bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Big Data, Official Statistics and Some Initiatives by the Australian Bureau of Statistics
Authors: Tam Siu‐Ming , Clarke Frederic 
Published: June 2015

SummaryOfficial statisticians have been dealing with a diversity of data sources for decades. However, new sources of data in the Big Data domain provide an opportunity to deliver a more efficient and effective statistical service. This paper outlines a number of considerations for the official statistician when deciding whether to embrace a particular new data source in the regular production of official statistics. The principal considerations are relevance, business benefit, and the validity of using the source for official statistics in finite population inferences or analytic inferences. The paper also describes the Big Data Flagship Project of the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), which has been established to provide the opportunity for the ABS to gain practical experience in assessing the business, statistical, technical, computational and other issues in using Big Data. In addition, ABS participation in national and international activities in this area will help it share experience and knowledge, while collaboration with academics will enable ABS to better acquire the capability to address business problems using the new sources of data as part of the solution.
Differential Interaction Between PAV‐like Isolates of Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus and Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) genotypes
Authors: Chalhoub B. A. , Sarrafi A. , Beuve M. A. , Lapierre H. D. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractFour PAV‐like isolates of barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) were identified as causing very severe (RG), severe (2t), moderately severe (3b) and mild symptoms (13t) in barley (Hordeum vulgare) cultivar Plaisant in a growth chamber at 25 days after inoculation. These isolates had different effects on a range of barley genotypes. Cultivar Vixen, which contains the Yd2 resistance gene, and 80–81BQCB10 were not affected by any isolate. Five other genotypes were significantly affected by at least one of the isolates. Line Ea52 (which is a mutant of the Japanese cultivar Chikurine Ibaraki) was more susceptible to BYDV‐PAV than Chikurin Ibaraki 1.No serological differences were detected between the four isolates using monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies. Virus antigen concentration, estimated by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), was correlated with the decrease in the shoot fresh weight for all isolates and all genotypes except for Vixen and 80–81BQCB10.In field tests, the severity of symptoms induced by the BYDV‐PAV isolates was in accordance with that estimated in the growth chamber. However isolate 2t was more severe on cultivar Vixen and overcame the partial resistance of Chikurin Ibaraki 1 to the three other isolates.The results show that virus antigen concentration not only contributes to characterizing the resistance levels of barley genotypes but also the severity of BYDV‐PAV isolates.
The Grouping of Strains of Pseudomonas syringae subsp. savastanoi by DNA Restriction Fingerprinting
Authors: Mugnai L. , Giovannetti L. , Ventura S. , Surico G. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractA selected group of strains of Pseudomonas syringae subsp. savastanoi from olive, oleander and ash were compared with pathogenicity tests and with DNA restriction fingerprinting using sodium dodecyl sulphate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE) and silver staining. The strains from each host were distinguishable by their pathogenicity to the same host and to the other two plant species. A division into the same groups was obtained with unweighted pair‐group method with averages (UPGMA) clustering of the data from genomic fingerprinting, even though high overall similarity between the strains also indicated that they formed a single, well characterized taxon. It seems clear that the subspecies savastanoi of P. syringae comprises at least 3 groups of strains that differ in their precise host range, in the nature of the symptoms induced on the individual hosts, and in their genomic profile.
An Investigation of Digestion Methods for Trace Elements in Bauxite and Their Determination in Ten Bauxite Reference Materials Using Inductively Coupled Plasma‐Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Zhang Wen , Qi Liang , Hu Zhaochu , Zheng Cunjiang , Liu Yongsheng , Chen Haihong , Gao Shan , Hu Shenghong 
Published: June 2015

