bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Seasonal variation in ornament expression, body size, energetic reserves, immune response, and survival in males of a territorial insect
Authors: CÓRDOBA‐AGUILAR A. , JIMÉNEZ‐CORTÉS J. G. , LANZ‐MENDOZA H. 
Published: December 2008

Abstract 1. Seasonal variation in immune response has rarely been investigated in invertebrates and, therefore, we have studied this using territorial adult males of the damselfly, Hetaerina americana (Fabricius), in several generations, for a year and a half.2. We investigated and related seasonal variation in red pigmented wing spot size (an ornamental trait) and body size to fat reserves using four immunity components – melanisation ability, phenoloxidase (PO) and nitric oxide (NO) activity, and haemolymph protein concentration – and survival ability after a bacterial immune challenge.3. There was seasonal variation in spot expression, being more intense in the non‐winter months and less intense in winter months, and, to some extent, a similar pattern was found for NO. Although there was also variation in melanisation, PO activity, protein concentration and fat reserves, this was not consistently related to variation in spot size. Survival was lower in the winter than in non‐winter months.4. Animals with larger spot and body size had greater values of melanisation, PO and NO activity, and protein concentration. The relation of spot and body size with fat reserves is still not clear.5. Unlike other studies, ornament was not similarly correlated with all typical immune components (at best, mainly NO).6. Similar to what occurs in vertebrates, survival is lower during the winter months. In the case of vertebrate studies, however, the same individual suffers these changes. In the American rubyspot, distinct cohorts demonstrated seasonal differences.
Modelling the current distribution of European diadromous fishes: an approach integrating regional anthropogenic pressures
Authors: LASSALLE GÉRALDINE , CROUZET PHILIPPE , ROCHARD ERIC 
Published: December 2008

Summary1. Twenty‐eight diadromous fish species occurred in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East in historical times. Their current distributions were assessed in terms of abundance classes (missing, rare, common and abundant) in 196 basins ranging from Morocco to northern Norway and from Greenland to Iran.2. Their current distributions were modelled using abiotic, biotic, climatic and anthropogenic (regional anthropogenic pressures) variables. Anthropogenic variables were derived from characteristics of large dams (height, distance from the outlet, percentage of main stem river available downstream of dam) and human population density. These data were taken from the EEA Eldred 2.08 (European Lakes, Dams and Reservoirs Database) that deals comprehensively with large European dams and includes all obstacles of this type. To deal with ordinal response variables, we applied proportional odds models.3. Twenty‐two species‐specific models were successfully built according to the reduction of deviance and the validation process, of which eight included one or more anthropogenic variables. No model could be established for six endemic or highly endangered species such as Acipenser sturio and Coregonus oxyrinchus.4. Most response curves were easily interpretable since they were related to specific aspects of species’ ecology. Anthropogenic variables related to large dams impacted negatively on the distribution of diadromous fishes through the perturbation of river discharge patterns, the loss of river connectivity and the accessibility to essential habitats, particularly for Salmonid species that spawn in headwater streams. However, one species which can complete its life cycle using only the most downstream part of the basin, Liza ramada, was found to be favoured by the changes in hydrological regime. The bell‐shaped curves obtained from human population density for three diadromous species were connected on one side to a common settlement history of human and animal populations and on the other side to negative impacts of human activities arising at high population density.5. Our approach can provide the basis for identifying special areas of conservation prior to planning restoration programmes at country or basin scales, as well as for more specialized studies focusing on one species only or at the local scale.
The role of modelling in achieving information systems success: UML to the rescue?
Authors: Larsen Tor J. , Niederman Fred , Limayem Moez , Chan Joyce 
Published: December 2008

