bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Differential Impact of Dilator Stimuli on Increased Myogenic Activation of Cerebral and Skeletal Muscle Resistance Arterioles in Obese Zucker Rats
Authors: Butcher Joshua T. , Goodwill Adam G. , Stanley Shyla C. , Frisbee Jefferson C. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractObjectiveTo use the OZR model of the metabolic syndrome to determine the impact of dilator stimuli on MA of GA and MCA. We tested the hypothesis that increased oxidant stress and TxA2 exacerbate MA, and prevent its blunting with dilator stimuli, in OZR.MethodsGA/MCA from OZR and LZR was pressurized ex vivo. MA was determined under control conditions and following challenge with acetylcholine, hypoxia, and adenosine. Responses were also evaluated after pre‐treatment with TEMPOL (antioxidant) and SQ‐29548 (PGH2/TxA2 receptor antagonist).ResultsMA was increased (and dilator responses decreased) in GA/MCA from OZR, dependent on the endothelium and ROS. In GA, the impact of ROS on MA and dilator effects was largely via TxA2, while in MCA, this appeared was more dependent on NO bioavailability. Intrinsic responses of GA/MCA to carbacyclin, U46619, and NO donors were similar between strains.ConclusionsA developing ROS‐based endothelial dysfunction in MCA and GA of OZR contributes to an enhanced MA of these vessels. Although treatment of GA/MCA with TEMPOL attenuates MA in OZR, the mechanistic contributors to altered MA, distal to ROS, differ between the two resistance vessels.
Long‐term Preconditioning with Erythropoietin Reduces Ischemia‐Induced Skin Necrosis
Authors: Rezaeian Farid , Wettstein Reto , Scheuer Claudia , Schenck Thilo L. , Egaña Jose T. , Machens Hans‐Günther , Menger Michael D. , Harder Yves 
Published: March 2013

AbstractObjectiveRecent findings have attested to EPO tissue‐protective effects in ischemically challenged tissues. Therefore, the study aimed at elaborating the effect of systemic pre‐ and postconditioning using EPO in a mouse model of persistent ischemia of the skin.MethodsThree groups of nine C57Bl/6‐mice each were analyzed. The experimental groups consisted of untreated controls, EPO preconditioning, and EPO postconditioning (500 IU EPO/kg bw/day for 10 days). Critically perfused skin flaps undergoing necrosis, if kept untreated, were mounted into dorsal skinfold chambers. Intravital epi‐fluorescence microscopy was performed for 10 days to assess tissue necrosis, microcirculation, inflammation, and angiogenesis. Protein expression analysis of eNOS was performed. Hematocrit analyses were carried out separately in eight animals.ResultsOnly EPO preconditioning was able to significantly reduce necrosis, when compared with controls. This correlated with a significantly increased CD in the critically perfused tissue. Administration of EPO only slightly increased eNOS expression at day 10, when compared with controls. EPO induced angiogenesis and increased hematocrit. Finally, EPO significantly reduced leukocytic inflammation in arterioles in all EPO receiving mice.ConclusionsEPO preconditioning effectively reduces skin necrosis predominantly by capillary maintenance and reperfusion, as well as improved tissue regeneration. Thus, EPO preconditioning might represent a promising, non‐invasive approach to reduce complications in ischemically challenged skin.
Myenteric neuron numbers are maintained in aging mouse distal colon
Authors: Gamage P. P. K. M. , Ranson R. N. , Patel B. A. , Yeoman M. S. , Saffrey M. J. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractBackgroundAge‐associated myenteric neuronal loss has been described in several species. In some studies, cholinergic neurons have been reported to be selectively vulnerable, whereas nitrergic neurons are spared. Aging of the mouse enteric nervous system (ENS) and the subtypes of mouse myenteric neurons that may be lost have been little studied. We therefore investigated changes in the numbers of total neurons and two neuronal subpopulations in the mouse distal colon during aging.MethodsWholemount preparations from 3–4‐, 12–13‐, 18–19‐, and 24–25‐month‐old C57BL/6 mice were double immunolabeled with HuC/D antibody to identify the total neuronal population and antisera to either calbindin or neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) to identify myenteric neuronal subpopulations. Samples were analyzed by confocal microscopy. New procedures were employed to ensure unbiased counting and to correct for changes in gut dimensions with age and stretch during sample preparation. The density of nerve fibers in the tertiary plexus was also studied.Key ResultsNo significant change in numbers of total neurons or of either subpopulation with age was measured, but because of gut growth, the density of myenteric neurons decreased between 3–4 and 12–13 months. The density of nNOS‐immunoreactive nerve fibers in the tertiary plexus increased significantly with age, up to 18–19 months. Numerous swollen processes of CB and nNOS‐immunoreactive neurons were observed in 18–19‐ and 24–25‐month‐old animals.Conclusions & InferencesThese results indicate that aging does not result in a loss of myenteric neurons in mouse distal colon at the ages studied, although neurodegenerative changes, which may impact on neuronal function, do occur.
Stability of quantitative trait loci for growth and wood properties across multiple pedigrees and environments in Eucalyptus globulus
Authors: Freeman Jules S. , Potts Brad M. , Downes Geoffrey M. , Pilbeam David , Thavamanikumar Saravanan , Vaillancourt René E. 
Published: March 2013

