bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sulphate and sulphurous acid alter the relative susceptibility of wheat to Phaeosphaeria nodorum and Mycosphaerella graminicola
Authors: Chandramohan P. , Shaw M. W. 
Published: March 2013

The relative abundances of DNA of Mycosphaerella graminicola and Phaeosphaeria nodorum in archived wheat samples are closely correlated with UK anthropogenic emissions of oxidized sulphur over the last 160 years. To test whether this could be a causal relationship, possible modes of action of sulphur on the two fungi were examined. Mycelial growth of the two fungi in solutions of sulphurous acid was similar. Sulphurous acid at pH 4 reduced percentage germination of P. nodorum conidia more strongly than M. graminicola conidia. In spray inoculations of wheat cv. Squarehead's Master, Cappelle Desprez and Riband with water or sulphurous acid (pH 4), the ratio of leaves infected by P. nodorum to leaves infected by M. graminicola was increased by factors of 2·5, 2·1 and 0·6, respectively at pH 4. The same three cultivars of wheat were grown in sand and vermiculite and fertilized with nutrient solution containing 2·5 or 0·5 mm sulphate. Both pathogens infected less frequently at 2·5 mm sulphate, by a factor of about 2. The severity of infection by M. graminicola was reduced on all three cultivars by a factor of about 4·5 at 2·5 mm sulphate, but severity of P. nodorum was reduced only by a factor of about 2. Both elevated free sulphate concentrations in soil and sulphite in rainwater could therefore increase the prevalence of P. nodorum relative to M. graminicola, which is consistent with the historical changes in abundance.
Positive and negative affect in adolescent self‐evaluation: Psychometric information in single trials used to generate dimension‐specific ERPs and neural source models
Authors: Waters Allison C. , Tucker Don M. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractWe examined brain mechanisms of self‐evaluation in a sample of adolescents using dense array EEG (dEEG), neural source analysis, and a novel psychometric weighting method. Each trial of the self‐evaluation task was weighted according to its correlation with negative affect and positive affect, such that unique ERP averages were constructed for each mood dimension. Results support the hypothesis that the emotional influence on self‐appraisal is dimension specific. Negative affect was associated with more robust ERP responses 300 ms into the decision‐making epoch. Affect‐weighted source analyses further differentiated dorsal‐posterior and ventral‐anterior features of brain activity. The integration of psychometric weights and dEEG neural source analysis may provide new clues to the neural mechanisms of affective influence on self‐evaluative cognition.
What Works for Whom, How and under What Circumstances? Testing Moderated Mediation of Intervention Effects on Externalizing Behavior in Children
Authors: Stoltz Sabine , Deković Maja , van Londen Monique , Orobio de Castro Bram , Prinzie Peter 
Published: March 2013

AbstractIn this study, we investigate whether changes in child social cognitive functioning and parenting are the mechanisms through which an individually delivered real‐world child intervention, Stay Cool Kids, aimed at preventing externalizing problem behavior in high‐risk elementary school children, induces changes in child behavior. Moreover, we tested whether mediation was moderated by child characteristics (gender and personality). The sample consisted of 264 fourth‐grade children displaying externalizing behavior (TRF t‐score > 60). Forty‐eight schools were randomly assigned to the intervention or no‐intervention control condition. The results of mediation analyses provided evidence for child positive self‐perception and maternal involvement as working mechanisms of the intervention. Child personality factor extraversion moderated the mediating effect of involvement whereas no moderated mediation was found for gender. Working mechanisms of the intervention differ for children with different personality characteristiscs.
An 8‐week face‐split study to evaluate the efficacy of cosmeceuticals using non‐invasive bioengineering devices
Authors: Jung J. W. , Lee Y. W. , Choe Y. B. , Ahn K. J. 
Published: March 2013

