bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Gram‐Negative Bacteria‐Binding Protein gene family: Its role in the innate immune system of Anopheles gambiae and in anti‐Plasmodium defence
Authors: Warr E. , Das S. , Dong Y. , Dimopoulos G. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractGram‐negative bacteria‐binding proteins (GNBPs) are pattern recognition receptors which contribute to the defensive response against Plasmodium infection in Anopheles. We have characterized the GNBP gene family in Anopheles gambiae at the molecular level, and show that they are functionally diverse components of the A. gambiae innate immune system. GNBPB4 is a major factor in the defence against a broad range of pathogens, while the other GNBPs have narrower defence specificities. GNBPB4 is associated with the regulation of immune signalling pathways and was found to interact with the Gram‐negative Escherichia coli and weakly co‐localized with Plasmodium berghei ookinetes in the mosquito midgut epithelium.
piggyBac‐like elements in cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner)
Authors: Sun Z. C. , Wu M. , Miller T. A. , Han Z. J. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractTwo piggyBac‐like elements (PLEs) were identified in the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera, and were designated as HaPLE1 and HaPLE2. HaPLE1 is flanked by 16 bp inverted terminal repeats (ITRs) and the duplicated TTAA tetranucleotide, and contains an open reading frame (ORF) of 1794 bp with the presumed DDD domain, indicating that this element may be an active autonomously mobile element. HaPLE2 was found with the same ITRs, but lacks the majority of an ORF‐encoding transposase. Thus, this element was thought to be a non‐autonomous element. Transposable element displays and distribution of the two PLEs in individuals from three different H. armigera populations suggest that transmobilization of HaPLE2 by the transposase of HaPLE1 may be likely, and mobilization of HaPLE1 might occur not only within the same individual, but also among different individuals. In addition, horizontal transfer was probably involved in the evolution of PLEs between H. armigera and Trichoplusia ni.
Low‐voltage‐activated calcium channels are not involved in capacitation and biological response to progesterone in human sperm
Authors: Bonaccorsi Lorella , Forti Gianni , Baldi Elisabetta 
Published: September 2010

The involvement of voltage‐dependent calcium channels in the biological effects exerted by progesterone (P) on human spermatozoa is still a controversial issue. We have investigated the involvement of T‐type calcium channels [voltage‐operated calcium channels (VOCCT)] in two biological functions of human sperm, responsiveness to P and capacitation, by employing three different pharmacological antagonists of VOCCT, namely mibefradil (Ro 5967), pimozide and amiloride. Intracellular calcium [Ca2+]iincrease in response to P was essentially unaffected by pre‐treatment with mibefradil and pimozide at concentrations previously shown to prevent [Ca2+]iincrease in response to zona proteins. Amiloride could not be tested in these experiments because it was found to interfere with fura‐2 fluorescence. The increase in tyrosine phosphorylation stimulated by P in a protein of about 97 kDa was unaffected by the three antagonists. Acrosome reaction (AR) induced by P was also unaffected by mibefradil or pimozide but was significantly inhibited by amiloride at high concentrations (100 and 500 but not 10 μM). At 100 and 500 μMamiloride also inhibited Na/H exchanger as assessed by a fluorimetric method. We conclude that VOCCT are not involved in calcium increase and AR stimulated by P in human sperm.We next investigated the effect of the three VOCCT inhibitors on sperm capacitation by evaluating tyrosine phosphorylation and AR in basal conditions and in response to P. We found that the presence of pimozide and amiloride during capacitation stimulated a higher increase of tyrosine phosphorylation, whereas mibefradil was less effective. The ability of P to induce the AR, considered an index of occurrence of capacitation, was not affected by pimozide and mibefradil, whereas was inhibited by amiloride at concentrations that inhibit Na/H exchanger. In conclusion, our results do not support a major role of low‐voltage‐activated calcium channels in capacitation and response to P of human spermatozoa.
Comparison of sperm preparation methods: effect on chromatin and morphology recovery rates and their consequences on the clinical outcome after in vitro fertilization embryo transfer
Authors: Hammadeh M. E. , Kühnen A. , Amer A. S. , Rosenbaum P. , Schmidt W. 
Published: September 2010

