bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Monitoring of acromegaly: what should be performed when GH and IGF‐1 levels are discrepant?
Authors: Freda Pamela U. 
Published: February 2009

SummaryMonitoring of a patient with acromegaly requires periodic evaluation of levels of GH and IGF‐1, the biochemical markers of this disease. Although the results of these two tests are usually concordant, they can be discrepant and how to proceed when they are can be a challenging clinical problem. In some cases, IGF‐1 levels are normal yet GH suppression after oral glucose is abnormal; this pattern may be due to persistent GH dysregulation despite remission. In other cases, IGF‐1 levels are elevated yet GH suppression appears to be normal; this pattern may be observed if the cutoff for GH suppression is inappropriately high for the GH assay being used. Various conditions known to alter GH and IGF‐1 including malnutrition, thyroid disease and oestrogen use as well as the potential for methodological or normative data issues with the GH and IGF‐1 assays should be considered in the interpretation of discrepant results. When a known cause of the discrepancy other than acromegaly is not identified, a clinical decision about the patient’s therapy needs to be made. We adjust treatment in most patients whose results are discrepant based on the IGF‐1 level, continuing current treatment if it is persistently normal or modifying this if it is elevated. The clinical picture of the patient, however, also needs to be incorporated into this decision. All patients should have continued periodic surveillance of both GH and IGF‐1 levels.
Short‐term temporal changes of bare soil CO2 fluxes after tillage described by first‐order decay models
Authors: La Scala N. , Lopes A. , Spokas K. , Archer D. W. , Reicosky D. C. 
Published: February 2009

SummaryTo further understand the impact of tillage on carbon dioxide (CO2) emission, we compare the performance of two conceptual models that describe CO2 emission after tillage as a function of the non‐tilled emission plus a correction resulting from the tillage disturbance. The models assume that C in the readily decomposable organic matter follows a first‐order reaction kinetics equation as and that soil C‐CO2 emission is proportional to the C decay rate in soil, where Csoil(t) is the available labile soil C (g m−2) at any time (t) and k is the decay constant (time−1). Two possible relationships are derived between non‐tilled (FNT) and tilled (FT) soil fluxes: (model 1) and (model 2), where t is time after tillage. The difference between these two models comes from an assumption related to the k factor of labile C in the tilled plot and its similarity to the k factor of labile C in the non‐till plot. Statistical fit of experimental data to conceptual models showed good agreement between predicted and observed CO2 fluxes based on the index of agreement (d‐index) and with model efficiency as large as 0.97. Comparisons reveal that model 2, where all C pools are assigned the same k factor, produces a better statistical fit than model 1. The advantage of this modelling approach is that temporal variability of tillage‐induced emissions can be described by a simple analytical function that includes the non‐tilled emission plus an exponential term, which is dependent upon tillage and environmental conditions.
Quantifying the relationship between soil organic carbon and soil physical properties using shrinkage modelling
Authors: Boivin P. , Schäffer B. , Sturny W. 
Published: February 2009

SummaryChanges in soil organic carbon (SOC) may strongly affect soil structure and soil physical properties, which in turn may have feedback effects on the soil microbial activity and SOC dynamics. Such interactions are still not quantitatively described and accounted for in SOC dynamics modelling. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that soil shrinkage curve (ShC) analysis allows the establishment of close relationships between soil physical properties and SOC. We sampled a rice‐cropped vertisol, a cambisol under conventional tillage and no‐tillage and a restored cambisol. Soil samples were analysed for clay and SOC content, bulk volume, hydro‐structural stability and plasma and structural pore volumes changes on the full water content range using ShC analysis. Although the soils behaved differently according to their constituents and history, changes in SOC linearly affected most of the soil physical properties, with stronger effects than changes in clay content. The observed effects of increasing SOC, such as increasing hydro‐structural stability, specific bulk volume and water retention, agreed well with previously reported results. However, using ShC measurement and modelling allowed the observation of all these different effects simultaneously for small changes in SOC, and in a single measurement. Moreover, the relation between SOC changes and physical properties could be quantified. ShC analysis may, therefore, be used to account for the effect of changes in SOC on soil physical properties.
Indicator of potential residual carbon in soils after exogenous organic matter application
Authors: Lashermes G. , Nicolardot B. , Parnaudeau V. , Thuriès L. , Chaussod R. , Guillotin M. L. , Linères M. , Mary B. , Metzger L. , Morvan T. , Tricaud A. , Villette C. , Houot S. 
Published: February 2009

