bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The “fossilized” mitochondrial genome of Liriodendron tulipifera: ancestral gene content and order, ancestral editing sites, and extraordinarily low mutation rate
Authors: Richardson Aaron O , Rice Danny W , Young Gregory J , Alverson Andrew J , Palmer Jeffrey D 
Published: April 2013

AbstractBackgroundThe mitochondrial genomes of flowering plants vary greatly in size, gene content, gene order, mutation rate and level of RNA editing. However, the narrow phylogenetic breadth of available genomic data has limited our ability to reconstruct these traits in the ancestral flowering plant and, therefore, to infer subsequent patterns of evolution across angiosperms.ResultsWe sequenced the mitochondrial genome ofLiriodendron tulipifera, the first from outside the monocots or eudicots. This 553,721 bp mitochondrial genome has evolved remarkably slowly in virtually all respects, with an extraordinarily low genome-wide silent substitution rate, retention of genes frequently lost in other angiosperm lineages, and conservation of ancestral gene clusters. The mitochondrial protein genes inLiriodendronare the most heavily edited of any angiosperm characterized to date. Most of these sites are also edited in various other lineages, which allowed us to polarize losses of editing sites in other parts of the angiosperm phylogeny. Finally, we added comprehensive gene sequence data for two other magnoliids,Magnolia stellataand the more distantly relatedCalycanthus floridus,to measure rates of sequence evolution inLiriodendronwith greater accuracy. TheMagnoliagenome has evolved at an even lower rate, revealing a roughly 5,000-fold range of synonymous-site divergence among angiosperms whose mitochondrial gene space has been comprehensively sequenced.ConclusionsUsingLiriodendronas a guide, we estimate that the ancestral flowering plant mitochondrial genome contained 41 protein genes, 14 tRNA genes of mitochondrial origin, as many as 7 tRNA genes of chloroplast origin, >700 sites of RNA editing, and some 14 colinear gene clusters. Many of these gene clusters, genes and RNA editing sites have been variously lost in different lineages over the course of the ensuing ∽200 million years of angiosperm evolution.
The Th17/Treg balance and the expression of related cytokines in Uygur cervical cancer patients
Authors: Chen Zhifang , Ding Jianbing , Pang Nannan , Du Rong , Meng Wei , Zhu Yuejie , Zhang Yi , Ma Cailing , Ding Yan 
Published: April 2013

Abstract

Background
The fine balance of Th17/Treg is crucial for maintenance of immune homeostasis. The objective of this study was to investigate the balance of Th17/Treg and the expression of related cytokines in Uighur cervical cancer patients.

Methods
Peripheral blood was collected from 65 cases of cervical cancer patients, 42 cases of cervical CIN patients and 40 healthy people. Flow cytometry was used to detect the percentages of T cell subsets, including CD3+ T cells, CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, Treg cells and Th17 cells. ELISA assay was conducted to detect expression levels of TGF-β, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, IL-23 and IFN-γ.

Results
There were no significant difference in the levels of CD3+ T cells, CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, and the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ among the cervical cancer group, the CIN group and the healthy control group. However, compared with the healthy control group, the percentages of CD4+ CD25+ Treg, CD4+CD25+CD127- Treg, CD4+IL17+ Th17, CD4+CD25+Foxp3+, CD4+CD25- Foxp3+, CD8+CD25+CD127-Treg and CD8+CD25+Foxp3 were significantly higher in the cervical cancer group and the CIN group. Similar results were also found in the Th17/Treg ratio and the related cytokines. There was no significant difference between the cervical cancer group and the CIN group. Additionally, Th17 cell levels were positively correlated with IL-6, IL-23 and IL-17. Also, Treg cell levels were positively correlated with TGF-β, IL-10 and IL-6. Contrarily, Treg cell levels and IFN-γ were negatively correlated.

Conclusions
Our data indicated that the Th17/Treg balance was broken in peripheral blood of cervical cancer patients. Analysis of Th17/Treg balance may have a significant implication in diagnosing cervical cancer.

