bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Acute Toxic Effects of Cadmium in Larvae of the Green Toad, Pseudepidalea Variabilis (Pallas, 1769) (Amphibia: Anura)
Authors: Gürkan Mert , Çetin Ayşe , Hayretdaĝ Sibel 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThe environmental impact of cadmium use and its accumulation in nature have increased to alarming levels. This study aimed to morphologically and histologically investigate the acute toxic effects of cadmium on green toad, Pseudepidalea variabilis (Pallas, 1769) larvae. Embryos were obtained from specimens collected in amplexus from nature and kept under laboratory conditions until stage 26, when they were exposed to cadmium (0, 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 Lig L-1) for 96 h. The LC10 LC50, and LC90 values of cadmium were calculated to be 26.98, 35.35, and 46.31 Lig L-1, respectively. Our results showed that cadmium had a negative effect on the body size of P. variabilis larvae (over 1 ng L-1). Histological examination detected a fusion of gill lamellae, liver haemorrhage, oedema in the abdominal cavity, and deformations of pronephric tubules (over 10 ng L-1). Our findings suggest that the green toad was sensitive to the cadmium treatment, with LC50 values lower than those reported by other studies. Thus, this species could be considered a reliable indicator species of environmental stress in aquatic ecosystem.
MAMLD1 Gene Mutation in the Incidence of Hypospadias in the Chinese Population
Authors: Zhuang Likai , Bai Ming , Zhou Wei , Yu Yongguo , Wang Jian , Fu Qihua , Sun Jie 
Published: September 2014

Summary
Background: This study aimed to investigate the significance of MAMLD1 mutations in the incidence of hypospa-dias in a Chinese population.
Methods: The experimental group consisted of 150 domestic children with hypospadias, aged 0.5 to six years and living in different provinces. A total of 120 normal children, aged two to six years, served as the control group. DNA was extracted for the direct sequencing of MAMLD1 genes.
Results: Twelve cases (8.0%) of the missense mutation p.N589S were found in the experimental group, whereas four cases (3.0%) of the same mutation were found in the control group. No significant difference was observed in the mutation rate between the two groups (P>0.05). Four cases (2.7%) had a new missense mutation p.P567S in the experimental group, and three cases (2.5%) possessed the same mutation in the control group. No significant difference was observed between the two groups (P>0.05).
Conclusions: In this study, the importance of repeated experiments in mutation-related studies was confirmed, which revealed the difference in predisposing genes among different populations. Although the mutation of the MAMLD1 gene had no apparent connection with the incidence of hypospadias in a Chinese population, a new mutation site of the MAMLD1 gene was discovered, which could provide new research topics for future studies.
PAH and QDPR Deficiency Associated Mutations in the Novosibirsk Region of the Russian Federation: Correlation of Mutation Type with Disease Manifestation and Severity
Authors: Baturina Olga A. , Tupikin Alexey E. , Lukjanova Tatyana V. , Sosnitskaya Svetlana V. , Morozov Igor V. 
Published: September 2014

Summary
Background: Efficient treatment of inherited hyperphenyl-alaninemia requires exact identification of mutations defining the trait. Such knowledge is important both for effective individual therapy and understanding of the genetic history and evolution of regional populations.
Methods: DNA sequencing of amplified genome regions was used to identify mutations.
Results: Hyperphenylalaninemia-associated mutations in the phenylalanine hydroxylase locus were identified for 76 unrelated patients from the Novosibirsk region, Russia and for their family members. Twenty-one mutation types were identified, most of them rare and one (IVS2+1delG) not previously described. Common for European populations, the mutation p.R408W appeared to be the most frequent, with allele frequency 63.33%. We also looked for mutations in the quinoid dihydropteridine reductase locus in some patients. For 36 unrelated children PKU patients with known blood phenylalanine levels, we tried to find correlations between this level and the genotype.
Conclusions: Comparative analysis revealed correlations between blood phenylalanine levels and genotypes. The spectrum of phenylalanine hydroxylase mutations in the Novosibirsk region population appeared to be rather complex, probably as a result of mixed ethnic composition, formed by several multidirectional migration flows.
Dipyridamole Stress Echocardiography Does Not Trigger Release of Highly-Sensitive Troponin I and T
Authors: Cervellin Gianfranco , Robuschi Fiorenza , Scioscioli Francesco , Ruffini Livia , Dipalo Mariella , Salvagno Gian Luca , Lippi Giuseppe 
Published: September 2014

