bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Challenges and strategies of increasing the production and use of Cochrane reviews: the Argentinean experience
Authors: Ciapponi Agustín 
Published: January 2008

SummaryThe Cochrane Collaboration (CC), established in 1993, is an internationally renowned initiative dedicated to improving health care for the world's population. In the late 1990s, the Iberoamerican Cochrane Centre (IbCC) was created to promote the CC in Latin America. Because the production and use of Cochrane reviews were still low in 2002, Argentina implemented specific strategies and a model to expand the IbCC. The objective of this article was to describe strategies to increase the production and use of Cochrane reviews in Argentina. Methods used included surveys delivered to primary health care workers to provide data about their knowledge and use of the CC, and about the production of titles, protocols, and systematic reviews published in the Cochrane Library.Our survey showed that only 51% of a selected population of primary healthcare workers knew about the CC and only 23% knew about the Argentine Cochrane centre. In the previous year, 60% had never used the CC. To overcome these challenges, we used seven types of complementary strategies: (1) networking, (2) dissemination, (3) training, (4) support to Cochrane members, (5) strategic alliances, (6) research, and (7) fund‐raising. An improvement in the production and use of Cochrane reviews was seen in Argentina, and the set of aforementioned strategies could be partly responsible for this increase. Multi‐level networking, training and an appropriate centre's mother institution could be the most important interventions. More research is needed to explore this hypothesis. Lessons learned on this first evaluation will help us to continue with the development of the CC in Argentina.
Exploring heterogeneity in meta‐analyses: needs, resources and challenges
Authors: Xu Hairong , Platt Robert W. , Luo Zhong‐Cheng , Wei Shuqin , Fraser William D. 
Published: January 2008

SummaryThe investigation of heterogeneity remains an essential but difficult issue in the conduct of meta‐analysis. We reviewed standard and graphical methods used to explore heterogeneity in meta‐analysis and publications from January 2005 to April 2007 regarding meta‐analyses that focused on perinatal health topics. We assessed their approaches to the investigation of heterogeneity, including: (1) whether statistical testing for heterogeneity was performed and, if so, which test was used, (2) how a finding of statistically significant heterogeneity was handled, and (3) how the analyses were conducted in the presence of heterogeneity.
Improving systematic reviews for clinicians: a journal editor's view
Authors: Scott James R. 
Published: January 2008

SummaryEvidence‐based medicine implies that randomised controlled trials, meta‐analyses and systematic reviews will be used by clinicians to determine the most appropriate therapy for patients. Cochrane reviews are the prototype of systematic reviews, but they are not optimally utilised by physicians in the United States. This may be related to lack of access, unfamiliarity with the format, and the perception that they are impractical for actual patient care. An opportunity exists to criticise and improve systematic reviews, and changes are suggested to make them more user‐friendly.
Strategies for improving the quality of health care in maternal and child health in low‐ and middle‐income countries: an overview of systematic reviews
Authors: Althabe Fernando , Bergel Eduardo , Cafferata María Luisa , Gibbons Luz , Ciapponi Agustín , Alemán Alicia , Colantonio Lisandro , Palacios Alvaro Rodríguez 
Published: January 2008