Virtual slides
The virtual slide for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/1813823795931511
Retroperitoneal composite pheochromocytoma-ganglioneuroma: a case report and review of literature
Authors: Hu Jinchen , Wu Jitao , Cai Li , Jiang Lei , Lang Zhiqiang , Qu Guimei , Liu Houcai , Yao Weidong , Yu Guohua 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
Composite pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma is a rare tumor with elements of pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma and neurogenic tumor. Most were located in the adrenal glands, and extra-adrenal composite pheochromocytoma is extremely rare. Only 4 cases in the retroperitoneum have been described in the online database PUBMED. Here, we report a case of retroperitoneal extra-adrenal composite pheochromocytoma and review the related literature.

Virtual slides

The virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/1700539911908679
Wild food plants and wild edible fungi in two valleys of the Qinling Mountains (Shaanxi, central China)
Authors: Kang Yongxiang , Łuczaj Łukasz , Kang Jin , Zhang Shijiao 
Published: April 2013

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of the study was to investigate knowledge and use of wild food plants in two mountain valleys separated by Mount Taibai – the highest peak of northern China and one of its biodiversity hotspots, each adjacent to species-rich temperate forest vegetation.MethodsSeventy two free lists were collected among the inhabitants of two mountain valleys (36 in each). All the studied households are within walking distance of primary forest vegetation, however the valleys differed in access to urban centers: Houzhenzi is very isolated, and the Dali valley has easier access to the cities of central Shaanxi.ResultsAltogether, 185 wild food plant species and 17 fungi folk taxa were mentioned. The mean number of freelisted wild foods was very high in Houzhenzi (mean 25) and slightly lower in Dali (mean 18). An average respondent listed many species of wild vegetables, a few wild fruits and very few fungi. Age and male gender had a positive but very low effect on the number of taxa listed.Twelve taxa of wild vegetables (Alliumspp.,Amaranthusspp.,Caryopteris divaricata,Helwingia japonica,Matteucia struthiopteris,Pteridium aquilinum,Toona sinensis,Cardamine macrophylla,Celastrus orbiculatus,Chenopodium album,Pimpinellasp.,Staphylea bumalda&S. holocarpa), two species of edible fruits (Akebia trifoliata,Schisandra sphenanthera) and none of the mushrooms were freelisted by at least half of the respondents in one or two of the valleys.ConclusionThe high number of wild vegetables listed is due to the high cultural position of this type of food in China compared to other parts of the world, as well as the high biodiversity of the village surroundings. A very high proportion of woodland species (42%, double the number of the ruderal species used) among the listed taxa is contrary to the general stereotype that wild vegetables in Asia are mainly ruderal species.The very low interest in wild mushroom collecting is noteworthy and is difficult to explain. It may arise from the easy access to the cultivatedAuriculariaandLentinulamushrooms and very steep terrain, making foraging for fungi difficult.
A comparative dosimetric study for treating left-sided breast cancer for small breast size using five different radiotherapy techniques: conventional tangential field, filed-in-filed, Tangential-IMRT, Multi-beam IMRT and VMAT
Authors: Jin Guang-Hua , Chen Li-Xin , Deng Xiao-Wu , Liu Xiao-Wei , Huang Ying , Huang Xiao-Bo 
Published: April 2013

Abstract

Background and purposes
To compare the dosimetry for the left-sided breast cancer treatment using five different radiotherapy techniques.

Materials and methods
Twenty patients with left sided breast cancer were treated with conservative surgery followed by radiotherapy. They were planned using five different radiotherapy techniques, including: 1) conventional tangential wedge-based fields (TW); 2) field-in-field (FIF) technique; 3) tangential inverse planning intensity-modulated radiation therapy (T-IMRT); 4) multi-field IMRT (M-IMRT); and 5) volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT). The CTV, PTV and OARs including the heart, the regions of coronary artery (CA), the contralateral breast, the left and right lung were delineated. The PTV dose was prescribed 50Gy and V47.5≥95%. Same dose constraint was used for all five plans. The planned volumetric dose of PTV and PRV-OARs were compared and analyzed.

Results
Except VMAT (Average V47.5 was 94.72%±1.2%), all the other four plans were able to meet the V95% (V47.5) requirement. T-IMRT plan improved the PTV dose homogeneity index (HI) by 0.02 and 0.03 when compared to TW plan and VMAT plan, and decreased the V5, V10 and V20 of all PRV-OARs. However, the high dose volume (≥ 30Gy) of the PRV-OARs in T-IMRT plan had no statistically significant difference compared with the other two inverse plans. In all five plans, the dose volume of coronary artery area showed a strong correlation to the dose volume of the heart (the correlation coefficients were 0.993, 0.996, 1.000, 0.995 and 0.986 respectively).

