bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Recent origin of a chiasmatic sex trivalent in Australian Pseudotetracha tiger beetles
Authors: López‐López A. , Hudson P. , Galián J. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractMeiotic behavior based on observations of the first and second divisions was studied in males of four taxa of the Australian tiger beetle genus Pseudotetracha of the tribe Megacephalini (Coleoptera). Pseudotetracha blackburni clade 1 shows 10 pairs of autosomes plus a trivalent that is hypothesized to be the result of either a translocation or a fusion in which the original heterosomes (very likely XY) and an autosomal pair are involved, giving rise to a recently established neo‐X1X2Y sex chromosome system of chiasmatic nature. The origin of this karyotype has been determined to have taken place 2.30–3.72 million years in the past using a molecular clock based on the 16S rRNA substitution rate. Pseudotetracha blackburni clade 2 shows a meioformula of the type n = 11 + XY, the same as that found in the related taxon P. australis. Previous data for P. whelani, with 12 pairs of autosomes and an XY sex chromosome system, are confirmed in this survey. The multiple chiasmatic sex chromosome system of P. blackburni clade 1 is considered to be of recent origin and with an evolutionarily short‐life confined to this species, where close relatives exhibit simple genetic systems, in contrast to the long evolutionary life of the multiple achiasmatic sex chromosome system broadly found in the tribes Cicindelini and Collyrini. The implications of this chromosomal rearrangement in terms of recombination and speciation are discussed. The results of this work, together with the available cytogenetic data for other Megacephalini species, are interpreted in the light of recent molecular phylogenies of the tribe, showing evidence of a possible process of karyotypic orthoselection with recurrent cycles of incorporation of autosomes to the heterosome pair and subsequent loss of the Y chromosome in Tetracha and Pseudotetracha.
A randomized equivalence trial comparing the i‐gel and laryngeal mask airway Supreme in children
Authors: Jagannathan Narasimhan , Sommers Katherine , Sohn Lisa E. , Sawardekar Amod , Shah Ravi D. , Mukherji Isabella I , Miller Steven , Voronov Polina , Seraphin Sally 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBackgroundThe laryngeal mask airway Supreme (Supreme) is a new single‐use supraglottic device with gastric access capability now available in all sizes for children.ObjectivesTo compare the i‐gel with the Supreme in children for routine airway maintenance.Materials/MethodsOne hundred and seventy children, aged 3 months to 11 years, 5–50 kg in weight, were randomly assigned to receive either the i‐gel or the Supreme. The primary outcome measured was airway leak pressure. Secondary outcomes included the following: ease and time for insertion, insertion success rate, fiberoptic grade of view, ease of gastric tube placement, number of airway manipulations, quality of airway during anesthetic maintenance, and complications.ResultsA total of 168 patients were assessed for the outcomes. The median (IQR [range]) airway leak pressure for the i‐gel was higher than with the Supreme, 20 (18–25 [9–40]) cm H2O vs 17 (14–22 [10–40]) cm H2O, respectively (P = 0.001). There were no differences in the time for device insertion, fiberoptic grade of view, quality of airway, and complications. Median (IQR[range]) time of successful insertion of a gastric tube was faster with the Supreme, 12 (9.2–14.3 [5.2–44.2]) s than with the i‐gel, 14 (11.9–19 [6.9–75]) s; P = 0.01. The number of airway manipulations during placement was higher with the i‐gel than with the laryngeal mask airway Supreme (12 vs 13 patients), P = 0.02.ConclusionsIn infants and children, when a single‐use supraglottic device with gastric access capabilities is required, the i‐gel demonstrated higher airway leak pressures and can be a useful alternative to the Supreme.
