bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genetic variation in mitochondrial DNA amongEnterobius vermicularisin Denmark
Authors: FERRERO MARIO RODRİGUEZ , RÖSER DENNIS , NIELSEN HENRIK VEDEL , OLSEN ANNETTE , NEJSUM PETER 
Published: August 2012

SUMMARYDespite being the most prevalent nematode infections of man in Western Europe and North America, our knowledge of the genetic variability inEnterobius vermicularisis fragmented. We here report on a genetic study of pinworms in Denmark, performed using the cytochrome oxidase I (cox1) gene, with DNA extracted from individual eggs collected from clinical (human) samples. We collected cellophane-tape-test samples positive for pinworm eggs from 14 Departments of Clinical Microbiology in Denmark and surface-sterilized the eggs using a 1% hypochlorite solution before performing conventional PCR. Twenty-two haplotypes were identified from a total of 58 Danish patients. Cluster analysis showed that all Danish worms grouped together with human samples from Germany and Greece and with samples from Japanese chimpanzees designated as ‘type B’. Analysis of molecular variance showed no significant difference or trends in geographical distribution of the pinworms in Denmark, and several haplotypes were identical or closely related to samples collected in Germany, Greece and Japan. However, worms from the 4 countries were found to belong to different populations, with Fst values in the range of 0·16 to 0·47. This study shows pinworms in Denmark to be a homogenous population, when analysed using thecox1mitochondrial gene.
Reproducibility of GPS radio occultation data for climate monitoring: Profile‐to‐profile inter‐comparison of CHAMP climate records 2002 to 2008 from six data centers
Authors: Ho Shu‐peng , Hunt Doug , Steiner Andrea K. , Mannucci Anthony J. , Kirchengast Gottfried , Gleisner Hans , Heise Stefan , von Engeln Axel , Marquardt Christian , Sokolovskiy Sergey , Schreiner William , Scherllin‐Pirscher Barbara , Ao Chi , Wickert Jens , Syndergaard Stig , Lauritsen Kent B. , Leroy Stephen , Kursinski Emil R. , Kuo Ying‐Hwa , Foelsche Ulrich , Schmidt Torsten , Gorbunov Michael 
Published: August 2012

