bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mutation in the protease cleavage site of GDF9 increases ovulation rate and litter size in heterozygous ewes and causes infertility in homozygous ewes
Authors: Souza C. J. H. , McNeilly A. S. , Benavides M. V. , Melo E. O. , Moraes J. C. F. 
Published: July 2014

SummaryLitter size (LS) in sheep is determined mainly by ovulation rate (OR). Several polymorphisms have been identified in the growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) gene that result in an increase in OR and prolificacy of sheep. Screening the databank of the Brazilian Sheep Breeders Association for triplet delivery, we identified flocks of prolific Ile de France ewes. After resequencing of GDF9, a point mutation (c.943C>T) was identified, resulting in a non‐conservative amino acid change (p.Arg315Cys) in the cleavage site of the propeptide. This new allele was called Vacaria (FecGv). A flock of half‐sib ewes was evaluated for OR in the first three breeding seasons, and Vacaria heterozygotes had higher OR (P < 0.001), averaging 2.1 ± 0.1 when compared to 1.2 ± 0.1 in wild‐type ewes. The OR was also influenced by age, increasing in the second and third breeding seasons (P < 0.001). In flocks segregating this allele, the LS was higher in mutant sheep (P < 0.001), averaging 1.61 ± 0.07 in heterozygotes and 1.29 ± 0.03 in wild‐type ewes. Analysis of homozygote reproductive tract morphology revealed uterine and ovarian hypoplasia. Ovarian follicles continue to develop up to small antral stages, although with abnormal oocyte morphology and altered arrangement of granulosa cells. After the collapse of the oocyte in most follicles, the remaining cells formed clusters that persisted in the ovary. This SNP is useful to improve selection for dam prolificacy and also as a model to investigate GDF9 post‐translation processing and the fate of the follicular cells that remain after the oocyte demise.
Ductal carcinoma in situ: breast‐conserving surgery without radiotherapy
Authors: Hainsworth Alison , Fosh Beverley , Raymond Wendy , Eaton Michael , McLeay William 
Published: July 2014

AbstractBackgroundDuctal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is commonly managed with breast‐conserving surgery (BCS) and adjuvant radiotherapy. Oncoplastic BCS allows wide excision without compromising the breast's natural shape. We use ‘level one’ techniques to excise a ‘sector’ of tissue (apex at the nipple) rather than traditional ‘lumpectomy’. There are concerns that some DCIS is over‐treated and radiotherapy administered unnecessarily incurring the associated cost, time and morbidity without added benefit. This study aims to determine if pure DCIS can be managed safely without relying upon adjuvant therapies with an acceptable breast conservation rate.MethodA retrospective clinical study of 96 patients who underwent BCS alone for pure DCIS between 1995 and 2009. Data were collected on patient's demographics, presentation, excision margins, re‐excision and final margins, size, grade and nuclear architecture of DCIS, recurrent ipsilateral breast events, contralateral breast events, date of the last follow‐up with mammography and patients’ assessment of cosmetic outcome (scale 1–5: very dissatisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, somewhat satisfied, satisfied, very satisfied).ResultsTwelve (12.5%) had an ipsilateral recurrence. Mean follow‐up was 7.6 years (median 7.4); yearly recurrence rate was 1.67%. Of the 52 patients who gave an assessment of cosmetic outcome, 46 were satisfied.ConclusionIpsilateral recurrence rates were favourable compared with previous trials where DCIS was treated with lumpectomy and radiotherapy. Oncoplastic techniques may be used to successfully treat pure DCIS with BCS alone without adjuvant therapies.
Lymphadenectomy with radical cystectomy at an Australian tertiary referral institution: time trends and impact on oncological outcomes
Authors: Eapen Renu , Liew Mun Sem , Tafreshi Ali , Papa Nathan , Lawrentschuk Nathan , Azad Arun , Davis Ian D. , Bolton Damien , Sengupta Shomik 
Published: July 2014

