bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Oviposition and hatching of the clover weevil Sitona lepidus Gyll. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)
Authors: MOWAT D. J. , CLAWSON S. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractThe phenology and some aspects of the biology of the clover weevil Sitona lepidus Gyll. were studied in the field and the laboratory. Oviposition and hatching were temperature dependent. Most eggs were laid in September and October, although there was also an oviposition period in early summer. Hatching was largely confined to late spring and early summer. The relevance of this to control strategies is discussed.Most eggs were laid on the plant but(were very easily dislodged and probably usually hatch on the ground. In no‐choice tests, there were as many eggs laid on more cyanogenic as on less cyanogenic plants and cultivars. There was no evidence that the cyanogenic ability or any other cultivar characteristic would be useful in control strategies.
HLA DRB1*15‐DPB1*05 haplotype: a susceptible gene marker for isocyanate‐induced occupational asthma?
Authors: Kim S.‐H. , Oh H.‐B. , Lee K.‐W. , Shin E.‐S. , Kim C.‐W. , Hong C.‐S. , Nahm D.‐H. , Park H.‐S. 
Published: April 2006

Background:  There has been no study for evaluating the associations of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I and II alleles with toluene diisocyanate (TDI)‐induced asthma in an Asian population.Objective:  The aim of this study was to investigate a susceptible or protective marker of HLA class I and II alleles in TDI‐induced asthma.Methods:  Fifty‐five patients with TDI‐induced asthma patients (group I) showing positive responses on TDI bronchoprovocation test, 47 asymptomatic exposed subjects (group II) and 95 unexposed healthy nonatopic controls (group III) were enrolled in our study. HLA class I and II genotyping was done by the direct DNA sequencing method.Results:  The allelic frequency of C*09 (15.5%) was significantly higher in group I than in group III (6.8%, P = 0.019), but this statistical significance disappeared after correction was made for multiple comparisons. On two‐locus and three‐locus haplotype analysis, the allelic frequency of HLA DRB1*15‐DPB1*05 in group I (10.6%) was significantly higher than that of group II (0%, P = 0.001) and group III (2.5%, P = 0.003). The allelic frequencies of HLA A*02‐DRB1*15, A*02‐DQB1*06, B*62‐C*09 and A*02‐DRB1*15‐DQB1*06 were significantly higher in group I (8.5%, 10.3%, 8.2% and 6.8%, respectively) than those allelic frequencies of group III (1.3%, P = 0.002; 1.6%, P = 0.001; 0.6%, P < 0.0001; 0%, P < 0.0001, respectively). The allelic frequencies of HLA DQB1*06‐DPB1*05 and DRB1*15‐DQB1*06‐DPB1*05 were significantly higher in group I (16.0% and 10.5%) than those in group II (2.5%, P = 0.001; 0%, P = 0.001), while the frequencies of DRB1*09‐DPB1*05 and DRB1*09‐DQB1*0303‐DPB1*05 were significantly lower in group I (0% and 0%) than those of group II (7.4%, P = 0.004; 7.5%, P = 0.004). These differences remained statistically significant even after the correction for multiple comparisons.Conclusions:  The HLA haplotype DRB1*15‐DPB1*05 can be a susceptibility gene marker for the development of TDI‐induced asthma among the exposed workers in the Korean population.
IgE‐receptor activation induces survival and Bfl‐1 expression in human mast cells but not basophils
Authors: Xiang Z. , Möller C. , Nilsson G. 
Published: April 2006