To examine the claim that Global Positioning System (GPS) radio occultation (RO) data are useful as a benchmark data set for climate monitoring, the structural uncertainties of retrieved profiles that result from different processing methods are quantified. Profile‐to‐profile comparisons of CHAMP (CHAllenging Minisatellite Payload) data from January 2002 to August 2008 retrieved by six RO processing centers are presented. Differences and standard deviations of the individual centers relative to the inter‐center mean are used to quantify the structural uncertainty. Uncertainties accumulate in derived variables due to propagation through the RO retrieval chain. This is reflected in the inter‐center differences, which are small for bending angle and refractivity increasing to dry temperature, dry pressure, and dry geopotential height. The mean differences of the time series in the 8 km to 30 km layer range from −0.08% to 0.12% for bending angle, −0.03% to 0.02% for refractivity, −0.27 K to 0.15 K for dry temperature, −0.04% to 0.04% for dry pressure, and −7.6 m to 6.8 m for dry geopotential height. The corresponding standard deviations are within 0.02%, 0.01%, 0.06 K, 0.02%, and 2.0 m, respectively. The mean trend differences from 8 km to 30 km for bending angle, refractivity, dry temperature, dry pressure, and dry geopotential height are within ±0.02%/5 yrs, ±0.02%/5 yrs, ±0.06 K/5 yrs, ±0.02%/5 yrs, and ±2.3 m/5 yrs, respectively. Although the RO‐derived variables are not readily traceable to the international system of units, the high precision nature of the raw RO observables is preserved in the inversion chain.
Influence of Li and B coatings of metal walls on deuterium retention and plasma confinement in HT-7
Authors: Wang H.Y. , Hu J.S. , Gao X. , Cao B. , Li J. , Pégourié B. 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
In winter 2010, the carbon plasma-facing components (PFCs) of HT-7 were changed for molybdenum PFCs. The surface area of the wall that was covered with Mo was about 1.28 m2. In the following experimental campaign, the plasma was first operated with Mo PFCs; then 28 successive lithium coatings were carried out (for a total of 350 g Li); finally, 3 g of carborane were filmed to the PFCs. In each phase, the characteristics of hydrogenic species retention were investigated as well as the energy confinement and recycling properties, offering a good opportunity for comparing similar discharges. With Mo PFCs, significant wall outgassing is generally observed and, in all cases, less than 10% of the puffed fuel is trapped, corresponding to a retention rate of around a few Pa l s−1 (1018 atom s−1); energy confinement is poor, mainly due to huge central radiation. When the PFCs are covered by lithium, about 40–80% of the puffed gas is trapped and the retention rate is 102–103 Pa l s−1 (1020–1021 atom s−1); good confinement properties are recorded, and the radiation remains located at the edge. After boronization, about 70–80% of the puffed deuterium is trapped and the retention rate is a few 102 Pa l s−1 (1020 atom s−1); the energy confinement is not as good as with Li coating, and significant radiation is measured in the plasma core.
Measuring the difference between gross and net erosion
Authors: Doerner R.P. , Nishijima D. , Schwarz-Selinger T. 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
A series of systematic experimental investigations are reported, using a beryllium-containing oven to seed a controlled and adjustable amount of impurities into a steady-state plasma. Beryllium impurity seeding of the plasma is used to simulate redeposition of eroded material to investigate the relationship between gross and net erosion. The measured net erosion rates from beryllium targets do not change when the influx of beryllium ions is increased unless the Be-seeding rate exceeds, by an order of magnitude, the beryllium surface loss rate, which was determined without beryllium seeding of the plasma. Measurements of the penetration distance of eroding beryllium atoms axially into the plasma column reveal that the reflection coefficient of the incident beryllium ions is unchanged, but the sputtering yield of the plasma-deposited surface beryllium is increased with respect to the bulk beryllium material by a factor of ∼10.
Association between β2‐adrenoceptor (ADRB2) haplotypes and insulin resistance in PCOS
Authors: Tellechea Mariana L. , Muzzio Damián O. , Iglesias Molli Andrea E. , Belli Susana H. , Graffigna Mabel N. , Levalle Oscar A. , Frechtel Gustavo D. , Cerrone Gloria E. 
Published: August 2012

SummaryObjectiveThe aim of this study was to explore β2‐adrenoceptor (ADRB2) haplotype associations with phenotypes and quantitative traits related to insulin resistance (IR) and the metabolic syndrome (MS) in a polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) population. A secondary purpose was to assess the association between ADRB2 haplotype and PCOS.DesignGenetic polymorphism analysis. Cross‐sectional case–control association study.SettingMedical University Hospital and research laboratory.PatientsOne hundred and sixty‐five unrelated women with PCOS and 116 unrelated women without PCOS (control sample).MeasurementsClinical and biochemical measurements, and ADRB2 genotyping in PCOS patients and control subjects.MethodsADRB2 haplotypes (comprising rs1042711, rs1801704, rs1042713 and rs1042714 in that order), genotyping and statistical analysis to evaluate associations with continuous variables and traits related to IR and MS in a PCOS population. Associations between ADRB2 haplotypes and PCOS were also assessed.ResultsWe observed an age‐adjusted association between ADRB2 haplotype CCGG and lower insulin (P = 0·018) and HOMA (P = 0·008) in the PCOS sample. Interestingly, the expected differences in surrogate measures of IR between cases and controls were not significant in CCGG/CCGG carriers. In the case–control study, genotype CCGG/CCGG was associated with a 14% decrease in PCOS risk (P = 0·043), taking into account confounding variables.ConclusionsHaplotype I (CCGG) has a protective role for IR and MS in PCOS.
Associations between airway hyperresponsiveness, obesity and lipoproteins in a longitudinal cohort
Authors: Rasmussen Finn , Hancox Robert J. , Nair Parameswaran , Hansen Henrik Steen , Siersted Hans Christian , Nybo Mads 
Published: August 2012

