bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Changes in Serum Levels of Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Nerve Growth Factor‐Beta in Schizophrenic Patients Before and After Treatment
Authors: Ajami A. , Hosseini S. H. , Taghipour M. , Khalilian A. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractSchizophrenia is one of the most debilitating diseases among psychiatric disorders. Recent studies suggest the existence of effective immunological changes in the pathophysiology of this disease. The purpose of the current study was to determine the changes in serum levels of Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) and Nerve Growth Factor‐beta (NGF) in schizophrenic patients before treatment and 40 days after treatment. In this case‐control study, serum levels of BDNF and NGF were measured by ELISA in 26 patients with schizophrenia and 26 healthy controls. All patients were treated with clozapine or risperidone for 40 days. A positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS) questionnaire has been used to recognize the severity of the disease and to assess the response to treatment. Neurotrophin concentrations were compared before and after the treatment and with control groups using paired t‐test and ANOVA test. BDNF and NGF levels in the case group were more than levels after treatment, but these differences were significant only for NGF. Concentrations in both neurotrophins were higher than the control group. The statistically significant difference was observed between changes in the NGF levels in the case and the control group, while no significant difference was seen in changes of BDNF. The main conclusion to be drawn from this study was that the increase in BDNF and particularly NGF may have an important role in causing schizophrenia. And possibly drugs clozapine and risperidone help to treat the disease by reducing the concentration of Neurotrophins.
F1 Cross‐Breed Between Susceptible BALB/c and Resistant Swiss mice Infected with Leishmania major Exhibit an Intermediate Phenotype for Lesion Sizes and Type 1 Cytokines but Show Low Level of Total IgG Antibodies
Authors: Kiige S. G. , Mutiso J. M. , Laban L. T. , Khayeka‐Wandabwa C. , Anjili C. O. , Ingonga J. , Gicheru M. M. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractOur current understanding of the host immune response during leishmaniases largely derives from studies performed in mice due to the intrusive techniques required to study infected human patients. Swiss mice are highly resistant to Leishmania infections in concordance with observed response in humans, while BALB/c mice indicate a high‐susceptibility phenotype. Developing a cross‐breed between BALB/c and Swiss mice may have important consequences on disease development, immune responses and parasite killing, as yet, response of the cross‐breed to Leishmania infection is superficial. The aim of the present study was to determine disease course and immune responses in F1 cross‐breed between BALB/c and Swiss albino mice infected with L. major. Three mice groups were infected intradermally with stationary‐phase L. major parasites with parental strains (BALB/c and Swiss albino) as controls. Lesion development was monitored weekly for 8 weeks and monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP‐1), macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP‐1α), interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ) and IgG antibody quantified by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. The data were analysed using one‐way analysis of variance and Tukey–Kramer test. Results indicated F1 mice having intermediate lesion sizes, type 1 cytokine levels and footpad parasite loads as compared to the parental strains. However, the F1 mice had low levels of IgG antibodies and parasite burden in the spleen. (P < 0.05). This study concludes that the F1 cross‐breed between resistant and susceptible mice may be used as a requisite model to study the role of genetics in leishmaniases and perhaps other intracellular parasites.
Integrating Theories of Psychological Needs‐as‐Requirements and Psychological Needs‐as‐Motives: A Two Process Model
Authors: Prentice Mike , Halusic Marc , Sheldon Kennon M. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractTwo conceptions of psychological needs predominate within contemporary motivational science. Motive disposition theory conceives of needs as behavioral motives which direct behavior (needs‐as‐motives), while self‐determination theory conceives of needs as universally required experiences for optimal functioning (needs‐as‐requirements). Until recently, these perspectives on psychological needs have proceeded without much intersection, despite the fact that they address the same fundamental concept. Here we summarize the Two Process Model of Psychological Needs, which attempts to bridge these two conceptions. We argue that psychological needs are best defined as tendencies to seek out certain basic types of psychosocial experiences, to a somewhat varying extent across individuals, and to feel good and thrive when those basic experiences are obtained, to the same extent across individuals. We suggest that this definition allows a reconciliation of needs‐as‐motives and needs‐as‐requirements perspectives and a more consilient science of human motivation. Empirical support for the TPM is also summarized.
Evidence‐based training and mentorship combined with enhanced outcomes surveillance to address the leading causes of neonatal mortality at the district hospital level in Ghana
Authors: Brantuo Mary N. A. , Cristofalo Elizabeth , Meheš Mira M. , Ameh Juliana , Brako Nana Okai , Boahene Frederick , Adjei Stella B. , Opoku Ernest , Banda Harriet , Wang Yu T. , Forgor Abdulai A. , Punguire Damien , Brightson Kennedy , Sottie Cynthia , Owusu‐Agyei Seth , Williams John E. , Sulemana Abubakari , Oduro Abraham R. , Gyampong Margaret , Sarpong Doris , Andrews Edith , Gyansa‐Lutterodt Martha , Hodgson Abraham , Bannerman Cynthia , Abdullah Fizan 
Published: February 2014

