bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Public health and laboratory considerations regarding newborn screening for congenital cytomegalovirus
Authors: Dollard Sheila C. , Schleiss Mark R. , Grosse Scott D. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractCongenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is the most common infection in newborns worldwide and causes hearing loss and other neurological disability in 15–20% of infected infants. Only about half of the hearing loss resulting from congenital CMV infection is currently detected by universal newborn hearing screening because of late‐onset hearing loss. Thus, much of the hearing loss and the majority of other CMV‐associated disabilities remain undetected for years after birth and are never connected to CMV infection. Congenital CMV may be appropriate to include in national newborn screening (NBS) programs because it is more common than other disorders tested for by NBS programs and is a major cause of disability. Significant obstacles to the implementation of screening for congenital CMV include the lack of a standardized, high‐throughput screening test and a protocol for follow‐up of CMV‐infected children. Nonetheless, screening newborns for congenital CMV infection merits further consideration.
Soil organic carbon stock and chemical composition in four plantations of indigenous tree species in subtropical China
Authors: Wang Hui , Liu Shi‐Rong , Mo Jiang‐Ming , Wang Jing‐Xin , Makeschin Franz , Wolff Maria 
Published: June 2010

AbstractSubtropical China has more than 60% of the total plantation area in China and over 70% of these subtropical plantations are composed of pure coniferous species. In view of low ecosystem services and ecological instability of pure coniferous plantations, indigenous broadleaf plantations are being advocated as a prospective silvicultural management for substituting in place of large coniferous plantations in subtropical China. However, little information is known about the effects of tree species conversion on stock and stability of soil organic carbon (SOC). The four adjacent monospecific plantations were selected to examine the effects of tree species on the stock and chemical composition of SOC using elemental analysis and solid‐state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. One coniferous plantation was composed of Pinus massoniana (PM), and the three broadleaf plantations were Castanopsis hystrix (CH), Michelia macclurei (MM), and Mytilaria laosensis (ML). We found that SOC stock differed significantly among the four plantations in the upper (0–10 cm) layer, but not in the underneath (10–30 cm) layer. SOC stocks in the upper (0–10 cm) layer were 11, 19, and 18% higher in the CH, MM, and ML plantations than in the PM plantation. The differences in SOC stock among the four plantations were largely attributed to fine root rather than aboveground litterfall input. However, the soils in the broadleaf plantations contained more decomposable C proportion, indicated by lower percentage of alkyl C, higher percentage of O‐alkyl C and lower alkyl C/O‐alkyl C ratio compared to those in the PM plantation. Our findings highlight that future strategy of tree species selection for substituting in place of large coniferous plantations in subtropical China needs to consider the potential effects of tree species on the chemical composition in addition to the quantity of SOC stock.
Reversible Inhibitory Effects of Saturated and Unsaturated Alkyl Esters on the Carboxylesterases Activity in Rat Intestine
Authors: Li Ping , Zhu Chun‐liu , Zhang Xin‐xin , Gan Li , Yu Hong‐zhen , Gan Yong 
Published: June 2010

AbstractThis study was conducted to investigate the relationship between the carbon chain length/double bonds of alkyl esters and their inhibitory potency/mechanism on carboxylesterases (CESs). CESs activity was evaluated by inhibition of adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) metabolism in rat intestinal homogenates. Furthermore, the inhibitory effect of BNPP and ethyl (E)‐hex‐2‐enoate (C8:1) on drug absorption was evaluated in situ intestinal perfusion model. The results showed that the rank order of the inhibitory potency on CESs was C10:0 > C8:0 > C6:0 > C4:0 > C12:0, C8:1 > C8:0, C6:1 > C6:0, while the esters (C14:0, C13:1, C16:0, C18:0, C17:1, C20:0) were found to have no inhibitory effect at investigated concentrations. However, the unsaturated esters (C20:1, C20:2, C20:3) displayed the inhibitory effect on CESs. Moreover, the double reciprocal plots indicated that alky esters inhibited the CESs in competitive and mixed competitive ways which were reversible. In addition, the result of most effective CESs inhibitor C8:1 from in situ experiment showed that C8:1 can inhibit the CESs‐mediated intestinal metabolism and improve the drug absorption. And the inhibition had no time‐dependent effect, compared with that of BNPP groups. The study suggested that alkyl esters can be served as effective and reversible CESs inhibitors, besides that their inhibitory potency/mechanism can be affected by their carbon chain length/double bonds.
P02-38 - Associations of Sleep Quality with Physical and Mental Health of Japanese Civil Servants
Authors: Sekine M. , Tatsuse T. 
Published: June 2010

