bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Treatment of exercise‐induced asthma, respiratory and allergic disorders in sports and the relationship to doping: Part II of the report from the Joint Task Force of European Respiratory Society (ERS) and European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) in cooperation with GA2LEN*
Authors: Carlsen K. H. , Anderson S. D. , Bjermer L. , Bonini S. , Brusasco V. , Canonica W. , Cummiskey J. , Delgado L. , Del Giacco S. R. , Drobnic F. , Haahtela T. , Larsson K. , Palange P. , Popov T. , Van Cauwenberge P. 
Published: April 2008

Aim:  The aims of part II is to review the current recommended treatment of exercise‐induced asthma (EIA), respiratory and allergic disorders in sports, to review the evidence on possible improvement of performance in sports by asthma drugs and to make recommendations for their treatment.Methods:  The literature cited with respect to the treatment of exercise induced asthma in athletes (and in asthma patients) is mainly based upon the systematic review given by Larsson et al. (Larsson K, Carlsen KH, Bonini S. Anti‐asthmatic drugs: treatment of athletes and exercise‐induced bronchoconstriction. In: Carlsen KH, Delgado L, Del Giacco S, editors. Diagnosis, prevention and treatment of exercise‐related asthma, respiratory and allergic disorders in sports. Sheffield, UK: European Respiratory Journals Ltd, 2005:73–88) during the work of the Task Force. To assess the evidence of the literature regarding use of β2‐agonists related to athletic performance, the Task Force searched Medline for relevant papers up to November 2006 using the present search words: asthma, bronchial responsiveness, exercise‐induced bronchoconstriction, athletes, sports, performance and β2‐agonists. Evidence level and grades of recommendation were assessed according to Sign criteria.Results:  Treatment recommendations for EIA and bronchial hyper‐responsiveness in athletes are set forth with special reference to controller and reliever medications. Evidence for lack of improvement of exercise performance by inhaled β2‐agonists in healthy athletes serves as a basis for permitting their use. There is a lack of evidence of treatment effects of asthma drugs on EIA and bronchial hyper‐responsiveness in athletes whereas extensive documentation exists in treatment of EIA in patients with asthma. The documentation on lack of improvement on performance by common asthma drugs as inhaled β2‐agonists with relationship to sports in healthy individuals is of high evidence, level (1+).Conclusions:  Exercise induced asthma should be treated in athletes along same principles as in ordinary asthma patients with relevance to controller and reliever treatment after careful diagnosis. There is very high level of evidence for the lack of improvement in athletic performance by inhaled β2‐agonists.
Screening platelet concentrates for bacterial contamination: low numbers of bacteria and slow growth in contaminated units mandate an alternative approach to product safety
Authors: Murphy W. G. , Foley M. , Doherty C. , Tierney G. , Kinsella A. , Salami A. , Cadden E. , Coakley P. 
Published: April 2008

Background and Objectives  We introduced 100% screening of platelets for bacterial contamination in 2005 to reduce the risk of clinical sepsis from platelet transfusion. We test all outdating units again at expiry to assess the sensitivity of the initial test.Materials and Methods  We test all platelet concentrates prior to release for clinical use using a large volume automated culture technique on the day after manufacture. All units that expire unused are retested. Platelets still in stock on day 4 of storage may have a repeat culture performed, and are returned to stock with two extra days of shelf life.Results  Of 43 230 platelet units screened, 35 (0·08%) were positive; of 8282 expired unused, 18 (0·22%) were positive; and of 3310 day‐4 retests, four (0.12%) were positive. Overall sensitivity of the initial screening test was 29·2% (95% confidence interval 19·4 to 39·1%). Thirteen of the 35 positive screening tests would have been expected to grow in both aerobic and anaerobic bottles; eight grew in aerobic culture only and five grew in anaerobic culture only, indicating that the likely number of bacteria in the contaminated platelet units at the time of sampling was less than 60 colony‐forming unit per platelet unit.Conclusions  Screening platelet concentrates for bacterial contamination using the most sensitive method available has a sensitivity of less than 40% because of the low numbers of bacteria in the initial contamination. Effective resolution of this problem will require a pathogen‐inactivation technique.
Functional and molecular identification of pH‐sensitive K+ channels in murine urinary bladder smooth muscle
Authors: Beckett Elizabeth A.H. , Han Insoo , Baker Salah A. , Han Junguk , Britton Fiona C. , Koh Sang Don 
Published: April 2008

