bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
SURVEY FOR KARLOTOXIN PRODUCTION IN 15 SPECIES OF GYMNODINIOID DINOFLAGELLATES (KARENIACEAE, DINOPHYTA)1
Authors: Mooney Ben D. , De Salas Miguel , Hallegraeff Gustaaf M. , Place Allen R. 
Published: February 2009

Toxin analysis of 15 species of Kareniaceae revealed the presence of karlotoxin, KmTx 2, in only a single species (Karlodinium veneficum) but with variable activity in strains from the Swan (KmSwanTx 2‐1, 2.1 pg · cell−1; and KmSwanTx 2‐2, 0.53 pg · cell−1), Huon (KmHuonTx 2, 0.86 pg · cell−1), and Derwent rivers (<0.001 pg · cell−1) in Australia. A newly isolated Southern Ocean species, Karlodinium conicum, contained a novel poorly hemolytic karlotoxin analogue (KmconicumTx, 2.8 pg · cell−1). The hemolytic potency (HD50%) of the Australian karlotoxins were as follows: KmSwanTx 2‐1 (65.9 ± 4.8 ng) and KmSwanTx 2‐2 (63.4 ± 3.7 ng), KmHuonTx 2 (343 ± 4.9 ng), and KmconicumTx (>4,000 ng). Species from the closely related genera Takayama (T. helix, T. tasmanica, T. tuberculata), Karenia (K. asterichroma, K. brevis, K. mikimotoi, K. papilionacea, K. umbella), and Karlodinium (Ka. australe, Ka. antarcticum, Ka. ballantinum, Ka. corrugatum, Ka. decipiens) were all consistently negative for karlotoxin production. Brevetoxin (PbTx) was only detected in K. brevis, and hemolytic activity was only observed in Ka. veneficum strains.
Causes of Therapeutic Errors in Older Adults: Evaluation of National Poison Center Data
Authors: Hayes Bryan D. , Klein‐Schwartz Wendy , Gonzales Lawrence F. 
Published: February 2009

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the reasons for unintentional therapeutic errors in older adults, the types of medications most frequently involved, and the medical outcomes related to these adverse drug events.DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of American Association of Poison Control Center's National Poison Data System (NPDS).SETTING: NPDS collects data from all U.S. poison centers. Data from 2002 to 2006 were examined.PARTICIPANTS: Cases involving adults aged 65 and older with a potentially toxic exposure due to unintentional therapeutic errors.MEASUREMENTS: Hazard factor analysis was conducted to identify medications that pose risk in this population.RESULTS: There were 140,786 older adults with reported therapeutic errors, of which 49,320 cases were followed to a known medical outcome. A major effect or death occurred in 596 cases (1.2% of cases with known medical outcome). The most common reasons for therapeutic errors were inadvertently took or given medication twice, wrong medication taken or given, and other incorrect dose. The reasons associated with the highest rate of major effect or death were drug interaction, health professional or iatrogenic error, and more than one product containing same ingredient. Certain medication classes such as analgesics, anticoagulants, anticonvulsants, asthma therapies, psychotherapeutics, and some cardiovascular agents were associated with high hazard factors.CONCLUSION: Poison center data can be used to evaluate therapeutic errors in older adults to identify reasons associated with frequently reported errors, as well as reasons and medications involved with errors that result in serious outcomes. Knowing the reasons why they occur can aid in developing strategies for decreasing unintentional errors in older adults.
A Cognitive Training Program Based on Principles of Brain Plasticity: Results from the Improvement in Memory with Plasticity‐based Adaptive Cognitive Training (IMPACT) Study
Authors: Smith Glenn E. , Housen Patricia , Yaffe Kristine , Ruff Ronald , Kennison Robert F. , Mahncke Henry W. , Zelinski Elizabeth M. 
Published: February 2009