AbstractMuch computer science literature addresses the mechanics of the Unified Modelling Language (UML) and requirements modelling, but little research has addressed the role of UML in the broader organizational and project development context. This study uses a socio‐technical approach to consider UML as a technology embedded in a social environment. In this study, project developers were interviewed in detail about their use of UML along with influences on their decisions to use this approach and the results of using it. Data were analyzed using causal mapping. Major findings included: (1) that definitions of success may differ by unit of analysis (e.g., developer, project, organization) and that the relationship among these definitions are complex; (2) a very large number of variables impacting project success were identified; (3) a number of important variables exist in complex (non‐linear) relationships with project success; and (4) the majority of interviewees linked the use of UML to project success.
Deletions in the desaturase2 gene in Israeli populations of Drosophila melanogaster: possible role in mate recognition
Authors: Zamorzaeva I. , Rashkovetsky E. , Nevo E. , Korol A. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractMolecular analysis of the desaturase2 (desat2) gene responsible for female cuticular hydrocarbon synthesis, revealed that all tested Israeli populations of Drosophila melanogaster belong to the ‘Low’ type (low ratio of 5,9‐/7,11‐heptacosadiene) with a 16 bp deletion in the promoter region. Additional deletion leading to the appearance of the stop‐codon TGA was found in exon 1 in populations inhabiting opposite slopes at Nahal Oren canyon. Mating experiments between carriers of various desat2 alleles estimated the putative effect of desat2 status on courtship behaviour. The allele with an additional deletion in exon 1 seems to play some role in mating success, which is associated with shorter courtship latency and courtship duration. The appearance and maintenance of this mutant allele in populations inhabiting Nahal Oren canyon may reflect flies’ adaptation to peculiar microscale climatic conditions and may be associated with incipient sympatric differentiation.
Ribosome biogenesis is temperature‐dependent and delayed in Escherichia coli lacking the chaperones DnaK or DnaJ†
Authors: Al Refaii Abdalla , Alix Jean‐Hervé 
Published: December 2008

SummaryIn Escherichia coli strains carrying null mutations in either the dnaK or dnaJ genes, the late stages of 30S and 50S ribosomal subunit biogenesis are slowed down in a temperature‐dependent manner. At high temperature (44°C), 32S and 45S particles (precursors to 50S subunits) and 21S particles (precursors to 30S subunits) accumulate. The latter are shown by 3′5′ rapid amplification of cDNA ends analysis to contain unprocessed or partially processed 16S ribosomal RNA at the 5′ end, but the 3′ end was never processed. This implies that maturation of 16S ribosomal RNA starts at the 5′‐terminus, and that the 3′‐terminus is only trimmed at a later step. At normal temperatures (30°C−37°C), ribosome assembly in both mutants is not arrested but is significantly delayed, as shown by pulse‐chase analysis. Assembly defects are partially compensated by an overexpression of other heat‐shock proteins, which occurs in the absence of their negative regulator DnaK, or by a plasmid‐driven overexpression of GroES/GroEL, suggesting the involvement of a network of chaperones in ribosome biogenesis.
Adaptation of the bacterial membrane to changing environments using aminoacylated phospholipids
Authors: Roy Hervé , Dare Kiley , Ibba Michael 
Published: December 2008

SummaryFine‐tuning of the biophysical properties of biological membranes is essential for adaptation of cells to changing environments. For instance, to lower the negative charge of the lipid bilayer, certain bacteria add lysine to phosphatidylglycerol (PG) converting the net negative charge of PG (−1) to a net positive charge in Lys‐PG (+1). Reducing the net negative charge of the bacterial cell wall is a common strategy used by bacteria to resist cationic antimicrobial peptides (CAMPs) secreted by other microbes or produced by the innate immune system of a host organism. The article by Klein et al. in the current issue of Molecular Microbiology reports a new modification of the bacterial membrane, addition of alanine to PG, in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In spite of the neutral charge of Ala‐PG, this modified lipid was found to be linked to several resistance phenotypes in P. aeruginosa. For instance, Ala‐PG increases resistance to two positively charged antibacterial agents, a β‐lactam and high concentrations of lactate. These findings shed light on the mechanisms by which bacteria fine‐tune the properties of their cell membranes by adding various amino acids on the polar head group of phospholipids.
Characterization of the individual glucose uptake systems of Lactococcus lactis: mannose‐PTS, cellobiose‐PTS and the novel GlcU permease
Authors: Castro Rute , Neves Ana R. , Fonseca Luís L. , Pool Wietske A. , Kok Jan , Kuipers Oscar P. , Santos Helena 
Published: December 2008

