bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Shared decision making in patients at risk of cancer: the role of domain and numeracy
Authors: Hanoch Yaniv , Miron‐Shatz Talya , Rolison Jonathan J. , Omer Zehra , Ozanne Elisa 
Published: September 2014

AbstractBackgroundShared decision making has become an integral part of medical consultation. Research has, however, reported wide differences in individuals' desires to be involved in the decision‐making process, and these differences in preferences are likely to be the result of a number of factors including age, education and numeracy.ObjectiveTo investigate whether patients at genetic risk for cancer had preferences for shared decision making that differed depending on medical domain (general health vs. cancer) and whether decision preferences are linked to numeracy abilities.MethodsFour hundred and seventy‐six women who consented to participate in response to an email sent by a local branch of the U.S.‐based Cancer Genetics Network (CGN) to its members. Participants completed the Control Preference Scale, as well as an objective and subjective numeracy scales.ResultsDecision domain (cancer vs. general health) was not associated with women's preferences for involvement in decision making. Objective and subjective numeracy predicted a preference for decision involvement in general, and only objective numeracy was predictive with regard to cancer.ConclusionParticipants were equally likely to state they wanted to play an active, collaborative or passive role in both medical domains (general and cancer). High‐numeracy participants were more likely to express a desire for an active role in general and in case they were diagnosed with cancer.Practice implicationsHealth authorities' recommendations to clinicians to include patients in their medical decisions are supported by patients' desires, and clinicians should be cognizant of their patients' preferences as well as their numeracy skills.
Division of labour in honey bees: age‐ and task‐related changes in the expression of octopamine receptor genes
Authors: Reim T. , Scheiner R. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThe honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) has developed into an important ethological model organism for social behaviour and behavioural plasticity. Bees perform a complex age‐dependent division of labour with the most pronounced behavioural differences occurring between in‐hive bees and foragers. Whereas nurse bees, for example, stay inside the hive and provide the larvae with food, foragers leave the hive to collect pollen and nectar for the entire colony. The biogenic amine octopamine appears to play a major role in division of labour but the molecular mechanisms involved are unknown. We here investigated the role of two characterized octopamine receptors in honey bee division of labour. AmOctαR1 codes for a Ca2+‐linked octopamine receptor. AmOctβR3/4 codes for a cyclic adenosine monophosphate‐coupled octopamine receptor. Messenger RNA expression of AmOctαR1 in different brain neuropils correlates with social task, whereas expression of AmOctβR3/4 changes with age rather than with social role per se. Our results for the first time link the regulatory role of octopamine in division of labour to specific receptors and brain regions. They are an important step forward in our understanding of complex behavioural organization in social groups.
Immunology of naturally transmissible tumours
Authors: Siddle Hannah V. , Kaufman Jim 
Published: September 2014

SummaryNaturally transmissible tumours can emerge when a tumour cell gains the ability to pass as an infectious allograft between individuals. The ability of these tumours to colonize a new host and to cross histocompatibility barriers contradicts our understanding of the vertebrate immune response to allografts. Two naturally occurring contagious cancers are currently active in the animal kingdom, canine transmissible venereal tumour (CTVT), which spreads among dogs, and devil facial tumour disease (DFTD), among Tasmanian devils. CTVT are generally not fatal as a tumour‐specific host immune response controls or clears the tumours after transmission and a period of growth. In contrast, the growth of DFTD tumours is not controlled by the Tasmanian devil's immune system and the disease causes close to 100% mortality, severely impacting the devil population. To avoid the immune response of the host both DFTD and CTVT use a variety of immune escape strategies that have similarities to many single organism tumours, including MHC loss and the expression of immunosuppressive cytokines. However, both tumours appear to have a complex interaction with the immune system of their respective host, which has evolved over the relatively long life of these tumours. The Tasmanian devil is struggling to survive with the burden of this disease and it is only with an understanding of how DFTD passes between individuals that a vaccine might be developed. Further, an understanding of how these tumours achieve natural transmissibility should provide insights into general mechanisms of immune escape that emerge during tumour evolution.
