bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A novel RNASEH2B splice site mutation responsible for Aicardi–Goutieres syndrome in the Faroe Islands
Authors: Ostergaard Elsebet , Joensen Frodi , Sundberg Karin , Duno Morten , Hansen Flemming J , Batbayli Mustafa , Sørensen Nicolina , Born Alfred Peter 
Published: August 2012

AbstractAim:  The aim of the study was to identify the genetic background for Aicardi–Goutieres syndrome (AGS) in the Faroe Islands.Methods:  Four patients with AGS were identified. The patients had a variable phenotype, from a severe prenatal form with intrauterine foetal death to a milder phenotype, albeit still with an early onset, within the first 2–3 months.Results:  A genome‐wide search for homozygosity revealed one single 15.6 Mb region of homozygosity on chromosome 13, which included RNASEH2B, where a splice site mutation c.322‐3C>G was identified. Screening of 170 anonymous Faroese controls revealed a carrier frequency of approximately 1.8%, corresponding to an incidence of AGS in the Faroe Islands of around 1 in 12 300.Conclusion:  The previously identified RNASEH2B mutations comprise altogether 20 mutations (missense, nonsense and splice site) with all patients harbouring at least one missense mutation. The severe phenotype of the Faroese patients compared with the previously reported patients with RNASEH2B mutations may be caused by the presence of two null alleles (although some residual normal splicing cannot be ruled out), whereas patients with one or two missense mutations may have some, albeit abnormal, RNASEH2B proteins, and hence some residual activity of RNASEH2B, explaining their milder phenotype.
Effectiveness of orientation tour on children's anxiety before elective surgeries
Authors: KARIMI Rogaieh , FADAIY Zeinab , NIKBAKHT NASRABADI Ali , GODARZI Zahra , MEHRAN A. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractAim:  The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of an orientated tour in reduction of children's anxiety before elective surgeries. Anxiety is a common emotional reaction following surgical experience among children that can result in increasing postoperative pain, increasing analgesic use.Methods:  The study was a blinded clinical trial; 70 children were randomized into two groups (intervention and control). All children received standard preoperative care, while those in the intervention group also received an orientated tour with their mother of the operation room the night before the surgery was carried out. The children's anxiety was assessed by the “Child Drawing: Hospital” instrument and vital signs measured before and after intervention in both groups. Data were analyzed with SPSS ver. 11.5 software.Results:  Anxiety decreased in the intervention group following implementation of the orientated tour (P = 0.024). Following the orientated tour in the intervention group, respiration rate (P < 0.000) and blood pressure (P < 0.001 systolic and diastolic) were significantly reduced, while heart rate and body temperature were not significantly different to pre‐intervention. Comparison changes of vital signs following the orientated tour between the two groups was not significant.Conclusion:  Implementation of an orientated tour of the preoperative room can decrease anxiety levels in children before elective surgeries, but it has no clinical effect on vital signs.
Fermentative quality of purple rice (Oryza sativa L.) silage and its effects on digestibility, ruminal fermentation and oxidative status markers in sheep: A preliminary study
Authors: Hosoda Kenji , Matsuo Morinobu , Miyaji Makoto , Matsuyama Hiroki , Maeda Hideo , Ohta Hisatoshi , Kato Hiroshi , Nonaka Kazuhisa 
Published: August 2012