BackgroundIt has been recognised that poor sleep quantity (i.e. short sleep duration) is associated with an increased risk for physical and mental diseases. However, there have been fewer studies on the associations of poor sleep quality with physical and mental health.MethodsThe subjects were 3684 (2471 males and 1213 females) employees aged 20-65 working in local government in Japan. A questionnaire survey was conducted in January 2003. Sleep quality and physical and mental health were evaluated using Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Short Form 36 (SF-36), respectively. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate whether each subscale of PSQI was independently associated with poor physical and mental health (the lowest 25 percentile of the Physical and Mental Component Summary (PCS and MCS) Scores of SF-36), after adjustment for potential confounding factors.ResultsSubjective sleep quality, sleep disturbances, use of sleep medication, and daytime dysfunction were significantly associated with poor physical health. Subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep disturbances, and daytime dysfunction were significantly associated with poor mental health. The associations of subscale scores of poor sleep quality with health were relatively stronger for poor mental health than for poor physical health. Sleep duration (i.e. sleep quantity) was not associated with poor physical and mental health.ConclusionSome of the poor sleep quality measures were independently associated with both poor physical and mental health of Japanese civil servants. Longitudinal study is necessary to confirm the causal relationships between sleep quality and health.
P03-314 - Depression and Sleep Disorders in Progressed Glaucoma: an Indication for Melatonergic Antidepressants?
Authors: Agorastos A. , Skevas C. , Matthaei M. , Huber C.G. 
Published: June 2010

IntroductionGlaucoma is a chronic, progressive optic neuropathy, with visual field defects (VFD) and progressive loss of the retinal ganglion cells, leading herewith to an affected light transmission to the suprachiasmatic nuclei. Progressed glaucoma has been therefore lately suggested to lead to a circadian misalignment and thus to several physiological consequences, including sleep and affective disorders.ObjectivesThe investigation of depressive symptoms and sleep disorders among glaucoma patients with and without VFD.MethodsPatients with confirmed glaucoma diagnosis were recruited and divided in two groups: Patients with extensive VFD (glaucoma fere absolutum) and patients with no or minor VFD. The patients were assessed by self-rating questionnaires to depression (Beck's Depression Inventar), anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory), affectivity (Positive Affect - Negative Affect Scala) and sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index).Results88 patients have been recruited, of them 57% with VFD. The prevalence of depression was significantly higher in patients with VFD (p = .037). The VFD group also showed significantly higher trait anxiety rates (p = .027), but no significant differences concerning negative emotion. In addition, the subjective sleep quality in men with VFD was significantly worse than in the control group (p = .048), while VFD was significantly correlated with a longer lag time to fall asleep (p = .026).ConclusionThis study verifies a high prevalence of untreated depression and sleep disorders among glaucoma patients with VFD, which could be an evidence for a circadian derangement. Subsequently, a psychochronobiological melatonergic depression treatment should be considered in this group.
P02-310 - Alexithymia Predicts Triglyceride Level, Systolic Blood Pressure, and Diabetic Status in Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Lemche A.V. , Chaban O.S. , Lemche E. 
Published: June 2010

