bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of alien cytoplasm and fertility restorer genes on agronomic and physiological traits of Brassica juncea (L.) Czern
Authors: Chamola Rohit , Balyan Harindra S. , Bhat Shripad R. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractTo assess the effect of alien cytoplasm and fertility restorer genes on agronomic and physiological traits in Brassica juncea, cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) and fertility restorer lines involving five alloplasms in three nuclear backgrounds were constituted through repeated backcrossing. These lines were evaluated along with euplasmic lines for agronomic traits in field experiments. Respiration efficiency of in vitro cultured hypocotyls, and chlorophyll content in leaves were also estimated. Significant adverse effects of trachystoma and catholica cytoplasms on yield‐contributing traits and yield were noticed. The restorer gene corrected the floral defects in CMS trachystoma and restored yield to the level of euplasmic line, while it did so only partly in CMS catholica. Restorer genes had no adverse effect on traits in any of the systems. On the contrary, the Rf gene of moricandia CMS system exerted a positive effect on leaf chlorophyll content. Likewise, in vitro assay indicated the moricandia CMS system as vigorous. The moricandia CMS plants gave higher seed yield perhaps due to overall better vigour and higher leaf chlorophyll content.
Association of Valdecoxib, a Nonsteroidal Anti‐Inflammatory Drug, with Human Serum Albumin
Authors: Encinas Maria V. , Lissi Eduardo , Vergara Claudio 
Published: August 2013

AbstractValdecoxib addition quenches the intrinsic human serum albumin (HSA) fluorescence. This allows an evaluation of the drug–protein association. However, both the number of binding sites and their affinity for the drug depend upon the methodology employed for their evaluation and the employed protein concentration. In this work, we measured the effect of valdecoxib on HSA fluorescence yield over a wide range of experimental conditions and discuss the validity of the binding parameters derived from the different data treatments: Stern–Volmer, Scatchard, double logarithmic, quadratic equation, Benesi–Hilderand, and Encinas–Lissi. It is proposed that a combination of Encinas–Lissi and Scatchard treatments of the data renders the most reliable results. From these data, it is concluded that HSA presents three high‐affinity binding sites for valdecoxib (Kas = 4.5 × 104 m−1) and several secondary sites of smaller activity.
Role of ascospores and conidia in the initiation and spread of South American leaf blight in a rubber tree plantation
Authors: Guyot J. , Condina V. , Doaré F. , Cilas C. , Sache I. 
Published: August 2013

Microcyclus ulei, the fungus causing South American leaf blight (SALB) on rubber tree leaves, produces two main types of spores: ascospores and conidia. To assess their respective epidemiological role, a field experiment was conducted in French Guiana over 3 years. Tree phenology, disease severity and climate variables were recorded while airborne spores were trapped and quantified. Ascospores were shown to play an essential role in the perpetuation of the disease outside the host's growth periods, in the resumption of epidemics, and in the spread of the disease to disease‐free zones. Conidia were trapped in visibly infected plots only, during periods of host growth. Disseminated over short distances and present only temporarily on leaves, the conidia enabled the disease to spread stepwise when the climate was conducive. Segmentation analysis revealed that the duration of high relative humidity was the climatic variable most related to ascospore trapping. Ascospore release did not require low temperatures. Considering the essential role of the ascospores in the initiation and spread of disease, artificial defoliation as a means of reducing the inoculum pressure during tree refoliation is proposed to control SALB. To check the validity of this method, a survey over several years of natural defoliation–refoliation in relation to climate and other leaf diseases is needed.
Three‐dimensional Displacement and Shape Measurement with a Diffraction‐assisted Grid Method
Authors: Notbohm J. , Rosakis A. , Kumagai S. , Xia S. , Ravichandran G. 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACTThe grid method is a full‐field optical technique for computing surface displacements and strains of a material by analyzing the phase of grid lines patterned on the specimen. To date, most experiments using the grid method have measured only two‐dimensional in‐plane deformations. Here, the grid method is extended to three dimensions by using a crossed grid pattern and a diffraction grating which enables acquiring images from multiple viewing angles on a single camera. In‐plane displacements and strains are computed using the conventional grid method, and the corresponding three‐dimensional (3D) displacements—including out‐of‐plane displacements or shapes—are computed by analyzing the images collected at different viewing angles. The technique is demonstrated by measuring 3D rigid body motion, the 3D displacements of a membrane in a pressure‐bulge experiment, and the out‐of‐plane curvature of a cylindrical specimen.
Draft Genome Sequence of Lignocellulose-Degrading Thermophilic Bacterium
Geobacillus
sp. Strain WSUCF1
Authors: Bhalla Aditya , Kainth Amoldeep Singh , Sani Rajesh K. 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACT

