bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
HCV protein‐induced cytokine predicts treatment outcomes in chronic hepatitis C virus infection
Authors: Krueger Carla , Collister Mark , Minuk Gerald Y. , Janke Alyssa , Lerner Jordyn , Wong Stephen G. M. , Rempel Julia D. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractBackground & AimsImmune‐mediated processes are thought to influence the efficacy of treatment in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. This study evaluated the association of baseline immune responses with the achievement of a sustained viral response (SVR) upon pegylated interferon and ribavirin treatment.MethodsBaseline serum and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) cytokine activity was assessed. Metabolic and liver injury parameters were evaluated as underlying factors.ResultsBaseline demographics and disease parameters did not differ between the SVR− (n = 14) and SVR+ (n = 25) cohorts except for body mass index (BMI) values and liver injury scores. Baseline circulating TNF‐α levels were three‐fold higher with subsequent treatment failure vs. success (P = 0.124). Baseline peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC, n = 25) were cultured with HCV core and non‐structural (NS)3 proteins. Core (P = 0.0003) and NS3 (P = 0.018) induced greater TNF‐α production within the SVR−, compared with the SVR+, cohorts. Similar findings were noted for interleukin (IL)‐1β and IL‐10 synthesis. Furthermore, HCV core‐induced TNF‐α synthesis correlated with patient BMI values (r = 0.489, P = 0.015). Core (r = 0.432, P = 0.065) and NS3 (r = 0.530, P = 0.020)‐induced TNF‐α displayed a positive relationship with serum adiponectin concentrations. In addition, lipopolysaccharide stimulated cytokine synthesis associated with BMI and adiponectin levels. Although unable to predict treatment outcomes, NS3‐induced IL‐6 synthesis and serum leptin concentrations corresponded to liver injury scores.ConclusionAn enhanced PBMC susceptibility to core and NS3‐induced TNF‐α synthesis at baseline was associated with treatment failure. This phenomenon appeared to involve the interaction of virally generated TNF‐α activity and metabolic disease. In contrast, IL‐6 activity and leptin levels may indicate liver damage.
Evolutionary history ofPurple cone spruce (Picea purpurea) in theQinghai–TibetPlateau: homoploid hybrid origin andPleistocene expansion
Authors: Sun Yongshuai , Abbott Richard J. , Li Lili , Li Long , Zou Jiabin , Liu Jianquan 
Published: November 2013

AbstractHybridization and introgression can play an important role in speciation. Here, we examine their roles in the origin and evolution ofPicea purpurea, a diploid spruce species occurring on theQinghai–TibetPlateau (QTP). Phylogenetic relationships and ecological differences between this species and its relatives,P. schrenkiana,P. likiangensisandP. wilsonii,are unclear. To clarify them, we surveyed sequence variation within and between them for 11 nuclear loci, three chloroplast (cp) and two mitochondrial (mt)DNAfragments, and examined their ecological requirements using ecological niche modelling. Initial analyses based on 11 nuclear loci rejected a close relationship betweenP. schrenkiana andP. purpurea.BP&Ptests and ecological niche modelling indicated substantial divergence between the remaining three species and supported the species status ofP. purpurea,which contained many private alleles as expected for a well‐established species. Sequence variation for cpDNAand mtDNAsuggested a close relationship betweenP. purpureaandP. wilsonii, while variation at the nuclear se1364 gene suggestedP. purpureawas more closely related toP. likiangensis. Analyses of genetic divergence, Bayesian clustering and model comparison using approximateBayesian computation (ABC) of nuclear (nr)DNAvariation all supported the hypothesis thatP. purpureaoriginated by homoploid hybrid speciation fromP. wilsoniiandP. likiangensis. TheABCanalysis dated the origin ofP. purpureaat thePleistocene, and the estimated hybrid parameter indicated that 69% of its nuclear composition was contributed byP. likiangensisand 31% byP. wilsonii. Our results further suggested that during or immediately following its formation,P. purpureawas subject to organelleDNAintrogression fromP. wilsoniisuch that it came to possess both mtDNAand cpDNAofP. wilsonii. The estimated parameters indicated that following its origin,P. purpureaunderwent an expansion during/after the largestPleistocene glaciation recorded for theQTP.
Shared selective pressure and local genomic landscape lead to repeatable patterns of genomic divergence in sunflowers
Authors: Renaut Sebastien , Owens Gregory L. , Rieseberg Loren H. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe repeated evolution of traits in organisms facing similar environmental conditions is considered to be fundamental evidence for the role of natural selection in moulding phenotypes. Yet, aside from case studies of parallel evolution and its genetic basis, the repeatability of evolution at the level of the whole genome remains poorly characterized. Here, through the use of transcriptome sequencing, we examined genomic divergence for three pairs of sister species of sunflowers. Two of the pairs (Helianthus petiolaris – H. debilis and H. annuus – H. argophyllus) have diverged along a similar latitudinal gradient and presumably experienced similar selective pressure. In contrast, a third species pair (H. exilis – H. bolanderi) diverged along a longitudinal gradient. Analyses of divergence, as measured in terms of FST, indicated little repeatability across the three pairs of species for individual genetic markers (SNPs), modest repeatability at the level of individual genes and the highest repeatability when large regions of the genome were compared. As expected, higher repeatability was observed for the two species pairs that have diverged along a similar latitudinal gradient, with genes involved in flowering time among the most divergent genes. Genes showing extreme low or high differentiation were more similar than genes showing medium levels of divergence, implying that both purifying and divergent selection contributed to repeatable patterns of divergence. The location of a gene along the chromosome also predicted divergence levels, presumably because of shared heterogeneity in both recombination and mutation rates. In conclusion, repeated genome evolution appeared to result from both similar selective pressures and shared local genomic landscapes.
Beyond survival; influences of blood pressure, cerebral perfusion and anesthesia on neurodevelopment
Authors: McCann Mary Ellen , Schouten Anton N.J. 
Published: November 2013

