bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genetic Analysis of Teosinte Alleles for Kernel Composition Traits in Maize
Authors: Karn Avinash , Gillman Jason D , Flint-Garcia Sherry A 
Published: February 2017

Abstract
Teosinte (Zea mays ssp. parviglumis) is the wild ancestor of modern maize (Zea mays ssp. mays). Teosinte contains greater genetic diversity compared with maize inbreds and landraces, but its use is limited by insufficient genetic resources to evaluate its value. A population of teosinte near isogenic lines (NILs) was previously developed to broaden the resources for genetic diversity of maize, and to discover novel alleles for agronomic and domestication traits. The 961 teosinte NILs were developed by backcrossing 10 geographically diverse parviglumis accessions into the B73 (reference genome inbred) background. The NILs were grown in two replications in 2009 and 2010 in Columbia, MO and Aurora, NY, respectively, and near infrared reflectance spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance calibrations were developed and used to rapidly predict total kernel starch, protein, and oil content on a dry matter basis in bulk whole grains of teosinte NILs. Our joint-linkage quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping analysis identified two starch, three protein, and six oil QTL, which collectively explained 18, 23, and 45% of the total variation, respectively. A range of strong additive allelic effects for kernel starch, protein, and oil content were identified relative to the B73 allele. Our results support our hypothesis that teosinte harbors stronger alleles for kernel composition traits than maize, and that teosinte can be exploited for the improvement of kernel composition traits in modern maize germplasm.
Unstable Inheritance of 45S rRNA Genes inArabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Rabanal Fernando A , Nizhynska Viktoria , Mandáková Terezie , Novikova Polina Yu , Lysak Martin A , Mott Richard , Nordborg Magnus 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThe considerable genome size variation in Arabidopsis thaliana has been shown largely to be due to copy number variation (CNV) in 45S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes. Surprisingly, attempts to map this variation by means of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) failed to identify either of the two likely sources, namely the nucleolus organizer regions (NORs). Instead, GWAS implicated a trans-acting locus, as if rRNA gene CNV was a phenotype rather than a genotype. To explain these results, we investigated the inheritance and stability of rRNA gene copy number using the variety of genetic resources available in A. thaliana — F2 crosses, recombinant inbred lines, the multiparent advanced-generation inter-cross population, and mutation accumulation lines. Our results clearly show that rRNA gene CNV can be mapped to the NORs themselves, with both loci contributing equally to the variation. However, NOR size is unstably inherited, and dramatic copy number changes are visible already within tens of generations, which explains why it is not possible to map the NORs using GWAS. We did not find any evidence of trans-acting loci in crosses, which is also expected since changes due to such loci would take very many generations to manifest themselves. rRNA gene copy number is thus an interesting example of “missing heritability”—a trait that is heritable in pedigrees, but not in the general population.
Elevated Rate of Genome Rearrangements in Radiation-Resistant Bacteria
Authors: Repar Jelena , Supek Fran , Klanjscek Tin , Warnecke Tobias , Zahradka Ksenija , Zahradka Davor 
Published: February 2017

Abstract
A number of bacterial, archaeal, and eukaryotic species are known for their resistance to ionizing radiation. One of the challenges these species face is a potent environmental source of DNA double-strand breaks, potential drivers of genome structure evolution. Efficient and accurate DNA double-strand break repair systems have been demonstrated in several unrelated radiation-resistant species and are putative adaptations to the DNA damaging environment. Such adaptations are expected to compensate for the genome-destabilizing effect of environmental DNA damage and may be expected to result in a more conserved gene order in radiation-resistant species. However, here we show that rates of genome rearrangements, measured as loss of gene order conservation with time, are higher in radiation-resistant species in multiple, phylogenetically independent groups of bacteria. Comparison of indicators of selection for genome organization between radiation-resistant and phylogenetically matched, nonresistant species argues against tolerance to disruption of genome structure as a strategy for radiation resistance. Interestingly, an important mechanism affecting genome rearrangements in prokaryotes, the symmetrical inversions around the origin of DNA replication, shapes genome structure of both radiation-resistant and nonresistant species. In conclusion, the opposing effects of environmental DNA damage and DNA repair result in elevated rates of genome rearrangements in radiation-resistant bacteria.
Antagonistic effects of three lactic acid bacterial strains isolated from Nigerian indigenous fermented Ogi on E. coli EKT004 in co-culture
Authors: Afolayan A.O. , Ayeni F.A. 
Published: February 2017

