bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Paediatric thyroid cancer: the Scottish experience
Authors: Douglas CM , MacGregor FB 
Published: April 2013

Background and aims Paediatric thyroid cancer is a rare disease, making diagnosis and treatment particularly challenging. Here we present the Scottish experience of thyroid cancer in the paediatric population and give an overview of how a child or adolescent that presents with a thyroid nodule should be investigated and managed. Methods and results Data has been obtained from ISD Scotland, giving population-based information on paediatric thyroid cancer. A literature review has been performed on the management and treatment of thyroid cancer in the younger population. Paediatric thyroid cancer in Scotland is a rare disease, although the incidence is increasing each year. In general, differentiated paediatric thyroid cancer carries a good prognosis, while the results are more mixed in the rarer pathologies such as medullary cancer. Conclusion Due to the small numbers of patients diagnosed each year in Scotland, it is imperative that these patients are discussed at a multidisciplinary thyroid MDT and managed in a tertiary referral centre by consultants and medical/nursing support staff who have experience in treating these patients.
On a new semilocal convergence analysis for the Jarratt method
Authors: Argyros Ioannis K , Cho Yeol Je , Khattri Sanjay Kumar 
Published: April 2013

AbstractWe develop a new semilocal convergence analysis for the Jarratt method. Through our new idea of recurrent functions, we develop new sufficient convergence conditions and tighter error bounds. Numerical examples are also provided in this study.MSC:65H10, 65G99, 65J15, 47H17, 49M15.
WEP: a high-performance analysis pipeline for whole-exome data
Authors: D'Antonio Mattia , D'Onorio De Meo Paolo , Paoletti Daniele , Elmi Berardino , Pallocca Matteo , Sanna Nico , Picardi Ernesto , Pesole Graziano , Castrignanò Tiziana 
Published: April 2013

Abstract

Background
The advent of massively parallel sequencing technologies (Next Generation Sequencing, NGS) profoundly modified the landscape of human genetics.
In particular, Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) is the NGS branch that focuses on the exonic regions of the eukaryotic genomes; exomes are ideal to help us understanding high-penetrance allelic variation and its relationship to phenotype. A complete WES analysis involves several steps which need to be suitably designed and arranged into an efficient pipeline.
Managing a NGS analysis pipeline and its huge amount of produced data requires non trivial IT skills and computational power.

Results
Our web resource WEP (Whole-Exome sequencing Pipeline web tool) performs a complete WES pipeline and provides easy access through interface to intermediate and final results. The WEP pipeline is composed of several steps:
1) verification of input integrity and quality checks, read trimming and filtering; 2) gapped alignment; 3) BAM conversion, sorting and indexing; 4) duplicates removal; 5) alignment optimization around insertion/deletion (indel) positions; 6) recalibration of quality scores; 7) single nucleotide and deletion/insertion polymorphism (SNP and DIP) variant calling; 8) variant annotation; 9) result storage into custom databases to allow cross-linking and intersections, statistics and much more. In order to overcome the challenge of managing large amount of data and maximize the biological information extracted from them, our tool restricts the number of final results filtering data by customizable thresholds, facilitating the identification of functionally significant variants. Default threshold values are also provided at the analysis computation completion, tuned with the most common literature work published in recent years.

Conclusions
Through our tool a user can perform the whole analysis without knowing the underlying hardware and software architecture, dealing with both paired and single end data. The interface provides an easy and intuitive access for data submission and a user-friendly web interface for annotated variant visualization.
Non-IT mastered users can access through WEP to the most updated and tested WES algorithms, tuned to maximize the quality of called variants while minimizing artifacts and false positives.
The web tool is available at the following web address: http://www.caspur.it/wep
Differential expression of two novel odorant receptors in the locust (Locusta migratoria)
Authors: Xu Haozhi , Guo Mei , Yang Ying , You Yinwei , Zhang Long 
Published: April 2013

Abstract

Background
Olfaction in animals is important for host localization, mating and reproduction in heterogeneous chemical environments. Studying the molecular basis of olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) systems can elucidate the evolution of olfaction and associated behaviours. Odorant receptors (ORs) in insects have been identified, particularly in the holometabolous model Drosophila, and some of them have been functionally studied. However, ORs in the locust—a hemimetabolous model insect and the most important insect crop pest—have not yet been identified, hindering our understanding of locust olfaction. Here, we report for the first time four putative ORs in Locusta migratoria: LmigOR1, LmigOR2, LmigOR3 and LmigOR4.

