bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Identification and characterization of a basic thaumatin‐like protein (TLP 2) as an allergen in sapodilla plum (Manilkara zapota)
Authors: Hegde Venkatesh L. , Ashok Kumar Hassan G. , Sreenath Kundimi , Hegde Muralidhar L. , Venkatesh Yeldur P. 
Published: December 2013

ScopeCases of oral allergy syndrome following the ingestion of sapodilla plum (Manilkara zapota) have been reported rarely. As the causative allergens are not known, the main objective of this study was to identify and characterize the important allergens in sapodilla.Methods and resultsAllergy to sapodilla was diagnosed by case history, skin prick test, and serum allergen–specific IgE. The allergen was detected by IgE immunoblotting, purified on SP–Sepharose and characterized by native/SDS–PAGE, IEF, MS, and amino acid composition. Several cases of allergy to sapodilla fruit were identified; majority of the sapodilla‐allergic subjects (6/7) experienced typical oral allergy syndrome symptoms, and allergen–specific IgE to the purified protein was positive. The allergen has a pI ≥9.5 and high contents of arginine, threonine, glycine, and cysteine. Circular dichroism revealed a secondary structure rich in beta sheets/turns. Based on its N‐terminal sequence of A‐T‐F‐D‐I‐Q‐N‐N‐C‐X‐Y‐, the allergen (21 578 Da) was identified as a thaumatin‐like protein by homology.ConclusionThe causative allergen in sapodilla plum has been identified and characterized as a highly basic thaumatin‐like protein belonging to the pathogenesis‐related protein (PR–5) family, which has been recognized as a new family of conserved, cross‐reactive plant allergens.
Dual‐Use: Gut oder Böse?
Authors: Fischer Lars 
Published: December 2013

AbstractEs war still geworden um chemische Kampfstoffe — bis zum syrischen Bürgerkrieg. Auch Deutschland exportierte Chemikalien, die zur Giftgassynthese taugen. Den syrischen Giftgasbestand zu vernichten, übernimmt ein Friedensnobelpreisträger: die Organisation für das Verbot chemischer Waffen.
Kühlen ohne Fluorkohlenwasserstoffe
Authors: Rombach Elena 
Published: December 2013

AbstractNicht nur Pkw‐Klimaanlagen, sondern auch Temperiersysteme im Labor arbeiten mit umstrittenen fluorierten Kohlenwasserstoffen als Kältemittel.1 Huber Kältemaschinenbau hingegen kühlt mit Propan oder Propen und senkt dabei die Betriebskosten. Vorbehalte gegen die brennbaren Kältemittelalternativen hält das Unternehmen für unbegründet.
A review of the contemporary evidence on rescue cervical cerclage
Authors: Abu Hashim Hatem , Al‐Inany Hesham , Kilani Zaid 
Published: December 2013

AbstractBackgroundRescue cervical cerclage (RCC) is essentially a salvage procedure to prolong pregnancy in women with advanced cervical changes and prolapsed membranes in the second trimester. However, its effectiveness and safety remain controversial.ObjectivesTo provide a comprehensive review of the contemporary evidence on RCC and evaluate which treatment modalities can be offered to pregnant women based on the best available evidence.Search strategyA PubMed search of published studies on RCC and perinatal outcome was conducted using defined keywords.Selection criteriaClinical studies were included with priority for level I evidence (randomized controlled trials [RCTs]) followed by other evidence levels.Data collection and analysisAbstracts of 141 articles were screened and 40 articles were selected.Main resultsEvidence from retrospective and nonrandomized prospective trials shows a benefit of RCC. It may prolong pregnancy by an average of 4–5 weeks, with a 2‐fold reduction in the chance of preterm birth before 34 weeks. A higher chance of failure is expected if cervical dilatation exceeds 4 cm or if membranes are bulging into the vagina.ConclusionsThe decision for an RCC should be individualized after comprehensive counseling by a senior obstetrician. Further research in the form of robust RCTs is recommended.
Implementing an obstetric ultrasound training program in rural Africa
Authors: Greenwold Natalie , Wallace Sarah , Prost Anne , Jauniaux Eric 
Published: December 2013

