bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Differences in Birthweight Curves Between Newborns of Immigrant Mothers vs. Infants Born in Their Corresponding Native Countries: Systematic Overview
Authors: Boshari Talia , Urquia Marcelo L. , Sgro Michael , De Souza Leanne R. , Ray Joel G. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractBackgroundNewborn weight may vary between ethnic groups, but it is not known if birthweight differences exist between term babies born to immigrant mothers compared with those born in their corresponding native countries.MethodsWe completed a systematic review of all birthweight curves published between 1980 and 2012, based on at least 100 singleton deliveries. We compared the 10th, 50th and 90th percentile birthweight values at 40 weeks gestation for male and female infants born in their native country vs. those infants born to mothers who had emigrated from their native country to Ontario, Canada. For the 50th percentile values, we also calculated a standardised pooled weighted difference and 95% confidence interval [CI] for both sexes. We also assessed whether birthweight differed over time, or if the differences varied by the Human Development Index (HDI) value for the native country.ResultsA total of 31 studies from 21 different countries met the inclusion criteria, comprising 13 317 578 males and 12 859 119 females born at 40 weeks gestation. There was a small non‐significant rise in reported birthweight percentile values between 1983 and 2006. Nearly all infants born to women in their native country had lower birthweights than those born to mothers who had emigrated from the same country to Canada at the 10th, 50th and 90th percentiles. Overall, the 50th percentile weights differed by 115 g [95% CI 74, 156] for males and 122 g [95% CI 95, 150] for females. As HDI or median birthweight increased, birthweight differences were less pronounced, but not significantly so.ConclusionsTerm birthweight percentiles are typically higher among term infants born to mother who immigrate to Canada than those of infants born in their respective native country.
A Test of Agreement of Customised Birthweight Models
Authors: Gibbons Kristen S. , Chang Allan M. Z. , Flenady Vicki J. , Mahomed Kassam , Gray Peter H. , Gardener Glenn J. , Rossouw Dominique 
Published: October 2013

AbstractBackgroundThe objective of this study was to determine whether the physiological effects on birthweight as described by customised birthweight models (CBMs) from various populations and locations are consistent when applied to a single sample.MethodsThe predicted birthweight was calculated for 52 826 White‐European singleton term births between 1997 and 2008 from a large Australian hospital using the same set of variables from 12 published CBMs. The accuracy of prediction was tested against both the actual birthweight and a reference model. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) along with 95% confidence intervals of the measurements, paired differences (predicted–actual birthweight) and absolute values of the paired differences are reported.ResultsThe average difference in predicted and actual birthweight was <200 g for all CBMs, with ICCs for all but one model indicating fair agreement (between 0.3 and 0.5). When compared with the reference model, eight of the 11 models had a difference in predicted birthweight of <220 g, and the ICCs indicated that the majority of models had strong agreement.ConclusionAll published CBMs demonstrated ability to predict birthweight with reasonable accuracy. The effects of maternal and fetal characteristics on birthweight appear to be consistent across birthweight models. This finding is a further step in validating the CBM, and provides greater evidence for the creation of a global model.
Foreign Investment and Technological Spillovers in Kenya: Extent and Mode of Occurrence
Authors: Gachino Geoffrey G. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractThis paper uses a uniquely designed analytical framework based on technological learning and capability development to examine the extent of multinational company spillover occurrence in the Kenyan manufacturing industry. Using a firm‐level survey data, we examined the kind of spillovers occurring, extent of occurrence as well as the channels through which such spillovers occurred. The results obtained showed that the main kinds of spillovers occurring were product and process spillovers followed by marketing, management and organisation. Results of t‐tests analysis showed significant differences between competition and demonstration, and linkage and labour mobility implying that the first two mechanisms were extremely important in spillover occurrence compared with the latter two in the Kenyan context. These have implications that linkage and labour mobility have weaker learning effects, hence weak in stimulating capability building. T‐test analysis showed that more spillovers occurred from foreign firms than from locally owned firms. The results also showed that spillovers were likely to occur due to foreign presence, firm and machine age, skill level, research and development, training and participation in imports. Based on the results generated, the paper portends that foreign direct investment can play an important role in the country's manufacturing industry by stimulating learning and capability development via spillover occurrence.
Purifying the Ranks: Ethnic and Minority Policy in theRomanianArmedForces during theSecondWorldWar
Authors: Harward Grant 
Published: October 2013