Conclusion
Compared to other techniques, the T-IMRT technology reduced radiation dose exposure to normal tissues and maintained reasonable target homogeneity, VMAT is not recommended for left-sided breast cancer treatment. In five techniques, the dose-volume histogram (DVH) of the heart can be used to predict the dose-volume histogram (DVH) of the coronary artery.
Feline vector-borne pathogens in the north and centre of Portugal
Authors: Vilhena Hugo , Martinez-Díaz Verónica L , Cardoso Luís , Vieira Lisete , Altet Laura , Francino Olga , Pastor Josep , Silvestre-Ferreira Ana C 
Published: April 2013

Abstract

Background
In recent years, several clinical cases and epidemiological studies of feline vector-borne diseases (FVBD) have been reported worldwide. Nonetheless, information on FVBD agents and their prevalence in Portugal is scarce.

Methods
Three-hundred and twenty domestic cats presented to 30 veterinary medical centres in the north and centre regions of Portugal were randomly sampled. Blood was assayed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for genera Anaplasma/Ehrlichia, genus Babesia, Hepatozoon canis, Hepatozoon felis, Leishmania infantum and the genus Rickettsia. Babesia-positive samples were further tested for Babesia canis and Babesia vogeli.

Results
Eighty (25.0%) out of the 320 cats were positive to at least one vector-borne agent, including seven (2.2%) cats co-infected with two agents. Two cats (0.6%) were infected with Anaplasma/Ehrlichia spp., four (1.3%) with B. canis, 26 (8.1%) with B. vogeli, 50 (15.6%) with H. felis, one (0.3%) with L. infantum and four (1.3%) with Rickettsia spp. No cat tested positive for H. canis. One cat (0.3%) was co-infected with B. canis and B. vogeli, three (0.9%) with B. vogeli and H. felis, one (0.3%) with H. felis and L. infantum, and two (0.6%) with H. felis and Rickettsia spp.

Conclusions
A considerable prevalence of infection with vector-borne pathogens among the domestic feline population of the north and centre of Portugal has been revealed by the present study. Additionally, this is the first detection of B. vogeli in cats from Europe and of H. felis in cats from Portugal.
Epithelium and stroma from nasal polyp mucosa exhibits inverse expression of TGF-β1 as compared with healthy nasal mucosa
Authors: Balsalobre Leonardo , Pezato Rogério , Perez-Novo Claudina , Alves Maria Teresa S , Santos Rodrigo P , Bachert Claus , Weckx Luc LM 
Published: April 2013

Objective To evaluate TGF-β1 expression in polypoid mucosa (epithelium and stroma) of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP). Methods Cross-sectional study with two groups: 17 patients with nasal polyposis and 11 controls. Polyps and normal nasal mucosa were processed by immunohistochemical methods for TGF-β1 visualization. Then, the percentage of TGF-β1 expression in stroma and epithelium was objectively quantified using UT Morph software. Results A lower percentage of positive expression was found in the epithelium of CRSwNP patients (32.44%) versus normal controls (55.91%) (p < 0.05), and a higher percentage of positive expression in the stroma of CRSwNP patients (23.24%) versus controls (5.88%) (p < 0.05). Conclusion The lower percentage of TGF-β1 expression in the nasal epithelium of CRSwNP patients may have an impact on epithelium-directed topical treatments employed in this patient population.
NAC changes the course of cerebral small vessel disease in SHRSP and reveals new insights for the meaning of stases - a randomized controlled study
Authors: Bueche Celine Zoe , Garz Cornelia , Kropf Siegfried , Bittner Daniel , Li Wenjie , Goertler Michael , Heinze Hans-Jochen , Reymann Klaus , Braun Holger , Schreiber Stefanie 
Published: April 2013

Abstract

Background
N-Acetylcystein (NAC) reduces the reperfusion injury and infarct size in experimental macroangiopathic stroke. Here we now investigate the impact of NAC on the development of the histopathology of microangiopathic cerebrovascular disease including initial intravasal erythrocyte accumulations, blood–brain-barrier (BBB)-disturbances, microbleeds and infarcts.

