bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Kawasaki disease in Jordan: demographics, presentation, and outcome
Authors: AL-Ammouri Iyad , Al-Wahsh Shorouk , Khuri-Bulos Najwa 
Published: November 2011

AbstractKawasaki disease is the leading cause of acquired coronary artery disease in young children. There is a lack of data on Kawasaki disease and its effect on coronary arteries in Jordan and other developing countries. We report clinical and demographic data of Kawasaki disease in Jordan from a single institution, with emphasis on cardiac involvement and short to intermediate follow-up. Review of the medical records of 34 patients with Kawasaki disease from 1997 to 2010 was done for clinical and demographic variables. Echocardiographic and angiographic images were reviewed for patients at presentation and follow-up. The median age at presentation was 19 months, ranging from 2 months to 8 years, with a male to female ratio of 3.9:1. In all, 12 patients (35%) had incomplete Kawasaki disease. There was a high incidence of coronary artery involvement (41%), where 20.5% had aneurysms and 20.5% had ectasia without aneurysm. Most coronary aneurysms were present at the time of diagnosis. The only independent variable for prediction of coronary involvement was age, with an odds ratio of 0.63 per year (95% confidence interval 0.41–0.95).
Imaging of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells with Soft X-Ray Spectromicroscopy
Authors: Sedlmair Julia , Gleber Sophie-Charlotte , Mert Semra Öztürk , Bertilson Michael , von Hofsten Olov , Thieme Jürgen , Pfohl Thomas 
Published: November 2011

AbstractUsing X-ray microscopy and spectromicroscopy, vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) were imaged, prepared without using additional embedding material or staining, but by applying simple, noncryo fixation techniques. The cells were imaged with a compact source transmission X-ray microscope and a scanning transmission X-ray microscope (STXM). With the STXM, spectromicroscopy was performed at the C K-edge and the Ca LIII,II-edges. VSMCs were chosen because of their high amount of actin stress fibers, so that the actin cytoskeleton should be visible. Other parts of the cell, such as the nucleus and organelles, were also identified from the micrographs. Both in the spectra and the images, the effects of the different preparation procedures were observable. Furthermore, Ca hotspots were detected and their density is determined.
Pancreatic Autoantibodies, HLA DR and PTPN22 Polymorphisms in First Degree Relatives of Patients with Type 1 Diabetes and Multiethnic Background
Authors: Barone B. , Dantas J. , Almeida M. , Anna-Gomes B. , Bencke-Gongalves M.D. , Albernaz M. , Rodrigues M. , Zajdenverg L. , Kupfer R. , Milech A. , Rodacki M. , Oliveira J.E. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractTo evaluate the prevalence of pancreatic auto-antibodies (PAb) as well as its relationship with HLA DR B1 and PTPN22 polymorphisms in first degree relatives (FDR) of Brazilian patients with Type 1 diabetes (T1D) and multiethnic background.FDR of patients with T1D were interviewed and blood was sampled for PAb measurement, HLA DRB1 and PTPN22 genotyping. Genotyping was also performed in index cases.In FDR (n=78), 16.7% presented at least one PAb. These individuals had a higher prevalence of HLA DRB1* 03 than others (p=0.03), without differences in PTPN22 genotyping. While the genetic profile was similar in FDR with PAb and their index cases, those without PAb had a lower frequency of HLA DR B1 * 03 than their correspondent patients (p=0.009).In this multiethnic population, a significant proportion of FDR of T1D patients had PAb, which was associated with HLA DR B1 * 03 but not with the PTPN22 polymorphism.Type 1 diabetes and relatives: Antibodies, genetics
CD47‐deficient mice have decreased production of intestinal IgA following oral immunization but a maintained capacity to induce oral tolerance
Authors: Westlund Jessica , Livingston Megan , Fahlén‐Yrlid Linda , Oldenborg Per‐Arne , Yrlid Ulf 
Published: November 2011

