bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Balancing selection and heterozygote advantage in major histocompatibility complex loci of the bottlenecked Finnish wolf population
Authors: Niskanen A. K. , Kennedy L. J. , Ruokonen M. , Kojola I. , Lohi H. , Isomursu M. , Jansson E. , Pyhäjärvi T. , Aspi J. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractMaintaining effective immune response is an essential factor in the survival of small populations. One of the most important immune gene regions is the highly polymorphic major histocompatibility complex (MHC). We investigated how a population bottleneck and recovery have influenced the diversity and selection in three MHC class II loci, DLA‐DRB1, DLA‐DQA1 and DLA‐DQB1, in the Finnish wolf population. We studied the larger Russian Karelian wolf population for comparison and used 17 microsatellite markers as reference loci. The Finnish and Karelian wolf populations did not differ substantially in their MHC diversities ( = 0.047, P = 0.377), but differed in neutral microsatellite diversities ( = 0.148, P = 0.008). MHC allele frequency distributions in the Finnish population were more even than expected under neutrality, implying balancing selection. In addition, an excess of nonsynonymous compared to synonymous polymorphisms indicated historical balancing selection. We also studied association between helminth (Trichinella spp. and Echinococcus canadensis) prevalence and MHC diversity at allele and SNP level. MHC‐heterozygous wolves were less often infected by Trichinella spp. and carriers of specific MHC alleles, SNP haplotypes and SNP alleles had less helminth infections. The associated SNP haplotypes and alleles were shared by different MHC alleles, which emphasizes the necessity of single‐nucleotide‐level association studies also in MHC. Here, we show that strong balancing selection has had similar effect on MHC diversities in the Finnish and Russian Karelian wolf populations despite significant genetic differentiation at neutral markers and small population size in the Finnish population.
How Sharp is a “Sharp Scratch”? A Mixed Methods Study of Verbal Warnings Issued Before Venipuncture
Authors: Vijayan Roshan , Scott Gregory , Brownlie Wendi , Male Pandora , Chin Kian 
Published: December 2013

AbstractObjectivesHealth care providers frequently issue a verbal warning before venipuncture. Communications that induce negative expectations in patients can lead to the “nocebo” response, defined as experiencing greater pain. But is this also true for “sharp scratch”?MethodsThe study was conducted across 4 U.K. hospitals. Two separate surveys of health care providers and patients explored the prevalence, phraseology, rationale, and reaction to verbal warnings before venipuncture. Blinded adult patients already attending an outpatient department during a 2‐week period were randomized to hearing a “sharp scratch” or the verbal cue “ready?” immediately before venipuncture. They were also asked to rate their pain (the primary outcome).Results77% of 117 health care providers surveyed issued a verbal warning before venipuncture; 73% used “sharp scratch”. Of 62 patients surveyed, 56% agreed that “sharp scratch” accurately describes venipuncture, and 64% agreed that they prefer “sharp scratch” to no warning. With increasing age, a preference came for an alternative warning to “sharp scratch” (P = 0.039) and to be distracted by conversation (P = 0.002). Of 192 patients in the randomized study, there was no difference in pain between the “sharp scratch” and “ready” groups. The numeric rating scores were 0.74 SD 1.06 vs. 0.88 SD 1.18, respectively. (P = 0.493).ConclusionsMost health care providers use the verbal warning “sharp scratch” before venipuncture. Most patients find this acceptable and prefer it to no warning. An exception may be elderly patients, who may prefer to be distracted by conversation. “Sharp scratch” makes no difference to the pain experienced compared with a verbal cue.
Multicenter population‐based study on the prevalence of early onset dementia in Japan: Vascular dementia as its prominent cause
Authors: Ikejima Chiaki , Ikeda Manabu , Hashimoto Mamoru , Ogawa Yusuke , Tanimukai Satoshi , Kashibayashi Tetsuo , Miyanaga Kazuo , Yonemura Kimie , Kakuma Tatsuyuki , Murotani Kenta , Asada Takashi 
Published: December 2013

