bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Size and type of periampullary duodenal diverticula are associated with bile duct diameter and recurrence of bile duct stones
Authors: Kim Chang Whan , Chang Jae Hyuck , Kim Ji Hun , Kim Tae Ho , Lee In Seok , Han Sok Won 
Published: February 2013

AbstractBackground and AimPeriampullary diverticula (PAD) are not uncommon findings during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, but its clinical significance had not been established. To investigate the clinical characteristics associated with PAD and their relationships with the type and size of PAD in patients with common bile duct (CBD) stones was aimed.MethodsThree hundred seventy patients undergoing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography between March 2010 and July 2012 were consecutively enrolled, and their demographics, laboratory data, and CBD stone‐related characteristics according to PAD type and PAD size were analyzed.ResultsMean age, mean size of CBD stones, prevalence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome, and serum C‐reactive protein level differed in patients with CBD stones according to the presence or absence of PAD. The presence of PAD and positive blood culture were correlated with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (P = 0.033 and P < 0.001, respectively). The recurrence of CBD stones was more frequent, and the diameter of CBD was larger in patients with PAD type I than in those with PAD type III. Mean age and CBD diameter were lower in patients with PAD size < 15 mm than those with PAD size ≥ 15 mm. Multivariate analyses indicated that CBD diameter was related to PAD size (P = 0.002) and the recurrence of CBD stones was related to PAD type (P = 0.001).ConclusionsPAD are associated with larger CBD stones and severe cholangitis with CBD stones. CBD diameter is related to PAD size, and the recurrence of CBD stones is related to PAD type.
Cryptic introductions and the interpretation of island biodiversity
Authors: Avery Julian D. , Fonseca Dina M. , Campagne Pascal , Lockwood Julie L. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractSpecies with cryptic origins (i.e. those that cannot be reliably classed as native or non‐native) present a particular challenge to our understanding of the generation and maintenance of biodiversity. Such species may be especially common on islands given that some islands have had a relatively recent history of human settlement. It is likely that select island species considered native might have achieved their current distributions via direct or indirect human actions. As an example, we explore the origins of eastern bluebirds (Sialia sialis bermudensis) on the island of Bermuda. Considered native to the island and a distinct subspecies, this population has diverged in morphology relative to mainland North America. Using microsatellite markers and simulation of island colonization, we show that the Bermuda population of bluebirds is the likely result of a single colonization event that occurred during the 1600s, making this a cryptic invader. To our knowledge, this is one of the youngest examples of a terrestrial vertebrate cryptic invader. We suggest that the eastern bluebird is not an isolated case of cryptic invader on either Bermuda or elsewhere and that caution be exercised when studying present‐day distributions of organisms.
Residual antibacterial activity of dog hairs after therapy with antimicrobial shampoos
Authors: Kloos Isabell , Straubinger Reinhard K. , Werckenthin Christiane , Mueller Ralf S. 
Published: February 2013

BackgroundTopical antimicrobial treatment for canine pyoderma is becoming increasingly important, but little is known about the mechanism of action and persistence of activity of antimicrobial shampoos.ObjectiveTo determine the residual antimicrobial activity on canine hairs treated with antimicrobial shampoos.AnimalsForty‐two dogs from a research institution.MethodsDogs were treated with six different shampoos and the combination of one shampoo and conditioner containing benzoyl peroxide, chlorhexidine in different concentrations (0.8, 2, 3 and 4%), ethyl lactate and miconazole twice weekly for 2 weeks. A shampoo vehicle without antimicrobial ingredients was used as the control. Hairs were collected immediately after and 2, 4 and 7 days after the last shampoo therapy and placed onto an agar plate streaked withStaphylococcus pseudintermedius. After incubation, the growth inhibition zone around the hair shafts was measured.ResultsThe largest zone of inhibition of bacterial growth was seen after shampoos containing 2 and 3% chlorhexidine and the combination of chlorhexidine shampoo and conditioner. The zone of inhibition was smaller with the shampoos containing 0.8 and 4% chlorhexidine. There was no difference between the inhibition zones post‐treatment with benzoyl peroxide, ethyl lactate and control.Conclusion and clinical importanceThe efficacy of a shampoo is dependent not only on the concentration of the active ingredients but also on the shampoo formulation. Hair shafts treated with shampoos containing 2 and 3% chlorhexidine and the combination of shampoo and conditioner inhibited bacterial growth significantly and seem suitable to treat canine bacterial pyoderma.
Cytotypes ofCentaurea stoebefound to differ in root growth using growth pouches
Authors: Collins A R , Thalmann D , Müller‐Schärer H 
Published: February 2013

