bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
DNA repair/replication transcripts are down regulated in patients with Fragile X Syndrome
Authors: Xu Huichun , Rosales-Reynoso Mónica A , Barros-Núñez Patricio , Peprah Emmanuel 
Published: March 2013

Abstract

Background
Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) and its associated disorders are caused by the expansion of the CGG repeat in the 5’ untranslated region of the fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene, with disease classification based on the number of CGG repeats. The mechanisms of repeat expansion are dependent on the presence of cis elements and the absence of trans factors both of which are not mutually exclusive and contribute to repeat instability. Expansions associated with trans factors are due to the haploinsuffient or reduced expression of several DNA repair/metabolizing proteins. The reduction of expression in trans factors has been primarily conducted in animal models without substantial examination of many of these expansion mechanisms and trans factors in humans.

Results
To understand the trans factors and pathways associated with trinucleotide repeat expansion we have analyzed two microarray datasets which characterized the transcript expression in patients with FXS and in controls.

Conclusion
We observed significant down regulation of DNA damage/repair pathway transcripts. This observation was consistent in both datasets, which used different populations. Within these datasets, several transcripts overlapped in the direction of association and fold change. Further characterization of these genes will be critical to understand their role in trinucleotide repeat instability in FXS.
The Effect of Heat Treatments and Degradation Behavior of High-Rate Dischargeability in Ti-V-based Alloys as Anode Materials for Nickel-Metal-Hydride Batteries
Authors: Wu Y. F. , Liu Y. N. , Li C.S. , Zhang Y. P. , Zhang S. N. , Ma X. B. , Chen Y. Z. , Xi Z. P. 
Published: March 2013

Abstract
The phase structure and electrochemical properties of TiV2.1Ni0.4Zr0.06Cu0.03Cr0.1 alloys as anode materials for nickel-metal-hydride batteries treated at different temperatures were investigated. The alloys mainly consist of a bcc (V,Ti)H0.81 main phase and a network structure of hcp C14 laves phase, along the grain boundaries of the main phase. The lattice distortion is induced to a large extent for the sample treated at 1123 K. The electrochemical measurements indicate that the maximum discharge capacity of this sample is decreased, but improved cycling stability and high-rate dischargeability (HRD) are achieved. The deterioration behavior of the HRD for Ti-V-based alloys is discussed in the paper.
Craniofacial Cephalometric Morphology and Later Need for Orthognathic Surgery in 6-Year-Old Children with Bilateral Cleft Lip and Palate
Authors: Heliövaara Arja , Leikola Junnu , Hukki Jyri 
Published: March 2013

Objective Six-year-old children with bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP) were examined to evaluate the need for orthognathic surgery later in life and to cephalometrically compare the craniofacial morphology of those needing orthognathic surgery with those not needing surgery. Design Retrospective longitudinal study. Patients Thirty-eight consecutive nonsyndromic patients with BCLP (29 boys). Main Outcome Measures Children with BCLP were analyzed from lateral cephalograms taken at a mean age of 6.1 years (range 5.8 to 6.6 years). The need for orthognathic surgery in these patients was determined from hospital records at the mean age of 18.2 years (range 15.5 to 20.2 years). Student's t test and chi-square test were used in statistical analysis. Results The overall frequency of maxillary or bimaxillary osteotomy was 66% (25 of 38). The patients needing maxillary or bimaxillary osteotomies had flatter soft tissue profiles (n-sn-gn), shorter lower facial heights (ANS-ME), and smaller mean values of the ANB angle (sagittal maxillomandibular relationship) at the age of 6 years than those who did not. ANB angle was the most significant predictor for later osteotomy. Despite individual variation, all children (n = 13) whose ANB angle was less than 7°, needed later orthognathic surgery; whereas, none of those whose ANB angle was greater than 12.5° (n = 6) needed maxillary osteotomies. Conclusions Two thirds of children with BCLP needed orthognathic surgery later in life. Half of the children who needed later osteotomies could be identified at the age of 6 years by having an ANB angle less than 7°.
Under Which Conditions are Whistleblowing “Best Practices” Best?
Authors: Zhang Jian , Pany Kurt , Reckers Philip M. J. 
Published: March 2013