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of swim‐up, PureSperm® gradient centrifugation and glass–wool filtration methods for semen preparation and to assess the possible enhancement of the quality of the subpopulation of spermatozoa in terms of sperm concentration, morphology and chromatin condensation. Moreover, to determine the effect of this semen processing technique on the clinical outcome after in vitro fertilization embryo transfer (IVF‐ET).A total of 180 semen samples of patients’ husbands who were undergoing IVF therapy were prepared by swim‐up (G1, n= 60), PureSperm® gradient centrifugation (G2, n=60) or glass–wool (G3, n=60) methods. Chromatin condensation was assessed by Chromomycin (CMA3), whereas sperm morphology was evaluated according to strict criteria. In all three semen processing methods, the percentage of chromatin condensed and morphologically normal spermatozoa was higher after semen processing in comparison with native semen samples. The proportion of normal chromatin condensed spermatozoa prepared in glass–wool filtration was significantly higher than that in swim‐up (G.I, p=0.02) or PureSperm® (G.II, p=0.001). In addition semen processing with PureSperm® yields significantly a higher percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa than swim‐up (p < 0.001) or glass–wool method (p < 0.002). However, the fertilization, implantation and pregnancy rates, in turn were similar in all semen preparation methods.In conclusion, PureSperm® gradient centrifugation yields a higher percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa than shown in traditional swim‐up or glass–wool filtration. However, the percentage of chromatin condensed spermatozoa was significantly higher after semen processing via glass–wool in comparison with the other two methods.Nevertheless, there were no significant difference in the fertilization, implantation and pregnancy rates of sperm prepared by means of swim‐up, PureSperm® or glass–wool filtration.Therefore, glass–wool filtration should be recommended as the first choice for semen preparation for Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) technique as the natural selection is bypassed. Whereas, swim‐up and PureSperm should be used for semen processing in IVF programme.
Validation of biological collections as a source of phenological data for use in climate change studies: a case study with the orchid Ophrys sphegodes
Authors: Robbirt Karen M. , Davy Anthony J. , Hutchings Michael J. , Roberts David L. 
Published: September 2010

Summary 1. The scarcity of reliable long‐term phenological data has severely hindered the study of the responses of species to climate change. Biological collections in herbaria and museums are potential sources of long‐term data for such study, but their use for this purpose needs independent validation. Here we report a rigorous test of the validity of using herbarium specimens for phenological studies, by comparing relationships between climate and time of peak flowering derived from herbarium records and from direct field‐based observations, for the terrestrial orchid Ophrys sphegodes. 2. We examined herbarium specimens of O. sphegodes collected between 1848 and 1958, and recorded peak flowering time directly in one population of O. sphegodes between 1975 and 2006. The response of flowering time to variation in mean spring temperature (March–May) was virtually identical in both sets of data, even though they covered different periods of time which differ in extent of anthropogenic temperature change. In both cases flowering was advanced by c. 6 days per °C rise in average spring temperature. 3. The proportion of variation in flowering time explained by spring temperature was lower in the herbarium record than in direct field observations. It is likely that some of the additional variation was due to geographical variation in collection site, as flowering was significantly earlier at more westerly sites, which have had warmer springs, over their range of 3.44° of longitude. 4. Predictions of peak flowering time based on the herbarium data corresponded closely with observed peak flowering times in the field, indicating that flowering response to temperature had not altered between the two separate periods over which the herbarium and field data were collected. 5. Synthesis. These results provide the first direct validation of the use of herbarium collections to examine the relationships between phenology and climate when field‐based observational data are not available.
Bayesian and frequentist models: legitimate choices for different purposes of clinical research
Authors: Berger Zackary 
Published: September 2010