AbstractSome anthocyanins have been reported to exhibit antioxidant activity and to enhance antioxidant enzyme activity. The aim of this study was to determine the fermentative quality of purple rice, which is abundant in anthocyanin, and its effects on digestibility, ruminal fermentation and oxidative status markers in sheep. The whole crop silages of purple and control rice were prepared in drum silos after the materials were chopped and lactic acid bacteria was inoculated. These were followed by a feeding trial using eight wethers in a 2 × 2 crossover design. Both the purple and control rice silages showed excellent fermentative qualities. Although the purple rice silage contained abundant anthocyanin, it had inadequate nutritional values in comparison to the control rice silage, including higher levels of fiber fractions, lower nutrient digestibility and lower production of ruminal volatile fatty acids. The feeding of the purple rice silages led to an elevation in plasma activity of superoxide dismutase, which is an important antioxidant enzyme. The results of this study suggest that purple rice may become a source of anthocyanin to improve oxidative status in ruminants. To achieve that, however, a new variety of purple rice with good nutritional value is needed for practical use as a ruminant feed.
Possible Negative Effect of General Flowering on Tree Growth and Aboveground Biomass Increment in a Bornean Tropical Rain Forest
Authors: Nakagawa Michiko , Matsushita Michinari , Kurokawa Hiroko , Samejima Hiromitsu , Takeuchi Yayoi , Aiba Masahiro , Katayama Ayumi , Tokumoto Yuji , Kume Tomonori , Yoshifuji Natsuko , Kuraji Koichiro , Nagamasu Hidetoshi , Sakai Shoko , Nakashizuka Tohru 
Published: August 2012

AbstractWe tested the effect of general flowering (GF), community‐wide masting, and drought stress on current‐year tree diameter growth and aboveground biomass increment (ABI). General flowering but not drought had a marginally significant negative effect on tree growth and ABI at the community level. Analyses of dominant species clarified this pattern.
A Geographic Mosaic of Plant–Pollinator Interactions in the Eastern Caribbean Islands
Authors: Gowda Vinita , Kress W. John 
Published: August 2012

AbstractThe interplay between generalized and specialized plant–animal interactions is a core concept in understanding the evolution of mutualisms. Within theEasternCaribbean,Heliconia bihaiis a dominant forest species in the southern island ofSt.Vincent whereH. caribaeais virtually absent.Heliconia caribaeais most common on the northern island ofSt.Kitts whereH. bihaiis restricted to the tops of the highest peaks. Both species are abundant on the central island ofDominica. We compared flowering patterns, nectar characteristics, and visitation frequency of hummingbirds in the two heliconias on the three islands to determine the extent of geographic variations in this plant–pollinator mutualism. The peak flowering season of the two heliconias was observed to be inApril–May on all three islands with little within‐ and between‐island variations. Nectar production significantly varied between species and between islands. Visitation patterns by the principal hummingbird pollinators also varied between the islands: (1) onDominica, only females of a single species of hummingbird pollinated the flowers ofH. bihai(sexual specialization), whereas both sexes of the same hummingbird pollinated the flowers ofH. caribaea(species specialization); (2) onSt.Vincent, both sexes of the same hummingbird pollinated the flowers ofH. bihai(species specialization); and (3) onSt.Kitts, only females pollinated the flowers ofH. bihai(sexual specialization), whereas several species of hummingbird visited the flowers ofH. caribaea(species generalization). We propose that theHeliconia–hummingbird interactions in theEasternCaribbean represent a geographically variable coevolutionary mosaic of plant–pollinator interactions.
Effect of Renin‐Angiotensin System Inhibitor on Residual Glomerular Filtration Rate in Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Itoh Yoko , Fujikawa Tetsuya , Toya Yoshiyuki , Mitsuhashi Hiroshi , Kobayashi Naoyuki , Ohnishi Toshimasa , Tamura Kouichi , Hirawa Nobuhito , Yasuda Gen , Umemura Satoshi 
Published: August 2012