SummaryNeonates have a higher perioperative mortality risk largely due to the degree of prior illness of the infants, the complexity of their surgeries, and infant physiology. It is important to consider contributing anesthetic factors during the perioperative period that may affect cerebral perfusion and neurocognitive outcome, such as alterations in hemodynamics and ventilation. Limitations of blood pressure as a marker for cerebral perfusion are discussed, as well as the effect of hypocapnia on the brain.
Cost Drivers of Prescription Opioid Abuse in Commercial and Medicare Populations
Authors: Pasquale Margaret K. , Joshi Ashish V. , Dufour Robert , Schaaf David , Mardekian Jack , Andrews George A. , Patel Nick C. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractObjectiveGrowth in the number of patients with pain conditions, and the subsequent rise in prescription opioid use for treatment, has been accompanied by an increase in diagnosed opioid abuse. Understanding what drives the incremental healthcare costs of members diagnosed with prescription opioid abuse may assist in developing better screening techniques for abuse.DesignThis retrospective analysis examined costs, resource use, and comorbidities 365 days pre‐ and postdiagnosis in prescription opioid users diagnosed with abuse (cases) vs. their matched nondiagnosed controls. Inclusion criteria for cases were diagnosis of opioid abuse (ICD‐9‐CM: 304.0x, 304.7x, 305.5x, 965.0x). Multivariate analysis used generalized linear modeling with log‐transformed cost as dependent variable, controlling for comorbidities.ResultsFinal sample sizes were 8,390 cases and 16,780 matched controls. Postindex abuse‐related costs were $2,099 for commercial members, $539 for Medicare members aged < 65, and $170 for Medicare members aged ≥ 65. A higher percentage of cases had pain conditions (82.0% vs. 57.4% commercial, 95.9% vs. 87.5% Medicare members aged < 65, 92.9% vs. 82.4% Medicare members aged ≥ 65, P < 0.0001), and a higher numbers of cases had multiple opioid prescribers (3.7 vs. 1.4 commercial, 3.3 vs. 2.2 Medicare < 65, 2.2 vs. 1.6 Medicare ≥ 65, P < 0.0001) than controls preindex. Cases had higher rates of substance abuse and psychiatric diagnoses pre‐ and postindex (P < 0.0001, all comparisons). Adjusted costs were 28% higher for cases than for controls (P < 0.0001).ConclusionCosts of members diagnosed with prescription opioid abuse are driven by higher pain and psychiatric comorbidities relative to nonabuse controls.
Approaches for enhancement of N2 fixation efficiency of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) under limiting nitrogen conditions
Authors: Nasr Esfahani Maryam , Sulieman Saad , Schulze Joachim , Yamaguchi‐Shinozaki Kazuko , Shinozaki Kazuo , Tran Lam‐Son 
Published: November 2013