AbstractObjective  Bayesian and frequentist approaches to statistical modelling in epidemiology are often pitted against each other as if they represented diametrically opposing philosophies. However, both approaches have a role to play in clinical epidemiology and the evaluation of clinical practice.Methods  Here I present an overview of the philosophical underpinnings of the Bayesian and frequentist approaches, showing that each model has its place depending on the philosophical and evaluative needs of the user.Results  If the user's approach to a clinical problem places an emphasis on identifying causal relationships, a frequentist approach might be best suited. On the other hand, if the user takes an approach in which estimating a priori probabilities is appropriate, a Bayesian approach might be more appropriate. One could imagine both approaches used for the same study.Conclusions  Bayesian and frequentist approaches are complementary tools in the clinical evaluator's toolkit.
Effectiveness of unattended ambulatory sleep studies for the diagnosis and treatment of OSAS
Authors: Domingo Christian , Vigil Laura 
Published: September 2010

SummaryBackground  Unattended home sleep studies have been implemented to minimize the cost and delay in establishing obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) diagnosis and therapy. However, their accuracy and validity remain disputed. The purpose of our study is to assess their effectiveness (i.e. their technical reliability in real life conditions).Setting  Private sleep unit attending to private and social security patients.Population  Consecutively admitted patients, aged over 18 years, referred to our clinic for confirmation or treatment of OSAS without co‐morbidities.Methods  A clinical history was obtained for each patient with special attention to sleep, smoking habit, educational level and type of insurance. Chest X‐ray and forced spirometry were performed. For the portable respiratory recording device an eight‐channel polygraph was used and for continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) titration an automatic positive airway pressure device was applied; both instruments were previously validated. Patients were instructed how to use the devices at the clinic and then applied them at home by themselves.Results  For diagnostic sleep studies, 145 out of 150 (96.7%: CI: 92.4–98.9) and for CPAP titration 42 out of the 61 patients (69%: CI: 56.4–81.3) performed the sleep study correctly according to the pre‐established criteria. No statistically significant differences were found between correct performance and educational level, sex, smoking habit or type of health insurance.Conclusions  (1) Unattended home sleep studies appear as effective as in‐hospital studies for diagnosis of OSAS without co‐morbidities; (2) for CPAP titration, the effectiveness was slightly lower; and (3) factors such as patients' educational level or type of health insurance do not appear to influence outcome.
Focusing the focus group: impact of the awareness of major factors contributing to non‐adherence to acute paediatric asthma guidelines
Authors: Bhogal Sanjit Kaur , McGillivray David , Bourbeau Jean , Plotnick Laurie H. , Bartlett Susan Joan , Benedetti Andrea , Ducharme Francine Monique 
Published: September 2010

AbstractRationale  The administration of oral corticosteroids within the first hour in the emergency department is associated with reduced hospitalization rates in children with moderate and severe asthma, yet less than half of patients benefit from this recommendation. To ensure patients receive recommended treatment, a clear understanding of what is causing suboptimal care management is needed. The assessment of barriers and solutions to optimal care is often done without a thorough examination of the factors associated with non‐adherence.Objective  To evaluate whether knowledge of factors associated with delayed administration of systemic corticosteroids modifies the focus and prioritization of barriers and solutions identified by focus groups.Methods  We conducted two parallel focus groups of emergency health care professionals – one group informed and the other non‐informed of key factors. Both groups received a presentation on the acute asthma guidelines, the evidence supporting its recommendations, and current practice. In addition, the informed group was provided with the factors associated and not associated with delayed administration. The groups were given 20 minutes to discuss barriers and solutions, with 5 minutes each for voting for the main barriers and solutions. Group difference in the misdirection of discussion was measured as time spent discussing barriers that were shown not to be associated with systemic corticosteroids. Prioritization of barriers and solutions was based on group endorsement.Results  The non‐informed group spent more time discussing barriers not associated with delayed administration (15 vs. 2 minutes, P = 0.05). Although the non‐informed group proposed more solutions, most were to overcome barriers not associated with delayed administration. Of the main barriers and solutions identified by each group, only one barrier and solution were similar between the two groups: emergency department overcrowding and administrating corticosteroids at triage.Conclusion  The awareness of objective factors of non‐adherence enabled a more directed discussion on relevant barriers and solutions, affecting prioritization of each. The administration of oral corticosteroids at triage appears to be the best solution to overcome delayed administration.
Indications for hip and knee replacement in Sweden
Authors: Löfvendahl Sofia , Bizjajeva Svetlana , Ranstam Jonas , Lidgren Lars 
Published: September 2010

