bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Identification of Serum Protein Biomarkers in Biliary Atresia by Mass Spectrometry and Enzyme‐linked Immunosorbent Assay
Authors: Song Zai , Dong Rui , Fan Yuxia , Zheng Shan 
Published: May 2012

ABSTRACTObjective:There is an urgent need to identify noninvasive and convenient biomarkers for early diagnosis of biliary atresia (BA). The aim of the present study was to identify potential protein biomarkers for BA.Methods:Serum samples from 42 infants with BA, 38 infants with non‐BA neonatal cholestasis (NC), and 36 healthy controls (HC) were randomly divided into a training set and a test set. Serum proteomic profiles were measured using surface‐enhanced desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry. Candidate biomarkers were purified using high‐performance liquid chromatography, identified using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, and validated using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.Results:A total of 2 protein peaks (m/z with 8697 and 9098 Da) with differential expression levels were found using surface‐enhanced desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry. These peaks were then analyzed by a support vector machine to construct a classification model in the training set. The sensitivity and specificity of the model were 94.1% and 91.8%, respectively, in the test set. One candidate biomarker (9098 Da) was identified as Apo C‐II, and was found to be downregulated in BA samples compared with HC samples, and upregulated in BA samples compared with NC samples. The other candidate biomarker (8697 Da) was identified as Apo C‐III, and was found to be upregulated in BA compared with NC and HC.Conclusions:Apo C‐II and Apo C‐III may be potential protein biomarkers of BA and may be useful in distinguishing infants with BA from healthy and NC infants. Further studies with additional populations or using prediagnostic serum are needed to confirm the importance of these findings as diagnostic markers of infants with BA.
Investigative MR Cholangiopancreatography for Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis–type Lesions in Children With IBD
Authors: Alexopoulou Efthymia , Xenophontos Polis E. , Economopoulos Nikos , Spyridopoulos Themistoklis N. , Papakonstantinou Olympia , Panayotou Ioanna , Dimakou Konstantina , Roma Eleftheria , Kelekis Nikolaos L. 
Published: May 2012

ABSTRACTObjectives:The aim of the study was to estimate the frequency of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC)–type lesions in children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) by means of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), and to investigate the association between a series of easily applicable data on the one hand and the presentation of such lesions at MRCP on the other hand.Methods:Collected demographic, laboratory, and magnetic resonance enterography data from the records of 73 children with IBD were cross‐sectionally related to the MRCP‐based diagnosis.Results:Around the time of MRCP, the distribution of IBD subtypes was 64.4%, 24.7%, and 11% for Crohn disease, indeterminate colitis, and ulcerative colitis, respectively. A total of 11 patients (15.1%) were identified with PSC‐type lesions. Demographic and magnetic resonance enterography data were unrelated to the MRCP outcome. Biochemical abnormalities were of low prevalence (<50%) among patients with PSC. The abnormality prevalences of aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, and γ‐glutamyl transferase were significantly higher in the PSC group, both at initial diagnosis of IBD and at the time of MRCP. Less‐consistent results were documented for bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase, especially at initial diagnosis of IBD.Conclusions:The abnormality prevalences of aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, and γ‐glutamyl transferase were significantly higher in the PSC group. Nevertheless, PSC‐type lesions frequently occur in pediatric IBD, even if the biochemical profile is hardly indicative of this probability.
Diagnostic Approach and Management of Cow's‐Milk Protein Allergy in Infants and Children
Authors: Koletzko S. , Niggemann B. , Arato A. , Dias J.A. , Heuschkel R. , Husby S. , Mearin M.L. , Papadopoulou A. , Ruemmele F.M. , Staiano A. , Schäppi M.G. , Vandenplas Y. 
Published: May 2012