Methods
Spontaneously Hypertensive Stroke-Prone Rats (SHRSP) were treated with NAC (12 mg/kg body weight, daily oral application for three to 30 weeks) and compared to untreated SHRSP. In all rats the number of microbleeds, thromboses, infarcts and stases were quantified by HE-staining. Exemplary brains were stained against von Willebrand factor (vWF), IgG, Glutathione and GFAP.

Results
NAC animals exhibited significant more microbleeds, a greater number of vessels with BBB-disturbances, but also an elevation of Glutathione-levels in astrocytes surrounding small vessels. NAC-treatment reduced the numbers of thromboses, infarcts and arteriolar stases.

Conclusions
NAC reduces the frequency of thromboses and infarcts to the expense of an increase of small microbleeds in a rat model of microangiopathic cerebrovascular disease. We suppose that NAC acts via an at least partial inactivation of vWF resulting in an insufficient sealing of initial endothelial injury leading to more small microbleeds. By elevating Glutathione-levels NAC most likely exerts a radical scavenger function and protects small vessels against extended ruptures and subsequent infarcts. Finally, it reveals that stases are mainly caused by endothelial injuries and restricted thromboses.
The mythopoetical model and logic of the concrete in Quechua culture: Cultural and transcultural translation problems
Authors: Almeida Ileana , Haidar Julieta 
Published: April 2013

This article deals mainly with problems of cultural/transcultural translation between the Quechua and Spanish cultures, analysing these on the basis of some ideas by Juri Lotman and Peeter Torop. The process of translation implies considering the Quechua semiosphere’s internal borders as well as the external borders related to the cultures that existed at the time of Tahuantin Suyo, and all changes that have come from the Spanish conquest of Latin America. In the case of the Quechua culture, the problems are numerous and conflicting in several dimensions. First of all, Quechua is an agglutinating language that creates problems for translation into a flexional language such as Spanish. Secondly, and more importantly, there exists a mythopoetical model of the world that has been built in this culture, which does not use concepts of rational logic, but poetic images integrated into mythical thinking: it represents a different cognitive pattern. Thirdly, the presence of the logic of the concrete in Quechua culture, articulated with the mythopoetical model, makes translation from Western abstract formal logic difficult. Reflections on these issues provide new analytical possibilities.
Modelling and Simulation Heat Transfer in Wheat Stored in a Simulated Sealed Pit
Authors: Stenning Brian C. 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
A mathematical model was developed to predict the change of temperature distribution with time in the radial and axial directions in a simulated sealed cylindrical pit. The finite difference method was used in the model to calculate the conductive heat transfer. The model can predict the grain temperatures in the pit during the storage period using input data of initial grain temperature, storage time and number of spatial elements in both radial and axial directions. Other input data include the finite difference spatial increment in both directions, the finite time increment, temperatures of soil surrounding the pit and the physical properties of grain, pit wall material and surrounding soil. To validate the model, predicted temperatures were compared with measured data for wheat of Apollo variety being stored in a simulated sealed pit for a period of 70 days. The wheat was stored in a cylindrical mild steel tank with 0.6 m in both diameter and height. The initial grain temperature was 15°C. Both measured and predicted wheat temperatures attained equilibrium state within a short period of storage (2 to 6 days) and the equilibrium was maintained throughout the experiment period. The conductive heat transfer model predicted the grain temperatures accurately and within the bounds of the experimental error. The standard error of estimate between measured and predicted was 0.12°C -0.25°C.
The Digestibility and Thermal Properties of Fermented Flaxseed Protein
Authors: Wu Min , Wang Li-jun , Li Dong , Wang Yong , Mao Zhi-huai , Chen Xiao Dong 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
The effects of solid fermentation conditions such as the incubation period, fermentation temperature, initial pH, and inoculum concentration on protease production and in vitro digestibility of flaxseed protein with Aspergillus oryzae 3.951 were reported. From 72h of fermentation at 30 °C, protease activity and protein digestibility were significantly increased. Maximum protease activity was obtained for high temperature-pressed flaxseed meal (HFM) and cold-pressed flaxseed meal (CFM) with initial pH 4.4-5.2, inoculum concentration 0.5×106 spores /mL. The results showed that the melting temperature (Td) increased by 4.8 °C and 7.6 °C for fermented CFM and HFM, respectively. In DSC tests, the enthalpy value is defined as the quantity of heat absorbed by samples during warming process. Results indicate that the enthalpy value of fermented samples significantly reduced from 186.5 J/g to 148.9 J/g (CFM) and from 187.0 J/g to 163.3 J/g (HFM). The result suggests that the lower molecular weight protein was degraded by protease, and the remaining were globulin with greater thermal stability and higher molecular weight.
Image inpainting via variational approximation of
a Dirichlet problem with free discontinuity
Authors: Carriero Michele , Leaci Antonio , Tomarelli Franco 
Published: April 2013

