bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In vitro susceptibility‐testing in Aspergillus species
Authors: Lass‐Flörl Cornelia , Perkhofer Susanne 
Published: April 2008

Summary Aspergillus species are the most common causes of invasive mould infections in immunocompromised patients. The introduction of new antifungal agents and recent reports of resistance emerging during treatment of Aspergillus infections have highlighted the need for in vitro susceptibility‐testing. Various testing procedures have been proposed, including macrodilution and microdilution, agar diffusion, disc diffusion and Etest. At present, one of the most widely used assays is the M38‐A reference method for filamentous fungi, published by the Clinical Laboratory Standard Institute and the Etest. Recently, the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility‐testing (EUCAST) has charged its Antifungal Susceptibility‐testing Subcommittee (AFST‐EUCAST) with the preparation of new guidelines for in vitro susceptibility‐testing of antifungals against Aspergillus spp. (EUCAST‐AFST‐ASPERGILLUS) defining breakpoints. This paper reviews the available methods for antifungal susceptibility‐testing in Aspergillus spp. as well as the scant data regarding the clinical implications of in vitro testing.
How do patients with parkinsonism present? A clinicopathological study
Authors: Williams D. R. , Lees A. J. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractBackground:  The early clinical features of neurodegenerative parkinsonism can be subtle and often coexist with autonomic, sensory and psychic symptoms, making accurate early diagnosis challenging.Methods:  We retrospectively assessed the initial, clinical presentation and referral patterns of 494 patients with a pathological diagnosis of parkinsonism (344 with Parkinson’s disease (PD), 89 with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and 61 with multiple system atrophy (MSA)) archived at the Queen Square Brain Bank, London.Results:  Forty‐four per cent of all patients were initially referred to a neurologist. Of those with PD, 28% were referred to a general physician, and approximately 5% each to orthopaedic surgeons, urologists, psychiatrists and rheumatologists. Pain was common in those not initially referred to neurologists and most lacked early tremor, rigidity and bradykinesia. More PSP patients were initially referred to ophthalmologists than in PD (9 vs 1%, χ2P < 0.001) and more MSA patients were referred to a urologist or gynaecologist than in PD (21 vs 5%, χ2P < 0.001). In PD a frozen shoulder, degenerative spine disease and benign prostatic hypertrophy were the most common early diagnoses. In PSP, the most common misdiagnosis was PD, followed by vascular parkinsonism and degenerative spinal disease. This was similar in MSA, but bladder outlet obstruction and idiopathic vocal cord palsy were other initial diagnoses.Conclusion:  The early clinical manifestations of PD, PSP and MSA are protean and often non‐specific, leading to diverse specialist referrals. When diagnoses, such as frozen shoulder and cervical spondylosis, benign prostatic hypertrophy or unstable bladder and depression are made, specialists should consider the possibility of early parkinsonism and look carefully for additional subtle motor abnormalities.
Environmental stimulation, parental nurturance and cognitive development in humans
Authors: Farah Martha J. , Betancourt Laura , Shera David M. , Savage Jessica H. , Giannetta Joan M. , Brodsky Nancy L. , Malmud Elsa K. , Hurt Hallam 
Published: April 2008

Abstract The effects of environmental stimulation and parental nurturance on brain development have been studied extensively in animals. Much less is known about the relations between childhood experience and cognitive development in humans. Using a longitudinally collected data set with ecologically valid in‐home measures of childhood experience and later in‐laboratory behavioral measures of cognitive ability, we were able to test hypotheses concerning the effects of environmental stimulation and parental nurturance. A double dissociation was found: On the one hand, there was a selective relation between parental nurturance and memory development, consistent with the animal literature on maternal buffering of stress hormone effects on hippocampal development. On the other hand, there was a selective relation between environmental stimulation and language development. The relevance of these findings to socioeconomic gradients in cognitive ability is discussed.
Peers and Culture*
Authors: Sáez‐Martí María , Sjögren Anna 
Published: April 2008

