bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mechanisms of ketogenic diet action
Authors: Masino Susan A. , Rho Jong M. 
Published: December 2010

SummaryMetabolic changes likely related to the anticonvulsant efficacy of the ketogenic diet include—but are not limited to—ketosis, reduced glucose, elevated fatty acid levels, and enhanced bioenergetic reserves. This review highlights the complex interrelationships between reduced seizures and metabolic adaptations that modulate neuronal excitability and may even afford neuroprotection. For an expanded treatment of this topic see Jasper’s basic mechanisms of the epilepsies. 4th ed. (Noebels JL, Avoli M, Rogawski MA, Olsen RW, Delgado‐Escueta AV, eds) published by Oxford University Press (available on the National Library of Medicine Bookshelf [NCBI] at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books).
Gene therapy of focal‐onset epilepsy by adeno‐associated virus vector‐mediated overexpression of neuropeptide Y
Authors: Noe’ Francesco M. , Sørensen Andreas T. , Kokaia Merab , Vezzani Annamaria 
Published: December 2010

SummaryAdeno‐associated virus (AAV)–mediated neuropeptide Y (NPY) overexpression in areas of seizure onset or generalization may be effective for the treatment of pharmacoresistant seizures in focal onset epilepsy. NPY overexpression mediates anticonvulsant activity in various seizures models and antiepileptogenic effects in kindling. Side effects are limited thus suggesting that this therapeutic approach could be effective and relatively safe. For an expanded treatment of this topic see Jasper’s basic mechanisms of the epilepsies. 4th ed. (Noebels JL, Avoli M, Rogawski MA, Olsen RW, Delgado‐Escueta AV, eds) published by Oxford University Press (available on the National Library of Medicine Bookshelf [NCBI] at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books).
Analysis of RhCE variants among 806 individuals in France: considerations for transfusion safety, with emphasis on patients with sickle cell disease
Authors: Pham Bach‐Nga , Peyrard Thierry , Juszczak Genevieve , Beolet Marylise , Deram Geneviève , Martin‐Blanc Stéphanie , Dubeaux Isabelle , Roussel Michèle , Kappler‐Gratias Sandrine , Gien Dominique , Poupel Sylvie , Rouger Philippe , Le Pennec Pierre‐Yves 
Published: December 2010

BACKGROUND: DNA testing has enabled the documenting of numerous variants of RHCE alleles, especially in individuals of African origin. The risk for production of clinically significant alloantibodies to Rh antigens of patients carrying variant RHCE alleles has led us to analyze the different RhCE variants investigated by molecular biology. Alloimmunization was analyzed regarding the RHCE genetic profile.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Samples from 806 individuals with altered expression of RhCE antigens and/or producing anti‐RhCE in the presence of the corresponding antigen were analyzed.RESULTS: A total of 572 individuals were shown to express RhCE variants. Variant RHCE*ce alleles and RH haplotypes were identified in 83% of cases, the most frequent ones being the RN haplotype, the ceMO allele, the (C)ces haplotype/ces1006 allele, and the ceAR allele identified in 36, 23, 20, and 17% of the tested samples, respectively. The absence of a high‐prevalence Rh antigen was documented in 93 individuals. Partial C and partial e were expressed by 53% of individuals with RhCE variants. Rh antibodies were identified in 127 (20%) of 623 patients. They were found to be alloantibodies in 48 (38%) of these 127 patients. Alloimmunization against a high‐prevalence Rh antigen was detected in 25% of cases.CONCLUSION: The challenge in clinical red blood cell (RBC) transfusion of patients with sickle cell disease, notably, would be to provide not only phenotypically matched, but also genetically matched, RBC units regarding RhCE variants.
Among very‐low‐birth‐weight neonates is red blood cell transfusion an independent risk factor for subsequently developing a severe intraventricular hemorrhage?
Authors: Baer Vickie L. , Lambert Diane K. , Henry Erick , Snow Gregory L. , Butler Allison , Christensen Robert D. 
Published: December 2010

