bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hepatic transcriptome profiling identifies differences in expression of genes associated with changes in metabolism and postnatal growth between Hereford and Holstein‐Friesian bulls
Authors: Lisowski Pawel , Kościuczuk Ewa M. , Gościk Joanna , Pierzchała Mariusz , Rowińska Barbara , Zwierzchowski Lech 
Published: December 2013

SummaryThis study examined liver transcriptomic profiles of cattle distinctly different in meat and milk production capacity. It was performed on bulls of two different genetic backgrounds: Herefords (H), a meat breed, and Holstein‐Friesians (HF), a dairy breed. Using bovine long oligo‐microarrays and qPCR, we identified 128 genes that are differentially expressed between the two breeds. In H bulls, we observed up‐regulation of genes involved in fatty acid biosynthesis and lipid metabolism (CD36, CAT, HSD3B1, FABP1, ACAA1) and involved in insulin signaling (INSR, INSIG2, NR4A1) and down‐regulation of genes involved in somatotropic axis signaling (IGF1, GHR, IGFBP3) as compared to HF. Transcriptome profiling of these two breeds allowed us to pinpoint the transcriptional differences between Holstein and Hereford bulls at hepatic level associated with changes in metabolism and postnatal growth.
Ethical and legal aspects of anaesthesia for the elderly
Authors: White S. M. 
Published: December 2013

SummaryThe elderly have the ethical and legal equivalence of younger adults, yet are treated differently by society. Numerous recent reports have exposed poor inpatient care resulting in part from institutional ageism, which has moral and legal implications for healthcare providers. Morally, there is an argument for positive ‘exceptionalism’ in elderly peri‐operative care, pursuing quality improvement through use of a dignity agenda. Legally, numerous changes in human rights, equality, consent, capacity, and end‐of‐life laws and professional guidance have consistently re‐emphasised the need for greater communication between doctors, patients, their relatives and carers. This review describes current ethical thinking and legal precedent (in England and Wales), and directs readers to consider areas in which the law might change in the near future, particularly with regard to the end‐of‐life care of elderly surgical patients.
A systematic review of gender‐specific rates of unipolar and bipolar disorders in community studies of pre‐pubertal children
Authors: Douglas Jessica , Scott Jan 
Published: December 2013

ObjectivesGender‐specific rates of unipolar and bipolar disorders are well established for cases with post‐pubertal onset. However, there is less certainty about these rates in pre‐pubertal children. We undertook a systematic review of community studies that report gender‐specific rates for unipolar and bipolar disorders in young children, particularly cases of major depression and mania.MethodComputer databases (Medline,EMBASE, Index to Theses, and PsychInfo) were searched for non‐clinical observational studies using recognized diagnostic criteria to identify unipolar and bipolar disorders in children aged ≤12 years. A meta‐analysis was undertaken to calculate pooled odds ratios (ORs) for caseness for major depression by gender. The limited data on bipolar disorder were summarized.ResultsAnalysis of 12 studies (>15,000 children), indicated that the community prevalence of unipolar disorders was higher in boys (1.3%) than in girls (0.8%). Rates of major depression were low (0.61%), but boys were significantly more likely to meet diagnostic criteria than girls (OR = 1.61; 95% confidence interval: 1.11–2.35). Five studies, assessing >5,000 children, identified only one case with a probable diagnosis of mania.ConclusionsThis systematic review suggests that boys aged ≤12 years are significantly more likely to experience major depression than girls. However, in younger children, community rates of major depression are low, and it is frequently suggested (but not proven) that most cases are comorbid. The absence of mania suggests either that childhood bipolar phenotypes do not resemble post‐pubertal onset cases or that there are problems of case ascertainment.
Semiparametric Bayesian commensurate survival model for post‐market medical device surveillance with non‐exchangeable historical data
Authors: Murray Thomas A. , Hobbs Brian P. , Lystig Theodore C. , Carlin Bradley P. 
Published: December 2013

