bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The origin of unusual chromosome constitutions among newly formed allopolyploids
Authors: Oleszczuk Sylwia , Lukaszewski Adam J. 
Published: January 2014

• Premise of the study: Wide hybridization followed by spontaneous chromosome doubling of the resulting hybrids plays an important role in plant speciation. Such chromosome doubling is usually accomplished via unreduced gametes produced by altered meiosis, the so‐called ‘meiotic restitution’. Unreduced gametes are expected to carry somatic chromosome numbers and constitutions. However, it has been shown recently that new allopolyploids often carry unusual chromosome constitutions which include compensating and noncompensating nulli‐tetrasomies and monotrisomies, and translocations of homoeologues.• Methods: We have reanalyzed meiotic divisions in a wheat‐rye hybrid by in situ probing with labeled DNA focusing on deviations from the standard pattern of meiotic restitution.• Key results: In a typical first division restitution in a wide hybrid, there is no chromosome pairing, univalents separate sister chromatids in anaphase I, and there is no meiosis II. Here we illustrate that occasional pairing of homoeologous chromosomes in metaphase I, combined with separation of sister chromatids of univalents, generates diads with compensating nulli‐disomies and associated translocations of homoeologues. Similarly, precocious metaphase I migration to the poles of some undivided univalents generates a wide range of noncompensating simple and complex nulli‐disomies in the gametes.• Conclusions: Both alterations to the standard pattern of meiotic restitution tend to maintain the somatic chromosome numbers in the gametes; chromosome constitutions are variable but mostly genetically balanced. This source of variation among progeny may be an important factor contributing to greater success of natural allopolyploids.
Antiretroviral Pharmacokinetics in Mothers and Breastfeeding Infants from 6 to 24 Weeks Post-Partum: Results of the Ban Study
Authors: Corbett Amanda H , Kayira Dumbani , White Nicole R , Davis Nicole L , Kourtis Athena P , Chasela Charles , Martinson Francis , Phiri Grace , Musisi Bonaface , Kamwendo Deborah , Hudgens Michael G , Hosseinipour Mina C , Nelson Julie AE , Ellington Sascha R , Jamieson Denise J , van der Horst Charles , Kashuba Angela ,   the BAN Study Team
Published: January 2014

Background An intensive, prospective, open-label pharmacokinetic (PK) study in a subset of HIV-infected mothers and their uninfected infants enrolled in the Breastfeeding, Antiretroviral and Nutrition (BAN) Study was performed to describe drug exposure and antiviral response. Methods Women using Combivir® (zidovudine [ZDV] + lamivudine [3TC]) + Aluvia® (lopinavir/ritonavir [LPV/ RTV]) were enrolled. Breast milk (BM), mother plasma (MP) and infant plasma (IP) samples were obtained over 6 h after observed dosing at 6, 12 or 24 weeks post-partum for drug concentrations and HIV RNA. Results A total of 30 mother/infant pairs (10 each at 6, 12 and 24 weeks post-partum) were enrolled. Relative to MP, BM concentrations of ZDV and 3TC were 35% and 21% higher, respectively, whereas LPV and RTV were 80% lower. Only 3TC was detected in IP with concentrations 96% and 98% lower than MP and BM, respectively. Concentrations in all matrices were similar at 6–24 weeks. The majority (98.3%) of BM concentrations were >HIVwt IC50, with one having detectable virus. There was no association between PK parameters and MP or BM HIV RNA. Conclusions ZDV and 3TC concentrated in BM whereas LPV and RTV did not, possibly due to protein binding and drug transporter affinity. Undetectable to low antiretroviral concentrations in IP suggest prevention of transmission while breastfeeding may be due to antiretroviral effects on systemic or BM HIV RNA in the mother. Low IP 3TC exposure may predispose an infected infant to HIV resistance, necessitating testing and treating infants early.
Brood Surveys and Hunter Observations Used to Predict Gobbling Activity of Wild Turkeys in Mississippi
Authors: Palumbo Matthew D. , Vilella Francisco J. , Strickland Bronson K. , Wang Guiming , Godwin Dave 
Published: January 2014