AbstractObjectives  The aim of this paper was to compare selected indication parameters for patients scheduled for hip and knee replacement at orthopaedic units in Sweden.Methods  Swedish orthopaedic clinics performing joint replacement were invited to enrol in the study. The study time was set to 2 years (from June 2006 to June 2008). The study subjects were patients undergoing hip or knee replacement for osteoarthritis (OA). For data collection, we used a Swedish priority criteria tool based on a translation from a form used in Canada with minor changes. The reliability and validity of the Swedish tool were investigated, with good reproducibility. The questionnaires (one for the doctor and one for the patient) were completed during decision making for surgery.Results  Eleven hospitals enrolled in the study. In total, 2961 patients were included during the study period. Among these, 1662 were hip replacement patients and 1299 were knee replacement patients. The vast majority of patients undergoing hip or knee replacement had findings indicating severe OA, both clinically and radiologically according to the clinical priority tool. Statistically significant self‐reported problems with pain at rest, walking and impaired activities of daily living were also observed. There were statistically significant differences in reported indications between the hospitals, both for hip OA patients and for knee OA patients.Conclusions  A clinical priority criteria tool is a useful means of following changes in indications for certain procedures. It could also contribute to explaining differences in case mix when evaluating clinical outcome and patient satisfaction.
Measuring perceptions of safety climate in primary care: a cross‐sectional study
Authors: de Wet Carl , Johnson Paul , Mash Robert , McConnachie Alex , Bowie Paul 
Published: September 2010

AbstractRationale, aims and objectives  Building a strong and positive safety culture in health care teams and organizations is essential for patient safety. Measuring individual perceptions of safety climate is an integral part of this process. Evidence of the successful application and potential usefulness of this approach is increasingly available for secondary care settings but little is known about the safety climate in UK primary care. We therefore aimed to measure perceptions of safety climate in primary care. Further aims were to determine whether perceptions varied significantly between practice teams and according to specific participant and practice characteristics.Method  We undertook a cross‐sectional, anonymous postal questionnaire survey of randomly selected west of Scotland primary care teams. Safety climate mean scores with standard deviations were calculated for respondents, practice teams and the region.Results  A total of 563 (84%) team members from 49 practices (24.5%) returned questionnaires. The overall safety climate mean score was 5.48 (0.78). Significant differences in safety climate perceptions were found at the practice team level (P < 0.001) and for specific characteristics: respondents' years of experience, whether they were community or practice based, their professional roles and practices' training status. Practice managers and general practitioners perceived the safety climate more positive than other respondents (P < 0.001).Conclusion  This was the first known attempt to measure perceptions of safety climate in UK primary care with a validated instrument specifically developed for that purpose. Reported perceptions of the prevailing safety climate were generally positive. This may reflect ongoing efforts to build a strong safety culture in primary care or alternatively point to an overestimation of the effectiveness of local safety systems. The significant variation in perception between certain staff groups has potential safety implications and may have to be aligned for a positive and strong safety culture to be built. While safety climate measurement has various benefits at the individual, practice team and regional level, further research of its association with specific safety outcomes is required.
Is the SAPS II score valid in surgical intensive care unit patients?
Authors: Sakr Yasser , Marques Juliana , Mortsch Stefan , Gonsalves Matheus Demarchi , Hekmat Khosro , Kabisch Bjorn , Kohl Matthias , Reinhart Konrad 
Published: September 2010