BACKGROUND: A severe intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) in a preterm neonate can result in life‐long disabilities or death. Pathogenic mechanisms responsible for IVH are incompletely understood. We postulated that if the timing of a severe IVH could be approximated by serial ultrasound, potentially relevant antecedents could be identified.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We retrospectively identified all very‐low‐birth‐weight (VLBW) neonates in our health system, over a 5‐year period, with an initial head ultrasound showing no hemorrhage but a subsequent ultrasound showing a Grade 3 or 4. Controls that did not develop an IVH were matched with cases using demographic features and degree of illness measures.RESULTS: Fifty‐four cases were matched (1:2) with controls. No differences were found between cases and controls in initial pH, sepsis, ventilation, coagulation studies, or proportion with severe thrombocytopenia. However, during the period when the head ultrasound was normal, cases were more likely to have had a red blood cell (RBC) transfusion (p < 0.001). In 94% of the cases the sequence was 1) no IVH, 2) RBC transfusion, and 3) severe IVH. With the use of logistic regression, each subsequent RBC transfusion during the first week was determined to double the risk of a severe IVH (each transfusion increases relative risk, 2.02; 95% confidence interval, 1.54‐3.33). Sensitivity analysis indicated a high likelihood that RBC transfusion, independent of hemoglobin level or other factors, increases the risk of developing a severe IVH.CONCLUSION: These findings suggest a new hypothesis. Namely, RBC transfusions given before the development of an IVH are an independent risk factor for developing a severe IVH.
Milked for All They are Worth: Hokkaido Dairies and Chinese Workers
Authors: Hansen Paul 
Published: December 2010

AbstractThis article underscores the desperation of two very different groups of people; the owners of Hokkaido dairy farms and the economic migrant workers, often young Chinese nationals, who labor for them. The central argument is that rural economic and social decline in Hokkaido is due in part to Japan's centralist political and economic policies; policies that, by and large, are based on a model of rice production and this practice's often perceived linkage with socio‐cultural homogeneity. Such official policy is, however, viewed by many Hokkaido locals as a hindrance wherein the “Otherness” of the region and of dairy work are not accounted for. What follows is based on the assumption that the reader is not a specialist in Japanese area studies but is interested in comparing and thinking philosophically about humans, agriculture, and policy. It begins with a brief explanation of how the topic was “discovered” during ethnographic research. It then shifts to the history and image of Hokkaido and of dairy work as “Other,” as a form of agriculture perceived to be on the periphery of normative Japanese domestic daily life—an irony given the official government status of dairy as the only essential food industry alongside rice production. It underscores why exploitative practices are deemed necessary by owners and acceptable by staff. This is followed by the thrust of the article, an ethnographic example detailing the experiences of one dairy owner and of two young workers from Outer Mongolia. It also contrasts the otherness of their dairy farm experience with Japanese employees; notably young Japanese “furiita‐” (non‐permanent staff). Finally, the paper addresses the challenges that marginal agriculturalists face in their search for economic, social, and ontological security.
A Comparison of Outcome for Stroke Patients in Barbados and South London
Authors: Smeeton Nigel C. , Corbin David O. C. , Hennis Anselm J. M. , Hambleton Ian R. , Rose Angela M. C. , Fraser Henry S. , Heuschmann Peter U. , Wolfe Charles D. A. 
Published: December 2010

Background and aims Little is known about the poststroke outcome in Caribbean populations. We investigated differences in the activities of daily living, level of social activities, living circumstances and survival for stroke patients in Barbados and London. Methods Data were collected from the South London Stroke Register and the Barbados Register of Strokes for patients with a first-ever stroke registered between January 2001 and December 2004. The ability to perform activities of daily living was measured by the Barthel Index and level of social activities by the Frenchay Activities Index. Living circumstances were categorised into private household vs. institutional care. Death and dependency, activities of daily living and social activities were assessed at three-months, one- and two-years using logistic regression, adjusted for differences in demographic, socioeconomic and stroke severity characteristics. Results At three-months, a high level of social activities was more likely for the Barbados Register of Strokes (odds ratio 1·84; 95% confidence interval 1·03–3·29); there were no differences in activities of daily living; and Barbados Register of Strokes patients were less likely to be in institutional care (relative risk ratio 0·38; 95% confidence interval 0·18–0·79). Following adjustment, Barbados Register of Strokes patients had a higher risk of mortality at three-months (relative risk ratio 1·85; 95% confidence interval 1·03–3·30), one-year (relative risk ratio 1·83; 95% confidence interval 1·08–3·09) and two-years (relative risk ratio 1·82; 95% confidence interval 1·08–3·07). This difference was due to early poststroke deaths; for patients alive at four-weeks poststroke, survival thereafter was similar in both settings. Conclusions In Barbados, there was evidence for a healthy survivor effect, and short-term social activity was greater than that in the South London Stroke Register.
ORGANIC GEOCHEMISTRY OF POTENTIAL SOURCE ROCKS IN THE TERTIARY DINGQINGHU FORMATION, NIMA BASIN, CENTRAL TIBET
Authors: Wang Licheng , Wang Chengshan , Li Yalin , Zhu Lidong , Wei Yushuai 
Published: December 2010

