bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Identification of Bovine Growth Hormone (BGH) Gene Polymorphism Using PCR-RFLP Method in Buffalo Bulls
Authors: Shah M. I. S. Hazlan , Salisi M. S. , Wahid H. , Yahaya M. S. , Rosnina Y. , Zamri-Saad M. , Omar M. Ariff , Punimin A. , Hassim H. A. , Ahmad Hafandi , Mahiza M. I. Nur 
Published: September 2019

Growth Hormone (GH) is a single polypeptide chain synthesised and secreted from anterior pituitary gland by somatroph cells. The product of GH gene hastens metabolism and promotes the growth of many organs and tissues especially bone, muscle and visceral organs. It also regulates growth, mammary gland development and lactation. Polymorphism in this gene is associated with increase in growth and development of many tissues in the body.
Aim: The objective of this study was to investigate the polymorphism of bovine growth hormone (bGH) gene in buffalo bulls (Bubalus bubalis) using the PCR-RFLP (polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism) technique.
Design: Genomic DNA was extracted from a total of 10 bulls, consisting of Murrah – Swamp crossbred and pure Swamp buffalo bulls. A The 446 segment of the bGH gene was amplified. The DNA amplicons were detected in 2% agarose gel following 45 minutes of electrophoresis. They were thereafter digesting with AluI endonuclease restriction enzyme, and the digested DNA were detected in 2% agarose gel following electrophoresis for about 45minutes in all samples
Results: Similar bands of approximately 300 and 146-bp each, with no variation, were detected in 2% agarose gel following electrophoresis in all the animals tested.
Conclusion: Based on the Alu1 digestion result, all samples produced the same allele of the gene, with no polymorphism detected.
Effect of Alcoholic Extracts of Cymbopogon citratus upon the Control of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides in vitro and upon the Post-harvest Quality of Guavas
Authors: Santos Ana P. F. A. , Mattos Amanda P. , Itako Adriana T. , Júnior João B. Tolentino , Moura Gabriela S. , Schwan-Estrada Kátia R. F. 
Published: September 2019

Aims: This work aimed at evaluating the effects of ethanolic and methanolic extracts of lemongrass upon the control in vitro of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and upon the post-harvest quality of guavas “Paluma”.
Methodology: We analyzed the inhibition of mycelial growth and sporulation of the pathogen at different concentrations of the extracts (8%; 5%; 3%; 1.5% and 0.5%). In the post-harvest assay, the guavas were treated by immersion in distilled water, ethanolic and methanolic extracts (1%; 0.5% and 0.25%) and stored at 25ºC ± 2ºC for eight days. We evaluated mass loss, total soluble solids, total titratable acidity, ratio, reducing and non-reducing sugars, ascorbic acid and pH and the incidence of anthracnose.
Results: In the test in vitro, the pathogen growth inhibition was dose-dependent and the sporulation was completely inhibited upon higher concentrations of extract. At post-harvest, the fruits maintained their physicochemical characteristics, and the treatments were not efficient at retarding fruit ripening. Although the tested treatments inhibited the plant pathogen C. gloesporioides in vitro, they were not efficient at controlling the disease in vivo.
Conclusion: The extracts showed control in vitro of C. gloeosporioides at 8%. However, the extracts were not effective at controlling the disease after harvest.
Effect of Watermelon Rind (Citrullus lanatus) Addition on the Functional, Pasting and Microbiological Quality of Sorghum Based Mumu
Authors: Gbaa Stephen T. , Ahemen Samuel A. , Ameh Christiana O. 
Published: September 2019