SummaryChickpea (Cicer arietinum) is an important pulse crop in many countries in the world. The symbioses between chickpea and Mesorhizobia, which fix N2 inside the root nodules, are of particular importance for chickpea's productivity. With the aim of enhancing symbiotic efficiency in chickpea, we compared the symbiotic efficiency of C‐15, Ch‐191 and CP‐36 strains of Mesorhizobium ciceri in association with the local elite chickpea cultivar ‘Bivanij’ as well as studied the mechanism underlying the improvement of N2 fixation efficiency. Our data revealed that C‐15 strain manifested the most efficient N2 fixation in comparison with Ch‐191 or CP‐36. This finding was supported by higher plant productivity and expression levels of the nifHDK genes in C‐15 nodules. Nodule specific activity was significantly higher in C‐15 combination, partially as a result of higher electron allocation to N2 versus H+. Interestingly, a striking difference in nodule carbon and nitrogen composition was observed. Sucrose cleavage enzymes displayed comparatively lower activity in nodules established by either Ch‐191 or CP‐36. Organic acid formation, particularly that of malate, was remarkably higher in nodules induced by C‐15 strain. As a result, the best symbiotic efficiency observed with C‐15‐induced nodules was reflected in a higher concentration of the total and several major amino metabolites, namely asparagine, glutamine, glutamate and aspartate. Collectively, our findings demonstrated that the improved efficiency in chickpea symbiotic system, established with C‐15, was associated with the enhanced capacity of organic acid formation and the activities of the key enzymes connected to the nodule carbon and nitrogen metabolism.
Low levels of ribosomal RNA partly account for the very high photosynthetic phosphorus‐use efficiency of Proteaceae species
Authors: SULPICE RONAN , ISHIHARA HIROFUMI , SCHLERETH ARMIN , CAWTHRAY GREGORY R. , ENCKE BEATRICE , GIAVALISCO PATRICK , IVAKOV ALEXANDER , ARRIVAULT STÉPHANIE , JOST RICARDA , KROHN NICOLE , KUO JOHN , LALIBERTÉ ETIENNE , PEARSE STUART J. , RAVEN JOHN A. , SCHEIBLE WOLF‐RÜDIGER , TESTE FRANÇOIS , VENEKLAAS ERIK J. , STITT MARK , LAMBERS HANS 
Published: November 2013

AbstractProteaceae species in south‐western Australia occur on phosphorus‐ (P) impoverished soils. Their leaves contain very low P levels, but have relatively high rates of photosynthesis. We measured ribosomal RNA (rRNA) abundance, soluble protein, activities of several enzymes and glucose 6‐phosphate (Glc6P) levels in expanding and mature leaves of six Proteaceae species in their natural habitat. The results were compared with those for Arabidopsis thaliana. Compared with A. thaliana, immature leaves of Proteaceae species contained very low levels of rRNA, especially plastidic rRNA. Proteaceae species showed slow development of the photosynthetic apparatus (‘delayed greening’), with young leaves having very low levels of chlorophyll and Calvin–Benson cycle enzymes. In mature leaves, soluble protein and Calvin–Benson cycle enzyme activities were low, but Glc6P levels were similar to those in A. thaliana. We propose that low ribosome abundance contributes to the high P efficiency of these Proteaceae species in three ways: (1) less P is invested in ribosomes; (2) the rate of growth and, hence, demand for P is low; and (3) the especially low plastidic ribosome abundance in young leaves delays formation of the photosynthetic machinery, spreading investment of P in rRNA. Although Calvin–Benson cycle enzyme activities are low, Glc6P levels are maintained, allowing their effective use.
Secondary metabolite from Nostoc XPORK14A inhibits photosynthesis and growth of Synechocystis PCC 6803
Authors: SHUNMUGAM SUMATHY , JOKELA JOUNI , WAHLSTEN MATTI , BATTCHIKOVA NATALIA , REHMAN ATEEQ UR , VASS IMRE , KARONEN MAARIT , SINKKONEN JARI , PERMI PERTTU , SIVONEN KAARINA , ARO EVA‐MARI , ALLAHVERDIYEVA YAGUT 
Published: November 2013

