bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Left ventricular geometrical differences in dogs with various stages of myxomatous mitral valve disease
Authors: Suzuki R. , Matsumoto H. , Teshima T. , Mochizuki Y. , Koyama H. 
Published: April 2013

ObjectivesTo evaluate left ventricular geometry in dogs with various stages of myxomatous mitral valve disease.MethodsNinety‐seven dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease classified by the International Small Animal Cardiac Health Council system and 20 weight‐ and age‐matched healthy dogs. Left ventricular long‐axis to short‐axis ratio, sphericity index in end‐diastole and end‐systole, left ventricular wall thickness to internal dimension ratio and relative wall thickness were assessed.ResultsThe diastolic sphericity index was lower in classes Ib, II and III than in healthy dogs (P=0·003, P<0·001 and P<0·001) and was also lower in class III than in classes Ia, Ib and class II dogs (P<0·001, P<0·001 and P=0·002). The relative wall thickness was lower in classes II and III than in class Ia (P=0·003 and P<0·001), class Ib (P=0·004 and P<0·001), and healthy dogs (P<0·001 and P<0·001) and was also lower in class III than in class II (P=0·005).Clinical SignificanceSphericity index and relative wall thickness are simple methods for assessing left ventricular geometry using two‐dimensional echocardiography that may be useful in myxomatous mitral valve disease dogs as part of risk stratification.
A comparison between fixation methods of femoral diaphyseal fractures in cats – a retrospective study
Authors: Könning T. , Maarschalkerweerd R. J. , Endenburg N. , Theyse L. F. H. 
Published: April 2013

ObjectivesTo compare the outcome of three different fixation methods and to determine prognostic factors in cats with diaphyseal femoral fractures.MethodsRetrospective analysis of case records of cats with diaphyseal femoral fractures surgically corrected using external fixators, bone plate or plate‐rod construct. Outcome was evaluated by estimating the time to bone healing and by calculating the complication rate.ResultsIn total, an external fixator was used in 30 cases, a bone plate in 20 cases and a plate‐rod construct in 56 cases. All methods were successful in achieving bone healing without significant differences. There was a significant difference between the categorized complication rates between the treatment groups. The external fixation group had the most complications overall. When only the major and catastrophic complications were taken into account, it had the fewest complications. The plate‐rod construct had the fewest complications overall, with most being major complications. The bone plate group had a complication rate between that of the external fixation and plate‐rod construct groups. It had the most catastrophic complications in relative terms.Clinical SignificanceThere was no statistically significant difference in the time to achieve bone healing but there was a significant difference in categorized complication rates between the groups.
Measuring and interpreting trait‐based selection versus meta‐community effects during local community assembly
Authors: Shipley Bill 
Published: April 2013

AbstractQuestions(1) How can one quantify the relative importance of meta‐community processes related to immigration, local trait‐based habitat filtering, and demographic stochasticity using the Community Assembly by Trait Selection (CATS) model in a general context? (2) How can this generalization be used to detect different strengths and directions in trait selection at the meta‐community and local community levels?MethodsI describe a decomposition of the deviance between observed and predicted relative abundances based on a maximum entropy model including a meta‐community prior (CATS) and generalize a previous decomposition of relative abundance using this model; corrections to avoid negative explained proportions of deviance are presented. Simulations of community assembly are used to explore its properties and elucidate its interpretation. In particular, this method quantifies the proportion of the total deviance between observed and predicted relative abundances attributed to: (1) pure trait‐based local selection, (2) dispersal mass effect from the meta‐community, (3) joint contributions of (1) and (2) that cannot be separated; and (4) residual deviance due to demographic stochasticity.Results and ConclusionsThe previous decomposition, while giving correct values in that particular data set, requires modification in order to avoid nonsensical negative values. When the modifications described in this paper are made, the decomposition provides correct values. Furthermore, positive or negative values of the joint composition inform us of the importance and direction of correlations between local trait‐based selection and processes occurring in the larger meta‐community.
Functional requirements for bacteriophage growth: gene essentiality and expression in mycobacteriophage Giles
Authors: Dedrick Rebekah M. , Marinelli Laura J. , Newton Gerald L. , Pogliano Kit , Pogliano Joseph , Hatfull Graham F. 
Published: April 2013