OBJECTIVETo examine the role of pH‐sensitive K+ channels in setting the resting membrane potential in murine bladder smooth muscle, as bladder contractility is influenced by the resting membrane potential, which is mainly regulated by background K+ conductances.MATERIALS AND METHODSUsing conventional microelectrode recordings, isometric tension measurements, patch‐clamp recordings, reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR), Western blotting and immunohistochemistry, we assessed bladder smooth muscle cells and tissues.RESULTSAcidic pH (pH 6.5) depolarized the resting membrane potential of murine bladder smooth muscles and increased muscle tone and contractility. The pH‐induced changes were not abolished by neuronal blockers or classical K+‐channel antagonists. Lidocaine (1 mm) and bupivacaine (100 µm) mimicked the effects of acidifying the external solution, and in the presence of lidocaine no further increase in contractility was induced by reducing the pH to 6.5. Voltage‐clamp experiments on freshly dispersed bladder myocytes showed that pH 6.5 decreased the outward current. Pre‐treatment of bladder myocytes with the classical K+ antagonists tetraethylammonium (10 mm), 4‐aminopyridine (5 mm), glibenclamide (10 µm) or apamin (300 nm) did not inhibit the effects of low pH on outward current. However, treatment with lidocaine (1 mm) abolished the effects of acidic pH on outward current. RT‐PCR showed the expression of the acid‐sensitive K+ channel (TASK)‐1 and TASK‐2 gene transcripts in murine bladder, and immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis showed TASK‐1 and TASK‐2 channel expression and distribution in smooth muscle tissues and cells.CONCLUSIONTASK channels are expressed in bladder smooth muscle and contribute to the basal K+ conductances responsible for resting membrane potential.
Generic Product Advertising, Spillovers, and Market Concentration
Authors: Norman George , Pepall Lynne , Richards Dan 
Published: April 2008

AbstractWe examine the decision to advertise a homogenous good. We show that the likelihood of inefficiently low advertising rests heavily on how one models the mechanism by which advertising affects demand. Regardless of this mechanism, however, there is always a lower bound of concentration below which no advertising occurs even when welfare‐enhancing. In such cases, mandatory programs will raise welfare if they induce entry, although producer surplus may decline. Our model also provides an explanation for the stylized fact that advertising intensity first rises and then falls as concentration increases.
Rights‐Based Management and Alaska Pollock Processors' Supply
Authors: Fell Harrison 
Published: April 2008

AbstractUsing data from the Alaska pollock fishery, this study investigates the link between the implementation of rights‐based management and processors' price‐responsiveness in a multiproduct fishery. The analysis is based on cointegration with structural breaks to provide empirical evidence of a change in the long‐run relationship between processors' production, product prices, and whole fish deliveries. The results indicate that the endogenously determined structural breaks happened near the time when this fishery implemented individual fishing quotas. Furthermore, the estimation of the cointegrating vector indicates that the processors of this fishery are significantly more price‐responsive after the change in management.
Protecting Watershed Ecosystems through Targeted Local Land Use Policies
Authors: Langpap Christian , Hascic Ivan , Wu JunJie 
Published: April 2008

AbstractLand use change is the most pervasive force driving the degradation of watershed ecosystems. This article combines an econometric model of land use choice with models of watershed health indicators to examine the effects of land use policies on watershed ecosystems through their effect on land use. Our results suggest that incentive‐based land use policies and property acquisition programs can have relatively large positive impacts on watershed health, while policies that change the returns to land use are less effective. The results suggest that there is potential for targeting these policies because their impacts vary across watersheds with different land use mixes.
What Explains the Increased Utilization of Powder River Basin Coal in Electric Power Generation?
Authors: Gerking Shelby , Hamilton Stephen F. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThis article examines possible explanations for increased utilization of Powder River Basin (PRB) coal in electric power generation that occurred over the last two decades. Did more stringent environmental policy motivate electric power plants to switch to less polluting fuels? Or, did greater use of PRB coal occur because relative price changes altered input markets in favor of this fuel. A key finding is that factors other than environmental policy such as the decline in railroad freight rates together with elastic demand by power plants were major contributors to the increased utilization of this fuel.
Effects on Welfare Measures of Alternative Means of Accounting for Preference Heterogeneity in Recreational Demand Models
Authors: Hynes Stephen , Hanley Nick , Scarpa Riccardo 
Published: April 2008