Results
These four putative OR genes encoded proteins with amino acids of 478, 436, 413 and 403 respectively. Sequence identity among them ranged from 19.7% to 35.4%. All ORs were tissue-specifically expressed in olfactory organs, without sex-biased characteristics. However, LmigOR1, LmigOR3 and LmigOR4 were only expressed in the antenna, while LmigOR2 could also be detected in mouthparts. In situ hybridization demonstrated that the LmigOR1antisense probe labelled olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) in almost all segments of the antenna, but only a few segments housed ORNs expressing LmigOR2. The number of neurons labelled by LmigOR1 antisense probes in each antennal segment was much greater (>10 neurons/segment) than that labelled by LmigOR2 probes (generally 1–3 neurons/segment). Furthermore, some of the labelled neurons could be attributed to the basiconic sensilla, but LmigOR1 and LmigOR2 were expressed in different subtypes.

Conclusions
Our results strongly suggested that these newly discovered genes encode locust ORs and the differential expression patterns of LmigOR1 and LmigOR2 implied distinct functions. These results may offer insights into locust olfaction and contribute to the understanding of the evolution of insect chemoreception.
Remifentanil ameliorates intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury
Authors: Cho Steven SC , Rudloff Ina , Berger Philip J , Irwin Michael G , Nold Marcel F , Cheng Wei , Nold-Petry Claudia A 
Published: April 2013

Abstract

Background
Intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) can occur in clinical scenarios such as organ transplantation, trauma and cardio-pulmonary bypass, as well as in neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis or persistent ductus arteriosus. Pharmacological protection by pretreating (“preconditioning”) with opioids attenuates IRI in a number of organs. Remifentanil appears particularly attractive for this purpose because of its ultra-short duration of action and favorable safety profile. To date, little is known about opioid preconditioning of the intestine.

Methods
Young adult C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to receive tail vein injections of 1 μg/kg of remifentanil or normal saline and underwent either ischemia-reperfusion of the intestine or a sham laparotomy. Under isoflurane anesthesia, the mice were subjected to intestinal ischemia-reperfusion by occlusion (clamping) of the superior mesenteric artery for 30 min, followed by unclamping and 60 min of reperfusion. After completion of this protocol, tissue injury and lipid peroxidation in jejunum and ileum were analyzed by histology and malondialdehyde (MDA), respectively. Systemic interleukin (IL)-6 was determined in the plasma by ELISA.

Results
Pretreatment with remifentanil markedly reduced intestinal IRI (P < 0.001): In the ileum, we observed a more than 8-fold decrease in injured villi (4% vs 34% in saline-pretreated animals). In fact, the mucosa in the remifentanil group was as healthy as that of sham-operated animals. This protective effect was not as pronounced in the jejunum, but the percentage of damaged villi was still reduced considerably (18% vs 42%). There was up to 3-fold more tissue MDA after intestinal ischemia-reperfusion than after sham laparotomy, but this increase in lipid peroxidation was prevented by preconditioning with remifentanil (P < 0.05). The systemic inflammatory response triggered by intestinal IRI was significantly attenuated in mice pretreated with remifentanil (159 vs 805 pg/ml of IL-6 after saline pretreatment, with 92 pg/ml in the sham groups). After sham operations, no difference was detected between the saline- and remifentanil-pretreatments in any of the parameters investigated.

Conclusion
Preconditioning with remifentanil attenuates intestinal IRI and the subsequent systemic inflammatory response in mice. We therefore suggest that prophylaxis with this ultra-short-acting opioid may be advantageous in various clinical scenarios of human IRI.
Cross-sectional dietary deficiencies among a prison population in Papua New Guinea
Authors: Gould Camilla , Tousignant Benoit , Brian Garry , McKay Robert , Gibson Rosalind , Bailey Karl , Venn Bernard J 
Published: April 2013