SummaryThere are many systematic reviews of continuing education programmes and educational strategies for quality improvement in health care. Most of the reviewed studies are one‐off evaluations rather than impact evaluations with long‐term follow‐up. There are few systematic reviews of organisational, financial and regulatory interventions, and few high‐quality studies. These interventions are probably as or more important than educational strategies, although they are less well evaluated. Few studies have been undertaken in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMIC) or that address maternal and child health (MCH). Thus, the results of the available studies and reviews need to be interpreted cautiously when applied to LMIC.Interactive workshops, reminders and multifaceted interventions can improve professional practice, and they generally have moderate effects. Educational outreach visits consistently improve prescribing but have variable effects on other behaviours. Audit and feedback interventions have variable effects on professional practice, but most often these are small to moderate effects. Mass‐media and patient‐mediated interventions may change professional practice. Multifaceted interventions that combine several quality‐improvement strategies are also effective but may not be more so than single interventions. While all of these strategies are applicable to MCH in LMIC, the applicability of the results to rural settings, in particular, may be limited. Use of these strategies could exacerbate inequalities, and this should be taken into consideration when planning implementation. Scaling up and sustainability may be difficult to achieve in LMIC contexts and need careful consideration.The use of financial interventions has not been well studied; financial incentives and disincentives may be difficult to use effectively and efficiently, although their impact on practice needs to be considered. Organisational interventions are likely to be important, given that there are often underlying organisational or system problems. Regulatory interventions have not been well evaluated, but may sometimes be both inexpensive and effective. There are no ‘magic bullets’ or simple solutions for ensuring the quality of health care services. Interventions should be selected or tailored to address the underlying reasons for a failure to deliver effective services. Decision‐makers should select the most appropriate interventions for specific problems. This requires a governance structure that clearly assigns responsibility for quality‐improvement activities, priority setting, selection and design of interventions, and evaluation.
AtNFXL1, an Arabidopsis homologue of the human transcription factor NF‐X1, functions as a negative regulator of the trichothecene phytotoxin‐induced defense response
Authors: Asano Tomoya , Masuda Daisuke , Yasuda Michiko , Nakashita Hideo , Kudo Toshiaki , Kimura Makoto , Yamaguchi Kazuo , Nishiuchi Takumi 
Published: January 2008

SummaryTrichothecenes are a closely related family of phytotoxins that are produced by phytopathogenic fungi. In Arabidopsis, expression of AtNFXL1, a homologue of the putative human transcription repressor NF‐X1, was significantly induced by application of type A trichothecenes, such as T‐2 toxin. An atnfxl1 mutant growing on medium lacking trichothecenes showed no phenotype, whereas a hypersensitivity phenotype was observed in T‐2 toxin‐treated atnfxl1 mutant plants. Microarray analysis indicated that several defense‐related genes (i.e. WRKYs, NBS‐LRRs, EDS5, ICS1, etc.) were upregulated in T‐2 toxin‐treated atnfxl1 mutants compared with wild‐type plants. In addition, enhanced salicylic acid (SA) accumulation was observed in T‐2 toxin‐treated atnfxl1 mutants, which suggests that AtNFXL1 functions as a negative regulator of these defense‐related genes via an SA‐dependent signaling pathway. We also found that expression of AtNFXL1 was induced by SA and flg22 treatment. Moreover, the atnfxl1 mutant was less susceptible to a compatible phytopathogen, Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato strain DC3000 (Pst DC3000). Taken together, these results indicate that AtNFXL1 plays an important role in the trichothecene response, as well as the general defense response in Arabidopsis.
The SUMO E3 ligase, AtSIZ1, regulates flowering by controlling a salicylic acid‐mediated floral promotion pathway and through affects on FLC chromatin structure
Authors: Jin Jing Bo , Jin Yin Hua , Lee Jiyoung , Miura Kenji , Yoo Chan Yul , Kim Woe‐Yeon , Van Oosten Michael , Hyun Youbong , Somers David E. , Lee Ilha , Yun Dae‐Jin , Bressan Ray A. , Hasegawa Paul M. 
Published: January 2008

SummaryLoss‐of‐function siz1 mutations caused early flowering under short days. siz1 plants have elevated salicylic acid (SA) levels, which are restored to wild‐type levels by expressing nahG, bacterial salicylate hydroxylase. The early flowering of siz1 was suppressed by expressing nahG, indicating that SIZ1 represses the transition to flowering mainly through suppressing SA‐dependent floral promotion signaling under short days. Previous results have shown that exogenous SA treatment does not suppress late flowering of autonomous pathway mutants. However, the siz1 mutation accelerated flowering time of an autonomous pathway mutant, luminidependens, by reducing the expression of FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC), a floral repressor. This result suggests that SIZ1 promotes FLC expression, possibly through an SA‐independent pathway. Evidence indicates that SIZ1 is required for the full activation of FLC expression in the late‐flowering FRIGIDA background. Interestingly, increased FLC expression and late flowering of an autonomous pathway mutant, flowering locus d (fld), was not suppressed by siz1, suggesting that SIZ1 promotes FLC expression by repressing FLD. Consistent with this, SIZ1 facilitates sumoylation of FLD that can be suppressed by mutations in three predicted sumoylation motifs in FLD (i.e. FLDK3R). Furthermore, expression of FLDK3R in fld protoplasts strongly reduced FLC transcription compared with expression of FLD, and this affect was linked to reduced acetylation of histone 4 in FLC chromatin. Taken together, the results suggest that SIZ1 is a floral repressor that not only represses the SA‐dependent pathway, but also promotes FLC expression by repressing FLD activity through sumoylation, which is required for full FLC expression in a FRIGIDA background.
Ultrasonographic Study of Deep Portion of Diencephalo‐Telencephalic Vesicle for the Determination of Gestational Age of the Canine Foetus
Authors: Beccaglia M , Faustini M , Luvoni GC 
Published: January 2008