AbstractMultiattribute‐revealed preference data are used to investigate heterogeneity in a sample of kayakers for a panel of whitewater sites in Ireland. This article focuses on a comparison of preference heterogeneity using a random parameter logit model with correlated tastes and a latent class model, in terms of the implications for welfare measures of environmental quality and site‐access changes. Recreationalists' skill levels are found to affect preferences in both approaches. Statistics for the estimated distribution of welfare changes for the average respondent are computed for changes in site attributes, but contrary to previous work, these are found to be of similar magnitude.
Polymorphism in the sorbin and SH3‐domain‐containing‐1 (SORBS1) gene and the risk of brain infarction in the Japanese population: the Fukuoka Stroke Registry and the Hisayama study
Authors: Hagiwara N. , Kitazono T. , Kamouchi M. , Kuroda J. , Ago T. , Hata J. , Ninomiya T. , Ooboshi H. , Kumai Y. , Yoshimura S. , Tamaki K. , Fujii K. , Nagao T. , Okada Y. , Toyoda K. , Nakane H. , Sugimori H. , Yamashita Y. , Wakugawa Y. , Kubo M. , Tanizaki Y. , Kiyohara Y. , Ibayashi S. , Iida M. 
Published: April 2008

Background and purpose:  Sorbin and SH3‐domain‐containing‐1 (SORBS1) is an important adaptor protein in insulin‐signalling pathway, and its genetic polymorphism may regulate the activity of insulin resistance. We investigated the association between the SORBS1 T228A polymorphism and ischaemic stroke.Methods:  Genotyping was achieved by a rapid‐cycle PCR and melting curve analysis using fluorescent probes in 1049 incident cases of ischaemic stroke and 1049 age‐ and sex‐matched control subjects recruited from the Hisayama study.Results:  The allele distributions of the SORBS1 T228A polymorphism were similar amongst cases and controls. The multivariate‐adjusted odds ratio (OR) of the AA genotype for ischaemic stroke was 2.897 (95% CI, 0.907–8.018) compared with the TT genotype. In terms of stroke subtype, there was a trend toward a difference in the AA genotypes for lacunar infarction, compared with the TT genotype (OR = 8.740, P = 0.0510), and combined TT and TA genotypes (OR = 8.768, P = 0.0505). The other polymorphisms genotyped were not associated with any subtypes of ischaemic stroke. T228A polymorphism of SORBS1 was not associated with the prevalence of diabetes.Conclusions:  The AA genotype of SORBS1 T228A polymorphism may play a role in lacunar infarction in the Japanese population.
The polymorphous light eruption–severity assessment score does not reliably predict the results of phototesting
Authors: Schornagel IJ , Guikers KLH , Van Weelden H , Brijnzeel‐Koomen CAFM , Sigurdsson V 
Published: April 2008