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the feasibility and sustainability of basic obstetric ultrasound training in rural Africa.MethodsAn 8‐week training course, led by UK‐based sonographers, was supported by training videos and followed by 10 months of remotely supported scanning in Mandimba, Mozambique. Data were collected prospectively using an Android tablet and the EpiCollect web application.ResultsThe study group included 1744 pregnant women: 804 scanned by trainees under direct supervision and 940 scanned by trainees alone. Ultrasound identified 36 (2.1%) twin pregnancies, 230 (13.2%) breech presentations, 83 (4.8%) transverse presentations, and 22 (1.3%) cases of placenta previa. The detection rates for the above features were similar in the 2 groups. A subgroup of 230 (13.2%) women had a follow‐up scan and 62 (3.6%) were referred to a doctor; 21 of these women required cesarean delivery.ConclusionUltrasound training in a rural setting supported remotely is feasible, efficient, and sustainable. It can help local healthcare workers to screen their prenatal populations for obstetric and neonatal risks, and therefore has the potential to improve outcomes at delivery and provide site‐specific epidemiologic data that can be used to develop new healthcare provision strategies.
Surface-motility induction, attraction and hitchhiking between bacterial species promote dispersal on solid surfaces
Authors: Hagai Efrat , Dvora Reut , Havkin-Blank Tal , Zelinger Einat , Porat Ziv , Schulz Stefan , Helman Yael 
Published: December 2013

Abstract
The ability to move on solid surfaces provides ecological advantages for bacteria, yet many bacterial species lack this trait. We found that Xanthomonas spp. overcome this limitation by making use of proficient motile bacteria in their vicinity. Using X. perforans and Paenibacillus vortex as models, we show that X. perforans induces surface motility, attracts proficient motile bacteria and ‘rides’ them for dispersal. In addition, X. perforans was able to restore surface motility of strains that lost this mode of motility under multiple growth cycles in the lab. The described interaction occurred both on agar plates and tomato leaves and was observed between several xanthomonads and motile bacterial species. Thus, suggesting that this motility induction and hitchhiking strategy might be widespread and ecologically important. This study provides an example as to how bacteria can rely on the abilities of their neighboring species for their own benefit, signifying the importance of a communal organization for fitness.
MAKER-P: A Tool Kit for the Rapid Creation, Management, and Quality Control of Plant Genome Annotations
Authors: Campbell Michael S. , Law MeiYee , Holt Carson , Stein Joshua C. , Moghe Gaurav D. , Hufnagel David E. , Lei Jikai , Achawanantakun Rujira , Jiao Dian , Lawrence Carolyn J. , Ware Doreen , Shiu Shin-Han , Childs Kevin L. , Sun Yanni , Jiang Ning , Yandell Mark 
Published: December 2013

Abstract
We have optimized and extended the widely used annotation engine MAKER in order to better support plant genome annotation efforts. New features include better parallelization for large repeat-rich plant genomes, noncoding RNA annotation capabilities, and support for pseudogene identification. We have benchmarked the resulting software tool kit, MAKER-P, using the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) and maize (Zea mays) genomes. Here, we demonstrate the ability of the MAKER-P tool kit to automatically update, extend, and revise the Arabidopsis annotations in light of newly available data and to annotate pseudogenes and noncoding RNAs absent from The Arabidopsis Informatics Resource 10 build. Our results demonstrate that MAKER-P can be used to manage and improve the annotations of even Arabidopsis, perhaps the best-annotated plant genome. We have also installed and benchmarked MAKER-P on the Texas Advanced Computing Center. We show that this public resource can de novo annotate the entire Arabidopsis and maize genomes in less than 3 h and produce annotations of comparable quality to those of the current The Arabidopsis Information Resource 10 and maize V2 annotation builds.
Improved group‐specific primers based on the full SILVA 16S rRNA gene reference database
Authors: Pfeiffer Stefan , Pastar Milica , Mitter Birgit , Lippert Kathrin , Hackl Evelyn , Lojan Paul , Oswald Andreas , Sessitsch Angela 
Published: December 2013