ObjectivesThe current study elucidates the relations between alexithymia and several biological components of the Metabolic Syndrome (MS). We hypothesized that various facets of the alexithymia construct are differentially related to single components characterizing the MS.MethodsInvestigated were N = 101 patients with MS. To establish the diagnosis of MS according to IDFC criteria, both laboratory (lipid profile, fasting plasma glucose, type 2 diabetes) and non-laboratory (blood pressure, waist circumference, BMI) tests were included. Alexithymia was measured using the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20).ResultsBased on alexithymia scores, patients were classified as low- (TAS-20 score ≤ 51; N = 31), moderate- (51 < TAS-20 score < 61; N = 33), or high-alexithymic (TAS-20 score ≥ 61; N = 37). The amount of moderate and high alexithymic patients proved highly significant amongst patients with MS with readily established diabetes type 2. The alexithymia score showed overall correlations with diabetes type 2 (r = 0.380, p < 0.001) and triglyceride levels (r = 0.214, p < 0.016). Correlations with non-laboratory measures were significant for high blood pressure levels (r = 0.233, p < 0.010). Linear regression models confirmed the existence of linear causal relationships for the observed correlations.ConclusionsThe present results suggest that the alexithymia trait is related to specific biological marker variables in the metabolic syndrome. Alexithymia may, according to our study, contribute to the aggravation of the MS.
P02-335 - A Systematic Review of Neurobiological and Clinical Features of Mindfulness Meditations
Authors: Chiesa A. , Serretti A. 
Published: June 2010

ObjectiveMindfulness meditations (MM) are an important group of meditative practices which have received growing attention. The aim of the present paper is to systematically review current evidence on the neurobiological changes and on the clinical benefits related to MM practice in psychiatric disorders, physical illnesses and in healthy subjects.MethodsA literature search was undertaken using MEDLINE, ISI web of knowledge, the Cochrane collaboration database and references of retrieved articles. Controlled and cross-sectional studies with controls published in English up to November 2008 were included.ResultsElectroencephalographic studies found a significant increase in alpha and theta activity during meditation. Neuro-imaging studies showed that MM practice activates the prefrontal cortex, the anterior cingulate cortex and that long term meditation practice is associated to an enhancement of cerebral areas related to attention. From a clinical point of view, Mindfulness based Stress Reduction showed efficacy for many psychiatric and physical conditions as well as for healthy subjects, Mindfulness based Cognitive Therapy was mainly efficacious in reducing relapses of depression in patients with 3 or more episodes, Zen meditation significantly reduced blood pressure and Vipassana meditation showed efficacy in reducing alcohol and substance abuse in prisoners. However, given the low quality designs of current studies it is difficult to establish whether clinical outcomes are due to specific or non specific effects of MM.ConclusionDespite encouraging findings, several limitations including small sample size, absence of randomization and inappropriate control groups affect the significance of current evidence and further better designed studies are required.
Cylindrical homomorphisms and Lawson homology
Authors: Voineagu Mircea 
Published: June 2010

AbstractWe use the cylindrical homomorphism and a geometric construction introduced by J. Lewis to study the Lawson homology groups of certain hypersurfaces X ⊂ ℙn + 1 of degree d ℙ n + 1. As an application, we compute the rational semi-topological K-theory of generic cubics of dimensions 5, 6 and 8 and, using the Bloch-Kato conjecture, we prove Suslin's conjecture for these varieties. Using generic cubic sevenfolds, we show that there are smooth projective varieties such that the lowest nontrivial step in their s-filtration is infinitely generated and undetected by the Abel-Jacobi map.
Cytokine levels in patients with Epstein–Barr virus associated laryngeal carcinoma
Authors: Rota S , Fidan I , Muderris T , Yesilyurt E , Lale Z 
Published: June 2010