AbstractBackground  Polymorphous light eruption (PLE) is a very common photodermatosis in which patient history is highly specific. Phototesting is used to confirm the diagnosis and to determine the action spectrum and the severity of this disease. In daily practice and in research studies, it would be convenient to assess disease severity by patient history only.Objectives  This study aims to assess PLE disease severity via patient history and compares this with severity assessment via phototesting.Patients and methods  Sixty‐one patients with PLE were asked 10 standard questions and all were phototested. The answers to the standard questions were coded with linear scores ranging from 0 to 10. The score of each question was plotted as independent variable in a multiple linear regression model against the score of the phototest (minimal number of irradiations necessary to elicit a positive skin lesion, with a maximum of 6 irradiations) as dependent variable using an enter approach. Furthermore, the scores of the separate questions were added to form a total score, the PLE–severity assessment score (PLE‐SAS). The medians of these PLE‐SASs were compared with the result scores obtained by phototesting. Phototesting was done with ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B irradiation.Results  Fifty‐seven of the 61 patients had a positive test result (93%). Using the multiple linear regression model, the severity assessment by patient history (PLE‐SAS) compared with the result of phototesting showed two significant contributing questions (adjusted PLE‐SAS) (P < 0.05) but with a regression coefficient of 0.2. A significant difference in median scores with the severity assessment (PLE‐SAS and adjusted PLE‐SAS) between patients testing positive after 1–3 irradiations compared with those testing positive after 4–6 irradiations was present (P < 0.05). However, the overlap quartile range between both groups was such that the PLE‐SAS and the adjusted PLE‐SAS have little predictive value in individual patients.Conclusions  We showed that in PLE, disease severity as determined using the PLE‐SAS or adjusted PLE‐SAS did not reliably predict severity as assessed by phototesting. Two significant contributing questions were not discriminating enough to be used as predicting questions to assess severity. Accurate patient history proved to be a reliable method to diagnose PLE. Phototesting is useful to determine the responsible ultraviolet action spectrum and to exclude differential diagnoses like photosensitive eczema, lupus erythematosus or chronic actinic dermatitis. PLE‐SAS cannot replace phototesting for determining the severity of PLE.
XXXV.—A Contribution to the Ornithology of the Libyan Desert.
Authors: Moreau R. E. 
Published: April 2008

Summary.The Libyan Desert is described and the specimens collected in the interior by British and Italian workers are listed. Among the otherwise very scanty resident population Falcons are surprisingly abundant. The evidence for migration across the desert is reviewed for each longitude. The Cyrenaican list of passage migrants closely resembles the Egyptian list without its eastern elements. I conclude that a broad‐front migration of northern forms takes place at least from long. 21° to long. 31° (600 miles) and that a large proportion of all the birds travelling through N.E. Africa see nothing of the Nile. The new data for several individual forms are discussed, especially Storks and Shrikes.
Territory and Polygamy in a Bishop‐bird, Euplectes hordeacea hordeacea (Linn.).
Authors: Lack David 
Published: April 2008

Summary.

In the region studied the males of Euplectes hordeacea hordeacea (Linn.) hold territories with rigidly defined boundaries, which they rarely leave and which they defend against all other males and strange females.
Each male has a succession of females, courting with and building for one at a time. There were sometimes three females with nests in the territory simultaneously, sometimes only one.
The female adds to the nest and alone incubates and feeds the young. It takes no cognisance of the territory, gathering building material and food for the young from well outside it, and not infrequently settling in the territory of a neighbouring male.
4. The territory appears to have no food value.
5. The value of the territory is probably to achieve isolation for the cocks, and so to assist the hens to find mates.
6. The display, which shows off the bright colours, is correlated with the territory and not with courtship, which is simple.
A Contribution to the Ornithology of the East Side of Lake Tanganyika
Authors: Moreau. R. E. 
Published: April 2008

Summary.A description is given of the more interesting features of a collection from the Ufipa and the Kungwe‐Mahare highland areas on the east side of Lake Tanganyika. The forest avifauna proved to be of exceptional interest, fourteen new forms being discovered. On topographical grounds the Kungwe‐Mahare avifauna would be expected to have rather stronger affinities with the highlands north of the Malagarasi Depression than with the Ufipa highlands on the south of the Karema Gap. But, in fact, northern affinities are so predominant on Kungwe‐Mahare as to indicate the Karema Gap as a major zoo‐geographical barrier. This agrees with the tendency of recent geological work to show that the Karema Gap represents a rift valley older than the Lake Tanganyika trough and running north‐west from Rukwa.The breeding season in Ufipa apparently bears the same relation to the rainy season as in Iringa and in Nyasaland. that is, starting, for many species, just before the rains break. But on Kungwe‐Mahare the forest birds seem to breed appreciably later, and not before the rains.
The Two Phases of Stercorarius parasitieus (Linnæus)
Authors: Southern H. N. 
Published: April 2008

Summary.