SummaryTrial investigators often have a primary interest in the estimation of the survival curve in a population for which there exists acceptable historical information from which to borrow strength. However, borrowing strength from a historical trial that is non‐exchangeable with the current trial can result in biased conclusions. In this article we propose a fully Bayesian semiparametric method for the purpose of attenuating bias and increasing efficiency when jointly modeling time‐to‐event data from two possibly non‐exchangeable sources of information. We illustrate the mechanics of our methods by applying them to a pair of post‐market surveillance datasets regarding adverse events in persons on dialysis that had either a bare metal or drug‐eluting stent implanted during a cardiac revascularization surgery. We finish with a discussion of the advantages and limitations of this approach to evidence synthesis, as well as directions for future work in this area. The article's Supplementary Materials offer simulations to show our procedure's bias, mean squared error, and coverage probability properties in a variety of settings.
Association of quantitative assessment of the intrafollicular proliferation index with outcome in follicular lymphoma
Authors: Kedmi Meirav , Hedvat Cyrus V. , Maragulia Jocelyn , Zhang Zhigang , Zelenetz Andrew D. 
Published: December 2013

SummaryThe role of the proliferation index (PI) as an outcome predictor in follicular lymphoma (FL) isn't clear. We have previously demonstrated that quantitative image analysis (QIA) is a robust tool for PI determination and the present study aimed to determine the significance of the PI for outcome in low‐grade FL. One hundred and twenty‐nine patients with grade 1–2 FL were retrospectively analysed. Slides were scanned digitally and follicle/tumour‐involved areas were annotated. The intrafollicular PI was estimated by analysing a median of 10 follicles per case. Patients were divided into two groups: PI < 30%, PI ≥ 30% and clinical outcome was analysed. Among the 129 patients analysed, intrafollicular PI ranged from 0·6 to 63·2% with a median of 23·3%. Overall survival was not influenced by PI group. Among those patients initially observed, intrafollicular PI < 30% was associated with longer time to first therapy compared to patients with a PI ≥ 30%. In the group of patients that were treated at diagnosis, PI was not predictive of time to treatment failure (TTTF). Intrafollicular PI is an important predicator of TTFT for patients who are candidates for observation. Further confirmation in an independent cohort of patients is necessary to determine the clinical validity of the results.
Time Line Cell Tracking for the Approximation of Lagrangian Coherent Structures with Subgrid Accuracy
Authors: Kuhn A. , Engelke W. , Rössl C. , Hadwiger M. , Theisel H. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractLagrangian coherent structures (LCSs) have become a widespread and powerful method to describe dynamic motion patterns in time‐dependent flow fields. The standard way to extract LCS is to compute height ridges in the finite‐time Lyapunov exponent field. In this work, we present an alternative method to approximate Lagrangian features for 2D unsteady flow fields that achieve subgrid accuracy without additional particle sampling. We obtain this by a geometric reconstruction of the flow map using additional material constraints for the available samples. In comparison to the standard method, this allows for a more accurate global approximation of LCS on sparse grids and for long integration intervals. The proposed algorithm works directly on a set of given particle trajectories and without additional flow map derivatives. We demonstrate its application for a set of computational fluid dynamic examples, as well as trajectories acquired by Lagrangian methods, and discuss its benefits and limitations.
Same‐day assessment and management of urgent (2‐week wait) colorectal referrals: an analysis of the outcome of 1606 patients attending an endoscopy unit‐based colorectal clinic
Authors: Royle T. J. , Ferguson H. J. M. , Mak T. W. C. , Simpson J. A. , Thumbe V. , Bhalerao S. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractAimThe Rapid Access Diagnosis and Remedy (RADAR) clinic combines 2‐week wait (TWW) specialist consultation with ‘straight‐to‐test’ flexible sigmoidoscopy (FS) for left‐sided ‘red‐flag’ TWW criteria (excluding right‐sided mass or iron‐deficiency anaemia). The study aims were to determine the effectiveness of RADAR in differentiating colorectal cancer from benign disease and to evaluate the need for whole colonic investigation (WCI) following FS, in symptomatic patients.MethodProspectively collated data of all RADAR patients from November 2005 to November 2009 were analysed, excluding patients referred internally for a FS. The local histology database was later interrogated to detect any missed cancers.ResultsOf 1690 patients (729 men; median (range) age: 68 (18–96) years) assessed in RADAR, 84 were excluded. Colorectal cancer (CRC) was diagnosed in 117 (7.3%). Eighty‐seven cancers were diagnosed on the day of attendance and a further 13 within a week (88.9% overall). Two patients after a cancer‐free FS were found to have a right‐sided CRC on WCI (0.24%) and one synchronous cancer was found. No patient with a cancer‐free FS having a WCI was subsequently found to have CRC at a median of 35 (12–58) months.ConclusionFlexible sigmoidoscopy, in the context of an endoscopy unit TWW clinic, allows same‐day diagnosis of most patients referred with left‐sided symptoms, and immediate reassurance and treatment of most benign diagnoses. For these patients, the use of routine WCI following a cancer‐free FS does not appear to be beneficial. Adopting this system would significantly reduce the number of barium enemas and colonoscopies currently performed.
Effect of very low‐intensity resistance training with slow movement on muscle size and strength in healthy older adults
Authors: Watanabe Yuya , Madarame Haruhiko , Ogasawara Riki , Nakazato Koichi , Ishii Naokata 
Published: December 2013