A novel intubation technique in bilateral cleft palate pediatric patients: hard gum shield–aided intubation
Authors: Mahmoud Ahmed Abdelaal Ahmed , Fouad Ahmed Zaghloul , Mansour Mohamed Ahmed , Kamal Ahmed Mostafa 
Published: November 2012

SummaryBackgroundCleft palate anesthesia is challenging due to difficult airway. Left paraglossal intubation moves resting point of laryngoscope laterally but associated with narrower laryngoscopic view and possible trauma, and we invented the use of hard gum shield as a bridge over defective palate to facilitate intubation with possible wider window and defective tissue protection.MethodsEighty bilateral cleft palate children, ASA physical status I–II aged 9 months to 6 years scheduled for plastic surgery had general anesthesia, were involved in prospective, controlled, randomized study, and were randomly divided by closed envelope method into two groups: group I (40 patients): intubated by hard gum shield–aided intubation and group II (40 patients): intubated by left paraglossal intubation. Both techniques compared as regards (i) intubation time; (ii) Cormack and Lehane score; (iii) need for external laryngeal manipulation; (iv) easiness of intubation: easy, modest, or difficult intubation; and (v) complications: desaturation and failed intubation.ResultsIntubation time was shorter in group I (28.47 ± 3.78 vs. 37.63 ± 6.64 s, P = 0.001). Cormack and Lehane score was better in group I (P = 0.003). Need for external laryngeal manipulation was less in group I (P = 0.015). Easiness of intubation was better in group I (P = 0.022). No difference was found in complications between groups.ConclusionHard gum shield–aided intubation facilitated intubation more than left paraglossal in bilateral cleft palate children with shorter intubation time, better glottic view, easier intubation, less need for laryngeal manipulation than left paraglossal intubation with no difference in complications.
Starches—from current models to genetic engineering
Authors: Sonnewald Uwe , Kossmann Jens 
Published: November 2012

SummaryAs the world's second most abundant biopolymer, starch serves as food, feed and renewable resource for bioenergy production and other industrial applications. Unlike storage lipids, starch is stored in the form of semi‐crystalline granules, which are tissue‐ and species‐specific in number, shape and size. Over the last decades, most biosynthetic and degradative enzymes of starch metabolism have been identified in the model species Arabidopsis thaliana. Based on this, biotechnological applications have arisen that led to a number of transgenic crop plants with elevated starch content or improved starch quality. Irrespective of this great success, there are still numerous open questions including the regulation of starch metabolism, the initiation of granule formation, the regulation of granule shape and size and many more, which will be tackled over the next decades. Here, we briefly summarize current knowledge concerning starch metabolism and its regulation and biotechnological use.
Antenatal monitoring of anti‐D and anti‐c: could titre scores determined by column agglutination technology replace continuous flow analyser quantification?
Authors: Bruce D. G. , Tinegate H. N. , Williams M. , Babb R. , Wells A. W. 
Published: November 2012

SUMMARYObjectiveTo determine if column agglutination technology (CAT) for titration of anti‐D and anti‐c concentrations produces comparable results to those obtained by continuous flow analyser (CFA).BackgroundAnti‐D and anti‐c are the two commonest antibodies that contribute to serious haemolytic disease of the foetus and neonate (HDFN). Current practice in the UK is to monitor these antibodies by CFA quantification, which is considered more reproducible and less subjective than manual titration by tube IAT (indirect antiglobulin test). CAT is widely used in transfusion laboratory practice and provides a more objective endpoint than tube technique.Materials and methodsAntenatal samples were (i) quantified using CFA and (ii) titrated using CAT with the reaction strength recorded by a card reader and expressed as a titre score (TS).ResultsThe TS rose in accordance with levels measured by quantification and was able to distinguish antibody levels above and below the threshold of clinical significance.ConclusionCAT titre scores provided a simple and reproducible method to monitor anti‐D and anti‐c levels. The method was sensitive to a wide range of antibody levels as determined by quantification. This technique may have the potential to replace CFA quantification by identifying those cases that require closer monitoring for potential HDFN.