Background/aimsEven with the increasing demand for functional cosmeceuticals in the recent years, objective standard criteria for assessing their efficacy are currently incomplete at best. In this 8‐week face‐split study, in which we topically applied high‐priced cosmeceuticals on one side and more affordable cosmeceuticals on the other side of the face, we compared the efficacy of these two products using non‐invasive bioengineering technology.MethodsWe assessed the efficacy of a skin‐whitening and an anti‐wrinkle cosmeceutical product on 25 and 19 healthy female volunteers, respectively. In a single blind split setting, each participant received an 8‐week topical application of high‐priced cosmeceuticals to the left side of the face, and cheaper cosmeceuticals to the right side. Then, the subjects' biophysical parameters were measured for an objective evaluation of the results. This was followed by a questionnaire to obtain a subjective assessment.ResultsThere was no significant difference in the change between the high‐priced cosmeceuticals and the more affordable cosmeceuticals. At each measured site, there were variable changes including skin improvement and aggravation at the end of study. The subjective questionnaire demonstrated also that the participants perceived no difference in the efficacy between the two products.ConclusionsOur results showed that there were no significant differences in the skin biophysical parameters following the application with high‐priced functional cosmeceuticals or less expensive cosmeceuticals. The subject failed to differentiate between the two products. The development of objective standard criteria for assessing its efficacy is essential.
Risk‐adjusted relationship between voriconazole utilization and non‐melanoma skin cancer among lung and heart/lung transplant patients
Authors: McLaughlin J.M. , Equils O. , Somerville K.T. , Aram J.A. , Schlamm H.T. , Welch V.L. , Mardekian J. , Barbers R.G. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractBackgroundWe examined the relationship between voriconazole utilization and non‐melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) development among adult lung and heart/lung transplant patients who were continuously enrolled in a large U.S. commercial health plan.MethodsCox proportional hazards regression models were constructed to assess both the crude and adjusted effect of voriconazole usage on NMSC development. Overall, 467 adult lung (98%) and heart/lung (2%) transplant patients (60% male) with median age of 58 years were analyzed.ResultsFifty‐seven (12%) patients developed NMSC over a median follow‐up time of 610 days. At the crude level, patients with any (vs. none) claim for voriconazole were more likely to develop NMSC (19% vs. 12%, hazard ratio [HR]: 1.74, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02, 2.96, P = 0.04). However, after statistical adjustment for demographic and clinical factors, the effect was largely diminished and no longer statistically significant (HR: 1.23, 95% CI: 0.71, 2.14, P = 0.45). Results were similar when modeling average and total dose of voriconazole. Risk factors significantly related to NMSC development were being male, older age, sun exposure, history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, and history of immune disorder.ConclusionResults suggest that the relationship between voriconazole utilization and NMSC among lung transplant patients may be a result of confounding by indication, and that controlling for underlying patient characteristics is paramount.
In vitro assessment of buffy‐coat derived platelet components suspended in SSP+ treated with the INTERCEPT Blood system
Authors: Johnson L. , Loh Y. S. , Kwok M. , Marks D. C. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractBackgroundThe INTERCEPT Blood System uses amotosalen‐HCl and UVA light to cross‐link DNA and RNA, thereby inhibiting pathogen replication. Although previous studies have shown that this treatment alters in vitro platelet quality, most studies have assessed apheresis platelets or platelets pooled from 5 or 6 donors. In Australia, platelets are prepared using buffy‐coats from 4 donors, with SSP+ and have lower plasma carryover than recommended by the manufacturer (32–47%). As such, it is currently unknown whether these platelet concentrates are suitable for INTERCEPT treatment.Materials and methodsPlatelet concentrates were prepared by pooling four buffy‐coats with SSP+, resulting in 30% plasma carryover. Two platelet units were pooled and split to generate paired units, with one unit treated with the INTERCEPT System (n = 6), whilst the other remained untreated (n = 6). All units were stored for seven days at 22 °C with agitation.ResultsINTERCEPT treatment resulted in 10·4 ± 4·3% loss of platelets, but did not significantly affect the functional integrity of mitochondria. INTERCEPT‐treated platelets demonstrated a decreased pH, accelerated lactate production and glucose consumption, as well as higher surface expression and increased secretion of P‐selectin and reduced collagen‐induced aggregation. These changes were particularly evident from day 5 of storage.ConclusionThe observed increase in platelet glycolysis following INTERCEPT treatment is consistent with previous literature reports. Importantly, the in vitro changes were less marked than previously reported indicating that the platelets suspended in SSP+ with reduced plasma carryover are of suitable in vitro quality following INTERCEPT treatment and storage.
Red blood cells stored for increasing periods produce progressive impairments in nitric oxide–mediated vasodilation
Authors: Alexander Jason T. , El‐Ali Alexander M. , Newman James L. , Karatela Sulaiman , Predmore Benjamin L. , Lefer David J. , Sutliff Roy L. , Roback John D. 
Published: March 2013