The distribution of polymorph ratios in wild populations, and changes or evolution in such distribution, are peculiarly suitable to quantitative treatment. Cases of polymorphism, whether in equilibrium, due to a balance of selective factors, or transient, due to the favouring and spread of one or more of the phases, are known among birds, and the following instances are discussed:the Guillemot (Uria aalge), the Screech‐Owl (Otus asio), the Reef‐Heron (Demigretta sacra) and the Fulmar Petrel (Fulmarus glacialis).
Melanic polymorphs are well known in birds, and replacement has been demonstrated within historic times for Coereba saccharina, and Rhipidura flabellifera.
In the Skuas S. longicaudus has very rare melanics, S. pomarinus about one in ten or twenty, S. parasiticus from 0–95 per cent. Considerations are advanced for and against the hypothesis that the melanic form is the mutant.
Data on distribution of S. parasiticus, which is circumpolar, are collated and discussed. Greatest population concentrations are in the areas of the north Pacific and north Atlantic. Further data suggest that the control of the two phases may be unifactorial, and that the young may be identifiable the same season in which they are hatched.
References in the literature to proportions of the phases throughout the range are given in Table 1, and the distribution pattern shows that dark birds are much commoner in the oceanic and southern areas, while in the high north and the continental areas of the range pale birds predominate, sometimes to the exclusion of the dark. Pale birds are commoner in the Old World than in the New World areas, and it is possible that the melanic has spread from the two oceanic areas northward and along the continental edges—more rapidly in the Pacific, where the northernmost populations still have a fair number of dark birds. Isolines for 25, 50 and 75 pale birds per cent, are given in text‐fig. 5.
The dimorph‐ratio cline thus revealed is probably of the “stepped ramp” type, though only in a few places can an intra‐group cline be distinguished (e.g. Iceland). Reversals and anomalies occur in areas of discontinuous and small populations (e. g. the British Isles). Remarkable rates of change in dimorph ratio are also recorded in such places. No reliable indication of long‐term change is to be found, though there are some suggestive instances.
Temperature does not appear to be correlated with the cline. Humidity shows broad relations, but on close scrutiny the coincidence breaks down.
Heterogeneity, due to selective mating, occurred in one sample examined, but not in three others.
On the Races and Distribution of the White‐eyes belonging to the Zosterops senegalensis and Zosterops virens Groups
Authors: Mackworth‐Praed C. W. , Grant C. H. B. 
Published: April 2008

Summary.This group is admittedly difficult, not only in distinguishing between the species, especially where, in the majority of specimens, no habitat is given on the labels, but even when this has been done, in distinguishing the recognizable races. Zosterops eurycricotus and Zosterops kikuyuensis are not so difficult if the eye‐ring and broad yellow forehead are carefully compared. These two species may be confused with Zosterops virens jacksoni, but the) have a larger eye‐ring and a broader and bright yellow forehead. Zosterops senegalensis is variable individually and alters somewhat between fresh and worn specimens, the young bird being rather darker than the adults. This species is always brighter above and clearer yellow below than Zosterops virens and, except for Zosterops S. anderssoni, has a shorter bill and the black at the base of the bill does not extend well up on to thc lores. Zosterops s. anderssoni can be distinguished from Zosterops virens stierlingi by the brighter upper side and the rather clearer yellow below, but the bill is not shorter and the black at the babe of the bill in some specimens extende on to the lores, and these specimens can only be distinguished by very careful comparison of colour in a aeries.With Zoskrops virens the females are generally rather greener above and duller below than the males, and the young bird is even more dull. Zosterops v. jacksoni and Zosterops v. schoana arc quite well defined races, but Zosterops v. stuhlmanni and Zosterops u. sterlingi are very close and can only be dist, inguished one from the other in a series, when a differential general tone of colour is observable and which precludes them being placed as synonyms of each other. We can see no character by which the rows we have placed as synonyms can be recognized. In both Zosterops senpgalemis and Zosterops oirene there is some individual variation. and there is no evidence that there is any seasonal change of dress.The habitats given by collectors for Zosterops senegalensis and Zosterops virens seem to show that both these species inhabit the same type of country, and although it can be said that the former inhabits more open and dryer country, i. e., the open hush, savannahs and gallery forests, there is little doubt that in search of food, and perhaps more especially when in mixed bird parties, both species may be found in the same type of country, and the habitat as given under A and B must be considered as only generally correct and, perhaps, more so in the breeding than the non‐breeding season. In view of the confusion that has existed between the species some of the published field notes may be unreliable.