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the impact of a district hospital intervention focused on enhancing healthcare provider capacity to address leading causes of neonatal death: birth asphyxia, infection and prematurity.MethodsThe neonatal quality improvement initiative was launched at two intervention referral district hospitals in Ghana. Local Health and Demographic Surveillance Systems were enlisted to enhance recording of neonatal and infant deaths in the community and at the facility. After baseline site assessments, a team of local paediatric experts conducted three clinical trainings on‐site at each intervention hospital. Assessments were conducted to evaluate participant knowledge before and after participation in training modules. Monthly mentorship visits provided additional training to support the adoption of essential early neonatal care practices.ResultsIn the first year of implementation, the initiative provided focused clinical training to 278 participants. A comparison of pre‐ and post‐training test results demonstrates significant improvement in provider knowledge (73% vs. 89% correct, P < 0.001), with even greater improvement among trainees receiving recurrent refresher training (86% vs. 94% correct, P < 0.001). Participant feedback following training revealed enthusiasm about the programme and improved confidence.ConclusionsLocally led initiatives that invest directly in healthcare provider education and health systems strengthening represent a promising avenue for reducing neonatal morbidity and mortality. The NQI initiative demonstrates the positive impact of a district hospital intervention that combines on‐site training, mentorship and enhanced demographic surveillance.
Laser Optical Sensor, a Label-Free On-Plate Salmonella enterica Colony Detection Tool
Authors: Singh Atul K. , Bettasso Amanda M. , Bae Euiwon , Rajwa Bartek , Dundar Murat M. , Forster Mark D. , Liu Lixia , Barrett Brent , Lovchik Judith , Robinson J. Paul , Hirleman E. Daniel , Bhunia Arun K. 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACT

We investigated the application capabilities of a laser optical sensor, BARDOT (
b
a
cterial
r
apid
d
etection using
o
ptical scatter
t
echnology) to generate differentiating scatter patterns for the 20 most frequently reported serovars of
Salmonella enterica
. Initially, the study tested the classification ability of BARDOT by using six
Salmonella
serovars grown on brain heart infusion, brilliant green, xylose lysine deoxycholate, and xylose lysine tergitol 4 (XLT4) agar plates. Highly accurate discrimination (95.9%) was obtained by using scatter signatures collected from colonies grown on XLT4. Further verification used a total of 36 serovars (the top 20 plus 16) comprising 123 strains with classification precision levels of 88 to 100%. The similarities between the optical phenotypes of strains analyzed by BARDOT were in general agreement with the genotypes analyzed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). BARDOT was evaluated for the real-time detection and identification of
Salmonella
colonies grown from inoculated (1.2 × 10
2
CFU/30 g) peanut butter, chicken breast, and spinach or from naturally contaminated meat. After a sequential enrichment in buffered peptone water and modified Rappaport Vassiliadis broth for 4 h each, followed by growth on XLT4 (~16 h), BARDOT detected
S
. Typhimurium with 84% accuracy in 24 h, returning results comparable to those of the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service method, which requires ~72 h. BARDOT also detected
Salmonella
(90 to 100% accuracy) in the presence of background microbiota from naturally contaminated meat, verified by 16S rRNA sequencing and PFGE. Prolonged residence (28 days) of
Salmonella
in peanut butter did not affect the bacterial ability to form colonies with consistent optical phenotypes. This study shows BARDOT’s potential for nondestructive and high-throughput detection of
Salmonella
in food samples.