Summary
Background: The patients with episodes of chest pain and no electrocardiographic or biomarker abnormalities are currently monitored and subjected to non-invasive testing. Stress echocardiography is one of the most often used provocative tests, being the most cost- and risk-effective imaging technique. Some concerns about this technique have been raised regarding potential drug-induced myocardial injury. Our study hence aimed to establish whether or not dipyridamole stress echocardiography elicits release of troponin I (TnI) and T (TnT), as reliable bio-markers of myocardiocyte injury.
Methods: Thirty-two patients, after exclusion of ongoing acute coronary syndrome (ACS) during evaluation in the emergency department (ED), were studied with echocar-diography both at the baseline and after pharmacological stress with dipyridamole.
Results: All subjects had biomarkers assessment immediately before the stress-test (T1), 1 h from conclusion of the test (T2), and 6 h afterwards (T3). Cardio specific troponins were assessed with one contemporary-sensitive (TnI) and two highly-sensitive (HS) methods (HS-TnI and HS-TnT). The concentration of TnI, HS-TnI and HS-TnT did not differ throughout the three time points. At no time point the concentration of either HS-TnI or HS-TnT was significantly different among patients with negative or positive stress test.
Conclusions: The data shows that dipyridamole stress testing does not trigger release of troponin in patients with and without inducible reversible ischemia.
Effects of the PPARG Gene Polymorphisms on Markers of Obesity and the Metabolic Syndrome in Bosnian Subjects
Authors: Dujić Tanja , Bego Tamer , Mlinar Barbara , Semiz Sabina , Malenica Maja , Prnjavorac Besim , Ostanek Barbara , Marc Janja , Čaušević Adlija 
Published: September 2014

Summary
Background: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARg) is a key transcription factor in adipogene-sis, and also regulates a number of genes associated with lipid storage and insulin sensitivity. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the PPARG gene have been associated with obesity and diabetes. In this study, we explored the relationship of three PPARG gene variants with the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and related traits in a population from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Methods: Anthropometric and biochemical parameters were measured in 43 patients with MetS and 43 healthy controls. Subjects were genotyped for Pro12Ala (rs1801282) and 1431C>T (rs3856806) SNPs by classic PCR–restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis, and for-681C>G (rs10865710) variant by real-time PCR.
Results: The genotype distributions for the three polymorphisms were not significantly different between MetS patients and controls. The Pro12Ala and 1431C>T variants were associated with lower body mass index in the control subjects (p=0.012 and p=0.049, respectively). In this group, the carriers of Pro12Ala had also lower waist circumference compared to the wild-type homozygotes (p=0.045).
Conclusions: Results of our preliminary study indicate a beneficial effect of a common Pro12Ala variant on the metabolic phenotype in healthy non-obese subjects.
Proteomic Effects of the Coagulation Proteinase Thrombin on LX-2 Hepatic Stellate Cells
Authors: Kaufmann Roland , Mußbach Franziska , Urbanek Annett , Settmacher Utz , Eggeling Ferdinand von 
Published: September 2014

Summary
Background: The aim of this study was to characterize the effects of the coagulation proteinase thrombin on proteomic level in human hepatic stellate LX-2 cells.
Methods: Proteomic analyses were performed using surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF-MS). The protein profiles obtained from LX-2 cell lysates using strong anion exchanger Q10 ProteinChip arrays were statistically analyzed.
Results: The peak intensities of 50 protein/peptide clusters were identified as being different between nonstimulated and LX-2 cells treated with thrombin for 6 h and 24 h, respectively. As the most significantly enhanced single signal in LX-2 cells stimulated with thrombin, a protein with a molecular mass of 13.560 kDa has been identified that corresponds exactly to calcium dependent phospholipase 2 (cPLA2). Thrombin-induced increase in the cPLA2 protein expression in LX-2 cells was confirmed by using the Western blotting technique.
Conclusions: Together with the finding that thrombin induced phosphorylating activation of cPLA2 in LX-2 cells, our data point to an important function of the thrombin-mediated modulation of cytosolic phospholipase A2 in hepatic stellate cells.
Association Analysis for Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase Gene Polymorphism with Plasma Nitrite/Nitrate Concentration in Schizophrenia
Authors: Đorđević Vladimir V. , Jevtović-Stoimenov Tatjana , Lazarević Dušan , Stojanović Ivana , Trajanović Ljiljana , Žikić Olivera , Đorđević Vidosava 
Published: September 2014