E. coli is one of the major pathogenic bacteria that cause diarrhoea in human. Traditional fermented foods, e.g. Ogi, has been used indigenously to treat diarrhoea. This study was aimed at investigating the antagonistic activity of selected lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from three varieties of ogi against multidrug resistant E. coli EKT004.
Antibiotic susceptibility of the tested E. coli EKT004 strain to ofloxacin, gentamycin, cefuroxime, ceftazidine, lincomycin, oxacillin, cloxacillin, cefotaxime, ciprofloxacin, and nitrofurantoin was tested by disc diffusion method. E. coli EKT004 was co-incubated in two different experiments with Weissella paramesenteroides, Lactobacillus plantarum, and L. fermentum that have been previously isolated from Ogi. An 8 h old E. coli was introduced into an overnight culture of LAB and a fresh E. coli was inoculated into overnight culture of LAB. Viable count of pathogen at 0 h and after 24 h co-incubation at 37 °C was observed.
The tested E. coli EKT004 was resistant to cefuroxime, ceftazidime, lincomycin, oxacillin, cloxacillin, and cefotaxime. The tested LAB isolates have a broad spectrum of activity against E. coli EKT004 used for the study with a decrease of 6–8 log of E. coli as compared with the control. These results indicate a direct effect of lactic acid bacterial strains on multidrug resistant E. coli strain.
The effect of fine lees as a reducing agent in sur lie wines, aged with various sulphur dioxide concentrations
Authors: Nagy B. , Soós J. , Horvath B. , Kállay M. , Nyúl-Pühra B. , Nyitrai-Sárdy D. 
Published: February 2017

During the ageing in barrels, the contact with the fine lees triggers several processes in wine. Lees has a reductive effect by absorbing dissolved oxygen and reducing the amount, which will remain in the wine. At present, minimizing the addition of sulphur dioxide is the trend in all viticultural areas. In this study, the effect of various sulphur dioxide levels was monitored in presence of the lees to determine which dose is appropriate to provide the protection of susceptible white wine against oxidation.
Without SO2 protection, the rH and redox potential changed slightly, so the level of dissolved oxygen seemed to be controlled during the ageing period by the lees, though the antioxidant effect of lees in itself was not appropriate to protect the polyphenol content from chemical oxidation, which led to considerable browning. With the addition of a lower amount of SO2 — 40 mg l2, the lees is already able to protect the white wine samples in all aspects.
Validation of Progression-Free Survival as a Surrogate Endpoint for Overall Survival in Malignant Mesothelioma: Analysis of Cancer and Leukemia Group B and North Central Cancer Treatment Group (Alliance) Trials
Authors: Wang Xiaofei , Wang Xiaoyi , Hodgson Lydia , George Stephen L. , Sargent Daniel J. , Foster Nate R. , Ganti Apar Kishor , Stinchcombe Thomas E. , Crawford Jeffrey , Kratzke Robert , Adjei Alex A. , Kindler Hedy L. , Vokes Everett E. , Pang Herbert 
Published: February 2017

Abstract

Purpose
The aim of this study was to investigate whether progression-free survival (PFS) can be considered a surrogate endpoint for overall survival (OS) in malignant mesothelioma.

Materials and Methods
Individual data were collected from 15 Cancer and Leukemia Group B (615 patients) and 2 North Central Cancer Treatment Group (101 patients) phase II trials. The effects of 5 risk factors for OS and PFS, including age, histology, performance status (PS), white blood cell count, and European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) risk score, were used in the analysis. Individual-level surrogacy was assessed by Kendall’s tau through a Clayton bivariate Copula survival (CBCS) model. Summary-level surrogacy was evaluated via the association between logarithms of the hazard ratio (log HR)—log HROS and log HRPFS—measured in R2 from a weighted least-square (WLS) regression model and the CBCS model.