IMPORTANCE
High-throughput screening of food products for pathogens would have a significant impact on the reduction of food-borne hazards. A laser optical sensor was developed to screen pathogen colonies on an agar plate instantly without damaging the colonies; this method aids in early pathogen detection by the classical microbiological culture-based method. Here we demonstrate that this sensor was able to detect the 36
Salmonella
serovars tested, including the top 20 serovars, and to identify isolates of the top 8
Salmonella
serovars. Furthermore, it can detect
Salmonella
in food samples in the presence of background microbiota in 24 h, whereas the standard USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service method requires about 72 h.
Transcriptomic Characterization of the Novel Avian-Origin Influenza A (H7N9) Virus: Specific Host Response and Responses Intermediate between Avian (H5N1 and H7N7) and Human (H3N2) Viruses and Implications for Treatment Options
Authors: Josset Laurence , Zeng Hui , Kelly Sara M. , Tumpey Terrence M. , Katze Michael G. 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACT

A novel avian-origin H7N9 influenza A virus (IAV) emerged in China in 2013, causing mild to lethal human respiratory infections. H7N9 originated with multiple reassortment events between avian viruses and carries genetic markers of human adaptation. Determining whether H7N9 induces a host response closer to that with human or avian IAV is important in order to better characterize this emerging virus. Here we compared the human lung epithelial cell response to infection with A/Anhui/01/13 (H7N9) or highly pathogenic avian-origin H5N1, H7N7, or human seasonal H3N2 IAV. The transcriptomic response to H7N9 was highly specific to this strain but was more similar to the response to human H3N2 than to that to other avian IAVs. H7N9 and H3N2 both elicited responses related to eicosanoid signaling and chromatin modification, whereas H7N9 specifically induced genes regulating the cell cycle and transcription. Among avian IAVs, the response to H7N9 was closest to that elicited by H5N1 virus. Host responses common to H7N9 and the other avian viruses included the lack of induction of the antigen presentation pathway and reduced proinflammatory cytokine induction compared to that with H3N2. Repression of these responses could have an important impact on the immunogenicity and virulence of H7N9 in humans. Finally, using a genome-based drug repurposing approach, we identified several drugs predicted to regulate the host response to H7N9 that may act as potential antivirals, including several kinase inhibitors, as well as FDA-approved drugs, such as troglitazone and minocycline. Importantly, we validated that minocycline inhibited H7N9 replication
in vitro
, suggesting that our computational approach holds promise for identifying novel antivirals.

IMPORTANCE
Whether H7N9 will be the next pandemic influenza virus or will persist and sporadically infect humans from its avian reservoir, similar to H5N1, is not known yet. High-throughput profiling of the host response to infection allows rapid characterization of virus-host interactions and generates many hypotheses that will accelerate understanding and responsiveness to this potential threat. We show that the cellular response to H7N9 virus is closer to that induced by H3N2 than to that induced by H5N1, reflecting the potential of this new virus for adaptation to humans. Importantly, dissecting the host response to H7N9 may guide host-directed antiviral development.
Finite Solvable Groups Whose Character Degree Graphs Are Not Complete
Authors: Zhang Jiping 
Published: February 2014

In this paper, we characterize the finite solvable groups with non-complete character degree graphs by proving the following theorem, which generalizes a conjecture by Huppert. Suppose that G is a finite solvable group and p is a prime number dividing the degree of some irreducible character of G. If there is another such prime number q such that pq does not divide the degree of any irreducible character of G, then both p-length ℓp(G) and q-length ℓq(G) of G are at most two, and ℓp(G)+ ℓq(G)=4 if and only if pq=6 with QG/Zφ(QG)≅ 32:GL(2,3), where QG is generated by all Sylow 2-subgroups of G and Zφ(G) is a normal nilpotent subgroup of G. Moreover, the bounds are best possible.
Performance comparison of portable XRF instruments
Authors: Brand N. W. , Brand C. J. 
Published: February 2014