Trace elements from samples of bauxite deposits can provide useful information relevant to the exploration of the ore‐forming process. Sample digestion is a fundamental and critical stage in the process of geochemical analysis, which enables the acquisition of accurate trace element data by ICP‐MS. However, the conventional bomb digestion method with HF/HNO3 results in a significant loss of rare earth elements (REEs) due to the formation of insoluble AlF3 precipitates during the digestion of bauxite samples. In this study, the digestion capability of the following methods was investigated: (a) ‘Mg‐addition’ bomb digestion, (b) NH4HF2 open vessel digestion and (c) NH4F open vessel digestion. ‘Mg‐addition’ bomb digestion can effectively suppress the formation of AlF3 and simultaneously ensure the complete decomposition of resistant minerals in bauxite samples. The addition of MgO to the bauxite samples resulted in (Mg + Ca)/Al ratios ≥ 1. However, adding a large amount of MgO leads to significant blank contamination for some transition elements (V, Cr, Ni and Zn). The NH4HF2 or NH4F open vessel digestion methods can also completely digest resistant minerals in bauxite samples in a short period of time (5 hr). Unlike conventional bomb digestion with HF/HNO3, the white precipitates and the semi‐transparent gels present in the NH4HF2 and NH4F digestion methods could be efficiently dissolved by evaporation with HClO4. Based on these three optimised digestion methods, thirty‐seven trace elements including REEs in ten bauxite reference materials (RMs) were determined by ICP‐MS. The data obtained showed excellent inter‐method reproducibility (agreement within 5% for REEs). The relative standard deviation (% RSD) for most elements was < 6%. The concentrations of trace elements in the ten bauxite RMs showed agreement with the limited certified (Li, V, Cr, Cu, Zn, Ga, Sr, Zr and Pb) and information values (Co, Ba, Ce and Hf) available. New trace element data for the ten RMs are provided, some of which for the first time.
Two single nucleotide polymorphisms in the promoter of the ovine myostatin gene (MSTN) and their effect on growth and carcass muscle traits in New Zealand Romney sheep
Authors: Wang J. , Zhou H. , Hu J. , Li S. , Luo Y. , Hickford J.G.H. 
Published: June 2015

SummaryMyostatin is a negative regulator of muscle growth and development in mammals, and variation in ovine myostatin gene (MSTN) has been demonstrated to be associated with variation in the muscularity of sheep. Polymerase chain reaction–single‐stranded conformational polymorphism (PCR–SSCP) was used to look for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in a 304‐bp amplicon from the promoter region of ovine MSTN. Sequence analyses revealed two previously identified SNPs (c.−2449G/C and c. −2379T/C) that resulted in three haplotypes (H1 (c.[−2449G; −2379C]), H2 (c.[−2449C; −2379C]) and H3 (c.[−2449G; −2379T]). The effect of these SNPs on growth and carcass traits was investigated in 357 NZ Romney lambs. General linear mixed‐effect models revealed that sheep with the genotype c.−2449GC had a higher loin meat yield (p = 0.032) and proportion loin yield (p = 0.028), than those with the genotype c.−2449GG. The genotype c.−2379CC was associated with an increase in three weight traits: birthweight (p = 0.003), tailing weight (p = 0.009) and weaning weight (p = 0.028), when compared with the genotype c.−2379TC, but it was not found to have an association with growth rate. This suggests that c.−2379T/C has an effect that originates at, or before birth. Haplotype H3 was associated with a decrease in birthweight (p = 0.002), tailing weight (p = 0.003) and weaning weight (p = 0.011). Haplotype H2 was associated with increased loin yield (p = 0.012) and proportion loin yield (p = 0.002). The SNPs may have value as genetic markers for improved Romney breeding.
The role of tanycytes in hypothalamic glucosensing
Authors: Elizondo‐Vega Roberto , Cortes‐Campos Christian , Barahona Maria J. , Oyarce Karina A. , Carril Claudio A. , García‐Robles Maria A. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractTanycytes are elongated hypothalamic glial cells that cover the basal walls of the third ventricle; their apical regions contact the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and their processes reach hypothalamic neuronal nuclei that control the energy status of an organism. These nuclei maintain the balance between energy expenditure and intake, integrating several peripheral signals and triggering cellular responses that modify the feeding behaviour and peripheral glucose homeostasis. One of the most important and well‐studied signals that control this process is glucose; however, the mechanism by which this molecule is sensed remains unknown. We along with others have proposed that tanycytes play a key role in this process, transducing changes in CSF glucose concentration to the neurons that control energy status. Recent studies have demonstrated the expression and function of monocarboxylate transporters and canonical pancreatic β cell glucose sensing molecules, including glucose transporter 2 and glucokinase, in tanycytes. These and other data, which will be discussed in this review, suggest that hypothalamic glucosensing is mediated through a metabolic interaction between tanycytes and neurons through lactate. This article will summarize the recent evidence that supports the importance of tanycytes in hypothalamic glucosensing, and discuss the possible mechanisms involved in this process. Finally, it is important to highlight that a detailed analysis of this mechanism could represent an opportunity to understand the evolution of associated pathologies, including diabetes and obesity, and identify new candidates for therapeutic intervention.
Endothelial microparticles reduce ICAM‐1 expression in a microRNA‐222‐dependent mechanism
Authors: Jansen Felix , Yang Xiaoyan , Baumann Katharina , Przybilla David , Schmitz Theresa , Flender Anna , Paul Kathrin , Alhusseiny Adil , Nickenig Georg , Werner Nikos 
Published: June 2015

