bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genetic characterization of a core collection of flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) suitable for association mapping studies and evidence of divergent selection between fiber and linseed types
Authors: Soto-Cerda Braulio J , Diederichsen Axel , Ragupathy Raja , Cloutier Sylvie 
Published: May 2013

Abstract

Background
Flax is valued for its fiber, seed oil and nutraceuticals. Recently, the fiber industry has invested in the development of products made from linseed stems, making it a dual purpose crop. Simultaneous targeting of genomic regions controlling stem fiber and seed quality traits could enable the development of dual purpose cultivars. However, the genetic diversity, population structure and linkage disequilibrium (LD) patterns necessary for association mapping (AM) have not yet been assessed in flax because genomic resources have only recently been developed. We characterized 407 globally distributed flax accessions using 448 microsatellite markers. The data was analyzed to assess the suitability of this core collection for AM. Genomic scans to identify candidate genes selected during the divergent breeding process of fiber flax and linseed were conducted using the whole genome shotgun sequence of flax.

Results
Combined genetic structure analysis assigned all accessions to two major groups with six sub-groups. Population differentiation was weak between the major groups (FST = 0.094) and for most of the pairwise comparisons among sub-groups. The molecular coancestry analysis indicated weak relatedness (mean = 0.287) for most individual pairs. Abundant genetic diversity was observed in the total panel (5.32 alleles per locus), and some sub-groups showed a high proportion of private alleles. The average genome-wide LD (r
2) was 0.036, with a relatively fast decay of 1.5 cM. Genomic scans between fiber flax and linseed identified candidate genes involved in cell-wall biogenesis/modification, xylem identity and fatty acid biosynthesis congruent with genes previously identified in flax and other plant species.

Conclusions
Based on the abundant genetic diversity, weak population structure and relatedness and relatively fast LD decay, we concluded that this core collection is suitable for AM studies targeting multiple agronomic and quality traits aiming at the improvement of flax as a true dual purpose crop. Our genomic scans provide the first insights into candidate regions affected by divergent selection in flax. In combination with AM, genomic scans have the ability to increase the power to detect loci influencing complex traits.
Low serum total nitrite and nitrate levels in severe leptospirosis
Authors: Kalugalage Thilini , Rodrigo Chaturaka , Vithanage Thamal , Somaratne Pranitha , De Silva H Janaka , Handunnetti Shiroma , Rajapakse Senaka 
Published: May 2013

Abstract

Background
The relationship between inducible nitric oxide synthatase activity and disease severity in leptospirosis is unclear. Nitric oxide is converted to nitrites and nitrates, thus nitrite and nitrate levels (NOx) in serum are considered surrogate markers for nitric oxide. NOx are excreted through the kidneys, and elimination is diminished in renal impairment. We assessed the correlation of NOx with disease severity in patients with leptospirosis, compared with healthy controls and non-leptospirosis fever patients.

Methods
All patients admitted over a two-month period to the National Hospital, Colombo, Sri Lanka with a clinical picture suggestive of leptospirosis were included. Leptospirosis was confirmed by the microscopic agglutination test (titre≥400). Severe leptospirosis was defined by the presence of two or more of the following criteria: jaundice (bilirubin> 51.3 μmol/l), oliguria (urine output < 400 ml/day), serum creatinine> 133 μmol/l or blood urea > 25.5 mmol/l, or the presence of organ dysfunction. Non-leptospirosis fever patients and healthy volunteers were used as control groups. NOx levels were measured using a modified Griess reaction.

Results
Forty patients were confirmed as having leptospirosis and 26 of them had severe disease. NOx levels were significantly higher in confirmed leptospirosis patients compared to healthy controls, MAT equivocal patients and non-leptospirosis fever patients (p<0.001). NOx concentrations were also significantly higher in patients with severe compared to mild leptospirosis (p<0.001). Once NOx levels were corrected for renal function, by using the ratio NOx/creatinine, NOx levels were actually significantly lower in patients with severe disease compared to other patients, and values were similar to those of healthy controls.