ContentsThe aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of ultrasonographic measurement of the deep portion of diencephalo‐telencephalic vesicle (DPTV) in the prediction of delivery date in different size bitches. The effects of litter size and foetal sex ratio on the accuracy were also investigated. For this purpose, the growth curve of DPTV was derived in large size dogs (26–40 kg) and the results of the accuracy of the prediction were compared with those obtained in small (≤10 kg) and medium (11–25 kg) size dogs by the application of the equations derived from the growth curve previously described. Ultrasonographic examinations were performed once a week during the second half of pregnancy in seven large size bitches (26–40 kg body weight). A linear regression model was adopted to analyse the relationship between the DPTV mean values and the days remaining to parturition. The results of regression analysis indicated that DPTV measurement in large size dogs is significantly and linearly related to the gestational age. Ultrasonographic measurements of DPTV were also performed during pregnancy in different size bitches with unknown breeding dates. Although the results indicated a similar accuracy of the prediction of the date of parturition in the different sizes of bitches, a higher accuracy was obtained in normal and large litter size compared with small litters. Foetal sex ratio did not affect the accuracy. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that the accuracy of the prediction of parturition day obtained by ultrasonographic evaluation of DPTV growth is reliable when specific formulae for different size dogs are applied. It should be noted that although foetal sex ratio does not affect the accuracy, the prediction could be less accurate when a small litter is present.
Clinocopathologic and Immunohistochemical Findings of Multiple Genital Leiomyomas and Mammary Adenocarcinomas in a Bitch
Authors: Ozmen O , Haligur M , Kocamuftuoglu M 
Published: January 2008

ContentsA 13‐year‐old female Pointer dog was presented for evaluation of mammary tumours and bloody vaginal discharge at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of Mehmet Akif Ersoy University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. On the history, owner complained of mammary tumours and bloody vaginal discharge. Three mammary tumours and lymphadenopathy at the mammary lymph nodes were observed at the clinical examination. A big, firm, palpable mass was found in the abdominal cavity. Vaginal cytology revealed numerous pleomorphic and anaplastic cells. Abdominal ultrasonography demonstrated a large mid‐abdominal mass at the distal part of the left uterine horn. Also multiple masses in the cervix and vagina were found. Because of the poor prognosis and the desire of the owner, the bitch was killed. At the necropsy numerous masses were seen at the vagina and cervix and one big mass seen at the left cornu uteri. Histopathological diagnosis was leiomyoma. Multiple metastases of mammary tumours were seen at the lungs. Histopathologically, mammary tumours were diagnosed as complex type tubulopapillary adenocarcinoma. The objectives of this study were to measure the proliferation indices in canine complex type mammary adenocarcinoma and genital leiomyomas using immunohistochemical detection of Ki‐67 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen to determine the relationship of these antigens to clinical and pathologic variables; and to examine the immunoreactivity of these tumours with different markers. Pan‐cytokeratin and S100 were negative, desmin and glial fibriler acidic protein were slight positive and the other markers (carsinoembryogenic antigen, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, vimentin, smooth muscle actin, p53, fibronectin, Ki67) were found strong positive at the genital tumours. Only desmin were negative; the other markers were strong positive at the mammary tumours.
Top‐down and bottom‐up induced shifts in bacterial abundance, production and community composition in an experimentally divided humic lake
Authors: Grossart Hans‐Peter , Jezbera Jan , Horňák Karel , Hutalle Kristine Michelle L. , Buck Ulrike , Šimek Karel 
Published: January 2008