Summary

Eucalypts are one of the most planted tree genera worldwide, and there is increasing interest in marker‐assisted selection for tree improvement. Implementation of marker‐assisted selection requires a knowledge of the stability of quantitative trait loci (QTLs). This study aims to investigate the stability of QTLs for wood properties and growth across contrasting sites and multiple pedigrees of Eucalyptus globulus.

Saturated linkage maps were constructed using 663 genotypes from four separate families, grown at three widely separated sites, and were employed to construct a consensus map. This map was used for QTL analysis of growth, wood density and wood chemical traits, including pulp yield.

Ninety‐eight QTLs were identified across families and sites: 87 for wood properties and 11 for growth. These QTLs mapped to 38 discrete regions, some of which co‐located with candidate genes. Although 16% of QTLs were verified across different families, 24% of wood property QTLs and 38% of growth QTLs exhibited significant genotype‐by‐environment interaction.

This study provides the most detailed assessment of the effect of environment and pedigree on QTL detection in the genus. Despite markedly different environments and pedigrees, many QTLs were stable, providing promising targets for the application of marker‐assisted selection.
Accurate measurement of optical properties of narrow leaves and conifer needles with a typical integrating sphere and spectroradiometer
Authors: NODA HIBIKI M. , MOTOHKA TAKESHI , MURAKAMI KAZUTAKA , MURAOKA HIROYUKI , NASAHARA KENLO NISHIDA 
Published: March 2013

AbstractAccurate information on the optical properties (reflectance and transmittance spectra) of single leaves is important for an ecophysiological understanding of light use by leaves, radiative transfer models and remote sensing of terrestrial ecosystems. In general, leaf optical properties are measured with an integrating sphere and a spectroradiometer. However, this method is usually difficult to use with grass leaves and conifer needles because they are too narrow to cover the sample port of a typical integrating sphere. Although ways to measure the optical properties of narrow leaves have been suggested, they have problems. We propose a new measurement protocol and calculation algorithms. The protocol does not damage sample leaves and is valid for various types of leaves, including green and senescent. We tested our technique with leaves of Aucuba japonica, an evergreen broadleaved shrub, and compared the spectral data of whole leaves and narrow strips of the leaves. The reflectance and transmittance of the strips matched those of the whole leaves, indicating that our technique can accurately estimate the optical properties of narrow leaves. Tests of conifer needles confirmed the applicability.
Meristem temperature substantially deviates from air temperature even in moderate environments: is the magnitude of this deviation species‐specific?
Authors: SAVVIDES ANDREAS , van IEPEREN WIM , DIELEMAN JANNEKE A. , MARCELIS LEO F. M. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractMeristem temperature (Tmeristem) drives plant development but is hardly ever quantified. Instead, air temperature (Tair) is usually used as its approximation. Meristems are enclosed within apical buds. Bud structure and function may differ across species. Therefore, Tmeristem may deviate from Tair in a species‐specific way. Environmental variables (air temperature, vapour pressure deficit, radiation, and wind speed) were systematically varied to quantify the response of Tmeristem. This response was related to observations of bud structure and transpiration. Tomato and cucumber plants were used as model plants as they are morphologically distinct and usually growing in similar environments. Tmeristem substantially deviated from Tair in a species‐specific manner under moderate environments. This deviation ranged between −2.6 and 3.8 °C in tomato and between −4.1 and 3.0 °C in cucumber. The lower Tmeristem observed in cucumber was linked with the higher transpiration of the bud foliage sheltering the meristem when compared with tomato plants. We here indicate that for properly linking growth and development of plants to temperature in future applications, for instance in climate change scenarios studies, Tmeristem should be used instead of Tair, as a species‐specific trait highly reliant on various environmental factors.
Statistical Inference for Max-Stable Processes in Space and Time
Authors: Davis Richard A. , Klüppelberg Claudia , Steinkohl Christina 
Published: March 2013