AbstractWe analyze the evolution of culture when parents socialize children to the cultural variants that maximize child lifetime utility. Parents invest in cultural transmission by taking into account that children are also influenced by peers. We model the influence of peers by assuming that children observe different cultural variants in their peer group, assign merit to them and adopt one variant, following a probabilistic adoption rule. We show that cultural diversity is sustainable even if all parents strive to transmit the same variant. We also show that a parental demand for cultural pluralism does not guarantee cultural diversity.
Federal Monetary Policy: A Comment
Authors: Hauck Achim , Vollmer Uwe 
Published: April 2008

AbstractWe comment on an article published in this journal by Hefeker (2003) and reveal an inconsistency in his analysis of monetary policy in federal monetary unions. We clarify an implicit assumption in his model and show that even when this further assumption is met, Hefeker's (2003) claim that a pure majority vote by the regions and the central government results in a monetary authority consisting solely of regionally appointed governors is not generally valid in the context of his model.
Parasympathetic Regulation and Parental Socialization of Emotion: Biopsychosocial Processes of Adjustment in Preschoolers
Authors: Hastings Paul D. , De Ishani 
Published: April 2008

AbstractVariations in parents' emotion socialization have been linked to children's social competence (SC) and behavior problems, but parental influences do not act independently of children's characteristics. A biopsychosocial model was tested, in which children's parasympathetic regulation of cardiac function and paternal and maternal socialization of negative emotions were examined as joint predictors of young children's SC and behavior problems at daycare and preschool. Mothers and fathers responded differently to children's emotions, and cardiac vagal tone moderated the relations between parents' emotion socialization and children's behavior in early childcare settings. Both maternal and paternal emotion socialization strategies were more strongly associated with preschool adjustment for children with relatively less parasympathetic self‐regulatory capacities than for more self‐regulated children. Paternal reactions to children's anger, and maternal responses to children's sadness and fear, were particularly closely tied to variations in SC and internalizing and externalizing problems.
Mother–Child Conversations about Emotions: Linkages to Child Aggression and Prosocial Behavior
Authors: Garner Pamela W. , Dunsmore Julie C. , Southam‐Gerrow Michael 
Published: April 2008

AbstractWe examined associations of maternal and child emotional discourse and child emotion knowledge with children's behavioral competence. Eighty‐five upper middle‐income, mostly White preschoolers and mothers completed a home‐based bookreading task to assess discourse about emotions. Children's anger perception bias and emotion situation knowledge were assessed in a separate interview. Children's prosocial behavior, relational aggression, and physical aggression were observed during a preschool‐based triadic play task. Mothers' emotion explanations were correlated with children's emotion situation knowledge and relational aggression. Both mothers' and children's emotion explanations predicted prosocial behavior whereas mothers' use of positive emotional themes was negatively associated with children's anger perception bias. Physical aggression was predicted by mothers' emotion comments, children's anger perception bias, and lack of emotion situation knowledge. Maternal emotion socialization variables were less strongly related to children's behavioral competence after accounting for demographics and child emotional competence. Implications of these findings for future research on emotion socialization are discussed.
Pathways between Parent–Child Interactions and Peer Acceptance: The Role of Children's Social Information Processing
Authors: Rah Yumee , Parke Ross D. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThis study examined the links among parents' interaction styles, their children's social information processing, and peer acceptance. Fourth‐grade children (N = 159) and their parents were observed during family discussions. One year later peer acceptance and children's information processing choices (goals, strategies, and attributions) in response to social dilemmas involving their parents and peers were assessed. Fathers' interaction styles with their children predicted both girls' and boys' information processing in regard to their fathers and peers, which, in turn, were related to peer acceptance. Mothers' interactive styles with their children predicted children's social information processing in regard to parents and peers and peer acceptance in similar ways, but only for girls. This study provided evidence that parent–child interaction is linked to children's information processing concerning their relationships with parents and peers and in turn with children being liked by peers. The implications of a social information processing approach for understanding family–peer links are emphasized.
Status and Gender Differences in Early Adolescents' Descriptions of Popularity
Authors: Closson Leanna M. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThis study examined gender and status differences among sixth through eighth grade early adolescents' (N = 387) descriptions of what it means to be popular. More boys than girls specified being cool, athletic, funny, and defiant/risky, whereas more girls than boys identified wearing nice clothing, being attractive, mean, snobby, rude, and sociable as descriptors of popularity. Descriptions also varied as a function of the individual's status: adolescents who were perceived as popular described popularity primarily in positive terms, whereas adolescents perceived as average and unpopular used both positive and negative terms. Compared with their same‐gender peers, more popular boys indicated being cool, attractive, and athletic, whereas more popular girls specified being athletic and liked. Compared with popular girls, more average girls used the terms mean and conceited in their descriptions, whereas more average and unpopular girls indicated the term snobby. This study illustrates the complexity and variability in early adolescents' social constructions of popularity.
Respect‐based Control and Anger as Determinants of Children's Socio‐emotional Development
Authors: Awong Tsasha , Grusec Joan E. , Sorenson Ann 
Published: April 2008