SummarySignal regulatory protein α (SIRPα/CD172a), expressed by myeloid cells including CD11b+ dendritic cells, interacts with ubiquitously expressed CD47 to mediate cell–cell signalling and therefore, may be pivotal in the development of tolerance or immunity. We show that in mice deficient in CD47 (CD47−/−) the cellularity in gut‐associated lymphoid tissues is reduced by 50%. In addition, the frequency of CD11b+ CD172a+ dendritic cells is significantly reduced in the gut and mesenteric lymph nodes, but not in Peyer’s patches. Activation of ovalbumin (OVA)‐specific CD4+ T cells in the mesenteric lymph nodes after feeding OVA is reduced in CD47−/− mice compared with wild‐type however, induction of oral tolerance is maintained. The addition of cholera toxin generated normal serum anti‐OVA IgG and IgA titres but resulted in reduced intestinal anti‐OVA IgA in CD47−/− mice. Replacing the haematopoietic compartment in CD47−/− mice with wild‐type cells restored neither the cellularity in gut‐associated lymphoid tissues nor the capacity to produce intestinal anti‐OVA IgA following immunization. This study demonstrates that CD47 signalling is dispensable for oral tolerance induction, whereas the expression of CD47 by non‐haematopoietic cells is required for intestinal IgA B‐cell responses. This suggests that differential CD4 T cell functions control tolerance and enterotoxin‐induced IgA immunity in the gut.
Effect of blending and lipase catalyzed interesterification reaction on the cholesterol lowering properties of palm oil with rice bran oil in rats
Authors: Reena Malongil B. , Lokesh Belur R. 
Published: November 2011

SummaryThe effect of feeding blended and interesterified oils containing palm oil (PO) and rice bran oil (RBO) on serum and liver lipids was evaluated in rats. The PO and RBO were blended to contain saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids in the proportion of 1:1.5:1. The blended oil was subjected to transesterification reaction using immobilized lipase, lipozyme IM‐RM. Rats were fed a diet containing blended or interesterified oils for 8 weeks. Rats fed PO showed significantly higher levels of cholesterol in serum and liver as compared to those given RBO, blended oil of PO with RBO or interesterified oil. Rats fed blended oils showed a significant decrease in serum cholesterol by 51% compared to rats fed PO. Feeding interesterified oil to rats resulted in decrease in serum cholesterol by 56% compared to rats fed PO, which was 10% lower compared to that observed in rats given blended oil. The present study indicated that a combination of PO with RBO can significantly lower serum lipids in rats as compared to those given diet containing PO alone.
Effects of wind farms and food scarcity on a large scavenging bird species following an epidemic of bovine spongiform encephalopathy
Authors: Martínez‐Abraín Alejandro , Tavecchia Giacomo , Regan Helen M. , Jiménez Juan , Surroca Martín , Oro Daniel 
Published: November 2011