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the efficacy of a novel brain plasticity–based computerized cognitive training program in older adults and to evaluate the effect on untrained measures of memory and attention and participant‐reported outcomes.DESIGN: Multisite randomized controlled double‐blind trial with two treatment groups.SETTING: Communities in northern and southern California and Minnesota.PARTICIPANTS: Community‐dwelling adults aged 65 and older (N=487) without a diagnosis of clinically significant cognitive impairment.INTERVENTION: Participants were randomized to receive a broadly‐available brain plasticity–based computerized cognitive training program (intervention) or a novelty‐ and intensity‐matched general cognitive stimulation program modeling treatment as usual (active control). Duration of training was 1 hour per day, 5 days per week, for 8 weeks, for a total of 40 hours.MEASUREMENTS: The primary outcome was a composite score calculated from six subtests of the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status that use the auditory modality (RBANS Auditory Memory/Attention). Secondary measures were derived from performance on the experimental program, standardized neuropsychological assessments of memory and attention, and participant‐reported outcomes.RESULTS: RBANS Auditory Memory/Attention improvement was significantly greater (P=.02) in the experimental group (3.9 points, 95% confidence interval (CI)=2.7–5.1) than in the control group (1.8 points, 95% CI=0.6–3.0). Multiple secondary measures of memory and attention showed significantly greater improvements in the experimental group (word list total score, word list delayed recall, digits backwards, letter–number sequencing; P<.05), as did the participant‐reported outcome measure (P=.001). No advantage for the experimental group was seen in narrative memory.CONCLUSION: The experimental program improved generalized measures of memory and attention more than an active control program.
Rapid Screening of Cognitive Change in Patients with Questionable Dementia Using the Memory Impairment Screen and the Isaacs Set Test
Authors: Chopard Gilles , Vanholsbeeck Geraldine , Tio Gregory , Pitard Alexandre , Binetruy Mickael , Rumbach Lucien , Galmiche Jean 
Published: February 2009

OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy of combining the Memory Impairment Screen (MIS) and the Isaacs Set Test (IST) in predicting short‐term development of dementia in a group of people with questionable dementia (QD) at baseline.DESIGN: Performances of the weighted sum of MIS and IST and the ≪or≫ rule were compared with each other and with the Mini‐Mental State Examination.SETTING: Database of the Regional Network for Diagnostic Aid and Management of Patients with Cognitive Impairment in the Franche‐Comté geographical area in France.PARTICIPANTS: A cohort of 106 patients aged 65 and older with QD were followed up for a mean of 14.9 months (range 6–24 months).MEASUREMENTS: Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were calculated for the combination of these two tests.RESULTS: The weighted sum had a sensitivity of 0.74 and a specificity of 0.84. The ≪or≫ rule (MIS<6 or IST<25) had a sensitivity of 0.74 and a specificity of 0.81. When range values were applied, low scores on the MIS and the IST (MIS<6 and IST<25) led to a high probability of dementia, whereas high scores (MIS>7 and IST>29) suggested a high probability of remaining dementia‐free in the study follow‐up.CONCLUSION: This quickly performed tool (5 minutes) is simple to use and score. When including cutscores (MIS<6 or IST<25) or range values, this test could be considered a useful screening procedure for all types of dementias.
Reliability of a Continuous Pain Score Meter: Real Time Pain Measurement
Authors: Boormans Elisabeth M. , Van Kesteren Paul J. , Perez Roberto S. , Brölmann Hans A. , Zuurmond Wouter W. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractWe present a newly developed continuous pain score meter (CPSM). The CPSM is based on the principles of the visual analog score (VAS), and electronically measures pain score in a continuous, instead of a single, manner. In this study, we determine the test–retest reliability of this meter. Thirty‐two healthy volunteers received a reproducible pain stimulus on the right thumbnail and forearm. After a 1‐minute interval the procedure was repeated. During the stimulus, pain was continuously measured with the CPSM, providing values of peak continuous pain score (CPS) and area under the CPS curve (AUC CPS). The intra‐class correlation coefficient (ICC) and the 95% limits of agreement were used to assess the agreement between measurements. ICC of peak CPS (0.89 and 0.83) and AUC CPS (0.79 and 0.86) for nail and arm showed a good reproducibility. This study has successfully established the test–retest reliability of the CPSM. The real‐time continuous pain measurement may provide more detailed information on a subjects' pain perception compared to a single VAS, in particular during an interval of pain stimuli.
Mandatory Diagnostic Angiography for Carotid Artery Stenosis Prior to Carotid Artery Intervention
Authors: MAKARYUS AMGAD N. , PHILLIPS LAWRENCE M. , WRIGHT PAUL , FREEMAN JASON , GREEN STEPHEN J. , ONG LAWRENCE , MARCHANT DONNA 
Published: February 2009

