bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influence of brown stink bug feeding, planting date and sampling time on common smut infection of maize
Authors: Ni Xinzhi , Toews Michael D. , Buntin G. David , Carpenter James E. , Huffaker Alisa , Schmelz Eric A. , Cottrell Ted E. , Abdo Zaid 
Published: June 2014

AbstractPhytopathogen infections are frequently influenced by both biotic and abiotic factors in a crop field. The effect of brown stink bug, Euschistus servus (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), feeding and planting date and sampling time on common smut (Ustilago maydis) infection percentage of maize plants was examined in 2005 and 2006, and 2010 and 2011, respectively. Brown stink bug adult feeding on maize hybrid “DKC6971” at flowering in 2005 and 2006 did not influence smut infection percentage when examined using 3 treatments (i.e., 0 adult, 5 adults, and 5 adults mixed with the smut spores). The smut infection percentages were <3% (n = 12) in the 3 treatments. The smut infection percentage among the 4 weekly samplings was the same, so was natural aflatoxin contamination at harvest among the treatments. The 2nd experiment showed that planting date did not affect the smut infection percentage in either 2010 or 2011. But, the smut infection percentage from the postflowering sampling was greater than preflowering sampling in both years. The smut infection percentage varied among the germplasm lines in 2010, but not in 2011. This study demonstrated that brown stink bug feeding at flowering had no effect on smut infection in maize, and the best time for smut evaluation would be after flowering. The temperature and precipitation might have also influenced the percentage of smut‐infected maize plants during the 4 years when the experiments were conducted. The similarity between kernel‐colonizing U. maydis and Aspergillus flavus infections and genotype × environment interaction were also discussed.
Empirical calibrated radiocarbon sampler: a tool for incorporating radiocarbon‐date and calibration error into Bayesian phylogenetic analyses of ancient DNA
Authors: Molak Martyna , Suchard Marc A. , Ho Simon Y. W. , Beilman David W. , Shapiro Beth 
Published: June 2014

AbstractStudies of DNA from ancient samples provide a valuable opportunity to gain insight into past evolutionary and demographic processes. Bayesian phylogenetic methods can estimate evolutionary rates and timescales from ancient DNA sequences, with the ages of the samples acting as calibrations for the molecular clock. Sample ages are often estimated using radiocarbon dating, but the associated measurement error is rarely taken into account. In addition, the total uncertainty quantified by converting radiocarbon dates to calendar dates is typically ignored. Here, we present a tool for incorporating both of these sources of uncertainty into Bayesian phylogenetic analyses of ancient DNA. This empirical calibrated radiocarbon sampler (ECRS) integrates the age uncertainty for each ancient sequence over the calibrated probability density function estimated for its radiocarbon date and associated error. We use the ECRS to analyse three ancient DNA data sets. Accounting for radiocarbon‐dating and calibration error appeared to have little impact on estimates of evolutionary rates and related parameters for these data sets. However, analyses of other data sets, particularly those with few or only very old radiocarbon dates, might be more sensitive to using artificially precise sample ages and should benefit from use of the ECRS.
Umbilical cord blood acid–base status in pregnancy with congenital heart disease
Authors: ZHAN Q. , WANG X. , YU J. , FAN Y. 
Published: June 2014

BackgroundThe risk of fetal and neonatal complications is higher in pregnant women with congenital heart disease (CHD). It remains unknown whether umbilical cord blood gas values are different between pregnant women with CHD and healthy women undergoing elective cesarean section during combined spinal‐epidural anesthesia. The purpose of the present study was to compare umbilical cord blood acid–base status and gas values in pregnant women with CHD vs. healthy pregnant women undergoing elective cesarean section during combined spinal–epidural (CSE) anesthesia.MethodsPatients with singleton pregnancy undergoing elective cesarean delivery under CSE anesthesia were enrolled. Patients were divided into two groups: healthy pregnant women (group H) and pregnant with congenital heart disease (group CHD). Immediately after delivery, umbilical cord arterial blood sample and venous blood sample were collected and measured. The comparison between two groups was performed using grouped t‐test.ResultsForty‐four women in group H and 33 women in group CHD were analyzed finally. Umbilical arterial blood pH, base excess (BE) and HCO3− (pH 7.29 ± 0.05, BE −1.4 ± 1.9 mmol/L, HCO3− 21.5 ± 1.4 mmol/L) were significantly lower in pregnant women with CHD than in healthy pregnant women (pH 7.33 ± 0.03, BE −0.1 ± 2.1 mmol/L, HCO3− 22.5 ± 1.4 mmol/L).ConclusionsThe lower values of umbilical arterial blood pH, BE and HCO3− were observed in pregnant women with CHD than in healthy women undergoing elective cesarean section during CSE anesthesia.
Polygenic risk score and the psychosis continuum model
Authors: Tesli M. , Espeseth T. , Bettella F. , Mattingsdal M. , Aas M. , Melle I. , Djurovic S. , Andreassen O. A. 
Published: June 2014