Geobacillus
sp. strain WSUCF1 is a thermophilic spore-forming member of the phylum
Firmicutes
, isolated from a soil sample collected from the compost facility. We report the draft genome sequence of this isolate with an estimated genome size of 3.4 Mb. The genome sequence of this isolate revealed several genes encoding glycoside hydrolases, making it a potential candidate for plant biomass degradation.
Genome Sequence of a Novel Polymer-Grade
l
-Lactate-Producing Alkaliphile,
Exiguobacterium
sp. Strain 8-11-1
Authors: Jiang Xu , Xue Yanfen , Wang Limin , Yu Bo , Ma Yanhe 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACT

Exiguobacterium
sp. strain 8-11-1 is a newly isolated alkaliphile, which was reported to efficiently produce
l
-lactate using NaOH as the neutralizing agent. Here, we present the first 2.9-Mb assembly of its genome sequence, which may provide useful information related to its efficient lactate production and sodium ion tolerance capacities.
Draft Genome Sequence of Lactobacillus rhamnosus CRL1505, an Immunobiotic Strain Used in Social Food Programs in Argentina
Authors: Taranto María Pía , Villena Julio , Salva Susana , Alvarez Susana , Savoy de Giori Graciela , Font de Valdez Graciela , Hebert Elvira M. 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACT

We report the draft genome sequence of the probiotic
Lactobacillus rhamnosus
strain CRL1505. This new probiotic strain has been included into official Nutritional Programs in Argentina. The draft genome sequence is composed of 3,417,633 bp with 3,327 coding sequences.
Draft Genome Sequence of Leifsonia rubra Strain CMS 76R
T
, Isolated from a Cyanobacterial Mat Sample from a Pond in Wright Valley, McMurdo, Antarctica
Authors: Kumar Pinnaka Anil , Singh Aditya , Ara Sreenivas , Begum Zareena , Reddy Gundlapally Satyanaryana , Shivaji S. 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACT

The 2.7-Mb draft genome sequence of
Leifsonia rubra
strain CMS 76R
T
, isolated from a cyanobacterial mat sample from a pond in Wright Valley, McMurdo, Antarctica, is reported.
Genome Sequence of a Reassortant H5N1 Avian Influenza Virus Isolated from Domestic Green-Winged Teal
Authors: Xiong Chaochao , Liu Qian , Chen Quanjiao , Chen Jianjun 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACT
An avian influenza virus strain, A/domestic green-winged teal/Hunan/3450/2006(H5N1) (DGW-T3450), was isolated from domestic green-winged teals. Genome analysis demonstrated that DGW-T3450 is a novel reassortant strain. The hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) genes of this strain originated from H5N1 viruses circulating in poultry, while its remaining genes are derived from multiple ancestors, including viruses like those that infect wild birds.
Republished: Obesity and colorectal cancer
Authors: Bardou Marc , Barkun Alan N , Martel Myriam 
Published: August 2013