AbstractBackgroundEpidemiological data have linked obesity with an increased risk of asthma, but the mechanisms responsible for this relationship remain unknown. One possible mechanism, which has received little attention, could be the effect of cholesterol metabolism on airway smooth muscle function. The present study investigated the association between airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) to methacholine and body mass index (BMI) and plasma lipoproteins [low‐density lipoprotein (LDL), high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) and total cholesterol].MethodsAssociations between AHR, BMI and plasma lipoproteins were assessed in a population‐based cohort at ages 14 and 20 years.ResultsIn unadjusted analyses, higher LDL cholesterol levels at age 14 were associated with AHR at age 20 in both sexes (P < 0.05). HDL, LDL/HDL ratio and total cholesterol were not associated with AHR. In multiple regression analyses adjusted for sex, lung function, smoking and asthma, only higher levels of BMI at age 14 or 20 years were significantly associated with increased AHR at age 20 years, while neither LDL, HDL and LDL/HDL ratio nor total cholesterol were significantly associated with AHR.ConclusionWe confirmed that in teenagers there is a strong association between BMI and AHR to methacholine. This association seems to be independent of the plasma lipoprotein levels at that age.
Pigment‐independent cAMP‐mediated epidermal thickening protects against cutaneous UV injury by keratinocyte proliferation
Authors: Scott Timothy L. , Christian Perry A. , Kesler Melissa V. , Donohue Kevin M. , Shelton Brent , Wakamatsu Kazumasa , Ito Shosuke , D'Orazio John 
Published: August 2012

AbstractThe epidermis increases pigmentation and epidermal thickness in response to ultraviolet exposure to protect against UV‐associated carcinogenesis; however, the contribution of epidermal thickness has been debated. In a humanized skin mouse model that maintains interfollicular epidermal melanocytes, we found that forskolin, a small molecule that directly activates adenylyl cyclase and promotes cAMP generation, up‐regulated epidermal eumelanin accumulation in fair‐skinned melanocortin‐1‐receptor (Mc1r)‐defective animals. Forskolin‐induced pigmentation was associated with a reproducible expansion of epidermal thickness irrespective of melanization or the presence of epidermal melanocytes. Rather, forskolin‐enhanced epidermal thickening was mediated through increased keratinocyte proliferation, indirectly through secreted factor(s) from cutaneous fibroblasts. We identified keratinocyte growth factor (Kgf) as a forskolin‐induced fibroblast‐derived cytokine that promoted keratinocyte proliferation, as forskolin induced Kgf expression both in the skin and in primary fibroblasts. Lastly, we found that even in the absence of pigmentation, forskolin‐induced epidermal thickening significantly diminished the amount of UV‐A and UV‐B that passed through whole skin and reduced the amount of UV‐B‐associated epidermal sunburn cells. These findings suggest the possibility of pharmacologic‐induced epidermal thickening as a novel UV‐protective therapeutic intervention, particularly for individuals with defects in pigmentation and adaptive melanization.
FOXP3, CBLBandITCHgene expression and cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 expression on CD4+CD25high T cells in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Sellebjerg F , Krakauer M , Khademi M , Olsson T , Sørensen P S 
Published: August 2012

SummaryExpression of the forkhead box protein 3 (FoxP3) transcription factor is regulated by the E3 ubiquitin ligases Itch and Cbl-b and induces regulatory activity CD4+CD25high T cells. Treatment with interferon (IFN)-β enhances regulatory T cell activity in multiple sclerosis (MS). We studied the phenotype of CD4+CD25high T cells in MS by flow cytometry and its relationship with expression of the FOXP3, ITCH and CBLB genes. We found that untreated MS patients had lower cell surface expression of cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4) on CD4+CD25high T cells and higher intracellular CTLA-4 expression than healthy controls. Cell surface expression of CTLA-4 on CD4+CD25high T cells correlated with expression of FOXP3 mRNA in untreated patients and increased significantly with time from most recent injection in patients treated with IFN-β. FOXP3 mRNA expression correlated with CBLB and ITCH and T helper type 2 cytokine mRNA expression in MS patients. These data link expression of FOXP3, CBLB and ITCH mRNA and CTLA-4 expression on the surface of CD4+CD25high T cell in MS. We hypothesize that this may reflect alterations in the inhibitory effect of CTLA-4 or in regulatory T cell function.
Effects of temperature and food quality on age and size at maturity in ectotherms: an experimental test withAtlantic salmon
Authors: Jonsson Bror , Jonsson Nina , Finstad Anders G. 
Published: August 2012