AbstractShortly after the birth of their infants, teenage working‐class mothers were assessed on attitudes toward the need for deference to family authority (respect‐based control) and anger. Their children's internalizing and externalizing problems and self‐esteem were assessed approximately 12 years later. High respect‐based control was linked to higher levels of externalizing problems in boys, regardless of level of maternal anger. Mothers who were low in anger and high in respect‐based control had children who exhibited higher levels of self‐esteem. Respect‐based control predicted inconsistent rule enforcement, but not lack of warmth or harsh parenting. Arguments are made for distinguishing among various forms of control (e.g., authoritarian, psychological, behavioral, and respect‐based) as well as the affective context in which they are administered in order to achieve an adequate understanding of the socialization process.
Decision‐making in ADHD: sensitive to frequency but blind to the magnitude of penalty?
Authors: Luman Marjolein , Oosterlaan Jaap , Knol Dirk L. , Sergeant Joseph A. 
Published: April 2008

Background:  Decision‐making and reinforcement sensitivity were investigated in 23 children with ADHD and 20 healthy controls using a gambling paradigm.Methods:  Children were required to choose between three alternatives that carried (A) small rewards and small penalties (advantageous), (B) large rewards and increasing penalties and (C) small rewards and increasing penalties (both disadvantageous). Penalties increased either in frequency or magnitude in two independent conditions. Heart rate (HR) and skin conductance (SC) were measured to examine whether impaired decision‐making was accompanied by autonomic abnormalities.Results:  Children with ADHD showed a maladaptive response style compared to controls by demonstrating a smaller preference for the advantageous alternative, when penalties increased in magnitude. When penalties increased in frequency, children with ADHD performed like controls. Group differences in decision‐making attenuated after the task was administered twice. Compared to controls, performance of children with ADHD in the magnitude condition was accompanied by increased HR acceleration following reward. In this condition, the post‐selection SC of children with ADHD was larger for advantageous than for disadvantageous alternatives, in contrast to controls who showed an opposite SC pattern.Conclusions:  The current findings suggest that during decision‐making, children with ADHD may be sensitive to the frequency but blind to the magnitude of penalty.
Spinal CCL2 pronociceptive action is no longer effective in CCR2 receptor antagonist‐treated rats
Authors: Dansereau Marc‐André , Gosselin Romain‐Daniel , Pohl Michel , Pommier Blandine , Mechighel Patricia , Mauborgne Annie , Rostene William , Kitabgi Patrick , Beaudet Nicolas , Sarret Philippe , Melik‐Parsadaniantz Stéphane 
Published: April 2008