BackgroundClinical outcomes in transfused patients may be affected by the duration of blood storage, possibly due to red blood cell (RBC)‐mediated disruption of nitric oxide (NO) signaling, a key regulator of vascular tone and blood flow.Study Design and MethodsAS‐1 RBC units stored up to 42 days were sampled at selected storage times. Samples were added to aortic rings ex vivo, a system where NO‐mediated vasodilation could be experimentally controlled.ResultsRBC units showed storage‐dependent changes in plasma hemoglobin (Hb), RBC 2,3‐diphosphoglycerate acid, and RBC adenosine triphosphate conforming to expected profiles. When freshly collected (Day 0) blood was added to rat aortic rings, methacholine (MCh) stimulated substantial NO‐mediated vasodilation. In contrast, MCh produced no vasodilation in the presence of blood stored for 42 days. Surprisingly, the vasoinhibitory effects of stored RBCs were almost totally mediated by RBCs themselves: removal of the supernatant did not attenuate the inhibitory effects, while addition of supernatant alone to the aortic rings only minimally inhibited MCh‐stimulated relaxation. Stored RBCs did not inhibit vasodilation by a direct NO donor, demonstrating that the RBC‐mediated vasoinhibitory mechanism did not work by NO scavenging.ConclusionsThese studies have revealed a previously unrecognized vasoinhibitory activity of stored RBCs, which is more potent than the described effects of free Hb and works through a different mechanism that does not involve NO scavenging but may function by reducing endothelial NO production. Through this novel mechanism, transfusion of small volumes of stored blood may be able to disrupt physiologic vasodilatory responses and thereby possibly cause adverse clinical outcomes.
Erosion externalities: an empirical study of resident beliefs for a watershed in south‐eastern Spain
Authors: Rosario‐Díaz Juana F. , Haro‐Pérez José , Cañero‐León Rafael 
Published: March 2013

AbstractThis research explores the external effects of erosion as a criterion based on the perceptions of residents of populated areas within a watershed. We applied a multiple correspondence analysis to survey responses in order to reveal the attitudes of residents towards erosion in the study area. This analysis is combined with an analysis of the adjusted residuals, with the goal of identifying the most important erosion externalities that characterize part of south‐eastern Spain. Our results demonstrated that the survey approach, combined with the statistical analysis, is capable of revealing differences among communities within a watershed in the perceived externalities of erosion. We identified the following key variables: municipality, conservation status of access routes, conservation status of sewer systems, conservation status of landscape, nature outings per year and agriculture abandonment.
Public Health and Vector‐Borne Diseases – A New Concept for Risk Governance
Authors: Schmidt K. , Dressel K. M. , Niedrig M. , Mertens M. , Schüle S. A. , Groschup M. H. 
Published: March 2013

SummaryPublic Health is defined as an interdisciplinary multilevel approach that deals with questions of preventing diseases at the population level. In this context, this paper focuses on vector‐borne diseases as an important threat with an increasing impact on human and animal health. Emphasis is laid on an integrated health approach (‘One‐Health’ initiative) as it recognizes the interrelated nature of both human and animal health. The importance of vector‐borne diseases to new and emerging diseases in Europe was demonstrated, for example, by the recent outbreak of West Nile virus infections in Greece, Northern Italy and Hungary; the spread of Crimean‐Congo haemorrhagic fever virus across Turkey, south‐western countries of the former USSR and the Balkans; the dramatic increase in hantavirus infections in Germany in 2012; and the dengue virus outbreak in Portugal in the same year. This paper provides a systematic approach for the analysis, assessment and governance of emerging health risks attributed to vector‐borne diseases by using a holistic approach developed by the International Risk Governance Council (IRGC), called the ‘IRGC Risk Governance Framework’. It can be used by decision‐makers and general Public Health authorities in order to evaluate the situation regarding any specific pathogen or Public Health risk and to decide if additional measures should be implemented.
Aromatic Amino Acids Required for Pili Conductivity and Long-Range Extracellular Electron Transport in Geobacter sulfurreducens
Authors: Vargas Madeline , Malvankar Nikhil S. , Tremblay Pier-Luc , Leang Ching , Smith Jessica A. , Patel Pranav , Synoeyenbos-West Oona , Nevin Kelly P. , Lovley Derek R. 
Published: March 2013

