bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparative life table statistics for the ladybeetleScymnus syriacusreared on the green citrus aphid,Aphis spiraecola, fed on two host plants
Authors: SOROUSHMEHR Zahra , SAHRAGARD Ahad , SALEHI Latif 
Published: September 2008

AbstractDemographic statistics for the ladybeetleScymnus syriacusMarseul (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) were investigated when reared on the green citrus aphid,Aphis spiraecolaPatch (Homoptera: Aphididae), fed on two host plants: spirea (Spireasp.) and Thompson orange (Citrus sinensiscv. Thompson) under laboratory conditions (25 ± 1°C, 65 ± 5% relative humidity and 16 h light : 8 h dark). Mean developmental times from egg to adult were 20.32 ± 0.18 and 22.07 ± 0.15 days for spirea and Thompson orange, respectively. The survival rate from egg to adult was higher for spirea (85%) than for Thompson orange (72.5%). The oviposition periods were 41.8 ± 2.47 and 39.71 ± 2.6 days and the total number of eggs per female were 657.6 ± 29.5 and 587.9 ± 32.6 on spirea and Thompson orange, respectively. Fertility life tables were also constructed to compare the effects of host plants. The intrinsic rate of increase (rm) on spirea was higher than that on Thompson orange. Jackknife estimates ofrmvaried from 0.149 on spirea to 0.133 on Thompson orange. The mean population generation times on these host plants were 38.16 and 40.65 days, respectively. These results indicate that spirea‐fedA. spiraecolais more suitable forS. syriacus, producing a higher survival rate and shorter developmental time.
Psychosocial Factors Associated With Lifetime Experience of Serious Unintentional Injury in South Korea
Authors: Ham Ok Kyung 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACT
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of lifetime unintentional‐injury experience and evaluate the quality of life of unintentional‐injury victims, to provide useful data for the development of interventions aimed at decreasing the incidence of unintentional injuries.Design, sample, and methods: This study utilized data obtained from cross‐sectional surveys of 24,327 Korean individuals aged 19–65 years, performed using face‐to‐face interviews. Demographic characteristics, unintentional‐injury experience, attributes of health behavior, and health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) questions were included in the study instruments.Results: About 11.8% of the subjects had experienced an unintentional injury that required hospitalization at least once in their lifetime. Being older, being male, having less education and lower income, working in a blue‐collar job, and being enrolled in medical aid programs were associated with increased likelihood of having an unintentional injury. Among the HRQoL and risk‐taking behavior variables, limitations in daily activities, suicide ideation, and binge drinking were significantly associated with injury experience.Conclusion: Public health efforts to prevent unintentional injuries should target high‐risk populations such as males, those with low incomes and education levels, and binge drinkers. Efforts should also be made to enhance the HRQoL of injury victims.
Responses of Chinese Elderly to the Threat of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in a Canadian Community
Authors: Wills Betty Shuc Han , Morse Janice M. 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACT
Objective: To describe responses of Chinese elderly living in Edmonton, Canada, during the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) pandemic, and their use of Western and/or traditional Chinese medicine.Design: A QUAL‐qual mixed method design, using grounded theory as the core method and ethnographic strategies are used to inform the cultural aspects of the study.Sample: A purposeful sample of 19 Chinese elderly was interviewed and tape recorded. Four traditional Chinese Practitioners were also interviewed.Methods: The interviews were transcribed and analyzed in Chinese and later translated into English. Data analysis utilized the constant comparison method.Results: Participants experienced a 5‐stage process of protecting self, family, and others, responding according to the perceived threat of SARS. Participants used both Western and traditional Chinese strategies to combat SARS. Their desire to protect others took precedence under the moral code of filial piety. Once SARS was under control, the community remained vigilant and continued to monitor for its possible reoccurrence.Conclusions: Cultural beliefs and practices within the Chinese population support the recommendations set by the health department for the protection of individuals and the community during the SARS pandemic. Therefore, the public health sector should become familiar with and support these Chinese cultural networks during pandemics.
DNA variants in coding region of EFHC1: SNPs do not associate with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy
Authors: Bai Dongsheng , Bailey Julia N. , Durón Reyna M. , Alonso María E. , Medina Marco T. , Martínez‐Juárez Iris E. , Suzuki Toshimitsu , Machado‐Salas Jesús , Ramos‐Ramírez Ricardo , Tanaka Miyabi , Ortega Ramón H. Castro , López‐Ruiz Minerva , Rasmussen Astrid , Ochoa Adriana , Jara‐Prado Aurelio , Yamakawa Kazuhiro , Delgado‐Escueta Antonio V. 
Published: September 2008