AbstractBackgroundTo investigate the dietary adequacy of prisoners of Beon Prison, Madang, Papua New Guinea in response to a report of possible nutritional deficiency.MethodsWe undertook an observational, cross-sectional study. All 254 male inmates (May 2010) were eligible to answer a validated interview-based questionnaire; to have a comprehensive dietary assessment; and to provide blood for biochemical analysis (α-tocopherol, β-carotene, lutein, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folate, homocysteine, zinc, ferritin, and vitamins A, B12and C). Prison guards were invited to participate as a comparison group.Results148 male prisoners (58.3%) and 13 male prison guards participated. Prison rations consisted of white rice fortified with thiamin, niacin, and iron, tinned tuna, tinned corned beef, water crackers, and black tea, with occasional intakes of fruit and vegetables. Some prisoners received supplementary food from weekend visitors. From assessment of the prisoners dietary data, median intakes of calcium (137 mg), potassium (677 mg), magnesium (182 mg), riboflavin (0.308 mg), vitamin A (54.1 μg), vitamin E (1.68 mg), vitamin C (5.7 mg) and folate (76.4 μg) were found to be below estimated average requirements (EAR).Following are the prisoners median (P25, P75) concentration of circulating nutrients and the percentage of prisoners with levels below normal reference ranges or recognized cut-off values: serum retinol 0.73 (0.40, 1.21) μmol/L, 46% below 0.7 μmol/L; plasma folate 2.0 (1.4, 2.6) nmol/L, 98% below 6.8 nmol/L; plasma vitamin C 6.3 (1.0, 19.3) μmol/L, 64% below 11.4 μmol/L; serum zinc 9.9 (8.8, 11.1) μmol/L, 66% below 10.7 μmol/L. Guards had diets with a higher dietary diversity that were associated with greater intakes of nutrients and biomarker concentrations.ConclusionsThe prisoners diets are likely lacking in several micronutrients and recommendations for dietary change have been made to the prison authorities. Ongoing vigilance is required in prisons to ensure the basic human right of access to a nutritionally adequate diet is being observed.
Replication stress induces specific enrichment of RECQ1 at common fragile sites FRA3B and FRA16D
Authors: Lu Xing , Parvathaneni Swetha , Hara Toshifumi , Lal Ashish , Sharma Sudha 
Published: April 2013

AbstractBackgroundStalled replication forks at common fragile sites are a major cause of genomic instability. RecQ helicases, a highly conserved family of DNA-unwinding enzymes, are believed to ease ‘roadblocks’ that pose challenge to replication fork progression. Among the five known RecQ homologs in humans, functions of RECQ1, the most abundant of all, are poorly understood. We previously determined that RECQ1 helicase preferentially binds and unwinds substrates that mimic DNA replication/repair intermediates, and interacts with proteins involved in DNA replication restart mechanisms.MethodWe have utilized chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by quantitative real-time PCR to investigate chromatin interactions of RECQ1 at defined genetic loci in the presence or absence of replication stress. We have also tested the sensitivity of RECQ1-depleted cells to aphidicolin induced replication stress.ResultsRECQ1 binds to the origins of replication in unperturbed cells. We now show that conditions of replication stress induce increased accumulation of RECQ1 at the lamin B2 origin in HeLa cells. Consistent with a role in promoting fork recovery or repair, RECQ1 is specifically enriched at two major fragile sites FRA3B and FRA16D where replication forks have stalled following aphidicolin treatment. RECQ1-depletion results in attenuated checkpoint activation in response to replication stress, increased sensitivity to aphidicolin and chromosomal instability.ConclusionsGiven a recent biochemical observation that RECQ1 catalyzes strand exchange on stalled replication fork structures in vitro, our results indicate that RECQ1 facilitates repair of stalled or collapsed replication forks and preserves genome integrity. Our findings provide the first evidence of a crucial role for RECQ1 at naturally occurring fork stalling sites and implicate RECQ1 in mechanisms underlying common fragile site instability in cancer.
Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 2 contributes to neuroinflammation and neurological dysfunction in mouse experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
Authors: Kamboj Amit , Lu Ping , Cossoy Michael B , Stobart Jillian L , Dolhun Brian A , Kauppinen Tiina M , de Murcia Gilbert , Anderson Christopher M 
Published: April 2013

Abstract

Background
Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is an animal model of multiple sclerosis characterized by entry of activated T cells and antigen presenting cells into the central nervous system and subsequent autoimmune destruction of nerve myelin. Previous studies revealed that non-selective inhibition of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs) 1 and 2 protect against neuroinflammation and motor dysfunction associated with EAE, but the role of the PARP-2 isoform has not yet been investigated selectively.