AbstractEndothelial microparticles (EMP) are released from activated or apoptotic endothelial cells (ECs) and can be taken up by adjacent ECs, but their effect on vascular inflammation after engulfment is largely unknown. We sought to determine the role of EMP in EC inflammation. In vitro, EMP treatment significantly reduced tumour necrosis factor‐α‐induced endothelial intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)‐1 expression on mRNA and protein level, whereas there was no effect on vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1 expression. Reduced ICAM‐1 expression after EMP treatment resulted in diminished monocyte adhesion in vitro. In vivo, systemic treatment of ApoE−/− mice with EMP significantly reduced murine endothelial ICAM‐1 expression. To explore the underlying mechanisms, Taqman microRNA array was performed and microRNA (miR)‐222 was identified as the strongest regulated miR between EMP and ECs. Following experiments demonstrated that miR‐222 was transported into recipient ECs by EMP and functionally regulated expression of its target protein ICAM‐1 in vitro and in vivo. After simulating diabetic conditions, EMP derived from glucose‐treated ECs contained significantly lower amounts of miR‐222 and showed reduced anti‐inflammatory capacity in vitro and in vivo. Finally, circulating miR‐222 level was diminished in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) compared to patients without CAD. EMPs promote anti‐inflammatory effects in vitro and in vivo by reducing endothelial ICAM‐1 expression via the transfer of functional miR‐222 into recipient cells. In pathological hyperglycaemic conditions, EMP‐mediated miR‐222‐dependent anti‐inflammatory effects are reduced.
Melatonin protects ADSCs from ROS and enhances their therapeutic potency in a rat model of myocardial infarction
Authors: Zhu Ping , Liu Jianfeng , Shi Jinxin , Zhou Qian , Liu Jie , Zhang Xianwei , Du Zhiyan , Liu Qiaowei , Guo Yuanyuan 
Published: June 2015

AbstractMyocardial infarction (MI) is a major cause of death and disability worldwide. In the last decade, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) based cell therapy has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy. Although great advance have been made using MSCs to treat MI, the low viability of transplanted MSCs severely limits the efficiency of MSCs therapy. Here, we show evidence that ex vivo pre‐treatment with melatonin, an endogenous hormone with newly found anti‐oxidative activity, could improve survival and function of adipose tissue derived MSCs (ADSCs) in vitro as well as in vivo. ADSCs with 5 μM melatonin pre‐treatment for 24 hrs showed increased expression of the antioxidant enzyme catalase and Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD‐1), as well as pro‐angiogenic and mitogenic factors like insulin‐like growth factor 1, basic fibroblast growth factor, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), epidermal growth factor. Furthermore, melatonin pre‐treatment protected MSCs from reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced apoptosis both directly by promoting anti‐apoptosis kinases like p‐Akt as well as blocking caspase cascade, and indirectly by restoring the ROS impaired cell adhesion. Using a rat model of MI, we found that melatonin pre‐treatment enhanced the viability of engrafted ADSCs, and promoted their therapeutic potency. Hopefully, our results may shed light on the design of more effective therapeutic strategies treating MI by MSCs in clinic.
Synergistic antitumour activity of RAF265 and ZSTK474 on human TT medullary thyroid cancer cells
Authors: Bertazza Loris , Barollo Susi , Radu Claudia Maria , Cavedon Elisabetta , Simioni Paolo , Faggian Diego , Plebani Mario , Pelizzo Maria Rosa , Rubin Beatrice , Boscaro Marco , Pezzani Raffaele , Mian Caterina 
Published: June 2015