AbstractBackgroundLymph node dissection (LND) with radical cystectomy (RC) for surgical treatment of invasive urothelial carcinoma of the bladder can improve staging and has possible therapeutic benefit. The aim of this study was to assess utilization and extent of LND with RC at our institution and determine its impact on oncological outcomes.MethodsUsing surgical databases and hospital coding, clinical and histopathological characteristics of 87 patients who underwent RC at Austin Health between 2004 and 2011 were retrospectively analysed. Associations of predictor variables with LND use and lymph node (LN) status were analysed using logistic regression. Survival analyses were undertaken using Cox proportional hazard models.ResultsFifty‐eight (65.9%) patients underwent LND, with a clear trend over time in the proportion of patients undergoing LND (three of seven in 2004 up to 10 of 10 in 2011, P < 0.001) and the median (range) of LN yield from five (2–19) in 2004 to 18 (7–35) in 2011 (P < 0.001). Year of treatment was the only significant predictor (univariately and multivariately) of a patient undergoing LND. Multivariately, a significant association with nodal metastases was found for cN stage and planned extent of LND preoperatively, and pT stage postoperatively. LN status was associated significantly with recurrence‐free survival with best outcomes in patients who were node‐negative on a pelvic LND. A similar trend was seen for cancer‐specific survival (P = 0.053).ConclusionsOver the study period, there was an increase in the use of pelvic LND and LN numbers retrieved during RC. LN status appears to impact on recurrence‐free survival, and possibly cancer‐specific survival.
Later rather than sooner: the impact of clinical management on timing and modes of death in the last decade
Authors: Dupont‐Thibodeau Amélie , Langevin Rosalie , Janvier Annie 
Published: July 2014

AbstractAimTechnological and clinical advances have reduced neonatal deaths, and this study explored how the mode and timing of neonatal deaths has changed in a tertiary neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) over 10 years.MethodsWe carried out a retrospective chart review on NICU deaths in 2000–2002 and 2007–2010, categorising deaths and compared the timing, cause and mode of death in the two cohorts.ResultsWe analysed 204 neonatal deaths and found that the average age at death doubled from 9.71 days in 2000–2002 to 18.8 days (p = 0.014) in 2007–2010 and that the number of deaths in the first 48 h of life fell from 52% to 29% (p < 0.001). Mode of death and ethical decision‐making was similar. In both cohorts, 26% of patients who died had a do not resuscitate order and 9% of the 151 patients without an order died while receiving cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Most neonates received medication to keep them comfortable and their use was similar in both cohorts.ConclusionChanges in neonatal management have led to a reduction in early deaths and an increase in age at death. The impact of later deaths on families and healthcare providers deserves further research.
Citrulline concentration in routinely collected neonatal dried blood spots cannot be used to predict necrotising enterocolitis
Authors: Englund A , Rogvi R á , Melgaard L , Greisen G 
Published: July 2014

AbstractAimLow citrulline concentration is a marker of low functional enterocyte mass, which may predispose neonates to necrotising enterocolitis (NEC). We hypothesised that citrulline could be used to assess the NEC risk that could not be accounted for by gestational age and birthweight. This study investigated whether citrulline concentrations routinely measured in neonatal dried blood spots (DBS) could predict NEC.MethodsWe used national Danish registries to retrospectively identify all 361 babies born between 2003 and 2009 who were diagnosed with NEC and had a valid citrulline concentration measured from a DBS sample. The control group comprised 1083 healthy newborns, with three controls for every newborn with NEC, matched for birthweight and gestational age.ResultsNeonatal dried blood spots were collected between 2 and 21 days of life, with a median of 8 days. The results showed that NEC was not associated with low citrulline concentration, either in a direct comparison between the NEC and control groups or in a multivariate logistic regression (p = 0.73).ConclusionThe findings of this study show that the citrulline concentrations found in routine DBS samples between 2003 and 2009 did not predict NEC in newborn babies.
Medium‐chain triglyceride as an alternative of in‐feed colistin sulfate to improve growth performance and intestinal microbial environment in newly weaned pigs
Authors: Yen Hung‐Che , Lai Wei‐Kang , Lin Chuan‐Shun , Chiang Shu‐Hsing 
Published: July 2014