AbstractObjective:Some researchers have suggested that Epstein–Barr virus may play a role in the pathogenesis of laryngeal malignancies. In order to clarify the role of cytokines in this disease context, the current study aimed to determine the serum levels of cytokines in Epstein–Barr virus DNA positive patients with laryngeal carcinoma.Subjects:The study included 10 patients with diagnosed laryngeal carcinoma and Epstein–Barr virus DNA positive tumour tissue samples. The control group comprised 10 Epstein–Barr virus DNA negative patients diagnosed with laryngeal carcinoma, 10 patients with acute Epstein–Barr virus infection and 10 healthy individuals.Method:Serum cytokine levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results:The Epstein–Barr virus DNA positive and negative laryngeal carcinoma patients showed no differences regarding serum levels of the following cytokines: interleukins 1β, 2, 6 and 12, tumour necrosis factor α, and interferon γ. However, serum levels of interleukin 10 and transforming growth factor β1 were significantly higher in Epstein–Barr virus DNA positive laryngeal carcinoma patients compared with Epstein–Barr virus DNA negative laryngeal carcinoma patients (p < 0.05).Conclusion:Our results suggest that the cytokines interleukin 10 and transforming growth factor β1 may act as growth factors in Epstein–Barr virus related laryngeal carcinoma. These cytokines may thus represent potential targets for molecular therapeutic treatment for laryngeal carcinoma; they may also be useful as indicators of disease prognosis.
Emergence of group BStreptococcusserotype IV in women of child-bearing age in Ireland
Authors: KIELY R. A. , COTTER L. , MOLLAGHAN A. M. , CRYAN B. , COFFEY A. , LUCEY B. 
Published: June 2010

SUMMARYThis study determined the carriage rate and serotype distribution of group BStreptococcus(GBS) in women of child-bearing age in the southern region of Ireland. A total of 2000 vaginal swabs collected in two periods in 2004 and 2006 were examined and revealed a GBS carriage rate of 16·1%. Serotyping of isolates showed that serotypes Ia, II, III, IV, and V were the most prevalent. A high prevalence of serotype IV was found, increasing from 7·6% to 15·2% between 2004 and 2006. Random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis demonstrated considerable genetic heterogeneity in the serotype IV isolates. This serotype should be considered for inclusion in potential vaccines for use in Ireland.
Dormancy breakage of Stylosanthes humilis seeds by aluminium
Authors: Ribeiro Dimas M. , Mapeli Ana M. , Carnelossi Marcelo A.G. , Delatorre Carla A. , Barros Raimundo S. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractPhysiological dormancy of scarified seeds of Townsville stylo (Stylosanthes humilis HBK) was released by acidic aluminium (Al3+) solution. Antiethylenic substances inhibited germination of low-pH-stimulated dormant seeds, with a correspondingly low ethylene production and low activity of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) oxidase in seeds. On the other hand, antiethylenic substances did not decrease the germination of Al3+-stimulated seeds, but ACC oxidase activity and ethylene production by the seeds was decreased to a large extent. These data provide evidence that dormancy breakage by Al3+ differs from that caused by low pH and is not associated with ethylene production. Similarly to Al3+ action, methyl viologen (MV), a reactive oxygen species-generating compound, broke dormancy of Townsville stylo seeds. Sodium selenate and N-acetyl cysteine, antioxidant compounds, largely decreased germination of MV- and Al3+-stimulated dormant seeds. Altogether these data point to oxidative radicals constituting key molecules in the chain of events triggered by Al3+ leading to dormancy breakage.
Patterns of amplified restriction fragment polymorphism in the germination ofFestuca halliiseeds
Authors: Qiu Jie , Bai Yuguang , Fu Yong-Bi , Wilmshurst John F. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractTiming of seed germination influences plant lifetime fitness and can affect the ability of plant populations to colonize and persist in changing environments. However, the genetic variation of the seed germination response remains poorly understood. The amplified restriction fragment polymorphism (AFLP) technique was applied to characterize the genetic variation of germinated seeds collected from threeFestuca halliipopulations in the Canadian prairie. Three subpopulations with early, intermediate and late germination were identified from each population, based on germination tests at 10, 15 and 20°C in controlled growth chambers. Three AFLP primer pairs were employed to screen a total of 540 assayed seedling samples and 188 polymorphic AFLP bands were scored for each sample. None of the assayed AFLP bands were significantly associated with seed germination, but marked differences in estimates of mean band frequency were observed for various groups of germinating seeds under different test temperatures. Partitioning of the total AFLP variation showed that 5.9% AFLP variation was present among seeds of the three populations, 0.3% among seeds of three germination subpopulations, and 0.5% among seeds grouped for germination temperature. Genetic differentiation was significant among 27 groups of seeds representing population, germination timing and test temperature. Subpopulations with early and intermediate germination shared similar genetic backgrounds and were genetically differentiated from the late germination subpopulation. These results indicate that seed genotypes respond slightly differently to environmental variation, resulting in significant but weak genetic differentiation in the germination ofF. halliiseeds. Implications for plant establishment and fescue restoration are discussed.
SCATTERING OF MEMBRANE COUPLED GRAVITY WAVES BY PARTIAL VERTICAL BARRIERS
Authors: MANAM S. R. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractScattering of membrane coupled gravity waves in deep water by partial vertical barriers is investigated by the recently developed expansion formulae for wave structure interaction problems. The horizontal thin membrane is considered to be under uniform tension and is covering the free surface. The analysis is based on the linearized theory of water waves, and by combining the kinematic and dynamic conditions at the membrane covered surface, one may derive a not so well-posed mixed boundary value problem for Laplace’s equation with third-order boundary condition. The flexible membrane is attached by a spring to the surface piercing barrier, giving suitable edge conditions for the unique solution. The boundary value problem has been converted into dual integral equations with kernels composed of trigonometric functions, which are then solved analytically. The important physical quantities such as reflection and transmission coefficients for both cases of submerged and surface piercing barriers are obtained analytically in terms of modified Bessel functions. It is found that complete reflection or transmission is possible at certain resonant frequencies for the incident membrane coupled waves. Numerical results are plotted and discussed for different values of the nondimensional membrane tension parameter.
Comparison of 10–18 GHz SAR and MIMO-based short-range imaging radars
Authors: Savelyev Timofey , Zhuge Xiaodong , Yang Bill , Aubry Pascal , Yarovoy Alexander , Ligthart Leo , Levitas Boris 
Published: June 2010