ABSTRACTObjectives:This guideline provides recommendations for the diagnosis and management of suspected cow's‐milk protein allergy (CMPA) in Europe. It presents a practical approach with a diagnostic algorithm and is based on recently published evidence‐based guidelines on CMPA.Diagnosis:If CMPA is suspected by history and examination, then strict allergen avoidance is initiated. In certain circumstances (eg, a clear history of immediate symptoms, a life‐threatening reaction with a positive test for CMP–specific IgE), the diagnosis can be made without a milk challenge. In all other circumstances, a controlled oral food challenge (open or blind) under medical supervision is required to confirm or exclude the diagnosis of CMPA.Treatment:In breast‐fed infants, the mother should start a strict CMP‐free diet. Non–breast‐fed infants with confirmed CMPA should receive an extensively hydrolyzed protein‐based formula with proven efficacy in appropriate clinical trials; amino acids–based formulae are reserved for certain situations. Soy protein formula, if tolerated, is an option beyond 6 months of age. Nutritional counseling and regular monitoring of growth are mandatory in all age groups requiring CMP exclusion.Reevaluation:Patients should be reevaluated every 6 to 12 months to assess whether they have developed tolerance to CMP. This is achieved in >75% by 3 years of age and >90% by 6 years of age. Inappropriate or overly long dietary eliminations should be avoided. Such restrictions may impair the quality of life of both child and family, induce improper growth, and incur unnecessary health care costs.
Posttranscriptional Control of Photosynthetic mRNA Decay under Stress Conditions Requires 3′ and 5′ Untranslated Regions and Correlates with Differential Polysome Association in Rice
Authors: Park Su-Hyun , Chung Pil Joong , Juntawong Piyada , Bailey-Serres Julia , Kim Youn Shic , Jung Harin , Bang Seung Woon , Kim Yeon-Ki , Do Choi Yang , Kim Ju-Kon 
Published: May 2012

AbstractAbiotic stress, including drought, salinity, and temperature extremes, regulates gene expression at the transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels. Expression profiling of total messenger RNAs (mRNAs) from rice (Oryza sativa) leaves grown under stress conditions revealed that the transcript levels of photosynthetic genes are reduced more rapidly than others, a phenomenon referred to as stress-induced mRNA decay (SMD). By comparing RNA polymerase II engagement with the steady-state mRNA level, we show here that SMD is a posttranscriptional event. The SMD of photosynthetic genes was further verified by measuring the half-lives of the small subunit of Rubisco (RbcS1) and Chlorophyll a/b-Binding Protein1 (Cab1) mRNAs during stress conditions in the presence of the transcription inhibitor cordycepin. To discern any correlation between SMD and the process of translation, changes in total and polysome-associated mRNA levels after stress were measured. Total and polysome-associated mRNA levels of two photosynthetic (RbcS1 and Cab1) and two stress-inducible (Dehydration Stress-Inducible Protein1 and Salt-Induced Protein) genes were found to be markedly similar. This demonstrated the importance of polysome association for transcript stability under stress conditions. Microarray experiments performed on total and polysomal mRNAs indicate that approximately half of all mRNAs that undergo SMD remain polysome associated during stress treatments. To delineate the functional determinant(s) of mRNAs responsible for SMD, the RbcS1 and Cab1 transcripts were dissected into several components. The expressions of different combinations of the mRNA components were analyzed under stress conditions, revealing that both 3′ and 5′ untranslated regions are necessary for SMD. Our results, therefore, suggest that the posttranscriptional control of photosynthetic mRNA decay under stress conditions requires both 3′ and 5′ untranslated regions and correlates with differential polysome association.
Expression of the R2R3-MYB Transcription Factor TaMYB14 fromTrifolium arvenseActivates Proanthocyanidin Biosynthesis in the LegumesTrifolium repensandMedicago sativa
Authors: Hancock Kerry R. , Collette Vern , Fraser Karl , Greig Margaret , Xue Hong , Richardson Kim , Jones Chris , Rasmussen Susanne 
Published: May 2012