Background:  The contribution of mast cells to the pathology of allergic diseases are facilitated by their long life span in tissue and ability to regranulate. Bcl‐2 genes are one of the main regulators of cell death and survival. The aim of this study was to elucidate the mechanisms responsible for mast cell survival in allergy.Methods:  Bcl‐2 family gene expression in human mast cells and basophils was analyzed by ribonuclease protection assay and by reverse‐transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Cell survival was measured by mixing cells with the vital dye, trypan blue, and the number of living cells was enumerated. Apoptotic cells were measured by a Cell Death Detection ELISA.Results:  We found that cross‐linking of FcɛRI on human cord blood cultured mast cells (CBCMCs) promoted cell survival and induced expression of the pro‐survival gene Bfl‐1. CBCMCs were found to express both Bfl‐1 and Bfl‐1S, two splicing variants of Bfl‐1. Bfl‐1 induction was mediated through Syk, PI3‐kinase and intracellular calcium mobilization, since piceatannol, wortmannin and EDTA, respectively, significantly reduced Bfl‐1 expression levels. In contrast to CBCMCs, no evidence was found for Bfl‐1 expression and survival promotion in human basophils.Conclusions:  Immunoglobulin E (IgE)‐dependent activation‐induced mast cell survival was correlated with Bfl‐1 gene upregulation, providing a possible explanation for mast cell longevity in allergic reactions.
High incidence of sensitization to ornamental plants in allergic rhinitis
Authors: Mahillon V. , Saussez S. , Michel O. 
Published: April 2006

Background:  A few indoor plants have been described as potential allergens, in single case reports of allergic rhinitis. There is no data evaluating the prevalence of allergic sensitization to these plants.Aim:  The relationship between owning indoor ornamental plants with the risk to be sensitized has been evaluated in atopic rhinitis.Methods:  A group of 59 patients with allergic rhinitis were submitted to skin prick tests (SPT) using both the leafs of their own plant and commercial extracts of the most frequent airborne allergens. A control group of 15 healthy subjects was tested with the same allergens.Results:  While none subject from the control group developed a significant SPT to any of the tested plants, 78% of allergic rhinitis had positive SPT to at least one plant, the most frequent sensitization being Ficus benjamina, yucca, ivy and palm tree.Conclusion:  In allergic rhinitis, indoor plants should be considered as potential allergens.
Plasticity in Forest Tent Caterpillar Collective Foraging Schedules
Authors: Peters M. I. , Despland E. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractSelf‐organization can generate synchronized group activity without external triggering cues, and schedules of self‐organized collective activity can vary with environmental conditions. This plasticity can improve group members’ ability to meet their requirements in different environments. In colonial caterpillars, synchronized colony foraging schedules have been postulated to depend either on avoidance of visual predators or on temperature effects on ectotherm physiology. We examine the foraging schedule of forest tent caterpillars (Malacosoma disstria) under different constant conditions to distinguish between these hypotheses. Plasticity in the foraging schedule was tested by keeping colonies under different constant regimes of light and temperature. Digital video and tracking software were used to record the colony's alternation between quiescent and active bouts. The duration and frequency of bouts was compared between treatments. The schedule of synchronized colony activity was not affected by lighting, but it accelerated at higher temperature, because of a decrease in the duration of both active and quiescent bouts. Forest tent caterpillars’ foraging schedule thus depends on the time required to accomplish the tasks of food finding (active bouts) and food processing (quiescent bouts). As caterpillars are ectotherms, locomotion and digestion rates increase at higher temperature and both tasks are accomplished faster. The forest tent caterpillar and the congeneric eastern tent caterpillar (M. americanum) both exhibit self‐organized synchronized collective foraging, but environmental modulation of foraging schedule differs between these species, according to differences in social organization and thermal ecology. Eastern tent caterpillars maintain a fixed foraging schedule under varying temperatures and use the tent to maintain high metabolic rates. In the forest tent caterpillar, flexibility of the foraging schedule in accordance with changes in metabolism lessens the constraints imposed by collective foraging. Synchronous foraging, where entire social groups travel together to and from feeding sites, is thought to have several fitness advantages including improved food finding, recruitment to profitable food sources, anti‐predator defense and group thermoregulation between foraging expeditions.
MIRIZZI SYNDROME: HISTORY, PRESENT AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENT
Authors: Lai Eric C. H. , Lau Wan Yee 
Published: April 2006