SummaryMax-stable processes have proved to be useful for the statistical modelling of spatial extremes. Several families of max-stable random fields have been proposed in the literature. One such representation is based on a limit of normalized and rescaled pointwise maxima of stationary Gaussian processes that was first introduced by Kabluchko and co-workers. This paper deals with statistical inference for max-stable space–time processes that are defined in an analogous fashion. We describe pairwise likelihood estimation, where the pairwise density of the process is used to estimate the model parameters. For regular grid observations we prove strong consistency and asymptotic normality of the parameter estimates as the joint number of spatial locations and time points tends to ∞. Furthermore, we discuss extensions to irregularly spaced locations. A simulation study shows that the method proposed works well for these models.
Medication errors in elderly acute care – a systematic review
Authors: Metsälä Eija , Vaherkoski Ulla 
Published: March 2013

AimsMedication safety is a part of quality of care and patient safety. Old age brings many challenges for safe use of medication. In order to improve the prerequisites of medication safety in acute care of the elderly, we systematically reviewed studies to find out what kind of medication errors happen in elderly acute care.MethodsCinahl, Medline, Cochrane, JBI Connect+ databases and Finnish healthcare databases Medic and Ohtanen were used in the search. The search was performed using both MeSH terms and keywords by the option ‘search all text’. The original keywords were pharmacy or drugs, medical error or deviation and their Finnish synonyms. These keywords were united to the terms elderly, nursing or acute care or intensive care. Studies published between 2001 and 2011 were chosen.ResultsMedication errors mentioned in the studies were associated with (i) nursing competence, (ii) prescription‐ and patient‐related factors, (iii) medication work organisation and nursing process and (iv) safety culture. This paper presents several practical implications for improving medication safety in the acute care of the elderly.LimitationsThe grey literature was not included because the authors wanted to limit to the best‐quality research. In some studies, elderly acute care was not their exact context or the elderly formed only a part of study population. This may have undermined some types of medication errors typical to elderly acute care.ConclusionsTo improve the prerequisites of medication, safety in acute care of the elderly management of the medication process should be improved. Also, cooperation within the medical team in making the medical care plans and checking out the medication of the elderly people should be improved. This is an important topic of lifelong education for nurses and other healthcare staff as well.
Psychometric evaluation of a questionnaire and primary healthcare nurses' attitudes towards research and use of research findings
Authors: Nilsson Kajermo Kerstin , Alinaghizadeh Hassan , Falk Ulla , Wändell Per , Törnkvist Lena 
Published: March 2013