Distinct CD4 T‐cell effects on primary versus recall CD8 T‐cell responses during viral encephalomyelitis
Authors: Hwang Mihyun , Phares Timothy W. , Hinton David R. , Stohlman Stephen A. , Bergmann Cornelia C. , Min Booki 
Published: September 2014

SummaryCD4 T‐cell help is not a universal requirement for effective primary CD8 T cells but is essential to generate memory CD8 T cells capable of recall responses. This study examined how CD4 T cells affect primary and secondary anti‐viral CD8 T‐cell responses within the central nervous system (CNS) during encephalomyelitis induced by sublethal gliatropic coronavirus. CD4 T‐cell depletion before infection did not impair peripheral expansion, interferon‐γ production, CNS recruitment or initial CNS effector capacity of virus‐specific CD8 T cells ex vivo. Nevertheless, impaired virus control in the absence of CD4 T cells was associated with gradually diminished CNS CD8 T‐cell interferon‐γ production. Furthermore, within the CD8 T‐cell population short‐lived effector cells were increased and memory precursor effector cells were significantly decreased, consistent with higher T‐cell turnover. Transfer of memory CD8 T cells to reduce viral load in CD4‐depleted mice reverted the recipient CNS CD8 T‐cell phenotype to that in wild‐type control mice. However, memory CD8 T cells primed without CD4 T cells and transferred into infected CD4‐sufficient recipients expanded less efficiently and were not sustained in the CNS, contrasting with their helped counterparts. These data suggest that CD4 T cells are dispensable for initial expansion, CNS recruitment and differentiation of primary resident memory CD8 T cells as long as the duration of antigen exposure is limited. By contrast, CD4 T cells are essential to prolong primary CD8 T‐cell function in the CNS and imprint memory CD8 T cells for recall responses.
Association of diabetic foot care and amputation rates in Germany
Authors: Kröger Knut , Moysidis Theodoros , Feghaly Michel , Schäfer Erika , Bufe Alexander ,   on behalf of the Initiative Chronische Wunden e.V., Germany
Published: September 2014

AbstractPodologists are nurses who care for the diabetic foot (orthotics, offloading devices, blisters, calluses, treatment of fungus infection and patient education). In contrast to podiatrists, they are not qualified to perform any surgical treatment or wound care. We analysed whether there is an association between the decrease in major amputations and the number of podologic foot care (PFC) visits prescribed in Germany. Detailed list of all major lower limb amputations (OPS 5‐864) performed from 2007 to 2011 was provided by the Federal Statistical Office. Data were separated for the 16 federal states in Germany. Detailed lists of the number of PFC treatments for each of the 5 years were derived from the federal report of the statutory health insurance. The total numbers of hospitalised cases per year having diabetes mellitus documented as an additional diagnosis were used to adjust for the different rates of people with diabetes in each federal state. Within a 5‐year time period, population‐based major amputations per 100 000 people dropped from 21·7 in 2007 to 17·5 in 2011 (−18·5%); whereas the number of PFC treatments per 1000 insured increased from 22 in 2007 to 60 in 2011 (+172·7%). The total number of major amputations divided by the total number of hospitalised cases with the additional diagnosis of diabetes mellitus (DM) shows an inverse correlation with the number of PFC treatments per 1000 insured (Pearson's correlation factor is −0·52049). The five countries with the highest increase in PFC compared with the five countries with the lowest increase (35·6 versus 15·4 per 1000 insured) will have only small differences in the decrease in major amputation rates in this period (−5·1 versus −3·4 per 100.000). There is a strong association between increasing utilisation PFC and decreasing major amputations in Germany. Further study is required to document the cost‐effectiveness of this service.