Results
The median PFS for all patients was 3.0 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.8–3.5 months) and the median OS was 7.2 months (95% CI, 6.5–8.0 months). Moderate correlations between PFS and OS were observed across all risk factors at the individual level, with Kendall’s tau ranging from 0.46 to 0.47. The summary-level surrogacy varied among risk factors. The Copula R2 ranged from 0.51 for PS to 0.78 for histology. The WLS R2 ranged from 0.26 for EORTC and PS to 0.67 for age.

Conclusions
The analyses demonstrated low to moderate individual-level surrogacy between PFS and OS. At the summary level, the surrogacy between PFS and OS varied significantly across different risk factors. With a short postprogression survival and a moderate correlation between PFS and OS, there is no evidence that PFS is a valid surrogate endpoint for OS in malignant mesothelioma.
Epidemiological and clinical patterns of presentation of surgical oncological emergencies of abdomen at a tertiary institution
Authors: Vijayakumar Karikkili K. , Arun Damodharan , Deshpande Mayuresh M. , Moolchandani Sandeep 
Published: February 2017

Background: Oncological surgical emergencies of abdomen pose a typical problem for surgeons with respect to the choice of curative and palliative treatments and procedures in absence of opportunity for proper evaluation and support of multidisciplinary approach. For appropriate management, it is important to understand the epidemiological and clinical profile of this disease complex.Methods: A prospective analysis of abdominal emergencies encountered in emergency surgery department was done over a period of two years at a single institution and the malignancies were studied with respect to the pattern of clinical presentation and epidemiological characteristics.Results: At our centre, the incidence of intraabdominal oncological emergencies requiring surgery was found to be 6.56% of total emergent presentations excluding abdominal trauma cases. The overall mortality for study duration was 29% and the perioperative mortality within 30 days was 24%. Colonic malignancies (62%) and gastric malignancies (28%) were the most common to present as emergency. It was noted that small bowel (5%) and ovarian malignancy (5%) were not common. Perforation peritonitis was the only presentation as acute emergency in carcinoma stomach. In colonic malignancies, obstruction was the most common emergency presentation (92.5%) and perforation was an uncommon mode of presentation (7.5%).Conclusions: Surgical intervention appears to be unavoidable in the situation of a malignancy presenting as an emergency case, despite the awareness that most of these patients are going to have a limited life expectancy. A high rate of perioperative mortality is observed in emergent presentations of oncological abdominal emergencies.
Functional outcome of conservative versus plate osteosynthesis in displaced midshaft clavicle fracture in manual labours
Authors: Mishra Amit , Kumar Dharmendra , Yadav Ashok , Pandey Deepak , Sinha Abhinit Kumar 
Published: February 2017

Background: Clavicle fracture is a one of most common shoulder injury which is commonly treated conservatively. Operative methods are used for open reduction and internal fixation of displaced fracture shaft clavicle with better functional outcome preserving the shoulder biomechanics needed for overhead manual workers. This study is aimed at study of functional outcome of different modalities of treatment used in treatment of displaced fracture midshaft clavicle in manual laborers.Methods: This study was conducted with permission of ethical committee in B.R.D Medical College, Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, India. This study included 36 patients with closed displaced fracture midshaft fractures. Out of 36patients, 17 were treated conservatively using clavicle brace and sling and 19 patients were treated operatively by open reduction and internal fixation using reconstruction plate or AO pre-contoured plate. All patients were followed clinically and radiologically, regularly at 1 month duration for 18 months. Functional outcome both, conservative and operatively treated patients were assessed using constant and murley scoring system. Results: 17 patients treated conservatively had good to average functional results and 19 patients treated surgically had excellent functional outcome at 4 weeks of the treatment. At 12 weeks all fractures united well in operative group patients had better functional outcome with good range of shoulder abduction than conservative group of patients where in 4 patients fractures did not united and later underwent operative treatment to achieve fracture union. Average time of fracture healing in operative group was 8 weeks, less than time average time (12 weeks) taken by fracture healing in conservatively treated patients. Complication rate in conservatively treated group was tenting of skin and formation of discharging wound later, malunion, delayed fracture healing leading to shoulder stiffness and decreased shoulder abduction. Wound infection, implant failure or wound dehiscence like common complications were not seen in operative group.Conclusions: In manual laborers, clavicle fractures treated operatively had united early with excellent functional outcome and better shoulder abduction and early return to work with no complications in comparison to fractures treated conservatively.
A study on acute appendicitis in a tertiary care hospital in Tamil Nadu, India
Authors: Babu K. Suresh , Savitha S. 
Published: February 2017

