bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reference intervals of extended erythrocyte and reticulocyte parameters
Authors: Hoffmann Johannes J.M.L. , van den Broek Nicole M.A. , Curvers Joyce 
Published: May 2012

AbstractOptical analysis of erythrocytes can provide information on the hemoglobin concentration and content of reticulocytes and mature erythrocytes. Such parameters have proven clinical utility in anemia diagnosis and therapy monitoring. For interpretation, reliable reference ranges are needed. The aim of this study was to establish reference intervals for extended erythrocyte and reticulocyte parameters as measured with the Abbott CELL-DYN Sapphire hematology analyzer. Secondary aims were to study sample stability and to investigate gender- and age dependency of the reference ranges.Extended RBC parameters were measured in routine samples of a primary health care laboratory. The study cohort included 8161 samples of unique individuals, which were analyzed using Bhattacharya statistics. As a comparison, reference intervals were calculated in a subset of individuals without iron depletion.The majority of erythrocyte and reticulocyte para\xadmeters were normally distributed, allowing calculation of reference intervals. Only for hypo- and hyperchromic erythrocytes non-parametric statistics had to be used. The reference range for mean cellular hemoglobin content of reticulocytes (MCHr) was 28.5–34.5 pg (1.77–2.14 fmol) in the entire study group and 26.0–35.1 pg (1.60–2.17 fmol) in the non iron-depleted subgroup. No differences between sexes were found. Most parameters showed significant age effects in children and adolescents.Reference intervals have been established for extended RBC and reticulocyte parameters for the CELL-DYN Sapphire. Gender effects could not be demonstrated and age effects were of limited size, except for individuals younger than 18 years. Extended RBC parameters are stable for at least 6 h after blood collection.
Age-related changes in serum amino acids concentrations in healthy individuals
Authors: Kouchiwa Takanori , Wada Keiko , Uchiyama Mari , Kasezawa Nobuhiko , Niisato Mitsuko , Murakami Hiromi , Fukuyama Kazue , Yokogoshi Hidehiko 
Published: May 2012

AbstractSerum amino acids, part of a pool of free amino acids, are influenced by metabolism and disease. Few reports exist describing their function and concentrations in serum. Our study aimed to determine age- and gender-related differences in serum amino acid concentrations in healthy Japanese patients, focusing on their inclusion in body proteins.Healthy patients with normal liver and kidney function were selected based on biochemical variables. Serum amino acid concentrations in 23–88-year-old patients (312 males, 252 females; 52.1±15.0 years) were evaluated to determine the normal values and to clarify the differences in concentration. The patients were divided into 11 groups according to their gender and age (in 5-year increments), and serum amino acid concentrations were determined as the normal values for each group.Some amino acids increased or decreased with age. Values of leucine, threonine, methionine, histidine, glycine, serine and taurine decreased with age in males, whereas, those of threonine and serine decreased with age in females (p<0.05). In contrast, values of phenylalanine, aspartate, asparagine, glutamate, alanine, citrulline, ornithine, arginine and tyrosine increased with age in males, whereas, values of phenylalanine, lysine, asparagine, glutamate, glutamine, alanine, citrulline, ornithine, arginine, tyrosine and proline increased with age in females (p<0.05).We clarified basic trends of age- and gender-related amino acid concentrations in serum. In normal healthy Japanese people who ate normally and lived an independent life, there are significant age- and gender-related differences.
A pragmatic proposal for permissible limits in external quality assessment schemes with a compromise between biological variation and the state of the art
Authors: Haeckel Rainer , Wosniok Werner , Kratochvila Josef , Carobene Anna 
Published: May 2012