The Tertiary Nima Basin in central Tibet covers an area of some 3000 km2 and is closely similar to the nearby Lunpola Basin from which commercial volumes of oil have been produced. In this paper, we report on the source rock potential of the Oligocene Dingqinghu Formation from measured outcrop sections on the southern and northern margins of the Nima Basin.In the south of the Nima Basin, potential source rocks in the Dingqinghu Formation comprise dark‐coloured marls with total organic carbon (TOC) contents of up to 4.3 wt % and Hydrogen Index values (HI) up to 849 mg HC/g TOC. The organic matter is mainly composed of amorphous sapropelinite corresponding to Type I kerogen. Rock‐Eval Tmax (430–451°C) and vitrinite reflectance (Rr) (average Rr= 0.50%) show that the organic matter is marginally mature. The potential yield (up to 36.95 mg HC/g rock) and a plot of S2 versus TOC suggest that the marls have moderate to good source rock potential. They are interpreted to have been deposited in a stratified palaeolake with occasionally anoxic and hypersaline conditions, and the source of the organic matter was dominated by algae as indicated by biomarker analyses.Potential source rocks from the north of the basin comprise dark shales and marls with a TOC content averaging 9.7 wt % and HI values up to 389 mg HC/g TOC. Organic matter consists mainly of amorphous sapropelinite and vitrinite with minor sporinite, corresponding to Type II‐III kerogen. This is consistent with the kerogen type suggested by cross‐plots of HI versus Tmax and H/C versus O/C. The Tmax and Rr results indicate that the samples are immature to marginally mature. These source rocks, interpreted to have been deposited under oxic conditions with a dominant input of terrigenous organic matter, have moderate petroleum potential. The Dingqinghu Formation in the Nima Basin therefore has some promise in terms of future exploration potential.
‘Platoon’ Friendship of the Soviet Academic Diaspora
Authors: Isaakyan Irina 
Published: December 2010

AbstractThis article responds toBrubaker's (2005)concerns about the ‘“diaspora” diaspora’ effect on sociology of national identity and migration, and the related thought byKaplan (2007)about a national community as something more tangible and close‐knit than just ‘imagined’ byAnderson (1991). I refer to the ideas of the occupational ‘platoon’– derived fromShils (1957)andHearn (2006)– and platoon friendship as representing the occupation–friendship–nationalism conflation. Having conducted narrative‐biographic interviews with twenty‐five Russian academics now residing in the United Kingdom and the United States, I look at how they understand their new, diasporic spaces as impacted by their Soviet platoon friendship – a feature that could be used as a criterion for recognising a putative diaspora.
Methanethiol accumulation exacerbates release of N2O during denitrification in estuarine sediments and bacterial cultures
Authors: Magalhães C. , Kiene R. P. , Buchan A. , Machado A. , Wiebe W. J. , Bordalo A. A. 
Published: December 2010

SummaryMicrobes play critical roles in the biogeochemical cycling of nitrogen and sulfur in aquatic environments. Here we investigated the interaction between the naturally occurring organic sulfur compound methanethiol (MeSH) and the final step of the denitrification pathway, the reduction of nitrous oxide (N2O) to dinitrogen (N2) gas, in sediment slurries from the temperate Douro and Ave estuaries (NW Portugal) and in pure cultures of the marine bacterium Ruegeria pomeroyi. Sediment slurries and cell suspensions were amended with a range of concentrations of either MeSH (0–120 µM) or methionine (0–5 mM), a known precursor of MeSH. MeSH or methionine additions caused N2O to accumulate and this accumulation was linearly related to MeSH concentrations in both coastal sediments (R2 = 0.7–0.9, P < 0.05) and R. pomeroyi cell suspensions (R2 = 0.9, P < 0.01). Our results suggest that MeSH inhibits the final step of denitrification resulting in N2O accumulation.
Measurement of Wavy Surface Oscillations on Liquid Metal Lithium Jet for IFMIF Target
Authors: Sugiura Hirokazu , Kanemura Takuji , Yoshihashi-Suzuki Sachiko , Kondo Hiroo , Yoshikawa Tomohide , Yamaoka Nobuo , Ida Mizuho , Nakamura Hiroo , Matsushita Izuru , Horiike Hiroshi 
Published: December 2010