Background: Acute appendicitis is a common problem in children and early adult life. Appendicectomy is immediate or emergency procedure to reduce morbidity and mortality. The present study was conducted to find out clinical profile of acute appendicitis and complications of appendicectomy.Methods: This observational study was conducted among 100 patients diagnosed as acute appendicitis in tertiary care hospital during the year from 2001 to 2002. The clinical profile like age, sex, symptoms of the patients and post-operative complications were recorded. All patients underwent appendicectomy and followed post operatively.Results: Out of hundred patients, 55% were male and 45% were female. Nearly 71% of the patients belonged to the age group of 15-30 years.100% had pain abdomen, 81% had fever and 75% had vomiting. The post-operative complication was 3%.Conclusions: Acute appendicitis is very common in younger age groups shows that whenever young patients present with acute abdominal pain may be considered acute appendicitis. The complication of appendicectomy is very minimum and gives good prognosis.
School based screening tools for childhood obesity: a comparison of TSFT, WHR and BMI
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Sujaya , Bhattacharjee Prasun , Joshi Payas 
Published: February 2017

Background: Obesity is an emerging health problem in children and adolescents. Various screening tools are there for assessment of nutritional status and this study was done to compare various methods to screen for obesity and overweight in adolescents that can be used during school health check-up.Methods: This study was conducted in the urban schools of Vadodara city. 609 students were included in the study.Results: Maximum students were in the age group of 16-18 year of which 57.9% were males and 42.03 % females. By using BMI, 4.1% students were found to be obese and 12.8% overweight. 10% students had WHR above the cut-off levels. In 11.3% TSFT was above 90th centile.Conclusions: Comparison between the three parameters done using ANNOVA, shows that TSFT is better than BMI in detecting Obesity.
Food habits and obesity: a study in adolescents
Authors: Bhattacharjee Prasun , Mukhopadhyay Sujaya , Joshi Payas , Singh Sahibjeet 
Published: February 2017

Background: In India under nutrition was common but off late overweight and obesity, the diseases of over nutrition, has gained a foothold.Methods: This is a cross sectional study done in schools of Greater Noida city to see the food habits of adolescents and assess its impact on health in terms of being overweight and obesity. A total of 600 school children were included in the study. 4.0% (24) students were found to be obese while 12.8% (77) were overweight. Results: In this study, boys were more commonly overweight (44 out of 353, 7.3%) than girls (33 out of 247, 5.5%) while obesity prevalence was comparable in both the sexes (11 out of 353 i.e. 1.8% in boys and 13 out of 247 i.e. 2.1% in girls).Conclusions: Pearson’s correlation shows that BMI is significantly related to all the asked dietary habits at 0.05 levels and it is the frequency of having meals outside or skipping breakfast that is important.
QT interval dispersion as a prognostic indicator in patients of acute coronary syndromes
Authors: Chittora Saurabh , Sharma Nirmal K. , Ajmera Devendra , Pyarsabadi Pavankumar , Javedar Sudeep , Jaiswal Kapil 
Published: February 2017