SUMMARY:
Public companies are required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 to establish an anonymous reporting (whistleblowing) channel for employee reporting of questionable accounting practices. Corporate audit committees are provided flexibility in implementing this requirement and a controversial choice is the type of reporting channel. Most commentators argue that “best practices” call for an externally administered “hotline.” To examine the efficacy of externally administered versus internally administered channels we conducted a behavioral experiment. Our results reveal a significant main effect with reporting intentions being greater if the hotline is administered externally. We then examine whether this finding is robust across selected environmental and employee-specific conditions and find that it is not. Our results suggest that the primary reporting benefits of an externally administered hotline are for organizations with a history of poor responsiveness to whistleblowing and for employees registering relatively low on the proactivity scale. Specifically, we find that an externally administered hotline obtains higher reporting intentions under conditions wherein a previous incidence of whistleblowing notably failed to achieve a good outcome. Also, this effect is only statistically significant for participants registering as relatively low on a “proactivity” scale.
Pertraction of methylene blue using a mixture of D2EHPA/M2EHPA and sesame oil as a liquid membrane
Authors: Kazemi Pezhman , Peydayesh Mohammad , Bandegi Alireza , Mohammadi Toraj , Bakhtiari Omid 
Published: March 2013

AbstractAn experimental study on the pertraction of methylene blue (MB) through a supported liquid membrane (SLM) using a mixture of mono-(2-etylhexyl) ester of phosphoric acid (M2EHPA) and bis-(2-etylhexyl) ester of phosphoric acid (D2EHPA) and sesame oil as the liquid membrane (LM) was performed. Parameters affecting the pertraction of MB such as initial MB concentration, carrier concentration, feed phase pH, and stripping phase concentration were analyzed. Optimal experimental conditions for MB pertraction (permeability of 5.63 × 10−6) were obtained after a 7 h separation with the MB concentration in the feed phase of 80 mg L−1, D2EHPA/M2EHPA concentration in membrane phase of 40 vol. %, feed pH of 6, and acetic acid concentration in the stripping phase of 0.4 mol L−1. Kinetics of transport and stability of the SLM system were also studied and the mass transfer coefficient for this system was evaluated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to morphologically characterize the membrane surface.
Pension Funds, the Requirement of Providing the Minimum Guaranteed Return and Excessive Legislative Restrictions of Pension Fund Investments
Authors: Markovič Hribernik Tanja , Jakopanec Igor 
Published: March 2013

Abstract
To reduce the exposure of the pension fund's members to financial risks, legislation in Slovenia and some other countries promises a so-called minimum guaranteed return and at the same time hinders the portfolio diversification process of pension funds. We intend to demonstrate in this article, on a case study basis and using a combination of empirical data from two Slovenian pension funds and a hypothetical one, that by precisely matching the investments' characteristics to the characteristics of the pension fund's liabilities, some important financial risks can be mitigated, while others can even be hedged entirely. We also intend to demonstrate that with the implementation of a proper policy of risk measurement and management, complemented with stress testing practices, excessive legislative restrictions for investments are no longer necessary. Some restrictions can even hinder portfolio diversification and the risk management process.
Employment-adjusted Human Development Index
Authors: Mihci Hakan , Tolga Taner Mehmet , Sezen Bulent 
Published: March 2013