AimThis article investigates attitudes towards and awareness of research and use of research findings among primary healthcare nurses, determinants of attitudes and evaluation of psychometric properties of an instrument measuring nurses' attitudes.BackgroundThe production of new knowledge is ongoing and the amount of research of relevance for health care has increased, but there remains a gap between what is known and what is done in practice. To enhance evidence‐based practice and patient safety, the use of research findings needs to be encouraged and promoted.MethodAn explanatory study using a cross‐sectional survey was conducted in 2005–2006. The survey included items about background data and the instrument attitudes towards and awareness of research and development in nursing. 1054 nurses participated in the study. Factor analyses and Cronbach's alpha were used to evaluate internal structure and internal consistency of the instrument.ResultThe nurses generally held positive attitudes towards research. Although most of the nurses reported using research in practice, 37% claimed that they never or rarely used research findings. Half of the respondents perceived they had the ability to analyse scientific reports/articles. This ability and research use were significant determinants of attitudes. Factor analysis of the scale resulted in a three‐factor solution, which differs from the seven‐factor structure previously identified by the originators of the instrument.ConclusionOur results support the view that implementation of research is a complex process involving several factors. The different factor structure identified suggests that further work is needed on this instrument.
Common and well‐documented HLA alleles: 2012 update to the CWD catalogue
Authors: Mack S. J. , Cano P. , Hollenbach J. A. , He J. , Hurley C. K. , Middleton D. , Moraes M. E. , Pereira S. E. , Kempenich J. H. , Reed E. F. , Setterholm M. , Smith A. G. , Tilanus M. G. , Torres M. , Varney M. D. , Voorter C. E. M. , Fischer G. F. , Fleischhauer K. , Goodridge D. , Klitz W. , Little A.‐M. , Maiers M. , Marsh S. G. E. , Müller C. R. , Noreen H. , Rozemuller E. H. , Sanchez‐Mazas A. , Senitzer D. , Trachtenberg E. , Fernandez‐Vina Marcelo 
Published: March 2013

AbstractWe have updated the catalogue of common and well‐documented (CWD) human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles to reflect current understanding of the prevalence of specific allele sequences. The original CWD catalogue designated 721 alleles at the HLA‐A, ‐B, ‐C, ‐DRB1, ‐DRB3/4/5, ‐DQA1, ‐DQB1, and ‐DPB1 loci in IMGT (IMmunoGeneTics)/HLA Database release 2.15.0 as being CWD. The updated CWD catalogue designates 1122 alleles at the HLA‐A, ‐B, ‐C, ‐DRB1, ‐DRB3/4/5, ‐DQA1, ‐DQB1, ‐DPA1 and ‐DPB1 loci as being CWD, and represents 14.3% of the HLA alleles in IMGT/HLA Database release 3.9.0. In particular, we identified 415 of these alleles as being ‘common’ (having known frequencies) and 707 as being ‘well‐documented’ on the basis of ~140,000 sequence‐based typing observations and available HLA haplotype data. Using these allele prevalence data, we have also assigned CWD status to specific G and P designations. We identified 147/151 G groups and 290/415 P groups as being CWD. The CWD catalogue will be updated on a regular basis moving forward, and will incorporate changes to the IMGT/HLA Database as well as empirical data from the histocompatibility and immunogenetics community. This version 2.0.0 of the CWD catalogue is available online at cwd.immunogenomics.org, and will be integrated into the Allele Frequencies Net Database, the IMGT/HLA Database and National Marrow Donor Program's bioinformatics web pages.
Toll‐like receptor 4 genetic variants and prognosis of breast cancer
Authors: Yang C.‐X. , Li C.‐Y. , Feng W. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractDespite the knowledge of many genetic alterations present in breast cancer, the complexity of this disease precludes placing its biology into a simple conceptual framework. Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) plays important roles in regulating innate immunity and may affect the development of cancers. Polymorphisms in TLR4 gene have been shown to be associated with impaired immune responses. Here, we investigated the association of TLR4 polymorphisms with breast cancer. Four functional TLR4 polymorphisms (−2242T/C, Asp299Gly, Thr399Ile, and +3725G/C) were genotyped in a total of 665 breast cancer patients and 768 healthy controls. Data were analyzed using the chi‐squared test. Results showed that the prevalence of TLR4 +3725GC and CC genotypes were significantly increased in breast cancer cases when compared with controls [odds ratio (OR) = 1.37, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.08–1.73, P = 0.008 and OR = 2.34, 95% CI = 1.66–3.35, P < 0.0001, respectively]. Also, the frequency of TLR4 +3725C allele was significantly higher in breast cancer patients (P < 0.0001). The −2242T/C polymorphism did not show any significant differences between cases and controls. In addition, when analyzing the survival time of breast cancer patients with TLR4 +3725G/C polymorphism, cases with +3725C allele had significantly shorter survival time overall (P = 0.006). These results suggested that polymorphism in TLR4 gene was associated with increased susceptibility to breast cancer and could be used as a prognostic marker for this malignancy.
Extracorporeal renal replacement therapy and blood purification in critical care
Authors: Cowgill Larry D. , Guillaumin Julien 
Published: March 2013