AbstractAims and objectives  We investigated the performance of the simplified acute physiology score II (SAPS II) in a large cohort of surgical intensive care unit (ICU) patients and tested the hypothesis that customization of the score would improve the uniformity of fit in subgroups of surgical ICU patients.Methods  Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from all 12 938 patients admitted to a postoperative ICU between January 2004 and January 2009. Probabilities of hospital death were calculated for original and customized (C1‐SAPS II and C2‐SAPS II) scores. A priori subgroups were defined according to age, probability of death according to the SAPS II score, ICU length of stay (LOS), surgical procedures and type of admission.Results  The median ICU LOS was 1 (1–3) day. ICU and hospital mortality rates were 5.8% and 10.3%, respectively. Discrimination of the SAPS II was moderate [area under receiver operating characteristic curve (aROC) = 0.76 (0.75–0.78)], but calibration was poor. This model markedly overestimated hospital mortality rates [standardized mortality rate: 0.35 (0.33–0.37)]. First‐level customization (C1‐SAPS II) did not improve discrimination in the whole cohort or the subgroups, but calibration improved in some subgroups. Second‐level customization (C2‐SAPS II) improved discrimination in the whole cohort [aROC = 0.82 (0.79–0.85)] and most of the subgroups (aROC range 0.65–86). Calibration in this model (C2‐SAPS II) improved in the whole cohort and in subgroups except in patients with ICU LOS 4–14 days and those undergoing neuro‐ or gastrointestinal surgery.Conclusions  In this large cohort of surgical ICU patients, performance of the original SAPS II model was generally poor. Although second‐level customization improved discrimination and calibration in the whole cohort and most of the subgroups, it failed to simultaneously improve calibration in the subgroups stratified according to the type of surgery, age or ICU LOS.
Independent evolutionary origins of landlocked alewife populations and rapid parallel evolution of phenotypic traits
Authors: PALKOVACS ERIC P. , DION KIRSTIN B. , POST DAVID M. , CACCONE ADALGISA 
Published: September 2010

AbstractAlewife,Alosa pseudoharengus, populations occur in two discrete life‐history variants, an anadromous form and a landlocked (freshwater resident) form. Landlocked populations display a consistent pattern of life‐history divergence from anadromous populations, including earlier age at maturity, smaller adult body size, and reduced fecundity. In Connecticut (USA), dams constructed on coastal streams separate anadromous spawning runs from lake‐resident landlocked populations. Here, we used sequence data from the mtDNA control region and allele frequency data from five microsatellite loci to ask whether coastal Connecticut landlocked alewife populations are independently evolved from anadromous populations or whether they share a common freshwater ancestor. We then used microsatellite data to estimate the timing of the divergence between anadromous and landlocked populations. Finally, we examined anadromous and landlocked populations for divergence in foraging morphology and used divergence time estimates to calculate the rate of evolution for foraging traits. Our results indicate that landlocked populations have evolved multiple times independently. Tests of population divergence and estimates of gene flow show that landlocked populations are genetically isolated, whereas anadromous populations exchange genes. These results support a ‘phylogenetic raceme’ model of landlocked alewife divergence, with anadromous populations forming an ancestral core from which landlocked populations independently diverged. Divergence time estimates suggest that landlocked populations diverged from a common anadromous ancestor no longer than 5000 years ago and perhaps as recently as 300 years ago, depending on the microsatellite mutation rate assumed. Examination of foraging traits reveals landlocked populations to have significantly narrower gapes and smaller gill raker spacings than anadromous populations, suggesting that they are adapted to foraging on smaller prey items. Estimates of evolutionary rates (in haldanes) indicate rapid evolution of foraging traits, possibly in response to changes in available resources.