Abstract
The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks utilize data from turkey hunter observations and brood surveys from across the state to manage wild turkey Meleagris gallopavo populations. Since 1995, hunters have collected gobbling and jake observation data, while the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks' personnel and cooperating wildlife managers of several natural resource agencies throughout the state have collected brood survey data. Both sources of data serve to forecast poult recruitment and gobbling activity. The objective of this study was to evaluate if these data can serve as a viable predictor of gobbling activity. We used three mixed models to investigate the relationship between the number of jakes observed per hour of hunting 1 y prior and the total number of poults per hens 2 y prior (model 1), number of gobblers heard per hour of hunting and the number of jakes observed per hour of hunting 1 y prior (model 2), the number of gobblers heard per hour of hunting and the total number poults per total hens observed 2 y prior (model 3) using data from 1995 to 2008 among five wild turkey management regions encompassing the state. We incorporated region as a random effect to account for spatial variation. We found the number of jakes observed per hour of hunting 1 y prior correlated with the total number of poults per total hens observed 2 y prior. We also found the number of gobblers heard per hour of hunting correlated with the number of jakes observed per hour of hunting 1 y prior. Additionally, we found that the total poults per total hens observed 2 y prior was correlated to the number of gobblers heard per hour of hunting. Our results show promise for using indices of gobbling activity, jake observations, and brood surveys to estimate gobbling activity.
A Cluster Randomized Trial of Alcohol Prevention in Small Businesses: A Cascade Model of Help Seeking and Risk Reduction
Authors: Reynolds G. Shawn , Bennett Joel B. 
Published: January 2014

Purpose. The current study adapted two workplace substance abuse prevention programs and tested a conceptual model of workplace training effects on help seeking and alcohol consumption. Design. Questionnaires were collected 1 month before, 1 month after, and 6 months within a cluster randomized field experiment. Setting. Texas small businesses in construction, transportation, and service industries. Subjects. A total of 1510 employees from 45 businesses were randomly assigned to receive no training or one of the interventions. Intervention. The interventions were 4-hour on-the-job classroom trainings that encouraged healthy lifestyles and seeking professional help (e.g., from the Employee Assistance Program [EAP]). The Team Awareness Program focused on peer referral and team building. The Choices in Health Promotion Program delivered various health topics based on a needs assessment. Measures. Questionnaires measured help-seeking attitudes and behavior, frequency of drinking alcohol, and job-related incidents. Analysis. Mixed-model repeated-measures analyses of covariance were computed. Results. Relative to the control group, training was associated with significantly greater reductions in drinking frequency, willingness to seek help, and seeking help from the EAP. After including help-seeking attitudes as a covariate, the correlation between training and help seeking becomes nonsignificant. Help-seeking behavior was not correlated with drinking frequency. Conclusion. Training improved help-seeking attitudes and behaviors and decreased alcohol risks. The reductions in drinking alcohol were directly correlated with training and independent from help seeking.
Children's, Their Guardians', and Health Care Professionals' Perceptions of Child Overweight in Relation to Children's Weight Loss Attempts
Authors: Tarasenko Y. N. , Rossen L. M. , Schoendorf K. C. 
Published: January 2014

Purpose. To examine accuracy of children's, their guardians', and health care professionals' (HCPs') perceptions of child overweight and obesity, the degree of agreement between their perceptions, and relationships with weight loss attempts among overweight or obese children. Design. Cross-sectional study using 2005–2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Setting. United States. Subjects. Out of 4691 children and adolescents, ages 8 to 15 years, 16.4% were overweight (body mass index [BMI] percentiles 85–94.99) and 19.3% were obese (BMI percentiles ≥95). Measures. Age and sex-specific BMI percentiles; responses of adult proxies (guardians) on whether they considered their child overweight and whether an HCP had ever told them that their child was overweight; responses of children and adolescents on their self-perceived weight status and whether they were trying to lose weight; children's and guardians' socio-demographic characteristics. Analysis. Weighted percentages; sensitivities and Cohen's kappas; adjusted prevalence ratios. Results. Children, their guardians, and HCPs underestimated child's actual overweight or obesity status. Little agreement existed between overweight or obese children, their parents, and HCPs on whether these children were overweight or obese. Overweight and obese children perceived as such by themselves, their guardians, and HCPs were 88% and 32%, respectively, more likely to attempt weight loss based on multivariable analyses. Conclusion. Accurate and shared perceptions of adiposity in children and adolescents between children themselves, their guardians, and HCPs are positively associated with weight loss attempts among overweight or obese children in the United States.
Biopharmaceutical characteristics of autologous red blood cells ghosts containing cytokines and antibiotics
Authors: Zhumadilov Zhaxybay , Berikkhanova Kulzhan , Shulgau Zarina , Gulyayev Alexander , Bokebayev Zanybek , Mussin Nadiyar , Nurgozhin Talgat 
Published: January 2014