SummaryAccording to previous reports, Lactococcus lactis imports glucose via two distinct phosphoenolpyruvate:phosphotransferase systems (mannose‐PTS and cellobiose‐PTS) and one or more unknown non‐PTS permease(s). GlcU was identified as the sole non‐PTS permease involved in the transport of glucose. Additionally, the biochemical properties of PTSMan, PTSCel and GlcU were characterized in double knockout mutants with glucose uptake restricted to a single system. Transport susceptibility to protonophores indicated that glucose uptake via GlcU is proton‐motive force dependent. Competition assays revealed a high specificity of GlcU for glucose. Furthermore, the permease has low affinity for glucose and displays strong preference for the β‐anomer as shown by the profiles of consumption of the two glucose anomers studied by 13C‐NMR. Similar kinetic properties were found for PTSCel, while PTSMan is a high‐affinity system recognizing equally well the two anomeric forms of glucose. Transcripts of the genes encoding the three transporters are present simultaneously in the parent strain NZ9000 as shown by reverse transcription‐PCR. Investigation of the distribution of GlcU homologues among bacteria showed that these proteins are restricted to the low‐GC Gram‐positive Firmicutes. This work completes the identification of the glucose transport systems in L. lactis MG1363.
Sm‐p80‐based DNA vaccine formulation induces potent protective immunity against Schistosoma mansoni
Authors: AHMAD G. , TORBEN W. , ZHANG W. , WYATT M. , SIDDIQUI A. A. 
Published: December 2008

SUMMARY No effective vaccine exists for the human parasitic disease, schistosomiasis. We have targeted a functionally important antigen, Sm‐p80 as a vaccine candidate because of its consistent immunogenicity, protective potential and important role in the immune evasion process. In this study we report that a Sm‐p80‐based DNA vaccine formulation confers 59% reduction in worm burden in mice. Animals immunized with Sm‐p80‐pcDNA3 exhibited a decrease in egg production by 84%. Sm‐p80 DNA elicited strong immune responses that include IgG2A and IgG2B antibody isotypes in vaccinated animals. Splenocytes proliferated in response to Sm‐p80 produced appreciably more Th1 response enhancing cytokines (IL‐2, IFN‐γ) than Th2 response enhancing cytokines (IL‐4, IL‐10). These data reinforce the potential of Sm‐p80 as an excellent vaccine candidate for schistosomiasis.
Evaluation of four topical preparations for the treatment of cannon hyperkeratosis in a horse
Authors: Hilton Hugo , Affolter Verena K. , White Stephen D. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThe response to treatment with four topical preparations was evaluated in an 11‐year‐old Morgan horse mare with histologically confirmed quadrilateral cannon hyperkeratosis. Each limb was treated for 30 days with 0.1% tacrolimus ointment, 0.1% adapalene gel, 0.2% phytosphingosine spray or a water‐based emollient. Response to treatment was evaluated both histologically and visually. A water‐based emollient and 0.1% tacrolimus ointment produced encouraging clinical responses. Pre‐treatment histopathology identified marked, mostly compact, hyperkeratosis and follicular hyperkeratosis, most prominent in the infundibular area. Following treatment, histopathology identified a mild reduction in follicular keratin production and stratum corneum thickness.
THE BLOOD UREA CLEARANCE and RENAL FUNCTION
Authors: Eastham R. D. 
Published: December 2008

SUMMARYA critical assessment of theoretical aspects of the blood urea clearance as a test of renal function has been presented.