SummaryBacteriophages represent a majority of all life forms, and the vast, dynamic population with early origins is reflected in their enormous genetic diversity. A large number of bacteriophage genomes have been sequenced. They are replete with novel genes without known relatives. We know little about their functions, which genes are required for lytic growth, and how they are expressed. Furthermore, the diversity is such that even genes with required functions – such as virion proteins and repressors – cannot always be recognized. Here we describe a functional genomic dissection of mycobacteriophage Giles, in which the virion proteins are identified, genes required for lytic growth are determined, the repressor is identified, and the transcription patterns determined. We find that although all of the predicted phage genes are expressed either in lysogeny or in lytic growth, 45% of the predicted genes are non‐essential for lytic growth. We also describe genes required for DNA replication, show that recombination is required for lytic growth, and that Giles encodes a novel repressor. RNAseq analysis reveals abundant expression of a small non‐coding RNA in a lysogen and in late lytic growth, although it is non‐essential for lytic growth and does not alter lysogeny.
The nuclear mRNA export receptor Mex67‐Mtr2 of Trypanosoma brucei contains a unique and essential zinc finger motif
Authors: Dostalova Anna , Käser Sandro , Cristodero Marina , Schimanski Bernd 
Published: April 2013

SummaryTrypanosoma brucei is the causative agent of Human African Trypanosomiasis. Trypanosomes are early diverged protozoan parasites and show significant differences in their gene expression compared with higher eukaryotes. Due to a lack of individual gene promoters, large polycistronic transcripts are produced and individual mRNAs mature by trans‐splicing and polyadenylation. In the absence of transcriptional control, regulation of gene expression occurs post‐transcriptionally mainly by control of transcript stability and translation. Regulation of mRNA export from the nucleus to the cytoplasm might be an additional post‐transcriptional event involved in gene regulation. However, our knowledge about mRNA export in trypanosomes is very limited. Although export factors of higher eukaryotes are reported to be conserved, only a few orthologues can be readily identified in the genome of T. brucei. Hence, biochemical approaches are needed to identify the export machinery of trypanosomes. Here, we report the functional characterization of the essential mRNA export factor TbMex67. TbMex67 contains a unique and essential N‐terminal zinc finger motif. Furthermore, we could identify two interacting export factors namely TbMtr2 and the karyopherin TbIMP1. Our data show that the general heterodimeric export receptor Mex67‐Mtr2 is conserved throughout the eukaryotic kingdom albeit exhibiting parasite‐specific features.
Regulation of haemolysin (VvhA) production by ferric uptake regulator (Fur) in Vibrio vulnificus: repression of vvhA transcription by Fur and proteolysis of VvhA by Fur‐repressive exoproteases
Authors: Lee Hyun‐Jung , Kim Jeong‐A , Lee Mi‐Ae , Park Soon‐Jung , Lee Kyu‐Ho 
Published: April 2013

SummaryVvhA produced by Vibrio vulnificus exhibits cytolytic activity to human cells including erythrocytes. Since haemolysis by VvhA may provide iron for bacterial growth and pathogenicity, we investigated the expression of VvhA to elucidate the regulatory roles of Fur, a major transcription factor controlling iron‐homeostasis. Fur repressed the transcription of vvhBA operon via binding to the promoter region. However, haemolysin content and haemolytic activity were lowered in cell‐free supernatant of fur mutant. This discrepancy between the levels of vvhA transcript and VvhA protein in fur mutant was caused by exoproteolytic activities of the elastase VvpE and another metalloprotease VvpM, which were also regulated by Fur. vvpE gene expression was repressed by Fur via binding to the Fur‐box homologous region. Regulation of VvpM expression by Fur did not occur at the level of vvpM transcription. In vitro proteolysis assays showed that both proteases efficiently degraded VvhA. In addition, the extracellular levels of VvhA were higher in culture supernatants of vvpE or vvpM mutants than in the wild type. Thus this study demonstrates that Fur regulates haemolysin production at the transcription level of the vvhBA operon and at the post‐translation level by regulating the expressions of two VvhA‐degrading exoproteases, VvpE and VvpM.
Is fungal foot infection the initiating and maintaining cause of knee osteoarthritis?
Authors: Řenč Arnošt 
Published: April 2013