Conclusions
We postulate that high NOx levels may be protective against severe leptospirosis, and that finding low NOx levels (when corrected for renal function) in patients with leptospirosis may predict the development of severe disease and organ dysfunction.
Seroprevalence of Streptococcal Inhibitor of Complement (SIC) suggests association of streptococcal infection with chronic kidney disease
Authors: Karmarkar Mohan Ganesh , Hule Gouri Pandharinath , Hase Niwrutti Khandu , Mehta Preeti Rajeev , Walter Scott Robert , Sriprakash Kadaba Srinivasa 
Published: May 2013

Abstract

Background
Group A streptococcus (GAS) is an etiological agent for the immune mediated sequela post streptococcal glomerulonephritis (PSGN). In some populations PSGN is recognized as a risk factor for chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). It was found that a significantly greater proportion of subjects with past history of PSGN than without the history exhibited seroreactions to streptococcal antigens called streptococcal inhibitor of complement (SIC) and to distantly related SIC (DRS). These antigens are expressed by major PSGN-associated GAS types. We therefore predicted that in populations such as India, which is endemic for streptococcal diseases and which has high prevalence of CKD and ESRD, greater proportions of CKD and ESRD patients exhibit seroreaction to SIC and DRS than healthy controls.

Methods
To test this we conducted a SIC and DRS seroprevalence study in subjects from Mumbai area. We recruited 100 CKD, 70 ESRD and 70 healthy individuals.

Results
Nineteen and 35.7% of CKD and ESRD subjects respectively were SIC antibody-positive, whereas only 7% of healthy cohort was seropositive to SIC. Furthermore, significantly greater proportion of the ESRD patients than the CKD patients is seropositive to SIC (p=0.02; odds ratio 2.37). No association was found between the renal diseases and DRS-antibody-positivity.

Conclusions
Past infection with SIC-positive GAS is a risk factor for CKD and ESRD in Mumbai population. Furthermore, SIC seropositivity is predictive of poor prognosis of CKD patients.
Characterization of a short isoform of the kidney protein podocin in human kidney
Authors: Völker Linus A , Schurek Eva-Maria , Rinschen Markus M , Tax Judit , Schutte Barbara A , Lamkemeyer Tobias , Ungrue Denise , Schermer Bernhard , Benzing Thomas , Höhne Martin 
Published: May 2013

Abstract

Background
Steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome is a severe hereditary disease often caused by mutations in the NPHS2 gene. This gene encodes the lipid binding protein podocin which localizes to the slit diaphragm of podocytes and is essential for the maintenance of an intact glomerular filtration barrier. Podocin is a hairpin-like membrane-associated protein that multimerizes to recruit lipids of the plasma membrane. Recent evidence suggested that podocin may exist in a canonical, well-studied large isoform and an ill-defined short isoform. Conclusive proof of the presence of this new podocin protein in the human system is still lacking.

Methods
We used database analyses to identify organisms for which an alternative splice variant has been annotated. Mass spectrometry was employed to prove the presence of the shorter isoform of podocin in human kidney lysates. Immunofluorescence, sucrose density gradient fractionation and PNGase-F assays were used to characterize this short isoform of human podocin.

Results
Mass spectrometry revealed the existence of the short isoform of human podocin on protein level. We cloned the coding sequence from a human kidney cDNA library and showed that the expressed short variant was retained in the endoplasmic reticulum while still associating with detergent-resistant membrane fractions in sucrose gradient density centrifugation. The protein is partially N-glycosylated which implies the presence of a transmembranous form of the short isoform.