AbstractMedullary thyroid cancer (MTC) is an aggressive malignancy responsible for up to 14% of all thyroid cancer‐related deaths. It is characterized by point mutations in the rearranged during transfection (RET) proto‐oncogene. The activated RET kinase is known to signal via extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) and phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K), leading to enhanced proliferation and resistance to apoptosis. In the present work, we have investigated the effect of two serine/threonine‐protein kinase B‐Raf (BRAF) inhibitors (RAF265 and SB590885), and a PI3K inhibitor (ZSTK474), on RET‐mediated signalling and proliferation in a MTC cell line (TT cells) harbouring the RETC634W activating mutation. The effects of the inhibitors on VEGFR2, PI3K/Akt and mitogen‐activated protein kinases signalling pathways, cell cycle, apoptosis and calcitonin production were also investigated. Only the RAF265+ ZSTK474 combination synergistically reduced the viability of treated cells. We observed a strong decrease in phosphorylated VEGFR2 for RAF265+ ZSTK474 and a signal reduction in activated Akt for ZSTK474. The activated ERK signal also decreased after RAF265 and RAF265+ ZSTK474 treatments. Alone and in combination with ZSTK474, RAF265 induced a sustained increase in necrosis. Only RAF265, alone and combined with ZSTK474, prompted a significant drop in calcitonin production. Combination therapy using RAF265 and ZSTK47 proved effective in MTC, demonstrating a cytotoxic effect. As the two inhibitors have been successfully tested individually in clinical trials on other human cancers, our preclinical data support the feasibility of their combined use in aggressive MTC.
Urokinase receptor and CXCR4 are regulated by common microRNAs in leukaemia cells
Authors: Alfano Daniela , Gorrasi Anna , Li Santi Anna , Ricci Patrizia , Montuori Nunzia , Selleri Carmine , Ragno Pia 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThe urokinase‐type plasminogen activator (uPA) receptor (uPAR) focuses uPA proteolytic activity on the cell membrane, promoting localized degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM), and binds vitronectin (VN), mediating cell adhesion to the ECM. uPAR‐bound uPA and VN induce proteolysis‐independent intracellular signalling, regulating cell adhesion, migration, survival and proliferation. uPAR cross‐talks with CXCR4, the receptor for the stroma‐derived factor 1 chemokine. CXCR4 is crucial in the trafficking of hematopoietic stem cells from/to the bone marrow, which involves also uPAR. Both uPAR and CXCR4 are expressed in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), with a lower expression in undifferentiated and myeloid subsets, and higher expression in myelomonocytic and promyelocytic subsets. We hypothesized a microRNA (miR)‐mediated co‐regulation of uPAR and CXCR4 expression, which could allow their cross‐talk at the cell surface. We identified three miRs, miR‐146a, miR‐335 and miR‐622, regulating the expression of both uPAR and CXCR4 in AML cell lines. Indeed, these miRs directly target the 3′untranslated region of both uPAR‐ and CXCR4‐mRNAs; accordingly, uPAR/CXCR4 expression is reduced by their overexpression in AML cells and increased by their specific inhibitors. Overexpression of all three miRs impairs migration, invasion and proliferation of myelomonocytic cells. Interestingly, we observed an inverse relationship between uPAR/CXCR4 expression and miR‐146a and miR‐335 levels in AML blasts, suggesting their possible role in the regulation of uPAR/CXCR4 expression also in vivo.
Automated calculation of ptosis on lateral clinical photographs
Authors: Lee Juhun , Kim Edward , Reece Gregory P. , Crosby Melissa A. , Beahm Elisabeth K. , Markey Mia K. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractRationale, aims and objectivesThe goal is to fully automate the calculation of a breast ptosis measure from clinical photographs through automatic localization of fiducial points relevant to the measure.MethodsSixty‐eight women (97 clinical photographs) who underwent or were scheduled for breast reconstruction were included. The photographs were divided into a development set (N = 49) and an evaluation set (N = 48). The breast ptosis measure is obtained automatically from distances between three fiducial points: the nipple, the lowest visible point of breast (LVP), and the lateral terminus of the inframammary fold (LT). The nipple is localized using the YIQ colour space to highlight the contrast between the areola and the surrounding breast skin. The areola is localized using its shape, location and high Q component intensity. The breast contour is estimated using Dijkstra's shortest path algorithm on the gradient of the photograph in greyscale. The lowest point of the estimated contour is set as the LVP. To locate the anatomically subtle LT, the location of patient's axilla is used as a reference.ResultsThe algorithm's efficacy was evaluated by comparing manual and automated localizations of the fiducial points. The average nipple diameter was used as a cut‐off to define success. The algorithm showed 90, 91 and 83% accuracy for locating the nipple, LVP and LT in the evaluation set, respectively.ConclusionThis study presents a new automated algorithm that may facilitate the quantification of breast ptosis from lateral views of patients' photographs.
Quality of life and drug compliance: their interrelationship in rheumatic patients
Authors: Hromadkova Lucie , Soukup Tomas , Vlcek Jiri 
Published: June 2015