Background:  Mirizzi syndrome was reported in 0.3–3% of patients undergoing cholecystectomy. The distortion of anatomy and the presence of cholecystocholedochal fistula increase the risk of bile duct injury during cholecystectomy.Methods:  A Medline search was undertaken to identify articles that were published from 1974 to 2004. Additional papers were identified by a manual search of the references from the key articles.Results:  A preoperative diagnosis was made in 8–62.5% of cases. Open surgical treatment gave good short‐term and long‐term results. There was a lack of good data in laparoscopic treatment. Conversion to open surgery rates was high, and bile duct injury rate varied from 0 to 22.2%.Conclusion:  A high index of clinical suspicion is required to make a preoperative or intraoperative diagnosis, which leads to good surgical planning to treat the condition. Open surgery is the gold standard. Mirizzi syndrome should still be considered as a contraindication for laparoscopic surgery.
A dual symbiosis shared by two mussel species, Bathymodiolus azoricus and Bathymodiolus puteoserpentis (Bivalvia: Mytilidae), from hydrothermal vents along the northern Mid‐Atlantic Ridge
Authors: Duperron Sébastien , Bergin Claudia , Zielinski Frank , Blazejak Anna , Pernthaler Annelie , McKiness Zoe P. , DeChaine Eric , Cavanaugh Colleen M. , Dubilier Nicole 
Published: April 2006

Summary Bathymodiolus azoricus and Bathymodiolus puteoserpentis are symbiont‐bearing mussels that dominate hydrothermal vent sites along the northern Mid‐Atlantic Ridge (MAR). Both species live in symbiosis with two physiologically and phylogenetically distinct Gammaproteobacteria: a sulfur‐oxidizing chemoautotroph and a methane‐oxidizer. A detailed analysis of mussels collected from four MAR vent sites (Menez Gwen, Lucky Strike, Rainbow, and Logatchev) using comparative 16S rRNA sequence analysis and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) showed that the two mussel species share highly similar to identical symbiont phylotypes. FISH observations of symbiont distribution and relative abundances showed no obvious differences between the two host species. In contrast, distinct differences in relative symbiont abundances were observed between mussels from different sites, indicating that vent chemistry may influence the relative abundance of thiotrophs and methanotrophs in these dual symbioses.
The Effects of Three Factor VII Polymorphisms on Factor VII Coagulant Levels in Healthy Singaporean Chinese, Malay and Indian Newborns
Authors: Quek S. C. , Low P. S. , Saha N. , Heng C. K. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryFactor VII (FVII) is an independent risk factor for coronary artery disease. Three polymorphisms of the factor VII gene (F7) were studied in a group of healthy newborns comprising 561 Chinese, 398 Malays and 226 Asian Indians from Singapore. The allele frequencies of 3 polymorphisms (R353Q, Promoter 0/10bp Del/Ins and Intron 7) in the FVII gene were ascertained through genotyping by polymerase chain reaction and restriction digestion of amplified fragments. In Chinese the minor allele frequencies are Q: 0.04, Ins: 0.03, R7: 0.44; Malays, Q: 0.06, Ins: 0.10, R7: 0.41; and Indians, Q: 0.25, Ins: 0.23, R7: 0.43. Strong linkage disequilibrium (Δ > 0.7) is observed between the 0/10bp and the R353Q sites in all ethnic groups. We conclude that: (i) the prevalence of the minor Q and Ins alleles of the R353Q and 0/10 bp polymorphisms are significantly higher in the Indian newborns than the Chinese and Malays; (ii) the Q allele is significantly associated (p = 0.01) with a lower plasma FVII coagulant level in the Indian and Malay neonates; and this polymorphism explains up to 3.8% of the variance in FVII coagulant levels; (iii) there is no significant difference in allele frequencies of the three polymorphisms between neonates with and without family histories of CAD.
Terrible ones? Assessment of externalizing behaviors in infancy with the Child Behavior Checklist
Authors: Van Zeijl Jantien , Mesman Judi , Stolk Mirjam N. , Alink Lenneke R.A. , Van IJzendoorn Marinus H. , Bakermans‐Kranenburg Marian J. , Juffer Femmie , Koot Hans M. 
Published: April 2006