Introduction: Revascularization is an important strategy for reducing stroke risk in patients with severe carotid atherosclerosis. Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and/or carotid ultrasound have traditionally been used as the only diagnostic modalities prior to revascularization. Patients undergoing CEA frequently have no further assessments of carotid anatomy prior to surgery. Evaluation with carotid ultrasound and MRA can often overestimate the degree of stenosis. We sought to determine if noninvasive imaging was sufficient for determining whether a patient should be referred for carotid intervention.
Methods: We performed an analysis of 101 patients referred for carotid artery stenting (CAS). All patients had previously been evaluated with carotid ultrasound and 94% had undergone MRA as well. We sought to determine if noninvasive diagnostic imaging for carotid stenosis was sufficient to determine the necessity for endovascular intervention.
Results: Of the 101 patients referred for carotid intervention, 36 (36%) were shown to have <70% stenoses and did not require intervention. Of those who had significant disease, 49 (75%) underwent successful CAS, 15 (23%) underwent CEA, and 1 patient was treated medically for a total occlusion. Three of the 36 patients not requiring carotid intervention were found to have subclavian stenosis. Two (4%) of the patients undergoing CAS and 4 (27%) of the patients undergoing CEA had minor complications. No patients suffered a major stroke, MI, or death at follow‐up.
Conclusion: This analysis demonstrates that 36% of patients referred for endovascular intervention based on noninvasive imaging did not meet criteria by angiography. This emphasizes the need for carotid angiography prior to carotid intervention.
Impact of Bivalirudin Use on Outcomes in Nonagenarians Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: LEMESLE GILLES , BONELLO LAURENT , DE LABRIOLLE AXEL , STEINBERG DANIEL H. , ROY PROBAL , SLOTTOW TINA L. PINTO , TORGUSON REBECCA , KANESHIGE KIMBERLY , XUE ZHENYI , SUDDATH WILLIAM O. , SATLER LOWELL F. , KENT KENNETH M. , LINDSAY JOSEPH , PICHARD AUGUSTO D. , WAKSMAN RON 
Published: February 2009

Background: With an aging population, nonagenarians constitute an increasing percentage of patients with coronary artery disease. The aim of this study was to determine the predictors and outcome of nonagenarians undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for symptomatic coronary artery disease.
Methods: From 2002 to 2007, a cohort of 171 consecutive nonagenarians underwent PCI and stent implantation in our center. Patients given bivalirudin (n = 79) during the procedure were compared to those given heparin (n = 92). In‐hospital and 6‐month rates of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) including death, myocardial infarction (MI), and target lesion revascularization were indexed. In‐hospital bleedings were also indexed.
Results: The mean age was 92.5 ± 2.5 years. The population was 52% female. Nearly 30% of patients had diabetes mellitus and >25% had renal failure. The mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 45%± 14%. The clinical presentation was an acute MI in 59% of the cases. The in‐hospital rates of death and bleedings were 4.1% and 17.5%, respectively. Clinical presentations as MI or cardiogenic shock were associated with high rates of in‐hospital death: 19.3% and 30%, respectively. Bivalirudin use was associated with a 41.5% decrease in in‐hospital bleedings. The 6‐month incidence of MACE was 13.6% and was driven by death. Predictors of 6‐month outcomes were clinical presentations as MI or cardiogenic shock, renal failure, and total stent length.
Conclusion: Nonagenarians represent a particular population with a high percentage of females and a high incidence of comorbidities. In this study, we highlighted that nonagenarians have logically a worse prognosis than is reported in younger patients, with especially high rates of in‐hospital bleedings. Bivalirudin use was associated with an important decrease in in‐hospital bleedings; thus, it should be systematically considered in such patients to improve early outcome.
Magnesium Sulfate versus Placebo for Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Chu Kevin , Evans Rhona , Emerson Gregory , Greenslade Jaimi , Brown Anthony 
Published: February 2009