AbstractPermissible limits for internal and external quality assurance are either based on biological variation or on the state of the art (technical feasibility). The former approach has a scientific basis, but, in some cases, leads to limits which are either not achievable under the present technology, or which are not stringent enough. If proficiency testing is mandatory, stringent limits which cannot be fulfilled by the majority of laboratories could lead to juristic consequences. Therefore, most national guidelines were based on the state of the art, however, without providing the underlying reasoning. A simple algorithm for permissible limits in external quality assessment schemes (EQAS) is proposed based on biological variation, technical feasibility and correlated to the rate of false positive results. The proposed limits are compared with some limits from several EQAS (RiliBÄK, SEKK, RCPA, CLIA, PROLARIT). The suggested limits are slightly more stringent than the German RiliBÄK, less stringent than the Australasian guidelines and agreed best with the Czech SEKK and the Italian PROLARIT scheme. The graphical presentation of permissible limits strictly derived of biological variation with the proposed limits led to straight lines with different slopes and a cross-over at the limits for quantities with a medium biological variation (e.g., trijodthyronine). The greatest discordance between the various recommendations was observed for calcium, chloride, hemoglobin A
Reference change values for lens culinaris agglutinin-reactive α-fetoprotein and des-γ-carboxy prothrombin in patients with chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Kanke Futoshi , Kumada Takashi , Toyoda Hidenori , Satomura Shinji 
Published: May 2012

AbstractTen patients with cirrhosis due to hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and without HCC were enrolled in the study. Serum samples were collected at 14-day intervals, and 10 samples in total were obtained for each patient. AFP-L3 and DCP levels were measured by microchip capillary electrophoresis and liquid-phase binding assay. Intra-individual (CVThe CVIncreases in values for AFP-L3 and DCP within 68.3% and 58.5% may be biological variations. Clinician should take these variations into consideration for the management of patients with HCV infection under surveillance of HCC.
Reference intervals and biological variation for kallikrein 6: influence of age and renal failure
Authors: Martínez-Morillo Eduardo , Diamandis Anastasia , Diamandis Eleftherios P. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractKallikrein 6 (KLK6) is a serine protease involved in numerous cellular processes, up-regulated in many cancers and associated with some neurodegenerative disorders. The aim of this study was to establish a reference interval and estimate the biological variation of KLK6 in serum samples of adults. Furthermore, levels of this protein in patients with renal failure were also studied.Serum samples from healthy volunteers (n=136) were collected. Between 15 and 18 additional samples from four of these subjects were obtained over a period of 2 months. Samples from individuals (n=1043) who visited the University Health Network for a routine check-up were collected to study the association between KLK6 with age and gender. Samples from patients with renal failure (n=106) were also obtained and KLK6 and creatinine concentrations were analyzed by ELISA and an automated enzymatic method, respectively.The reference interval was established to be 1.04–3.93 ng/mL. The index of individuality was 0.43 and the reference change value was 35%. Only two serum samples would be required to estimate the homeostatic setting point of an individual. There is a weak but highly significant positive correlation between KLK6 and age (p<0.0001). Furthermore, there is a significant positive correlation between serum concentrations of KLK6 and creatinine (p<0.0001), in patients with renal failure.The established reference interval for KLK6 and the estimation of its biological variation will further aid in the clinical use of this protein as a serum marker of malignancy and other diseases.
Equine wound healing: influence of low level laser therapy on an equine metacarpal wound healing model
Authors: Jann Henry W. , Bartels Kenneth , Ritchey Jerry W. , Payton Mark , Bennett John M. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractTo evaluate the effects of low level laser therapy (LLLT) on healing of full thickness symmetrical skin wounds in horses. LLLT is a therapeutic modality using the application of light, usually a low power laser or light emitting diode in the power range of 1 mW to 12 W that, in practical terms, promotes tissue regeneration as well as reducing inflammation and pain.Experimental study.Healthy horses (n=8).Full thickness, 2.5 cm square skin wounds were created in the mid-metacarpal region on one leg of eight normal horses. LLLT was used on limbs assigned to the experimental group and limbs assigned to the control group were allowed to heal without treatment. LLLT was administered using a line generated optical scanner with a dual diode laser system (model EML; Erchonia Laser Healthcare, McKinney, TX, USA) at a wavelength of 635 nm and an energy output of 17 mW per diode. Wound size was measured for an 80-day period post operatively. Eighty days after surgery incisional biopsies were examined histologically.Wounds treated with LLLT healed faster than the control wounds (LLLT increased the rate of wound healing.
Anodic Hydrogen Oxidation at Bare and Pt-modified Ru(0001) in Flowing Electrolyte – Theory versus Experiment
Authors: Hoster Harry E. 
Published: May 2012