SummaryWe previously reported that low‐intensity [50% of one repetition maximum (1RM)] resistance training with slow movement and tonic force generation (LST) causes muscle hypertrophy and strength gain in older participants. The aim of this study was to determine whether resistance training with slow movement and much more reduced intensity (30%1RM) increases muscle size and strength in older adults. Eighteen participants (60–77 years) were randomly assigned to two groups. One group performed very low‐intensity (30% 1RM) knee extension exercise with continuous muscle contraction (LST: 3‐s eccentric, 3‐s concentric, and 1‐s isometric actions with no rest between each repetition) twice a week for 12 weeks. The other group underwent intermitted muscle contraction (CON: 1‐s concentric and 1‐s eccentric actions with 1‐s rest between each repetition) for the same time period. The 1RM, isometric and isokinetic strengths, and cross‐sectional image of the mid‐thigh obtained by magnetic resonance imaging were examined before and after the intervention. LST significantly increased the cross‐sectional area of the quadriceps muscle (5·0%, P<0·001) and isometric and isokinetic knee extension strengths (P<0·05). CON failed to increase muscle size (1·1%, P = 0·12), but significantly improved its strength (P<0·05). These results indicate that even if the intensity is as low as 30% 1RM, LST can increase muscle size and strength in healthy older adults. The large total contraction time may be related to muscle hypertrophy and strength gain. LST would be useful for preventing sarcopenia in older individuals.
Egg development of Plecoptera, Ephemeroptera and Odonata along latitudinal gradients
Authors: ROTVIT LENNIE , JACOBSEN DEAN 
Published: December 2013