Abstract
Purpose - The current HDI has a limited capacity to reflect the human condition and country rankings in an accurate way. In addition, the main critiques on the HDI suggest that it uses very few or perhaps the wrong indicators in measuring human development levels in countries. This paper aims to investigate whether the inclusion of employment as a criterion in the HDI would yield a different ranking of nations.
Design/methodology/approach - In this study, estimates of the proposed Employment-adjusted Human Development Index (E-HDI) are provided for seventy-seven countries for the 2000-2007 period, and comparisons are made both for changes in the human development index (HDI) and rankings over time in each country and for differences between the E-HDI and the UNDP’s HDI across countries.
Findings - The experience of a relatively large number of 77 sample countries has offered promising results for the path to improve the current status of the HDI, and hence, to overcome its weakness in terms of ranking of countries. The additional indicator, i.e. employment, improves the explanatory power of the HDI and makes significant contributions to its reliability.
Research limitations/implications - The major limitation of the present study has been the lack of data for a number of the human development indicators for the rest of the countries in the world.
Practical implications - The employment-adjusted index has great potential to make the HDI more operational.
Social implications - By means of E-HDI, the human development performance of the countries can be better evaluated and compared with other countries by using additional information obtained from the employment position of their citizens.
Originality/value - This will be the first paper in the literature that incorporates employment into the HDI..
Acute toxicity of vipoxin and its components: is the acidic component an “inhibitor” of PLA2 toxicity?
Authors: Atanasov Vasil N. , Stoykova Silviya , Goranova Yana , Mitewa Mariana , Petrova Svetla 
Published: March 2013

ABSTRACT
Vipoxin is a heterodimeric neurotoxin isolated from the venom of the Bulgarian long-nosed viper Vipera ammodytes meridionalis. Vipoxin represents a noncovalent association of two subunits - a basic and toxic phospholipase A2 enzyme, and an acidic nonenzymatic component (vipoxin’s acidic component). It was postulated that the phospholipase A2 subunit was more toxic than the whole vipoxin complex and the function of the acidic component was to reduce the enzymatic and toxic activities of the basic phospholipase A2. In the present study, we report new data on the acute toxicity (LD50) of vipoxin and its individual separated components. Vipoxin LD50 (mice, i.p. and i.v.) values were found to be 0.7-1.2 mg/kg b.w. (i.p.) and 0.9-1.3 mg/kg b.w. (i.v.). The established LD50 values for the separated pure phospholipase A2 subunit are higher - 10.0-13.0 mg/kg b.w (i.p.) and 2.2-3.0 mg/kg b.w. (i.v.), i.e. the individual phospholipase A2 subunit displays less toxic activity than vipoxin, contrary to the data published in the literature. The reconstituted vipoxin complex (obtained after preliminary incubation of pure separated phospholipase A2 and acidic component showed enzyme activity and toxicity comparable to that of the native vipoxin complex. Addition of acidic component to the phospholipase A2 subunit showed a positive effect on the enzymatic activity, reaching maximal enzyme reaction rate of acidic component to phospholipase A2 molar ratio of 0.8:1 on using 4-nitro-3-octanoyloxy-benzoic acid as substrate. For the first time we showed that the acidic subunit was absolutely required for the toxic activity of vipoxin. Based on the obtained results, we assume that the function of the acidic component is to stabilize the neurotoxin’s quaternary structure, required for its toxic and enzymatic activities, similarly to the role of the acidic component of crotoxin.
Treatment of comminuted tibial shaft fractures in four dogs with the use of interlocking nail connected with type I external fixator