ABSTRACTThis paper reports on electrochemical hydrogen oxidation at atomically smooth single crystal surfaces. These surfaces are considered as planar models for (bi)metallic nanoparticles that are commonly used as catalytically active electrode materials in low-temperature fuel cells. These samples are prepared in ultrahigh vacuum but are characterized under conditions of enhanced mass transport in hydrogen saturated electrolyte. The two examples shown in this paper are Ru(0001) with or without an atomically thin layer of Pt. The Pt thin layer turns out to be more active than pure Ru(0001) by three orders of magnitude and also more active than bulk Pt electrodes. We show that those findings agree very well with predictions based on density functional theory in combination with a simple kinetic model.
Room temperature ferromagnetism of Fe-doped ZnO and MgO thin films prepared by ink-jet printing
Authors: Fang Mei , Voit Wolfgang , Kyndiah Adrica , Wu Yan , Belova Lyubov , Rao K. V. 
Published: May 2012

ABSTRACTRoom temperature magnetic properties of un-doped, as well as 10 at.% Fe-doped ZnO and MgO single-pass layer of ink-jet printed thin films have been investigated to obtain insight into the role of the band gaps and mechanisms for the origin of ferromagnetic order in these materials. It is found that on doping with Fe, the saturation magnetization is enhanced by several-fold in both systems when compared with the respective un-doped thin films. For a “28 nm thick film of Fe-doped ZnO (Diluted Magnetic Semiconductor, DMS) we observe an enhanced moment of 0.465μB /Fe atom while it is around 0.111μB/Fe atom for the doped MgO (Diluted Magnetic Insulator, DMI) film of comparable thickness. Also, the pure ZnO is far more ferromagnetic than pure MgO at comparable low film thicknesses which can be attributed to defect induced magnetism originating from cat-ion vacancies. However, the film thickness dependence of the magnetization and the defect concentrations are found to be significantly different in the two systems so that a comparison of the magnetism becomes more complex for thicker films.
Culturing Cells on Flexible Substrates of High Refractive Indexes
Authors: Liu You-Ren , Kuo Po-Ling 
Published: May 2012

ABSTRACTMechanical cues in cellular microenvironment are central in directing a class of cellular behaviors such as the dynamic of cell adhesion, migration, and differentiation. Several advanced optical techniques, such as structured-illumination nano-profilometry (SINAP), have been developed for a better resolution of these dynamic processes. These techniques however require culturing cells on materials of refractive index close to that of glass, while most studies regarding the effects of mechanical cues on cellular dynamics were conducted on hydrogel-based substrates. Here we report the development of culturing substrates of tunable rigidity and refractive index suitable for SINAP studies. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)-based substrates were mixed with a softener called Di(isononyl) Cyclohexane-1,2-Dicarboxylate (DINCH) and cured by heating. The volume ratios of PVC to DINCH were varied from 1:1 to 3:1. The Young’s modulus of the resulting substrates ranged from 18 kPa to 40 kPa. The yielded refractive indices of the composite substrates as measured by phase contrast tomography ranged from 1.47 to 1.53. Human lung adenocarcinoma cells CL1-5 were cultured on the composite substrates and cell viability was examined using the MTT assay. The dynamics of cell adhesion and filopodia activities were examined using SINAP. Preliminary results suggest that PVC based culturing substrates have a great potential in the application of SINAP based studies.
Interface Orientation Distribution during Grain Growth in Bulk SrTiO3 Measured by Means of 3D X-Ray Diffraction Contrast Tomography
Authors: Syha Melanie , Rheinheimer Wolfgang , Bäurer Michael , Lauridsen Erik M. , Ludwig Wolfgang , Weygand Daniel , Gumbsch Peter 
Published: May 2012

ABSTRACT3D x-ray diffraction contrast tomography (DCT) is a non-destructive technique for the determination of grain shape and crystallography in polycrystalline bulk materials. Using this technique, a strontium titanate specimen was repeatedly measured between annealing steps.. A systematic analysis of the growth history of selected grains before and after the ex-situ annealing step allows to extract the topological and morphological changes during grain growth. Furthermore, misorientation as well as interface orientation information of the microstructure reconstructions have been determined. The interface normal distribution clearly shows a preference for (100) oriented interfaces in the selected grains when annealed at 1600°C. This observation can be connected to existent interfacial energy estimations resulting from capillarity vector reconstructions.
Comparative Evaluation of Nasopharyngeal Airways of Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate Patients Using Three-Dimensional and Two-Dimensional Methods
Authors: Aras Isil , Olmez Sultan , Dogan Servet 
Published: May 2012