AimIn Japan, the government and media have become aware of the issues of early onset dementia (EOD), but policies for EOD have not yet been established and support systems are inadequate. To provide practical data about EOD, a two‐step postal survey was performed.MethodsA questionnaire requesting information on EOD cases was sent to target institutions in five catchment areas in Japan. According to the answers from the institutions, we estimated the prevalence of EOD using census data and determined the illnesses causing EOD. As a quality control study, the authors reviewed every diagnosis in a quarter of the reported cases using the medical and psychiatric records and neuroimaging data. This study was conducted from 2006 to 2007.ResultsInformation from 2469 patients was collected from 12 747 institutions, and 2059 subjects with EOD were identified. The estimated prevalence of EOD was 47.6 per 100 000 (95% confidence interval, 47.1–48.1) for all of Japan. Of the illnesses causing EOD, vascular dementia (VaD) was the most frequent (39.8%), followed by Alzheimer's disease.ConclusionsThe prevalence of EOD in Japan appeared to be similar to that in Western countries. However, unlike previously reported international experience, VaD was the most frequent cause of EOD in all catchment areas in Japan.
Prurigo Pigmentosa after a Strict Ketogenic Diet
Authors: Michaels Jason D. , Hoss Elika , DiCaudo David J. , Price Harper 
Published: December 2013

AbstractPrurigo pigmentosa (PP) is a rare inflammatory dermatosis of unknown cause characterized by a predominantly truncal eruption of pruritic erythematous papules in a reticular pattern, resolving with hyperpigmentation. PP is twice as common in girls and women, and the mean age at onset is 25 years. Diagnosis of PP is challenging and is aided by characteristic histopathologic findings. We report a case of PP in a 17‐year‐old white boy. The eruption arose during strict adherence to a ketogenic diet.
Differences Between Novices' and Experts' Solving Ill‐Structured Problems
Authors: Sarsfield Eileen 
Published: December 2013

AbstractObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to describe differences in the cognitive processes of novice and expert public health nurses (PHNs) as they solved ill‐structured problems commonly found in public health practice.Design and SampleThis descriptive/exploratory small group design used the think‐aloud method, a qualitative technique of collecting verbal data about cognitive processes. Data were coded and analyzed using theoretical thematic analysis. The purposive sample consisted of 12 registered nurses: six novices and six experts.MeasuresParticipants were asked to think‐aloud as they solved two ill‐structured public health problems (underage drinking and obesity).ResultsFindings indicated that novice and expert PHNs solve ill‐structured problems differently. Experts used cognitive strategies, such as conversion, to propel the problem‐solving process forward, forming complex, detailed problem representations and solutions. Novices asked questions as a strategy in defining the problem and developed broad, superficial problem representations and solutions.ConclusionsThis study suggests the need for the development of strategies in the workplace and in academia that support PHNs in identifying and solving ill‐structured problems as they transition from novice to expert.
Habitat Use by Waterbirds in Relation to Pond Size, Water Depth, and Isolation: Lessons from a Restoration in Southern Spain
Authors: Sebastián‐González Esther , Green Andy J. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractWetland restoration is increasingly important to reverse habitat degradation, recover ecosystem services, and maintain biodiversity. To aid project design, more information is required on the influence of wetland size, depth of water, and isolation on the waterbird communities that become established. During a restoration project in Doñana, one of the Europe's most important wetland complexes, an experimental network of 96 temporary ponds with standard shape but variable size, water depth, and isolation was created. We surveyed the waterbird community in spring from 2006 to 2008 and related species abundance and richness to abiotic pond characteristics. We also performed analyses pooling species by foraging guilds or body size. Waterbird abundance and species richness were highest in 2007, the wettest year when the ponds had longer hydroperiods. Larger ponds had consistently higher abundance and species richness for the entire community and for different guilds and body sizes. Moreover, the density of birds per hectare was higher in large ponds than in the smaller ones. Pond isolation and excavated depth did not affect overall abundance and richness, although opposing effects of depth were observed on some size classes, and ducks and large birds preferred isolated ponds. Some bird groups preferred ponds at a particular location. This is the first waterbird study to address the importance of pond size, depth, and isolation independently of confounding variables such as pond shape. It illustrates the varied responses from different bird groups and demonstrates the importance of varying depth, location, and isolation to enhance community abundance and diversity.
Stratigraphic simulations of the shelf of the Gulf of Lions: testing subsidence rates and sea‐level curves during the Pliocene and Quaternary
Authors: Leroux Estelle , Rabineau Marina , Aslanian Daniel , Granjeon Didier , Droz Laurence , Gorini Christian 
Published: December 2013