Conclusions
A second isoform of human podocin is expressed in the kidney. This isoform lacks part of the PHB domain. It can be detected on protein level. Distinct subcellular localization suggests a physiological role for this isoform which may be different from the well-studied canonical variant. Possibly, the short isoform influences lipid and protein composition of the slit diaphragm complex by sequestration of lipid and protein interactors into the endoplasmic reticulum.
Evaluation of the cytotoxicity, mutagenicity and antimutagenicity of a natural antidepressant, Hypericum perforatum L. (St. John’s wort), on vegetal and animal test systems
Authors: Peron Ana Paula , Mariucci Rosinete Gonçalves , de Almeida Igor Vivian , Düsman Elisângela , Mantovani Mário Sérgio , Vicentini Veronica Elisa Pimenta 
Published: May 2013

Abstract

Background
St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum L.) is an herbaceous plant that is native to Europe, West Asia and North Africa and that is recognized and used worldwide for the treatment of mild and moderate depression. It also has been shown to be therapeutic for the treatment of burns, bruises and swelling and can be used for its wound healing, antiviral, antimicrobial, antioxidant, analgesic, hepato-protective and anxiolytic properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential cytotoxic, mutagenic and antimutagenic action of H. Perforatum.

Methods
Meristematic cells were used as the test system for Allium cepa L., and bone marrow cells from Rattus norvegicus, ex vivo, were used to calculate the mitotic index and the percentage of chromosomal aberration. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square test.

Results
This medicinal plant had no cytotoxic potential in the vegetal test system evaluated. In the animal test system, none of the acute treatments, including intraperitoneal gavage and subchronic gavage, were cytotoxic or mutagenic. Moreover, this plant presented antimutagenic activity against the clastogenic action of cyclophosphamide, as confirmed in pre-treatment (76% reduction in damage), simultaneous treatment (95%) and post-treatment (97%).

Conclusions
Thus, the results of this study suggest that the administration of H. perforatum, especially by gavage similar to oral consumption used by humans, is safe and with beneficial antimutagenic potential.
An electronic portfolio for quantitative assessment of surgical skills in undergraduate medical education
Authors: Sánchez Gómez Serafín , Ostos Elisa María Cabot , Solano Juan Manuel Maza , Salado Tomás Francisco Herrero 
Published: May 2013

Abstract

Background
We evaluated a newly designed electronic portfolio (e-Portfolio) that provided quantitative evaluation of surgical skills. Medical students at the University of Seville used the e-Portfolio on a voluntary basis for evaluation of their performance in undergraduate surgical subjects.

Methods
Our new web-based e-Portfolio was designed to evaluate surgical practical knowledge and skills targets. Students recorded each activity on a form, attached evidence, and added their reflections. Students self-assessed their practical knowledge using qualitative criteria (yes/no), and graded their skills according to complexity (basic/advanced) and participation (observer/assistant/independent). A numerical value was assigned to each activity, and the values of all activities were summated to obtain the total score. The application automatically displayed quantitative feedback. We performed qualitative evaluation of the perceived usefulness of the e-Portfolio and quantitative evaluation of the targets achieved.

Results
Thirty-seven of 112 students (33%) used the e-Portfolio, of which 87% reported that they understood the methodology of the portfolio. All students reported an improved understanding of their learning objectives resulting from the numerical visualization of progress, all students reported that the quantitative feedback encouraged their learning, and 79% of students felt that their teachers were more available because they were using the e-Portfolio. Only 51.3% of students reported that the reflective aspects of learning were useful. Individual students achieved a maximum of 65% of the total targets and 87% of the skills targets. The mean total score was 345 ± 38 points. For basic skills, 92% of students achieved the maximum score for participation as an independent operator, and all achieved the maximum scores for participation as an observer and assistant. For complex skills, 62% of students achieved the maximum score for participation as an independent operator, and 98% achieved the maximum scores for participation as an observer or assistant.