Introduction: Transport systems based on autologous red blood cells for targeted drug delivery can be considered as a promising approach in the treatment of surgical infections. Experimental studies have revealed the feasibility of targeted drug delivery by encapsulation of cytokines and antibiotics into autologous erythrocyte ghosts.Purpose: To study biopharmaceutical characteristics of autologous erythrocyte ghosts containing cytokines and antibiotics (pharmacocytes). Material and methods: The erythrocyte pharmacocytes were prepared by the hypotonic hemolysis method, or the use of human red blood cells. The association and dissociation indicators of rifampicin and cytokine substances with the erythrocyte ghosts were conducted using standard methods.Results: We have defined the following extracellular concentrations to be optimal for deposition of drug substances into pharmacocytes: for rifampicin – 10 000 μ/ml, erythropoietin - 1000 IU / ml, TNF-a - 5000 IU / ml, IL-1-β - 5000 U / ml, IFN-γ - 10 000ME / ml, IL-2 - 50 000 IU / ml, angiogenin - 0.04 mg / ml. Two types of correlations of cytokines and pharmacocytes were identified. In this study, we found that 40-60 % of the erythropoietin, IFN- γ and angiogenin were bound to red blood cells ghosts, more than 10% of which were bound irreversibly. For TNF-a, IL-1-β and IL-2, the red blood cells ghosts were capable of binding and depositing within 10-20 % of the input extracellular concentration, and these bindings were almost completely reversible. The rifampicin was bound by red blood cells ghosts with 5 % efficiency and also completely reversibly.Conclusion: The study has shown the effectiveness of inclusion of the studied components, such as erythropoietin, IFN-γ and angiogenin into the red blood cells ghosts, with significant efficiency (40-60 %). It presents the potential of using this system in targeted delivery of cytokines and antibiotics for treatment of surgical infections, thus facilitating the reduction in toxicity and adverse systemic effects of drugs and improving the treatment results.
Pre-conception preparation at the antiphospholipid syndrome as way to improve reproductive health
Authors: Tanysheva Gulyash , Kabylova Saule , Kinayatova Sholpan , Zhumazhanova Aizat 
Published: January 2014

Introduction: Reproductive health is characterized by the condition of the woman in association with the course of pregnancy and childbirth. In this case, the absence of disease plays a fundamental role. Unfortunately, conditions that can negatively impact reproductive health and cause deterioration of pregnancy and delivery outcomes are frequent in women of reproductive age. Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is one of the leading conditions that can negatively affect reproductive health and lead to various complications in pregnancy including fetal loss.Materials and methods: We assessed the effectiveness of pre-conception preparing, including traditional therapy of APS in conjunction with system enzyme therapy (SET) and plasmapheresis sessions. We conducted a study in two groups: women with APS and pre-conception preparing (n = 49) and the control group were women without pre-conception preparing (n = 46).Results: The effect of pre-conception preparing in women with APS was assessed by the course and outcome of pregnancy. The total number of women with complications of pregnancy were 39.1% lower in the study group compared to the control group. Risk of miscarriage in the basic group observed 68.7 % less frequently compared to the control group. The frequency of pre-eclampsia was 63.5 % less in the study group compared to the control group. We observed significantly lower rates of placental insufficiency in the study group and the difference in this parameter reached 65.2%. The risk of pre-term birth was 59.4 % lower in the study group compared to the control group.Conclusion: We concluded that pre-conception preparing in women with APS increases the possibility of physiological course pregnancy. Pre-conception preparing reduces the incidence of miscarriage, pre-term labor, and the development of pre-eclampsia, and placental insufficiency.
Antioxidant activity of the probiotic consortium in vitro
Authors: Saduakhasova Saule , Kushugulova Almagul , Kozhakhmetov Samat , Shakhabayeva Gulnara , Tynybayeva Indira , Nurgozhin Talgat , Zhumadilov Zhaxybay 
Published: January 2014