AbstractA better understanding of the mechanisms linked to chemokine pronociceptive effects is essential for the development of new strategies to better prevent and treat chronic pain. Among chemokines, MCP‐1/CCL2 involvement in neuropathic pain processing is now established. However, the mechanisms by which MCP‐1/CCL2 exerts its pronociceptive effects are still poorly understood. In the present study, we demonstrate that MCP‐1/CCL2 can alter pain neurotransmission in healthy rats. Using immunohistochemical studies, we first show that CCL2 is constitutively expressed by primary afferent neurons and their processes in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. We also observe that CCL2 is co‐localized with pain‐related peptides (SP and CGRP) and capsaicin receptor (VR1). Accordingly, using in vitro superfusion system of lumbar dorsal root ganglion and spinal cord explants of healthy rats, we show that potassium or capsaicin evoke calcium‐dependent release of CCL2. In vivo, we demonstrate that intrathecal administration of CCL2 to healthy rats produces both thermal hyperalgesia and sustained mechanical allodynia (up to four consecutive days). These pronociceptive effects of CCL2 are completely prevented by the selective CCR2 antagonist (INCB3344), indicating that CCL2‐induced pain facilitation is elicited via direct spinal activation of CCR2 receptor. Therefore, preventing the activation of CCR2 might provide a fruitful strategy for treating pain.
Orphan nuclear receptor, Nurr‐77 was a possible target gene of butylidenephthalide chemotherapy on glioblastoma multiform brain tumor
Authors: Lin Po‐Cheng , Chen Yi‐Lin , Chiu Shao‐Chih , Yu Yung‐Luen , Chen Shee‐Ping , Chien Min‐Hui , Chen Kuan‐Yen , Chang Wen‐Liang , Lin Shinn‐Zong , Chiou Tzyy‐Wen , Harn Horng‐Jyh 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe natural compound n‐butylidenephthalide (BP), which is isolated from the chloroform extract of Angelica sinensis, has been investigated for its antitumoral effects on glioblastoma multiform (GBM) brain tumors both in vitro and in vivo. To determine the mechanism of BP‐induced growth arrest and apoptosis, we examined BP‐induced changes in gene expression by microarray screening using human GBM brain tumor cells. This analysis identified several BP‐inducible genes, including the nuclear receptors NOR‐1, Nurr1, and Nur77. Among these genes, Nur77 is particularly interesting because it plays an important role in the apoptotic processes in various tumor cell lines. BP was able to increase Nur77 mRNA and protein expression in a time‐dependent manner. After BP treatment in GBM 8401 cells, Nur77 translocated from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, the cytochrome c was released from the mitochondria, and caspase 3 became activated. Furthermore, using Nur77 promoter‐luciferase assay, BP increased Nur77 was AP1 related. Inhibition of BP‐induced Nur77 expression by Nur77 short interfering RNA blocked BP‐induced apoptosis in GBM 8401 cells, suggesting that the induction of Nur77 negatively affected GBM 8401 cell survival. In summary, our results suggest that up‐regulation of Nur77 may explain the antitumoral activity of BP in brain tumor cells.
Nursery Nitrogen Loading Improves Field Performance of Bareroot Oak Seedlings Planted on Abandoned Mine Lands
Authors: Salifu K. Francis , Jacobs Douglass F. , Birge Zonda K. D. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAlthough mine reclamation sites are important targets for ecological restoration, they are generally difficult to regenerate successfully. We evaluated the importance of nursery nutrient loading as a new approach to enhance forest restoration on abandoned mine lands. Northern red oak (Quercus rubra) and White oak (Q. alba) seedlings were nitrogen (N) loaded for 18 weeks at a bareroot nursery in southern Indiana, United States. Fertility treatments followed conventional or modified exponential functions to synchronize N supply with plant demand. Subsequently, nursery‐grown seedlings were outplanted the following year onto a mine reclamation site in southwestern Indiana to evaluate effects of nursery N loading on first‐year field performance. Nursery N loading promoted total plant dry mass production 25–129% in Red oak and 50–184% in White oak compared to unfertilized plants. Nitrogen loading increased N content 88–145% and potassium (K) content 16–71% for Red oak and N content 124–250% and K content 16–93% for White oak relative to controls. When outplanted, N loading resulted in high seedling survival (>84%) and increased total plant dry mass production 14–30% for Red oak and 23–52% for White oak. Nitrogen loading increased plant N uptake 14–102% in Red oak and 32–105% in White oak under field conditions. Exponential N loading demonstrates potential as a viable technique to improve seedling outplanting performance and reclamation success in Indiana and elsewhere.
Secondary Invasions: Implications of Riparian Restoration for In‐Stream Invasion by an Aquatic Grass
Authors: Loo Sarina E. , Mac Nally Ralph , O’Dowd Dennis J. , Lake P. S. 
Published: April 2008