Summary1. Wind farms are emerging as a major cause of mortality of large scavenging bird species, which may be catastrophic when they operate in concert with other threats. As a study model, we examine the impact of wind turbines on the population dynamics of a soaring bird species, when acting in conjunction with a sudden decrease in food availability following the European bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) epidemic.2. In Spain, vultures have been provided with supplementary food at traditional vulture restaurants for centuries. In 2006/2007, these feeding stations were closed as part of disease control measures. At the same time, wind farms were deployed within the vulture foraging range. We used capture–recapture data and direct observation to monitor the impacts of these changes on the vulture population.3. The number of breeding pairs decreased by c. 24%, adult survival by 30% and fecundity by 35%. However, the population recovered as soon as the perturbations ceased, the vulture restaurants were reopened, and the most problematic wind turbines were closed. Population recovery was faster than predicted by a retrospective stochastic population model.4. Our analyses indicate that fecundity and survival were influenced predominantly by wind turbines. Food scarcity promoted a shift in foraging behaviour that drove vultures to fly into the path of wind turbines as they sought out new food sources in a landfill site. Elasticity and sensitivity analyses of the population model showed that mortality of adult birds had a much greater effect on population declines than mortality of immature birds, whereas reduction in fecundity had negligible effects.5. The most likely explanation for the rapid recovery of the vulture population is that the observed decline in breeding pairs was not solely because of increased mortality. The decline probably included dispersal away from the area and a greater incidence of skipped breeding during the perturbation years. Subsequent immigration from large nearby populations was probably a factor in population recovery.6. Synthesis and applications. Where specific wind turbines are causing substantial mortality, their closure is an effective management response. For vulture populations dependent on supplemental feeding stations, the feeding sites should be relocated away from the most problematic wind turbines, or other anthropogenic sources of mortality, to prevent negative impacts. We recommend the establishment of scattered, low‐value food sources to replicate historical conditions and to avoid the problems associated with high concentrations of individuals in one place.
Phylogeographic analyses of the southern leopard frog: the impact of geography and climate on the distribution of genetic lineages vs. subspecies
Authors: NEWMAN CATHERINE E. , RISSLER LESLIE J. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractThe southeastern United States is a major phylogeographic break hotspot for amphibians, but the processes underlying this hotspot remain to be explicitly tested. We test the correlation of genetic lineages with subspecies breaks in the southeastern United States and the association of such breaks with climate, using Rana sphenocephala as a case study, and place our results in the broader context of the Alabama‐Appalachian suture zone (AL‐Appalachian SZ). We use genetic and ecological methods to (i) determine whether genetic lineages are coincident with the AL‐Appalachian SZ or the subspecies and (ii) test the correlation of major climatic breaks with genetic structure and morphological variation in R. sphenocephala. Bayesian phylogenetic analyses of the ND1 mtDNA gene and microsatellite cluster analyses revealed two distinct lineages with over 4% sequence divergence. The geographic distributions of the two lineages are concordant with the AL‐Appalachian SZ but do not correspond to the ranges of the subspecies based on morphology. Mantel tests revealed that isolation by distance and historical barriers to gene flow, rather than climate, are the major drivers of genetic divergence at neutral loci. Examination of climate breaks across the Southeast revealed a pattern incongruent with suture zone hotspots, suggesting that phylogenetic structure has been driven primarily by historical factors, such as isolation, the Appalachian Mountains and the Apalachicola/Chattahoochee/Flint River Basin. However, climate breaks are consistent with the geographic distribution of the subspecies of R. sphenocephala, suggesting that environmental pressures may be driving divergence in morphological traits that outpaces molecular evolution.
Snapping magnetosome chains by asymmetric cell division in magnetotactic bacteria
Authors: Lin Wei , Pan Yongxin 
Published: November 2011

SummaryThe mechanism by which prokaryotic cells organize and segregate their intracellular organelles during cell division has recently been the subject of substantial interest. Unlike other microorganisms, magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) form internal magnets (known as magnetosome chain) for magnetic orientation, and thus face an additional challenge of dividing and equipartitioning this magnetic receptor to their daughter cells. Although MTB have been investigated more than four decades, it is only recently that the basic mechanism of how MTB divide and segregate their magnetic organelles has been addressed. In this issue of Molecular Microbiology, the cell cycle of the model magnetotactic bacterium, Magnetospirillum gryphiswaldense is characterized by Katzmann and co‐workers. The authors have found that M. gryphiswaldense undergoes an asymmetric cell division along two planes. A novel wedge‐like type of cellular constriction is observed before separation of daughter cells and magnetosome chains, which is assumed to help cell cope with the magnetic force within the magnetosome chain. The data shows that the magnetosome chain becomes actively recruited to the cellular division site, in agreement with the previous suggestions described by Staniland et al. (2010), and the actin‐like protein MamK is likely involved in this fast polar‐to‐midcell translocalization. With the use of cryo‐electron tomography, an arc‐shaped Z ring is observed near the division site, which is assumed to trigger the asymmetric septation of cell and magnetosome chain.
Impact of post‐transplant anemia on patient and graft survival rates after kidney transplantation: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Kamar Nassim , Rostaing Lionel , Ignace Sophie , Villar Emmanuel 
Published: November 2011