AbstractDuring theSecondWorld War, the Romanian Armed Forces joined in the conflict between NaziGermany and SovietRussia. The Romanian Army's contribution to the Axis war effort has been largely forgotten or sidelined since the war. Similarly,Romania's minorities and their military service or restriction from military service has been overlooked.Romania's expansion after the FirstWorld War greatly increased the number of minorities in the country and also those serving in the military. The way the Romanian Armed Forces dealt with minorities and their contribution to the Romanian war effort should not be forgotten as the true extent and depth of the war on the Eastern Front is being revealed. Romanian nationalist and ethnic policies affected the ranks as much as it shaped the rest of its wartime policy of ethnic ‘purification’.
Mother–infant Interaction Quality and Infants' Ability to Encode Actions as Goal‐directed
Authors: Licata Maria , Paulus Markus , Thoermer Claudia , Kristen Susanne , Woodward Amanda L. , Sodian Beate 
Published: October 2013

AbstractThe current study investigated the relationship between mother–child interaction quality and infants' ability to interpret actions as goal‐directed at 7 months in a sample of 37 dyads. Interaction quality was assessed in a free play interaction using two distinct methods: one assessed the overall affective quality (emotional availability), and one focused on the mother's proclivity to treat her infant as an intentional agent (mind‐mindedness). Furthermore, infants' ability to interpret human actions as goal‐directed was assessed. Analyses revealed that only maternal emotional availability, and not maternal mind‐mindedness, was related to infants' goal‐encoding ability. This link remained stable even when controlling for child temperament, working memory, and maternal education. These findings provide first evidence that emotionally available caregiving promotes social‐cognitive development in preverbal infants.
Reciprocal Peer Dislike and Psychosocial Adjustment in Childhood
Authors: Betts Lucy R. , Stiller James 
Published: October 2013

AbstractReciprocal peer dislike was examined as a predictor of school adjustment and social relationship quality. One hundred and fifty‐one [69 male and 74 female, mean (M)age = 9.53, standard deviation (SD)age = .63 years] children completed measures of school liking, loneliness, and friendship quality twice over three months. From ratings of the amount of time participants liked to spend with individual classmates, social network analyses were used to determine reciprocal peer dislike. Curvilinear regression analyses revealed that reciprocal peer dislike at Time 1 predicted changes in the children's loneliness and friendship quality assessed as help, security, and closeness over three months. The findings support the conclusion that reciprocal peer dislike predicts aspects of school adjustment and social relationship qualities.
Obesity, diabetes and pneumonia: the menacing interface of non‐communicable and infectious diseases
Authors: Fisher‐Hoch Susan P. , Mathews Christine E. , McCormick Joseph B. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractObjectivesTo review current knowledge on the epidemiological, clinical and biological impact of the pandemic of obesity and diabetes on pneumonias.MethodsWe conducted a literature review using PubMed and EMBASE, supplemented by various sources. Given the disparate and fragmented nature of the literature, a formal systematic review was not possible.ResultsIn 2008, globally 10% of men and 14% of women were obese and an estimated 371 million had diabetes; half undiagnosed and many obese. Numbers are rising rapidly in low‐ and middle‐income countries where the majority reside, but reliable data are lacking. The most frequent pneumonias in obesity and diabetes are tuberculosis, influenza and pneumococcal, staphylococcal and opportunistic pathogens. Diabetes impacts tuberculosis control and increases drug resistance and mortality. Mortality and morbidity from pneumococcal pneumonia and influenza are increased in obesity and diabetes. In addition to mechanical and physiological effects, there are considerable immunological abnormalities characterised by chronic, low‐grade inflammation. Simultaneous up‐regulation and dysregulation of both innate and adaptive immune responses impair control and killing of invading organisms. Prevention in those at risk is poorly practised, although screening for tuberculosis in diabetes is beginning in high‐burden settings.ConclusionsPneumonia is a threat globally in obesity and diabetes with increased incidence and severity of disease. There is uncertainty about whether vaccines are equally effective in those with obesity and diabetes. Increased epidemiological, clinical and biological knowledge will be crucial to face this 21st century challenge.
Squamous vulval cancer–an update
Authors: Bailey Claire , Luesley David 
Published: October 2013

Key content

Squamous vulval cancer is a rare condition with a poorly understood aetiology. Two factors seem to have an important role; infection with human papilloma virus leading to vulva intraepithelial neoplasia and chronic inflammatory vulval dermatoses such as lichen sclerosus.