SummaryCentaurea stoebeis native toEurope andWesternAsia and was introduced intoNorthAmerica in the late 19th century, where it has become highly invasive. In its native range,C. stoebeoccurs in two cytotypes, namely diploids (2n = 18) and tetraploids (2n = 36), but only the tetraploid form has been identified in the invaded range. We used special growth pouches to determine whether diploid and tetraploid cytotypes from the native range differed in root growth and architecture. We grew seeds from five populations of each cytotype in growth pouches during a period of sixteen days and measured root growth traits both by hand and using a root‐scanning software package (WinRHIZO). Tetraploid cytotypes had significantly larger total root length, taproot length, surface area, root volume, above‐ and below‐ground biomass and root to shoot ratios than diploid cytotypes. We suggest that increased early root growth of tetraploid cytotypes as compared with diploids may be one factor that pre‐adapted them towards the colonisation of warmer and drier climates inEurope andNorthAmerica, where tetraploids are currently expanding and invasive respectively.
Estimated nursing workload for the implementation of ventilator bundles
Authors: Branch-Elliman Westyn , Wright Sharon B , Gillis Jean M , Howell Michael D 
Published: February 2013

BackgroundVentilator-associated pneumonia is a common healthcare-associated infection with high attributable morbidity and mortality. Prevention strategies, including prevention bundles, have been widely adopted across the USA. However, the nursing resources required to implement these bundles, and their effect on other aspects of intensive care unit patient care, are unknown.MethodsWe conducted a survey of all critical care nurses at our institution to determine the time required, and impact of, a prevention bundle at our hospital.ResultsNurses estimated that the standard ventilator bundle requires a median of 115 min (IQR: 74–182) per patient per day. Although the majority of nurses did not perceive that other patient care tasks were delayed by these prevention activities, this was not universal; 29% (95% CI 21% to 39%) of respondents reported that other patient care tasks were sometimes delayed because time was allocated to ventilator bundle activities.ConclusionsOur estimates may serve as potentially important inputs for cost-effectiveness and decision analyses related to intensive care unit prevention activities. Further research should include direct observations about nursing time allocation related to prevention activities.
An emergency contraception algorithm based on risk assessment: changes in clinicians’ practice and patients’ choices
Authors: McKay Rebecca Jayne , Gilbert Lynne 
Published: February 2013