Authors: Piórek A. , Adamiak Z. , Jaskólska M. , Zhalniarovich Y. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractThe treatment of comminuted tibial shaft fractures in canine patients is burdened by significant risk which involves bone healing complications, such as delayed bone union. Complications may result from iatrogenic damage to blood vessels during fracture stabilization. To minimize this risk, treatment methods increasingly often rely on the concept of biological osteosynthesis. One of such methods involves the treatment of fractures with the use of new hybrid fixator consisted of an interlocking nail connected with type I external fixator. Connection of the nail with external fixator has been recently developed to maximize treatment efficiency. This manner of stabilization increases bone-fixator construct strength on forces acting in the place of fracture. It also enables fracture fixation with minimal damage of the blood supply of bone fragments. This article describes surgical procedure of stabilization of comminuted tibial bone fractures in four dogs by the use of interlocking nail connected with external fixator type I, discusses and evaluates the results of clinical treatment with the involvement of the said fixator. To control bone consolidation process the radiograms were taken in 6 and 8 week of healing.In all cases, the reviewed methods of clinical treatment were successful in producing bone union after eight week of healing. During the whole period of observations no complication was observed. In all cases the intramedullary nail were left in the medullary canal after the healing process was finished. The fixator supported quick restoration of limb function after treatment.
The use of percutaneous abdominal ultrasound examination in diagnosing equine small intestinal disorders
Authors: Porzuczek A. , Kiełbowicz Z. , Haines G. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractIn equine field practice, the diagnosis of small intestinal disorders is usually based on the presence of distended loops on rectal palpation and large volumes of reflux obtained after the passage of a nasogastric tube. Percutaneous abdominal ultrasound examination has been widely utilized in both human and small animal internal medicine in most cases of gastrointestinal discomfort. The purpose of this study was to identify which measurable parameters were important in reaching a diagnosis of small intestinal abnormality and determining treatment options. Horses of various age, sex and breed were involved in this research. Identifying the number of areas where distended loops of small intestine (SI) were detected, their diameter in cross section and motility were the most important parameters identified when formulating a prognosis.
Characterization of bacteria of the genus Staphylococcus isolated from the eggs of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)
Authors: Pyzik E. , Marek A. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractThe study attempted to analyse and characterize bacteria of the genusStaphylococcusisolated from the surface and contents of quail eggs, taking into account their phenotypic properties, biochemical reactions, antibiotic sensitivity patterns, and PCR to test for the presence of themecA gene, which is responsible for resistance to methicillin. The study included 45 strains of the genusStaphylococcusisolated from the whites, yolks and shells of table quail eggs. The results obtained indicate that a fairly high percentage of the retail quail eggs tested were contaminated withStaphylococcusbacteria. Among the species isolated (11 in total), the most frequently occurring strains were ofStaphylococcus hominis(26.7%), followed byStaphylococcus aureus(15.6%),S.xylosusandS. lentus(13.3% each), while percentages of the otherStaphylococcusspecies were under 10%. TheStaphylococcusstrains tested had highly differentiated biochemical and enzymatic properties. As many as 7 biotypes were distinguished among the 7S. aureusisolates, 6 biotypes within the speciesS. xylosus(6 strains tested), 5 biotypes among the 6 strains ofS. lentus, but only 4 biotypes among the 12S. hominisstrains. The antibiotic sensitivity testing showed 15.5% of the strains to be resistant to one or more of the therapeutic agents tested. Moreover, some isolates exhibited intermediate sensitivity to the drugs, particularly to gentamicin (24.4%), neomycin (31.1%), streptomycin (46.7%) and Linco-Spectin (48.9%).
Changes in the SUSPPUP ratio and fractional excretion of strong monovalent electrolytes in hospitalized dogs with canine babesiosis
Authors: Zygner W. , Gójska-Zygner O. , Wędrychowicz H. 
Published: March 2013