AbstractObjectiveTo review indications methods of renal replacement therapies (RRT) and practical considerations for the creation of aRRTprogram.Data SourcesCurrent human and veterinary literature review with a focus on advanced renal physiology and clinical experience inRRTand acute/chronic kidney diseases.Data SynthesisRenal replacement therapies encompass intermittent hemodialysis, continuous renal replacement therapy as well as some “hybrid” techniques. Each method ofRRThas practical and theoretical advantages but currently there is no evidence that one technique is superior to the other.ConclusionsRRTis a valuable therapeutic tool for treatment of acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease. The implementation of anRRTprogram needs to take into consideration multiple parameters beyond the choice of anRRTplatform.
Risk factors for human immunodeficiency virus infection among Brazilian blood donors: a multicentre case–control study using audio computer‐assisted structured interviews
Authors: de Almeida‐Neto C. , Goncalez T. T. , Birch R. J. , de Carvalho S. M. F. , Capuani L. , Leão S. C. , Miranda C. , Rocha P. C. , Carneiro‐Proietti A. B. , Johnson B. R. , Wright D. J. , Murphy E. L. , Custer B. ,   for NHLBI Retrovirus Epidemiology Donor Study‐II (REDS‐II) International Component, Brazil
Published: March 2013

BackgroundAlthough risk factors for HIV infection are known, it is important for blood centres to understand local epidemiology and disease transmission patterns. Current risk factors for HIV infection in blood donors in Brazil were assessed.MethodsA case–control study was conducted at large public blood centres located in four major cities between April 2009 and March 2011. Cases were persons whose donations were confirmed positive by enzyme immunoassays followed by Western blot confirmation. Audio computer‐assisted structured interviews (ACASI) were completed by all cases and controls. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and associated 95% confidence intervals (CIs).ResultsThere were 341 cases, including 47 with recently acquired infection, and 791 controls. Disclosed risk factors for both females and males were sex with an HIV‐positive person AOR 11·3, 95% CI (4·1, 31·7) and being an IVDU or sexual partner of an IVDU [AOR 4·65 (1·8, 11·7)]. For female blood donors, additional risk factors were having male sex partners who also are MSM [AOR 13·5 (3·1, 59·8)] and having unprotected sex with multiple sexual partners [AOR 5·19 (2·1, 12·9)]. The primary risk factor for male blood donors was MSM activity [AOR 21·6 (8·8, 52·9)]. Behaviours associated with recently acquired HIV were being a MSM or sex partner of MSM [13·82, (4·7, 40·3)] and IVDU [11·47, (3·0, 43·2)].ConclusionRisk factors in blood donors parallel those in the general population in Brazil. Identified risk factors suggest that donor compliance with selection procedures at the participating blood centres is inadequate.
Measuring clinical bleeding using a standardized daily report form and a computer algorithm for adjudication of WHO bleeding grades
Authors: Middelburg R. A. , Ypma P. F. , van der Meer P. F. , van Wordragen‐Vlaswinkel R. J. , Eissen O. , Kerkhoffs J. L. 
Published: March 2013

IntroductionBleeding is increasingly considered an important end point in clinical platelet transfusion studies. Accurate recording and adjudication into well‐defined bleeding grades, however, remains a major challenge.MethodsWe developed a computer algorithm for automatic adjudication. The algorithm's results were compared to those of three independent adjudicators.ResultsFor one of 1186 bleeding days, the clinical report form (CRF) was filled out incorrectly, and the algorithm therefore missed one grade‐1 skin bleed. For two bleeding days, the adjudicators incorrectly classified a grade‐2 skin bleed as grade‐1 while the algorithm correctly classified these days. The algorithm saved approximately six person‐hours of adjudication time for the adjudication of 1186 days from 60 patients.DiscussionThe algorithm can be an invaluable tool for adjudicating large amounts of bleeding data.