SummaryPurpose:  Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) accounts for 3 to 12% of all epilepsies. In 2004, we identified a mutation‐harboring Mendelian gene that encodes a protein with one EF‐hand motif (EFHC1) in chromosome 6p12. We observed one doubly heterozygous and three heterozygous missense mutations in EFHC1 segregating as an autosomal dominant gene with 21 affected members of six Hispanic JME families from California and Mexico. In 2006, similar and three novel missense mutations were reported in sporadic and familial Caucasian JME from Italy and Austria. In this study, we asked if coding single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of EFHC1 also contribute as susceptibility alleles to JME with complex genetics.Methods:  We screened using denaturing high‐performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC) and then directly sequenced the 11 exons of EFHC1 in 130 unrelated JME probands, their 352 family members, and seven exons of EFHC1 in 400–614 ethnically matched controls. We carried out case‐control association studies between 124 unrelated Hispanic JME probands and 552–614 ethnically matched controls using four SNPs, rs3804506, rs3804505, rs1266787, and rs17851770. We also performed family‐based association on SNPs rs3804506 and rs3804505 in 84 complete JME families using the Family‐Based Association Test (FBAT) program.Results:  We found no statistically significant differences between JME probands and controls in case‐control association and no genetic transmission disequilibria in family‐based association for the tested SNPs. In addition, we identified four new DNA variants in the coding region of EFHC1.Conclusion:  The four coding SNPs, rs3804506, rs3804505, rs1266787, and rs17851770, of EFHC1 may not be susceptibility alleles for JME.
Validation of the Triage Risk Stratification Tool to Identify Older Persons at Risk for Hospital Admission and Returning to the Emergency Department
Authors: Lee Jacques S. , Schwindt Graeme , Langevin Mara , Moghabghab Rola , Alibhai Shabbir M. H. , Kiss Alex , Naglie Gary 
Published: September 2008

OBJECTIVES: To assess the predictive validity of the Triage Risk Stratification Tool (TRST) to identify return to the emergency department (ED) or hospitalization in a multicenter patient sample.DESIGN: Prospective, observational study with 1‐year follow‐up.SETTING: EDs of three hospitals in Toronto, Canada.PARTICIPANTS: Seven hundred eighty‐eight subjects aged 65 to 101 (mean age 76.6, 58.5% female) who presented to the ED and were discharged home from the ED.MEASUREMENTS: Trained clinical assessors completed the TRST on patients aged 65 and older during a 4‐week study period. Patients who subsequently returned to the ED or were admitted to the hospital were identified using hospital information systems and classified as experiencing the composite endpoint at 30, 120, and 365 days.RESULTS: The mean TRST score was 1.55 (range 0–5), and 147 (18.7%) patients experienced the composite endpoint of return to the ED or hospital admission by 30 days. The sensitivity of a TRST score of 2 or greater was 62%, (95% confidence interval (CI)=54–70%), specificity was 57% (95% CI=53–61%), and likelihood ratio was 1.44 (95% CI=1.23–1.66). The area under the curve was 0.61 using a cutoff score of 2.CONCLUSION: The TRST demonstrated only moderate predictive ability, and ideally, a better prediction rule should be sought. Future studies to develop better prediction rules should compare their performance with that of existing prediction rules, including the TRST and Identifying Seniors at Risk tool, and assess the effect of any new prediction rule on patient outcomes.
Protección laboral en los Estados Unidos. Trabajo irregular en Nueva York
Authors: BERNHARDT Annette , McGRATH Siobhán , DeFILIPPIS James 
Published: September 2008

Resumen.Gracias a un conjunto de datos originales acopiados de 2003 a 2006, los autores estudian el alcance del incumplimiento del derecho laboral en la ciudad de Nueva York y los tipos de infractión principales. El trabajo irregular — esto es, el que quebranta las normas vigentes— es muy común en toda una serie de ramos donde abundan los salarios bajos, y se ha extendido al calor de una mezcla defactores eco‐nómicos y de decisiones políticas de los poderes públicos. La solutión, según sostie‐nen los autores, consiste en reforzar la vigilancia del cumplimiento de la ley y en regular los nuevos regímenes de empleo surgidos al hilo de los cambios acaecidos en la organizatión de la productión y del trabajo.
La consulta tripartita en China, ¿un primer paso hacia la negociación colectiva?
Authors: SHEN Jie , BENSON John 
Published: September 2008