ObjectiveSchizophrenia (SZ) and bipolar disorder (BD) are heritable, polygenic disorders with shared clinical characteristics and genetic risk indicating a psychosis continuum. This is the first study using polygenic risk score (PGRS) to investigate the localization of diagnostic subcategories along the entire psychosis spectrum.MethodBased on results from the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium (PGC), we assigned a SZ and BD PGRS to each individual in our independent sample [N = 570 BD spectrum cases, 452 SZ spectrum cases and 415 healthy controls (CTR)]. Potential differences in mean SZ and BD PGRS across diagnostic spectrums and subcategories were explored.ResultsSZ and BD PGRSs were significantly associated with both SZ and BD spectrums compared with CTR. For the subcategories, SZ PGRS was significantly associated with SZ, schizoaffective disorder, psychosis not otherwise specified, and BD1, while BD PGRS was significantly associated with BD1 and BD2. There were no significant differences between any of the diagnostic spectrums or subgroups for neither the SZ nor BD PGRS. Lifetime psychosis was significantly associated with SZ PGRS but not with BD PGRS.ConclusionThese findings further support the psychosis continuum model and provide molecular polygenetic validation of the localization of diagnostic subcategories within this continuum.
Early corticosteroids requirement after the diagnosis of ulcerative colitis diagnosis can predict a more severe long‐term course of the disease – a nationwide study of 1035 patients
Authors: Khan N. H. , Almukhtar R. M. , Cole E. B. , Abbas A. M. 
Published: June 2014

SummaryBackgroundThere are limited data regarding clinical outcomes in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients who require early corticosteroids (CS) use.AimTo evaluate the rate of early CS utilisation (within 30 days of diagnosis) as a predictive marker for long‐term outcomes, colectomy and CS dependency, in a population‐based cohort of incident UC cases.MethodsNationwide data were obtained from the Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system for the period 2001–2011. Incident UC cases were identified. A retrospective cohort design and time‐to‐event survival analysis were used to track outcomes of interest. Cox regression multivariate analysis was employed.ResultsOne thousand and thirty‐five newly diagnosed patients with UC were identified and included in the analysis; 236 (23%) of those patients required early CS therapy. Patients were followed‐up over a median time of 4.7 years (IQR 2.8–6.8) after UC diagnosis. The 5‐year cumulative probability of requiring colectomy varied significantly by early CS use status (13% among early CS users compared to 4% among those who did not require early CS treatment, P < 0.001). Similar variation in the 5‐year cumulative probability of CS dependency by early CS status was observed. Early CS users were more likely to require colectomy 2.9 (CI 1.7–5.0, P < 0.001) and to become CS dependent 4.5 (95% CI 3.6–5.7, P < 0.001) than non‐users.ConclusionsEarly CS use can help identify those patients who have a more active disease course of UC. Recognising this can be among the indicators that can help physicians identify patients who may require early initiation of more aggressive therapy.
The overlap of atopy and functional gastrointestinal disorders among 23 471 patients in primary care
Authors: Jones M. P. , Walker M. M. , Ford A. C. , Talley N. J. 
Published: June 2014