AbstractDetermining the relative importance of factors interacting to control stratigraphic organization is a key issue in sedimentology. The Pliocene‐Quaternary chronostratigraphy on the Gulf of Lions platform is still poorly constrained, giving rise to different interpretations of the evolution of its subsidence through time. This paper examines the Pliocene‐Quaternary sedimentary filling of the Gulf of Lion's shelf with Dionisos, a numerical stratigraphic model. Our results show that a constant subsidence rate accurately reproduces the observed geometries, whereas a varying subsidence rate reproduces them only if the acceleration of subsidence is limited. At this time‐scale, a third‐order eustatic curve is also reappraised: a higher resolution curve (built using δ18O measurements) gives a more realistic restitution of our stratigraphic markers. Finally, the constant subsidence rate and sediment fluxes implied in these modellings are discussed relative to climate and local factors of sedimentation.
Helicobacter canis bacteremia in a renal transplant patient
Authors: van der Vusse M.L. , van Son W.J. , Ott A. , Manson W. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractHere we present a case report of a 41‐year‐old woman suffering from high fever and bacteremia due to Helicobacter canis, 11 months after kidney transplantation. Identification of H. canis was achieved by 16s rDNA sequence analysis of a positive blood culture. The patient was restored fully to health after antibiotics therapy (cefuroxime and ciprofloxacin). Until now, only 4 human clinical cases have been described with H. canis bacteremia. This study describes for the first time, to our knowledge, an infection with H. canis in a kidney transplant patient.
Incidence, risk factors, and outcome of bloodstream infections during the pre‐engraftment phase in 521 allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantations
Authors: Blennow O. , Ljungman P. , Sparrelid E. , Mattsson J. , Remberger M. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractBackgroundBloodstream infection (BSI) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a well‐known complication during the pre‐engraftment phase. Knowledge of trends in etiology and antibiotic susceptibility of BSI is important as the time to effective antibiotic treatment is closely associated with survival in bacteremic patients with septic shock.MethodsBSI during the pre‐engraftment phase was studied retrospectively in 521 patients undergoing HSCT at our center in 2001–2008. Incidence, risk factors, outcome, and microbiology findings were investigated and compared with BSI in a cohort transplanted during 1975–1996.ResultsThe incidence of at least 1 episode of BSI was 21%, the total attributable mortality of BSI was 3.3%, and crude mortality at day 120 after transplantation was 21%. The rate of gram‐positive and gram‐negative BSI was 80% and 13%, respectively. Gram‐negative BSI was more frequent both in 2001–2004 and in 2005–2008 compared with 1986–1996 (P = 0.023 for 2001–2004, P = 0.001 for 2005–2008), with fluoroquinolone‐resistant Escherichia coli as the predominant finding. BSI with viridans streptococci and E. coli occurred significantly earlier after HSCT than BSI with Enterococcus species, with median time of 4, 8, and 11 days, respectively (P < 0.01 both for viridians streptococci vs. Enterococcus species, and E. coli vs. Enterococcus species). Risk factors for BSI in multivariate analysis were transplantation from unrelated donor and cord blood as stem cell source, whereas peripheral blood as stem cell source was protective.ConclusionsDespite low attributable mortality of BSI, crude mortality at day 120 after transplantation was 21%, indicating an association between BSI and other risk factors for death. The risk of gram‐negative BSI increased over time in parallel with an increased rate of quinolone resistance. However, the incidence and attributable mortality of gram‐negative BSI remained low. Thus, prophylaxis with ciprofloxacin is still deemed appropriate, but continued assessments of the risk and benefits of fluoroquinolone prophylaxis must be performed.
Transfusion medicine on American television
Authors: Karp J. K. 
Published: December 2013