ABSTRACT

It has been proposed that
Geobacter sulfurreducens
requires conductive pili for long-range electron transport to Fe(III) oxides and for high-density current production in microbial fuel cells. In order to investigate this further, we constructed a strain of
G. sulfurreducens
, designated Aro-5, which produced pili with diminished conductivity. This was accomplished by modifying the amino acid sequence of PilA, the structural pilin protein. An alanine was substituted for each of the five aromatic amino acids in the carboxyl terminus of PilA, the region in which
G. sulfurreducens
PilA differs most significantly from the PilAs of microorganisms incapable of long-range extracellular electron transport. Strain Aro-5 produced pili that were properly decorated with the multiheme
c
-type cytochrome OmcS, which is essential for Fe(III) oxide reduction. However, pili preparations of the Aro-5 strain had greatly diminished conductivity and Aro-5 cultures were severely limited in their capacity to reduce Fe(III) compared to the control strain. Current production of the Aro-5 strain, with a graphite anode serving as the electron acceptor, was less than 10% of that of the control strain. The conductivity of the Aro-5 biofilms was 10-fold lower than the control strain’s. These results demonstrate that the pili of
G. sulfurreducens
must be conductive in order for the cells to be effective in extracellular long-range electron transport.

IMPORTANCE
Extracellular electron transfer by
Geobacter
species plays an important role in the biogeochemistry of soils and sediments and has a number of bioenergy applications. For example, microbial reduction of Fe(III) oxide is one of the most geochemically significant processes in anaerobic soils, aquatic sediments, and aquifers, and
Geobacter
organisms are often abundant in such environments.
Geobacter sulfurreducens
produces the highest current densities of any known pure culture, and close relatives are often the most abundant organisms colonizing anodes in microbial fuel cells that harvest electricity from wastewater or aquatic sediments. The finding that a strain of
G. sulfurreducens
that produces pili with low conductivity is limited in these extracellular electron transport functions provides further insight into these environmentally significant processes.
Anaemia management with C.E.R.A. in routine clinical practice: OCEANE (Cohorte Mircerapatientsnon-dialysés), a national, multicenter, longitudinal, observational prospective study, in patients with chronic kidney disease not on dialysis
Authors: Frimat Luc , Mariat Christophe , Landais Paul , Koné Sébastien , Commenges Bénédicte , Choukroun Gabriel 
Published: March 2013