Abstract
The International Fusion Materials Irradiation Facility (IFMIF) has been conceived as a high-flux 14 MeV neutron source for testing candidate fusion reactor materials. In the current design, neutrons are generated by irradiating a target with a deuteron beam and high-speed free-surface flow of liquid metal lithium (Li) is adopted as the target. To reveal the stability of the Li flow, we have examined characteristics of surface waves at a location 175 nm downstream from a nozzle exit, which corresponds to the center of the beam irradiated region. In this study, the characteristics of surface waves just downstream of the nozzle exit were measured experimentally, since the initial growth of surface waves exerts a definite influence on the surface behavior of the Li flow in the downstream region. Experiments were carried out with a focus on surface oscillations of the Li flow using the lithium circulation loop at Osaka University. These oscillations are measured using an electro-contact probe apparatus, which can detect electrically a contact between the probe tip and the Li surface and provide local height data of surface waves. The apparatus was installed at a location 15 mm downstream from the nozzle exit and scanned the Li surface by moving along the liquid-depth direction. The experiments were performed for the velocity range of 3-15 m/s under argon gas atmosphere at a pressure of 0.13 MPa. The contact signal recorded in the experiment was used to analyze the characteristics of surface waves, and then the root-mean-square wave amplitude and the frequency of surface waves were calculated. It was found that the root-mean-square wave amplitudes of surface waves increased with a rise in the flow velocity, and reached approximately 0.18 mm at 14-15 m/s. And also, obtained frequencies were analyzed using a linear stability theory, and the variation of frequencies was examined with the mean flow velocity.
Enhancement of Immune Responses by an Attenuated
Salmonella enterica
Serovar Typhimurium Strain Secreting an
Escherichia coli
Heat-Labile Enterotoxin B Subunit Protein as an Adjuvant for a Live
Salmonella
Vaccine Candidate
Authors: Hur Jin , Lee John Hwa 
Published: December 2010

ABSTRACT

A plasmid harboring
eltB
, the gene encoding heat-labile enterotoxin (LTB), was constructed by insertion of
eltB
into an Asd
+
β-lactamase signal plasmid (pMMP65). This was introduced into the Δ
lon
Δ
cpxR
Δ
asd Salmonella enterica
serovar Typhimurium strain and designated the LTB adjuvant strain. LTB protein production and secretion from the strain were demonstrated with an immunoblot assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The LTB strain was evaluated for enhancement of immunity and protection efficacy induced by a previously constructed live
Salmonella
vaccine candidate. In addition, immunization strategies using the LTB strain were optimized for effective salmonellosis protection. Seventy female BALB/c mice were divided into seven groups (A to G;
n
= 10 mice per group). Mice were primed at 6 weeks of age and boosted at 9 weeks of age. All mice were orally challenged with a virulent wild-type strain at week 3 postbooster. Serum IgG and IgA titers from mice immunized with the LTB strain alone or with a mixture of the LTB strain and the vaccine candidate were significantly increased. The secretory IgA titers from mice immunized with the LTB strain alone or with the mixture were at least 2.2 times greater than those of control mice. In addition, all group E mice (primed with the vaccine-LTB mixture and boosted with the vaccine candidate) were free of clinical signs of salmonellosis and survived a virulent challenge. In contrast, death due to the challenge was 100% in control mice, 80% in group A mice (single immunization with the vaccine candidate), 60% in group B mice (primed and boosted with the vaccine candidate), 40% in group C mice (single immunization with the LTB strain), 30% in group D mice (primed and boosted with the LTB strain), and 30% in group F mice (primed and boosted with the vaccine-LTB mixture). These results suggest that vaccination with the LTB strain, especially when added at the prime stage only, effectively enhances immune responses and protection against salmonellosis.
Effects of Blood Sample Age at Time of Separation on Measured Cytokine Concentrations in Human Plasma
Authors: Jackman Rachael P. , Utter Garth H. , Heitman John W. , Hirschkorn Dale F. , Law Jacqueline P. , Gefter Nelly , Busch Michael P. , Norris Philip J. 
Published: December 2010