Diagnosis based on biopsy and management is complex. Consideration is given to site and size of lesion as well as the FIGO staging system.

Depending on the stage of cancer, other treatment modalities such as chemoradiation may play a role in the management of the condition.

Learning objectives

To know how to perform an incisional biopsy of a suspicious vulval lesion.

To acknowledge that incisional biopsy is the preferred mode of diagnosis for vulval cancer and appreciate that the role of wide local excision is limited.

To be aware of the use of sentinel node biopsy in the management of vulval cancer.

To understand that reconstructive surgery has an important place in the management of these patients.

Ethical issue

How can health professionals help women cope with the psychosexual sequelae after vulval surgery?
A β–glucuronosyltransferase from Arabidopsis thaliana involved in biosynthesis of type II arabinogalactan has a role in cell elongation during seedling growth
Authors: Knoch Eva , Dilokpimol Adiphol , Tryfona Theodora , Poulsen Christian P. , Xiong Guangyan , Harholt Jesper , Petersen Bent L. , Ulvskov Peter , Hadi Masood Z. , Kotake Toshihisa , Tsumuraya Yoichi , Pauly Markus , Dupree Paul , Geshi Naomi 
Published: October 2013

SummaryWe have characterized a β–glucuronosyltransferase (AtGlcAT14A) from Arabidopsis thaliana that is involved in the biosynthesis of type II arabinogalactan (AG). This enzyme belongs to the Carbohydrate Active Enzyme database glycosyltransferase family 14 (GT14). The protein was localized to the Golgi apparatus when transiently expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana. The soluble catalytic domain expressed in Pichia pastoris transferred glucuronic acid (GlcA) to β–1,6–galactooligosaccharides with degrees of polymerization (DP) ranging from 3–11, and to β–1,3–galactooligosaccharides of DP5 and 7, indicating that the enzyme is a glucuronosyltransferase that modifies both the β–1,6‐ and β–1,3‐galactan present in type II AG. Two allelic T–DNA insertion mutant lines showed 20–35% enhanced cell elongation during seedling growth compared to wild‐type. Analyses of AG isolated from the mutants revealed a reduction of GlcA substitution on Gal–β–1,6–Gal and β–1,3–Gal, indicating an in vivo role of AtGlcAT14A in synthesis of those structures in type II AG. Moreover, a relative increase in the levels of 3‐, 6‐ and 3,6‐linked galactose (Gal) and reduced levels of 3‐, 2‐ and 2,5‐linked arabinose (Ara) were seen, suggesting that the mutation in AtGlcAT14A results in a relative increase of the longer and branched β–1,3‐ and β–1,6‐galactans. This increase of galactosylation in the mutants is most likely caused by increased availability of the O6 position of Gal, which is a shared acceptor site for AtGlcAT14A and galactosyltransferases in synthesis of type II AG, and thus addition of GlcA may terminate Gal chain extension. We discuss a role for the glucuronosyltransferase in the biosynthesis of type II AG, with a biological role during seedling growth.
Complementarity to an miRNA seed region is sufficient to induce moderate repression of a target transcript in the unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Authors: Yamasaki Tomohito , Voshall Adam , Kim Eun‐Jeong , Moriyama Etsuko , Cerutti Heriberto , Ohama Takeshi 
Published: October 2013