Postoperative wound dealing and superficial surgical site infection in open radical prostatectomy
Authors: Yamamichi Fukashi , Shigemura Katsumi , Yamashita Mauso , Tanaka Kazushi , Arakawa Soishi , Fujisawa Masato 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThe number of open radical prostatectomy (RP) surgeries has been decreasing owing to the spread of laparoscopic and robotic surgery, which has implications for postoperative wound healing. The purpose of this study was to investigate and document the current status of postoperative wound healing and superficial surgical site infection (SSI) in open RPs. One hundred and seventy‐five antegrade RPs with the same or similar kinds of prophylactic antibiotic administration were divided into two groups: (i) ‘no intervention’ (wound covering group) and (ii) ‘washing’, using a washing solution from the second postoperative day to the day of skin staple removal (wound washing group). We compared these groups for the occurrence of superficial SSI. The wound covering group had three (3·03%) cases of superficial SSI, with one case caused by methicillin sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA). The wound washing group had nine (11·8%) cases of superficial SSI, with three cases caused by MSSA, two cases caused by methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and one by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The wound covering group showed a significantly lower ratio of superficial SSI (P = 0·0472). In conclusion, the postoperative wound status data in this study suggests that no wound intervention after RP resulted in a comparatively lower ratio of superficial SSI than in the wound washing group.
MicroRNA miR‐371a‐3p in serum of patients with germ cell tumours: evaluations for establishing a serum biomarker
Authors: Spiekermann M. , Belge G. , Winter N. , Ikogho R. , Balks T. , Bullerdiek J. , Dieckmann K.‐P. 
Published: September 2014

SummaryAs only 60% of the patients with germ cell tumour (GCT) express the classical markers, new markers as for example microRNAs (miRNAs) are required. One promising candidate is miR‐371a‐3p, but data are sparse to date. We measured serum levels of miR‐371a‐3p in GCT patients, in controls, and in cases with other malignancies. We also assessed the expression in other body fluids and we looked to the decline of serum miR‐371a‐3p levels after treatment. miR‐371a‐3p levels were measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction in serum samples of 25 GCT patients, 6 testicular intraepithelial neoplasia (TIN) patients, 20 healthy males and 24 non‐testicular malignancies (NTMs). Testicular vein blood (TVB) was examined in five GCT patients and five controls. Five GCT patients had serial daily measurements after orchiectomy. Five seminal plasma samples, three urine specimens and one pleural effusion fluid were processed likewise. GCT patients had significantly higher miR‐371a‐3p serum levels than controls and NTMs. Serum levels of controls, TINs and NTMs were not significantly different. TVB samples of GCT patients had 65.4‐fold higher serum levels than peripheral blood. Malignant pleural effusion fluid had extremely high levels of miR‐371a‐3p, seminal plasma had strongly elevated levels by comparison with serum levels of controls. In urine of GCT patients, no miR‐371a‐3p expression was detected. Daily measurements after orchiectomy in stage 1 patients revealed a decline by 95% within 24 h. Serum levels of miR‐371a‐3p appear to be a promising specific biomarker of GCTs as is suggested by high serum levels in GCT patients, the rapid return of elevated levels to normal range after treatment, the association of serum levels with tumour bulk, the non‐expression in NTMs and the much higher levels of miR‐371a‐3p in TVB. This potential marker deserves further exploration in a large‐scale clinical study.
Genetic covariance between components of male reproductive success: within‐pair vs. extra‐pair paternity in song sparrows
Authors: Reid J. M. , Arcese P. , Losdat S. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThe evolutionary trajectories of reproductive systems, including both male and female multiple mating and hence polygyny and polyandry, are expected to depend on the additive genetic variances and covariances in and among components of male reproductive success achieved through different reproductive tactics. However, genetic covariances among key components of male reproductive success have not been estimated in wild populations. We used comprehensive paternity data from socially monogamous but genetically polygynandrous song sparrows (Melospiza melodia) to estimate additive genetic variance and covariance in the total number of offspring a male sired per year outside his social pairings (i.e. his total extra‐pair reproductive success achieved through multiple mating) and his liability to sire offspring produced by his socially paired female (i.e. his success in defending within‐pair paternity). Both components of male fitness showed nonzero additive genetic variance, and the estimated genetic covariance was positive, implying that males with high additive genetic value for extra‐pair reproduction also have high additive genetic propensity to sire their socially paired female's offspring. There was consequently no evidence of a genetic or phenotypic trade‐off between male within‐pair paternity success and extra‐pair reproductive success. Such positive genetic covariance might be expected to facilitate ongoing evolution of polygyny and could also shape the ongoing evolution of polyandry through indirect selection.