SummarySo far fungal foot infection (FFI) has been considered as troubling, however, not dangerous, by the general public as well as doctors. Nevertheless, new immunology information and anatomy dispositions led us to the distinct suspicions. We propose a FFI–induced knee joint osteoarthritis (OA) model. We suppose repeated recurrences of fungal foot disease to be the initiating immunology impulse. The aim of the work is to introduce a new model and to determine antigen epitopes initiating and maintaining the knee OA using computer simulation. Freely accessible immunological databases and servers were used in this search. Presentable antigen epitopes in Trichophyton rubrum dermatophyte products were identified for molecules of the six most abundant alleles of DRB1 locus of human major histocompatibility complex. Subsequently, similar sequences in human joint peptides (collagens, aggrecan and others) were matched to these antigen epitopes by a comparative program. A number of pairs with very similar fungal and joint peptide sequences, supposed to initiate and maintain the knee OA antigen epitopes, were found. A FFI‐induced knee joint OA model is shown to the medical community which can initiate further discussion, research and practical verification.
An Evolutionary Adaptation of the Fall
Authors: Lembke Martin 
Published: April 2013

AbstractAccording to John Polkinghorne, the Fall is the major Christian doctrine that is the most difficult to reconcile with contemporary science. Like him, however, I believe it is vitally important, even in this regard, to try to pinpoint the extent to which taking science seriously requires us to modify traditionally held beliefs. In this paper I focus on two problematic ideas associated with the Fall: (i) the idea of a primordial human couple (Adam and Eve), and (ii) the idea that this couple was subjected to bodily death as a result of their original misdeed. I argue that, contrary to appearances, it is possible to harmonize these beliefs with contemporary science – at least if one presupposes some kind of soul-body dualism. I also try to show that this dualism, although philosophically non-fashionable nowadays, is yet to be refuted or made redundant by current evolutionary theory or neurophysiology.
Hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae) infestation affects water and carbon relations of eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) and Carolina hemlock (Tsuga caroliniana)
Authors: Domec Jean‐Christophe , Rivera Laura N. , King John S. , Peszlen Ilona , Hain Fred , Smith Benjamin , Frampton John 
Published: April 2013

Summary

Hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) is an exotic insect pest causing severe decimation of native hemlock trees. Extensive research has been conducted on the ecological impacts of HWA, but the exact physiological mechanisms that cause mortality are not known.

Water relations, anatomy and gas exchange measurements were assessed on healthy and infested eastern (Tsuga canadensis) and Carolina (Tsuga caroliniana) hemlock trees. These data were then used in a mechanistic model to test whether the physiological responses to HWA infestation were sufficiently significant to induce changes in whole‐plant water use and carbon uptake.

The results indicated coordinated responses of functional traits governing water relations in infested relative to healthy trees. In response to HWA, leaf water potential, carbon isotope ratios, plant hydraulic properties and stomatal conductance were affected, inducing a reduction in tree water use by > 40% and gross primary productivity by 25%. Anatomical changes also appeared, including the activation of traumatic cells.

HWA infestation had a direct effect on plant water relations. Despite some leaf compensatory mechanisms, such as an increase in leaf hydraulic conductance and nitrogen content, tree water use and carbon assimilation were diminished significantly in infested trees, which could contribute to tree mortality.
The effects of ErhBMP‐2‐/EGCG‐coated BCP bone substitute on dehiscence around dental implants in dogs
Authors: Shin Y‐S , Seo J‐Y , Oh S‐H , Kim J‐H , Kim S‐T , Park Y‐B , Moon H‐S 
Published: April 2013