AbstractExcess body weight, as defined by the body mass index (BMI), has been associated with several diseases and includes subjects who are overweight (BMI≥25–29.9 kg/m2) or obese (BMI≥30 kg/m2). Overweight and obesity constitute the fifth leading risk for overall mortality, accounting for at least 2.8 million adult deaths each year. In addition around 11% of colorectal cancer (CRC) cases have been attributed to overweight and obesity in Europe. Epidemiological data suggest that obesity is associated with a 30–70% increased risk of colon cancer in men, whereas the association is less consistent in women. Similar trends exist for colorectal adenoma, although the risk appears lower. Visceral fat, or abdominal obesity, seems to be of greater concern than subcutaneous fat obesity, and any 1 kg/m2 increase in BMI confers additional risk (HR 1.03). Obesity might be associated with worse cancer outcomes, such as recurrence of the primary cancer or mortality. Several factors, including reduced sensitivity to antiangiogenic-therapeutic regimens, might explain these differences. Except for wound infection, obesity has no significant impact on surgical procedures. The underlying mechanisms linking obesity to CRC are still a matter of debate, but metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance and modifications in levels of adipocytokines seem to be of great importance. Other biological factors such as the gut microbita or bile acids are emerging. Many questions still remain unanswered: should preventive strategies specifically target obese patients? Is the risk of cancer great enough to propose prophylactic bariatric surgery in certain patients with obesity?
Weighted subtraction in 3D ultrashort echo time (UTE) imaging for visualization of short T2 tissues of the knee
Authors: Lee Young Han , Kim Sungjun , Song Ho-Taek , Kim InSeong , Suh Jin-Suck 
Published: August 2013

Background Ultrashort echo time (UTE) image to directly visualize short T2 tissues requires postprocessing for the suppression of the surrounding long T2 tissues in a clinical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner. Weighted subtraction of UTE images with an optimal weighting factor could provide high positive contrast with adequate suppression. Purpose To demonstrate in-vivo UTE MRI with weighted subtractions of dual echo UTE imaging using a 3 T clinical MRI and to determine the optimal weighting factors through the analyses of signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) and contrast-to-noise ratios (CNRs). Material and Methods Forty-seven consecutive knee MR including dual echo 3D UTE sequence (TE of 70 µs and 3.82 ms) were reviewed. Seven patients with normal findings in the knee MR were included in the current study. For variably weighted subtraction images, the initial UTE image was rescaled relative to that of the second echo image with weighting factors from 0.1 to 4.0. Thirty-five pairs of the ROI measurements of the UTE image and second long echo images were repeated after 2 weeks. For quantitative assessment, SNR and CNR were measured from the ROIs on the patellar tendon, cartilage, cortical bone, meniscus, and infrapatellar fat pad. Intra-observer agreement was assessed by using both Cohen’s Kappa and Bland-Altman approach. Results The short T2 tissue could be visualized with adequate suppression on the subtraction images. Considering the CNRs and SNRs, the optimal ranges of the weighting factors could be suggested: 0.3 for the tendon, 0.4 for the cortical bone, and 1.0 for the meniscus. The 35 paired measurements showed excellent agreement with statistical significance ( P < 0.05). Conclusion The 3D UTE MRI provides imaging of short T2 tissues which cannot be visualized by conventional MRI. Using weighted subtractions with optimal weighting values, each tissue can be optimally depicted by overcoming the reduced T2 contrast.
Sex and haemodynamics in pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Ventetuolo Corey E. , Praestgaard Amy , Palevsky Harold I. , Klinger James R. , Halpern Scott D. , Kawut Steven M. 
Published: August 2013

Female sex is a risk factor for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), yet females have better survival than males. We sought to determine if sex was associated with baseline haemodynamics in subjects with PAH, and whether age modified these relationships.We conducted a pooled analysis from 11 randomised trials submitted to the US Food and Drug Administration. The study sample included 1211 subjects with idiopathic PAH, 25% of whom were males, and 489 subjects with connective tissue disease-associated PAH, 13% of whom were males.After multivariable adjustment, right atrial pressure was 1.36 mmHg higher (95% CI 0.44–2.27, p=0.004), cardiac index was -0.14 L·min−1·m−2lower (95% CI -0.23–0.04, p=0.01) and pulmonary vascular resistance was 1.23 Wood units higher (95% CI 0.18–2.27, p=0.02) in males compared with females. Younger males had 5.43 mmHg (95% CI 2.20–8.66, p=0.001) higher mean pulmonary arterial pressures than younger females, but these relationships were attenuated after age 45 years. In the subgroup of connective tissue disease-associated PAH, males may have had higher right atrial pressure.These findings implicate age as a modifier and provide further evidence of sexual dimorphism in PAH.
Occupational exposures and uncontrolled adult-onset asthma in the European Community Respiratory Health Survey II
Authors: Le Moual Nicole , Carsin Anne-Elie , Siroux Valérie , Radon Katja , Norback Dan , Torén Kjell , Olivieri Mario , Urrutia Isabel , Cazzoletti Lucia , Jacquemin Bénédicte , Benke Geza , Kromhout Hans , Mirabelli Maria C. , Mehta Amar J. , Schlünssen Vivi , Sigsgaard Torben , Blanc Paul D. , Kogevinas Manolis , Antó Josep M. , Zock Jan-Paul 
Published: August 2013

