, without the problem of the confounding factors related to the disease.METHODSPlacebo, bromocriptine (2.5 mg), L‐dopa (100 mg) and pramipexole (0.5 mg) were administered in a single oral dose on four separate days, with at least a 2‐week wash‐out period in a randomized cross‐over design. Induced somnolence was assessed using Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) and subjective scaling of vigilance. Twelve male subjects (26.3 ± 5.5 years old) without anxiety, mood, sleep or sedation disorders were enrolled.RESULTSPramipexole significantly reduced mean sleep latency compared with placebo 3 h 30 min [−6.1 min (−9.8, −2.4), P = 0.002] and 5 h 30 min [−5.6 min (−7.7, −3.5), P = 0.003] after administration. In addition, the total duration of sleep during the tests was higher with pramipexole than with placebo [+6.0 min (2.3, 9.7), P < 0.001]. These differences were not observed with L‐dopa and bromocriptine in comparison with placebo. The induced sleepiness was not associated with an increase in subjective somnolence scaling, indicating that this adverse event may occur without prior warning.CONCLUSIONSThese results show that a single oral dose of pramipexole induces sleepiness as assessed by MSLT in healthy young subjects, independent of disease‐related sleep dysfunction.
Modelling spread of the invasive macrophyte Cabomba caroliniana
Authors: JACOBS MICHAEL J. , MACISAAC HUGH J. 
Published: September 2008

Summary1. Predicting spread of non‐indigenous species requires an understanding of where propagules are being transported, and whether these propagules can survive in the novel habitat and successfully integrate into the recipient community. In this study, we model potential spread of invading Cabomba caroliniana in Ontario, Canada, using a combination of passive and active dispersal models coupled with an environmental suitability model, thereby considering the first two stages of the invasion process.2. Measures of propagule pressure incorporated both human‐mediated dispersal via trailered boats, and advective flow from invaded to non‐invaded systems, while habitat suitability was forecasted by combining native and global data sets and using boosted regression trees.3. Risk of invasion differed depending on the combination of approaches used and the time period considered. Three lakes appear to be at greatest risk owing to a combination of high boater and water movement from invaded sources, and high environmental suitability. The best predictors of lake suitability were pH, mean lake temperature and dissolved calcium concentration. Hundreds of lakes in Ontario may be suitable for establishment of Cabomba, highlighting the need for vector management.
Continuous growth of the giant grass Zizaniopsis bonariensis in subtropical wetlands
Authors: FERREIRA TIAGO FINKLER , VAN NES EGBERT H. , MARQUES DAVID MOTTA 
Published: September 2008

Summary1. Zizaniopsis bonariensis (giant grass) is an emergent macrophyte species endemic to subtropical wetlands in Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. In this study, we show the effects of its continuous clonal reproduction and its ‘phalanx’ growth strategy in the Taim Wetland (southern Brazil).2. The continuous clonal growth of this 3‐m high grass gave rise to the emergence of 11.7 new shoots m−2 per month and a high total above ground production (2870 g dry weight m−2 year−1). The biomass of the new shoots emerging every month formed a wave of growth, moderated by only weak seasonal variation.3. We show its phalanx growth strategy by analysing the variations in population density and shoot height within a transect through the stand canopy. The inverse relation between density and height from the border to the interior indicates self‐regulation of biomass.4. The plants modified their environment, enhancing resistance to drought within the stand and thus facilitating their dominance. This positive feedback suggests that the dominance of the plant might constitute an alternative state in subtropical wetlands.
The genome of Rhodobacter sphaeroides strain 2.4.1 encodes functional cobinamide salvaging systems of archaeal and bacterial origins
Authors: Gray Michael J. , Tavares Norbert K. , Escalante‐Semerena Jorge C. 
Published: September 2008