Kamar N, Rostaing L, Ignace S, Villar E. Impact of post‐transplant anemia on patient and graft survival rates after kidney transplantation: a meta‐analysis.  Clin Transplant 2011 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399‐0012.2011.01545.x.  © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract:  The impact of post‐kidney transplant anemia (PTA) on patient and graft survival rates remains controversial. We performed a meta‐analysis to evaluate its impact in causing death of a patient with a functioning graft (DPWFG) and death‐censored graft loss (DCGL). A systematic review of 11 observational studies (11 632 kidney transplant patients) that reported the impact of PTA or hemoglobin (Hb) level on these endpoints was performed. Using the World Health Organization (WHO) definition (Hb <12 g/dL in women and Hb <13 g/dL in men), PTA was not associated with DPWFG when results were expressed as an adjusted hazard ratio (aHR: 1.23 [0.97–1.57]), but was associated with higher DPWFG when results were expressed as unadjusted rates (aHR: 2.48 [1.36–4.52]) and when cut‐off level for anemia was lower than the WHO definition (aHR: 3.12 [1.92–5.07]). A −1 g/dL decrease in Hb level was associated with higher DPWFG rates (aHR: 1.19 [1.12–1.26]). Using WHO criteria, PTA was associated with higher DCGL rates when results were expressed as aHR (aHR: 1.53 [1.26–1.85]) or as unadjusted rates (aHR: 3.55 [2.36–5.33]); a −1 g/dL decrease in Hb level was associated with higher DCGL rates (aHR: 1.14 [1.11–1.16]). This meta‐analysis reveals that the association between PTA and DPWFG varies with PTA definition and adjustment for confounders. In all sub‐meta‐analyses, PTA was significantly associated with DCGL.
Genetic parameters for energy balance, fat /protein ratio, body condition score and disease traits in German Holstein cows
Authors: Buttchereit N. , Stamer E. , Junge W. , Thaller G. 
Published: November 2011

SummaryVarious health problems in dairy cows have been related to the magnitude and duration of the energy deficit post partum. Energy balance indicator traits like fat/protein ratio in milk and body condition score could be used in selection programmes to help predicting breeding values for health traits, but currently there is a lack of appropriate genetic parameters. Therefore, genetic correlations among energy balance, fat/protein ratio, and body condition score, and mastitis, claw and leg diseases, and metabolic disorders were estimated using linear and threshold models on data from 1693 primiparous cows recorded within the first 180 days in milk. Average daily energy balance, milk fat/protein ratio and body condition score were 8 MJ NEL, 1.13 and 2.94, respectively. Disease frequencies (% cows with at least one case) were 24.6% for mastitis, 9.7% for metabolic disorders and 28.2% for claw and leg diseases. Heritability estimates were 0.06, 0.30 and 0.34 for energy balance, fat/protein ratio and body condition score, respectively. For the disease traits, heritabilities ranged between 0.04 and 0.15. The genetic correlations were, in general, associated with large standard errors, but, although not significant, the results suggest that an improvement of overall health can be expected if energy balance traits are included into future breeding programmes. A low fat/protein ratio might serve as an indicator for metabolic stability and health of claw and legs. Between body condition and mastitis, a significant negative correlation of −0.40 was estimated. The study provides a new insight into the role energy balance traits can play as auxiliary traits for robustness of dairy cows. It was concluded that both, fat/protein ratio and body condition score, are potential variables to describe how well cows can adapt to the challenge of early lactation. However, the genetic parameters should be re‐estimated on a more comprehensive data set.
Factors influencing weaning from mechanical ventilation in elderly patients with severe pneumonia
Authors: Fujii Mitsuhiro , Iwakami Shin‐ichiro , Takagi Haruhi , Itoigawa Yukinari , Ichikawa Masako , Iwakami Naoko , Ishiwata Toshiji , Seyama Kuniaki , Takahashi Kazuhisa 
Published: November 2011