Occupational exposure is a well-recognised modifiable risk factor for asthma, but the relationship between occupational exposure and asthma control has not been studied. We aimed to study this association among working-age adults from the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS).Data were available for 7077 participants (mean age 43 years, 45% never-smokers, 5867 without asthma and 1210 with current asthma). Associations between occupational exposure to specific asthmagens and asthma control status (33% with uncontrolled asthma, based on the Global Initiative for Asthma guidelines) were evaluated using logistic and multinomial regressions, adjusted for age, sex and smoking status, with study areas included as a random effect.Statistically significant positive associations were observed between uncontrolled adult-onset asthma and both past 12-month and 10-year exposure to any occupational asthmagens (OR (95% CI) 1.6 (1.0–2.40) and 1.7 (1.2–2.5), respectively); high (1.7 (1.0–2.8) and 1.9 (1.3–2.9), respectively) and low (1.6 (1.0–2.7) and 1.8 (1.2–2.7), respectively) molecular weight agents; and cleaning agents (2.0 (1.1–3.6) and 2.3 (1.4–3.6), respectively), with stronger associations for long-term exposures. These associations were mainly explained by the exacerbation domain of asthma control and no associations were observed between asthmagens and partly controlled asthma.These findings suggest that occupational exposure to asthmagens is associated with uncontrolled adult-onset asthma. Occupational risk factors should be quickly identified to prevent uncontrolled asthma.
Myofibroblast expression in airways and alveoli is affected by smoking and COPD
Authors: Karvonen Henna M , Lehtonen Siri T , Harju Terttu , Sormunen Raija T , Lappi-Blanco Elisa , Mäkinen Johanna M , Laitakari Kirsi , Johnson Shirley , Kaarteenaho Riitta L 
Published: August 2013

Abstract

Background
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by structural changes in alveoli and airways. Our aim was to analyse the numbers of alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) positive cells, as a marker of myofibroblasts, in different lung compartments in non-smokers and smokers with normal lung function or COPD.

Methods
α-SMA, tenascin-C (Tn-C) and EDA-fibronectin in alveolar level and airways were assayed by immunohistochemistry and quantified by image analysis. Immunohistochemical findings were correlated with clinical data. α-SMA protein was also analysed by Western blotting from fibroblastic cells cultured from peripheral lung of non-smokers, smokers without COPD and smokers with COPD.

Results
In many cases, the endings of the detached alveolar walls were widened, the structures of which were named as widened alveolar tips. Widened alveolar tips contained α-SMA positive cells, which were obviously myofibroblasts. There were less alveolar tips containing positive cells for α-SMA in alveoli and α-SMA positive cells in bronchioles in smokers and in COPD compared to non-smokers. The quantity of α-SMA positive cells was increased in bronchi in COPD. Tn-C was elevated in bronchi in COPD and smokers’ lung. The α-SMA protein level was 1.43-fold higher in stromal cells cultured from non-smokers than in those of smokers.