Abstract The complex nature of ecosystems with multiple invaders requires whole‐system approaches to ecosystem management. Undesirable, unintended secondary effects may occur if interspecific interactions are ignored. Although degraded riparian zones urgently need effective restoration, broad‐scale removal of introduced tree species (e.g., willows [Salix spp.]) and fencing of riparian zones to exclude livestock may facilitate spread of the invasive aquatic grass Glyceria maxima in southeastern Australia. We recorded occurrence of the grass at riparian sites with different amounts of woody vegetation, including willows, and monitored spread for 2 years in locations with and without livestock. Glyceria maxima occurred more frequently at sites with little or no woody riparian vegetation. Larger, older patches fenced from livestock spread fastest. Analyses of costs of controlling G. maxima with herbicide showed that it is more cost‐effective to eradicate small patches than large patches if locations are known. However, the cost per m2 reduction in patch size is cheaper for larger patches. We recommend that small, young patches should be eradicated as soon as detected and show that spread of large source patches can be controlled effectively with continued spraying over several years. If restoration of waterways is to succeed, riparian management strategies must recognize connectivity between riparian and freshwater habitats.
Evaluation of Morphology and Seed Production of Alpine Cat’s Tail [Phleum rhaeticum (Humph.) Rauschert] Germplasm in View of its Use for Ecological Restoration at High Altitude
Authors: Romani Massimo , Pecetti Luciano , Tosca Alberto , Della Marianna Giampaolo , Gusmeroli Fausto , Paoletti Renato , Piano Efisio 
Published: April 2008

Abstract “Site‐specific” vegetation, that is germplasm ecologically adapted to the prevailing pedoclimatic conditions and native to the target region, is increasingly required in the revegetation of disturbed areas at high altitude. Some key site‐specific species have been reported for the Alpine region. Better knowledge is needed on the existing variability of these species, while high seed yield is required to ensure the availability of commercially adequate seed supply. Natural populations of Alpine cat’s tail from the Rhaetian Alps were evaluated for morphology and seed production at a mountain and at a lowland site of northern Italy aiming at (1) identifying possible superior populations for the selection of adapted high‐yielding cultivars and (2) verifying whether the seed multiplication of site‐specific species could also be undertaken in areas different from those of origin. The germplasm from one valley featured an interesting architecture of traits, representing a possible ideotype for seed production purposes. Individual populations across different valleys also proved to be a valuable source of variation for economically useful traits. A discussion on possible implications of use of nonlocal germplasm sources for restoration purposes is provided. The lowland site gave much lower seed production than the mountain location and experienced outstanding plant mortality after the first summer. The specific site conditions, namely the occurrence of an appreciable level of heat and drought stress in summer and a severe rust infection rather than the altitude per se, limited the suitability of this site for seed production of the alpine germplasm.
Patch Size and Tree Species Influence the Number and Duration of Bird Visits in Forest Restoration Plots in Southern Costa Rica
Authors: Fink Rebecca D. , Lindell Catherine A. , Morrison Emily B. , Zahawi Rakan A. , Holl Karen D. 
Published: April 2008

Abstract Efforts to restore tropical forest in abandoned pasture are likely to be more successful when bird visitation is promoted because birds disperse seeds and eat herbivorous arthropods that damage leaves. Thus, it is critical to understand bird behavior in relation to different restoration strategies. We measured the likelihood of visitation, number of visits, and duration of visits for all birds and for Cherrie’s Tanager (Ramphocelus costaricensis), a common seed disperser, in five sizes of forest restoration patches planted with four tree species in southern Costa Rica. We predicted that the largest patches, and the tree species with the greatest canopy cover, would be visited most frequently and have the longest visits because we assumed that these patch types had the greatest food resources and the lowest predation risk. We found that birds were more likely to visit large patches and the tree species with the highest canopy cover (Inga edulis). Birds visited Inga trees more often and stayed in Inga and Erythrina poeppigiana trees for longer periods of time than in other tree species. We found similar results for Cherrie’s Tanagers. Thus, we identified two factors, tree species and patch size, which may be manipulated in restoration projects to increase bird visitation.