The effect of watermelon rind powder addition on the functional, pasting and microbiological quality of Sorghum based mumu was evaluated. Sorghum-based mumu was prepared from composite flours of 85:15, 75:15, 70:15 and 65:15% roasted sorghum flour and roasted partially defatted groundnut flour respectively and included with 0, 10, 15 and 20% watermelon rind powder respectively which were known as sample A, B, C and D accordingly. Subsequently, the functional, pasting properties and microbial quality was assessed. Functional properties values; Bulk density (0.89 to 0.80mg/100g), reconstitution index (4.99 to 4.89) and swelling index (2.35 to 2.20) decreased significantly (p < 0.05) with increase in watermelon powder addition while water absorption (10.36 to 10.97g/g), oil absorption (10.33 to 10.79) and foam capacities (12.46 to 13.85%) increased with increase in watermelon rind powder. The pasting properties; peak (302.22 to 292.44 RVU), trough (156.44 to 150.00 RVU) and Final viscosities (412.69 to 400.76RVU), and breakdown (149.95 to 140.59RVU) decreased significantly (p < 0.05) with increased in watermelon rind powder while setback viscosity (101.05 to 115.59RVU), pasting temperature (59.32 to 62.02oC) and pasting time (4.93 to 5.13mins) increased. Microbial analysis revealed the following ranges: Total viable count, 0.5x102 to1.0x102 cfu/g, fungi count of 6.1x101- 9.9x101 cfu/g and no coliform was detected. Overall, addition of watermelon rind powder showed good functional, pasting and microbiological qualities of sorghum based mumu.
Structure and Successional Classification of the Shrub-Arboreal Component in a Remnant of Atlantic Forest, Northeastern Brazil
Authors: Silva Nelio Domingos da , Marangon Luiz Carlos , Marangon Ana Lícia Patriota Feliciano , Silva José Antônio Aleixo da 
Published: September 2019

Aims: We aimed to evaluate the structure and successional classification of component shrub-arboreal in the edge and interior environments in a remnant of Tropical Forest in Pernambuco, Brazil.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in a remnant of the Lowland Ombrophilous Dense Forest categorized as Urban Forest Reserve named Mata of Manassu, with an area approximately 264.24 ha and located in Jaboatao dos Guararapes, Pernambuco. The data were registered between March 2017 and September 2017.
Methodology: The data were collected in 40 100 m2 plots, 20 plots in each environment: edge and forest interior. The ‘‘edge’’ was considered to comprise a 100-m strip at the border of the forest and the ‘‘interior’’ at least 300 m in from this strip. In all plots, were cataloged, identified and measured the circumferences at height of the base at 30 cm from the soil of all shrub-arboreal individuals whose height were equal or greater than 1.0 meter and circumference at breast height at 1.30 m of soil, less than 15.0 cm. For the communities on the edge and forest interior were estimated: total density (TD), absolute density (AD), relative density (RD), total frequency (TF), absolute frequency (AF), relative frequency (RF), total dominance (TDo), absolute dominance (ADo), relative dominance (RDo), relative natural regeneration by height class (RNRij), total natural regeneration by height class (TNR), importance value index (IVI) and was performed the distribution analysis of individuals in three height classes using the Chi-square test with 95% significance. The sampled individuals were classified into family, genus, and species, and the species classified for the successional group (pioneers, initial secondary, late secondary or uncharacterized).
Results: The environment of the edge showed the highest absolute density (10.240 ind.haˉ¹) to the forest interior (9.805 ind.haˉ¹). In both environments, it was found the high representativity of initial and late secondary species. The structural distributions of individuals by height class at the edge and interior environments showed curves shaped as inverted "J" indicating "dynamic balance" of the forest.
Conclusion: The higher representativity of initial and late secondary species probably is due to the forest being in an advanced successional stage, having a structure with well-defined stratum. Among the shrub-arboreal species sampled which presented higher total natural regeneration per height class to both in the edge and forest interior and that can be used for the enrichment of areas in the recovery process of Atlantic Forest are Miconia prasina e Eschweilera ovata.
Antimicrobial Potency and Bioactive Ingredients of Different Extracts of Prosopis africana against Some Selected Human Pathogenic Microbes: An In-vitro Approach
Authors: Abdulmumin A. R. , Kassim Z. J. , Muhammad I. L. , Mohammed S. B. , Ya’aba Y. 
Published: September 2019