Aim Comparison of nasopharyngeal airway dimensions among UCLP patients and the control group. Materials and Methods Computed tomography imaging data and cephalometric films of 20 patients with UCLP and 20 controls were acquired prior to treatment. Three-dimensional (3D) reconstructions of nasal, superior, middle, and inferior pharyngeal airways were carried out from dicom data, and volumes of these compartments were calculated. Nasal width and superior, middle, and inferior nasopharyngeal areas were calculated from cephalometric films. Results The only statistically significant difference among the cleft and noncleft patients was detected in nasal volume ( p < .01). Upper and middle pharyngeal airway areas were found to display significant larger areas in the noncleft group on cephalometric appraisal. Nonsignificantly larger nasal widths were measured in the cleft group. Discussion and Conclusion Evaluation of the nasopharyngeal airways of cleft and noncleft patients was done, resulting in only the nasal region showing statistically significant difference. Our results showed significantly lower nasal volume measurements of cleft patients when compared with the healthy individuals (p < .01). This inadequacy can be interpreted as an outcome of the deficiency. The controversy among results of cephalometric appraisal and 3D imaging can be associated with superimpositions, density, and contrast inadequacies and obscured landmarks. When 2D data are compared with 3D data, the former can be insufficient and therefore deceiving. Consequently, although the radiation dose of 3D imaging systems is greater, they have the advantage of superior diagnostic outputs.
Eastern Palaearctic Cynipid Inquilines — The Genus Ceroptres Hartig, 1840 with Descriptions of Two New Species (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae: Cynipinae)
Authors: Wang Yiping , Liu Zhiwei , Chen Xuexin 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
As part of a study on the inquilinous cynipids belonging to the tribe Synergini (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae: Cynipinae) in the Chinese fauna, we report in the present paper three species of the genus Ceroptres Hartig from that country, including C. masudaiAbe, 1997 and two new species, C. distinctus sp. nov. and C. setosus sp. nov. In addition to detailed descriptions of the new species, we also provide an illustrated key to the species of the genus known from the Palaearctic region and a brief comparison between the Palaearctic and Nearctic Ceroptres species. Type specimens of the new species are deposited in the Parasitic Hymenoptera Collection, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China (ZJUH).
Review and Key to the World Parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae) ofAphis ruborum(Hemiptera: Aphididae) and Its Role as a Host Reservoir
Authors: Havelka Jan , Tomanović Željko , Kavallieratos Nickolas G , Rakhshani Ehsan , Pons Xavier , Petrović Andjeljko , Pike Keith S , Starý Petr 
Published: May 2012

