bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Modified Midi‐ and Mini‐Multiplex PCR Systems for Mitochondrial DNA Control Region Sequence Analysis in Degraded Samples
Authors: Kim Na Young , Lee Hwan Young , Park Sun Joo , Yang Woo Ick , Shin Kyoung‐Jin 
Published: February 2013

AbstractTwo multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) systems (Midiplex and Miniplex) were developed for the amplification of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region, and the efficiencies of the multiplexes for amplifying degraded DNA were validated using old skeletal remains. The Midiplex system consisted of two multiplex PCRs to amplify six overlapping amplicons ranging in length from 227 to 267 bp. The Miniplex system consisted of three multiplex PCRs to amplify 10 overlapping short amplicons ranging in length from 142 to 185 bp. Most mtDNA control region sequences of several 60‐year‐old and 400–500‐year‐old skeletal remains were successfully obtained using both PCR systems and consistent with those previously obtained by monoplex amplification. The multiplex system consisting of smaller amplicons is effective for mtDNA sequence analyses of ancient and forensic degraded samples, saving time, cost, and the amount of DNA sample consumed during analysis.
Effect of plant nutrition on aphid size, prey consumption, and life history characteristics of green lacewing
Authors: Aqueel Muhammad A. , Collins Catherine M. , Raza Abu‐bakar M. , Ahmad Shahbaz , Tariq Muhammad , Leather Simon R. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractPlant quality can directly and indirectly affect the third trophic level. The predation by all the instars of green lacewing, Chrysoperla carnea (S.) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) on the cereal aphids, Rhopalosiphum padi (L.), and Sitobion avenae (F.) at varying nitrogen fertilizer levels was calculated under laboratory conditions. Wheat plants were grown on four nitrogen fertilizer levels and aphids were fed on these plants and subsequently offered as food to the C. carnea. Aphid densities of 10, 30, and 90 were offered to first, second, and third instar larvae of green lacewing. Increased nitrogen application improved nitrogen contents of the plants and also the body weight of cereal aphids feeding on them. Aphid consumption by green lacewings was reduced with the increase in nitrogen content in the host plants of aphids. Predation of both aphid species by first, second, and third instars larvae of C. carnea was highest on aphids reared on plants with the lowest rate of fertilization, suggesting a compensatory consumption to overcome reduced biomass (lower aphid size). Total biomass devoured by C. carnea on all nitrogen fertilizer treatments was not statistically different. Additionally, the heavier host prey influenced by the plant nutrition had an effect on the life history characteristics of green lacewings. The larval duration, pupal weight, pupal duration, fecundity, and male and female longevity were significantly affected by the level of nitrogen fertilization to the aphid's host plants, except for pupal duration when fed on S. avenae. This study showed that quantity of prey supplied to the larvae affects the prey consumption and thereafter the life history characteristics of green lacewings.
Potential of Telemedicine to Provide Acute Medical Care for Adults in Senior Living Communities
Authors: Shah Manish N. , McDermott Ryan , Gillespie Suzanne M. , Philbrick Erin B. , Nelson Dallas 
Published: February 2013

AbstractObjectivesOlder adults dwelling in senior living communities (SLCs) often experience barriers to medical care when they experience acute illness. The potential of telemedicine as a substitute for standard routes of evaluating and caring for individuals with acute illness (e.g., in‐person or telephone‐based interactions with primary care providers and emergency department [ED] visits) was explored in this study.MethodsIn this cross‐sectional, observational study, the authors conducted a 6‐month retrospective review of the medical records of adults enrolled in a university‐affiliated geriatrics practice that offers on‐site primary medical care in SLCs. For each episode of acute care, patient demographics, medical history, and chief complaint were collected and presented to an expert panel of physicians, who determined whether telemedicine could have been used to provide acute evaluation and care. The care actually provided, including outcomes, was also noted. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the population and potential for telemedicine care.ResultsThe medical records of 646 patients were reviewed, accounting for 1,535 unique episodes of acute care. The expert panel identified 576 visits (38%) as potentially appropriate for telemedicine‐based acute care, with 38, 47, and 27% of phone, in‐home, and ED visits being eligible, respectively. Chief complaints most likely to be deemed potentially appropriate were falls and dermatologic, respiratory, and gastrointestinal illnesses, representing 58% of visits identified for telemedicine‐based acute care.ConclusionsTelemedicine has a potentially significant role in the provision of acute care for older adults residing in SLCs. Studies are needed to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, effectiveness, and efficiency of acute care telemedicine for this population.
Patients With Atrial Fibrillation and an Alternative Primary Diagnosis in the Emergency Department: A Description of their Characteristics and Outcomes
Authors: Atzema Clare L. , Lam Kevin , Young Christine , Kester‐Greene Nicole 
Published: February 2013