AbstractRationale, aims and objectivesIn rheumatic disorders, one of the treatment objectives is to improve the patient's quality of life (QoL). Similar to other chronic conditions, drug compliance is poor, but necessary for successful treatment. The relationship between drug compliance and QoL has never been tested. The aim of this study was to elucidate the relationship between drug compliance and QoL in patients with different rheumatic disorders.MethodA cross‐sectional study was conducted and patients ≥18 years of age with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), spondyloarthritis (SA), juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and systemic scleroderma (SSc) were recruited. Data were collected by questionnaires including the Short Form 36 version 2, Compliance Questionnaire Rheumatology (CQR), Health Assessment Questionnaire and by a general questionnaire that focused on demographic characteristics.ResultsThe questionnaires were completed by 289 patients. Of the respondents, 61.6% (178) were treated for RA, 16.3% (47) for SA, 14.2% (41) for SSc and 8% (23) for JIA. The median of CQR score ranged from 66.7 (JIA) to 82.5 (RA), with 51.6% of patients reaching a score <80. QoL was decreased mainly in the physical component, with the lowest rate for patients with SSc. Higher compliance was observed in patients with decreased QoL (physical component), nevertheless, statistical significance of the relationship was reached only in JIA and SA patients.ConclusionDoctors caring for rheumatic patients should focus their efforts on strengthening drug compliance in patients with higher QoL where it seems that lower compliance is more likely.
Assessing appropriateness of osteoarthritis care using quality indicators: a systematic review
Authors: Basedow Martin , Esterman Adrian 
Published: June 2015

AbstractRationale, aims and objectivesQuality indicators (QIs) derived from the review of medical records, administrative databases, and patient questionnaires and interviews have been frequently used to assess the quality of osteoarthritis (OA) care. The purpose of this review is to summarize studies that have assessed the quality of OA care using QIs.MethodWe systematically searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and PsycINFO for English‐language studies indexed by October 2014. Articles were included if they used any QIs for assessing the quality of OA care. We summarized the results of these studies, and with meta‐analysis, generated an overall conclusion about the quality of care as measured by QIs for each treatment domain for OA care.ResultsFourteen studies assessed as being of high‐quality were included in the review, with the number of QIs ranging from 1 to 21. Four of the 14 studies solely assessed the quality of OA care, while the other studies assessed health care quality for a range of conditions that included OA. The quality of OA care as assessed by a meta‐analysis of QI pass rates across studies was suboptimal for all treatment domains (pass rates: pain and functional status assessment – 48.5%, 95% CI 32.6–64.6%; non‐drug treatment – 36.1%, 95% CI 27.8–44.7%; drug treatment – 37.5%, 95% CI 30.8–44.5%; surgical referral – 78.9%, 95% CI 57.4–94.2%).ConclusionDespite efforts made at improving care for patients with OA, the wide divergence between evidence and consensus‐based recommended care and practice has been reaffirmed.
Willingness to Pay for Eco‐Certified Refurbished Products: The Effects of Environmental Attitudes and Knowledge
Authors: Harms Rainer , Linton Jonathan D. 
Published: June 2015

SummaryRefurbishing products, which are increasingly sold in business‐to‐consumer markets, is a key strategy to reduce waste. Nevertheless, research finds that consumers’ willingness to pay (WTP) for refurbished products is low. Strategies for a higher WTP are needed in order to grow consumer markets for refurbished products. Eco‐certification of refurbished products may be a key strategy here. Drawing on the consumer WTP literature concerning “green” products, we investigate the impact of independent eco‐certificates. Our analysis is based on a survey of 231 potential customers. The results suggest that, across various product categories, the WTP for products with refurbished components is significantly lower. Adding an eco‐certificate tends to return the WTP toward the virgin product level. We show that consumers with proenvironmental attitudes particularly exhibit green buying behavior. Our findings indicate that eco‐certification is often worthwhile because it enhances the business rationale for producing products with refurbished components.