AbstractProanthocyanidins (PAs) are oligomeric flavonoids and one group of end products of the phenylpropanoid pathway. PAs have been reported to be beneficial for human and animal health and are particularly important in pastoral agricultural systems for improved animal production and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. However, the main forage legumes grown in these systems, such as Trifolium repens and Medicago sativa, do not contain any substantial amounts of PAs in leaves. We have identified from the foliar PA-accumulating legume Trifolium arvense an R2R3-MYB transcription factor, TaMYB14, and provide evidence that this transcription factor is involved in the regulation of PA biosynthesis in legumes. TaMYB14 expression is necessary and sufficient to up-regulate late steps of the phenylpropanoid pathway and to induce PA biosynthesis. RNA interference silencing of TaMYB14 resulted in almost complete cessation of PA biosynthesis in T. arvense, whereas Nicotiana tabacum, M. sativa, and T. repens plants constitutively expressing TaMYB14 synthesized and accumulated PAs in leaves up to 1.8% dry matter. Targeted liquid chromatography-multistage tandem mass spectrometry analysis identified foliar PAs up to degree of polymerization 6 in leaf extracts. Hence, genetically modified M. sativa and T. repens plants expressing TaMYB14 provide a viable option for improving animal health and mitigating the negative environmental impacts of pastoral animal production systems.
Mutation inTERMINAL FLOWER1Reverses the Photoperiodic Requirement for Flowering in the Wild StrawberryFragaria vesca
Authors: Koskela Elli A. , Mouhu Katriina , Albani Maria C. , Kurokura Takeshi , Rantanen Marja , Sargent Daniel J. , Battey Nicholas H. , Coupland George , Elomaa Paula , Hytönen Timo 
Published: May 2012

AbstractPhotoperiodic flowering has been extensively studied in the annual short-day and long-day plants rice (Oryza sativa) and Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), whereas less is known about the control of flowering in perennials. In the perennial wild strawberry, Fragaria vesca (Rosaceae), short-day and perpetual flowering long-day accessions occur. Genetic analyses showed that differences in their flowering responses are caused by a single gene, SEASONAL FLOWERING LOCUS, which may encode the F. vesca homolog of TERMINAL FLOWER1 (FvTFL1). We show through high-resolution mapping and transgenic approaches that FvTFL1 is the basis of this change in flowering behavior and demonstrate that FvTFL1 acts as a photoperiodically regulated repressor. In short-day F. vesca, long photoperiods activate FvTFL1 mRNA expression and short days suppress it, promoting flower induction. These seasonal cycles in FvTFL1 mRNA level confer seasonal cycling of vegetative and reproductive development. Mutations in FvTFL1 prevent long-day suppression of flowering, and the early flowering that then occurs under long days is dependent on the F. vesca homolog of FLOWERING LOCUS T. This photoperiodic response mechanism differs from those described in model annual plants. We suggest that this mechanism controls flowering within the perennial growth cycle in F. vesca and demonstrate that a change in a single gene reverses the photoperiodic requirements for flowering.
Common data elements for substance use disorders in electronic health records: the NIDA Clinical Trials Network experience
Authors: Ghitza Udi E. , Gore‐Langton Robert E. , Lindblad Robert , Shide David , Subramaniam Geetha , Tai Betty 
Published: May 2012