AbstractResidual renal function preservation in patients with renal failure has been shown to be related to better outcomes not only in the pre‐dialysis phase but also after hemodialysis initiation. However, the effect of factors such as antihypertensive agents on residual renal function preservation has not been investigated adequately in prevalent hemodialysis patients. This study examined factors related to the rate of residual renal function preservation in 1‐year hemodialysis patients who had residual renal function. We enrolled 191 consecutive maintenance hemodialysis patients who underwent hemodialysis for 1 year and maintained a urine output of more than 200 mL/day, to assess residual renal function loss. The rate of residual renal function loss was 19.9%. Multivariate analysis using residual renal function as the dependent variable revealed significant independent relationships with renin‐angiotensin system inhibitor use (hazard ratio, 0.438; P = 0.027), history of cardiovascular disease (hazard ratio, 2.475; P = 0.024), and rate of weight gain between dialysis sessions (hazard ratio, 1.348; P = 0.013). No relationship was observed with calcium channel blocker use. Renin‐angiotensin system inhibitor use, rate of body weight gain between dialysis sessions, and cardiovascular diseases are independently associated with residual renal function preservation in patients with residual renal function after 1 year of hemodialysis. A further intervention study is required to investigate whether treatment with renin‐angiotensin system inhibitors and suppression of body weight gain preserves residual renal function for a longer time in hemodialysis patients.
CONSUMER PREFERENCE FOR TACTILE SOFTNESS: A QUESTION OF AFFECT INTENSITY?
Authors: KERGOAT MARINE , GIBOREAU AGNÈS , NICOD HUGUETTE , FAYE PAULINE , DIAZ EMMANUELLE , BEETSCHEN MARIE‐AGNÈS , MEYER THIERRY 
Published: August 2012

ABSTRACTPrevious studies have shown that consumers with higher affect intensity expressed stronger preferences for softer car seat fabrics (Kergoat et al.). The present research aims to consolidate and expand these results. Across two studies, we attempt to determine whether the intensity of affect (as measured by the affect intensity measure; Larsen) is a more general construct involved in soft textile preferences. Through the evaluation of two product categories (car seat fabrics and washed‐shirt fabrics) and the manipulation of product sensory attributes, we were able to establish that affect intensity components (positive intensity and negative reactivity) play a role in soft textile preferences, independent of the product category. The highest predictive value of particular affect intensity components for softness preference is discussed in line with the multidimensional approach of the affect intensity construct (Bryant et al.).PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSThis research highlights the significance of one emotional individual difference dimension (affect intensity) accounting for consumer tactile sensory preferences. Practically, it offers a way to characterize clusters of heterogeneous tactile sensory preferences observed in consumer tests. Furthermore, it represents a step in the understanding of underlying processes involved in soft tactile sensory preferences. We can assume these implications are not limited to the sense of touch and/or non‐food products. As a general emotional variable, the affect intensity construct must play a role in various blind sensory evaluation settings and be a significant tool for a typology of consumers.
DESCRIPTIVE ANALYSIS OF CARBONATED REGULAR AND DIET LEMON‐LIME BEVERAGES
Authors: LEKSRISOMPONG P.P. , LOPETCHARAT K. , GUTHRIE B. , DRAKE M.A. 
Published: August 2012

ABSTRACTA lexicon for lemon‐lime carbonated beverages (regular and diet) was developed to understand the flavor and mouthfeel attributes of lemon‐lime beverages. Descriptive analysis of 18 carbonated lemon‐lime or citrus beverages was performed by a highly trained panel. Analysis of variance and principle component analysis were used to interpret results. Key differentiating attributes of beverages were mouthfeel attributes (carbonation, bite, burn, numbing, after‐numbing, slipperiness, tongue heaviness), basic tastes (sour aftertaste, sour, bitter, bitter aftertaste, other aftertaste, metallic aftertaste) and aromatics (overall aroma, cooked lime/lemon, lemon candy). Beverages were distinguished based on category (sparkling or soda), sweetening systems (diet versus regular) and brand. Beverages in the soda category were characterized by high bite, burn, numbing, carbonation and after‐numb, whereas beverages in the sparkling beverage category were characterized by slipperiness, overall aroma, cooked lemon/lime, sour taste and sour aftertaste. Diet beverages were characterized by bitter, bitter aftertaste, metallic aftertaste and other aftertaste, while regular beverages were characterized by tongue heaviness and lemon candy. The developed lexicon allowed for documentation of multimodal sensory perceptions generated by carbonated beverages.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONThe development of a comprehensive lexicon for carbonated lemon‐lime beverages descriptive analysis allows a precise documentation of sensory properties of the complex system of lemon‐lime‐flavored carbonated beverages. These results will further enable the study of the effects of other ingredients such as stabilizers, flavoring systems and natural nonnutritive sweeteners on the sensory perception of beverages. Development of low caloric lemon‐lime carbonated beverages that maintain similar flavor profile and mouthfeel attributes of regular beverages is challenging and can be assisted when the impact of ingredients on the sensory perception on the whole scope of the beverage system is understood.
Types, Outcome and Risk Factors of Stroke in Tribal Patients
Authors: Singh Jittendra K. , Ranjan Piyush , Kumari Archana , Dahale Amol S. , Jha Rajendra , Das Ranjan 
Published: August 2012