Background:  This study investigated the occurrence, cross‐informant agreement, 1‐year stability, and context characteristics of externalizing behaviors in 12‐month‐old children, as compared to 24‐ and 36‐month‐olds.Method:  In a general population sample of 786 12‐month‐olds, 720 24‐month‐olds, and 744 36‐month‐olds, the CBCL/1½–5 was obtained from mothers and fathers and again one year later for a subsample of 307 children. Mothers of 1,831 children also provided complete data on child, mother, and family characteristics.Results:  Over three‐fourths of the externalizing behaviors occurred in more than 10% of 12‐month‐olds, over one‐third of the items in more than 25%. For almost all externalizing behaviors, the occurrence was significantly lower in 12‐month‐olds compared to 24‐ and 36‐month‐old children. Mother–father agreement and 1‐year stability of externalizing behaviors in 12‐month‐old children were significant, but generally somewhat lower than in 24‐ and 36‐month‐olds. Context characteristics were related to externalizing behaviors in 12‐month‐olds as well as in older children. Some associations were less pronounced in 12‐month‐old children, but the overall pattern of correlates was similar across age groups.Conclusions:  The results of this study show that externalizing behaviors in 12‐month‐old children merit further research and can be assessed with the CBCL in a valid way.
The prevalence of mental health problems in Ethiopian child laborers
Authors: Fekadu Daniel , Alem Atalay , Hägglöf Bruno 
Published: April 2006

Background:  Child labor refers to a state when a child is involved in exploitative economical activities that are mentally, physically, and socially hazardous. There are no prevalence studies on the magnitude of psychiatric disorders among child laborers.Methods:  A cross‐sectional population survey was conducted in Addis Ababa using the Diagnostic Interview for Children and Adolescents (DICA). Subjects were a random sample of 528 child laborers aged between 5 and 15 years and comprising child domestics, street‐workers and private enterprise workers. These were compared with 472 non‐economically active controls.Results:  The aggregate prevalence of any DSM‐III‐R childhood emotional and behavioral disorders was found to be 16.5%, with 20.1% and 12.5% among child laborers and controls respectively, OR = 1.89 (95% CI, 1.34–2.67, p < .01). Internalizing disorders such as mood disorders were significantly higher among the laborers than the non‐laborers, OR = 6.65 (95% CI, 2.20–22.52, p = .0001). Anxiety disorder was seen over twofold among child laborers while psychosocial stressors were one and half times more likely among the study subjects than controls. When all factors were taken into account, child labor status was the only significant factor in determining DSM‐III‐R diagnosis.Conclusion:  In this study childhood emotional and behavioral disorders are found to be more common among child laborers than among non‐laborers. We recommend a larger study to look into childhood disorders and risk factors in child labor. As part of the concerted effort, government, NGOs, and the public should at least view child labor as a menace in a child's development, with risk of psychosocial difficulties.
A genomic walking method for screening sequence length polymorphism
Authors: WALSER JEAN‐CLAUDE , EVGEN’EV MICHAEL B. , FEDER MARTIN E. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractWe adapted a recently developed nonrestrictional, nonligational genome walking method, Universal Fast Walking (UFW), for detection of length polymorphism in the proximal promoter region of genes. We demonstrate its efficacy at discovering naturally occurring transposition into heat‐shock genes of wild Drosophila and show that it surmounts limitations of simple polymerase chain reaction (PCR) approaches. We further present modifications to the standard UFW protocol and provide some guidelines to improve specificity. Although the resultant banding pattern of a standard UFW can be regarded as a DNA fingerprint, many amplicons result from false priming and not real polymorphisms. We describe ways to distinguish between UFW amplicons and false priming products in a high‐throughput assay.
Development and characterization of six new microsatellite markers for the silver‐ or gold‐lipped pearl oyster, Pinctada maxima (Pteriidae)
Authors: EVANS B. S. , KNAUER J. , TAYLOR J. J. U. , JERRY D. R. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractSix di‐, tri‐ and tetranucleotide microsatellite loci were developed for the silver‐ or gold‐lipped pearl oyster Pinctada maxima using a linker‐ligated, magnetic bead enrichment protocol. Based on a minimum of 134 Indonesian pearl oyster samples, number of alleles and observed heterozygosity at each locus ranged from six to 17 alleles and from 0.172 to 0.813 (mean = 0.448), respectively. Mean polymorphic information content for the six loci was 0.562. These loci should be very useful in DNA parentage analyses and population differentiation of P. maxima in Australia and Indonesia.
Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellites from Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis
Authors: ZHU Z. Y. , SHI Y. H. , LE G. W. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractChinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) has great commercial significance in Asia, but is an invasive organism in Europe and America. We isolated five novel microsatellites for E. sinensis. All five loci were polymorphic. The average allele number was 16.8 per locus with a range of 13 to 21, while the expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.82 to 0.91 with an average of 0.88. These markers could be applicable to studies of the genetic diversity and population structure of E. sinensis.
Comparative Advantage in Demand: Experimental Evidence of Preferences for Genetically Modified Food in the United States and European Union
Authors: Lusk Jayson L. , Bruce Traill W. , House Lisa O. , Valli Carlotta , Jaeger Sara R. , Moore Melissa , Morrow Bert 
Published: April 2006