SummaryBackgroundActivation of the immune system has been demonstrated in atopy and functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs). Previous data from our group have suggested a connection between immune dysregulation, FGIDs and mood disorders.AimTo investigate if these data translate to clinical practice and examine connections from the perspective of FGIDs to determine whether atopy and FGIDs are connected via mood disorders.MethodsEvidence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), functional dyspepsia (FD) and constipation was sought from the medical records of 30 000 primary care records over a minimum 5 year period. The same records yielded diagnoses of four atopic conditions (asthma, eczema, allergic rhinitis/hay fever and conjunctivitis).ResultsAtopic conditions were found in excess among all FGID groups considered when compared with controls. In the groups with IBS alone (OR = 1.43, 1.29–1.58), FD alone (OR = 1.41, 1.26–1.58) and those with multiple FGIDs (OR = 1.92, 1.75–2.12) there was elevated prevalence of asthma compared with controls without a FGID. Across disorders the excess was generally highest among patients diagnosed with multiple FGIDs (rhinitis/hay fever OR = 3.74, 3.32–4.20; conjunctivitis OR = 3.00, 2.49–3.62) and was only partly explained by a common association between both FGIDs and atopic conditions with mood disorders, although not for every atopic/FGID combination (rhinitis/hay fever OR = 2.60, 2.29–2.96, conjunctivitis OR = 2.34, 1.90–2.87).ConclusionsIrritable bowel syndrome, functional dyspepsia and constipation share an association with atopy that is only partly explained via a common connection with mood disorders. These data have important implications for understanding both the pathophysiology of functional gastrointestinal disorders and development of new treatments.
Effect of nutritive level on carcass traits and meat quality of IHDH foals
Authors: De Palo Pasquale , Tateo Alessandra , Maggiolino Aristide , Centoducati Pasquale 
Published: June 2014

AbstractThe present work describes the effect of nutritive level on horse carcass traits and on meat quality. Eighteen male Italian Heavy Draught Horse (IHDH) breed foals were employed in the study. Soon after foaling they were randomly subdivided into three groups according to three nutritive level classes: 150%, 180% and 200% of maintenance requirements. Live weight, hot carcass weight and dressing percentage of each animal were recorded. After slaughtering, meat samples were collected from Longissimus dorsi muscle. The right half carcass of each animal was then divided into cuts. Each one was subdivided into lean, fat and bones. Live weight, carcass weight and dressing percentage were not affected by nutritive level (P > 0.05). Horses fed with the lower nutritive level showed a higher incidence of lean and a lower incidence of fat (P < 0.01). Moreover, fatty acid profile was not affected by nutritive level (P > 0.05). Probably the tendency of IHDH foals to concentrate adipogenesis in the subcutaneous district could explain the lack of influence of nutritive level on meat quality parameters and its influence on carcass and cut composition, which tend to be richer in fat.
Evaluation of vaginal discharge with the Metricheck device and the relationship to reproductive performance in postpartum dairy cows
Authors: Lambertz Christian , Völker Denise , Janowitz Ulrich , Gauly Matthias 
Published: June 2014

AbstractVaginal mucus during estrus was examined with the Metricheck device and the relationship to the reproduction of high‐yielding dairy cows was studied. The study was conducted in 99 dairy herds located in Western Germany and 1348 Holstein‐Friesian heifers and cows showing spontaneous estrus were examined. Independent of the Metricheck result, the animals were inspected by professional insemination technicians and those suitable for insemination (n = 989) were bred by artificial insemination (AI). Reproductive performance was characterized by non‐return rate at 90 days (NRR90). The discharge of the animals predominantly had a clear appearance (70%) and a stringy consistency (80%). Animals with clear vaginal discharge had higher NRR90 (56%; n = 697) than animals with abnormal (turbid, mucopurulent, purulent, sanguineous) vaginal secretion (48%, n = 292; P < 0.05). NRR90 was lower in animals with short calving to AI interval (< 70 days; 39%) than with medium (70–130 days; 54%) or long (> 130 days; 62%) intervals (P < 0.05). NRR90 decreased by 12% from the lowest (< 15 kg) to the highest (> 45 kg) milk yield class. In conclusion, the use of the Metricheck device integrated into the insemination procedure is recommended to identify dairy cows suffering severely from uterine disease.
Fatty acid profile of plasma, muscle and adipose tissues in Chilota lambs grazing on two different low quality pasture types in Chiloé Archipelago (Chile)
Authors: Gallardo Maria A. , Dannenberger Dirk , Rivero Jordana , Pulido Ruben , Nuernberg Karin 
Published: June 2014