Genetic determination of female castes in a hybridogenetic desert ant
Authors: Darras H. , Kuhn A. , Aron S. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractIn most social insects, the brood is totipotent and environmental factors determine whether a female egg will develop into a reproductive queen or a functionally sterile worker. However, genetic factors have been shown to affect the female's caste fate in a few ant species. The desert ant Cataglyphis hispanica reproduces by social hybridogenesis. All populations are characterized by the coexistence of two distinct genetic lineages. Queens are almost always found mated with a male of the alternate lineage than their own. Workers develop from hybrid crosses between the genetic lineages, whereas daughter queens are produced asexually via parthenogenesis. Here, we show that the association between genotype and caste in this species is maintained by a ‘hard‐wired’ genetic caste determination system, whereby nonhybrid genomes have lost the ability to develop as workers. Genetic analyses reveal that, in a rare population with multiple‐queen colonies, a significant proportion of nestmate queens are mated with males of their own lineage. These queens fail to produce worker offspring; they produce only purebred daughter queens by sexual reproduction. We discuss how the production of reproductive queens through sexual, intralineage crosses may favour the stability of social hybridogenesis in this species.
The Impact of pH and Sodium Chloride Concentration on the Efficiency of the Process of Separating High‐Molecular Compounds
Authors: Nędzarek Arkadiusz , Drost Arkadiusz , Tórz Agnieszka , Harasimiuk Filip , Kwaśniewski Daniel 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThe aim of the present paper was to analyze the process of ultrafiltration of model protein solutions of bovine serum albumin (BSA) used for ultrafiltration of a ceramic membrane with the cut‐off of 150 kDa. Working solutions were water solutions with 1 g/dm3 BSA concentration, 1% CH3COOH content and characterized by 4, 8 and 12% NaCl concentrations, respectively. The solutions were subjected to the process of ultrafiltration at various pH levels, i.e., 2, 4 and 6. The ultrafiltration tests were conducted at the pressure of 100 kPa and fixed temperature of 293K. The highest values of permeate flux were observed at pH 6 for all ionic strength variants. The lower the pH value, the lower the permeate flux. Concentrations of Na+ and Cl− ions did not have a significant influence on the volume of the permeate flow. At the same time, it was observed that at each pH variant the permeate flux was the lowest at the 4% concentration and was growing at the 8% concentration. The highest degree of protein retention in the membrane was observed when the value of pH equaled 2 (98.5–99.5%) and even though the degree of BSA retention was decreasing as the pH was growing, retention values remained at a high level (on average: 95.5% at pH 6). Obtained research results showed that optimal conditions for conducting the ultrafiltration process of water solutions of BSA characterized by various ionic strengths and with an addition of the acetic acid existed between the protein isoelectric point and the point of zero charge of the ultrafiltration membrane.Practical ApplicationsProcesses of membrane filtration are widely used in the food industry. Process streams of the industry are characterized by a broad pH range and the content of mineral salts or acids. This work may be helpful in the design of industrial filtration systems.