SummaryBacteria and archaea use distinct pathways for salvaging exogenous cobinamide (Cbi), a precursor of adenosylcobalamin (coenzyme B12). The bacterial pathway depends on a bifunctional enzyme with kinase and guanylyltransferase activities (CobP in aerobic adenosylcobalamin synthesizers) to convert adenosylcobinamide (AdoCbi) to AdoCbi‐guanosine diphosphate (AdoCbi‐GDP) via an AdoCbi‐phosphate intermediate. Archaea lack CobP, and use a different strategy for the synthesis of AdoCbi‐GDP. Archaea cleave off the aminopropanol group of AdoCbi using the CbiZ AdoCbi amidohydrolase to generate adenosylcobyric acid, which is converted to AdoCbi‐phosphate by the CbiB synthetase, and to AdoCbi‐GDP by the CobY guanylyltransferase. We report phylogenetic, in vivo and in vitro evidence that the genome of Rhodobacter sphaeroides encodes functional enzymes for Cbi salvaging systems of both bacterial and archaeal origins. Products of the reactions were identified by high‐performance liquid chromatography, UV‐visible spectroscopy and bioassay. The cbiZ genes of several bacteria and archaea restored Cbi salvaging in a strain of Salmonella enterica unable to salvage Cbi. Phylogenetic data led us to conclude that CbiZ is an enzyme of archaeal origin that was horizontally transferred to bacteria. Reasons why some bacteria may contain both types of Cbi salvaging systems are discussed.
Identification of a novel protein promoting the colonization and survival of Finegoldia magna, a bacterial commensal and opportunistic pathogen
Authors: Frick Inga‐Maria , Karlsson Christofer , Mörgelin Matthias , Olin Anders I. , Janjusevic Radmila , Hammarström Clara , Holst Elisabet , De Château Maarten , Björck Lars 
Published: September 2008

SummaryAnaerobic bacteria dominate the human normal microbiota, but strikingly little is known about these commensals. Finegoldia magna is a Gram‐positive anaerobe found in the skin and at other non‐sterile body surfaces, but it is also an opportunistic pathogen. This study describes a novel protein designated FAF (F. magna adhesion factor) and expressed by more than 90% of F. magna isolates. The protein is present in substantial quantities at the F. magna surface but is also released from the surface. FAF forms large protein aggregates in solution and surface‐associated FAF causes bacterial clumping. In skin F. magna bacteria were localized to the epidermis, where they adhere to basement membranes. FAF was found to mediate this adhesion via interactions with BM‐40, a basement membrane protein. The biological significance of FAF is further underlined by the observation that it blocks the activity of LL‐37, a major human antibacterial peptide. Altogether, the data demonstrate that FAF plays an important role in colonization and survival of F. magna in the human host.
A small‐RNA‐mediated negative feedback loop controls quorum‐sensing dynamics in Vibrio harveyi
Authors: Tu Kimberly C. , Waters Christopher M. , Svenningsen Sine L. , Bassler Bonnie L. 
Published: September 2008