Results
EAE was induced in mice lacking PARP-2, and neurological EAE signs, blood-spine barrier (BSB) permeability, demyelination and inflammatory infiltration were monitored for 35 days after immunization. Mice lacking PARP-2 exhibited significantly reduced overall disease burden and peak neurological dysfunction. PARP-2 deletion also significantly delayed EAE onset and reduced BSB permeability, demyelination and central nervous system (CNS) markers of proinflammatory Th1 and Th17 T helper lymphocytes.

Conclusions
This study represents the first description of a significant role for PARP-2 in neuroinflammation and neurological dysfunction in EAE.
How does a surgeon’s brain buzz? An EEG coherence study on the interaction between humans and robot
Authors: Bocci Tommaso , Moretto Carlo , Tognazzi Silvia , Briscese Lucia , Naraci Megi , Leocani Letizia , Mosca Franco , Ferrari Mauro , Sartucci Ferdinando 
Published: April 2013

Abstract

Introduction
In humans, both primary and non-primary motor areas are involved in the control of voluntary movements. However, the dynamics of functional coupling among different motor areas have not been fully clarified yet. There is to date no research looking to the functional dynamics in the brain of surgeons working in laparoscopy compared with those trained and working in robotic surgery.

Experimental procedures
We enrolled 16 right-handed trained surgeons and assessed changes in intra- and inter-hemispheric EEG coherence with a 32-channels device during the same motor task with either a robotic or a laparoscopic approach. Estimates of auto and coherence spectra were calculated by a fast Fourier transform algorithm implemented on Matlab 5.3.

Results
We found increase of coherence in surgeons performing laparoscopy, especially in theta and lower alpha activity, in all experimental conditions (M1 vs. SMA, S1 vs. SMA, S1 vs. pre-SMA and M1 vs. S1; p < 0.001). Conversely, an increase in inter-hemispheric coherence in upper alpha and beta band was found in surgeons using the robotic procedure (right vs. left M1, right vs. left S1, right pre-SMA vs. left M1, left pre-SMA vs. right M1; p < 0.001).

Discussion
Our data provide a semi-quantitative evaluation of dynamics in functional coupling among different cortical areas in skilled surgeons performing laparoscopy or robotic surgery. These results suggest that motor and non-motor areas are differently activated and coordinated in surgeons performing the same task with different approaches. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that tried to assess semi-quantitative differences during the interaction between normal human brain and robotic devices.
Deficit of theory of mind after temporal lobe cerebral infarction
Authors: Xi Chunhua , Zhu Youling , Zhu Chunyan , Song Daohui , Wang Yongguang , Wang Kai 
Published: April 2013

Abstract

Background
Previous studies have indicated that the temporal lobe is involved in theory of mind (ToM). However, little attention has been paid to ToM in patients with cerebral infarction. In this study, we investigated the ability of ToM in patients with temporal lobe cerebral infarction (TLCI) using a variety of tests.

Methods
In the study, 19 patients with TLCI and 20 healthy controls (HC) were examined using the Recognition of faux pas and the Reading the Mind in the Eyes (RME) tasks, to assess their ability of ToM.

Results
The results of the study indicated that the TLCI group performed significantly worse compared with the HC group as revealed in the total faux pas-related score and in emotion recognition (Mind Reading).

Conclusions
Our results implied that patients with TLCI had difficulty in ToM. Our data provided new evidence that the temporal lobe may be involved in processing ToM inferences.
GPA-14, a Gαi subunit mediates dopaminergic behavioral plasticity in C. elegans
Authors: Mersha Mahlet , Formisano Rosaria , McDonald Rochelle , Pandey Pratima , Tavernarakis Nektarios , Harbinder Singh 
Published: April 2013

Abstract

Background
Precise levels of specific neurotransmitters are required for appropriate neuronal functioning. The neurotransmitter dopamine is implicated in modulating behaviors, such as cognition, reward and memory. In the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, the release of dopamine during behavioral plasticity is in part modulated through an acid-sensing ion channel expressed in its eight dopaminergic neurons. A D2-like C. elegans dopamine receptor DOP-2 co-expresses along with a Gαi subunit (GPA-14) in the anterior deirid (ADE) pair of dopaminergic neurons.