Resumen.En amplios sectores de China se ha establecido la consulta tripartita, que el Gobierno y la Confederatión de Sindicatos del país suelen denominar «negocia‐ción colectiva». En este artículo se examinan su desarrollo y estructura, asícomo la función que cumple en la resolutión de conflictos laborales, la reglamentación del trabajo y la negociación colectiva. Se comprueba que el sistema chino difiere del que defiende la Organizatión Internacional del Trabajo (OIT) en varios aspectos: care‐ce de la necesaria neutralidady de representatión independiente de los trabajadores, confiere pocafuerzajurídica a los acuerdos alcanzados y sus atribuciones son esca‐sas. A pesar de estas deficiencias notables, los autores estiman que la consulta tripartita emprendida por China es un primer paso hacia una auténtica negotiatión colectiva.
Internacionalización empresarial, salarios, formación y rotación de los trabajadores de las maquilas
Authors: LOESS Kurt , MILLER Van V. , YOSKOWITZ David 
Published: September 2008

Resumen.Según las teorías del salario de eficiencia y de la formación del capital hu‐mano, los salarios y la capacitación condicionan notablemente la rotación de traba‐jadores en las fábricas reubicadas en el extranjero. Los autores averiguan y analizan empíricam.ente el asunto con una muestra estratificada y aleatoria de las maquilas ya tradicionales del norte de México, que es uno de los destinos de la internacionalización más antiguos y duraderos del mundo. Las pruebas estadísticas revelan que los salarios y la formación del capital humano influyen mucho en la altísima rotación de los operarios, como queda de relieve al medir la segunda variable antedicha en las generaciones sucesivas de maquilas mexicanas. Por último, exponen y analizan cómo han ido evolucionando los métodos de administratión de los recursos huma‐nos aplicados en estos establecimientos.
Longevity of pheromone and co‐attractant lures used in attract‐and‐kill stations for control of Carpophilus spp.
Authors: Hossain Mofakhar S. , Bartelt Robert J. , Hossain Mamun A. B. M. , Williams David G. , Chandra Subhash 
Published: September 2008

AbstractField longevity of synthetic lures for Carpophilus spp. (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) was evaluated by trapping studies in Australia, accompanied by chemical analyses. Carpophilus spp. are serious pests of ripening fruits, and an attract‐and‐kill method has been developed for their control. Traps are baited with one of two types of lure: synthetic pheromone (in rubber septa) and a host‐related synthetic co‐attractant (as an aqueous solution). No information was available on the longevity of either lure type. The objective of the study was to understand changes in attractiveness of the pheromone septa and co‐attractant over time under field conditions. Pheromone septa were still attractive after 28 days in the field, but activity declined over time. Relative to fresh septa, catches in traps baited only with the pheromone declined to 75, 53, 32, 21, and 16% for 3‐, 7‐, 14‐, 21‐, and 28‐day‐old septa, respectively. Chemical emissions from aged septa showed a very similar decrease with time. Trap catches when both pheromone and co‐attractant were present were far higher, and the decrease as the pheromone aged was less rapid (catches were 87, 73, 55, 44, and 36% of the original level for 3‐, 7‐, 14‐, 21‐, and 28‐day‐old septa, respectively). Apparently the presence of co‐attractant could partially compensate for the deterioration of pheromone septa. The chemical changes of the co‐attractant decreased more rapidly than the pheromone. In a laboratory study, two minor components (acetaldehyde and ethyl acetate) were essentially gone after 1 day, while the major component (ethanol) and the other three minor components (2‐methyl‐1‐propanol, 3‐methyl‐1‐butanol, and 2‐methyl‐1‐butanol) were detectable for up to 4–8 days. Co‐attractant evaporation was somewhat slower under field conditions. Trap catches for co‐attractant of various ages and pheromones decreased three‐fold as co‐attractant age increased from 0 to 14 days. Implications with respect to beetle control are discussed.
Variation in the geometry of foreleg claws in sympatric giant water bug species: an adaptive trait for catching prey?
Authors: Ohba Shin‐ya , Tatsuta Haruki , Nakasuji Fusao 
Published: September 2008