ObjectivesWhen ulipristal acetate (UPA) was introduced into the Contraceptive and Sexual Health Services service in June 2011 an algorithm was developed to guide method selection. The aim was to encourage clinicians to assess risk and to offer a copper intrauterine device (IUD) as first-line choice with hormonal methods as second-line choice.MethodsUPA was the second-line choice for presentations up to 120 hours after high-risk episodes (i.e. around the time of ovulation). Women at lower risk were also offered UPA if presentation was between 72 and 120 hours after unprotected intercourse unless the risk was very low, in which case levonorgestrel 1.5 mg was the second-line choice.ResultsPrior to the protocol only 49% of women were offered an IUD compared with 61.6% afterwards. This improved further in the subgroup of women at high risk where 93.3% were offered an IUD compared with 59% initially. After the introduction of UPA the percentage of women accepting the IUD fell from 30% to 14.1%. Overall 14.5% of women received UPA compared to 7.8% receiving an IUD.ConclusionsIntroduction of a standardised protocol for the provision of emergency contraception has significantly increased the proportion of women offered an IUD as postcoital contraception, particularly in women at high risk of conception. Introduction of UPA has seen a halving of the number of women accepting the IUD. This is cause for concern. Further investigation into the reasons behind this decrease in IUD uptake needs to be undertaken.
Impact of Radiosonde Balloon Drift on Numerical Weather Prediction and Verification
Authors: Laroche Stéphane , Sarrazin Réal 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
Radiosonde observations employed in real-time numerical weather prediction (NWP) applications are disseminated through the Global Telecommunication System (GTS) using alphanumeric codes. These codes do not include information about the position and elapsed ascent time of the balloon. Consequently, the horizontal balloon drift has generally been either ignored or estimated in data assimilation systems for NWP. With the increasing resolution of atmospheric models, it is now important to consider the positions and times of radiosonde data in both data assimilation and forecast verification systems. This information is now available in the Binary Universal Form for the Representation of Meteorological Data (BUFR) code for radiosonde data. This latter code will progressively replace the alphanumeric codes for all radiosonde data transmitted on the GTS. As a result, a strategy should be adopted by NWP centers to deal with the various codes for radiosonde data during this transition. In this work, a method for estimating the balloon drift position from reported horizontal wind components and a representative elapsed ascent time profile are developed and tested. This allows for estimating the missing positions and times information of radiosonde data in alphanumeric reports, and then for processing them like those available in BUFR code. The impact of neglecting the balloon position in data assimilation and verification systems is shown to be significant in short-range forecasts in the upper troposphere and stratosphere, especially for the zonal wind field in the Northern Hemisphere winter season. Medium-range forecasts are also improved overall when the horizontal position of radiosonde data is retrieved.
Selective defoliation affects plant growth, fruit transcriptional ripening program and flavonoid metabolism in grapevine
Authors: Pastore Chiara , Zenoni Sara , Fasoli Marianna , Pezzotti Mario , Tornielli Giovanni Battista , Filippetti Ilaria 
Published: February 2013

AbstractBackgroundThe selective removal of grapevine leaves around berry clusters can improve the quality of ripening fruits by influencing parameters such as the berry sugar and anthocyanin content at harvest. The outcome depends strongly on the timing of defoliation, which influences the source–sink balance and the modified microclimate surrounding the berries. We removed the basal leaves fromVitis viniferaL. cv Sangiovese shoots at the pre-bloom and veraison stages, and investigated responses such as shoot growth, fruit morphology and composition compared to untreated controls. Moreover, we performed a genome-wide expression analysis to explore the impact of these defoliation treatments on berry transcriptome.ResultsWe found that pre-bloom defoliation improved berry quality traits such as sugar and anthocyanin content, whereas defoliation at veraison had a detrimental effect, e.g. less anthocyanin and higher incidence of sunburn damage. Genome-wide expression analysis during berry ripening revealed that defoliation at either stage resulted in major transcriptome reprogramming, which slightly delayed the onset of ripening. However, a closer investigation of individual gene expression profiles identified genes that were specifically modulated by defoliation at each stage, reflecting the uncoupling of metabolic processes such as flavonoid biosynthesis, cell wall and stress metabolism, from the general ripening program.ConclusionsThe specific transcriptional modifications we observed following defoliation at different time points allow the identification of the developmental or metabolic processes affected in berries thus deepening the knowledge of the mechanisms by which these agronomical practices impact the final berry ripening traits.
Induction of selective cytotoxicity and apoptosis in human T4-lymphoblastoid cell line (CEMss) by boesenbergin a isolated from boesenbergia rotunda rhizomes involves mitochondrial pathway, activation of caspase 3 and G2/M phase cell cycle arrest
Authors: Ng Kuan-Beng , Bustamam Ahmad , Sukari Mohd Aspollah , Abdelwahab Siddig Ibrahim , Mohan Syam , Buckle Michael James Christopher , Kamalidehghan Behnam , Nadzri Nabilah Muhammad , Anasamy Theebaa , A Hadi A Hamid , Rahman Heshu Sulaiman 
Published: February 2013