SummaryAn indicator to evaluate the proportion of exogenous organic matter (EOM) remaining in soils over the long‐term after application has been developed. A database was constructed with analytical data corresponding to 83 EOMs, including sludges, composts, animal wastes, mulches, plant materials and fertilizers. The data included results of proximal analysis (soluble, SOL, hemicellulose‐, HEM, cellulose‐, CEL, and lignin‐like, LIC, fractions, in g kg−1 total organic matter) and of carbon (C) mineralization during long‐term incubations under laboratory conditions (in g kg−1 exogenous organic C, EOC). The potential residual organic C after EOM application to soil was assessed from the extrapolation of the incubation results. Then, partial least square regression was used to relate EOM characteristics to the proportion of potentially residual organic C previously determined from the incubations. The biochemical fractions of EOM were not predictive enough to develop the indicator. The proportion of organic C mineralized during 3 days of incubation (C3d) was cumulated and appeared to be the most predictive variable of residual organic C. The proposed indicator of residual organic carbon in soils (expressed as g EOC kg−1) was IROC = 445 + 0.5 SOL – 0.2 CEL + 0.7 LIC – 2.3 C3d. The indicator was calculated for the main types of EOM applied to soils. When compared with the few field data of residual C measured in long‐term field experiments, the values provided by the indicator seemed to be over‐estimated (i.e. EOC degradation could be faster under field conditions than during laboratory incubations).
Identification of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)‐transcription factors by microarray and knockdown analyses, and signature molecule‐marked MSC in bone marrow by immunohistochemistry
Authors: Kubo Hiroshi , Shimizu Masakazu , Taya Yuji , Kawamoto Takeshi , Michida Masahiko , Kaneko Emi , Igarashi Akira , Nishimura Masahiro , Segoshi Kazumi , Shimazu Yoshihito , Tsuji Koichiro , Aoba Takaaki , Kato Yukio 
Published: February 2009

Althoughex vivoexpanded mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) have been used in numerous studies, the molecular signature andin vivodistribution status of MSC remain unknown. To address this matter, we identified numerous human MSC‐characteristic genes—including nine transcription factor genes —using DNA microarray and real‐time RT‐PCR analyses: Most of the MSC‐characteristic genes were down‐regulated 24 h after incubation with osteogenesis‐, chondrogenesis‐ or adipogenesis‐induction medium, or 48–72 h after knockdown of the nine transcription factors. Furthermore, knockdowns of ETV1, ETV5, FOXP1, GATA6, HMGA2, SIM2 or SOX11 suppressed the self‐renewal capacity of MSC, whereas those of FOXP1, SOX11, ETV1, SIM2 or PRDM16 reduced the osteogenic‐ and/or adipogenic potential. In addition, immunohistochemistry using antibodies for the MSC characteristic molecules—including GATA6, TRPC4, FLG and TGM2—revealed that MSC‐like cells were present near the endosteum and in the interior of bone marrow of adult mice. These findings indicate that MSC synthesize a set of MSC markersin vitroandin vivo, and that MSC‐characteristic transcription factors are involved in MSC stemness regulation.
Hypogonadism, ED, metabolic syndrome and obesity: a pathological link supporting cardiovascular diseases
Authors: Corona G. , Mannucci E. , Forti G. , Maggi M. 
Published: February 2009