Introduction Studies suggest that ethnicity and racial factors has an important role in the variation in epidemiology of stroke. The present study was conducted to assess the subtypes, risk factors, and outcome of stroke in the tribal community of Jharkhand state and to compare it with that in the non-tribals from the same geographical location. Methods We carried out a hospital-based prospective observational study at Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences-Ranchi. Patients of acute stroke, reporting to the medical outpatient department and emergency department from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2010 were studied. Computed tomography scan was done immediately and again after 24 h to confirm the diagnosis of stroke. To compare the findings between tribal and non-tribal patients, we used chi-square test/Fisher exact test as appropriate. Results Of the total 1156 patients included in the study, 536 were tribals, while 620 were non-tribals. Significant differences were found in tribal stroke patients as compared with non-tribals: mean age of tribal subjects was 53·8 years (60·8 years in non-tribals); stroke in young individual was present in 25% of tribal subjects (17% in non-tribals, P = 0·01); primary intracerebral hemorrhage variety was present in 31% of tribals (18% in non-tribals, P-value < 0·001); the 28th day case fatality rate was 43% among tribal subjects (35% among non-tribals, P = 0·02). Hypertension and alcohol abuse was found to be associated with intracerebral hemorrhage in tribal subjects, although no such association was found in non-tribals. Conclusion Tribals have early onset, poor outcomes and higher proportion of ICH compared to non-tribals. [Correction added after online publication 7 Aug 2012: The sentence ‘Tribals have early with non-tribals.’ in the Conclusion section of the abstract was deleted.]
Pre- and Post-treatment with Cyclosporine a in a Rat Model of Transient Focal Cerebral Ischaemia with Multimodal MRI Screening
Authors: Cho Tae-Hee , Aguettaz Pierre , Campuzano Oscar , Charriaut-Marlangue Christiane , Riou Adrien , Berthezène Yves , Nighoghossian Norbert , Ovize Michel , Wiart Marlène , Chauveau Fabien 
Published: August 2012

Background Irreversible damage may occur at reperfusion after sustained cerebral ischaemia. Aims We investigated the value of cyclosporine A for reducing the infarct size in a model of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion. Methods Twenty-seven Sprague-Dawley rats sustained a middle cerebral artery occlusion of one-hour. Acute multimodal Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) was used during occlusion to confirm the success of surgery and measure baseline lesion size. Animals were randomly treated by: (i) intracarotid cyclosporine A (10 mg/kg) 20 mins before middle cerebral artery occlusion (pretreatment group); (ii) intracarotid cyclosporine A (10 mg/kg) immediately after reperfusion (post-treatment group); and (iii) intracarotid saline immediately after reperfusion. Results Histopathological measurements on day 1 showed a significant reduction of infarct size in the pretreatment group compared to the post-treatment (percentage values of ipsilateral hemispheres: 16 ± 5% vs. 29 ± 11%, P= 0·004) and saline groups (16 ± 5% vs. 42 ± 12%, P= 0·015). No significant difference was observed between the post-treatment and saline groups ( P = 0·065). Behavioural examinations on day 1 showed no significant difference between groups. Immunohistochemistry showed a statistically significant reduction of microglial cell count in the pretreatment group compared to either saline or cyclosporine A post-treatment groups. Conclusions We conclude that intracarotid cyclosporine A is effective in reducing infarct size when given prior to ischaemia, but not when administered at reperfusion.
Regulatory policy outputs and impacts: Exploring a complex relationship
Authors: Knill Christoph , Schulze Kai , Tosun Jale 
Published: August 2012