SummaryThe bioluminescent marine bacterium Vibrio harveyi uses a cell‐to‐cell communication process called quorum sensing (QS) to co‐ordinate behaviours in response to changes in population density. QS is accomplished through the secretion and detection of extracellular signalling molecules called autoinducers. At the centre of the V. harveyi QS circuit are five small regulatory RNAs called Qrr1–5 which destabilize the mRNA of luxR, encoding LuxR, the master transcriptional regulator of QS target genes. Here we show that LuxR directly activates transcription of qrr2, qrr3 and qrr4, leading to the rapid downregulation of luxR. The LuxR‐binding sites in the promoters of qrr2, qrr3 and qrr4 were identified and mutated to determine the consequences of this regulatory loop on QS dynamics. Disruption of the loop delays the transition from high to low cell density, and more significantly, decreases the cell density at which the population reaches a quorum. Our results suggest that feedback is essential for optimizing the dynamics of the transitions between individual and group behaviours.
Cranial shape and correlated characters in crocodilian evolution
Authors: SADLEIR RUDYARD W. , MAKOVICKY PETER J. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractCrocodilians show a high degree of cranial variation and convergence throughout their 80 million‐year fossil record that complicates their phylogenetic reconstruction. Conflicting phylogenetic results from different data partitions and character homoplasies typify crocodilian phylogeny, and differences between molecular and morphological phylogenetic hypotheses are believed to be associated with the slender‐snout skull shape of Gavialis gangeticus and Tomistoma schlegelii. Slender‐snout skulls are one of five identified eusuchian cranial ecomorph shape categories (ESCs) thought to reflect functional or ecological specialization. This paper tested the effect of transitions among general, blunt and slender ESCs on cranial character‐state distributions in phylogeny using the concentrated changes test. In addition, ‘tree‐free’ character compatibility analysis of character independence was conducted on the morphological character matrix to determine if character correlations are observed independent of specific tree topologies. Results suggest cranial ESCs do affect cranial character‐state gains in phylogeny. Concentrated changes identify a broad suite of character‐state changes that significantly correlate with transitions to slender, general and blunt ESCs on morphological, molecular and combined‐data tree topologies, but numbers of correlated characters for each category differ according to topology. Character compatibility analysis results do not mirror the concentrated changes test results and reflect hierarchically distributed support throughout the data. As cranial ESCs affect character‐state transitions, it is possible that nonphylogenetic variables could affect inferences of crocodilian phylogeny by affecting cranial morphology.
Why do Californian striders fly?
Authors: FAIRBAIRN D. J. , KING E. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractDiscerning the adaptive significance of migratory strategies poses significant challenges, not the least of which is measuring migratory capability in natural populations. We take advantage of a visible migratory dimorphism to study variation in migratory capability in the stream‐dwelling water strider,Aquarius remigis. Theory predicts loss of migratory capability in this species because streams have been viewed as stable and persistent habitats. As expected,A. remigislack wings throughout most of North America. However, Californian populations are noted for unexpectedly high frequencies of winged, migratory morphs. To deduce the adaptive significance of this anomalous regional variation, we compare proportion winged among 37 Californian populations. We discover a strong, positive correlation with altitude, but no correlations with latitude, rainfall or stream size. A common garden experiment reveals that both proportion winged and its reaction norm to temperature differ genetically among populations, and a half‐sibling experiment demonstrates that wing morph has high heritability, moderate genetic correlations across environments and a significant genotype by environment interaction. These results support the hypothesis that proportion winged and its reaction norm to temperature have diverged genetically in California. We conclude that high migratory capability is an evolutionary adaptation to the unusual harshness and instability of Californian stream habitats, and particularly to the high elevational gradients and extreme seasonal variation characteristic of montane streams.
Bacterial tracheitis in pediatrics: 12 year experience at a medical center in Taiwan
Authors: Huang Yu‐Lan , Peng Chun‐Chih , Chiu Nan‐Chang , Lee Kuo‐Sheng , Hung Han‐Yang , Kao Hsin‐An , Hsu Chyong‐Hsin , Chang Jui‐Hsin , Huang Fu‐Yuan 
Published: September 2008

AbstractBackground:  Bacterial tracheitis may cause life‐threatening airway obstruction.Methods:  Records of patients admitted to the pediatric wards of Mackay Memorial Hospital between 1994 and 2005 with a diagnosis of bacterial tracheitis made on bronchoscopic visualization of thick membranous tracheal secretions were retrospectively reviewed.Results:  A total of 40 patients (aged 1 month–8 years, 29 [73%] under 3 years old) were included. Cough, fever, dyspnea, and hoarseness were the commonest symptoms. Fourteen patients (21%) required intubation. The most frequently isolated bacteriae were α‐hemolytic streptococcus (in 11, 38%), pseudomonas (5, 17%), and Staphylococcus aureus (4, 14%). Intubation was more frequent in patients seen between 1994 and 1999 compared with those seen later (8/12 early vs 9/28 late). In the early period α‐hemolytic streptococcus (55%) and pseudomonas (36%) were isolated. In the later period the most frequently isolated bacteria was α‐hemolytic streptococcus (28%), followed by S. aureus (22%). No patients died, but those with pseudomonas infection had more severe complications, including tracheal stenosis. The average hospital stay in the early period was 26.2 ± 20.5 days versus 9.1 ± 4.8 days in the late period. The corresponding lengths of stay in the intensive care unit were 10.5 ± 11.5 days and 2.0 ± 2.2 days.Conclusions:  Bacterial tracheitis requiring hospitalization of children appeared to be milder in the second half of the study period. Pseudomonas tracheitis tends to have a severe course.