Measures of general and central obesity and risk of type 2 diabetes in a Ghanaian population
Authors: Frank Laura K. , Heraclides Alexandros , Danquah Ina , Bedu‐Addo George , Mockenhaupt Frank P. , Schulze Matthias B. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractObjectiveThe epidemic of obesity and type 2 diabetes is evident in sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA). However, their associations have hardly been examined in this region.MethodsA hospital‐based case–control study in urban Ghana consisting of 1221 adults (542 cases and 679 controls) investigated the role of anthropometric parameters for diabetes. Logistic regression was used for analysis. The discriminative power and population‐specific cut‐off points for diabetes were identified by receiver operating characteristic curves.ResultsThe strongest association with diabetes was observed for waist‐to‐hip ratio: age‐adjusted odds ratios per 1 standard deviation difference were 1.95 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.64–2.31) in women and 1.40 [1.01–1.94] in men. Also, among women, the odds of diabetes increased with higher waist circumference (1.35 [1.17–1.57]) and waist‐to‐height ratio (1.29 [1.12–1.50]). Among men, this was not discernible. Rather, hip circumference was inversely related (0.69 [0.50–0.95]). Body mass index was neither associated with diabetes in women (1.01 [0.88–1.15]) nor in men (0.74 [0.52–1.04]). Among both genders, waist‐to‐hip ratio showed the best discriminative ability for diabetes in this population and the optimal cut‐off points were ≥0.88 in women and ≥0.90 in men. Recommended cut‐off points for body mass index and waist circumference had a poor predictive ability.ConclusionOur findings suggest that measures of central rather than general obesity relate to type 2 diabetes in SSA. It remains to be verified from larger population‐based epidemiological studies whether anthropometric targets of obesity prevention in SSA differ from those in developed countries.
Optimal location of basin‐wide constructed washlands to reduce risk of flooding
Authors: Baek Chun Woo , Lee Jung Ho , Paik Kyungrock 
Published: November 2012

AbstractA washland can effectively reduce peak flow of a high flow event at a certain location. A number of washlands located in a basin influence each other's hydrological function, and hence, their hydrological role should be evaluated from a river network perspective. Here, we present an approach to determine optimal locations of constructed washlands in a basin, considering their mutual effect. The problem is formulated as a multiobjective problem with maximizing peak flow reduction effect as one objective and minimizing the total volume of washlands, which is associated with cost, as another. By simplifying modelling algorithm for hydrological routing, we show that consideration of all possible cases is feasible for the situation of a typical basin. This approach guarantees global optimum and shows a full spectrum of Pareto front, which will help decision‐makers in problems of multiple objective functions. The proposed approach is demonstrated for the Anseong River basin.
Effect of extra polymeric substance removal on sludge reduction potential of Bacillus licheniformis at its optimised pH condition
Authors: Merrylin J. , Kaliappan S. , Kumar S. Adish , Yeom Ick Tae , Banu J. Rajesh 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThe effect of extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) on the solubilisation of municipal wastewater sludge by protease‐secreting bacteria was investigated. The untreated sludge is an environmental menace, so sludge management techniques are introduced to treat and dispose sludge in a proper way. Sludge pretreatment is needed to increase the solubilisation and the efficiency of treatment methods. The present study deals with sludge solubilisation by bacterial enzymatic pretreatment. The EPS present in the sludge was removed by sodium hydroxide and formaldehyde to enhance solubilisation and increase the bacterial enzymatic activity. After the removal of EPS with different normalities of NaOH, there was about 11–18% sludge solubilisation and about 8–16% sludge reduction during bacterial pretreatment. Bacterial enzymatic pretreated sludge was further treated using aerobic digesters. From the results obtained in aerobic digestion, 0.06 N NaOH was chosen as the optimal concentration to remove EPSs.
Quality assessment of water receiving effluents from crude oil flow stations in Niger Delta, Nigeria
Authors: Nnaji C. C. , Agunwamba J. C. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractWaterbodies receiving effluent from six crude oil flow stations in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria were assessed. A total of six hundred and forty‐five observations for 19 parameters were used to assess the quality of these waters using the Canadian water quality index. A high correlation was obtained between copper and ammonia (R = 0.9996, P < 0.01) on one hand, and dissolved oxygen and BOD (R = 0.786, P < 0.01) on the other. Of the six stations, only one can be classified to be in good conditon, two were in fair conditions, two were marginal, while one was of poor quality. The quality of waterbodies assessed depends more on the degree of violation of standards and the number of times standards were violated. Furthermore, the quality of these waterbodies are affected more by the hydroglogy and geology of the Niger Delta than any other factor.