Abstract
In this study an increased SUSPPUP ratio and fractional excretion of potassium in dogs infected with Babesia canis suggested mineralocorticoid excess in canine babesiosis. A significant increase in strong monovalent electrolyte fractional excretions in azotaemic dogs infected with B. canis probably resulted from acute tubular necrosis.
The value of Fluorescence Polarisation Assay in verification of problematic sera from pigs for brucellosis
Authors: Weiner M. , Szulowski K. , Iwaniak W. 
Published: March 2013

Abstract
The aim of the study was an evaluation of fluorescence polarisation assay (FPA) as a potential tool improving specificity of serological diagnosis of brucellosis in pigs. The evaluation was done by comparing the results of FPA with the results of rose bengal test (RBT), serum agglutination test (SAT), complement fixation test (CFT) and ELISA when false positive sera were tested. One hundred ninety porcine samples, reacting positively in at least one classical serological assay were used. We observed that among 198 sera, 104 were also positive in FPA. The studies confirmed that porcine FPA adds little as far as specificity in comparison to other methods is concerned.
Residues of veterinary medicinal products and coccidiostats in eggs – causes, control and results of surveillance program in Poland
Authors: Piątkowska M. , Jedziniak P. , Żmudzki J. 
Published: March 2013

Abstract
The use of veterinary medicinal products in food producing animals for a variety of purposes causes that their residues may be presented in edible tissues. As a result, in concern of public health, European Union Countries establish each year monitoring plans and they control the levels of harmful substances in food of animal origin. This paper presents survey of residues of veterinary medicinal products and coccidiostats in eggs for Poland and European Union in years 2007-2010. Despite the decrease in reported non-compliant results for coccidiostats, the numbers were still higher than those for veterinary medicines. The most often determined coccidiostats were: nicarbazin, dinitrocarbanilide, salinomycin and lasalocid, and the most often reported non-compliant results for veterinary medicines were: antimicrobials, enrofloxacin and doxycycline.
Genetic trends of some important dairy traits of crossbred cows at Baghabarighat milk shed area in Bangladesh
Authors: Hossen MS , Hossain SS , Bhuiyan AKFH , Hoque MA , Amin MR 
Published: March 2013

Data on 3637 cows of seven genetic groups at Baghabarighat milk shed area during the period from 1991 to 2000 were analyzed. The genetic groups were Pabna Milking (PM) cows, ½PM×½ Sahiwal (PM×SL), ½PM×½Friesian (PM×FN), Australian Friesian Sahiwal (AFS), ½Sahiwal×¼PM×¼ Friesian [SL(PM×FN)], ½Friesian×¼PM×¼Sahiwal [FN(PM×SL)] and ½Friesian×¼Sahiwal×¼Jersey [FN(SL× JR)]. The purpose of this study was to estimate genetic trends of some dairy traits (birth weight, lactation yield, fat% and SNF %). The heritability values were estimated as 0.27±0.05 for birth weight, 0.45±0.03 for lactation yield, 0.37±0.04 for fat% and 0.46±0.01 for SNF %. The genetic trends for the dairy traits were computed as average of breeding values using all data for cows born during 1991- 2000. It was observed that the genetic trend of birth weight of calves increased in PM×SL, PM×FN, AFS and FN(SL×JR) at the rate of 0.08, 0.10, 0.12 and 0.05 kg per year, respectively. The same for lactation yield of genetic group PM×FN, AFS, SL(PM×FN) and FN (SL×JR) rose up at the rate of 6.78, 5.20, 4.14 and 5.19 liters per year, respectively. The genetic group PM, PM×SL and PM×FN showed negative trend for fat % at the rate of 0.0005, 0.002 and 0.004% per year, respectively. But the same increased in AFS, SL(PM×FN), FN(PM×SL) and FN(SL×JR) at the rate of 0.002, 0.013, 0.011 and 0.004% per year, respectively. The genetic trend of SNF % in only one group showed negative trend in PM×SL at the rate of 0.01 % per year. On the contrary, PM, PM×FN, AFS, SL(PM×FN), FN(PM×SL) and FN (SL×JR) increased at the rate of 0.005, 0.010, 0.011, 0.0002, 0.014 and 0.003% per year, respectively. The high genetic variability of birth weight, lactation yield, fat and SNF% indicated that there are good opportunities for genetic improvement when including these traits in a selection scheme.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjas.v41i2.14103Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2012. 41 (2): 67-73
Meat yield characteristics of three genotypes of ducks in coastal region of Bangladesh
Authors: Islam MA , Khan MJ , Debi MR , Rahman MM 
Published: March 2013

A study was conducted to determine the meat yield characteristics of Khaki Campbell, Jinding and Deshi duck in two coastal locations of Barisal and Bhola districts of Bangladesh. Sixty day-old ducklings of three genotypes of duck were randomly allocated to 3 treatments having 4 replications in each genotype. Ducklings are reared up to 150 days and at the end of experiment, one male duck of highest live weight was selected from each replication in the morning before feeding and dissected to determine the meat yield characteristics. Significant (p<0.01) differences were found between different genotypes in carcass weight and dressed weight of ducks. Significant (p<0.01) differences were also observed for weight of breast, thigh, leg, shank and drumstick weight as well as dressing percentage. Dressed weight and dressing percentage in Khaki Campbell was significantly (p<0.01) higher than that of the Jinding and Deshi genotypes. Considering the parameters studied both Khaki Campbell and Jinding ducks may be suggested to rear in the coastal region of Bangladesh.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjas.v41i2.14121Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2012. 41 (2): 79-82