SummaryHypogonadism, erectile dysfunction (ED), visceral adiposity, insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome (MetS) often coexist in the same subjects. This cluster of abnormalities is associated with an increased risk of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases (CVD), affecting not only quality of life but also life expectancy. Longitudinal studies have also demonstrated that ED and male hypogonadism could be considered surrogate markers of incident CVD and MetS. However, how androgens signal fat depots and lessen them is still a matter of active research and whether or not low testosterone could play a pathogenetic role in CVD is still under debate. Hence, pathogenetic mechanisms linking hypogonadism with obesity and insulin resistance appear to be complex and often multi‐directional. Visceral obesity can probably be considered a relevant cause of hypogonadism but at the same time, hypogonadism could be a cause of obesity and insulin resistance, consequently establishing a vicious cycle. To provide a critical analysis of these issues, a comprehensive literary search was carried out to discuss the relationship between insulin resistance ED, visceral adiposity, MetS and hypogonadism focusing on their possible involvement in the development of CVD.
Competency Inventory for Registered Nurses in Macao: instrument validation
Authors: Liu Ming , Yin Lei , Ma Estela , Lo Siuha , Zeng Lingxia 
Published: February 2009

AbstractTitle.  Competency Inventory for Registered Nurses in Macao: instrument validation. Aim.  This paper is a report of a study to test the reliability and construct validity of the Competency Inventory for Registered Nurses.Background.  A reliable competency assessment tool is a basic yardstick to assist in assessing the generic competencies of nurses and to evaluate the outcome of various education programmes. The Competency Inventory for Registered Nurses was developed in mainland China. Confirmatory evidence is needed to support its proposed structure, and to further estimate its psychometric properties.Methods.  A quantitative descriptive design and stratum random sampling method were used to recruit 533 Registered Nurses in Macao in 2007. Internal consistency reliability and stability were estimated by Cronbach’s α and paired t‐test, respectively. Confirmatory factor analysis was employed to test the construct validity of the instrument.Results.  Internal consistency Cronbach’s α was 0·908 for the overall scale and 0·718–0·903 for subscales. The factor loading value across 55 items ranged from 0·310 to 0·725. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the model exhibited acceptable goodness‐of‐fit statistic indices. The 7‐factor structure of the Competency Inventory for Registered Nurses, with 55 items included after deletion of three low loading items, was confirmed.Conclusion.  The model of Registered Nurses’ competency was confirmed. As the instrument was initially developed in mainland China and successfully validated in this group, it is suggested that this instrument also has the potential for cross‐cultural application.
Use of recommended osteoarthritis pain treatment by older adults
Authors: Merkle Diane , McDonald Deborah Dillon 
Published: February 2009

AbstractTitle.  Use of recommended osteoarthritis pain treatment by older adults. Aim.  This paper reports on a study conducted to describe what traditional and non‐traditional treatments older adults with osteoarthritis use for pain management, their reported pain relief, and factors associated with use of recommended initial gold standard treatment (acetaminophen/paracetamol or non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs, and exercise and/or physical therapy) as designated by conventional western medicine.Background.  Osteoarthritis is characterized by joint pain, stiffness and limited range of motion and has been designated an international health burden by the World Health Organization. Demographic and cultural factors have been shown to affect both traditional and non‐traditional osteoarthritis treatment decisions.Method.  A descriptive correlational design was used, with secondary analysis of data collected between July 2006 and July 2007 in two randomized controlled studies using the Brief Pain Inventory Short Form and testing older adults’ pain communication.Results.  The frequency of use of gold standard treatment was 28·0% (n = 128). Both traditional and non‐traditional treatments were used by 46·4% (n = 212) of the participants. Logistic regression revealed that those with higher education (odds ratio 1·56, CI 1·24–1·96, P = 0·001), and non‐White race, regardless of educational level (odds ratio 2·02, CI 1·20–3·40, P = 0·008), were more likely to use gold standard treatment.Conclusion.  Factors influencing older adults’ use of gold standard treatment for their osteoarthritis pain need to be identified so that greater numbers of older adults can be supported to use recommended treatment to obtain greater pain relief.
Temporal and spatial variations in lice numbers on salmon farms in the Hardanger fjord 2004–06
Authors: Heuch P A , Olsen R S , Malkenes R , Revie C W , Gettinby G , Baillie M , Lees F , Finstad B 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThe long and narrow Hardanger fjord in western Norway has a high density of salmon farms and has had severe salmon lice, Lepeophtheirus salmonis, problems. In the years 2004–06, salmon lice numbers were recorded in selected salmon farms in the fjord as part of a larger research project. Most farm sites participated in a strategic control programme and were deloused between November and January in each year. The aim of the programme was to achieve a mean abundance of <0.3 adult female lice at this time and to minimize the infection pressure on wild smolts in the spring. Dedicated teams carried out detailed counting of lice on farmed fish in April–September each year. Temperature conditions were fairly similar throughout the fjord and amongst years, but wide variations in salinities were observed. The two innermost zones, B and C, had the lowest lice mean abundances, whereas the outermost zones, D and E, consistently had more lice. General linear model analyses showed that differences in adult female lice abundance between the zones were associated with differing levels of salinity and emamectin benzoate treatments strategically administered. Mean fish weight was significantly positively correlated with mean abundance of adult female lice.
Considerations in developing an integrated pest management programme for control of sea lice on farmed salmon in Pacific Canada
Authors: Brooks K M 
Published: February 2009