The simple blood urea clearance test is not a satisfactory measure of renal function.
Urine urea excretion is influenced by the diet, and therefore the diet has a very great effect on the blood urea clearance.
There is an upper limit of blood urea concentration above which on normal diets it is physically impossible for a normal blood urea clearance to be obtained.
Some anomalies arising from the blood urea clearance formulae have been demonstrated. Thus blood urea concentration and renal function appear to be simply inversely proportional. Also where the urine flow is less than 2 ml. per minute, the kidney appears to become less efficient as the urine flow increases and vice versa.
CARCINOMA OF THE PENIS IN EAST AFRICANS1
Authors: Dodge O. G. 
Published: December 2008

SUMMARYMalignant disease is not uncommon among East Africans, but the relative frequency of the various forms of malignancy differs radically from that of Europeans.Carcinoma of the penis is the commonest type of carcinoma seen in male Africans in Uganda, where circumcision is practised by only a small minority.In Kenya, where circumcision is a widely‐distributed tribal custom, carcinoma of the penis is very much less common, except among members of the two tribes where this custom is not practised.
BALANITIS XEROTICA OBLITERANS: EFFECTIVE TREATMENT WITH TOPICAL AND SUBLESIONAL CORTICOSTEROID1
Authors: POYNTER JOSEPH H. , LEVY JEROME 
Published: December 2008

SUMMARYA brief SUMMARY of balanitis xerotica obliterans is presented including the characteristic histology. A typical case with photographs is used to illustrate the various stages and methods of treatment with topical and sublesional corticosteroids.The greatest advantage of the two methods described is that the steroids are deposited locally at the site of the lesion, maintaining a concentration there far surpassing that which may be obtained by oral or intramuscular administration. The preferable method would seem to be the sublesional injection technique although the occlusive technique may be used to advantage in some cases. It is our opinion that treatment should be instituted immediately after biopsy confirmation of the diagnosis of balanitis xerotica obliterans and not postponed until after the onset of meatal stenosis.
Prepregnancy BMI and the risk of gestational diabetes: a systematic review of the literature with meta‐analysis
Authors: Torloni M. R. , Betrán A. P. , Horta B. L. , Nakamura M. U. , Atallah A. N. , Moron A. F. , Valente O. 
Published: December 2008

SummaryThe objective of this study is to assess and quantify the risk for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) according to prepregnancy maternal body mass index (BMI). The design is a systematic review of observational studies published in the last 30 years. Four electronic databases were searched for publications (1977–2007). BMI was elected as the only measure of obesity, and all diagnostic criteria for GDM were accepted. Studies with selective screening for GDM were excluded. There were no language restrictions. The methodological quality of primary studies was assessed. Some 1745 citations were screened, and 70 studies (two unpublished) involving 671 945 women were included (59 cohorts and 11 case–controls). Most studies were of high or medium quality. Compared with women with a normal BMI, the unadjusted pooled odds ratio (OR) of an underweight woman developing GDM was 0.75 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.69 to 0.82). The OR for overweight, moderately obese and morbidly obese women were 1.97 (95% CI 1.77 to 2.19), 3.01 (95% CI 2.34 to 3.87) and 5.55 (95% CI 4.27 to 7.21) respectively. For every 1 kg m−2 increase in BMI, the prevalence of GDM increased by 0.92% (95% CI 0.73 to 1.10). The risk of GDM is positively associated with prepregnancy BMI. This information is important when counselling women planning a pregnancy.
A pragmatic critical appraisal instrument for search filters: introducing the CADTH CAI
Authors: Bak Greg , Mierzwinski‐Urban Monika , Fitzsimmons Hayley , Morrison Andra , Maden‐Jenkins Michelle 
Published: December 2008

AbstractObjective:  To identify or develop a critical appraisal instrument (CAI) to aid in the selection of search filters for use in systematic review searching. The CAI is to be used by experienced searchers without specialized training in statistics or search filter design.Methods:  Through extensive searching and consultation, one candidate instrument was identified. Through expert consultation and several rounds of testing, the instrument was extensively revised to become the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH) CAI.Results:  The CADTH CAI consists of ten questions and can be applied by experienced searchers with a moderate knowledge of search filter methodology.Conclusion:  The CADTH CAI provides experienced searchers with a means of selecting the search filter that is most methodologically sound.
Flatliners: Ideology and rational learning in the adoption of the flat tax
Authors: BATURO ALEXANDER , GRAY JULIA 
Published: December 2008