AbstractObjectivesAtrial fibrillation is common in the emergency department (ED). Mortality rates at 30, 90, and 365 days for ED patients with a main diagnosis of atrial fibrillation are 4, 6, and 11%, respectively; there are no data on the characteristics and outcomes of ED patients with atrial fibrillation who have alternative primary ED diagnoses.MethodsIn this single‐site, retrospective cohort study, all electrocardiograms (ECGs) with confirmed atrial fibrillation performed in the ED from April 2007 to March 2008 were identified. Repeat ED visits were excluded. ECGs associated with a primary ED diagnosis of atrial fibrillation were excluded, and from the remaining ECGs of patients with a different primary ED diagnosis, half were randomly selected for abstraction. The main outcome measure was all‐cause mortality at 30, 90, and 365 days post‐ED visit, derived from linkage to a provincewide mortality database. As a secondary analysis, logistic regression was used to compare 90‐day mortality of these patients to those with primary ED diagnoses of atrial fibrillation seen during the same time period.ResultsOf 768 qualifying index ED visits, 416 charts were abstracted. Mean (±standard deviation [SD]) age was 80.3 (±11.8) years, and 50.7% were female. Two‐thirds had a previous history of atrial fibrillation/flutter, 300 (72.1%) had a CHADS2 score ≥ 2, one died in the ED, and 275 (66.1%) were admitted. The most common primary ED diagnoses were congestive heart failure (12%), pneumonia (6%), and chest pain not yet diagnosed (6%), while most common in‐hospital diagnoses were congestive heart failure (15%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation (6%), atrial fibrillation (5%), and pneumonia (5%). Mortalities at 30, 90, and 365 days were 10.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 7.8% to 14.0%), 17.4% (95% CI = 13.9% to 21.5%), and 34.2% (95% CI = 29.6% to 39.0%), respectively. In the adjusted analysis, an alternative primary ED diagnosis was associated with an increased risk of death (odds ratio [OR] = 2.75; p = 0.01).ConclusionsPatients seen in the ED with atrial fibrillation and different primary ED diagnoses are older and have high short‐ and long‐term mortality rates: mortality was three times higher than in patients with primary ED diagnoses of atrial fibrillation. Future studies of atrial fibrillation in the ED should distinguish between these two populations and the potential contribution of atrial fibrillation to mortality in the setting of other primary ED diagnoses.
Efficacy of transconjunctival excision of orbital fat prolapse: a long‐term follow‐up study
Authors: Siban Michael , Weijtens Olga , van den Bosch Willem , Paridaens Dion 
Published: February 2013

Abstract.Purpose:  To describe the long‐term efficacy of transconjunctival excision of subconjunctival orbital fat prolapse.Methods:  Retrospective study of consecutive cases of orbital fat prolapse treated with transconjunctival resection between December 2002 and December 2011.Results:  Thirty‐two eyes of 23 patients (19 males and four females) were included. The lesion was unilateral in 14 and bilateral in nine cases. It was located superotemporally in a majority of cases. Excision was performed by opening the conjunctiva and excising the prolapsing orbital fat. The conjunctival wound was closed with 1–2 interrupted sutures. With an average follow‐up of 29 months (range 4–108), a recurrence was seen in three cases. The average time to recurrence was 46 months (range 40–52 months).Conclusion:  Transconjunctival excision is a simple, safe and effective primary surgical procedure to treat subconjunctival fat prolapse. In our series, the recurrence rate was 9%, but no additional surgery was required. As the average time to recurrence was longer than our average follow‐up, more patients may develop a recurrence in future.
The incretin effect in Korean subjects with normal glucose tolerance or type 2 diabetes
Authors: Oh Tae Jung , Kim Min Young , Shin Ji Yon , Lee Jung Chan , Kim Sungwan , Park Kyong Soo , Cho Young Min 
Published: February 2013