ABSTRACTAims  Electronic health records (EHRs) are essential in improving quality and enhancing efficiency of health‐care delivery. By 2015, medical care receiving service reimbursement from US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) must show ‘meaningful use’ of EHRs. Substance use disorders (SUD) are grossly under‐detected and under‐treated in current US medical care settings. Hence, an urgent need exists for improved identification of and clinical intervention for SUD in medical settings. The National Institute on Drug Abuse Clinical Trials Network (NIDA CTN) has leveraged its infrastructure and expertise and brought relevant stakeholders together to develop consensus on brief screening and initial assessment tools for SUD in general medical settings, with the objective of incorporation into US EHRs.Methods  Stakeholders were identified and queried for input and consensus on validated screening and assessment for SUD in general medical settings to develop common data elements to serve as shared resources for EHRs on screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment (SBIRT), with the intent of supporting interoperability and data exchange in a developing Nationwide Health Information Network.Results  Through consensus of input from stakeholders, a validated screening and brief assessment instrument, supported by Clinical Decision Support tools, was chosen to be used at out‐patient general medical settings.Conclusions  The creation and adoption of a core set of validated common data elements and the inclusion of such consensus‐based data elements for general medical settings will enable the integration of SUD treatment within mainstream health care, and support the adoption and ‘meaningful use’ of the US Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC)‐certified EHRs, as well as CMS reimbursement.
The majority of allergen‐specific IgE in the blood of allergic patients does not originate from blood‐derived B cells or plasma cells
Authors: Eckl‐Dorna J. , Pree I. , Reisinger J. , Marth K. , Chen K.‐W. , Vrtala S. , Spitzauer S. , Valenta R. , Niederberger V. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractBackgroundThe production of allergen‐specific IgE antibodies is a hallmark of IgE‐mediated allergy but the contribution of blood cells to allergen‐specific IgE production in allergic patients has not been studied in detail.ObjectiveAim of this study was the characterization of IgE‐producing cells in the blood of allergic patients and the determination of the amount of IgE antibodies which are produced by these cells in relation to total amounts of circulating specific IgE.MethodsPeripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from allergic patients and cell populations were purified or depleted using magnetically labelled antibodies directed against specific cell surface markers (CD19, CD20, CD22, CD27, CD38, CD126, CD138, CD203c). Allergen‐specific IgE was measured in serum samples and cell culture supernatants by quantitative ImmunoCAP measurements and by ELISA using purified recombinant allergens. IgE transcripts were detected using RT‐PCR with primers specific for human IgE.ResultsWe found that allergen‐specific IgE levels in PBMC supernatants correlated strongly with specific serum IgE but represented less than 1% of circulating IgE. Depletion of basophils resulted in substantial reduction of allergen‐specific IgE levels in PBMC culture supernatants suggesting that an important source of allergen‐specific IgE in PBMC supernatants could be IgE derived from the surface of basophils. Newly synthesized IgE was derived from CD138+ plasma cells, but not from B and B memory cells, and accounted for only approximately 0.2% of circulating IgE in blood.Conclusion and Clinical RelevanceOur finding that the majority of allergen‐specific IgE in the peripheral blood is not derived from IgE‐secreting cells in the blood suggests local IgE production in tissues as a major source for allergen‐specific IgE and possible target for therapeutic intervention.
Muscle wasting in animal models of severe illness
Authors: Holecek Milan 
Published: May 2012

SummaryMuscle wasting is a serious complication of various clinical conditions that significantly worsens the prognosis of the illnesses. Clinically relevant models of muscle wasting are essential for understanding its pathogenesis and for selective preclinical testing of potential therapeutic agents. The data presented here indicate that muscle wasting has been well characterized in rat models of sepsis (endotoxaemia, and caecal ligation and puncture), in rat models of chronic renal failure (partial nephrectomy), in animal models of intensive care unit patients (corticosteroid treatment combined with peripheral denervation or with administration of neuromuscular blocking drugs) and in murine and rat models of cancer (tumour cell transplantation). There is a need to explore genetically engineered mouse models of cancer. The degree of protein degradation in skeletal muscle is not well characterized in animal models of liver cirrhosis, chronic heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The major difficulties with all models are standardization and high variation in disease progression and a lack of reflection of clinical reality in some of the models. The translation of the information obtained by using these models to clinical practice may be problematic.
Amitriptyline aggravates the fibrosis process in a rat model of infravesical obstruction
Authors: de Almeida Prado Patrícia S. , Soares Maria Fernanda , Lima Flávio O. , Schor Nestor , Teixeira Vicente P.C. 
Published: May 2012