Conclusions
Myofibroblasts are localized variably in normal and diseased lung. This indicates that they have roles in both regeneration of lung and pathogenesis of COPD. The widened alveolar tips, these newly characterized histological structures, seemed to be the source of myofibroblasts at the alveolar level.
Analysis of mutations in the E6 oncogene of human papillomavirus 16 in cervical cancer isolates from Moroccan women
Authors: Qmichou Zineb , Khyatti Meriem , Berraho Mohamed , Ennaji My Mustapha , Benbacer Laila , Nejjari Chakib , Benjaafar Noureddine , Benider Abdellatif , Attaleb Mohammed , El Mzibri Mohammed 
Published: August 2013

Abstract

Background
Worldwide, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women. High-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) play a crucial role in the etiology of cervical cancer and the most prevalent genotype is HPV16. HPV 16 intratypic variants have been reported to differ in their prevalence, biological and biochemical properties. The present study was designed to analyze and identify HPV type 16 E6 variants among patients with cervical cancer in Morocco.

Methods
A total of 103 HPV16 positive samples were isolated from 129 cervical cancer cases, and variant status was subsequently determined by DNA sequencing of the E6 gene.

Results
Isolates from patients were grouped into the European (E), African (Af) and North-American (NA1) phylogenetic clusters with a high prevalence of E lineage (58.3%). The Af and NA1 variants were detected in 31.1% and 11.6% of the HPV16 positive specimens, respectively, whereas, only 3% of cases were prototype E350T. No European-Asian (EA), Asian (As) or Asian-American (AA) variants were observed in our HPV16-positive specimens. At the amino acid level, the most prevalent non-synonymous variants were L83V (T350G), H78Y (C335T), E113D (A442C), Q14D (C143G/G145T) and R10I (G132T), and were observed respectively in 65%, 41.8%, 38.8%, 30.1% and 23.3% of total samples.
Moreover, HPV16 European variants were mostly identified in younger women at early clinical diagnosis stages. Whereas, HPV16 Af variants were most likely associated with cervical cancer development in older women with pronounced aggressiveness.

Conclusion
This study suggests a predominance of E lineage strains among Moroccan HPV 16 isolates and raises the possibility that HPV16 variants have a preferential role in progression to malignancy and could be associated with the more aggressive nature of cervical cancer.
Application of clinical pathway using electronic medical record system in pediatric patients with supracondylar fracture of the humerus: a before and after comparative study
Authors: Sung Ki Hyuk , Chung Chin Youb , Lee Kyoung Min , Lee Seung Yeol , Ahn Soyeon , Park Somin , Choi In Ho , Cho Tae-Joon , Yoo Won Joon , Lee Jung Hyun , Park Moon Seok 
Published: August 2013

Abstract

Background
This study was performed to investigate the usefulness of clinical pathway (CP) using an electronic medical record (EMR) in pediatric patients undergoing closed pinning for supracondylar fracture of the humerus, by analyzing the length of hospital stay, hospital cost and satisfaction of the medical teams.

Methods
This before and after comparative study included consecutive children who underwent closed pinning for supracondylar fracture of the humerus since 2009. The pre-CP group consists of 90 patients with the mean age of 5.7 years, and the post-CP group consists of 32 patients with the mean age of 6.2 years. Multidisciplinary work-team developed CP using an EMR system in March 2011. The length of hospital stay was the primary outcome variable, and hospital cost and medical team’s satisfaction score were secondary outcome variables. The non-inferiority test was used to demonstrate the efficiency of the pathway.

Results
The length of hospital stay decreased from 2.9 ± 0.7 days to 2.4 ± 0.7 days by 15.0%, after the implementation of CP, and the lower bound of the 95% CI of the difference (0.14 day) was within the non-inferiority margin of −0.3 days. The hospital cost decreased from 1162.2 ± 236.7 US$ to 1139.8 ± 291.1 US$ by 1.9% and the lower bound of the 95% CI of the difference was −81.3 US$, which did not exceed the non-inferiority margin of −116.2 US$. Therefore, the post-CP group was not inferior compared with the pre-CP group in term of the length of hospital stay and total hospital cost. There was significant increase in the satisfaction score for doctors after implementation of CP (p < 0.001), but, no change in the satisfaction score for nursing staffs (p = 0.793).

Conclusions
The development and implementation of CP, using an EMR, in pediatric patients undergoing closed pinning for supracondylar fracture of the humerus enhances the treatment efficiency by streamlining the treatment process with no increases of the length of the hospital stay and total hospital costs.