Aims:  The purpose of this study was to determine the factors that adversely affect the weaning of elderly patients with community‐acquired pneumonia from mechanical ventilation.Methods:  This study retrospectively investigated the medical records of 71 elderly patients (65 years or older) who were admitted to the hospital because of community‐acquired pneumonia and required mechanical ventilation between January 2003 and December 2007. The patients were divided into two groups: group A, which included 33 patients who were successfully weaned from mechanical ventilation, and group B, which included 38 patients who could not be weaned from mechanical ventilation. The study compared the patients' background, vital signs, and laboratory and bacteriological examinations at the beginning of mechanical ventilation. A multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the factors associated with difficulties in weaning patients from mechanical ventilation.Results:  In group B, there were significantly more smokers (P < 0.05) and more patients with emphysematous changes on thoracic CT (P < 0.05). In group A, the concentrations of total serum protein (P < 0.05) and albumin (P < 0.05) were significantly higher. A multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that patients with community‐acquired pneumonia who showed emphysematous changes on thoracic CT (OR = 4.92, 95%CI 1.08–22.46) and/or a low concentration of serum albumin <3.0 g/dL (OR = 4.25, 95%CI 1.17–15.45) had difficulty being weaned from mechanical ventilation.Conclusion:  Our study suggests that elderly patients with community‐acquired pneumonia with emphysematous changes on thoracic CT and/or a low concentration of serum albumin level have difficulty being weaned from mechanical ventilation. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2012; 12: 277–283.
ENFORCEMENT RIGHTS AGAINST NON‐CULPABLE NON‐JUST INTRUSION
Authors: Vallentyne Peter 
Published: November 2011

AbstractI articulate and defend a principle governing enforcement rights in response to a non‐culpable non‐just rights‐intrusion (e.g., wrongful bodily attack by someone who falsely, but with full epistemic justification, believes that he is acting permissibly). The account requires that the use of force reduce the harm from such intrusions and is sensitive to the extent to which the intruder is agent‐responsible for imposing intrusion‐harm
An indirect method to compare the reference centres for corneal measurements
Authors: Xu Jingjing , Bao Jinhua , Lu Fan , He Ji C 
Published: November 2011

Citation information: Xu J, Bao J, Lu F & He JC. An indirect method to compare the reference centres for corneal measurements. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2012, 32, 125–132. doi: 10.1111/j.1475‐1313.2011.00880.xAbstractPurpose:  Corneal measurements are commonly presented with respect to a specific reference centre, but the location of the reference centre on the corneal surface could vary from one diagnostic modality to another. This study aimed to develop a method for comparing reference centres used by corneal measurement systems.Methods:  An indirect method was developed to compare reference centres by making use of the pupil centre and its offset from the reference centre. Reference centres in a Scheimpflug imaging system, the Pentacam HR, and a Placido‐ring corneal topography system, the ATLAS Corneal Topography System, were compared for the right and left eyes of 30 subjects. The subjects all had similar pupil sizes when measured by the two systems. Differences and correlations of the pupil centre offsets between the two systems were statistically tested and compared by Bland–Altman analyses.Results:  There were no significant differences in mean pupil offsets between the two systems for either the right or left eyes (p > 0.05). There were strong correlations of the pupil centre offsets between the two systems for each eye (right eye x‐axis: r = 0.95, p < 0.0001; right eye y‐axis: r = 0.98, p < 0.0001; left eye x‐axis: r = 0.96, p < 0.0001, left eye y‐axis: r = 0.93, p < 0.0001). Bland–Altman analyses revealed no significant differences in pupil centre offsets between the two systems.Conclusions:  The Pentacam HR system and the ATLAS system have very similar reference centres. Thus it is possible to directly analyze data from the Pentacam HR and other instruments using the corneal vertex or the pupil centre as the reference centres due to the similarity in the reference centre settings between the two systems.
Demystifying Internet Neutrality in South Korea with Stakeholder Analysis
Authors: Shin Dong‐Hee , Choo Hyungseung 
Published: November 2011

AbstractThis study examines the Internet neutrality issue in Korea by analyzing the debates among the stakeholders. It addresses the dynamic discussions of the issues by identifying how diverse groups of stakeholders are affected by various actions taken by the emergence of Internet neutrality. It presents a statistical analysis that reveals the factors implicated in the Internet neutrality debate and significant differences among individuals on opposing sides in the debate. The findings reveal insights into the connection between specific factors and positions in the Internet neutrality debate. The findings show that the issue of Internet neutrality is complex and as multifaceted as the parties' diverse interests. It concludes by proposing an effective model to govern Internet neutrality in Korea, based on the typology proposed by Strover.