AbstractFive hundred and twenty‐eight newly weaned pigs were given four treatments, with eight replicates per treatment. Sixteen to 18 pigs were assigned per replicate and were fed diets supplemented with 0 or 3% medium‐chain triglyceride (MCT) and 0 or 40 ppm colistin sulfate (CS) in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement for 2 weeks. The results showed that dietary supplementation with MCT improved the gain‐to‐feed ratio during days 3‐7 and in the overall period (P < 0.05). Dietary supplementation with MCT decreased coliforms counts (C) in colon and rectum content (P < 0.05). Dietary supplementation with CS decreased C and lactic acid bacteria plus C counts (L + C) in cecum (P < 0.05), and C, L + C (P < 0.01) and ratio of L and C (P < 0.05) in colon and rectum contents. The lack of interactions between MCT and CS indicates different modes of action and additive effects between the two supplementations. In conclusion, supplementation with MCT in diet with or without CS could improve the intestinal microbial environment and the feed utilization efficiency of newly weaned pigs.
Effects of chronic mild food restriction on behavior and the hypothalamic malonyl‐CoA signaling pathway
Authors: Iio Wataru , Tokutake Yuka , Koike Hiroaki , Matsukawa Noriko , Tsukahara Takamitsu , Chohnan Shigeru , Toyoda Atsushi 
Published: July 2014

AbstractDepression induces anorexia, leading to suppressed feeding behaviors and energy intake. Previously, we revealed that chronic social defeat induced a mild suppression of feeding in rats with elevated levels of hypothalamic malonyl‐CoA which regulates feeding. Therefore, we attempted to elucidate the effects of chronic mild food restriction on behavior and on hypothalamic malonyl‐CoA. The chronic mild food restricted rats were fed a restricted diet approximately 80% to 90% amount of diet compared to the control for 5 weeks. Ratios of restriction were adjusted with feed consumption in the chronic social defeat stressed rats. Chronic mild food restricted rats exhibited a suppression of body weight gain similar to that of the chronic social defeat stressed rats. Also these rats showed increased time spent in the center area of an open field (OF), prolonged immobility time in forced swim, increased phosphorylation of hypothalamic adenosine monophosphate‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) and acetyl‐CoA carboxylase and a decreased concentration of hypothalamic malonyl‐CoA. Weight of the adrenal glands, locomotion in an OF, mitogen‐activated protein kinase cascade and calcium/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinases II in the hippocampus were not affected by chronic mild food restriction. Our findings suggest that chronic mild food restriction activates AMPK following a decreased hypothalamic malonyl‐CoA.
Nitrogen digestion and urea recycling in Hokkaido native horses fed hay‐based diets
Authors: Obitsu Taketo , Hata Hiroshi , Taniguchi Kohzo 
Published: July 2014

AbstractNitrogen (N) digestion and urea‐N metabolism in Hokkaido native horses fed roughage‐based diets containing different types and levels of protein sources were studied. Horses (173 ± 4.8 kg) fitted with an ileum cannula were fed four diets consisting of 100% timothy hay (TH), 88% TH and 12% soybean meal (SBM), 79% TH and 21% SBM, and 51% TH and 49% alfalfa hay at 2.2% of body weight. Dietary protein content varied from 5% to 15% of dry matter. Apparent N digestibilities in the pre‐cecum and total tract for the TH diet were lower than those for other diets. However, the proportion of post‐ileum N digestion to N intake was not affected by the diets. Urea‐N production was linearly related to N intake, but gut urea‐N entry was not affected by the diets. The proportion of gut urea‐N entry to urea‐N production tended to be higher for the TH diet (57%) than the two SBM diets (39%). Anabolic use of urea‐N entering the gut was not affected by the diets (20–36% of gut urea‐N entry). These results indicate that urea‐N recycling provides additional N sources for microbial fermentation in the hindgut of Hokkaido native horses fed low‐quality roughages.
Controls on landscape and drainage evolution in regions of distributed normal faulting: Perachora Peninsula, Corinth Rift, Central Greece
Authors: Duffy O. B. , Brocklehurst S. H. , Gawthorpe R. L. , Leeder M. R. , Finch E. 
Published: July 2014