AbstractWhen giant water bugs (Heteroptera: Belostomatidae) encounter prey animals that are larger than they are themselves, they first hook the claw of their raptorial legs onto the animal, and then use all their legs to pin it. The claws of the raptorial legs in giant water bugs play an important role in catching larger prey, but the relationship between the claws, body lengths of predators, and prey size has not been fully investigated. To elucidate the functioning of claws in catching prey, we investigated prey body size relative to predator size in nymphs of two sympatric belostomatid giant water bug species, the vertebrate eater Kirkaldyia (=Lethocerus) deyrolli Vuillefroy and the invertebrate eater Appasus japonicus Vuillefroy, captured in rice fields. The younger nymphs of K. deyrolli caught preys that were larger than themselves, whereas those of A. japonicus caught preys that were smaller. Younger nymphs of K. deyrolli had claws that were curved more sharply than those of A. japonicus. The more curved claws of younger nymphs of K. deyrolli probably hook more easily onto larger vertebrates and thus this shape represents an adaptation for acquiring such prey.
Effects of treatment on soluble tumour necrosis factor receptor type 1 and 2 in chronic periodontitis
Authors: Ikezawa‐Suzuki Ikuyo , Shimada Yasuko , Tai Hideaki , Komatsu Yasutaka , Tanaka Aya , Yoshie Hiromasa 
Published: September 2008

AbstractAim: We reported that soluble tumour necrosis factor receptor type 2 (sTNFR2)/type 1 (sTNFR1) ratios in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) decreased as the severity of chronic periodontitis (CP) increased. This study investigated the effects of the periodontal treatment on TNF‐α, sTNFR1 and R2 in GCF and serum of CP patients.Material and Methods: Thirty‐five serum and 90 GCF samples were obtained from 35 CP patients (23 non‐smokers and 12 smokers) at baseline and after treatment. The levels of TNF‐α, sTNFR1 and R2 in serum and GCF were quantified by enzyme‐linked immunosorbant assay.Results: No significant differences were found in the serum levels of TNF‐α, sTNFR1 and R2 and the ratio of sTNFR2/R1 between baseline and after treatment. After treatment, sTNFR1 and R2 levels in GCF of non‐smokers and smokers were significantly decreased compared with baseline. However, the sTNFR2/R1 ratio was significantly increased (non‐smoker: 0.56±0.03–0.84±0.03, p<0.0001; smoker: 0.59±0.06–0.85±0.04, p=0.0019). There were no significant differences between non‐smoking and smoking CP groups in serum and GCF.Conclusion: The ratio of sTNFR2/R1 in GCF significantly increased after treatment, and could be related to the clinical state of CP.
NWC, a new gene within RAG locus: could it keep GOD under control?
Authors: Kisielow P. , Miazek A. , Cebrat M. 
Published: September 2008

Summary NWC, newly discovered, evolutionarily conserved gene within recombination activating gene (RAG) locus is constitutively expressed in all cells except lymphocytes, in which it is developmentally regulated by RAG1 promoter. In lymphocytes, NWC promoter, which is located within RAG2 intron and drives expression of NWC in non‐lymphocytes, is inactive. Here, a hypothesis on the role of transcription of NWC in lymphocyte‐specific regulation of RAG expression and their suppression in all other cells is presented. It is proposed that during development, inactivation of NWC promoter and the placement of NWC under the control of RAG1 promoter releases RAG genes from permanent suppression and allows their lymphocyte specific expression but at the same time subjects them to transcriptional feedback inhibition type of suppression which could permit for a stringent control over their threat to genome stability and oncogenic potential.
Distribution of killer cell immunoglobulin‐like receptor genes in Poles
Authors: Majorczyk E. , Łuszczek W. , Nowak I. , Pawlik A. , Wiśniewski A. , Jasek M. , Kuśnierczyk P. 
Published: September 2008