Conclusions
Medical students reported that use of an electronic portfolio that provided quantitative feedback on their progress was useful when the number and complexity of targets were appropriate, but not when the portfolio offered only formative evaluations based on reflection. Students felt that use of the e-Portfolio guided their learning process by indicating knowledge gaps to themselves and teachers.
The presence of old pulmonary tuberculosis is an independent prognostic factor for squamous cell lung cancer survival
Authors: Zhou Yiming , Cui Zhenling , Zhou Xiao , Chen Chang , Jiang Sen , Hu Zhongyi , Jiang Gening 
Published: May 2013

Abstract

Background
Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is associated with an increased risk of lung cancer. Our study investigated whether the coexistence of an old pulmonary TB lesion is an independent prognostic factor for lung cancer survival in Chinese non-small cell lung cancer patients.

Methods
We performed a retrospective review of 782 non-small cell lung cancer patients who underwent surgical resection as their primary treatment in 2006 and were followed for 5 years. The associations between lung cancer survival and the presence of old pulmonary TB lesions were assessed using Cox’s proportional hazard regression analysis adjusted for WHO performance status (PS), age, sex, smoking-status, tumor stage, and surgical approach.

Results
Sixty-four of the patients had old pulmonary TB lesions. The median survival of squamous cell carcinoma patients with TB was significantly shorter than that of patients without TB (1.7 vs. 3.4 years, p < 0.01). The presence of an old pulmonary TB lesion is an independent predictor of poor survival with a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.72 (95% CI, 1.12–2.64) in the subgroup of squamous cell carcinoma patients studied.

Conclusion
The presence of an old pulmonary TB lesion may be an important prognostic factor for predicting the survival of squamous cell carcinoma patients.
Multi-parent advanced generation inter-cross (MAGIC) populations in rice: progress and potential for genetics research and breeding
Authors: Bandillo Nonoy , Raghavan Chitra , Muyco Pauline Andrea , Sevilla Ma Anna Lynn , Lobina Irish T , Dilla-Ermita Christine Jade , Tung Chih-Wei , McCouch Susan , Thomson Michael , Mauleon Ramil , Singh Rakesh Kumar , Gregorio Glenn , Redoña Edilberto , Leung Hei 
Published: May 2013

Abstract

Background
This article describes the development of Multi-parent Advanced Generation Inter-Cross populations (MAGIC) in rice and discusses potential applications for mapping quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and for rice varietal development. We have developed 4 multi-parent populations: indica MAGIC (8 indica parents); MAGIC plus (8 indica parents with two additional rounds of 8-way F1 inter-crossing); japonica MAGIC (8 japonica parents); and Global MAGIC (16 parents – 8 indica and 8 japonica). The parents used in creating these populations are improved varieties with desirable traits for biotic and abiotic stress tolerance, yield, and grain quality. The purpose is to fine map QTLs for multiple traits and to directly and indirectly use the highly recombined lines in breeding programs. These MAGIC populations provide a useful germplasm resource with diverse allelic combinations to be exploited by the rice community.

Results
The indica MAGIC population is the most advanced of the MAGIC populations developed thus far and comprises 1328 lines produced by single seed descent (SSD). At the S4 stage of SSD a subset (200 lines) of this population was genotyped using a genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) approach and was phenotyped for multiple traits, including: blast and bacterial blight resistance, salinity and submergence tolerance, and grain quality. Genome-wide association mapping identified several known major genes and QTLs including Sub1 associated with submergence tolerance and Xa4 and xa5 associated with resistance to bacterial blight. Moreover, the genome-wide association study (GWAS) results also identified potentially novel loci associated with essential traits for rice improvement.