AbstractZones of distributed faulting with narrow (2–3 km) across‐strike spacing form a common structural style within rifts, especially in accommodation zones, and contrast with crustal‐scale half‐grabens, where strain is localised on normal faults spaced 10–30 km apart. These contrasting styles are likely to have a significant impact on geomorphic development, sediment routing and the stratigraphic record. Perachora Peninsula, in the eastern part of the active Corinth Rift, Greece, is one such zone of distributed faulting. We analyse the topography and drainage networks developed around these closely spaced normal faults, and compare our results with published studies from crustal‐scale half‐grabens. We subdivide the Perachora Peninsula into a series of drainage domains and examine the tectono‐geomorphic evolution of three domains that best represent the range of topographic characteristics, base levels and drainage network styles. We interpret that the perched, endorheic nature of the Asprokampos domain developed due to uplift and backtilt on offshore faults. The Pisia West domain, which drains the valley between the Skinos and Pisia Faults and responds to a perched base level, is interpreted to have experienced a complex base‐level history with episodic connections to sea level. The Skinos Relay domain drains to sea level, lying on the relay ramp between the closely spaced Kamarissa and Skinos Faults. Here, interaction between the displacement fields associated with each of the closely spaced faults controls the rate and style of landscape evolution. In contrast to crustal‐scale half‐grabens, observations from Perachora Peninsula suggest that zones of distributed faulting may be characterised by: (i) perched, internal sediment sinks at different elevations, responding to multiple base levels; (ii) minimal fault‐transverse sediment transport; (iii) interaction of uplift and subsidence fields associated with closely spaced faults, which modulate the rate and style of landscape response; and (iv) complex erosion and sedimentation histories, the evidence for which may have low preservation potential in the stratigraphic record.
Training Preschoolers on First‐Order False Belief Understanding: Transfer on Advanced ToM Skills and Metamemory
Authors: Lecce Serena , Bianco Federica , Demicheli Patrizia , Cavallini Elena 
Published: July 2014

This study investigated the relation between theory of mind (ToM) and metamemory knowledge using a training methodology. Sixty‐two 4‐ to 5‐year‐old children were recruited and randomly assigned to one of two training conditions: A first‐order false belief (ToM) and a control condition. Intervention and control groups were equivalent at pretest for age, parents' education, verbal ability, inhibition, and ToM. Results showed that after the intervention children in the ToM group improved in their first‐order false belief understanding significantly more than children in the control condition. Crucially, the positive effect of the ToM intervention was stable over 2 months and generalized to more complex ToM tasks and metamemory.
The role of non‐invasive biomarkers in detecting acute respiratory effects of traffic‐related air pollution
Authors: Scarpa M. C. , Kulkarni N. , Maestrelli P. 
Published: July 2014

SummaryThe role of non‐invasive methods in the investigation of acute effects of traffic‐related air pollution is not clearly established. We evaluated the usefulness of non‐invasive biomarkers in detecting acute air pollution effects according to the age of participants, the disease status, their sensitivity compared with lung function tests and their specificity for a type of pollutant. Search terms lead to 535 titles, among them 128 had potentially relevant abstracts. Sixtynine full papers were reviewed, while 59 articles were excluded as they did not meet the selection criteria. Methods used to assess short‐term effects of air pollution included analysis of nasal lavage (NAL) for the upper airways, and induced sputum (IS), exhaled breath condensate (EBC) and exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) for central and lower airways. There is strong evidence that FeNO evaluation is useful independently from subject age, while IS analysis is suitable almost for adults. Biomarker changes are generally observed upon pollutant exposure irrespective of the disease status of the participants. None of the biomarkers identified are specific for a type of pollutant exposure. Based on experimental exposure studies, there is moderate evidence that IS analysis is more sensitive than lung function tests, whereas this is not the case for biomarkers obtained by NAL or EBC. Cells and some cytokines (IL‐6, IL‐8 and myeloperoxidase) have been measured both in the upper respiratory tract (NAL) and in the lower airways (IS). Overall, the response to traffic exposure seems different in the two compartments. In conclusion, this survey of current literature displays the complexity of this research field, highlights the significance of short‐term studies on traffic pollution and gives important tips when planning studies to detect acute respiratory effects of air pollution in a non‐invasive way.
The effect of cell death in the initiation of lupus nephritis
Authors: Fenton K 
Published: July 2014