Background: QT dispersion is a potential marker of arrhythmic risk, myocardial ischemia and myocardial viability. Measurement of QT interval dispersion has failed to establish its place in routine clinical practice. The study aims at predicting risk of life threatening ventricular arrhythmias in patients of acute coronary syndromes using rate adjusted QT interval dispersion (QTcd) as one of the cheapest modalities of investigation.Methods: Serial measurements (at admission, after 24 hours, 48 hours, and 7th day) of rate adjusted QT interval dispersion (QTcd) was done in 107 cases of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) namely ST-segment elevated Myocardial infarction (STEMI), non-ST-segment elevated myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and unstable angina (UA). Patients who reported within 12 hrs of onset of chest pain and typical ECG changes were thrombolysed using streptokinase (15 lack IU).Results: Mean QTcd following acute coronary syndrome was maximum at admission and then gradually falls till day-7 as the patients clinical condition improves but it remains high in case of development of various complications (viz. hypotension, congestive heart failure (CHF), PSVT, VPC, CHB, ventricular fibrillation and death). Patients with STEMI who were thrombolysed at admission showed significantly lower mean QTcd on day-1, as well as complications and death during in-hospital stay as compared to patients who were not thrombolysed (p <0.001).Conclusions: QTcd interval could be helpful as an earliest in-hospital bedside predictor of life-threatening arrhythmias and death. Timely reperfusion by thrombolysis decreases mean Qtcd and thus reduces post-MI mortality and morbidity.
A study of predictive value of microalbuminuria in early outcome of non-diabetic patients of acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Patel Saurabh R. , Acharya Harshit , Saiyad Mubassir 
Published: February 2017

Background: Excretion of albumin in urine, in the range of 30-300 mg/day is called microalbuminuria, which cannot be detected by routine urine tests. The presence of increased UAE (Urinary albumin excretion) signals an increase in the transcapillary escape rate of albumin and is therefore a marker of micro vascular disease. Thus, microalbuminuria is an early response to myocardial infarction.Methods: A prospective study of 50 patients of acute myocardial infarction was carried out to find out the sensitivity and the specificity of microalbuminuria in non-diabetic patients of acute STEMI; to verify the association between the level of microalbuminuria and the area of infarcts; and to establish the correlation of microalbuminuria with cardiac biomarkers.Results: Microalbuminuria test was positive in 92% patients in the study group and 20% subjects in the control group. The sensitivity of microalbuminuria in our study is 92% and the specificity is 80%. The level of Microalbuminuria does not statistically correlate with areas of myocardial infarction.Conclusions: Microalbuminuria is a non-specific yet highly sensitive marker of myocardial infarction and it can be used as an additional biochemical parameter in non-diabetic patients with acute myocardial infarction. Prognostic marker value of microalbuminuria appears unproved.
Cross sectional study on knowledge, attitude and practice regarding dengue among adult population visiting a tertiary care hospital in Puducherry, India
Authors: Valantine Bershic , Kumar R. Prahan , Vasudevan Senthilvel , Sureshbabu Jayanthi , Singh Zile 
Published: February 2017

Background: Dengue is one of the world’s emerging and rapidly spreading pandemic disease of public health importance. High rainfall and low temperatures are associated with increased number of dengue cases.Methods: A hospital based cross sectional study was conducted between 15th August 2013 and 15th October 2013 with a sample of 200 in a tertiary care multi-speciality hospital in Puducherry using pre-designed and pre-tested questionnaire. The study protocol was approved by ICMR and Institutional (PIMS) Ethical Committee. Participants were included in the study based on the following criteria: (1) More than 20 years of age. (2) Permanent resident of Pondicherry.Results: Out of the 200 participants 68% were males and 32% were females. Most of them (64%) had gone to schools, while 9.5% were illiterates. Of the 200 participants, 180 (90%) knew that mosquito is the vector for Dengue. 162 (81%) of participants felt hospitalisation is necessary for dengue management. 80% of participants mentioned use of ceiling fan as a predominantly used preventive measure against mosquito bite, whereas 43% of them use mosquito coils to avoid mosquito bites. Majority of the respondents (66%) spend less than Rs.100 ($ 1.47) in a month for various mosquito preventive measures.Conclusions: The knowledge about dengue was good, although more awareness needs to be created to identify the clinical signs of dengue. The overall attitude and practices of the participants towards dengue care, prevention and control is good.