Abstract.
We study the variational approximation of an
inpainting model for 2-dimensional images which are locally damaged. The scheme provides Γ-convergence of elliptic functionals to a Dirichlet problem with free discontinuity and free gradient discontinuity.
Visible shoreline results for staircase paths in ℝd
Authors: Breen Marilyn 
Published: April 2013

Abstract. Let S be a staircase convex orthogonal polytope in ℝd. For every d and j; 1 ≤ d and 0 ≤ j ≤ d - 1, let ƒ(d; j) denote the smallest number n such that the following holds: For P ⊆ ℝd\(int S), if every n points of P see a common j-dimensional subset of bdry S via staircase paths in ℝd\(int S), then all points of P see a common j-dimensional subset of bdry S via such paths. When S belongs to a certain class of orthogonal polytopes called elementary, it follows that
• ƒ(d; d - 1) = 2d for d ≥ 1,
• ƒ(d; j) ≤ 2d for d ≥ 2; 0 ≤ j ≤ d - 2,
• ƒ(2; j) = 4 for 0 ≤ j ≤ 1, and
• ƒ(3; j) = 6 for 0 ≤ j ≤ 2.
Topsy-Turvy World: Circular Motion, Contrariety, and Aristotle’s Unwinding Spheres
Authors: Noble Christopher Isaac 
Published: April 2013

Abstract In developing his theory of aether in De Caelo 1, Aristotle argues, in DC 1.4, that one circular motion cannot be contrary to another. In this paper, I discuss how Aristotle can maintain this position and accept the existence of celestial spheres that rotate in contrary directions, as he does in his revision of the Eudoxan theory in Metaphysics 12.8.
Incentive Effects of Parents’ Transfers to Children: An Artefactual Field Experiment
Authors: Sinan Unur A. , Peters Elizabeth , Messer Kent D. , Schulze William D. 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
The standard altruism model within the family predicts that transfers will be inversely related to the recipient’s income. Thus, parents will implicitly insure children against bad luck. This insurance may cause children to take undesirable risks. Anticipating this moral hazard, parents may alter their transfers. Using an artefactual field experiment, we show that parents use transfers to compensate for differences between their teenage children when incomes are independent of children’s actions. However, when a potential incentive problem is introduced, parents generally move away from compensating transfers. In addition, we find that the teenage children are more likely to take unfair bets when their behavior is not detectable by their parents.
Neurokinin receptors in the gastrointestinal muscle wall: cell distribution and possible roles
Authors: Vannucchi Maria Giuliana , Evangelista Stefano 
Published: April 2013

AbstractThe neurokinin receptors are G-protein-linked receptors; three distinct molecules, called neurokinin-1, neurokinin-2, and neurokinin-3 receptors, have been identified. Their physiological ligands are the tachykinins, which, in the mammalian gut, correspond to substance P, neurokinin A, and neurokinin B. In this apparatus, the main source of tachykinins is represented by intrinsic neurons located either in the myenteric plexus and projecting mainly to the muscle coat, or in the submucous plexus and projecting to the mucosa and submucosal blood vessels. The availability of specific antibodies has allowed identifying the sites of distribution of the neurokinin receptors in the gut, and important differences have been found among cell types and animal species. The complexity of the receptor distribution, either intraspecies or interspecies, is in agreement with the variegated picture coming out from physiological and pharmacological experiments. Interestingly, most of the knowledge on the tachykinin systems has been obtained from pathological conditions. Here, we tried to collect the main information available on the cellular distribution of the neurokinin receptors in the gut wall in the attempt to correlate their cell location with the several roles the tachykinins seem to play in the gastrointestinal apparatus.