AbstractThere is no information about the effect of different pasture types on tissue fatty acid profiles of a native rustic lamb breed of the Chiloe Archipelago, the Chilota. Eight Chilota lambs were grazed on a ‘Calafatal’ pasture (CP), a typical secondary succession of Chiloé Archipelago (Chile) and eight Chilota lambs were located to graze on naturalized pasture (NP) of Chiloé. Botanical, chemical and lipid composition of the two types of pastures and of different lamb tissues (muscle, subcutaneous – and tail adipose tissues) and plasma were performed. Both pasture types induced high n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and CLAcis‐9,trans‐11 proportions in Chilota meat. Thus, in muscle, Chilota lambs grazing CP showed higher sum PUFA, sum n‐6 PUFA proportion and n‐6/n‐3 PUFA ratio compared with Chilota lambs grazing NP. In tail fats of Chilota lambs grazing CP significantly higher proportions of 18:3n‐3, sum saturated fatty acids, sum PUFA, n‐3 and n‐6 PUFA were detected compared with Chilota lambs grazing NP. Feeding of different pasture types (CP vs. NP) caused significant differences in fatty acid composition of muscle and the two fat depots in Chilota lambs, but also point to tissue‐specific responses of de novo synthesized fatty acid deposition in the tissues.
Transfer of blood urea nitrogen to cecal microbial nitrogen is increased by fructo‐oligosaccharide feeding in guinea pigs
Authors: Kawasaki Kiyonori , Min Xiao , Li Xiao , Hasegawa Ena , Sakaguchi Ei 
Published: June 2014

AbstractThe present study was conducted to determine the mechanism by which nitrogen (N) availability is improved by fructo‐oligosaccharide (FOS) in guinea pigs. Adult male guinea pigs were fed a commercial pellet diet (50 g/day) with either 5% glucose or 5% FOS for 7 days in individual metabolism cages. After 7 days of feeding the diet, 15N‐urea was administered intravenously 1 h before slaughter under anesthesia. The amount and concentration of total, protein, bacterial, ammonia and urea N and the 15N atom % excess were measured in blood, liver, gut contents and urine. The 15N atom % excess of total and protein N, and the amount of total, protein and bacteria N and 15N in the cecum were significantly increased by the consumption of FOS. Furthermore, the concentration and amount of short‐chain fatty acids were significantly increased by the consumption of FOS. In contrast, the amount of urinary 15N was significantly decreased by the consumption of FOS. These results suggest that consumption of FOS increases transfer of blood urea N into the large intestine for bacterial N synthesis, which is subsequently re‐absorbed by cecotrophy, and contributes to the increase of N utilization in guinea pigs.
Light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy studies on the reduction of the tongue microstructures in the white stork (Ciconia ciconia,Aves)
Authors: Jackowiak Hanna , Skieresz‐Szewczyk Kinga , Kwieciński Zbigniew , Godynicki Szymon , Jackowiak Katarzyna , Leszczyszyn Andrzej 
Published: June 2014

AbstractThe structure of the tongue in the white stork (Ciconia ciconia) is observed macroscopically and under light and scanning electron microscopy. Our observations of the tongue reveal a rare terminal reduction of the size of the tongue and microstructures of the lingual mucosa among the investigations of birds published so far. The short, triangular tongue with a pointed tip is approximately 2.5 cm long in the adult and is situated in the caudal part of the oral cavity close to the laryngeal prominence. On the dorsal surface of the tongue, no typical mucosa microstructures like lingual papillae, median groove or lingual prominence are observed. The main structure of the tongue is composed of rostral part of hyoid apparatus, that is, entoglossal cartilage connects with basihyoid. Very thin mucosa is composed of fibrous connective tissue covered with orthokeratinized epithelium. No lingual glands and muscles are observed in the lamina propria of mucosa. Even though the triangular shape of the tongue in the white stork is typical for birds, the inner structure of the reduced organ is composed only of flat cartilagineous entoglossum of hyoid apparatus. During feeding behaviour of the white stork, the food transportation in oral cavity called cranio‐inertial transport is undoubtedly affected by structural reduction of the tongue.
Clinical relevance of molecular aberrations in paediatric acute myeloid leukaemia at first relapse
Authors: Bachas Costa , Schuurhuis Gerrit Jan , Reinhardt Dirk , Creutzig Ursula , Kwidama Zinia J. , Zwaan C. Michel , van den Heuvel‐Eibrink Marry M. , De Bont Evelina S. J. M. , Elitzur Sarah , Rizzari Carmelo , de Haas Valérie , Zimmermann Martin , Cloos Jacqueline , Kaspers Gertjan J. L. 
Published: June 2014