SUMMARYBackgroundTelevision is a beloved American pastime and a frequent American export. As such, American television shapes how the global public views the world.ObjectivesThis study examines how the portrayal of blood transfusion and blood donation on American television may influence how domestic and international audiences perceive the field of transfusion medicine.Materials and MethodsAmerican television programming of the last quarter‐century was reviewed to identify programmes featuring topics related to blood banking/transfusion medicine. The included television episodes were identified through various sources.ResultsTwenty‐seven television episodes airing between 1991 and 2013 were identified as featuring blood bank/transfusion medicine topics. Although some accurate representations of the field were identified, most television programmes portrayed blood banking/transfusion medicine inaccurately.ConclusionThe way in which blood banking/transfusion medicine is portrayed on American television may assist clinicians in understanding their patient's concerns about blood safety and guide blood collection organisations in improving donor recruitment.
The NIa‐Pro protein of Turnip mosaic virus improves growth and reproduction of the aphid vector, Myzus persicae (green peach aphid)
Authors: Casteel Clare L. , Yang Chunling , Nanduri Ananya C. , De Jong Hannah N. , Whitham Steven A. , Jander Georg 
Published: December 2013

SummaryMany plant viruses depend on aphids and other phloem‐feeding insects for transmission within and among host plants. Thus, viruses may promote their own transmission by manipulating plant physiology to attract aphids and increase aphid reproduction. Consistent with this hypothesis, Myzus persicae (green peach aphids) prefer to settle on Nicotiana benthamiana infected with Turnip mosaic virus (TuMV) and fecundity on virus‐infected N. benthamiana and Arabidopsis thaliana (Arabidopsis) is higher than on uninfected controls. TuMV infection suppresses callose deposition, an important plant defense, and increases the amount of free amino acids, the major source of nitrogen for aphids. To investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms of this phenomenon, 10 TuMV genes were over‐expressed in plants to determine their effects on aphid reproduction. Production of a single TuMV protein, nuclear inclusion a‐protease domain (NIa‐Pro), increased M. persicae reproduction on both N. benthamiana and Arabidopsis. Similar to the effects that are observed during TuMV infection, NIa‐Pro expression alone increased aphid arrestment, suppressed callose deposition and increased the abundance of free amino acids. Together, these results suggest a function for the TuMV NIa‐Pro protein in manipulating the physiology of host plants. By attracting aphid vectors and promoting their reproduction, TuMV may influence plant–aphid interactions to promote its own transmission.
Silencing of the tomato Sugar Partitioning Affecting protein (SPA) modifies sink strength through a shift in leaf sugar metabolism
Authors: Bermúdez Luisa , de Godoy Fabiana , Baldet Pierre , Demarco Diego , Osorio Sonia , Quadrana Leandro , Almeida Juliana , Asis Ramón , Gibon Yves , Fernie Alisdair R. , Rossi Magdalena , Carrari Fernando 
Published: December 2013

SummaryLimitations in our understanding about the mechanisms that underlie source‐sink assimilate partitioning are increasingly becoming a major hurdle for crop yield enhancement via metabolic engineering. By means of a comprehensive approach, this work reports the functional characterization of a DnaJ chaperone related‐protein (named as SPA; sugar partition‐affecting) that is involved in assimilate partitioning in tomato plants. SPA protein was found to be targeted to the chloroplast thylakoid membranes. SPA‐RNAi tomato plants produced more and heavier fruits compared with controls, thus resulting in a considerable increment in harvest index. The transgenic plants also displayed increased pigment levels and reduced sucrose, glucose and fructose contents in leaves. Detailed metabolic and enzymatic activities analyses showed that sugar phosphate intermediates were increased while the activity of phosphoglucomutase, sugar kinases and invertases was reduced in the photosynthetic organs of the silenced plants. These changes would be anticipated to promote carbon export from foliar tissues. The combined results suggested that the tomato SPA protein plays an important role in plastid metabolism and mediates the source‐sink relationships by affecting the rate of carbon translocation to fruits.
Concerted evolution of D1 and D2 to regulate chlorophyll degradation in soybean
Authors: Fang Chao , Li Congcong , Li Weiyu , Wang Zheng , Zhou Zhengkui , Shen Yanting , Wu Mian , Wu Yunshuai , Li Guiquan , Kong Ling‐An , Liu Cuimin , Jackson Scott A. , Tian Zhixi 
Published: December 2013