The usefulness and limitations of the diabetic macaque model in evaluating long‐term porcine islet xenograft survival
Authors: Graham Melanie L. , Schuurman Henk‐Jan 
Published: November 2012

Abstract:  Background:  Various groups have reported prolonged diabetes reversal and graft function after porcine islet transplantation into diabetic macaques using different experimental designs (macaque source, islet source, type of immunosuppression): subsequently, the International Xenotransplantation Association has published recommendations for entering a clinical trial. Our experiments showed limitations that affected consistent achievement of long‐term survival. We aimed to identify these limitations and underlying causes to emphasize the translational value of this highly relevant type 1 diabetic macaque model.Methods:  We reviewed data from our institution and literature data on long‐term porcine islet xenograft survival in the diabetic macaque model, especially focusing on aspects of incomplete diabetes reversal relative to macaque normal values. This phenomenon was compared with diabetes reversal in an allo‐islet transplant model in macaques and with chronic insulin treatment of diabetic macaques, all with 180‐day follow‐up. This comparison enabled to identify potential model limitations and underlying causative factors.Results:  Especially in the xenograft model, the achievement of long‐term graft survival revealed limitations including chronic, mild hyperglycemia and absence of body weight (BW) gain or even progressive BW loss. Metabolic incompatibilities in glycemic control (i.e., insulin kinetics) between the pig and macaque species underlie chronic, mild hyperglycemia. This phenomenon might not bear relevance for the pig‐to‐human species combination because the glycemic control in pigs and humans is similar and differs from that in nonhuman primates (NHP). Weight loss could be related to changes in the gastrointestinal tract related with local high exposure to orally administered immunosuppressants; these must be given at higher dose levels because of low bioavailability in macaques to achieve systemic exposure at therapeutic levels. This is aggravated by insufficient graft insulin production in proportion to the needs of macaques: this model limitation has no translational value to the pig‐to‐human setting. Nutritional deficits can result in incorrect interpretation of blood glucose levels and C‐peptide levels regarding graft function. Likewise, nutritional status alters physiologic responses, influencing susceptibility to infectious and noninfectious complications.Conclusion:  The model‐induced confounding described interferes with accurate interpretation of safety and efficacy studies, which affects the translational value of pig‐to‐NHP islet cell transplant studies to the pig‐to‐human transplant condition.
Fast transit portal dosimetry using density‐scaled layer modeling of aSi‐based electronic portal imaging device and Monte Carlo method
Authors: Jung Jae Won , Kim Jong Oh , Yeo Inhwan Jason , Cho Young‐Bin , Kim Sun Mo , DiBiase Steven 
Published: November 2012

Purpose:Fast and accurate transit portal dosimetry was investigated by developing a density‐scaled layer model of electronic portal imaging device (EPID) and applying it to a clinical environment.Methods:The model was developed for fast Monte Carlo dose calculation. The model was validated through comparison with measurements of dose on EPID using first open beams of varying field sizes under a 20‐cm‐thick flat phantom. After this basic validation, the model was further tested by applying it to transit dosimetry and dose reconstruction that employed our predetermined dose‐response‐based algorithm developed earlier. The application employed clinical intensity‐modulated beams irradiated on a Rando phantom. The clinical beams were obtained through planning on pelvic regions of the Rando phantom simulating prostate and large pelvis intensity modulated radiation therapy. To enhance agreement between calculations and measurements of dose near penumbral regions, convolution conversion of acquired EPID images was alternatively used. In addition, thickness‐dependent image‐to‐dose calibration factors were generated through measurements of image and calculations of dose in EPID through flat phantoms of various thicknesses. The factors were used to convert acquired images in EPID into dose.Results:For open beam measurements, the model showed agreement with measurements in dose difference better than 2% across open fields. For tests with a Rando phantom, the transit dosimetry measurements were compared with forwardly calculated doses in EPID showing gamma pass rates between 90.8% and 98.8% given 4.5 mm distance‐to‐agreement (DTA) and 3% dose difference (DD) for all individual beams tried in this study. The reconstructed dose in the phantom was compared with forwardly calculated doses showing pass rates between 93.3% and 100% in isocentric perpendicular planes to the beam direction given 3 mm DTA and 3% DD for all beams. On isocentric axial planes, the pass rates varied between 95.8% and 99.9% for all individual beams and they were 98.2% and 99.9% for the composite beams of the small and large pelvis cases, respectively. Three‐dimensional gamma pass rates were 99.0% and 96.4% for the small and large pelvis cases, respectively.Conclusions:The layer model of EPID built for Monte Carlo calculations offered fast (less than 1 min) and accurate calculation for transit dosimety and dose reconstruction.