AbstractBackgroundBoesenbergia rotunda(Roxb.) Schlecht (family zingiberaceae) is a rhizomatous herb that is distributed from north-eastern India to south-east Asia, especially in Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia. Previous research has shown that the crude extract of this plant has cytotoxic properties. The current study examines the cytotoxic properties of boesenbergin A isolated fromBoesenbergia rotunda.MethodsMTT assay was used to check the cytotoxicity of boesenbergin A. The morphological assessment of apoptosis was monitored using normal and fluorescence microscopy. The early and late phase of apoptosis was investigated using annexin V and DNA laddering assays, respectively. The mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was assessed by fluorescence microscopy. Human apoptosis proteome profiler assays were performed to investigate the mechanism of cell death. In addition, the protein levels of Bax, Bcl2 and HSP 70 were also analyzed using western blot. Assays of caspase =-3/7, -8 and =-9 were carried out in order to test for induction during treatment. Lastly, cell cycle progression was analyzed using flow cytometry.ResultsBoesenbergin A was found to have the highest toxicity towards CEMss cancer cells (IC50 = 8 μg/ml). The morphology of CEMss cells after treatment showed evidence of apoptosis that included blebbing and chromatin condensation. The annexin V assay revealed that early apoptosis is induced after treatment. The DNA laddering assay confirmed that DNA fragmentation had occurred during late apoptosis. The cell cycle analysis indicated that boesenbergin A was able to induce G2/M phase arrest in CEMss cells. The activity of caspases -3/7, -8 and -9 was increased after treatment which indicates both intrinsic and extrinsic pathways are induced during apoptosis. The involvement of mitochondria was established by increased mitochondrial membrane potential and up and down regulation of Bcl2 and Bax proteins as well as HSP70.ConclusionIn conclusion, the results demonstrated that boesenbergin A induced apoptosis of CEMss cells through Bcl2/Bax signaling pathways with the involvement of caspases and G2/M phase cell cycle arrest. The current findings warrant further research on boesenbergin A as a novel chemotherapeutic agent for leukemia intervention including studies in animal models.
Cranial radiotherapy predisposes to abdominal adiposity in survivors of childhood acute lymphocytic leukemia
Authors: Siviero-Miachon Adriana Aparecida , Spinola-Castro Angela Maria , Lee MariaLúcia deMartino , Andreoni Solange , Geloneze Bruno , Lederman Henrique , Guerra-Junior Gil 
Published: February 2013

Abstract

Background
Advances in treatment of acute lymphocytic leukemia increased the likelihood of developing late treatment-associated effects, such as abdominal adiposity, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease in this population. Cranial radiotherapy is one of the factors that might be involved in this process. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of cranial radiotherapy on adiposity indexes in survivors of acute lymphocytic leukemia.

Methods
A comparative cross-sectional study of 56 acute lymphocytic leukemia survivors, chronological age between 15 and 24 years, assigned into two groups according to the exposure to cranial radiotherapy (25 irradiated and 31 non-irradiated), assessed according to body fat (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry), computed tomography scan-derived abdominal adipose tissue, lipid profile, and insulin resistance.

Results
Cranial radiotherapy increased body fat and abdominal adipose tissue and altered lipid panel. Yet, lipids showed no clinical relevance so far. There were significantly more obese patients among those who received cranial radiotherapy (52% irradiated versus 22.6% non-irradiated), based on dual energy X-ray absorptiometry body fat measurements. Nonetheless, no association was observed between cranial radiotherapy and body mass index, waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio or insulin resistance.

Conclusions
Adolescent and young adult survivors of childhood acute lymphocytic leukemia showed an increase in body fat and an alteration of fat distribution, which were related to cranial radiotherapy. Fat compartment modifications possibly indicate a disease of adipose tissue, and cranial radiotherapy imports in this process.
A human neuronal model of Niemann Pick C disease developed from stem cells isolated from patient’s skin
Authors: Bergamin Natascha , Dardis Andrea , Beltrami Antonio , Cesselli Daniela , Rigo Silvia , Zampieri Stefania , Domenis Rossana , Bembi Bruno , Beltrami Carlo Alberto 
Published: February 2013

Abstract

Background
Niemann Pick C (NPC) disease is a neurovisceral lysosomal storage disorder due to mutations in NPC1 or NPC2 genes, characterized by the accumulation of endocytosed unesterified cholesterol, gangliosides and other lipids within the lysosomes/late endosomes. Even if the neurodegeneration is the main feature of the disease, the analysis of the molecular pathways linking the lipid accumulation and cellular damage in the brain has been challenging due to the limited availability of human neuronal models.