AbstractIn the development of integrated pest management (IPM) plans for the control of sea lice there are some components that are common to many areas. However, effective plans must be tailored to regionally varying environmental and biological factors affecting the severity of sea lice infections. This paper describes factors that would be involved in the development of an IPM plan for sea lice in the Broughton Archipelago, British Columbia. Temperature, salinity and currents affect the production, dispersion and competence of larvae of sea lice, Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Krøyer), as they develop to the infective copepodid stage. This information can be coupled with oceanographic conditions in the Broughton Archipelago and emerging computer models to define zones of infection where infections of new hosts are most likely. Salinity and temperature depend, in part, on river discharge in estuarine systems. River discharge depends on precipitation, snow pack and ambient temperatures, which can be monitored to help forecast the intensity of sea lice infections associated with both farmed and wild hosts. One of the goals of IPM planning is to reduce reliance on pesticides to avoid development of resistance in targeted parasites and to minimize environmental residues. Recommendations for developing an IPM plan specific to the Broughton Archipelago are provided along with a discussion of the additional information needed to refine IPM plans in this and other areas.
B‐type natriuretic peptide and C‐terminal‐pro‐endothelin‐1 for the prediction of severely impaired peak oxygen consumption
Authors: Maeder M. T. , Brutsche M. H. , Staub D. , Morgenthaler N. G. , Bergmann A. , Noveanu M. , Laule K. , Breidthardt T. , Christ A. , Klima T. , Reichlin T. , Potocki M. , Mueller C. 
Published: February 2009

Abstract.Objective.  To assess the utility of B‐type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and C‐terminal‐pro‐endothelin‐1 (CT‐proET‐1) to predict a severely impaired peak oxygen consumption (peak VO2, < 14 mL kg−1 min−1) in patients referred for cardiopulmonary exercise testing.Design.  Cross‐sectional study.Setting.  Tertiary care center.Methods.  Peak VO2, BNP and CT‐proET‐1 were assessed in 141 consecutive patients referred for cardiopulmonary exercise testing.Results.  B‐type natriuretic peptide [median (interquartile range) 48 (38–319) vs. 33 (15–86) pg mL−1; P = 0.002] and CT‐proET‐1 [87 (76–95) vs. 60 (52–74) pmol L−1; P < 0.001] were higher in patients with a peak VO2 < 14 mL kg−1 min−1 (n = 30) than in those with a peak VO2 ≥ 14 mL kg−1 min−1 (n = 111). CT‐pro‐ET‐1 had a higher area under the receiver‐operator‐characteristics curve (AUC) to predict a peak VO2 < 14 mL kg−1 min−1 than BNP (0.79 vs. 0.68; P = 0.04). The optimal BNP cut‐off of 37.2 pg mL−1 had a sensitivity of 80% and a specificity of 56%. The optimal CT‐proET‐1 cut‐off of 74.4 pmol L−1 had a sensitivity of 80% and specificity of 76%. A five‐item score composed of body mass index, diabetes, forced expiratory volume within the first second, alveolo–arterial oxygen pressure difference, and BNP had an AUC of 0.88 to predict a peak VO2 < 14 mL kg−1 min−1. Adding CT‐proET‐1 to the score resulted in an AUC of 0.92.Conclusions.  C‐terminal‐pro‐endothelin‐1 is superior to BNP for the prediction of a peak VO2 < 14 mL kg−1 min−1 in patients referred for CPET. A score incorporating body mass index, diabetes status, spirometry, blood gases, BNP and CT‐proET‐1 improves the prediction of a peak VO2 < 14 mL kg−1 min−1 based on single biomarkers.
Effects of coronary artery disease and percutaneous intervention on the cardiac metabolism of nonesterified fatty acids and insulin: Implications of diabetes mellitus
Authors: Jaumdally R. J. , Lip G. Y. H. , Patel J. V. , MacFadyen R. J. , Varma C. 
Published: February 2009