SummaryInfravesical obstruction (IVO) secondary to benign prostatic hypertrophy can affect up to 50% of men over 50 years old and may cause serious and irreversible alterations throughout the urinary tract, especially in the bladder. Therapeutic approaches are currently limited. Amitriptyline has recently been described as an analgesic, anti‐inflammatory and myorelaxant in some experimental models. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of amitriptyline hydrochloride on the process of fibrosis in a bladder outlet obstruction model in rats. Male Wistar rats were subjected to IVO and studied at intervals of 1 and 14 days postprocedure. The rats were randomly divided into five groups: sham, IVO1‐T, IVO1‐NT, IVO14‐T and IVO14‐NT. Bladder tissue was processed for histopathology, immunohistochemistry and RT‐PCR. The IVO14 groups presented bladder fibrosis, smooth muscle cell hypertrophy and bladder wall thickening. The IVO14‐T group demonstrated a higher intensity of fibrosis, higher macrophage infiltration rate and higher gene expression of Transforming growth factor (TGF) Tgf‐β1. Thus this data shows that in this experimental mode amitriptyline had an amplifying effect on the process of fibrosis as a whole.
Prediction of storage quality of fresh‐cut green peppers using artificial neural network
Authors: Meng Xiangyong , Zhang Min , Adhikari Benu 
Published: May 2012

SummaryTo extend the shelf‐life of fresh‐cut fruits and vegetables, it is essential to develop models that can accurately predict their storage quality. In view of this, an artificial neural network (ANN) model based on back propagation (BP) algorithm was developed to predict the storage quality (degree of yellowness, water loss, textural firmness and vitamin C content) of fresh‐cut green peppers. The prediction accuracy of ANN was compared with that of multiple linear regression‐based models. The root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), sum of squared residuals (SSR) and standard error of prediction (SEP) were used as comparison parameters. The results showed that the accuracy and goodness of fit of the storage quality parameters predicted by ANN were better than those predicted by multiple linear regression‐based models. The RMSE, MAE, SSR and SEP values obtained from the former were much lower than those obtained from the latter.
Optimisation of lactic acid fermentation of York cabbage for the development of potential probiotic products
Authors: Jaiswal Amit K. , Gupta Shilpi , Abu‐Ghannam Nissreen 
Published: May 2012

SummaryIn this study, York cabbage was used as the sole substrate for the lactic acid (LA) fermentation with Lactobacillus plantarum. York cabbage was blanched at 95 °C for 12 min to inactivate surface microflora prior to fermentation. To achieve an optimal fermentation condition that would result in higher release of phytochemicals and antioxidant (AO) capacity in the broth, Box‐Behnken design integrating a desirability approach was used. A second‐order polynomial equation was developed, indicating the effect of solute/liquid ratio, agitation rate and fermentation time on desired parameters. The optimised factors were used for fermenting York cabbage to obtain maximum bacterial growth, LA, polyphenols and AO capacity. There was ≈5 log cfu mL−1 increment in bacterial growth after fermentation, whereas LA production reached up to 4.97 mg mL−1. Results showed that fermentation retains 95–98% and 90–95% of TPC and AO capacity, respectively. During refrigerated storage (4 °C), the cell numbers, bioactive components and acidity were maintained till 15‐day storage.
Comparison of enhancement in bioaccessible iron and zinc in native and fortified high‐phytate oilseed and cereal composites by activating endogenous phytase
Authors: Shilpa K. S. , Jyothi lakshmi A. 
Published: May 2012

SummaryIn developing countries, iron and zinc deficiencies are mostly attributable to poor bioavailability of iron and zinc. The study aimed at enhancing the bioaccessibility of minerals in high‐phytate oilseed and cereal flour mixes by activating the intrinsic phytase of wheat flour. The flour mixes were fortified with iron and zinc separately for comparison. The flour mixes were incubated at optimum conditions of temperature and pH for phytase activation. Phytase activation enhanced bioaccessible iron by 43–162% in native and 40–168% in fortified wheat–soya, 83–192% in native and 97–240% in fortified wheat–groundnut flour mixes in relation to control flour mixes. Bioaccessible zinc was enhanced by 87–183% in native and 30–113% in fortified wheat–soya, 31–65% in native and 61–186% in fortified wheat–groundnut flour mixes. Endogenous phytase activation was effective in enhancing bioaccessibility of iron and zinc in native and fortified flour composites economically.