AbstractScreening of 55 different cyanobacterial strains revealed that an extract from Nostoc XPORK14A drastically modifies the amplitude and kinetics of chlorophyll a fluorescence induction of Synechocystis PCC 6803 cells. After 2 d exposure to the Nostoc XPORK14A extract, Synechocystis PCC 6803 cells displayed reduced net photosynthetic activity and significantly modified electron transport properties of photosystem II under both light and dark conditions. However, the maximum oxidizable amount of P700 was not strongly affected. The extract also induced strong oxidative stress in Synechocystis PCC 6803 cells in both light and darkness. We identified the secondary metabolite of Nostoc XPORK14A causing these pronounced effects on Synechocystis cells. Mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance analyses revealed that this compound, designated as M22, has a non‐peptide structure. We propose that M22 possesses a dual‐action mechanism: firstly, by photogeneration of reactive oxygen species in the presence of light, which in turn affects the photosynthetic machinery of Synechocystis PCC 6803; and secondly, by altering the in vivo redox status of cells, possibly through inhibition of protein kinases.
Altered growth and improved resistance of Arabidopsis against Pseudomonas syringae by overexpression of the basic amino acid transporter AtCAT1
Authors: YANG HUAIYU , POSTEL SANDRA , KEMMERLING BIRGIT , LUDEWIG UWE 
Published: November 2013

AbstractAmino acid transporters in plants are crucial for distributing amino acids between plant organs and cellular compartments. The H+‐coupled plasma membrane transporter CAT1 (cationic amino acid transporter 1) facilitates the high‐affinity uptake of basic amino acids. The uptake of lysine (Lys) via the roots was not altered in loss‐of‐function mutants, in accordance with the minor expression of CAT1 in roots, but plants ectopically overexpressing CAT1 incorporated Lys at higher rates. Exogenous Lys inhibited the primary root of Arabidopsis, whereas lateral roots were stimulated. These effects were augmented by the presence or absence of CAT1. Furthermore, the total biomass of soil‐grown plants ectopically overexpressing CAT1 was reduced and the time to flowering was accelerated. These effects were accompanied by only minor changes in the overall amino acid profile. Interestingly, CAT1 belongs to a specific small cluster of nitrogen‐containing metabolite transporter genes that are rapidly up‐regulated upon infection with Pseudomonas syringae and that may participate in the systemic response of plants to pathogen attack. The overexpression of CAT1 indeed enhanced the resistance to the hemibiotrophic bacterial pathogen P. syringae via a constitutively activated salicylic acid (SA) pathway, which is consistent with the developmental defects and the resistance phenotype.
Localized Mastocytosis of the Vulva
Authors: Berry Tammy , Strand Megan , Smidt Aimee C. , Torrelo Antonio 
Published: November 2013

AbstractMastocytosis is a relatively common disorder characterized by mast cell collections in the skin and other organ systems. Affected children are more likely than adults to have limited cutaneous disease. We report two patients with localized vulvar mastocytosis in the absence of other cutaneous findings and review previous reports of vulvar involvement in cutaneous mastocytosis.
Laboratory predictors of acute dialysis in hemolytic uremic syndrome
Authors: Balestracci Alejandro , Martin Sandra Mariel , Toledo Ismael , Alvarado Caupolican , Wainsztein Raquel Eva 
Published: November 2013

AbstractBackgroundStrict guidelines on use of dialysis in children with post‐diarrheal hemolytic uremic syndrome (D + HUS) are lacking. This study investigated laboratory predictors of acute dialysis because they are more objective than clinical features. Added to this, given that urine output is also an objective parameter, its ability to predict dialysis requirements was also investigated.MethodsOut of 153 D + HUS children reviewed, 88 received dialysis and 65 did not. Initial laboratory parameters and diuresis between both groups were analyzed.ResultsDialyzed patients had higher creatinine, urea, alanine aminotransferase, hematocrit and leukocyte count; and lower sodium, bicarbonate, and pH compared to non‐dialyzed ones. Serum creatinine was the only independent predictor (P = 0.003) of dialysis; therefore, its ability to predict dialysis was estimated on receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and using the Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN) staging system. Area under the ROC curve was 0.92 (95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 0.83–1) with a creatinine cut‐off of 1.25 mg/dL (sensitivity, 100%; specificity, 76.5%) for children <1 year, and 0.93 (95%CI: 0.88–0.98) with a threshold of 2 mg/dL (sensitivity, 91%; specificity, 87.5%) for older children. AKIN stage 3 at admission predicted dialysis with a sensitivity of 92% and specificity of 84.2%. Urine output had the highest accuracy for dialysis prediction (sensitivity, 100%; specificity, 95.3%).ConclusionsInitial serum creatinine concentration was the best laboratory predictor of dialysis, but the first 24 h diuresis was even better for this purpose. But, given that serum creatinine is an immediate available parameter, the cut‐offs identified may label D + HUS children who will probably need dialysis, prompting early referral to centers able to provide dialysis.
Is fat content of human milk decreased by infusion?
Authors: Igawa Mio , Murase Masahiko , Mizuno Katsumi , Itabashi Kazuo 
Published: November 2013