SummaryPolyploidy is a common phenomenon, particularly in plants. The soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) genome has undergone two whole genome duplication (WGD) events. The conservation and divergence of duplicated gene pairs are major contributors to genome evolution. D1 and D2 are two unlinked, paralogous nuclear genes, whose double‐recessive mutant (d1d1d2d2) results in chlorophyll retention, called ‘stay‐green’. Through molecular cloning and functional analyses, we demonstrated that D1 and D2 are homologs of the STAY‐GREEN (SGR) genes from other plant species and were duplicated as a result of the most recent WGD in soybean. Transcriptional analysis showed that both D1 and D2 were more highly expressed in older tissues, and chlorophyll degradation and programmed cell death‐related genes were suppressed in a d1d2 double mutant, this situation indicated that these genes are probably involved in the early stages of tissue senescence. Investigation of genes that flank D1 and D2 revealed that evolution within collinear duplicated blocks may affect the conservation of individual gene pairs within the blocks. Moreover, we found that a long terminal repeat retrotransposon, GmD2IN, resulted in the d2 mutation. Further analysis of this retrotransposon family showed that insertion in or near the coding regions can affect gene expression or splicing patterns, and may be an important force to promote the divergence of duplicated gene pairs.
Arabidopsis poly(A) polymerase PAPS1 limits founder‐cell recruitment to organ primordia and suppresses the salicylic acid‐independent immune response downstream of EDS1/PAD4
Authors: Trost Gerda , Vi Son Lang , Czesnick Hjördis , Lange Peggy , Holton Nick , Giavalisco Patrick , Zipfel Cyril , Kappel Christian , Lenhard Michael 
Published: December 2013

SummaryPolyadenylation of pre‐mRNAs by poly(A) polymerase (PAPS) is a critical process in eukaryotic gene expression. As found in vertebrates, plant genomes encode several isoforms of canonical nuclear PAPS enzymes. In Arabidopsis thaliana these isoforms are functionally specialized, with PAPS1 affecting both organ growth and immune response, at least in part by the preferential polyadenylation of subsets of pre‐mRNAs. Here, we demonstrate that the opposite effects of PAPS1 on leaf and flower growth reflect the different identities of these organs, and identify a role for PAPS1 in the elusive connection between organ identity and growth patterns. The overgrowth of paps1 mutant petals is due to increased recruitment of founder cells into early organ primordia, and suggests that PAPS1 activity plays unique roles in influencing organ growth. By contrast, the leaf phenotype of paps1 mutants is dominated by a constitutive immune response that leads to increased resistance to the biotrophic oomycete Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis and reflects activation of the salicylic acid‐independent signalling pathway downstream of ENHANCED DISEASE SUSCEPTIBILITY1 (EDS1)/PHYTOALEXIN DEFICIENT4 (PAD4). These findings provide an insight into the developmental and physiological basis of the functional specialization amongst plant PAPS isoforms.
Resident lymphocytes in the dermis of the normal dorsolateral thoracic skin of alpacas
Authors: Edginton Heather D. , Peters‐Kennedy Jeanine , Scott Danny W. 
Published: December 2013

BackgroundSmall numbers of resident T lymphocytes are present in the dermis of normal skin of humans, cattle and sheep.Hypothesis/ObjectivesWe wanted to determine the prevalence, numbers and immunophenotype of lymphocytes in the dermis of healthy skin from alpacas.AnimalsSkin biopsy specimens were collected from the dorsolateral thorax of 31 alpacas with normal skin.MethodsSkin biopsy specimens were evaluated for the prevalence and numbers of CD3+ and CD79a+ lymphocytes.ResultsResident CD3+ and CD79a+ lymphocytes were found around the superficial and deep dermal blood vessels. The CD3+ lymphocytes were more numerous than CD79a+ lymphocytes. Both CD3+ and CD79a+ lymphocytes were more numerous around superficial dermal blood vessels.Conclusions and clinical importanceResident CD3+ and CD79a+ lymphocytes are present around superficial and deep dermal blood vessels in normal skin from alpacas; hence, the presence of lymphocytes in these locations without obvious features of inflammation must be interpreted cautiously when evaluating skin biopsy specimens from alpacas with skin disease.