SummaryMicroRNAs (miRNAs) are 20–24 nt non‐coding RNAs that play important regulatory roles in a broad range of eukaryotes by pairing with mRNAs to direct post‐transcriptional repression. The mechanistic details of miRNA‐mediated post‐transcriptional regulation have been well documented in multicellular model organisms. However, this process remains poorly studied in algae such as Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, and specific features of miRNA biogenesis, target mRNA recognition and subsequent silencing are not well understood. In this study, we report on the characterization of a Chlamydomonas miRNA, cre‐miR1174.2, , which is processed from a near‐perfect hairpin RNA. Using Gaussia luciferase (gluc) reporter genes, we have demonstrated that cre‐miR1174.2 is functional in Chlamydomonas and capable of triggering site‐specific cleavage at the center of a perfectly complementary target sequence. A mismatch tolerance test assay, based on pools of transgenic strains, revealed that target hybridization to nucleotides of the seed region, at the 5′ end of an miRNA, was sufficient to induce moderate repression of expression. In contrast, pairing to the 3′ region of the miRNA was not critical for silencing. Our results suggest that the base‐pairing requirements for small RNA‐mediated repression in C. reinhardtii are more similar to those of metazoans compared with the extensive complementarity that is typical of land plants. Individual Chlamydomonas miRNAs may potentially modulate the expression of numerous endogenous targets as a result of these relaxed base‐pairing requirements.
Next‐generation sequencing, FISH mapping and synteny‐based modeling reveal mechanisms of decreasing dysploidy in Cucumis
Authors: Yang Luming , Koo Dal‐Hoe , Li Dawei , Zhang Tao , Jiang Jiming , Luan Feishi , Renner Susanne S. , Hénaff Elizabeth , Sanseverino Walter , Garcia‐Mas Jordi , Casacuberta Josep , Senalik Douglas A. , Simon Philipp W. , Chen Jinfeng , Weng Yiqun 
Published: October 2013

SummaryIn the large Cucurbitaceae genus Cucumis, cucumber (C. sativus) is the only species with 2n = 2x = 14 chromosomes. The majority of the remaining species, including melon (C. melo) and the sister species of cucumber, C. hystrix, have 2n = 2x = 24 chromosomes, implying a reduction from n = 12 to n = 7. To understand the underlying mechanisms, we investigated chromosome synteny among cucumber, C. hystrix and melon using integrated and complementary approaches. We identified 14 inversions and a C. hystrix lineage‐specific reciprocal inversion between C. hystrix and melon. The results reveal the location and orientation of 53 C. hystrix syntenic blocks on the seven cucumber chromosomes, and allow us to infer at least 59 chromosome rearrangement events that led to the seven cucumber chromosomes, including five fusions, four translocations, and 50 inversions. The 12 inferred chromosomes (AK1–AK12) of an ancestor similar to melon and C. hystrix had strikingly different evolutionary fates, with cucumber chromosome C1 apparently resulting from insertion of chromosome AK12 into the centromeric region of translocated AK2/AK8, cucumber chromosome C3 originating from a Robertsonian‐like translocation between AK4 and AK6, and cucumber chromosome C5 originating from fusion of AK9 and AK10. Chromosomes C2, C4 and C6 were the result of complex reshuffling of syntenic blocks from three (AK3, AK5 and AK11), three (AK5, AK7 and AK8) and five (AK2, AK3, AK5, AK8 and AK11) ancestral chromosomes, respectively, through 33 fusion, translocation and inversion events. Previous results (Huang, S., Li, R., Zhang, Z. et al., , Nat. Genet. 41, 1275–1281; Li, D., Cuevas, H.E., Yang, L., Li, Y., Garcia‐Mas, J., Zalapa, J., Staub, J.E., Luan, F., Reddy, U., He, X., Gong, Z., Weng, Y. 2011a, BMC Genomics, 12, 396) showing that cucumber C7 stayed largely intact during the entire evolution of Cucumis are supported. Results from this study allow a fine‐scale understanding of the mechanisms of dysploid chromosome reduction that has not been achieved previously.
Prospective study of mobilization kinetics up to 18 hours after late‐afternoon dosing of plerixafor
Authors: Shi Patricia A. , Miller Lorraine K. , Isola Luis M. 
Published: October 2013