Background: The resistance to conventional drugs by microbes is at alarming rate and poses extra challenges in the field of medical and pharmaceutical industries. This study was aimed to determine the active ingredients and assess the antimicrobial potency of Prosopis africana leave extract using system of different solvents as aqueous, ethylacetate and n-hexane.
Methodology: The plant specimen was collected, identified, prepared and cold macerated using aqueous, ethylacetate and n-hexane as solvent. The resulted crude extracts were further assayed for anti-infective potency; adopting agar well diffusion protocol against some selected human pathogenic isolates viz Streptococcus pyogenes, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella typhi, Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) and Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) were ascertained using the standard protocol of microdilution assay.
Results: The antimicrobial screening of the crude extracts showcased that P. africana leave is susceptible against all the tested microbial stains by exhibiting significant degrees of inhibition zone of diameter (0 to 25 mm). The positive controls likewise were observed to be vulnerable to the tested isolates while P. aeruginosa was resistant. The MIC was observed at 50.0 to 12.5 mg/mL and MBC at 50.0 mg/mL against some bacteria strains. P. aeruginosa and C. albicans has no bactericidal and fungicidal properties. The phytochemical analysis led to the isolation of anthraquinones, carbohydrates, saponins, terpenes, steroids and cardiac glycosides as the active constituents of the plant part.
Conclusion: This finding provides a logical justification to the traditional healers for the utilization of the plant in the management of different ailments caused by the tested microbes.
What is the Relationship among Patients' Position and Intra-abdominal Pressure and Mean Arterial Pressure?
Authors: Moghaddam Yusef Haghighi , Hosseinnejhad Elnaz , Hasanloei Mohammad Amin Valizade , Rasouli Javad 
Published: September 2019

Background: The prevalence of intra-abdominal hypertension in ICU patients is about 50% and can be affected by changing the position of the patients. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between changing patient positions in bed with intra-abdominal pressure and mean arterial pressure among mechanically ventilated patients in ICU.
Methods: This study was a clinical trial conducted on 68 patients admitted in intensive care units of Imam Khomeini hospital of Urmia city, Iran. The patients were selected through convenience sampling based on the inclusion criteria. In this study, the effects of changes in five positions (0, 15, 30, 45, left and right lateral position with 30 degrees) on the mean arterial pressure was evaluated. Statistical tests such as chi square and repeated measures ANOVA were used as well. All analyzes were performed using SPSS 21.
Results: In this study, there were 24 men (35.3%) and 44 women (64.7%). The mean age, weight and height of patients were 70.35±16.98 years, 75.76±9.77 kg and 168.82±8.14 cm, respectively. There was no significant difference regarding intra-abdominal pressure by gender (p<0.05). There was a significant difference regarding intra-abdominal pressure between first, second, fourth and fifth measurements (p<0.001). There was a significant difference regarding mean arterial pressure between first, second, third, fourth and fifth measurements (p<0.001). Significant differences were observed between the fifth and fourth mean arterial pressure measurements as well (p<0.001).
Conclusion: According to the results of this study, the changing of patient's body position from supine to higher positions lead to the increase of intra-abdominal pressure.
Practice variation of genetic counselor engagement in the cystic fibrosis newborn screen‐positive diagnostic resolution process
Authors: Langfelder‐Schwind Elinor , Raraigh Karen S. , Parad Richard B. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractFamilies of infants with a positive newborn screen for cystic fibrosis (CFNBS+) have well‐characterized genetic counseling needs, including understanding the implications of diagnostic categorization. However, degree of involvement of genetic counselors (GCs) in the CFNBS+ diagnostic resolution process varies. This project explored GC engagement with US CF care centers in the diagnostic resolution process for CFNBS+ infants. Surveys were emailed to 713 Cystic Fibrosis Foundation‐accredited CF center directors and clinic coordinators and 4,517 GCs. Respondents from institutions providing CFNBS+ diagnostic resolution were categorized by level of engagement between the CF center and GC: GC is part of or embedded in CF center (GC‐engaged); GC is independent of CF center but receives CFNBS+ referrals (GC‐referral); GC is uninvolved (non‐engaged)] in CF center or CFNBS+ diagnostic resolution process. Responses from 125 CF center directors and clinic coordinators (17.5%) and 174 GCs (3.8%) were received. Analysis targeted responses from 84 center directors and clinic coordinators and 52 GCs, estimated to represent 24%–48% and 29% of 175 pediatric CF care centers, respectively. Nearly 40% of CF center directors or clinic coordinators never refer CFNBS+ infants to GCs. Respondents from GC‐engaged CF centers reported that GCs provide unique and valuable services, understand CF at a high level, improve efficiency of the CFNBS+ diagnostic resolution process, and should be part of the CF care team; respondents from non‐engaged CF centers reported negative views of GCs’ value and knowledge (all p < .05). GCs engaged with CF centers were more likely to report that their services were valued by and accessible to CF centers (both p < .05). At all levels of engagement with CF centers, GCs were comfortable discussing CF genotype–phenotype correlation, variants of unknown significance, quality of life, and therapies. These results highlight a need to address practice variation in CFNBS+ genetic counseling and improve access to GCs’ services.
SOME LIMIT THEOREMS OF DELAYED AVERAGES FOR COUNTABLE NONHOMOGENEOUS MARKOV CHAINS
Authors: Zhong Pingping , Yang Weiguo , Shi Zhiyan , Zhang Yan 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThe purpose of this paper is to establish some limit theorems of delayed averages for countable nonhomogeneous Markov chains. The definition of the generalized C-strong ergodicity and the generalized uniformly C-strong ergodicity for countable nonhomogeneous Markov chains is introduced first. Then a theorem about the generalized C-strong ergodicity and the generalized uniformly C-strong ergodicity for the nonhomogeneous Markov chains is established, and its applications to the information theory are given. Finally, the strong law of large numbers of delayed averages of bivariate functions for countable nonhomogeneous Markov chains is proved.
Current practice in the introduction of solid foods for preterm infants
Authors: Cleary Jane , Dalton Sayne MC , Harman Alexandra , Wright Ian M 
Published: September 2019