SummaryOutcome for relapsed paediatric acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) remains poor. Strong prognostic factors at first relapse are lacking, which hampers optimization of therapy. We assessed the frequency of molecular aberrations (FLT3, NRAS, KRAS, KIT, WT1 and NPM1 genes) at first relapse in a large set (n = 198) of relapsed non‐French‐American‐British M3, non‐Down syndrome AML patients that received similar relapse treatment. We correlated molecular aberrations with clinical and biological factors and studied their prognostic relevance. Hotspot mutations in the analysed genes were detected in 92 out of 198 patients (46·5%). In 72 of these 92 patients (78%), molecular aberrations were mutually exclusive for the currently analysed genes. FLT3‐internal tandem repeat (ITD) (18% of total group) mutations were most frequent, followed by NRAS (10·2%), KRAS (8%), WT1 (8%), KIT (8%), NPM1 (5%) and FLT3‐tyrosine kinase domain (3%) mutations. Presence of a WT1 aberration was an independent risk factor for second relapse (Hazard Ratio [HR] = 2·74, P = 0·013). In patients who achieved second complete remission (70·2%), WT1 and FLT3‐ITD aberrations were independent risk factors for poor overall survival (HR = 2·32, P = 0·038 and HR = 1·89, P = 0·045 respectively). These data show that molecular aberrations at first relapse are of prognostic relevance and potentially useful for risk group stratification of paediatric relapsed AML and for identification of patients eligible for personalized treatment.
Efficacy of interventions to improve feeding difficulties in children with autism spectrum disorders: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Marshall J. , Ware R. , Ziviani J. , Hill R.J. , Dodrill P. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractBackgroundFeeding difficulties are relatively common in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), but current evidence for their treatment is limited. This review systematically identifies, reviews and analyses the evidence for intervention in young children with ASD and feeding difficulties.MethodsA comprehensive search strategy was used to identify studies from January 2000 to October 2013. Studies were included if they described interventions where the goal was to increase desirable eating behaviours or decrease undesirable eating behaviours using an experimental design, including single‐subject research methodology. Studies were reviewed for descriptive information, and research quality was appraised using a formal checklist. Individual study findings were compared using Improvement Rate Difference (IRD), a method for calculating effect size in single‐subject research.ResultsOverall, 23 papers were included. All studies reviewed had five or fewer participants, and reported on operant conditioning style intervention approaches, where the child is prompted to perform an action, and receives a contingent response. Where quality measures were not met, it was primarily due to lack of detail provided for the purposes of replication, or failure to meet social validity criteria. Meta‐analysis indicated a medium‐large effect size [mean = 0.69, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.60 to 0.79] when the outcome measured was an increase in desirable behaviours (e.g. consuming food), but a small‐negligible effect size (mean = 0.39, 95% CI 0.18 to 0.60) when the outcome measured was a decrease in undesirable mealtime behaviours (e.g. tantrums). Only a small proportion of studies reported outcomes in terms of increased dietary variety rather than volume of food consumed.ConclusionsThe reviewed literature consisted primarily of low‐level evidence. Favourable intervention outcomes were observed in terms of increasing volume, but not necessarily variety of foods consumed in young children with ASD and feeding difficulties. Further research in the form of prospective randomized trials to further demonstrate experimental effect in this area is required.
Photocrosslinked ultrathin anionic polysaccharide supports for accelerated growth of human mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Mikulska A. , Filipowska J. , Osyczka A. M. , Szuwarzyński M. , Nowakowska M. , Szczubiałka K. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractObjectivesProperties of cell culture supports obtained from ultrathin multilayer films containing anionic natural polysaccharides (PSacs) and a synthetic polycation were studied.Materials and methodsSupports were prepared via a layer‐by‐layer (LbL) self‐assembly deposition method. Polymers used were: heparin (Hep), chondroitin sulphate (CS), hyaluronic acid (HA), and ι‐carrageenan (Car) as polyanions, and diazoresin (DR) as a polycation. PSac layers were crosslinked with DR layers by irradiation with UV light absorbed by DR resin.ResultsDR/PSac films are very efficient cell culture growth supports as found from experiments with human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). Irradiation of the films resulted in changing zeta potential of outermost layers of both DR and PSac to more negative values, and in increased film hydrophobicity, as found from the contact angle measurements. Photocrosslinking of the supports led to their increased stability.ConclusionsThe supports allow for obtaining intact cell monolayers faster than when typical polystyrene tissue culture plates are used. Moreover, these monolayers spontaneously detach permitting formation of new cell layers on these surfaces relatively early during culture, compared to cells cultured on commonly used tissue culture plastic.