SummaryWe examined in situ abundance and activities of the major bacterial groups in the two most distinct compartments of experimentally divided Lake Grosse Fuchskuhle (Germany). The selected south‐west (SW) and north‐east basin (NE) differ substantially in their major chemical and biological parameters that potentially influence the dynamics and composition of microbial communities. Water from the basins were incubated in dialysis bags, which allowed for a relatively free exchange of nutrients, limiting solutes and low molecular organic matter but fully prevented exchange of organisms. To investigate the effect of top‐down and bottom‐up manipulations three size fractions of water samples were produced: (i) unfiltered, (ii) pre‐filtered through 5.0 μm pore size membranes to remove large particles, as well as grazers and (iii) pre‐filtered through 0.8 μm filters to remove all potential bacterivores. One set of dialysis bags was either incubated in acidic SW (rich in humic matter) or in almost neutral NE basin whereas a second set was transferred from the SW to the NE basin and vice versa. Our study revealed pronounced differences in growth rates among the major bacterial groups in relation to the treatments. Members of the Betaproteobacteria, in particular of the subgroup targeted by the BETA2‐870 probe, were highly abundant in both basins, and most of them belonged to the Polynucleobacter necessesarius subcluster PnecC. Their specific growth rates surprisingly increased in all treatments when being transplanted into the acidic SW basin, indicating that pH and humic substances greatly affected growth of this particular group in the lake. In contrast, members of the Sphingobacteria/Flavobacteria group of the Bacteroidetes (both basins) as well as Actinobacteria (SW basin) were less abundant, especially in the presence of flagellates (< 5.0 μm treatments). However, because of their extremely low initial numbers, grazing of heterotrophic nanoflagellates mostly controlled only a small part of the bacterial production (≤ 12%).
Culture‐independent approach of the bacterial bioaerosol diversity in the standard swine confinement buildings, and assessment of the seasonal effect
Authors: Nehme Benjamin , Létourneau Valérie , Forster Robert J. , Veillette Marc , Duchaine Caroline 
Published: January 2008

SummaryThe bacterial bioaerosol community of eight swine confinement buildings (SCB) was monitored during two visits in the winter, and one during the summer. To our knowledge, culture‐independent approaches and molecular biology tools such as biomass quantification and biodiversity analyses have never been applied to swine building bioaerosol analyses. Total DNA of each sample was extracted and analysed by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and phylogenetic analysis using primers targeting the bacterial 16S rRNA gene. Even though the total bacterial concentration was higher in winter than in summer, the total bacterial concentration for both seasons was 100 to1000 times higher than the total cultural bacteria. The concentration of bioaerosol was influenced by the temperature indoors, which was regulated with an electronic fan system driving warm air and particles outside of the SCB. Comparison of the DGGE profiles showed the same biodiversity in each SCB during both seasons. The phylogenetic analysis revealed a large number of sequences (93.8%) related to Gram‐positive anaerobic bacteria, such asClostridia, and dominated by theClostridiacluster I (C. disporicum) and theClostridiacluster XI (C. glycolycum). The bioaerosol diversity also contained also a low proportion ofBacteroidetesandLactobacillales–Streptococcalessequences. Analyses of the global community and phylotype diversity showed that the main source of bioaerosols could come from the pig manure slurry.
Molecular genetic analysis of a dimethylsulfoniopropionate lyase that liberates the climate‐changing gas dimethylsulfide in several marine α‐proteobacteria and Rhodobacter sphaeroides
Authors: Curson A. R. J. , Rogers R. , Todd J. D. , Brearley C. A. , Johnston A. W. B. 
Published: January 2008