AbstractWhat factors explain the wave of adoption of the flat tax in Eastern Europe? It is argued in this article that, once the first few successes were underway, governments with liberal outlooks toward taxation adopted the reform through a process of rational learning: an often radically new government will tend to adopt the policy based on successful implementation of its neighbours. The issue of policy diffusion is approached by explicitly modeling the different mechanisms that might underlie the process. Little evidence is found for pure ‘bandwagoning’ in the adoption of the flat tax – the presence of other market‐minded reforms do not predict adoption of the flat tax, and contagion measures do not capture the dynamics of the adoption of the reform. Instead, rational learning, where economically right‐wing governments evaluated the success of the reform (as measured by their ability to attract foreign investment) in the medium term, plays the largest role. Rational emulation in a shorter time period contributes to the probability of adoption as well, as does a change to an economically liberal ideology.
Schools of democracy? Disentangling the relationship between civic participation and political action in 17 European countries
Authors: VAN DER MEER T.W.G. (TOM) , VAN INGEN E.J. (ERIK) 
Published: December 2008

AbstractSince Tocqueville's seminal writings, voluntary associations have been proclaimed to be schools of democracy. According to this claim, which regained popularity during the 1990s, involvement in voluntary associations stimulates political action. By participating in these associations, members are socialised to become politically active. Supposedly, having face‐to‐face contact with other members induces civic mindedness – the propensity to think and care more about the wider world. Participating in shared activities, organising meetings and events, and cooperating with other members are claimed to induce civic skills and political efficacy. Over the years, many authors have elaborated on these ideas. This article offers a systematic examination of the neo‐Tocquevillian approach, putting the theoretical ideas to an empirical test. It offers a critical overview of the literature on the beneficial role of voluntary associations and dissects it into five testable claims. Subsequently, these claims are tested by cross‐sectional, hierarchical analyses of 17 European countries. The authors conclude that the neo‐Tocquevillian theory faces serious lack of empirical support. In line with the expectations, they find a strong, positive correlation between associational involvement and political action. Moreover, this correlation is positive in all countries under study. However, more informative hypotheses on this correlation are falsified. First, the correlation is stronger for interest and activist organisations than for leisure organisations. Second, passive (or ‘checkbook’) members show much higher levels of political action than non‐involved, whereas the additional effects of active participation are marginal. Third, the correlation between associational involvement and political action is not explained by civic skills and civic mindedness. In sum, the authors find no evidence for a direct, causal relation between associational involvement and political action. The socialisation mechanism plays a marginal role at best. Rather, this article's findings imply that selection effects account for a large part of the correlation between associational involvement and political action. The conclusion reached therefore is that voluntary associations are not the schools of democracy they are proclaimed to be, but rather pools of democracy.
Effect of oral naloxone hydrochloride on gastrointestinal transit in premature infants treated with morphine
Authors: Akkawi Ranaa , Eksborg Staffan , Andersson Åsa , Lundeberg Stefan , Bartocci Marco 
Published: December 2008

AbstractBackground: Opioids are common drugs for pain treatment in preterm newborn infants, in spite of several adverse effects. Constipation is a frequent problem when opioids are used in both adults and neonates. Although several studies indicate that the oral administration of naloxone hydrochloride (NH) improves intestinal motility during opioid therapy, there is still a lack of evidence in newborns.Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of NH against reduced intestinal motility during opioid treatment.Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed. We analysed the medical records of fifteen infants (Group 1) treated with continuous morphine (MO) infusion and fourteen infants (Group 2) treated with both oral NH (3 μg/kg 4 times daily) and MO.Results: There was no statistically significant difference in the total MO dose. Infants treated both with NH and MO had a tendency to improve their mean stool frequency/day. A statistically significant improvement was observed in the mean total food intake (mL/kg/day) of the infants treated with NH (p = 0.014). No difference in the mean food retention between the two groups was observed.Conclusion: Orally administrated NH seems to improve intestinal motility resulting in increased food intake/day and improved stool frequency/day in premature newborn infants treated with MO. Further studies are needed to corroborate these findings.