Objective
The aim of this study was to develop a human neuronal model of NPC disease by inducing neuronal differentiation of multipotent adult stem cells (MASC) isolated from NPC patients.

Methods
Stem cells were isolated from 3 NPC patients and 3 controls both from skin biopsies and previously established skin fibroblast cultures. Cells were induced to differentiate along a neuronal fate adapting methods previously described by Beltrami et al, 2007. The surface immunophenotype of stem cells was analyzed by FACS. Stem cell and neuronal markers expression were evaluated by immunofluorescence. Intracellular accumulation of cholesterol and gangliosides were assessed by filipin staining and immunofluorescence, respectively. A morphometric analysis was performed using a Neurite outgrowth image program.

Results
After 3 passages in selective medium, MASC isolated either from skin biopsies or previously established skin fibroblast cultures displayed an antigenic pattern characteristic of mesenchymal stem cells and expressed the stem cell markers Oct-4, Nanog, Sox-2 and nestin. A massive lysosomal accumulation of cholesterol was observed only in cells isolated from NPC patients. After the induction of neural differentiation, remarkable morphologic changes were observed and cells became positive to markers of the neuronal lineage NeuN and MAP2. Differentiated cells from NPC patients displayed characteristic features of NPC disease, they showed intracellular accumulation of unesterified cholesterol and GM2 ganglioside and presented morphological differences with respect to cells derived from healthy donors.
In conclusion, we generated a human neuronal model of NPC disease through the induction of differentiation of stem cells obtained from patient’s easily accessible sources. The strategy described here may be applied to easily generate human neuronal models of other neurodegenerative diseases.
The γ-filtration and the Rost invariant
Authors: Garibaldi Skip , Zainoulline Kirill 
Published: February 2013

Abstract

Grothendieck studied two filtrations – the γ and topological filtrations – on the ring

K
0

(
X
)

$K_0(X)$

for a projective variety X, together with the associated graded rings. He gave a necessary and sufficient condition for the graded ring

⊕
i

γ
i

/

γ

i
+
1

$\oplus _i \gamma ^{i} / \gamma ^{i+1}$

to have non-zero torsion elements when X is the variety of Borel subgroups of a simply connected semisimple algebraic group G over an algebraically closed field. We sharpen his observation by calculating explicitly the torsion in

γ
2

/

γ
3

$\gamma ^{2} / \gamma ^3$

, and we do this under weaker hypotheses on G. We apply this result to describing the torsion in the group

CH
3

(
X
)

$\operatorname{CH}^3(X)$

of codimension-3 cycles on X, and providing an extension of the Rost invariant.
Effect of Cow Nutrition in the Far-off Period on Colostrum Quality and Immune Response of Calves
Authors: Nowak Włodzimierz , Mikuła Robert , Kasprowicz-Potocka Małgorzata , Ignatowicz Marta , Zachwieja Andrzej , Paczyńska Katarzyna , Pecka Ewa 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
The aim of the study was to determine the effect of the limitation of energy intake by restrictive dry matter intake in the faroff part (from -56 d to -22 d) of dry period on the colostrum quality and the calf immunological status. Thirty-eight Polish Holstein- Friesian Black and White multiparous cows and their calves were randomly allotted to one of the two dietary treatments in the far-off period. In group ADLIB, diet was offered ad libitum (2.0% body weight), while in group REST, dry matter intake was restricted to 1.5% of body weight. Lowered feed intake in the far-off period did not have a statistically significant influence on the quality of colostrum. On the 3rd d of calves’ life, serum concentrations of immunoglobulins, albumins, globulins, total protein, and IGF-1 were not affected by treatments of dam in the far-off period. The concentrations of total Ig and G and A immunoglobulins of 21-day-old calves from cows fed ad libitum during the far-off period was found to be significantly lower compared to REST group. No significant differences in birth weight and growth rate during the first 21 d of life were found. Limiting maternal diet in far-off period did not affect negatively colostrum quality and calves` immune response during early stages of their life.