AbstractObjective:The present study compared the age of first solid foods in a cohort of preterm infants with term infants and identified factors influencing timing of solid food introduction.Design:Structured interviews on infant feeding practices, growth and medical status at term equivalence and at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months corrected postnatal age. The age of solid food introduction was compared between term and preterm infants, and the influence of maternal, infant and milk feeding factors was assessed.Setting:This prospective longitudinal study recruited primary carers of preterm and term infants from a regional metropolitan referral hospital in eastern Australia.Participants:One hundred and fifty infants (preterm, n 85; term, n 65).Results:When corrected for prematurity, preterm infants received solid foods before the recommended age for the introduction of solid foods for term infants. Median introduction of solid foods for preterm infants was 14 weeks corrected age (range 12–17 weeks). This was significantly less than 19 weeks (range 17–21 weeks) for term infants (P < 0·001). Lower maternal education and male gender were associated with earlier introduction of solid foods among preterm infants.Conclusions:Preterm infants are introduced to solid foods earlier than recommended for term infants, taking account of their corrected age. Further research is needed to assess any risk or benefit associated with this pattern and thus to develop clear evidence-based feeding guidelines for preterm infants.
Clinical Features of Neuroblastoma with 11q Deletion: An Increase in Relapse Probabilities in Localized and 4S Stages
Authors: Juan Ribelles Antonio , Barberá Sandra , Yáñez Yania , Gargallo Pablo , Segura Vanessa , Juan Bárbara , Noguera Rosa , Piqueras Marta , Fornés-Ferrer Victoria , de Mora Jaime Font , Cañete Adela , Castel Victoria 
Published: September 2019

AbstractNeuroblastoma (NB) is a heterogeneous tumor with an extremely diverse prognosis according to clinical and genetic factors, such as the presence of an 11q deletion (11q-del). A multicentric study using data from a national neuroblastic tumor database was conducted. This study compared the most important features of NB patients: presence of 11q-del, presence of MYCN amplification (MNA) and remaining cases. A total of 357 patients were followed throughout an 8-year period. 11q-del was found in sixty cases (17%). 11q-del tumors were diagnosed at an older age (median 3.29 years). Overall survival (OS) was lower in 11q-del patients (60% at 5 years), compared to all other cases (76% at 5 years) p = 0.014. Event free survival (EFS) was 35% after 5 years, which is a low number when compared with the remaining cases: 75% after 5 years (p < 0.001). Localized tumors with 11q-del have a higher risk of relapse (HR = 3.312) such as 4 s 11q-del patients (HR 7.581). 11q-del in NB is a dismal prognostic factor. Its presence predicts a bad outcome and increases relapse probability, specially in localized stages and 4 s stages. The presence of 11q aberration should be taken into consideration when stratifying neuroblastoma risk groups.
Main and embedded clausal asymmetry in the history of English
Authors: Gelderen Elly van 
Published: September 2019