SummaryThe α‐proteobacterium Sulfitobacter EE‐36 makes the gas dimethylsulfide (DMS) from dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP), an abundant antistress molecule made by many marine phytoplankton. We screened a cosmid library of Sulfitobacter for clones that conferred to other bacteria the ability to make DMS. One gene, termed dddL, was sufficient for this phenotype when cloned in pET21a and introduced into Escherichia coli. Close DddL homologues exist in the marine α‐proteobacteria Fulvimarina, Loktanella Oceanicola and Stappia, all of which made DMS when grown on DMSP. There was also a dddL homologue in Rhodobacter sphaeroides strain 2.4.1, but not in strain ATCC 17025; significantly, the former, but not the latter, emits DMS when grown with DMSP. Escherichia coli containing the cloned, overexpressed dddL genes of R. sphaeroides 2.4.1 and Sulfitobacter could convert DMSP to acrylate plus DMS. This is the first identification of such a ‘DMSP lyase’. Thus, DMS can be made either by this DddL lyase or by a DMSP acyl CoA transferase, specified by dddD, a gene that we had identified in several other marine bacteria.
Tannin impacts on microbial diversity and the functioning of alpine soils: a multidisciplinary approach
Authors: Baptist F. , Zinger L. , Clement J. C. , Gallet C. , Guillemin R. , Martins J. M. F. , Sage L. , Shahnavaz B. , Choler Ph. , Geremia R. 
Published: January 2008

SummaryIn alpine ecosystems, tannin‐rich‐litter decomposition occurs mainly under snow. With global change, variations in snowfall might affect soil temperature and microbial diversity with biogeochemical consequences on ecosystem processes. However, the relationships linking soil temperature and tannin degradation with soil microorganisms and nutrients fluxes remain poorly understood. Here, we combined biogeochemical and molecular profiling approaches to monitor tannin degradation, nutrient cycling and microbial communities (Bacteria, Crenarcheotes, Fungi) in undisturbed wintertime soil cores exposed to low temperature (0°C/−6°C), amended or not with tannins, extracted fromDryas octopetala. No toxic effect of tannins on microbial populations was found, indicating that they withstand phenolics from alpine vegetation litter. Additionally at −6°C, higher carbon mineralization, higher protocatechuic acid concentration (intermediary metabolite of tannin catabolism), and changes in fungal phylogenetic composition showed that freezing temperatures may select fungi able to degradeD. octopetala's tannins. In contrast, negative net nitrogen mineralization rates were observed at −6°C possibly due to a more efficient N immobilization by tannins than N production by microbial activities, and suggesting a decoupling between C and N mineralization. Our results confirmed tannins and soil temperatures as relevant controls of microbial catabolism which are crucial for alpine ecosystems functioning and carbon storage.
Regurgitated pellets of Merops apiaster as fomites of infective Nosema ceranae (Microsporidia) spores
Authors: Higes Mariano , Martín‐Hernández Raquel , Garrido‐Bailón Encarna , Botías Cristina , García‐Palencia Pilar , Meana Aránzazu 
Published: January 2008

SummaryThe importance of transmission factor identification is of great epidemiological significance. The bee‐eater (Merops apiaster) is a widely distributed insectivorous bird, locally abundant mainly in arid and semi‐arid areas of southern Europe, northern Africa and western Asia but recently has been seen breeding in central Europe and Great Britain. Bee‐eaters predominantly eat insects, especially bees, wasps and hornets. On the other hand, Nosema ceranae is a Microsporidia recently described as a parasite in Apis mellifera honeybees in Europe. Due to the short time since its description scarce epidemiological data are available. In this study we investigate the role of the regurgitated pellets of the European bee‐eater as fomites of infective spores of N. ceranae. Spore detection in regurgitated pellets of M. apiaster is described [phase‐contrast microscopy (PCM) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods]. Eighteen days after collection N. ceranae spores still remain viable and their infectivity is shown after artificial infection of Nosema‐free 8‐day‐old adult bees. The epidemiological consequences of the presence of Nosema spores in this fomites are discussed.
How does Sub‐National Autonomy Affect the Effectiveness of Structural Funds?
Authors: Bähr Cornelius 
Published: January 2008

SUMMARYOne of the European Union's explicitly formulated goals is reducing the lags in development and narrowing the gaps in income between its member states and regions. In order to attain these goals, the Union's regional policy employs a system of vertical conditional grants known as the Structural Funds. Various attempts have been made to evaluate the effectiveness of this policy in promoting convergence. This paper adds to the existing literature in focusing the investigation on the role of the member states' federal structure. A short discussion drawing mainly on the theory of fiscal federalism provides the basis for an empirical model. Using a sample of 13 European countries in the period from 1975–1995 we estimate the effect varying decentralization among the member states has on the conditional effectiveness of Structural Funds expenditure. The results suggest that Structural Funds are more effective in promoting growth when the states exhibit a higher degree of decentralization.