ABSTRACT
Measurement of peripheral blood cytokines and other immunomodulatory proteins is a useful and popular tool for assessing human immune responses to a wide range of assaults. A common challenge in this work is obtaining fresh, high-quality samples and limiting the time between blood collection and the separation of plasma or serum from cells. In this study we sought to determine the effect of sample age at the time of processing on the measured levels of 41 soluble immune mediators. Two cohorts were examined: healthy lab donors and trauma patients, who have significant immune perturbation. Whole-blood samples were aliquoted, and plasma was isolated, at days 0, 1, 2, and 3 after collection. Multiplexing techniques were used to measure protein concentrations, and general estimating equations were used to determine if there was a significant change over time. Over the 3-day period examined, only 15 of the 41 proteins showed no significant change in either cohort. Among the remaining proteins both increases and decreases were observed, with changes ranging from 2.4% per day to 325% per day. Proteins with significant changes in one cohort did not always show significant changes in the other group. These results support the need to separate plasma or serum from whole blood as quickly as possible and/or to standardize the length of time to processing within a given study of peripheral blood protein concentrations. When this is not possible, care should be taken to account for differences due to sample age.
Evaluation of DNA Extraction Techniques for Detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex Organisms in Asian Elephant Trunk Wash Samples
Authors: Kay Meagan K. , Linke Lyndsey , Triantis Joni , Salman M. D. , Larsen R. Scott 
Published: December 2010

ABSTRACT

Rapid and sensitive diagnostic assays for the detection of tuberculous mycobacteria in elephants are lacking. DNA extraction with PCR analysis is useful for tuberculosis screening in many species but has not been validated on elephant trunk wash samples. We estimated the analytical sensitivity and specificity of three DNA extraction methods to detect
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
complex organisms in trunk wash specimens. A ZR soil microbe DNA kit (ZR) and a traditional salt and ethanol precipitation (TSEP) approach were evaluated under three different treatment conditions: heat treatment, phenol treatment, and contamination with
Mycobacterium avium
. A third approach, using a column filtration method, was evaluated for samples contaminated with soil. Trunk wash samples from uninfected elephants were spiked with various concentrations of
M. bovis
cells and subjected to the described treatment conditions prior to DNA extraction. Extracted DNA was amplified using IS
6110
-targeted PCR analysis. The ZR and TSEP methods detected as low as 1 to 5
M. bovis
cells and 10
M. bovis
cells, respectively, per 1.5 ml of trunk wash under all three conditions. Depending on the amount of soil present, the column filtration method detected as low as 5 to 50
M. bovis
cells per 1.5 ml of trunk wash. Analytical specificity was assessed by DNA extraction from species of nontuberculous mycobacteria and amplification using the same PCR technique. Only
M. bovis
DNA was amplified, indicating 100% analytical specificity of this PCR technique. Our results indicate that these DNA extraction techniques offer promise as useful tests for detection of
M. tuberculosis
complex organisms in elephant trunk wash specimens.
Multiple Cases of Cutaneous Mycobacterium massiliense Infection in a “Hot Spa” in Japan
Authors: Nakanaga Kazue , Hoshino Yoshihiko , Era Yuko , Matsumoto Kentaro , Kanazawa Yuji , Tomita Atsuko , Furuta Masanari , Washizu Motohisa , Makino Masahiko , Ishii Norihisa 
Published: December 2010

ABSTRACT

Seven body polishers working in the same “hot spa” presented with multiple red nodules and papules on their hands and forearms. A causative agent was successfully isolated from two of the subjects and from a swab sample collected from the underside of a bed cover in the body-polishing facility. The two cutaneous isolates and the environmental isolate were rapidly growing mycobacteria that formed nonphotochromogenic smooth or smooth/rough colonies on Ogawa egg slants. They were identified as
Mycobacterium massiliense
by multigenotypic analysis using the 16S rRNA,
hsp65
, and
rpoB
genes and the 16S–23S rRNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. However, the use of the 16S rRNA gene sequence and/or DNA-DNA hybridization (DDH Mycobacteria Kit) alone would not distinguish
M. massiliense
from mycobacteria in the
M. chelonae-M. abscessus
group. The three isolates were significantly more susceptible to clarithromycin, doxycycline, and minocycline than the
M. abscessus
and
M. bolletii
reference strains. One cutaneous isolate and the environmental isolate were in a related cluster by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA PCR (RAPD-PCR). Of the several mycobacterial species found in the day spa, only
M. massiliense
was isolated from biopsy specimens of the skin lesions, suggesting that this bacterium is a human skin pathogen. This is the first known report of cutaneous
M. massiliense
infections that could not be attributed to a prior invasive procedure. This is also the first report of
M. massiliense
infection in Japan.