SummaryBackgroundThe incretin effect is known to be decreased in type 2 diabetes. However, there are limited data on the incretin effect in non‐Caucasian subjects. Because Asian patients with type 2 diabetes are characterized by decreased insulin secretion, this study set out to examine the incretin effect in Korean subjects with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) or type 2 diabetes.MethodsWe performed 75‐g oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTTs) and corresponding isoglycaemic intravenous glucose infusion (IIGI) studies in Korean subjects with NGT (n = 14) or type 2 diabetes (n = 16). The incretin effect was calculated based on the incremental area under the curves (iAUCs) of the plasma levels of insulin, C‐peptide or insulin secretion rate (ISR). The plasma levels of total glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) and glucose‐dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) were measured by ELISA.ResultsThe incretin effect was not different between the subjects with NGT and type 2 diabetes (43 ± 6% vs 47 ± 4%, P = 0·575 by insulin; 29 ± 7% vs 38 ± 4%, P = 0·253 by C‐peptide; 28 ± 7% vs 35 ± 5%, P = 0·372 by ISR, respectively). However, the gastrointestinally mediated glucose disposal (GIGD) was markedly decreased in type 2 diabetes (28·5 ± 4·2% vs 59·0 ± 4·3%, P < 0·001). The plasma levels of the total GLP‐1 and GIP during the OGTTs were comparable between the two groups.ConclusionIn Koreans, the secretion of GLP‐1 or GIP during OGTTs and the incretin effect were comparable between subjects with NGT and type 2 diabetes, whereas the GIGD was significantly decreased in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Nutritional indicators and their uses in ecology
Authors: Wagner Nicole D. , Hillebrand Helmut , Wacker Alexander , Frost Paul C. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractThe nutrition of animal consumers is an important regulator of ecological processes due to its effects on their physiology, life‐history and behaviour. Understanding the ecological effects of poor nutrition depends on correctly diagnosing the nature and strength of nutritional limitation. Despite the need to assess nutritional limitation, current approaches to delineating nutritional constraints can be non‐specific and imprecise. Here, we consider the need and potential to develop new complementary approaches to the study of nutritional constraints on animal consumers by studying and using a suite of established and emerging biochemical and molecular responses. These nutritional indicators include gene expression, transcript regulators, protein profiling and activity, and gross biochemical and elemental composition. The potential applications of nutritional indicators to ecological studies are highlighted to demonstrate the value that this approach would have to future studies in community and ecosystem ecology.
Polymorphism of erythrocyte malic enzyme in the goat
Authors: Di Stasio L , Rasero R , Fiandra P , Giaccone P 
Published: February 2013

SummaryThree electrophoretic variants of erythrocyte malic enzyme (ME) in goats were reported. Inheritance data indicate that they are controlled by codominant alleles. The allele frequencies in four Mediterranean populations are given.
Subgingival Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans associates with the risk of coronary artery disease
Authors: Mäntylä Päivi , Buhlin Kåre , Paju Susanna , Persson G. Rutger , Nieminen Markku S. , Sinisalo Juha , Pussinen Pirkko J. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractAimWe investigated the association between angiographically verified coronary artery disease (CAD) and subgingival Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia and Treponema denticola.Materials and MethodsThe cross‐sectional study population (n = 445) comprised 171 (38.4%) patients with Stable CAD, 158 (35.5%) with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and 116 (26.1%) with no significant CAD (No CAD). All patients participated in clinical and radiological oral health examinations. Pooled subgingival bacterial samples were analysed by checkerboard DNA–DNA hybridization assays.ResultsIn all study groups, the presence of P. gingivalis, T. forsythia and T. denticola indicated a significant (p ≤ 0.001) linear association with the extent of alveolar bone loss (ABL), but A. actinomycetemcomitans did not (p = 0.074). With a threshold level of bacterial cells 1 × 105 A. actinomycetemcomitans was significantly more prevalent in the Stable CAD group (42.1%) compared to the No CAD group (30.2%) (p = 0.040). In a multi‐adjusted logistic regression analysis using this threshold, A. actinomycetemcomitans positivity associated with Stable CAD (OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.00–3.35, p = 0.049), but its level or levels of other bacteria did not.ConclusionsThe presence of subgingival A. actinomycetemcomitans associates with an almost twofold risk of Stable CAD independently of alveolar bone loss.
Visualization of evidence‐based medicine domain knowledge: production and citation of cochrane systematic reviews
Authors: Shen Jiantong , Li Youping , Clarke Mike , Du Liang , Wang Li , Zhong Dake 
Published: February 2013