SummaryThe reaction norm between growth rate, age and size at maturity in ectotherms is widely debated in ecological literature. It has been proposed that the effect depends on whether growth is affected by food quality or temperature (called theBerrigan–Charnov puzzle). The present experiment tested this forAtlantic salmon (Salmo salar).We enhanced growth rates by increasing temperature and ratio of lipids to proteins in the food for groups ofAtlantic salmon. Both treatments gave higher percentages of early mature and therefore smaller adults in contrast to the proposedBerrigan–Charnov puzzle. There was a difference between sexes in that males could attain maturity 1 year younger than females when reared under similar environmental conditions.Males that matured during the first year in sea water were smaller than similar aged immature males. The probability of thatAtlantic salmon attained maturity for the first time during their second year in sea increased with growth rate during the preceding winter and if fed a high‐lipid diet. Increased summer temperature exhibited no additional effect.Similar aged fish reared at elevated temperature and fed high‐lipid diet attained maturity at a larger body mass and exhibited higher mass‐length‐ratios than those reared at natural temperature and fed a low‐lipid diet, indicating that structural growth has priority over lipid deposits.Increased growth rate before the onset of maturation, whether this is owing to enhanced lipid content in food or increased water temperature, decreased age and therefore size at maturity. Enhanced lipid relative to protein content in food, but not temperature, had an additive positive effect on early maturation probability, likely due to increased amounts of reserve energy. These results may be general for ectotherm organisms.
Testing for heritable thrombophilia in children at Starship Children's Hospital: An audit of requests between 2004 and 2009
Authors: Bradbeer Peter , Teague Lochie , Cole Nyree 
Published: August 2012

Aims:  The aim of this study was to review patterns of requests for heritable thrombophilia and to audit these findings against an international standard.Methods:  Review of requests for antithrombin, protein C, protein S, activated protein C resistance, Factor V Leiden and prothrombin G20210A mutation analysis in children <16 years between 1/1/2004 and 31/12/2009. Data for patient characteristics, test results, origin of request, requesting department and indication were obtained. The 2010 British Committee for Standards in Haematology (BCSH) clinical guidelines for testing for heritable thrombophilia was used as the standard for the audit.Results:  On 269 patients, 379 requests were made. Thirty‐four per cent of tests were abnormal but only 36% of abnormal tests were repeated. Seven per cent of patients were confirmed with a heritable thrombophilia. Thirty‐four tests were performed on patients on anticoagulation. The median age was 6.903 years. Fifty‐three per cent of requests came from a ward, 28% from outpatients, 14% from an intensive care department and 5% from the emergency department. Departments most frequently requesting tests were neurology (20%), paediatric intensive care (15%) and cardiology (12%). Indications for testing were arterial thrombosis (5%), cerebral vein thrombosis (4%), deep vein thrombosis (12%), stroke (23%), asymptomatic relative (6%), intra‐abdominal vein thrombosis (8%), start oestrogen containing medication (2%), purpura fulminans (0.2%), heparin resistance (8%) and other (35%).Discussion:  The large majority of requests did not satisfy the BCSH criteria. Requesting behaviours are haphazard. Better appreciation of the difficulties of interpreting results in children of different ages and in different clinical settings amongst paediatricians is required.
Appendicectomy at a children's hospital: what has changed over a decade?
Authors: Wilson Brooke E. , Cheney Lukas , Patel Bhavesh , Holland Andrew J. A. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractBackgroundAppendicectomy remains the most common abdominal emergency procedure performed by surgeons. We reviewed appendicectomies for the calendar years 1999 and 2009 to assess any changes in the referral, presentation and management at a tertiary paediatric institution.MethodsWe performed a retrospective chart review on all appendicectomies at our institution in 1999 and 2009. Patients were identified using the International Classification of Diseases 9 and 10 Australian Modification codes. A P‐value of <0.05 was considered significant.ResultsThe number of emergency appendicectomies more than doubled from 126 to 296 between 1999 and 2009. The rate of laparoscopic appendicectomy increased from <1% in 1999 to 70.3% in 2009. Overall, the mean patient age increased from 8.6 years in 1999 to 9.68 in 2009 (P = 0.005). There was an increase in the proportion (19.8% versus 39.5%, P < 0.001) and age (5.3 versus 8.8, P < 0.0001) of patients referred via inter‐hospital transfers between the two time periods. In 2009, laparoscopic surgery required on average 13.6 min longer than open surgery. This increase in surgical duration was offset by a decrease in the length of stay (5.0 ± 0.7 versus 3.5 ± 0.3, P < 0.0001).ConclusionsOur institution has experienced an extraordinary rise in the number of appendicectomies performed, which cannot be explained by an increase in the local paediatric population alone. There appears to have been dramatic shift in the surgical care of children to our tertiary paediatric centre. The majority of appendicectomies in 2009 were laparoscopic, with a reduced length of stay despite longer operative times.
A Civil Rather Than Criminal Offence? Forced Marriage, Harm and the Politics of Multiculturalism in the UK
Authors: Quek Kaye 
Published: August 2012