Portable XRF instruments are effective tools to provide ‘fit for purpose’ qualitative chemical data that are precise but typically very inaccurate. Under standardized test conditions, the analytical performance of portable XRF instruments varies significantly between individual instruments from the same manufacturer, and between manufacturers using similar instruments. The precision of the instruments to repeat a constant element concentration from a single sample is typically very good (<5 % RSD); however, the accuracy is generally poor to very poor with huge concentration differences in some elements. For example, Al measured from the same NIST standard reference material (NIST 2709a, an agricultural soil) by six Olympus-Innov-X Delta Premium instruments ranged from 2.56 to 7.93 % Al whilst two Thermo-Niton XL3t GOLD+ instruments gave values of 2.14 and 2.33 % Al against the certified value of 7.37 % Al.
After two to five months, repeat analysis by the same instruments under the same conditions shows a measurable deterioration in element concentration, with elements of lower atomic number, Al and Si, the worst affected; for example, the Si response from the Olympus-Innov-X Delta Premium and Thermo-Niton XL3t GOLDD+ instruments deteriorated up to 43 % and 40 %, respectively. This deterioration in the instruments’ performance was observed in all instruments evaluated.
Lithium-ion battery packs, a key to the instruments’ portability, can have a measurable effect on the precision and accuracy of the data with an instant 0.05 % concentration change in Fe (from 3.39 to 3.44 % Fe) during a routine battery pack change. Batteries’ serial numbers should be recorded to monitor these effects and corrections applied.
Each instrument provides uniquely individual data that should not be combined with data from any other units without appropriate post-processing or recalibration. To significantly improve the quality and value of the pXRF data, a calibration procedure appropriate to the material(s) being evaluated should be implemented with regular baseline data collected to ensure instrument and data stability. Over time, matrix calibrations need to be verified with the instrument undergoing a manufacturer’s recalibration when control limits deteriorate significantly.
Evaluation of Antidiabetic and Antioxidant Properties ofBrucea javanicaSeed
Authors: Ablat Abdulwali , Mohamad Jamaludin , Awang Khalijah , Shilpi Jamil A. , Arya Aditya 
Published: February 2014

The ethanol extract ofB. javanicaseed was fractionated with solvents of different polarities and tested for antioxidant activities by several assays including DPPH radical scavenging activity, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), ferrous ion chelating activity (FCA), and nitric oxide radical scavenging activity (NORSA) along with their polyphenolic contents. Antidiabetic activity was evaluated both in vitro and in vivo using a glycogen phosphorylaseα(GPα) inhibition assay and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in nondiabetic rats. The ethyl acetate fraction (EAF), rich in tannin, exhibited the strongest antioxidant activities to DPPH, FRAP, and NORSA, except for FCA. The EAF also exerted a dose-depended inhibition of GPα(IC50= 0.75 mg/ml). Further evaluation of hypoglycemic effect on OGGT indicated that rats treated with EAF (125 mg/kg bw) showed a 39.91% decrease (P < 0.05) in blood glucose levels at 30 min, and continuous fall (P < 0.05) of 28.89% and 20.29% was observed in the following hours (60 and 90 min) compared to the normal control during OGTT. The EAF was applied to polyamide column chromatography, and the resulting tannin-free fraction was tested for both GPαinhibition and antioxidant (DPPH only) activity. The GPαinhibitory activity was retained, while antioxidant activity was lost (4.6-fold) after tannin removal. These results concluded that the GPαinhibitory activity initially detected was primarily due to the compounds other than tannins, whereas antioxidant activity was mainly due to the tannins.
Angiographic Validation of the American College of Cardiology Foundation–The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Collaboration on the Comparative Effectiveness of Revascularization Strategies Study
Authors: Chakrabarti Anjan K. , Grau-Sepulveda Maria V. , O’Brien Sean , Abueg Cassandra , Ponirakis Angelo , Delong Elizabeth , Peterson Eric , Klein Lloyd W. , Garratt Kirk N. , Weintraub William S. , Gibson C. Michael 
Published: February 2014

Background—
The goal of this study was to compare angiographic interpretation of coronary arteriograms by sites in community practice versus those made by a centralized angiographic core laboratory.