AbstractA review and illustrated key of the aphidiine parasitoids of Aphis ruborum (Börner and Schilder) are presented including their distribution. The parasitoid spectrum of A. ruborum in the West Palaearctic is rich, composed of Aphidius colemani Viereck, Aphidius matricariae Haliday, Binodoxys acalephae (Marshall), Binodoxys angelicae (Haliday), Ephedrus persicae Froggatt, Lipolexis gracilis Förster, Lysiphlebus confusus Tremblay and Eady, Lysiphlebus fabarum (Marshall), and Praon abjectum (Haliday), and supplemented by the introduction of Lysiphlebus testaceipes (Cresson). In the Americas the parasitoid complex of A. ruborum consists of A. colemani, Aphidius ervi Haliday (South America), and L. testaceipes (South and North America). Furthermore, the reservoir role of A. ruborum in various ecosystems was investigated in Europe (France) and South America (Chile). Faunal peculiarities and relationships of the parasitoid taxa are discussed together with a synopsis of their potential as biocontrol agents.
Revision of the Austro-Oriental Planthopper Genus Dictyomorpha with Description of a New Genus Indodictyophara gen. nov. From South India (Hemiptera: Fulgoroidea: Dictyopharidae)
Authors: Liang Ai-Ping , Song Zhi-Shun 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
The Austro-Oriental planthopper genus DictyomorphaMelichar, 1912 (Hemiptera: Fulgoroidea: Dictyopharidae) is revised to contain three previously described and four undescribed species: D. elongataMelichar, 1912 (Papua New Guinea, Indonesia); D. furca sp. nov. (China); D. hecticaHaupt, 1926 (Philippines); D. laosensis sp. nov. (Laos); D. moluccana (Kirkaldy, 1913) (from AmboinaKirkaldy, 1913) comb. nov. (Indonesia); D. sulawesiensis sp. nov. (Indonesia); and D. unifasciata Liang, sp. nov. (Vietnam). The monotypic genus AmboinaKirkaldy, 1913 is synonymized with DictyomorphaMelichar, 1912. Descriptions or redescriptions of Dictyomorpha and its included species are provided together with the dorsal habitus of the adults and nymphs and the structural illustrations. Fifth-instar nymph and wax glands of Dictyomorpha species are described for the first time. A diagnostic key is provided for differentiation of the known species in the genus. New data on the ultrastructural morphology of the antennal sensilla, rostral apex, and hind pretarsus of D. moluccana and the wax glands of the nymph of D. hectica are provided for the first time from the scanning electron microscope observations. Autapomorphies are proposed to support the monophyly of Dictyomorpha. A new genus Indodictyophara gen. nov., which is closely related to Dictyomorpha, also is established for a single new species, I. lobosa sp. nov., from southern India.
Review of Dispersal, Survival, and Establishment ofBactrocera tryoni(Diptera: Tephritidae) for Quarantine Purposes
Authors: Dominiak Bernard C 
Published: May 2012

AbstractThe fruit fly Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is a species of significant quarantine concern to many countries. Currently, B. tryoni is found in parts of Australia and on some Pacific islands. Understanding dispersal behavior is important for the development of scientifically justified trade restrictions or quarantine distances for B. tryoni. These distances ensure adequate protection for overseas markets while also ensuring that growers sufficiently distant from the affected area are able to retain unrestricted access to markets. This review considers scientific data on dispersal and uses this information to make recommendations for appropriate quarantine distances. Most studies conclude that the lifetime dispersal distance of this species rarely exceeds 1 km, although three studies indicate that longer dispersal distances of a small number of individuals may occasionally occur. These short dispersal distances are consistent with findings for other fruit fly species. Triggers for long-distance dispersal, the fate of these individual flies, nutritional requirements to support this dispersal, and reasons for discrepancies in the dispersal distances reported in different studies are reviewed. Reasons for the inability of B. tryoni to establish along southern parts of the east coast of Australia before European colonization are postulated. A proposed quarantine distance is based on the scientific basis of the mean and 3 SD, with a 3-fold level of protection based on distance. It is proposed that an area contained by a circle with a radius of 1.2 km is a reasonable quarantine area for B. tryoni outbreaks where flies are contained within 200 m of an epicenter. Where total trappings are contained within 400 m of the epicenter, a quarantine distance of 2.4 km is recommended. Three other quarantine distances are proposed based on the formula by using the mean.
Ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Communities of the Southern Cumberland Plateau
Authors: Davis Rex A , Zigler Kirk S 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
The Cumberland Plateau supports diverse plant communities that vary greatly across cove and plateau habitats. Unfortunately, little is known about how terrestrial invertebrate communities vary across cove and plateau habitats and how disturbance affects these communities. To address this deficiency, we used the Ant Leaf Litter protocol to survey ant diversity on the southern Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee. We surveyed forested habitats on top of the plateau surface and on the cove slopes, as well as sites that were logged within the past 6 yr. After surveying 14 sites we found 1) 10,130 ants representing 55 species from 21 genera and six subfamilies, including five new records for Tennessee; 2) significant differences in ant communities by habitat type; 3) that south-facing cove slope ant communities more closely resembled the ant community of plateau surface native forest sites than the ant community of north-facing cove slopes; 4) that recently logged sites hosted a distinct ant community (including hybrid imported fire ants) not found in undisturbed habitats; and 5) by resampling three sites surveyed 5 yr earlier, that the ant leaf litter protocol can be used to track ant community change over time. Ants thus proved to be an excellent system for examining invertebrate diversity across habitats on the Cumberland Plateau.