AbstractIn this paper, I sketch the CP layer in main and embedded clauses in the history of English. The Modern English main clause is not as easily expandable as the Old English one, but the reverse is true in the subordinate clause, where Modern English has a more flexible embedded CP than Old English. I focus on the developments of the embedded CP. It has been claimed that Old English lacks an embedded split CP and therefore lacks embedded V2 and a host of other embedded root phenomena. I show this to be true for complements to both assertive and non-assertive verbs. In contrast, the Modern English matrix verb has an effect on the strength of the C-position. Assertive verbs in Modern English allow main clause phenomena in subordinate clauses whereas non-assertives typically do not. The main point of the paper is to chronicle the changes that ‘stretch’ the embedded clause and the changing role of main verbs. It is descriptive rather than explanatory, e.g., in terms of changes in phase-head status.
Immune‐related adverse reactions in the hepatobiliary system: second‐generation check‐point inhibitors highlight diverse histological changes
Authors: Zen Yoh , Chen Yen‐Ying , Jeng Yung‐Ming , Tsai Hung‐Wen , Yeh Matthew M 
Published: September 2019

AimsImmune check‐point inhibitors are known to cause immune‐mediated adverse liver injury, but our knowledge is mainly based on cases treated with ipilimumab or nivolumab.Methods and resultsClinicopathological features of 10 patients with hepatobiliary adverse reactions caused by second‐generation drugs, pembrolizumab (n = 6) and atezolizumab (n = 4), were reviewed. Liver dysfunction developed during a median period of 3.5 weeks after administration of the check‐point inhibitor (3 days–1 year). Antinuclear antibodies were detected in two patients at a low titre (1/80), and serum IgG concentrations were also only mildly elevated in two patients. Liver biopsies showed panlobular hepatitis (n = 5), cholangiopathic changes (n = 2), granulomatous injury (n = 2) and bland cholestasis (n = 1). Two cases of cholangiopathy (both pembrolizumab‐treated) showed diffuse sclerosing cholangitis on imaging, and one also presented lymphocytic cholangitis resembling primary biliary cholangitis on biopsy. In two atezolizumab‐treated cases, Küpffer cells were hyperplastic and aggregated, forming microgranulomas. Confluent necrosis and eosinophilic or plasma cell infiltration were rare. On immunostaining, the ratio of CD8+/CD4+ cells was 12.2 ± 5.1, which was significantly higher than that in autoimmune hepatitis (2.7 ± 1.1; P < 0.001) or idiosyncratic drug‐induced liver injury (5.0 ± 1.1; P = 0.014). All patients responded to steroid therapy, but it was less effective in patients with sclerosing cholangitis.ConclusionsPembrolizumab and atezolizumab manifested not only lobular hepatitis but also sclerosing cholangitis, lymphocytic duct injury and granulomatous hepatitis, probably representing various impaired cellular functions in CD8+ lymphocytes and macrophages due to blockage of PD‐1–PD‐L1 interaction.
Functional evolution of nodulin 26‐like intrinsic proteins: from bacterial arsenic detoxification to plant nutrient transport
Authors: Pommerrenig Benjamin , Diehn Till A. , Bernhardt Nadine , Bienert Manuela D. , Mitani‐Ueno Namiki , Fuge Jacqueline , Bieber Annett , Spitzer Christoph , Bräutigam Andrea , Ma Jian Feng , Chaumont François , Bienert Gerd P. 
Published: September 2019

Summary

Nodulin 26‐like intrinsic proteins (NIPs) play essential roles in transporting the nutrients silicon and boron in seed plants, but the evolutionary origin of this transport function and the co‐permeability to toxic arsenic remains enigmatic. Horizontal gene transfer of a yet uncharacterised bacterial AqpN‐aquaporin group was the starting‐point for plant NIP evolution.

We combined intense sequence, phylogenetic and genetic context analyses and a mutational approach with various transport assays in oocytes and plants to resolve the transorganismal and functional evolution of bacterial and algal and terrestrial plant NIPs and to reveal their molecular transport specificity features.

We discovered that aqpN genes are prevalently located in arsenic resistance operons of various prokaryotic phyla. We provided genetic and functional evidence that these proteins contribute to the arsenic detoxification machinery. We identified NIPs with the ancestral bacterial AqpN selectivity filter composition in algae, liverworts, moss, hornworts and ferns and demonstrated that these archetype plant NIPs and their prokaryotic progenitors are almost impermeable to water and silicon but transport arsenic and boron. With a mutational approach, we demonstrated that during evolution, ancestral NIP selectivity shifted to allow subfunctionalisations.

Together, our data provided evidence that evolution converted bacterial arsenic efflux channels into essential seed plant nutrient transporters.