Methods and Results—
The study population consisted of 2013 American College of Cardiology–National Cardiovascular Data Registry (ACC–NCDR) records with 2- and 3- vessel coronary disease from 54 sites in 2004 to 2007. The primary analysis compared Registry (NCDR)-defined 2- and 3-vessel disease versus those from an angiographic core laboratory analysis. Vessel-level kappa coefficients suggested moderate agreement between NCDR and core laboratory analysis, ranging from kappa=0.39 (95% confidence intervals, 0.32–0.45) for the left anterior descending artery to kappa=0.59 (95% confidence intervals, 0.55–0.64) for the right coronary artery. Overall, 6.3% (n=127 out of 2013) of those patients identified with multivessel disease at NCDR sites had had 0- or 1-vessel disease by core laboratory reading. There was no directional bias with regard to overcall, that is, 12.3% of cases read as 3-vessel disease by the sites were read as <3-vessel disease by the core laboratory, and 13.9% of core laboratory 3-vessel cases were read as <3-vessel by the sites. For a subset of patients with left main coronary disease, registry overcall was not linked to increased rates of mortality or myocardial infarction.

Conclusions—
There was only modest agreement between angiographic readings in clinical practice and those from an independent core laboratory. Further study will be needed because the implications for patient management are uncertain.
Improved Historical Temperature and Precipitation Time Series for U.S. Climate Divisions
Authors: Vose Russell S. , Applequist Scott , Squires Mike , Durre Imke , Menne Matthew J. , Williams Claude N. , Fenimore Chris , Gleason Karin , Arndt Derek 
Published: February 2014

AbstractThis paper describes an improved edition of the climate division dataset for the conterminous United States (i.e., version 2). The first improvement is to the input data, which now include additional station networks, quality assurance reviews, and temperature bias adjustments. The second improvement is to the suite of climatic elements, which now includes both maximum and minimum temperatures. The third improvement is to the computational approach, which now employs climatologically aided interpolation to address topographic and network variability. Version 2 exhibits substantial differences from version 1 over the period 1895–2012. For example, divisional averages in version 2 tend to be cooler and wetter, particularly in mountainous areas of the western United States. Division-level trends in temperature and precipitation display greater spatial consistency in version 2. National-scale temperature trends in version 2 are comparable to those in the U.S. Historical Climatology Network whereas version 1 exhibits less warming as a result of historical changes in observing practices. Divisional errors in version 2 are likely less than 0.5°C for temperature and 20 mm for precipitation at the start of the record, falling rapidly thereafter. Overall, these results indicate that version 2 can supersede version 1 in both operational climate monitoring and applied climatic research.
Large-Eddy Simulation of Stratified Turbulence. Part I: A Vortex-Based Subgrid-Scale Model
Authors: Chung Daniel , Matheou Georgios 
Published: February 2014

Abstract
The stretched-vortex subgrid-scale (SGS) model is extended to enable large-eddy simulation of buoyancy-stratified turbulence. Both stable and unstable stratifications are considered. The extended model retains the anisotropic form of the original stretched-vortex model, but the SGS kinetic energy and the characteristic SGS eddy size are modified by buoyancy subject to two constraints: first, the SGS kinetic energy dynamics is determined by stationary and homogeneous conditions, and second, the SGS eddy size obeys a scaling analogous to the Monin–Obukhov similarity theory. The SGS model construction, comprising an ensemble of subgrid stretched-vortical structures, naturally limits vertical mixing but allows horizontal mixing provided the alignment of the SGS vortex ensemble is favorable, even at high nominal gradient Richardson numbers. In very stable stratification, the model recovers the z-less limit, in which a vortex-based Obukhov length controls the SGS dynamics, while in very unstable stratification, the model recovers the free-convection limit, in which a vortex-based Deardorff velocity controls the SGS dynamics. The efficacy of the present SGS model is demonstrated by simulating the canonical stationary and homogeneous, stratified sheared turbulence at high Reynolds numbers and moderately high Richardson numbers. In the postprocessing, the SGS dynamics of the stretched-vortex model is further interrogated to yield predictions of buoyancy-adjusted one-dimensional SGS spectra and SGS root-mean-square velocity-derivative fluctuations.