Interest in the effect of temperature on ecophysiological processes is growing. Using published data, a meta‐analysis was carried out on the influence of temperature on duration of egg development of the aquatic insect orders Plecoptera, Ephemeroptera and Odonata in relation to latitudinal compensation. The aim was to test the hypotheses on thermal adaptation and countergradient variation.
The orders showed considerable differences in the response to temperatures along latitudinal gradients. Duration of egg development in Ephemeroptera and Plecoptera was negatively related to latitude at 15, 20 and 25 °C, and 5, 15, and 20 °C, respectively. This is interpreted as compensation for short summer seasons at high latitudes, a result that is in line with the countergradient variation hypothesis.
In contrast, the results for Odonata supported neither the thermal adaptation nor the countergradient variation hypothesis. Odonate eggs from higher latitudes developed more slowly than those from lower latitudes at 20 and 25 °C. It is likely that the high‐latitude odonates have more time for eggs to develop, despite the shorter season, because the potential time constraint that lies in producing more generations per year at lower latitudes may override the effect of seasonal constraints at higher latitudes.
Connexin36 in gap junctions forming electrical synapses between motoneurons in sexually dimorphic motor nuclei in spinal cord of rat and mouse
Authors: Bautista W. , Nagy J. I. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractPools of motoneurons in the lumbar spinal cord innervate the sexually dimorphic perineal musculature, and are themselves sexually dimorphic, showing differences in number and size between male and female rodents. In two of these pools, the dorsomedial nucleus (DMN) and the dorsolateral nucleus (DLN), dimorphic motoneurons are intermixed with non‐dimorphic neurons innervating anal and external urethral sphincter muscles. As motoneurons in these nuclei are reportedly linked by gap junctions, we examined immunofluorescence labeling for the gap junction‐forming protein connexin36 (Cx36) in male and female mice and rats. Fluorescent Cx36‐labeled puncta occurred in distinctly greater amounts in the DMN and DLN of male rodents than in other spinal cord regions. These puncta were localized to motoneuron somata, proximal dendrites, and neuronal appositions, and were distributed either as isolated or large patches of puncta. In both rats and mice, Cx36‐labeled puncta were associated with nearly all (> 94%) DMN and DLN motoneurons. The density of Cx36‐labeled puncta increased dramatically from postnatal days 9 to 15, unlike the developmental decreases in these puncta observed in other central nervous system regions. In females, Cx36 labeling of puncta in the DLN was similar to that in males, but was sparse in the DMN. In enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)–Cx36 transgenic mice, motoneurons in the DMN and DLN were intensely labeled for the EGFP reporter in males, but less so in females. The results indicate the presence of Cx36‐containing gap junctions in the sexually dimorphic DMN and DLN of both male and female rodents, suggesting coupling of not only sexually dimorphic but also non‐dimorphic motoneurons in these nuclei.
Simultaneous inbreeding modifies inbreeding depression in a plant–herbivore interaction
Authors: Kalske Aino , Mutikainen Pia , Muola Anne , Scheepens J. F. , Laukkanen Liisa , Salminen Juha‐Pekka , Leimu Roosa 
Published: December 2013

AbstractBecause inbreeding is common in natural populations of plants and their herbivores, herbivore‐induced selection on plants, and vice versa, may be significantly modified by inbreeding and inbreeding depression. In a feeding assay with inbred and outbred lines of both the perennial herb, Vincetoxicum hirundinaria, and its specialist herbivore, Abrostola asclepiadis, we discovered that plant inbreeding increased inbreeding depression in herbivore performance in some populations. The effect of inbreeding on plant resistance varied among plant and herbivore populations. The among‐population variation is likely to be driven by variation in plant secondary compounds across populations. In addition, inbreeding depression in plant resistance was substantial when herbivores were outbred, but diminished when herbivores were inbred. These findings demonstrate that in plant–herbivore interactions expression of inbreeding depression can depend on the level of inbreeding of the interacting species. Furthermore, our results suggest that when herbivores are inbred, herbivore‐induced selection against self‐fertilisation in plants may diminish.
Risk factors associated with gastrointestinal dysfunction in horses undergoing elective procedures under general anaesthesia
Authors: Nelson B. B. , Lordan E. E. , Hassel D. M. 
Published: December 2013

SummaryReasons for performing studyGastrointestinal dysfunction occurs commonly following elective anaesthesia. Identification of risk factors may allow implementation of preventative measures to reduce the prevalence of colic following elective anaesthetic procedures.ObjectivesTo examine risk factors associated with gastrointestinal dysfunction or post anaesthetic colic for horses undergoing elective surgical or diagnostic procedures under general anaesthesia.Study designRetrospective case series.MethodsMedical records were collected from adult horses undergoing general anaesthesia from 1January 2008 to 31December 2010 using a retrospective cohort design. Potential risk factors were examined using univariable logistic regression with a limit of aP<0.25. Through backward elimination, the final multivariate model was created to identify variables significantly associated with gastrointestinal dysfunction.ResultsColic or delayed faecal output was reported in 36 out of 416 (8.7%) horses undergoing general anaesthesia in the study period. In the final multivariable model, horse breed (P= 0.05), intraoperative peripheral blood lactate (P= 0.02), right lateral recumbency during general anaesthesia (P= 0.04), post anaesthetic rectal temperature (P= 0.03) and hours to first passage of faeces (P<0.01) were statistically significant between horses that exhibited colic compared with those that did not. Arabians were more likely to develop colic compared with other horse breeds (4/13, 30.8%). Horses that exhibited gastrointestinal dysfunction passed faeces later than those that did not (7.2 ± 0.8 h and 5.4 ± 0.2 h, respectively). As blood lactate increased at the end of anaesthesia, the odds of colic occurring also increased (odds ratio:1.4, 95% confidence interval: 1.04–1.83,P= 0.02).ConclusionsThis study demonstrated the prevalence of colic in horses undergoing elective general anaesthetic procedures in our hospital population. Arabian horses, increasing blood lactate and delayed passage of faeces were significantly associated with an increased risk of gastrointestinal dysfunction.
The effects of ergot alkaloids on the breeding stallion reproductive system
Authors: Fayrer‐Hosken R. A. , Hill N. S. , Heusner G. L. , Traylor‐Wiggins W. , Turner K. 
Published: December 2013