Conclusion
The MAGIC populations serve a dual purpose: permanent mapping populations for precise QTL mapping and for direct and indirect use in variety development. Unlike a set of naturally diverse germplasm, this population is tailor-made for breeders with a combination of useful traits derived from multiple elite breeding lines. The MAGIC populations also present opportunities for studying the interactions of genome introgressions and chromosomal recombination.
Maximal minors and linear powers
Authors: Bruns Winfried , Conca Aldo , Varbaro Matteo 
Published: May 2013

Abstract

An ideal I in a polynomial ring S has linear powers if all the powers Ik
of I have a linear free resolution.
We show that the ideal of maximal minors of a sufficiently general matrix with linear entries has linear powers.
The required genericity is expressed in terms of the heights of the ideals of lower order minors.
In particular we prove that every rational normal scroll has linear powers.
Tea toxicity and cholinesterase inhibition of Huilliche herbal medicine
Authors: Adsersen Anne , Guzman Alfonso , Mølgaard Per , Simonsen Henrik Toft 
Published: May 2013

Abstract
Eleven species of Huilliche medicinal plants used traditionally against infections and for wound healing were tested for their cholinesterase inhibition activity. Two different teas (a 5–7 min infusion and a 1 h decoction, both in water) were tested for their toxicity against Artemia salina. The results from the present study clearly show that teas boiled for 1 h is much more toxic than teas infused for 5–7 min. These results support the different traditional use of the two teas, where the 1h tea is for external use only. Additionally, significant inhibition of cholinesterase has been observed for MeOH extracts of Acaena argentea, Amomyrtas meli and Pseudopanax laetevirens, with that of A. argentea being the most potent. All findings call for further investigations.
Smart Grids in the Process of Building a Competitive Economy and Energy Security in Europe
Authors: Ludynia Anna 
Published: May 2013

Abstract
Article aims to present the technological innovation - Smart Grids in the process of maintaining Europ’s energy security, competitiveness of economy and environmental protection. Innovative intelligent networks are the solution to accelerate the liberalization process of the energy sector, and also to grow energy efficiency and savings in the consumption of electricity. Management of energy production and efficient planning of consumption will bring benefits for the economic development. Technology of smart grids will change in the future the structure of the supply of energy towards a decentralization system. This article consist of three main parts, the first concerns the analysis of energy policy in Europe with the most significant factors that shape this policy, the seconde part concerns the presentation of the smart grids solutions essence for electricity and the benefits generated by the process of implementing in the energy system. The third part is devoted to European and Polish projects in the subject of smart meters.
Assessing the Impact of Erp Implementation in the small Enterprises
Authors: Patalas-Maliszewska Justyna 
Published: May 2013

Abstract
For a SME (small and medium-size enterprise) to operate competitively in an international and local market, it is necessary for it to deal with its tasks in an efficient and practical way; this can be achieved by the systematic analysis of the undertaken tasks in relation to the company’s organizational and economical ability for their completion. The author suggests in this paper that the assessment of such an implementation depends on a firm's intention to use the ERP system to achieve strategic goals. The author discusses the issue of the Balance Scorecard method being used to assess the impact of an ERP system implementation on the performance of a small service enterprise. Using a research results, the author illustrates the possibility to assess the implementation of an ERP system in the small enterprises.
Optimization Model for Multimodal Transportation Networks Based on Supply Chain
Authors: Sitek Paweł , Wikarek Jarosław 
Published: May 2013

Abstract
The article presents the problem of supply chain optimization from the perspective of a multimodal logistics provider and includes a mathematical model of multilevel cost optimization in the form of MILP (Mixed Integer Linear Programming). The costs of production, transport, distribution and environmental protection were adopted as optimization criteria. Timing, volume, capacity and mode of transport were also taken into account. The model was implemented in the LINGO ver.12. The numerical experiments were carried out using sample data to show the possibilities of practical decision support and supply chain optimization.
Holding Groups: a Safe Corporate Structure at the Time of Recession
Authors: Rzeszutek Elżbieta 
Published: May 2013

Abstract
This article makes a case for holding groups as a type of enterprise structure which guarantees capital and structural security at the time of economic and political transition in the 1990s, which in a way prepared them for the global recession in the early 21st century. The case study of PKN Orlen is presented to illustrate the typical economic developments which accompanied privatisation and commercialisation of Polish state-owned enterprises. A major part of the article addresses management mechanisms which make a holding structure immune to strong economic turbulence which would otherwise be destructive to individual daughter companies.