Research Highlights and Abstract The British preference for civil remedies, rather than criminal measures, regarding forced marriage is examined and an explanation for this approach, put forward. The reluctance in the UK to criminalise forced marriage is traced, in part, to the influence that multicultural ideals have had on current British approaches to the practice. The state's tendency to conceptualise the harms of forced marriage principally in terms of a violation of choice (rather than as a matter of long-term violence against women), is also identified as significant to the British preference for civil remedies, over criminal legislation. A critical feminist analysis of UK government papers, policy documents, and Hansard debates, relating to the 2005 public enquiry on the criminalisation of forced marriage and to the Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007, is undertaken. British discussions on the proposal to criminalise forced marriage are noted as lacking consideration of arguments that identify criminal legislation as a critical means of combating violence against women. The question is raised as to whether, by adopting such an approach, the state may be giving rise to a two-tier system of rights, in which minority group women are afforded a lesser protection of their human rights, as a result of their racial or cultural background. This article examines the preference for civil, rather than criminal, measures that has emerged as the favoured policy approach for dealing with forced marriage in Britain. In particular, the article considers why, following much public and parliamentary debate, the option to criminalise forced marriage was rejected by UK lawmakers. It suggests that one explanation for this approach is the influence that multiculturalism, as a set of political ideals, has had on British policy on forced marriage in recent years. The article also identifies as significant the limited conception of the harms of forced marriage apparent in much UK government discourse, which fails to identify the practice principally as a form of violence against women, and therefore as a custom that should be subject to criminal legislation. It draws on a critical feminist analysis of UK government papers and policy initiatives dealing with forced marriage during the period of 1999–2007, in order to make this case. It concludes by raising the question of whether, in adopting a civil remedy approach, the state may be affording some women less protection of their human rights than others.
Offshore Outsourcing and Non‐production Workers: Firm‐level Relationships Disaggregated by Skills and Suppliers
Authors: Tomiura Eiichi , Ito Banri , Wakasugi Ryuhei 
Published: August 2012

AbstractIn analysing the impact of offshoring on the skill composition, previous empirical studies have established that offshoring firms employ more non‐production workers. However, not all non‐production workers are highly skilled. This paper disaggregates non‐production workers into the following three categories: (i) skilled non‐production workers, (ii) unskilled non‐production workers and (iii) non‐production workers with special skills for offshoring and other overseas business management. By linking our offshoring survey data with firm‐level data for Japanese manufacturing firms, this paper finds that the share of skilled non‐production workers tends to be significantly high in offshoring firms but that of unskilled non‐production workers is not. As offshoring has expanded from production to non‐production tasks, this result implies that the distinction between skilled versus unskilled workers becomes critical among non‐production workers. Using our unique data on supplier types in offshoring, this paper finds that the share of non‐production workers for the management of overseas activities tends to be high in foreign direct investment firms and in firms outsourcing to foreign independent suppliers, but not in Japanese firms outsourcing to offshore suppliers located abroad but owned by other Japanese firms. This difference indicates that coordination burdens are likely to be at least partly mitigated by common languages or shared business practices. These findings suggest that offshoring has different impacts on employment depending on suppliers and the worker’s skill. The principal results are confirmed robust even after various firm characteristics are controlled for in panel regressions, though we should not give any causal interpretations.