SummaryQuantitative PCR (qPCR) and community fingerprinting methods, such as the Terminal Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (T‐RFLP) analysis, are well‐suited techniques for the examination of microbial community structures. The use of phylum‐ and class‐specific primers can provide enhanced sensitivity and phylogenetic resolution as compared with domain‐specific primers. To date, several phylum‐ and class‐specific primers targeting the 16S ribosomal RNA gene have been published. However, many of these primers exhibit low discriminatory power against non‐target bacteria in PCR. In this study, we evaluated the precision of certain published primers in silico and via specific PCR. We designed new qPCR and T‐RFLP primer pairs (for the classes Alphaproteobacteria and Betaproteobacteria, and the phyla Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes and Actinobacteria) by combining the sequence information from a public dataset (SILVA SSU Ref 102 NR) with manual primer design. We evaluated the primer pairs via PCR using isolates of the above‐mentioned groups and via screening of clone libraries from environmental soil samples and human faecal samples. As observed through theoretical and practical evaluation, the primers developed in this study showed a higher level of precision than previously published primers, thus allowing a deeper insight into microbial community dynamics.
Insurer Market Structure and Variation in Commercial Health Care Spending
Authors: McKellar Michael R. , Naimer Sivia , Landrum Mary B. , Gibson Teresa B. , Chandra Amitabh , Chernew Michael 
Published: December 2013

ObjectiveTo examine the relationship between insurance market structure and health care prices, utilization, and spending.Data SourcesClaims for 37.6 million privately insured employees and their dependents from the Truven Health Market Scan Database in 2009. Measures of insurer market structure derived from Health Leaders Inter study data.MethodsRegression models are used to estimate the association between insurance market concentration and health care spending, utilization, and price, adjusting for differences in patient characteristics and other market‐level traits.ResultsInsurance market concentration is inversely related to prices and spending, but positively related to utilization. Our results imply that, after adjusting for input price differences, a market with two equal size insurers is associated with 3.9 percent lower medical care spending per capita (p = .002) and 5.0 percent lower prices for health care services relative to one with three equal size insurers (p < .001).ConclusionGreater fragmentation in the insurance market might lead to higher prices and higher spending for care, suggesting some of the gains from insurer competition may be absorbed by higher prices for health care. Greater attention to prices and utilization in the provider market may need to accompany procompetitive insurance market strategies.
Influence of family history on survival in patients with colon and rectal cancer
Authors: Lee Seong Dae , Kim Byung Chang , Han Kyung Su , Hong Chang Won , Sohn Dae Kyung , Park Ji Won , Park Sung Chan , Kim Sun Young , Baek Ji‐Yeon , Chang Hee Jin , Kim Dae Yong , Oh Jae Hwan 
Published: December 2013

ObjectiveWe aimed to investigate the association between a family history (FH) of colorectal cancer (CRC) and cancer recurrence and survival in patients with stage III CRC.MethodsFrom April 2001 to December 2007, 1102 patients with stage III CRC were enrolled and their data including FH, clinicopathological characteristics of the tumor were retrospectively analyzed.ResultsOf 971 patients that were finally enrolled, 63 (6.5%) reported CRC in at least one first‐degree relative. Death occurred in 12.7% of the CRC patients with an FH and 21.8% in those without an FH. A multivariate analysis showed that patients with an FH of CRC, compared with those without FH, had an adjusted hazard ratios (HR) of 0.674 (P = 0.281) for overall survival (OS) and 0.672 (P = 0.220) for disease‐free survival (DFS). However, the location of tumor, preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level, tumor invasion (T) stage and lymph node (N) metastasis significantly affected OS and DFS. Furthermore, whereas the FH of CRC patients was associated with a favorable prognosis in stage III colon cancer (HR 0.224, P = 0.040) but not in rectal cancer (HR 1.225, P = 0.640).ConclusionsIn patients with stage III CRC, tumor location (especially in the rectum), a high preoperative CEA level and advanced T and N stages indicate a poor prognosis. However, in stage III colon cancer FH is associated with improved survival.
Identifying QTL and genetic correlations between fur quality traits in mink (Neovison vison)
Authors: Thirstrup J. P. , Anistoroaei R. , Guldbrandtsen B. , Christensen K. , Fredholm M. , Nielsen V. H. 
Published: December 2013