AbstractThe United States (US) exports more than US$6 billion in agricultural commodities to the European Union(EU) each year, but one issue carries the potential to diminish this trade: use of biotechnology in food production. The EU has adopted more stringent policies towards biotechnology than the US. Understanding differences in European and American policies towards genetically modified (GM) foods requires a greater understanding of consumers’ attitudes and preferences. This paper reports results from the first large‐scale, cross‐Atlantic study to analyse consumer demand for genetically modified food in a non‐hypothetical market environment. We strongly reject the frequent if convenient assumption in trade theory that consumer preferences are identical across countries: the median level of compensation demanded by English and French consumers to consume a GM food is found to be more than twice that in any of the US locations. Results have important implications for trade theory, which typically focuses on differences in specialization, comparative advantage and factor endowments across countries, and for on‐going trade disputes at the World Trade Organization.
Multilateral Trade and Agricultural Policy Reforms in Sugar Markets
Authors: Elobeid Amani , Beghin John 
Published: April 2006

AbstractWe analyse the impact of trade liberalisation, removal of production subsidies and elimination of consumption distortions in world sugar markets using a partial‐equilibrium international sugar model calibrated on 2002 market data and current policies. The removal of trade distortions alone induces a 27% price increase while the removal of all trade and production distortions induces a 48% increase in 2011/2012 relative to the baseline. Aggregate trade expands moderately, but location of production and trade patterns change substantially. Protectionist Organisation for Economic Co‐operation and Development (OECD) countries (the EU, Japan, the US) experience an import expansion or export reduction and a significant contraction of production in unfettered markets. Competitive producers in both OECD countries (Australia) and non‐OECD countries (Brazil, Cuba), and even some protected producers (Indonesia, Turkey), expand production when all distortions are removed. Consumption distortions have marginal impacts on world markets and the location of production. We discuss the significance of these results in the context of mounting pressures to increase market access in highly protected OECD countries and the impact on non‐OECD countries.
“Freedom of Choice”: Israeli Efforts to Prevent Soviet Jewish Émigrés to Resettle in the United States
Authors: Lazin Fred A. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractBeginning in 1967 the Soviet Union allowed some Jewish citizens to leave for family reunification in Israel (seeAppendix). Due to the break in diplomatic relations between Israel and the U.S.S.R., most émigrés traveled to Vienna where they were then flown to Israel. After 1976 the majority of émigrés who left on visas for Israel “dropped out” in Vienna and chose to resettle in the West. Several American Jewish organizations facilitated their obtaining visas and being resettled in the United States and other countries. This article examines efforts by Israel to deny Soviet Jewish émigrés the option of resettling in the United States. Israeli officials pressured American Jewish organizations to desist from aiding Russian Jews who wanted to resettle in the United States. Initially American Jews resisted Israeli efforts. Following Gorbachev's decision in the late 1980s to allow free emigration for Soviet Jews, the American Jewish community agreed to a quota on Soviet Jewish refugees in the United States, which resulted in most Soviet Jewish émigrés to Israel. The article uses the case study to explore efforts by American Jews and Israel to influence American refugee policy in the 1970s and 1980s. It provides insights into ethnic politics as well as “sponsored politics,” whereby Israel used the American Jewish community to further its interests in the making of United States foreign policy. It also deals with the issue of human rights and migration. While no migrant has the right to go to a country of his or her choice, Israel did deny some émigrés the right to exercise freedom of movement to other countries who welcomed them as refugees.