Summary
Background: Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of many genes, including the gene for neuronal nitric oxide syn-thase (NOS1), were found significantly associated with schizo-phrenia. According to our previously published results of increased plasma nitric oxide concentration in patients with schizophrenia, we hypothesized that the NOS1 gene polymorphism might be a cause of increased nitric oxide production in patients with schizophrenia and tested the interdependence between plasma nitrite/nitrate concentrations and SNP (a CT transition located in exon 29) of the human NOS1 gene.
Methods: Nitrite/nitrate concentration was measured in blood plasma of 38 patients with schizophrenia and of 39 age and gender matched healthy persons by the colorimet-ric test. The NOS1 gene polymorphism was determined by polymerase chain reaction analysis.
Results: A significantly higher plasma nitrite/nitrate concentration was found in patients with schizophrenia (97.5±33.3 μmol/L, p<0.001) in comparison with controls (61.4±18.9 μmol/L). No T/T genotype was found in healthy individuals and there was a significant difference in the genotype distribution between patients and controls (χ2=24.54, p=0.0000047). Furthermore, a significant difference in the allele frequencies between patients and controls (χ2=19.00, p<0.000013, OR=4.45, 95% CI=2.12–9.39) was noted. Also, a significant difference in plasma nitrite/nitrate concentration was observed between patients having the C/T genotype (99.97±33.83 μmol/L) and the corresponding control (C/T) subgroup (63.88±10.26 μmol/L, p<0.01). However, there were no significant differences in nitrite/nitrate concentration between the patient subgroups with different genotypes (C/C, C/T, T/T).
Conclusions: CT transition located in exon 29 of the human NOS1 gene may be responsible for the increased plasma nitrite/nitrate levels.
Hypoxanthine Guanine Phosphoribosyl Transferase Is the Most Stable Reference Gene for Gene Expression Analysis by Quantitative PCR in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells from Women with the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Authors: Milutinović Danijela Vojnović , Macut Djuro , Antić Ivana Božić , Macut Jelica Bjekić , Nikolić Marina , Matić Gordana , Nestorov Jelena 
Published: September 2014

Summary
Background: The polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a frequent endocrine disorder that affects women of reproductive age. As the syndrome is strongly associated with obesity, it is of interest to examine the gene expression diffe rences that accompany its development and the associ a ted metabolic disturbances. Real-time RT PCR is a standard method for studying changes in gene expression. However, to obtain accurate and reliable results, validation of reference genes is obligatory. The aim of this study was to identify a suitable reference for the normalization of gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from obese and normal-weight women with PCOS.
Methods: The expression stability of four potential reference genes: hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyl trans-ferase 1 (HPRT), β-actin (BA), β2-microglobulin (B2M) and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), was assessed in PBMCs from healthy women, and from normal-weight and obese women with PCOS. The variability in the expression of potential reference genes was analyzed by the TaqMan real-time RT PCR method, using GeNorm and NormFinder software packages.
Results: Direct comparison of cycle threshold (Ct) values showed inter-individual variations for all validated genes, the Ct values of HPRT being less variable than those of BA, GAPDH and B2M. Both software packages pointed to HPRT as the most steadily expressed gene in the PBMCs of women with PCOS and healthy controls.
Conclusions: Cross-validation of the expression stability of four potential reference genes identified HPRT as the most stable reference, suitable for further investigations of gene expression in PBMCs from women with PCOS.
The Health Benefits of Vitamin D Relevant for Tuberculosis
Authors: Škodrić-Trifunović Vesna , Blanka Ana , Stjepanović Mihailo I. , Ignjatović Svetlana , Mihailović-Vučinić Violeta , Šumarac Zorica , Buha Ivana , Ilić Katarina 
Published: September 2014