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to describe the management of anaemia with a continuous erythropoietin receptor activator (C.E.R.A., methoxy polyethylene glycol epoetin-β), in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) not on dialysis, naïve or non-naïve to treatment with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) at inclusion.DesignNational, multicentre, longitudinal, observational prospective study.Setting133 nephrologists practicing in France selected patients during their routine follow-up visits. The study was non-interventional.ParticipantsThey were adult CKD patients not on dialysis or kidney transplant patients, naïve or not to ESA treatment: 524 patients not on dialysis (48% ESA-naïve) and 92 kidney transplant patients (24% ESA-naïve) were included and followed up every 3 months during 1 year.Outcome measuresThe two main endpoints were the percentage of patients who achieved target haemoglobin (Hb) levels as per European Medicines Agency guidelines (10–12 g/dl) around 6 months of treatment and modalities of treatment.ResultsApproximately one in two patients had an Hb level within 10–12 g/dl at baseline, and around 6 and 12 months of treatment. Ninety per cent of ESA-naïve patients achieved at least +1 g/dl increase over baseline Hb levels or had Hb within 10–12 g/dl around 6 and 12 months. The Hb level remained at approximately 11.5 g/dl during the 12 months of follow-up. Around 6 months: almost all patients were receiving a once-monthly subcutaneous dose of C.E.R.A. (patients not on dialysis: 95±54 µg; kidney transplant patients: 121±70 µg); approximately half the patients did not require a change in C.E.R.A. dose. Adverse effects related to C.E.R.A. were observed in less than 5% of patients and led to modification or discontinuation of treatment in 2%.ConclusionsThe efficacy and safety of C.E.R.A. in CKD patients not on dialysis, with or without kidney transplantation, were confirmed in routine clinical practice.
Nocturnal hypoxaemia in patients with Eisenmenger syndrome: a cohort study
Authors: Ramakrishnan Sivasubramanian , Juneja Rajnish , Bardolei Neil , Sharma Ajay , Shukla Garima , Bhatia Manvir , Kalaivani Mani , Kothari Shyam S , Saxena Anita , Bahl Vinay K , Guleria Randeep 
Published: March 2013

ObjectivesThe objective of the study was to find the prevalence of sleep-related disturbances in patients of Eisenmenger syndrome.DesignProspective observational study.SettingTertiary care referral centre in North India.ParticipantsThe study included 25 patients with Eisenmenger syndrome (mean age 25.2±9.6 years, 18 men) and 12 patients with cyanotic congenital heart disease with pulmonary stenosis physiology (mean age 20.5±8.5 years, 8 men) as controls.InterventionsAll the patients underwent an overnight comprehensive polysomnogram study and pulmonary function testing.Main outcome measureOxygen desaturation index, which is the number of oxygen drops per hour.ResultsThe patients and controls had significant nocturnal hypoxaemia in the absence of apnoea and hypopnoea. The mean oxygen drop index in Eisenmenger syndrome group was 9.0±6.2 and in the control group was 8.0±5.9 (p=0.63). The apnoea–hypopnoea index was 3.37±5.0 in the Eisenmenger syndrome group and was 2.1±3.6 in the control group. Patients with >10 oxygen drops per hour had significantly higher haemoglobin (17.2±1.3% vs 14.4±1.5%, p<0.001) than those with oxygen drops less than 10.ConclusionsEisenmenger syndrome patients have significant nocturnal hypoxaemia unrelated to hypopnoea and apnoea. Nocturnal desaturation occurred more frequently in patients with greater haemoglobin values.
Associations between body weight perception and weight control behaviour in South Indian children: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Swaminathan Sumathi , Selvam Sumithra , Pauline Maria , Vaz Mario 
Published: March 2013

ObjectiveTo examine the patterns of weight loss behaviour and the association between weight loss attempts with actual weight status and children's and parental perceptions of weight status.DesignA cross-sectional study.SettingKarnataka, South India.Participants1874 girls and boys aged 8–14 years from seven schools in Karnataka, South India.Main outcome measuresThe association between weight loss attempts and sociodemographic factors, weight status and the child's or the parent's perception of weight status.ResultsApproximately 73% of overweight and obese, 35% of normal weight and 22% of underweight children attempted to lose weight. Children of lower socioeconomic groups studying in schools in the local vernacular and overweight/obese children were more likely to attempt to lose weight (adjusted OR ie, AOR=1.57, 95% CI 1.11 to 2.25; AOR=4.38, 95% CI 2.64 to 7.28, respectively). Perception of weight status was associated with weight loss attempts. Thus, children who were of normal weight but perceived themselves to be overweight/obese were three times more likely to attempt weight loss compared with those who accurately perceived themselves as being of normal weight, while the odds of attempting weight loss were the highest for those who were overweight and perceived themselves to be so (AOR∼18).ConclusionsChildren are likely to attempt weight loss in India irrespective of their weight status, age and gender. Children who were actually overweight as well as those who were perceived by themselves or by their parents to be overweight or obese were highly likely to try to lose weight. It is necessary to understand body weight perceptions in communities with a dual burden of being overweight and undernourished, if intervention programmes for either are to be successful.