SummaryMapping of QTL affecting fur quality traits (guard hair length, guard hair thickness, density of wool, surface of the fur and quality) and skin length was performed in a three‐generation mink population (F2 design). In the parental generation, Nordic Brown mink were crossed reciprocally with American Black short nap mink. In all, 1082 mink encompassing three generations were used for the analyses. The mink were genotyped for 104 microsatellites covering all 14 autosomes. The QTL analyses were performed by least‐square regression implemented in gridqtl software. Genetic and phenotypic correlations and heritabilities were estimated using the average information‐restricted maximum‐likelihood method. Evidence was found for QTL affecting fur quality traits on nine autosomes. QTL were detected for guard hair thickness on chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 6 and 13; for guard hair length on chromosomes 2, 3 and 6; for wool density on chromosomes 6 and 13; for surface on chromosomes 7, 12 and 13; for quality on chromosomes 6, 7, 11 and 13; and for skin length on chromosomes 7 and 9. Proximity of locations of QTL for guard hair length, guard hair thickness and for wool density and quality suggests that some of the traits are in part under the influence of the same genes. Traits under the influence of QTL at close or identical positions also were traits that were strongly genotypically correlated. Based on the results of correlation analyses, the most important single traits influencing the quality were found to be density of wool, guard hair thickness and appearance of the surface.
National Research Strategies: what outcomes are important in peri‐operative elderly care?
Authors: Peden C. J. , Grocott M. P. W. 
Published: December 2013

SummaryOutcomes are essential measures of healthcare effectiveness and efficiency. Traditional measures of outcome, such as mortality and length of stay, are important and easy to measure but have significant limitations when evaluating the peri‐operative care of elderly patients. Alternative measures, including clinician‐described (e.g. complication rates, functional status, frailty) and patient‐reported outcome and experience measures, are important to provide a comprehensive description of peri‐operative outcome in the older patient. However, few measurement tools have been developed or validated specifically for the elderly surgical patient. This paper describes the outcome measures currently in use, explores how they might be used to improve the quality of care provision, and indicates priority areas for peri‐operative outcomes research in the elderly surgical patients.
The impact of pre‐operative comprehensive geriatric assessment on postoperative outcomes in older patients undergoing scheduled surgery: a systematic review
Authors: Partridge J. S. L. , Harari D. , Martin F. C. , Dhesi J. K. 
Published: December 2013

SummaryComprehensive geriatric assessment is an established clinical approach. It reduces mortality and improves the physical wellbeing of older people in the community or hospitalised for medical reasons. Pre‐operative comprehensive geriatric assessment seems a plausible method for reducing adverse postoperative outcomes. The objectives of this systematic review and narrative synthesis are to describe how pre‐operative comprehensive geriatric assessment has been used in surgical patients and to examine the impact of comprehensive geriatric assessment on postoperative outcomes in older patients undergoing scheduled surgery. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE and Web of Science from 1980 to 2013 (week 26). We included five studies: two randomised controlled trials and three before‐and‐after intervention quasi‐experimental studies. Patient populations, interventions and outcome measures varied between studies. Both the randomised trials showed benefit on postoperative outcomes, including medical complications. Two of the before‐and‐after studies reported a positive impact on postoperative length of stay and other outcomes. The heterogeneity of study methods, populations, interventions and outcomes precluded meta‐analysis. Based on this narrative synthesis, pre‐operative comprehensive geriatric assessment is likely to have a positive impact on postoperative outcomes in older patients undergoing elective surgery, but further definitive research is required. Clinical services providing pre‐operative comprehensive geriatric assessment for older surgical patients should be considered.
Peri‐operative care of the elderly 2014
Authors:   Membership of the working party: R. Griffiths, Beech F. , Brown A. , Dhesi J. , Foo I. , Goodall J. , Harrop‐Griffiths W. , Jameson J. , Love N. , Pappenheim K. , White S. 
Published: December 2013

Summary

Increasing numbers of elderly patients are undergoing an increasing variety of surgical procedures.

There is an age‐related decline in physiological reserve, which may be compounded by illness, cognitive decline, frailty and polypharmacy.

Compared with younger surgical patients, the elderly are at relatively higher risk of mortality and morbidity after elective and (especially) emergency surgery.