Summary
Vitamin D has an important role in numerous physiological functions. Vitamin D receptors are characterized by polymorphisms and presence in different tissues including a number of cells of the immune system. The role of vitamin D as a biological inhibitor of inflammatory hyperactivity is of particular importance. Hypovitaminosis D has been associated with many serious chronic diseases, such as autoimmune, infectious and cardiovascular diseases as well as some types of cancer. Vitamin D has an influence on the immune res ponse to tuberculosis. Calcitriol (1,25-dihydro xycholecalciferol), the major active form of vitamin D, has shown in vitro activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It has been found that susceptibility to chronic mycobacterial infections is strongly correlated with a low vi tamin D intake and particular VDR alleles. Vitamin D deficiency might predispose the individuals infected with Myco bacterium tuberculosis to develop tu-ber culosis. Calcitriol binds to vitamin D receptors and modulates immune responses by regulating the transcription of genes responsive to vitamin D. Faster conversion of sputum mycobacterial culture in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis is associated with being a carrier of the t allele of the T a q I vitamin D receptor polymorphism. On the contrary, slower spu tum culture conversion in pulmonary tuberculosis has been found in the carriers of the f allele of the FokI vitamin D receptor polymorphism. The results of in vitro studies, clini-cal research and population studies indicated that vitamin D deficiency might be a strong risk factor for developing TB. Vitamin D is an inexpensive, easily accessible vitamin, relevant for the prevention of tuberculosis. In addition, vitamin D could contribute to the success of tuberculosis treatment.
Book Reviews
Authors: Jones Rebecca , Kupper Patrick , Draper Simon 
Published: September 2014

Abstract
Hugh S. Gorman, The Story of N: A Social History of the Nitrogen Cycle and the Challenge of Sustainability (Rebecca Jones)
Richard White and Caroline M. Ford, eds., Playing in the Bush: Recreation and National Parks in New South Wales (Patrick Kupper)
Tom Williamson, Environment, Society and Landscape in Early Medieval England: Time and Topography (Simon Draper)
Effect of Drug Resistance Mutations on Antiviral Agents in HCV Patients
Authors: Liu Grey , Cai Qingxian , Li Zhanyi , Shao Xiaoqiong , Luo Qiumin , Zhang Xiaohong , Zhao Zhixin 
Published: September 2014

Background Gene polymorphism of HCV is an important cause of drug resistance to direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). Methods Nested PCR assays were performed to amplify the HCV viral regions of NS3, NS5A and NS5B. Results Major resistant mutation A156S was found in 18.33% of patients with HCV-1b and 64.28% of patients with HCV-2a. HCV-6a patients had a Q80K mutation rate of 95.45%, while the mutation rate of V170I was up to 100%. Mutation frequency varied with the different genotypes of HCV. The proportion of four resistance mutations (M36L, Q80K, A156S, V170I) in different groups were statistically significant ( P≤0.05). Resistant mutation Q30R was detected in 116 (72.5%) samples with HCV-1b and -6a, L31M was found in 16 patients, including 12 with HCV-2a and 4 with HCV-6a, H58P was discovered in 42.5% (68/160) of patients with the genotypes Q30R, L31M and H58P; Y93C was found in 9individuals with only HCV-2a. In HCV NS5B sequences, only a few resistant variants were detected, including C316N and S282T. Conclusions Naturally occurring dominant resistance mutations to HCV DAAs pre-existed in treatment-naive patients in China. Mutation frequency and characteristics varied with the HCV genotype.
A Review of Lameness Attributable to the Shoulder in the Dog: Part One
Authors: Kunkel Kevin A. , Rochat Mark C. 
Published: September 2014

The scapulohumeral joint is a common site of forelimb lameness in the dog. Establishing a definitive diagnosis may be difficult because of the limitations of orthopedic examination and radiographs and the inherent elusiveness of the associated conditions.The intent of this review is to present, in a single reference, the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of reported causes of lameness intrinsically associated with the shoulder. Part One of this series discusses conditions associated with cartilage and bone maturation disorders and joint instability, while Part Two reviews tendon diseases, muscle disorders, synovial diseases, and soft-tissue mineralization disorders.
Os Fios Condutores do PDE são antigos
Authors: Araújo Luiz 
Published: September 2014

O texto apresenta uma análise crítica do Plano de Desenvolvimentoda Educação – PDE, lançado em abril de 2007 pelo Governo Federal.Discutindo os fios condutores do Plano, o trabalho analisa as propostas de regulação e financiamento da política federal em questão, demonstrando o impacto na educação básica brasileira.As conclusões apontam para o reconhecimento da desvalorizaçãoprofissional intrínseca à proposta, evidenciando que o PDE se trata apenas de continuidade do ideário político e pedagógico implementado nos anos FHC.
La Política de Financiamiento de la Educación Básica en Chile (1980 -2008): Consecuencias y Disyuntivas
Authors: Díaz Sebastián Donoso 
Published: September 2014