AbstractObjectivesTo evaluate the production and utilization of Cochrane systematic reviews (CSRs) and to analyze its influential factors, so as to improve the capacity of translating CSRs into practice.MethodsAll CSRs and protocols were retrieved from the Cochrane Library (Issue 2, 2011) and citation data were retrieved from SCI database. Citation analysis was used to analyze the situation of CSRs production and utilization.ResultsCSR publication had grown from an annual average of 32 to 718 documents. Only one developing country was among the ten countries with the largest amount of publications. High‐income countries accounted for 83% of CSR publications and 90.8% of cited counts. A total 34.7% of CSRs had a cited count of 0, whereas only 0.9% had been cited more than 50 times. Highly cited CSRs were published in England, Australia, Canada, USA and other high‐income countries. The countries with a Cochrane center or a Cochrane methodology group had a greater capability of CSRs production and citing than others. The CSRs addressing the topics of diseases were more than those targeted at public health issues. There was a big gap in citations of different interventions even on the same topic.ConclusionsThe capability of CSR production and utilization grew rapidly, but varied among countries and institutions, which was affected by several factors such as the capability of research, resources and the applicability of evidence. It is important to improve evidence translation through educating, training and prioritizing the problems based on real demands of end users.
Symbiotic fungi alter plant chemistry that discourages leaf‐cutting ants
Authors: Estrada Catalina , Wcislo William T. , Van Bael Sunshine A. 
Published: February 2013

Summary

Fungal symbionts that live asymptomatically inside plant tissues (endophytes) can influence plant–insect interactions. Recent work has shown that damage by leaf‐cutting ants, a major Neotropical defoliator, is reduced to almost half in plants with high densities of endophytes. We investigated changes in the phenotype of leaves that could influence ants' behavior to result in the reduction of foliar damage.

We produced cucumber seedlings with high and low densities of one common endophyte species, Colletotrichum tropicale. We used the leaves in bioassays and to compare chemical and physical leaf characteristics important for ants' food selection.

Ants cut about one‐third more area of cucumber leaves with lower densities of endophytes and removed c. 20% more paper disks impregnated with the extracts of those leaves compared with leaves and disks from plants hosting the fungus. Colletotrichum tropicale colonization did not cause detectable changes in the composition of volatile compounds, cuticular waxes, nutrients or leaf toughness.

Our study shows that endophytes changed leaf chemistry and suggests that compounds with relative low volatility released after leaf wounding are a major factor influencing foraging decisions by ants when choosing between plants with low or high endophyte loads.
Focal dermal hypoplasia: updates
Authors: Wang L , Jin X , Zhao X , Liu D , Hu T , Li W , Jiang L , Dan H , Zeng X , Chen Q 
Published: February 2013

Focal dermal hypoplasia (FDH), or Goltz–Gorlin syndrome, is a rare syndrome and may result in multisystem disorders. Several reviews of FDH have been published. However, the last comprehensive review of this disorder appeared more than 20 years ago. To date, a number of new clinical manifestations have been reported and considerable knowledge has accumulated regarding etiology and pathogenetic mechanisms. The purpose of this review is to gather these more recent data and to provide organized and reliable information. So we reviewed 159 cases of FDH that had been reported from 1990 to 2012, summarized the new discoveries, and suggested a potential standard for the diagnosis of FDH. We also reported on a Chinese girl with FDH, who was clinically and histologically in accord with FDH, as an example.
A Reprofiled Drug, Auranofin, Is Effective against Metronidazole-Resistant Giardia lamblia
Authors: Tejman-Yarden Noa , Miyamoto Yukiko , Leitsch David , Santini Jennifer , Debnath Anjan , Gut Jiri , McKerrow James H. , Reed Sharon L. , Eckmann Lars 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACT

Giardiasis is one of the most common causes of diarrheal disease worldwide. Treatment is primarily with 5-nitro antimicrobials, particularly metronidazole. Resistance to metronidazole has been described, and treatment failures can occur in up to 20% of cases, making development of alternative antigiardials an important goal. To this end, we have screened a chemical library of 746 approved human drugs and 164 additional bioactive compounds for activity against
Giardia lamblia
. We identified 56 compounds that caused significant inhibition of
G. lamblia
growth and attachment. Of these, 15 were previously reported to have antigiardial activity, 20 were bioactive but not approved for human use, and 21 were drugs approved for human use for other indications. One notable compound of the last group was the antirheumatic drug auranofin. Further testing revealed that auranofin was active in the low (4 to 6)-micromolar range against a range of divergent
G. lamblia
isolates representing both human-pathogenic assemblages A and B. Most importantly, auranofin was active against multiple metronidazole-resistant strains. Mechanistically, auranofin blocked the activity of giardial thioredoxin oxidoreductase, a critical enzyme involved in maintaining normal protein function and combating oxidative damage, suggesting that this inhibition contributes to the antigiardial activity. Furthermore, auranofin was efficacious
in vivo
, as it eradicated infection with different
G. lamblia
isolates in different rodent models. These results indicate that the approved human drug auranofin could be developed as a novel agent in the armamentarium of antigiardial drugs, particularly against metronidazole-resistant strains.
Increased Peritoneal Dialysis Exit Site Infections Using Topical Antiseptic Polyhexamethylene Biguanide Compared to Mupirocin: Results of a Safety Interim Analysis of an Open-Label Prospective Randomized Study
Authors: Findlay Andrew , Serrano Charelle , Punzalan Sally , Fan Stanley L. 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACT
Prophylactic mupirocin for peritoneal catheter exit sites reduces exit site infection (ESI) risk but engenders antibiotic resistance. We present early interim safety analysis of an open-label randomized study comparing polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) and mupirocin. A total of 106 patients randomized to 53 in each group were followed up for a mean of 12.68 months per patient. On safety analysis, the PHMB group had a significantly greater ESI rate than the mupirocin group (odds ratio [OR], 0.26; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.09 to 0.80), leading to discontinuation of the trial.
GRL-0519, a Novel Oxatricyclic Ligand-Containing Nonpeptidic HIV-1 Protease Inhibitor (PI), Potently Suppresses Replication of a Wide Spectrum of Multi-PI-Resistant HIV-1 Variants
In Vitro
Authors: Amano Masayuki , Tojo Yasushi , Salcedo-Gómez Pedro Miguel , Campbell Joseph Richard , Das Debananda , Aoki Manabu , Xu Chun-Xiao , Rao Kalapala Venkateswara , Ghosh Arun K. , Mitsuya Hiroaki 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACT

We report that GRL-0519, a novel nonpeptidic human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) protease inhibitor (PI) containing
tris
-tetrahydrofuranylurethane (
tris
-THF) and a sulfonamide isostere, is highly potent against laboratory HIV-1 strains and primary clinical isolates (50% effective concentration [EC
50
], 0.0005 to 0.0007 μM) with minimal cytotoxicity (50% cytotoxic concentration [CC
50
], 44.6 μM). GRL-0519 blocked the infectivity and replication of HIV-1
NL4-3
variants selected by up to a 5 μM concentration of ritonavir, lopinavir, or atazanavir (EC
50
, 0.0028 to 0.0033 μM). GRL-0519 was also potent against multi-PI-resistant clinical HIV-1 variants isolated from patients who no longer responded to existing antiviral regimens after long-term antiretroviral therapy, highly darunavir (DRV)-resistant variants, and HIV-2
ROD
. The development of resistance against GRL-0519 was substantially delayed compared to other PIs, including amprenavir (APV) and DRV. The effects of nonspecific binding of human serum proteins on GRL-0519's antiviral activity were insignificant. Our analysis of the crystal structures of GRL-0519 (3OK9) and DRV (2IEN) with protease suggested that the
tris
-THF moiety, compared to the
bis
-THF moiety present in DRV, has greater water-mediated polar interactions with key active-site residues of protease and that the
tris
-THF moiety and paramethoxy group effectively fill the S2 and S2′ binding pockets, respectively, of the protease. The present data demonstrate that GRL-0519 has highly favorable features as a potential therapeutic agent for treating patients infected with wild-type and/or multi-PI-resistant variants and that the
tris
-THF moiety is critical for strong binding of GRL-0519 to the HIV protease substrate binding site and appears to be responsible for its favorable antiretroviral characteristics.