Multidisciplinary care improves outcomes for elderly surgical patients. Protocol‐driven integrated pathways guide care effectively, but must be individualised to suit each patient. The AAGBI strongly supports an expanded role for senior geriatricians in coordinating peri‐operative care for the elderly, with input from senior anaesthetists (consultants/associate specialists) and surgeons.

The aims of peri‐operative care are to treat elderly patients in a timely, dignified manner, and to optimise rehabilitation by avoiding postoperative complications. Effective peri‐operative care improves the likelihood of very elderly surgical patients returning to their same pre‐morbid place of residence, and maintains the continuity of their community care when in hospital.

Postoperative delirium is common, but underdiagnosed, in elderly surgical patients, and delays rehabilitation. Multimodal intervention strategies are recommended for preventing postoperative delirium.

Peri‐operative pain is common, but underappreciated, in elderly surgical patients, particularly if they are cognitively impaired. Anaesthetists should administer opioid‐sparing analgesia where possible, and follow published guidance on the management of pain in older people.

Elderly patients should be assumed to have the mental capacity to make decisions about their treatment. Good communication is essential to this process. If they clearly lack that capacity, proxy information should be sought to determine what treatment, if any, is in the patient's best interests.

Anaesthetists must not ration surgical or critical care on the basis of age, but must be involved in discussions about the utility of surgery and/or resuscitation.

The evidence base informing peri‐operative care for the elderly remains poor. Anaesthetists are strongly encouraged to become involved in national audit projects and outcomes research specifically involving elderly surgical patients.
Cell sorting enables interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization detection of low BCR‐ABL1 producing stem cells in chronic myeloid leukaemia patients beyond deep molecular remission
Authors: van Kooten Niekerk Peter B. , Petersen Charlotte C. , Nyvold Charlotte G. , Ommen Hans B. , Roug Anne S. , Nederby Line , Hokland Peter , Kjeldsen Eigil 
Published: December 2013

SummaryThe exact disease state of chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) patients in deep molecular remission is unknown, because even the most sensitive quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) methods cannot identify patients prone to relapse after treatment withdrawal. To elucidate this, CD34+ stem cell and progenitor cell subpopulations were isolated by fluorescence‐activated cell sorting (FACS), and their content of residual Philadelphia positive (Ph+) cells was evaluated in 17 CML patients (major molecular response, n = 6; 4‐log reduction in BCR‐ABL1 expression (MR4), n = 11) using both sensitive qPCR and interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (iFISH). Despite evaluating fewer cells, iFISH proved superior to mRNA‐based qPCR in detecting residual Ph+ stem cells (P = 0·005), and detected Ph+ stem‐ and progenitor cells in 9/10 patients at frequencies of 2–14%. Moreover, while all qPCR+ samples also were iFISH+, 9/33 samples were qPCR‐/iFISH+, including all positive samples from MR4 patients. Our findings show that residual Ph+ cells are low BCR‐ABL1 producers, and that DNA‐based methods are required to assess the content of persisting Ph+ stem cells in these patients. This approach demonstrates a clinically applicable manner of assessing residual disease at the stem cell level in CML patients in MR4, and may enable early and safe identification of candidates for tyrosine kinase inhibitor withdrawal.
Stability of Core Language Skill from Early Childhood to Adolescence: A Latent Variable Approach
Authors: Bornstein Marc H. , Hahn Chun‐Shin , Putnick Diane L. , Suwalsky Joan T. D. 
Published: December 2013

This four‐wave prospective longitudinal study evaluated stability of language in 324 children from early childhood to adolescence. Structural equation modeling supported loadings of multiple age‐appropriate multisource measures of child language on single‐factor core language skills at 20 months and 4, 10, and 14 years. Large stability coefficients (standardized indirect effect = .46) were obtained between language latent variables from early childhood to adolescence even when accounting for child nonverbal intelligence and social competence and maternal verbal intelligence, education, speech, and social desirability. Stability coefficients were similar for girls and boys. Stability of core language skill was stronger from 4 to 10 to 14 years than from 20 months to 4 years, so early intervention to improve lagging language is recommended.