AbstractObjectives:  The objective was to investigate the efficacy of magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) in decreasing the ventricular rate in emergency department (ED) patients presenting with new‐onset, rapid atrial fibrillation (AF).Methods:  A double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled randomized clinical trial was conducted in an adult university hospital. Patients aged ≥18 years with AF onset of less than 48 hours and a sustained ventricular rate of >100 beats/min were randomized to either intravenous (IV) MgSO4 10 mmol or normal saline (NSal). Rhythm and instantaneous heart rate as measured by the monitor were recorded at baseline and every 15 minutes for 2 hours after starting the trial drug. Heart rate and rhythm were compared at 2 hours. A multilevel modeling analysis was performed to adjust for differences in baseline heart rate and any additional treatment and to examine changes in heart rate over time.Results:  Twenty‐four patients were randomized to MgSO4 and 24 to NSal. Baseline heart rate was lower in the MgSO4 group (mean ± standard deviation [±SD] = 125 ± 24 vs. 140 ± 21 beats/min]. One and 3 patients in the MgSO4 and NSal groups, respectively, were given another antiarrhythmic or were electrically cardioverted within 2 hours after starting the trial drug. Heart rate (mean ± SD) at 2 hours in both MgSO4 (116 ± 30 beats/min) and NSal groups (114 ± 31 beats/min) decreased below their respective baseline levels. However, the rate of heart rate decrease across time did not differ between groups (p = 0.124). The proportion of patients who converted to sinus rhythm 2 hours post–trial drug did not differ (MgSO4 8.7% vs. NSal 25.0%, p = 0.25).Conclusions:  This study was unable to demonstrate a difference between IV MgSO4 10 mmol and saline placebo for reducing heart rate or conversion to sinus rhythm at 2 hours posttreatment in ED patients with AF of less than 48 hours duration.
Effects of surface topography and chemistry of Rumex obtusifolius leaves on the attachment of the beetle Gastrophysa viridula
Authors: Gorb Elena , Gorb Stanislav 
Published: February 2009

AbstractBroad‐leaved dock, Rumex obtusifolius L. (Polygonaceae), is the main host plant of the green dock beetle, Gastrophysa viridula Degeer (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Adult beetles are able to attach and walk on leaves of this plant. Leaf surface is rather uneven, because of irregularly shaped prominent epidermal cells with a maximum height of about 9 µm. The surface is covered with a smooth epicuticular wax layer having relatively low free surface energy (FSE). The aim of this study was to measure beetle attachment force applying a ‘centrifugal technique’ on adult insects on the leaf surface and other substrates, in order to understand the effect of surface architecture and its physicochemical properties on insect attachment. We compared forces on an adaxial leaf surface with forces on a smooth silanized glass plate having low FSE, and on a polishing paper having slightly lower FSE and similar surface roughness (asperities’ size = 9 µm). Smooth plate made of normal untreated clean glass with high FSE was used as a reference substrate. On the leaf surface and the polishing paper, attachment forces were lower compared to both glass samples. There was no significant difference between force values on leaves and the polishing paper, but on both glass surfaces they were significantly higher than on the other substrates. Hydrophobicity alone explains a decrease in attachment force of the beetle, but when combined with roughness the decrease in force is four times greater.
Sampling a weighted pest complex: caterpillars in North Korean cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) crops
Authors: Hamilton A. J. , Waters E. K. , Kim H. J. , Pak W. S. , Furlong M. J. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThe lepidopteran pests Plutella xylostella L. (Plutellidae) and Pieris rapae L. (Pieridae: Pierini) are responsible for major yield losses of cabbage, Brassica oleracea L. (Brassicaceae), in North Korea. Preliminary integrated pest management (IPM) programmes using economic thresholds (ETs) to schedule insecticide applications have proved promising and have demonstrated marked increases in yield compared to standard farming practice, which relies heavily on synthetic insecticides. To use ETs effectively on a routine basis, farmers need efficient yet sufficiently precise methods of surveying crops for pests. Here we construct and validate binomial sequential sampling plans for the two‐species pest complex and for P. rapae alone. The recommended plans would be practical to implement, demanding maximum sample sizes below 50 plants, and proved very slightly conservative with respect to classifying the population relative to the ET (i.e., they were slightly more likely to suggest control at the ET than not).
Experimental evidence for male biased flight‐to‐light behavior in two moth species
Authors: Altermatt Florian , Baumeyer Adrian , Ebert Dieter 
Published: February 2009