SummaryCell death and the release of chromatin have been demonstrated to activate the immune system producing autoantibodies against nuclear antigens in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Apoptosis, necrosis, necroptosis, secondary necrosis, autophagy and the clearance of dying cells by phagocytosis are processes believed to have a role in tolerance avoidance, activation of autoimmune lymphocytes and tissue damage by effector cells. The released chromatin not only activates the immune system; it also acts as antigen for the autoantibodies produced, including anti-dsDNA antibodies. The subsequent immune complex formed is deposited within the basement membranes and the mesangial matrix of glomeruli. This may be considered as an initiating event in lupus nephritis. The origin of the released chromatin is still debated, and the possible mechanisms and cell sources are discussed in this study.
Distinct cytokine and T helper cell profiles between patients with multiple sclerosis who had or had not received interferon‐beta
Authors: Doi Hikaru , Song Zi‐Ye , Yoshimura Satoshi , Tateishi Takahisa , Yonekawa Tomomi , Yamasaki Ryo , Murai Hiroyuki , Matsushita Takuya , Kira Jun‐ichi 
Published: July 2014

AbstractObjectivesMultiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system, and is generally considered to be mediated by T helper (Th) 1/Th17 cells. Interferon‐β (IFNβ) is widely used as a disease‐modifying MS drug, but its effects on Th17 cells are still disputed. Furthermore, the effects of IFNβ on Th9 cells have not been elucidated. The present study aimed to clarify the effects of IFNβ on cytokines/growth factors in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and cytokine‐producing Th cells in peripheral blood.MethodsFirst, the frequency of IFNγ, interleukin (IL)‐17A, IL‐9, and IL‐4‐producing Th cells in peripheral blood lymphocytes was analyzed by flow cytometry in 34 MS patients and 15 healthy volunteers enrolled in the cytokine‐producing Th cell study. Second, levels of 27 cytokines/growth factors in the CSF were measured using a multiple fluorescence bead‐based immunoassay in 34 MS patients enrolled in the cytokines/growth factors study.ResultsWe found a significantly higher frequency of IL‐4−IL‐9+CD4+ T cells and lower frequency of IFNγ+IL‐17A−CD4+ cells in peripheral blood lymphocytes in the 10 MS patients who had received IFNβ than in the 24 MS patients who had not received IFNβ or the 15 healthy controls (P < 0.05). The seven MS patients who received IFNβ showed significantly lower IL‐17A levels in CSF than did the 27 MS patients who had not received IFNβ (P < 0.05).ConclusionsThe present results suggest the suppression of IL‐17A production in the central nervous system and augmentation of Th9 cells in the peripheral blood by IFNβ in MS patients.
Extended Branch Decomposition Graphs: Structural Comparison of Scalar Data
Authors: Saikia Himangshu , Seidel Hans‐Peter , Weinkauf Tino 
Published: July 2014

AbstractWe present a method to find repeating topological structures in scalar data sets. More precisely, we compare all subtrees of two merge trees against each other – in an efficient manner exploiting redundancy. This provides pair‐wise distances between the topological structures defined by sub/superlevel sets, which can be exploited in several applications such as finding similar structures in the same data set, assessing periodic behavior in time‐dependent data, and comparing the topology of two different data sets. To do so, we introduce a novel data structure called the extended branch decomposition graph, which is composed of the branch decompositions of all subtrees of the merge tree. Based on dynamic programming, we provide two highly efficient algorithms for computing and comparing extended branch decomposition graphs. Several applications attest to the utility of our method and its robustness against noise.
RBF Volume Ray Casting on Multicore and Manycore CPUs
Authors: Knoll Aaron , Wald Ingo , Navratil Paul , Bowen Anne , Reda Khairi , Papka Michael E. , Gaither Kelly 
Published: July 2014

AbstractModern supercomputers enable increasingly large N‐body simulations using unstructured point data. The structures implied by these points can be reconstructed implicitly. Direct volume rendering of radial basis function (RBF) kernels in domain‐space offers flexible classification and robust feature reconstruction, but achieving performant RBF volume rendering remains a challenge for existing methods on both CPUs and accelerators. In this paper, we present a fast CPU method for direct volume rendering of particle data with RBF kernels. We propose a novel two‐pass algorithm: first sampling the RBF field using coherent bounding hierarchy traversal, then subsequently integrating samples along ray segments. Our approach performs interactively for a range of data sets from molecular dynamics and astrophysics up to 82 million particles. It does not rely on level of detail or subsampling, and offers better reconstruction quality than structured volume rendering of the same data, exhibiting comparable performance and requiring no additional preprocessing or memory footprint other than the BVH. Lastly, our technique enables multi‐field, multi‐material classification of particle data, providing better insight and analysis.