This paper presents an experimental investigation of two approaches to short-range radar imaging at microwaves by means of ultra-wideband (UWB) technology. The first approach represents a classical synthetic aperture radar (SAR) that employs a transmit–receive antenna pair on mechanical scanner. The second one makes use of a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) antenna array that scans electronically in the horizontal plane and mechanically, installed on the scanner, in the vertical plane. The mechanical scanning in only one direction reduces significantly the measurement time. Two respective prototypes have been built and compared. Both systems comprise the same 10–18 GHz antennas and multi-channel video impulse electronics while the same data processing and imaging method based on Kirchhoff migration is applied to acquired data for digital beamforming. The study has been done for an application of concealed weapon detection.
Three Profiles of Language Abilities in Toddlers With an Expressive Vocabulary Delay: Variations on a Theme
Authors: Desmarais Chantal , Sylvestre Audette , Meyer François , Bairati Isabelle , Rouleau Nancie 
Published: June 2010

PurposeThe presence of an expressive vocabulary delay (EVD) in the context of otherwise harmonious development has been the main criterion used to define language delay in 2-year-olds. To better understand the communicative functioning of these children, other variables must be considered. In this study, the aim was to delineate and characterize clusters of 2-year-olds with EVD by measuring other language variables in these children.MethodLanguage and related variables were measured in 68 francophone children with EVD.ResultsIn a cluster analysis, 2 language variables—(a) language expression and engagement in communication and (b) language comprehension—yielded 3 clusters ranging from weak language ability to high scores on both variables. Further differences were found between these clusters with regard to 2 correlates of lexical acquisition—namely, size of the expressive vocabulary and cognitive development.ConclusionThese results shed new light on the notion of heterogeneity in toddlers who present with an EVD by proposing subgroups among them. A follow-up investigation of these participants is ongoing.