ObjectivesThe purpose was to evaluate the effect of Escherichia coli‐derived recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein‐2 (ErhBMP‐2)‐/epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate (EGCG)‐coated biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) and titanium barrier membrane on dehiscence defects in dogs.Materials and MethodsIn five mongrel dogs, the dehiscence bony defects around dental implants were surgically created and in total three implants were placed at edentulous ridge of which teeth had been extracted 12 weeks before. For the control group, BCP was applied to the dehiscence defect. For experimental groups, ErhBMP‐2‐coated BCP and ErhBMP‐2‐/EGCG‐coated BCP were applied. The newly designed titanium barrier membrane was used to apply all the defects. The defects were evaluated histologically and histometrically after 12 weeks. The comparative statistics of the groups were obtained through Kruskal–Wallis test.ResultsIn bone‐to‐implant contact (BIC), bone density (BD), bone regeneration height (BRH), and bone mineralization apposition rate (BMAR), differences among groups were not found. ErhBMP‐2/EGCG group appeared to have higher value. In fluorescence analysis, bone remodeling around graft material was more active in the ErhBMP‐2/EGCG group.ConclusionWithin the limit of this study, it is reasonable to assume that BMP‐2‐/EGCG‐coated biphasic BCP and the newly designed titanium membrane were more beneficial in dehiscence defect healing with increased bone remodeling.
Role of human papillomavirus infection and other factors in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Iqbal A , Warraich R , Udeabor SE , Rana M , Eckardt AM , Gellrich N‐C , Rana M 
Published: April 2013

ObjectiveTo analyse the association between high‐risk human papillomavirus (HR‐HPV) and other risk factors in the aetiology of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in an Asian population.Study DesignThis study is a cross‐sectional analysis of 80 patients who were diagnosed with HNSCC. Patients' demographics, dietary habit, medical and social history were obtained. Surgical specimens from these patients were then histologically analysed using H&E stain and immunohistochemistry (IHC) for the presence of HR‐HPV primary antibody.ResultsHigh‐risk human papillomavirus was detected in 41 patients, representing 51.3% of the 80 paraffin‐embedded tissues of HNSCC; 27.5% of these were weak positive, 10.0% medium positive and 13.8% were strongly positive for the HR‐HPV on IHC. The tongue lesions had the highest HR‐HPV infection of 72.2%. No association existed between HR‐HPV and patient's demographics, dietary habit and other predisposing factors.ConclusionThe place of HR‐HPV as a possible aetiological factor for HNSCC has further been established from this study.
Effect of a Preoperative Gabapentin on Postoperative Analgesia in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease Following Major Bowel Surgery: A Randomized, Placebo‐Controlled Trial
Authors: Siddiqui Naveed T. , Fischer Howard , Guerina Laarni , Friedman Zeev 
Published: April 2013

AbstractBackgroundPostoperative pain management for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can be challenging. These patients have a high tolerance to pain medication, and relative contraindications to the use of epidural analgesia, limiting the pain management options. We evaluated the effect of a single preoperative gabapentin dose on opioid consumption for patients with IBD undergoing abdominal surgery. Secondary outcomes were postoperative pain scores, opioid‐related side effects, and patient's length of hospital stay.MethodsFollowing Research Ethics Board approval and informed written consent, patients were randomly allocated into 2 groups receiving either 600 mg of oral gabapentin or placebo 1 hour before the surgery. A blinded anesthesiologist recorded pain scores at rest and movement twice daily for 2 postoperative days. Also recorded were opioid consumption, time of return of bowel function, time to discharge, and opioid‐related side effects on the opioid‐related symptom distress scale (ORSDS).ResultsSeventy‐two patients completed the study. The difference in opioid consumption (P = 0.4169) and pain scores measured at rest and movement on all 4 postoperative visits was not statistically significant. There was no significant difference between gabapentin and placebo on all the 11 symptoms reported on the ORSDS. There was a slight increase in length of hospital stay in the placebo group, but the return of bowel function was similar between the groups.ConclusionsThis study examined the effect of a single preoperative administration of gabapentin in patients with IBD undergoing major bowel surgery. Our results suggest a single preoperative oral dose of gabapentin 600 mg does not reduce postoperative pain scores, opioid consumption, or opioid‐related side effects.
Microbiological processes in banded iron formation deposition
Authors: Posth Nicole R. , Konhauser Kurt O. , Kappler Andreas 
Published: April 2013