SummaryKiller cell immunoglobulin‐like receptors (KIRs) present on natural killer cells and minor subpopulations of T cells recognize class I human leucocyte antigen (HLA) molecules on the surface of target cells. Humans differ by the presence or absence of some KIR genes on their chromosomes. As KIRs are important for the outcome of tissue transplantation (particularly for haematopoietic stem cell transplantation) and possibly for pregnancy and autoimmune diseases, knowledge of the KIR gene distribution in a given human population is of practical value. Therefore, we tested 363 healthy individuals from Western Poland for the presence or absence of KIR genes. Results are compared with those published for other human populations. KIR gene frequencies in Poles are close to these in other Caucasoids but different from those in Asian and African populations, and particularly distant from those in Australian Aborigines.
The clinical implications of HLA mismatches in unrelated donor haematopoietic cell transplantation
Authors: Shaw B. E. 
Published: September 2008

SummaryHaematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), using unrelated donors (UD), is now a common modality of treatment for individuals with a variety of different diseases. HLA matching has been shown to have a significant impact on patient outcome. This study includes 423 unrelated UK patient/donor pairs. The patients and donors were typed at high resolution for HLA‐A, ‐B, ‐C, ‐DRB1, ‐DQB1, ‐DPB1. The degree and type of HLA mismatch was found to be a significant factor affecting outcome. The matching status for DPB1, both at an allele and epitope level, significantly affected transplant complications. The findings of this study have made it possible to offer advice concerning the choice of the most appropriate unrelated donor to select in order to achieve the best patient outcomes.
Minor histocompatibility antigens: targets for tumour therapy and transplant tolerance
Authors: Spierings E. 
Published: September 2008

SummaryMinor histocompatibility (H) antigens are allogeneic targets of T‐cell mediated immune reactivity following allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Depending on the tissue expression profile of the minor H antigens this immune reactivity clinically results in graft‐vs‐host disease or in graft‐vs‐leukaemia effects. Targeting haematopoietic‐specific minor H antigens by adoptive immunotherapy will evoke leukaemia‐specific allo‐immune responses, thereby enhancing graft‐vs‐leukaemia effects. Recently, a novel alternative role for minor H antigens in transplantation has been described; minor H antigen‐specific T cells appear to be able to regulate allo‐immune responses after solid organ transplantation. This diversity in immune reactivity suggests a broad clinical potential of minor H antigens, both in haematopoietic stem cell transplantation and in solid organ transplantation.
Genetic factors predicting IFN‐gamma generation potential in patients with sarcoidosis and after haematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Lange A. 
Published: September 2008

SummaryHLA B8, which is known to associate with a poor proliferative response, constitutes a risk factor of antinuclear antibodies formation in asbestos workers. B8 and DR3 are in a linkage disequilibrium with TNF*A2 allele which characterizes individuals as high TNF‐alpha producers. Therefore, haplotype having B8, DR3, TNF*A2 characterizes individuals with rather low proliferative response of lymphocytes and low IFN‐gamma generation potential. The above genetical features (B8, DR3 and TNF*A2), associated with a characteristic TNF alpha and IFN gamma generation profile, make sarcoidosis patients prone to develop Lofgren syndrome symptoms. Indeed, low IFN gamma producers genotype (3/3 homozygotes) and HLA DRB1*03 constitute risk factors of Lofgren syndrome in a combined fashion. In patients receiving hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, low IFN gamma producer genotype make people more susceptible to CMV and EBV reactivation as well as to acute and chronic GvHD. Therefore, genetical factors associated with the magnitude of immune response are of a value in predicting the natural history of some diseases thus helping in diagnosis and in tailoring of the treatment.
Expansion of antileukaemia CTL lines and clones for adoptive cell therapy in paediatric patients given allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Montagna D. , Maccario R. , Locatelli F. 
Published: September 2008

SummaryRecurrence of the original disease remains the main cause of treatment failure in patients given allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for either acute or chronic leukaemia. Infusion of donor lymphocytes (DLI) is useful for rescuing patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia, while this option is of limited value in patients with acute leukaemia. Moreover, DLI may cause fatal graft‐versus‐host disease (GvHD) or prolonged myelosuppression. A more sophisticated approach is that of generating and expanding ex vivo T‐cell lines or clones able to selectively or preferentially lyse leukaemia blasts, while sparing non neoplastic targets. In this review, we will summarize the results we have obtained in vitro utilizing an approach based on the generation of leukaemia reactive cytotoxic T‐lymphocytes through the use of apoptotic leukaemia cells as source of tumor antigens. Our approach proved to be feasible and effective in the experimental model for different types of leukaemia, even when the donor was HLA‐disparate with the recipient. This strategy has to be tested in the clinical setting for proving its efficacy in preventing/treating leukaemia recurrence.