Introduction: Available evidence suggests that probiotics have different biological functions that depend on several mechanisms, such as antioxidant and DNA-protective activities. The probiotic consortium includes bacterial cultures such as Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactococcus lactis, Lactobacillus plantarum, and other bacterial cultures isolated from traditional Kazakh dairy products (ayran, kumys, shubat, and healthy clinical material). The aim of this study was to investigate the total antioxidant activity of the consortium of probiotic bacteria and to determine the activity of superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, and DNA-protective action.Material and methods: In vitro comet assay was used to determine the antigenotoxicity of the probiotic consortium. Total antioxidant activity was determined using a method of analysis with Trolox as the equivalent. The analysis method of superoxide dismutase activity assesses the inhibition rate of the nitroblue tetrazolium reduction to formazan by superoxide dismutase. Determination of glutathione reductase activity is based on the measurement of the NADPH oxidation speed.Results: A significantly high level of the total antioxidant activity of the probiotic consortium intact cells (15.3 mM/ml) was observed whereas the activity index of lysate was 11.1 mM/ml.The superoxide dismutase activity of probiotic consortium lysate was evaluated, with values that peaked at 0.24 U/mg protein. The superoxide dismutase activity of the consortium was lower in comparison to L.fernentum E-3 and L.fernentum E-18 cultures with values of 0.85 U/mg and 0.76 U/mg protein, respectively. SOD activity of probiotic consortium whole cells was not observed, which is typical for lactic acid bacteria.Glutathione reductase plays an important role in the optimal protection from oxidative stress. Glutathione reductase activity of the studied probiotic consortium was low; moreover, the activity of the lysate was two times higher than the activity of the cells reaching 0.01 units/ml. Investigations by Dr. Li have shown that the intracellular glutathione may give a significant protection of Lactococcus from the damaging action of H2O2, even at very low concentrations.The data from our study suggests that the co-incubation of the epithelial cells with probiotic bacteria reduces the percentage of damaged cells (damage index–0.60).Conclusion: The studied probiotic consortium has antigenotoxic and antioxidant activities. Preparations and products of this probiotic consortium may serve as a protective component in the intestinal microbial ecosystem.
Deprivation of human natural killer cells and antitumor immune response
Authors: Ogay Vyacheslav , Sekenova Aliya , Choi Inpyo 
Published: January 2014

Introduction: Cell-based immunotherapy has been given increased attention as a treatment for cancer. Human natural killer (NK) cells are resident lymphocyte populations. They exhibit potent antitumor activity without human leukocyte antigen matching and without prior antigen exposure. They also are a promising tool for immunotherapy of solid and hematologic cancers. However, most cancer patients do not have enough NK cells to induce an effective antitumor immune response. This demonstrates a need for a source of NK cells that can supplement the endogenous cell population.Material and methods: In this study, we derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from peripheral blood T-lymphocytes using Sendai virus vectors.Results: Generated iPSCs exhibited monoclonal T cell receptors (TCR) rearrangement in their genome, a hallmark of mature terminally differentiated T cells. These iPSCs were differentiated into NK cells using a two-stage coculture system: iPSCs into hematopoietic CD34+ cells with feeder cells M210-B4 (ATCC, USA) and CD34+ cells into mature NK cells with AFT024 cells (ATCC, USA). Our results showed that iPSC-derived NK cells expressed CD56, CD16, NKp 44 and NKp 46, possessed high cytotoxic activity and produced high level of interferon-γ.Conclusion: Based on our data, derivation of NK cells from induced pluripotent stem cells should be considered in the treatment of oncologic diseases.This would allow for the development of cell therapy for cancer using immunologically compatible NK cells derived from iPSCs. This may contribute to a more efficient treatment of oncologic diseases in addition to traditional cancer treatment.
The EU and the European Social Charter: Never the Twain Shall Meet?
Authors: Khaliq Urfan 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThis article examines the relationship between the EU and the Council of Europe’s Social Charter. It considers the differing approaches to the protection of economic and social rights and the relationship between the two legal orders. It further examines whether the EU should consider acceding to the European Social Charter so as to ensure the effective protection of economic and social rights.
Using Comparative Reasoning in Human Rights Adjudication: The Court of Justice of the European Union and the European Court of Human Rights Compared
Authors: McCrudden Christopher 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThis chapter examines the relationship between the methods that the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) and the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) use to decide disputes that involve ‘human’ or ‘fundamental’ rights claims, and the substantive outcomes that result from the use of these particular methods. It has a limited aim: in attempting to understand the interrelationship between human rights methodology and human rights outcomes, it considers primarily the use of ‘comparative reasoning’ in ‘human’ and ‘fundamental’ rights claims by these courts. It is not primarily concerned with examining the extent to which the use of comparative reasoning is based on an appropriate methodology or whether there is a persuasive normative theory underpinning the use of comparative reasoning. The issues considered in this chapter do some of the groundwork, however, that is necessary in order to address these methodological and normative questions.
From Hard to Soft: Governance in the EU Internal Market
Authors: Hatzopoulos Vassilis 
Published: January 2014

AbstractAt least three generations of governance methods have been—and are still being—used for the regulation of the internal market: the classic EU method, leading to harmonisation and (more rarely) unification; the ‘new approach’ based on mutual recognition and the use of standards; and ‘new governance’ which does not entail any formal delegation of powers to the EU and operates through self-regulation, the creation of EU agencies and networks, administrative cooperation and other means of open coordination. It is impossible to establish either a hierarchy or a clear chronological order between these methods, while it is also quite difficult to reach a clear conclusion as to their efficiency. What is certain is that all methods of governance are under constant adjustment and that they all feed into one another in order to secure the smooth operation of the internal market. The interaction between these methods is the topic of the present chapter.