Nipah Virus Envelope-Pseudotyped Lentiviruses Efficiently Target ephrinB2-Positive Stem Cell Populations
In Vitro
and Bypass the Liver Sink When Administered
In Vivo
Authors: Palomares Karina , Vigant Frederic , Van Handel Ben , Pernet Olivier , Chikere Kelechi , Hong Patrick , Sherman Sean P. , Patterson Michaela , An Dong Sung , Lowry William E. , Mikkola Hanna K. A. , Morizono Kouki , Pyle April D. , Lee Benhur 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACT

Sophisticated retargeting systems for lentiviral vectors have been developed in recent years. Most seek to suppress the viral envelope's natural tropism while modifying the receptor-binding domain such that its tropism is determined by the specificity of the engineered ligand-binding motif. Here we took advantage of the natural tropism of Nipah virus (NiV), whose attachment envelope glycoprotein has picomolar affinity for ephrinB2, a molecule proposed as a molecular marker of “stemness” (present on embryonic, hematopoietic, and neural stem cells) as well as being implicated in tumorigenesis of specific cancers. NiV entry requires both the fusion (F) and attachment (G) glycoproteins. Truncation of the NiV-F cytoplasmic tail (T5F) alone, combined with full-length NiV-G, resulted in optimal titers of NiV-pseudotyped particles (NiVpp) (∼10
6
IU/ml), even without ultracentrifugation. To further enhance the infectivity of NiVpp, we engineered a hyperfusogenic NiV-F protein lacking an N-linked glycosylation site (T5FΔN3). T5FΔN3/wt G particles exhibited enhanced infectivity on less permissive cell lines and efficiently targeted ephrinB2
+
cells even in a 1,000-fold excess of ephrinB2-negative cells, all without any loss of specificity, as entry was abrogated by soluble ephrinB2. NiVpp also transduced human embryonic, hematopoietic, and neural stem cell populations in an ephrinB2-dependent manner. Finally, intravenous administration of the luciferase reporter NiVpp-T5FΔN3/G to mice resulted in signals being detected in the spleen and lung but not in the liver. Bypassing the liver sink is a critical barrier for targeted gene therapy. The extraordinary specificity of NiV-G for ephrinB2 holds promise for targeting specific ephrinB2
+
populations
in vivo
or
in vitro
.
Ecology and Physics of Bacterial Chemotaxis in the Ocean
Authors: Stocker Roman , Seymour Justin R. 
Published: November 2012

SUMMARY
Intuitively, it may seem that from the perspective of an individual bacterium the ocean is a vast, dilute, and largely homogeneous environment. Microbial oceanographers have typically considered the ocean from this point of view. In reality, marine bacteria inhabit a chemical seascape that is highly heterogeneous down to the microscale, owing to ubiquitous nutrient patches, plumes, and gradients. Exudation and excretion of dissolved matter by larger organisms, lysis events, particles, animal surfaces, and fluxes from the sediment-water interface all contribute to create strong and pervasive heterogeneity, where chemotaxis may provide a significant fitness advantage to bacteria. The dynamic nature of the ocean imposes strong selective pressures on bacterial foraging strategies, and many marine bacteria indeed display adaptations that characterize their chemotactic motility as “high performance” compared to that of enteric model organisms. Fast swimming speeds, strongly directional responses, and effective turning and steering strategies ensure that marine bacteria can successfully use chemotaxis to very rapidly respond to chemical gradients in the ocean. These fast responses are advantageous in a broad range of ecological processes, including attaching to particles, exploiting particle plumes, retaining position close to phytoplankton cells, colonizing host animals, and hovering at a preferred height above the sediment-water interface. At larger scales, these responses can impact ocean biogeochemistry by increasing the rates of chemical transformation, influencing the flux of sinking material, and potentially altering the balance of biomass incorporation versus respiration. This review highlights the physical and ecological processes underpinning bacterial motility and chemotaxis in the ocean, describes the current state of knowledge of chemotaxis in marine bacteria, and summarizes our understanding of how these microscale dynamics scale up to affect ecosystem-scale processes in the sea.