AbstractMany studies report a greater abundance of male than female moths in light trap catches. The finding was interpreted as evidence for male‐biased attraction to light, but alternatives could not be ruled out. For example, it is not known, how much the sex ratio in the catches deviates from the natural sex ratio. To overcome these limitations, we experimentally tested the flight‐to‐light behavior of two moth species,Yponomeuta cagnagella(Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae) andLigdia adustata(Denis and Schiffermüller) (Lepidoptera: Geometridae), under standardized conditions in an enclosed environment. In our test, we controlled the sex ratio, age, and population size. We recorded the moths caught in the trap and those that remained outside. Depending on the species, between 27 and 72% of all moths were caught in the light trap. We found that male moths were significantly and about 1.6 times more frequently attracted to the light than female moths. Our results were consistent for both species and hold good on the level of populations. We experimentally supported the general observation of a sexual dimorphism in the flight‐to‐light behavior of moths. Possible functional explanations include different flight activities of males and females or differences in the perception of light between males and females. Our experimental demonstration of a sexual dimorphism in the flight‐to‐light behavior of moths together with the common observation of an overrepresentation of males in light traps and other artificial light sources has implications for population and conservation biology.
Some like it hot! Rapid climate change promotes changes in distribution ranges of Nezara viridula and Nezara antennata in Japan
Authors: Tougou Daisuke , Musolin Dmitry L. , Fujisaki Kenji 
Published: February 2009

AbstractWe compared past and current limits of the distribution range of the southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula (L.) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae), in central Japan. In the early 1960s, the northern limit of the range was in Wakayama Prefecture and was limited by a +5 °C isothermal line for the mean January temperature. In 2006–2007, a new survey demonstrated that this northern limit had shifted northwards by 85 km (i.e., at a mean rate of 19.0 km per decade). The shift was most likely promoted by milder winter conditions. The mean January to February temperature in the region was 1.03–1.91 °C higher in 1998–2007 than in 1960–1969. The number of cold days (with the mean temperature below +5 °C) also significantly decreased, while the annual lowest temperature significantly increased. Nezara viridula was found mostly close to those locations where (i) the mean January temperature exceeded +5 °C, (ii) the mean number of cold days did not exceed 26 in January to February, and (iii) where the mean annual lowest temperature did not drop below –3.0 °C. The general linear model shows that the mean January temperature and number of cold days are the most important factors controlling the northern limit of distribution of N. viridula. All the climatic data suggest that over the last 45 years, environmental conditions have become more favourable for overwintering of N. viridula at many locations in central Japan. This has probably promoted the northward spread of the species, representing a direct response to climate warming. A sympatrically distributed congeneric, Nezara antennata Scott, seems to respond to the warming by a retreat from the ocean coast towards cooler elevated habitats, which might be a complex response to elevated temperature and interspecific mating with N. viridula. It is suggested that the range changes in both species will continue in response to further climate change.
Does artificial selection on diapause incidence cause correlational changes in other life‐history traits? Case study in a spider mite population
Authors: Ito Katsura 
Published: February 2009

AbstractTheoretical studies suggest that the timing of entering hibernation by arthropods has large effects on long‐term fitness, incurring strong selection pressure on diapause attributes every year. On the other hand, diapause attributes are often genetically correlated with other important life‐history traits such as fecundity or development time. To understand the evolutionary process of life cycle formation, there is a need to investigate not only diapause attributes themselves but also their genetic association with other life‐history traits. The Kanzawa spider mite, Tetranychus kanzawai Kishida (Acari: Tetranychidae), is a small herbivore that lives on the undersurface of host plant leaves. This mite has been investigated for the mode of inheritance of diapause attributes, but scarcely for genetic correlations with other life‐history traits. Here, I investigated whether diapause proneness, measured as the proportion of diapausing females under short‐day conditions, is genetically correlated with fecundity or development time under long‐day conditions using artificial selection experiments. Diapause incidence responded to the selection for both increasing and decreasing directions, suggesting that high genetic variance in diapause proneness is maintained in the study population. However, the change in proportion of diapausing females during the selection period was not associated with responses in fecundity or development time. These results suggest that diapause proneness and other life‐history traits have different genetic backgrounds, and thus diapause proneness may freely evolve without being constrained by changes in other life‐history traits.