AbstractBanded iron formations have been studied for decades, particularly regarding their potential as archives of the Precambrian environment. In spite of this effort, the mechanism of their deposition and, specifically, the role that microbes played in the precipitation of banded iron formation minerals, remains unresolved. Evidence of an anoxic Earth with only localized oxic areas until the Great Oxidation Event ca 2·45 to 2·32 Ga makes the investigation of O2‐independent mechanisms for banded iron formation deposition relevant. Recent studies have explored the long‐standing proposition that Archean banded iron formations may have been formed, and diagenetically modified, by anaerobic microbial metabolisms. These efforts encompass a wide array of approaches including isotope, ecophysiological and phylogeny studies, molecular and mineral marker analysis, and sedimentological reconstructions. Herein, the current theories of microbial processes in banded iron formation mineral deposition with particular regard to the mechanisms of chemical sedimentation and post‐depositional alteration are described. The main findings of recent years are summarized and compared here, and suggestions are made regarding cross‐disciplinary information still required to constrain the role of the biosphere in banded iron formation deposition.
Failure mode and effect analysis in blood transfusion: a proactive tool to reduce risks
Authors: Lu Yao , Teng Fang , Zhou Jie , Wen Aiqing , Bi Yutian 
Published: April 2013

BackgroundThe aim of blood transfusion risk management is to improve the quality of blood products and to assure patient safety. We utilize failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA), a tool employed for evaluating risks and identifying preventive measures to reduce the risks in blood transfusion.Study Design and MethodsThe failure modes and effects occurring throughout the whole process of blood transfusion were studied. Each failure mode was evaluated using three scores: severity of effect (S), likelihood of occurrence (O), and probability of detection (D). Risk priority numbers (RPNs) were calculated by multiplying the S, O, and D scores. The plan‐do‐check‐act cycle was also used for continuous improvement.ResultsAnalysis has showed that failure modes with the highest RPNs, and therefore the greatest risk, were insufficient preoperative assessment of the blood product requirement (RPN, 245), preparation time before infusion of more than 30 minutes (RPN, 240), blood transfusion reaction occurring during the transfusion process (RPN, 224), blood plasma abuse (RPN, 180), and insufficient and/or incorrect clinical information on request form (RPN, 126). After implementation of preventative measures and reassessment, a reduction in RPN was detected with each risk. The failure mode with the second highest RPN, namely, preparation time before infusion of more than 30 minutes, was shown in detail to prove the efficiency of this tool.ConclusionsFMEA evaluation model is a useful tool in proactively analyzing and reducing the risks associated with the blood transfusion procedure.
The summary of FUT1 and FUT2 genotyping analysis in Chinese para‐Bombay individuals including additional nine probands from Guangzhou in China
Authors: Luo Guangping , Wei Ling , Wang Zhen , Luo Hong , Zhao Yang , Zhang Runqing , Mo Chunyan , Ji Yanli 
Published: April 2013

BackgroundThe para‐Bombay phenotype is characterized by the absence or weak expression of ABH antigens on the surface of red blood cells, but normal expression in saliva.Study Design and MethodsThe para‐Bombay phenotype of the nine Chinese probands was identified by standard serologic techniques. The coding regions of FUT1 and FUT2 genes were amplified by polymerase chain reaction and then directly sequenced. ABO genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction with sequence‐specific priming method. The FUT1 and FUT2 genotypes and the distribution in all reported Chinese para‐Bombay individuals including our study were also summarized.ResultsFive FUT1 genotypes, h1h3 (n = 3), h1h2 (n = 3), h1h1 (n = 1), h3h3 (n = 1), and h2h3 (n = 1), and three functional FUT2 genotypes, Se357Se357 (n = 4), Se357Se357, 716 (n = 4), and Se357Se357, 385 (n = 1) described before were identified in nine probands.ConclusionsThe review of the literature shows that a total of 17 FUT1 alleles and four FUT2 alleles (Se357, Se357,716, Se357 385, Se) have been identified in Chinese para‐Bombay individuals. The four FUT1 alleles, h1 (547delAG), h2 (880delTT), h3 (C658T), and h4 (C35T; A980C) are most prevalent, which account for more than 90% of all allele counts and are essential to be involved when developing para‐Bombay genotyping kit for Chinese.