SummaryReasons for performing studyErgot alkaloids cause a range of pathological conditions in mares. There is no evaluation of the effects of ergot alkaloids from endophyte‐infected tall fescue on the stallion breeding soundness examination spermiogram.ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to investigate the effect of ergot alkaloids from endophyte‐infected tall fescue on the stallion's reproductive functions.Study designCrossover toxicology experiment.MethodsSix stallions were fed either toxic endophyte‐infected tall fescue seed or a nontoxic endophyte tall fescue seed (FlechaAR‐542,MaxQ). The fescue seed content was compounded at 45% of a grain diet and the stallions were fed the grain diet at 1% of their body weight. The stallions were fed the diet for 70 days, then rested for at least 70 days (no fescue seed) and then fed fescue seed for a second 70 days. At regular intervals blood sampling and a breeding soundness examination were performed.ResultsThe mean time to maximal systemic toxicity was 8.33 h after starting toxic seed ingestion with a mean toxicity level of 49.98 ng alkaloid/mg creatinine. After cessation of feeding toxic seed, the systemic alkaloid concentration fell to control levels within 48 h. There were no significant changes in sperm motility, sperm concentration, sperm cell morphology, total number of sperm cells, number of breeding doses, testicular volume, baseline and human chorionic gonadotropin stimulated testosterone levels. There were no changes in core body temperature and superficial scrotal temperature. The ejaculate from stallions consuming endophyte‐infected tall fescue seed had significantly lower gel‐free volume (47.5 ± 4.1 ml) than stallions consuming nontoxic endophyte tall fescue seed (62.8 + 4.3 ml,P<0.01).ConclusionErgot alkaloids decreased the gel‐free volume of stallions consuming high levels of ergot alkaloids but statistically significant effects on the spermiogram of adult breeding stallions were not found.
Discovery of the neuroprotective effects of alvespimycin by computational prioritization of potential anti‐parkinson agents
Authors: Gao Li , Zhao Gang , Fang Jian‐Song , Yuan Tian‐Yi , Liu Ai‐Lin , Du Guan‐Hua 
Published: December 2013

Based on public gene expression data, we propose a computational approach to optimize gene expression signatures for the use with Connectivity Map (CMap) to reposition drugs or discover lead compounds for Parkinson's disease. This approach integrates genetic information from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, the Parkinson's disease gene expression database (ParkDB), the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) database and the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database (CTD), with the aim of identifying a set of interesting genes for use in computational drug screening via CMap. The results showed that CMap, using the top 20 differentially expressed genes identified by our approach as a gene expression signature, outperformed the same method using all differentially expressed genes (n = 535) as a signature. Utilizing this approach, the candidate compound alvespimycin (17‐DMAG) was selected for experimental evaluation in a model of rotenone‐induced toxicity in human SH‐SY5Y neuroblastoma cells and isolated rat brain mitochondria. The results showed that 17‐DMAG significantly attenuated rotenone‐induced toxicity, as reflected by the increase of cell viability, the reduction of intracellular reactive oxygen species generation and a reduction in mitochondrial respiratory dysfunction. In conclusion, this computational method provides an effective systematic approach for drug repositioning or lead compound discovery for Parkinson's disease, and the discovery of the neuroprotective effects of 17‐DMAG supports the practicability of this method.