BackgroundThe current FDA‐approved time interval between plerixafor dosing and apheresis initiation is approximately 11 hours, but this time interval is impractical for most care providers. Few studies have examined mobilization kinetics beyond 11 hours in multiple myeloma (MM) and non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) patients. Therefore, this study's intent was to analyze an interval of 17 to 18 hours between plerixafor dosing and apheresis initiation.Study Design and MethodsIn 11 patients with MM or NHL, 240 μg/kg plerixafor was administered at 5 p.m. on Day 4 of granulocyte–colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF) mobilization. Peripheral blood (PB) CD34+ and CD34+CD38− concentrations were enumerated every 2 hours until 7 a.m. and immediately before apheresis on Day 5, for a total interval time of 17 to 18 hours after plerixafor. Data were analyzed using mixed‐model analysis of repeated measures and paired t testing.ResultsTen of the 11 subjects achieved a CD34+ product count of more than 2 × 106/kg with a single leukapheresis procedure. All 10 had a preplerixafor PB CD34+ concentration ([CD34+]) of at least 10/μL. PB [CD34+] was not different between 10 and 18 hours after plerixafor (p = 0.8). In contrast, PB CD34+CD38− concentrations significantly increased from 10 to 18 hours after plerixafor (p = 0.03).ConclusionsIn MM and NHL patients with adequate preplerixafor [CD34+], leukapheresis initiated 14 to 18 hours after plerixafor and G‐CSF mobilization may not impair adequate CD34+ collection and may increase more primitive CD34+CD38− collection. In this subset of patients, late‐afternoon dosing of plerixafor at 5 p.m. with initiation of next‐day apheresis as late as 11 a.m. appears feasible without loss of efficacy.
Human Exposure to Rabid Free‐Ranging Cats: A Continuing Public Health Concern in Pennsylvania
Authors: Campagnolo E. R. , Lind L. R. , Long J. M. , Moll M. E. , Rankin J. T. , Martin K. F. , Deasy M. P. , Dato V. M. , Ostroff S. M. 
Published: October 2013

SummaryRabid free‐ranging cats have been a public health concern in Pennsylvania since raccoon variant rabies first was recognized in the state in the early 1980s. Over the last decade, between 1.5 and 2.5% of cats submitted to Pennsylvania's state laboratories for rabies testing have been positive. In this report, we describe the extent of rabies in free‐ranging cats in Pennsylvania. We also present two examples of human exposure to rabid free‐ranging cats that occurred in Pennsylvania during 2010–2011 and the public health actions taken to address rabies exposure in the humans and animals. We then describe the concerns surrounding the unvaccinated and free‐ranging cat population in Pennsylvania and possible options in managing this public and animal health problem.
Diversity of vestibular nuclei neurons targeted by cerebellar nodulus inhibition
Authors: Meng Hui , Blázquez Pablo M. , Dickman J. David , Angelaki Dora E. 
Published: October 2013

Key points
Electrical stimulation of the cerebellar nodulus and ventral uvula decreases the time constant of the horizontal vestibulo‐ocular reflex during yaw rotation.
Unlike the flocculus and ventral paraflocculus which target a particular cell group, nodulus/ventral uvula inhibition targets a large diversity of cell types in the vestibular nuclei.
Twenty per cent of nodulus/ventral uvula‐target neurons were sensitive to both vestibular stimuli and eye movements, whereas the majority was only sensitive to vestibular stimuli.
Most nodulus/ventral uvula‐target cells responded to both rotation and translation and only approximately half discriminated translational and gravitational accelerations.
Projections of the nodulus/ventral uvula to both eye movement‐and non‐eye movement‐sensitive vestibular nuclei neurons suggest a role in both eye movement generation and vestibulo‐spinal or thalamo‐cortical systems.
Abstract  A functional role of the cerebellar nodulus and ventral uvula (lobules X and IXc,d of the vermis) for vestibular processing has been strongly suggested by direct reciprocal connections with the vestibular nuclei, as well as direct vestibular afferent inputs as mossy fibres. Here we have explored the types of neurons in the macaque vestibular nuclei targeted by nodulus/ventral uvula inhibition using orthodromic identification from the caudal vermis. We found that all nodulus‐target neurons are tuned to vestibular stimuli, and most are insensitive to eye movements. Such non‐eye‐movement neurons are thought to project to vestibulo‐spinal and/or thalamo‐cortical pathways. Less than 20% of nodulus‐target neurons were sensitive to eye movements, suggesting that the caudal vermis can also directly influence vestibulo‐ocular pathways. In general, response properties of nodulus‐target neurons were diverse, spanning the whole continuum previously described in the vestibular nuclei. Most nodulus‐target cells responded to both rotation and translation stimuli and only a few were selectively tuned to translation motion only. Other neurons were sensitive to net linear acceleration, similar to otolith afferents. These results demonstrate that, unlike the flocculus and ventral paraflocculus which target a particular cell group, nodulus/ventral uvula inhibition targets a large diversity of cell types in the vestibular nuclei, consistent with a broad functional significance contributing to vestibulo‐ocular, vestibulo‐thalamic and vestibulo‐spinal pathways.