El artículo analiza los elementos céntrales de la política de financiamiento de la educación básica chilena impulsados desde al reforma neoliberal del año 1980 que cambió el sistema de financiamiento por uno de subsidio a la demanda. El texto revisa la situación del sistema, los principales resultados después de casi tres décadas de aplicación y la búsqueda de solución a los problemas de incremento de segmentación social y de la reproducción intergeneracional de las diferencias sociales, atribuibles por algunos a los fallos de mercado y por otros fundamentalmente a problemas técnicos de fijación del valor del subsidio. El trabajo analiza las proyecciones del problema, que pese a las enmiendas, se cree no logra fusionar dos lógicas irreductibles que subyacen: la de Estado Subsidiario vigente actualmente, fuerte y dominante y las de Estado Solidario que no logra avanzar. Este debate estará presente en un horizonte próximo e implicará un punto de inflexión importante para decidir cómo solucionar los problemas que ha generado.
Trayectorias de Formación en el Nivel Educativo Superior de los Profesionales de la Educación en Brasil Y Argentina (1990-2006)
Authors: Sanchez Miriam Mabel 
Published: September 2014

Este trabajo discute comparativamente la formación de profesionales de la educación en el nivel superior en Brasil y Argentina, tomando como referencia el escenario actual de reformas educativas en los dos países. Este estudio es parte integrante de un proyecto de investigación que analiza la formación y trabajo de los profesionales de la educación: políticas, demandas sociales y prácticas pedagógicas. Ambos países atraviesan momentos de modificaciones y reestructuración en sus diferentes sistemas educativos (caso Argentino) y definiciones de lineamentos curriculares para la formación de profesionales de la educación (caso brasilero), manifestadas en leyes y políticas de educación. Analizamos a partir das referencias legales cuales son os locus de formación propuestos, en el nivel superior, para estos profesionales de la educación en los dos países y por otra parte buscamos analizar si estas indicaciones responden algún tipo de lógica que todavía no podemos desvelar con claridad. Así mismo se discute los significativos e definitivos procesos de transformación institucional en los que se inscribieron los procesos de formación profesional y sus posibles implicancias para la inserción laboral de los futuros egresados de tales instituciones educativas. Se resalta en la investigación las posibilidades legales de formación de los profesionales de la educación, la cual es amplia y variada (siendo posible realizarla según diferentes tipos de carga horaria, de modalidad, en diferentes tipos de Instituciones de nivel superior y de obtención de títulos finales) e que hacen que exista una gran diversidad de perfiles profesionales que compiten “igualitariamente” en el mercado de trabajo. Por ultimo se busca constituir un aporte para pensar las discusiones acerca de la formación de profesionales de la educación, que se expresan en las políticas públicas educativas actuales, en un contexto de diversidades dedemandas sociales de educación y la inserción de estos profesionales en el mercado de trabajo.
Políticas Públicas de Avaliação da Educação Superior: conceitos e desafios
Authors: Zainko Maria Amélia Sabbag 
Published: September 2014

o artigo dedica-se a analisar as implicações da avaliação externa no ensino superior. Para isto resgata a trajetória da discussão da avaliação no Brasil, desde seus primórdios no contexto do regime militar, passa pelo debate no período da redemocratização e a proposição de um Plano de avaliação institucional das Universidades Brasileiras. Finalmente analisa os contornos que a avaliação assume na década de 1990 e os limites e possibilidades da constituição de uma cultura de avaliação no âmbito da regulamentação do sistema de avaliação da Educação superior – sinaEs.
A Graduação na Pesquisa em Educação (Anped 1996-2003)
Authors: Mindal Clara Brener 
Published: September 2014

neste artigo apresentamos resultados de pesquisa (do tipo documental bibliográfica) desenvolvida entre 2003 e 2006, cujo objetivo foi realizar um mapeamento dos aspectos abordados nos estudos sobre a graduação nos trabalhos apresentados nas reuniões anuais da associação nacional de Pesquisa e Pós-Graduação em Educação – anPEd – no período entre 1996 e 2003. Foram analisados 163 trabalhos e os dados coletados foram comparados com análises da produção científica brasileira sobre ensino superior. os resultados mostram pesquisa em ascensão mais ainda incipiente em relação a outros temasveiculados na anPEd; ênfase maior ao estudo de cursos, disciplinas, processos de ensinoaprendizagem e outros temas ligados aos cursos de licenciatura, em especial pedagogia e matemática. alguns aspectos são pouco ou nada estudados, entre eles, o de pesquisa sobre os alunos de graduação, o da qualidade e condições de trabalho dos professores.