Effects of Barley Flour and Barley Protein Isolate Addition on Rheological and Sensory Properties of Pita Bread
Authors: Alu'datt Muhammad H. , Rababah Taha , Al‐Rabadi Ghaid J. , Ereifej Khalil , Gammoh Sana , Masadeh Nather , Torley Peter J. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThis study was conducted to evaluate the effect of wheat flour containing various levels (0, 5, 10 and 15%) of barley protein isolate (BPI) and barley flour (BF) on sensory (trained panel and consumer panel) and instrumental (texture and color) properties of Pita bread. Increasing the level of BF or BPI in the flour significantly reduced the aromatic flavor attributes of bread. Results demonstrated that the bread made with increasing ratio of fortification of BF in wheat flour reduced the texture attributes, whereas bread made from increasing the ratio of fortification of BPI had a harder texture. Most of the instrumental, descriptive and consumer results showed that the fortification of 5 and 10% BF were similar to control, and acceptable to the panel and consumers.Practical ApplicationsResults indicated that bread made from fortification of wheat flour with 5 and 10% of BF and BPI showed superior physicochemical and sensory properties compared with the control and 15% and suggested to use it in the food industry with consumer demand acceptability.
Comparative Study of Sodium Bicarbonate on Gelling Properties of Alaska Pollock Surimi Prepared at Different Freezing Rates
Authors: Hunt A. , Park J.W. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractSodium bicarbonate (0.05%) and phosphate (0.3%) were combined individually with 5% sorbitol and 4% sugar as cryoprotectant in Alaska pollock surimi. Ten kilograms of prepared surimi were frozen either conventionally (C) (2‐in thick blocks; plate freezer), fast (F) (∼0.25‐in thick sheets; plate freezer), or slow (S) (2‐in thick blocks; blast freezer). The effect of ingredient (sodium bicarbonate [S] or phosphate [P]) and freezing method (C, F or S) were evaluated with regard to gel texture (puncture force and penetration distance), water retention ability, and chemical properties (salt‐soluble proteins [SSPs], total sulfhydryl groups and pH) at 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months frozen storage (−30C). Ingredient, freezing method, and frozen storage period were found to significantly (P < 0.05) affect puncture force, penetration distance, SSPs and water retention ability. Sodium bicarbonate combined with conventional and fast freezing tended to result in improved values for these measurements as well.Practical ApplicationsListing phosphate on the ingredient label of a product is sometimes viewed negatively by consumers. Therefore, finding ingredients to effectively replace phosphate without losing the positive functional abilities of phosphate would be desired. The ability of sodium bicarbonate to meet and exceed performance expectations of phosphate as a cryoprotectant of Alaska pollock fish proteins during 12 months of frozen storage would allow for the effective replacement of phosphate in this application.
Optimization of Ultrasonic and High Hydrostatic Pressure Conditions on Quality Parameters of Mulberry (Morus Moraceae) Juice Using Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Engmann Felix N. , Ma Yongkun , Tchabo William , Ma Hui , Zhang Hainin 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThe Box–Behnken design response surface method was employed to analyze the synergistic effects of manosonication on some quality parameters of mulberry juice. Activity of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) was significantly affected by the linear terms of ultrasonic frequency and pressure, as well as the interaction between ultrasonic frequency and pressurizing time. Peroxidase (POD) was significantly affected by the interaction between ultrasonic time and pressurizing time as well as the quadratic term of ultrasonic time. Yeast and bacteria were inactivated to levels beyond detection. Model desirability prediction at 95% confidence gave optimal manosonication levels as 25.00 kHz, 15.35 min, 376.36 MPa and 10.01 min for ultrasound frequency, ultrasound time, pressure and pressurizing time, respectively. At these optimum levels, the predicted % anthocyanin retained activities of PPO and POD, color brightness, hue angle and chroma were 83.08%, 45.55%, 53.93%, 7.59, 112.09° and 11.74, respectively. The overall desirability index was 0.639.Practical ApplicationsThe independent factor levels used for the manosonication process were adequate to reduce microbial levels to beyond detection, a high percentage of anthocyanin content was retained, residual polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase activities were significantly reduced, while color parameters were minimally affected. Therefore, the optimized manosonication conditions obtained in this work using the response surface methodology provide the industry with the requisite information for adoption and utilization in processing high‐quality mulberry juice as well as other fruit juices. Consumers' continuous request for products with extended shelf life, having fresh‐like taste, while maintaining their nutrients and essential phytochemicals vital for good health, without the use of antimicrobials or heat, could be achieved by manosonication conditions used in this work.