Findings
In follow-up experiments to our recently reported in vitro physical interaction between DOP-2 and GPA-14, we have behaviorally characterized worms carrying deletion mutations in gpa-14 and/or dop-2. We found both mutants to display behavioral abnormalities in habituation as well as associative learning, and exogenous supply of dopamine was able to revert the observed behavioral deficits. The behavioral phenotypes of dop-2 and gpa-14 loss-of-function mutants were found to be remarkably similar, and we did not observe any cumulative defects in their double mutants.

Conclusion
Our results provide genetic and phenotypic support to our earlier in vitro results where we had shown that the DOP-2 dopamine receptor and the GPA-14 Gαi subunit physically interact with each other. Results from behavioral experiments presented here together with our previous in-vitro work suggests that the DOP-2 functions as a dopamine auto-receptor to modulate two types of learning, anterior touch habituation and chemosensory associative conditioning, through a G-protein complex that comprises GPA-14 as its Gα subunit.
Clinical and molecular epidemiology of veterinary blastomycosis in Wisconsin
Authors: Anderson Jennifer L , Sloss Brian L , Meece Jennifer K 
Published: April 2013

AbstractBackgroundSeveral studies have shown thatBlastomyces dermatitidis, the etiologic agent of blastomycosis, is a genetically diverse pathogen. Blastomycosis is a significant health issue in humans and other mammals. Veterinary and human isolates matched with epidemiological case data from the same geographic area and time period were used to determine: (i) if differences in genetic diversity and structure exist between clinical veterinary and human isolates ofB. dermatitidisand (ii) if comparable epidemiologic features differ among veterinary and human blastomycosis cases.ResultsGenetic typing of 301 clinicalB. dermatitidisisolates produced 196 haplotypes (59 unique to veterinary isolates, 134 unique to human isolates, and 3 shared between canine and human isolates). Private allelic richness was higher in veterinary (median 2.27) compared to human isolates (median 1.14) (p = 0.005).Concordant with previous studies, two distinct genetic groups were identified among all isolates. Genetic group assignment was different between human and veterinary isolates (p< 0.001), with more veterinary isolates assigned to Group 2.The mean age of dogs diagnosed with blastomycosis was 6 years. Thirty cases were in male dogs (52%) and 24 were females (41%). The breed of dog was able to be retrieved in 38 of 58 cases with 19 (50%) being sporting breeds. Three of four felines infected with blastomycosis were domestic shorthair males between ages 6–12, and presented with disseminated disease. The other was a lynx with pulmonary disease. The equine isolate was from an 11-year-old male Halflinger with disseminated disease. Disseminated disease was reported more often in veterinary (62%) than human cases (19%) (p< 0.001).ConclusionsIsolates from all hosts clustered largely into previously identified genetic groups, with 3 haplotypes being shared between human and canine isolates confirming thatB. dermatitidisisolates capable of infecting both species occur in nature. Allelic diversity measures trended higher in veterinary samples, with a higher number of total alleles and private alleles. Veterinary isolates ofB. dermatitidiscontributed a substantial amount of diversity to the overall population genetic structure demonstrating the importance of including veterinary isolates in genetic studies of evolution and virulence in this organism.
Persufflation (gaseous oxygen perfusion) as a method of heart preservation
Authors: Suszynski Thomas M , Rizzari Michael D , Scott William E , Eckman Peter M , Fonger James D , John Ranjit , Chronos Nicolas , Tempelman Linda A , Sutherland David ER , Papas Klearchos K 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
Persufflation (PSF; gaseous oxygen perfusion) is an organ preservation technique with a potential for use in donor heart preservation. Improved heart preservation with PSF may improve outcomes by maintaining cardiac tissue quality in the setting of longer cold ischemia times and possibly increasing the number of donor hearts available for allotransplant. Published data suggest that PSF is able to extend the cold storage times for porcine hearts up to 14 hours without compromising viability and function, and has been shown to resuscitate porcine hearts following donation after cardiac death. This review summarizes key published work on heart PSF, including prospective implications and future directions for PSF in heart transplantation. We emphasize the potential impact of extending preservation times and expanding donor selection criteria in heart allotransplant. Additionally, the key issues that need to be addressed before PSF were to become a widely utilized preservation strategy prior to clinical heart transplantation are summarized and discussed.