AbstractBackgroundHuman milk (HM) is the optimum nutrition for preterm infants. Previous studies showed that tube infusion decreased the fat content in thawed HM. The aim of this study was to determine if freezing–thawing is the main reason for decrease of fat content. In neonatal intensive care units, thawed HM is used in general, therefore the aim of this study was to investigate fat loss during tube infusion with regard to changes in tube size, material, and infusion rate.MethodsFirst, pre‐infusion and post‐infusion fat content was measured in 15 fresh HM, 10 thawed HM and 6 formula samples. We compared post‐infusion and pre‐infusion fat content as well as the percent decrease in fat concentration among fresh HM, thawed HM and formula samples. Second, we measured the fat content of 160 thawed HM samples infused via four different diameters (3–6 Fr), two types of material (DEHP‐free and PVC‐free), and two infusion rates (30 or 60 min). We compared the percent decrease in fat concentration among four different tube sizes, between DEHP‐free and PVC‐free tubes, and between 30 and 60 min infusion durations.ResultsPost‐infusion fat content was significantly decreased compared to before infusion in thawed HM and fresh HM but not in formula. Given that thawed HM resulted in larger decrease in fat content, we performed a second experiment and found no difference regarding differing size, materials or infusion rate.ConclusionsThere was a far greater decrease in the post‐infusion fat content of thawed HM compared to fresh HM under all test conditions.
Molecular diagnosis of mitochondrial respiratory chain disorders in Japan: Focusing on mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome
Authors: Yamazaki Taro , Murayama Kei , Compton Alison G , Sugiana Canny , Harashima Hiroko , Amemiya Shin , Ajima Masami , Tsuruoka Tomoko , Fujinami Ayako , Kawachi Emi , Kurashige Yoshiko , Matsushita Kenshi , Wakiguchi Hiroshi , Mori Masato , Iwasa Hiroyasu , Okazaki Yasushi , Thorburn David R , Ohtake Akira 
Published: November 2013

AbstractBackgroundAlthough mitochondrial respiratory chain disorders (MRCD) are one of the most common congenital metabolic diseases, there is no cumulative data on enzymatic diagnosis and clinical manifestation for MRCD in Japan and Asia.MethodsWe evaluated 675 Japanese patients having profound lactic acidemia, or patients having symptoms or signs of multiple‐organ origin simultaneously without lactic acidemia on respiratory chain enzyme activity assay and blue native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to diagnose mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome (MTDPS). Mutation analysis of several genes responsible for MTDPS was also performed.ResultsA total of 232 patients were diagnosed with a probable or definite MRCD. MRCD are common, afflicting one in every several thousand people in Japan. More than one in 10 of the patients diagnosed lacked lactic acidemia. A subsequent analysis of the causative genes of MTDPS identified novel mutations in six of the patients. A 335 bp deletion in deoxyguanosine kinase (DGUOK; g.11692_12026del335 (p.A48fsX90)) was noted in two unrelated families, and may therefore be a common mutation in Japanese people. The proportion of all patients with MTDPS, and particularly those with recessive DNA polymerase γ (POLG) mutations, appears to be lower in Japan than in other studies. This is most likely due to the relatively high prevalence of ancient European POLG mutations in Caucasian populations. No other significant differences were identified in a comparison of the enzymatic diagnoses, disease classifications or prognoses in Japanese and Caucasian patients with MRCD.ConclusionMTDPS and other MRCD are common, but serious, diseases that occur across all races.
Variance Estimation and Asymptotic Confidence Bands for the Mean Estimator of Sampled Functional Data with High Entropy Unequal Probability Sampling Designs
Authors: Cardot Hervé , Goga Camelia , Lardin Pauline 
Published: November 2013

ABSTRACTFor fixed size sampling designs with high entropy, it is well known that the variance of the Horvitz–Thompson estimator can be approximated by the Hájek formula. The interest of this asymptotic variance approximation is that it only involves the first order inclusion probabilities of the statistical units. We extend this variance formula when the variable under study is functional, and we prove, under general conditions on the regularity of the individual trajectories and the sampling design, that we can get a uniformly convergent estimator of the variance function of the Horvitz–Thompson estimator of the mean function. Rates of convergence to the true variance function are given for the rejective sampling. We deduce, under conditions on the entropy of the sampling design, that it is possible to build confidence bands whose coverage is asymptotically the desired one via simulation of Gaussian processes with variance function given by the Hájek formula. Finally, the accuracy of the proposed variance estimator is evaluated on samples of electricity consumption data measured every half an hour over a period of 1 week.