Abstract.Background.  Nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) and insulin have been implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus (Type 2 diabetes) and coronary artery disease (CAD). We hypothesized that intracardiac levels of insulin and NEFA within the aortic root, coronary sinus and systemic venous levels would be different in patients with coronary atherosclerosis and/or diabetes. We also studied the metabolic cardiac response following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).Methods.  A total of 67 subjects (42 males; mean age 60 ± 11 years) were recruited, of which three groups were identified: Group I – those with no CAD or Type 2 diabetes (n = 17); Group II – those with CAD but no Type 2 diabetes (n = 40); and Group III – patients with Type 2 diabetes and CAD (n = 10). Of the whole cohort, 34 patients (51%) proceeded to PCI. NEFA and insulin levels were analysed using enzymatic colorimetric and a monoclonal immuno‐autoanalyser techniques, respectively. Subsequently, fractional extraction (FFE) of both variables was calculated.Results.  Nonesterified fatty acids and insulin concentrations were lower in the aortic root versus coronary sinus (both P < 0.05). FFE of NEFA was 2× higher in Group I (P < 0.01) with a sevenfold reduction in insulin FFE in Group III. Following PCI, systemic NEFA levels increased significantly (P < 0.05) with no significant change seen within the coronary sinus (P = NS), whilst a reduction in insulin concentrations at all three sites was observed (all P < 0.01). No significant difference in FFE of NEFA was seen after PCI when comparing Groups II and III. There was a drop in insulin extraction in Group II (nondiabetic subjects, from 12% to −4%, P = 0.04), compared with an increase seen in Group III (Type 2 diabetes patients, from −4% to 3%, P = 0.03).Conclusion.  There is an intracardiac gradient of NEFA and insulin in Groups I–III. Cardiac NEFA metabolism was higher in those with mild CAD compared with those with obstructive CAD whereas intracardiac insulin extraction was lower in Group III (diabetic) patients. PCI was associated with a systemic rise in NEFA, with a reduction in insulin levels and cardiac utilization, but these effects were blunted in diabetic patients.
Inferring recent migration rates from individual genotypes
Authors: BROQUET THOMAS , YEARSLEY JONATHAN , HIRZEL ALEXANDRE H. , GOUDET JÉRÔME , PERRIN NICOLAS 
Published: February 2009

AbstractWe present a novel and straightforward method for estimating recent migration rates between discrete populations using multilocus genotype data. The approach builds upon a two‐step sampling design, where individual genotypes are sampled before and after dispersal. We develop a model that estimates all pairwise backwards migration rates (mij, the probability that an individual sampled in populationiis a migrant from populationj) between a set of populations. The method is validated with simulated data and compared with the methods of BayesAss and Structure. First, we use data for an island model and then we consider more realistic data simulations for a metapopulation of the greater white‐toothed shrew (Crocidura russula). We show that the precision and bias of estimates primarily depend upon the proportion of individuals sampled in each population. Weak sampling designs may particularly affect the quality of the coverage provided by 95% highest posterior density intervals. We further show that it is relatively insensitive to the number of loci sampled and the overall strength of genetic structure. The method can easily be extended and makes fewer assumptions about the underlying demographic and genetic processes than currently available methods. It allows backwards migration rates to be estimated across a wide range of realistic conditions.