AbstractIn this article, we pursue the objective of empirically testing the extent to which changes in environmental policy outputs can explain changes in environmental impacts. Previously, systematic testing of this relationship was hampered by the lack of a compelling measurement of changes in regulatory policy outputs. To remedy this, we present a novel approach to the measurement of events of regulatory output change. We illustrate our concept by employing data on changes in clean air regulations in 24 advanced democracies from 1976 to 2003. In a next step, we explore the extent to which changes in clean air regulations can account for changes in air pollutant emissions. The empirical analysis suggests that changes in clean air regulations cannot be unconditionally associated with changing intensities of air pollutant emission. We deem these results to have far‐reaching implications for the study of regulatory policy change.
Training NIH K Award Recipients: The Role of the Mentor
Authors: Ripley Elizabeth , Markowitz Monika , Nichols‐Casebolt Ann , Williams Larry , Macrina Francis 
Published: August 2012

AbstractMentors play important roles in training new investigators. This study was designed to determine characteristics of NIH mentored K award recipients and their mentors, their interpersonal interactions, and the factors, which influence satisfaction within this relationship.Method: A survey of 3027 NIH mentored K recipients and 1384 mentors was conducted in 2009. Nine hundred twenty‐nine (30.7%) of the K recipients and 448 (32.4%) mentors completed the survey.Results: The gender of K respondents was evenly divided while the mentors were 72.1% male. The overall rating of their mentors was positive. Ideally, both thought the mentor should be important in research training; however, in actual practice, both rated the importance as lower. A total of 88.2% of recipients were satisfied with their relationship. Although the number of black K recipients was low, this group was more likely to be dissatisfied with the mentor relationship (6/29 or 20.7%) than their white counterparts. The frequency of meeting or communicating was correlated with K recipient satisfaction.Conclusions: Overall K recipients are satisfied with their mentor relationships. Although the number of black K recipient respondents was small, the higher level of mentor dissatisfaction should be further evaluated. Qualities of mentors, including the frequency of interactions and accessibility, can influence satisfaction. Clin Trans Sci 2012; Volume 5: 386–393
A factorial design experiment as a pilot study for noninvasive genetic sampling
Authors: RENAN SHARON , SPEYER EDITH , SHAHAR NAAMA , GUETA TOMER , TEMPLETON ALAN R. , BAR‐DAVID SHIRLI 
Published: August 2012

AbstractNoninvasive genetic sampling has increasingly been used in ecological and conservation studies during the last decade. A major part of the noninvasive genetic literature is dedicated to the search for optimal protocols, by comparing different methods of collection, preservation and extraction of DNA from noninvasive materials. However, the lack of quantitative comparisons among these studies and the possibility that different methods are optimal for different systems make it difficult to decide which protocol to use. Moreover, most studies that have compared different methods focused on a single factor – collection, preservation or extraction – while there could be interactions between these factors. We designed a factorial experiment, as a pilot study, aimed at exploring the effect of several collection, preservation and extraction methods, and the interactions between them, on the quality and amplification success of DNA obtained from Asiatic wild ass (Equus hemionus) faeces in Israel. The amplification success rates of one mitochondrial DNA and four microsatellite markers differed substantially as a function of collection, preservation and extraction methods and their interactions. The most efficient combination for our system integrated the use of swabs as a collection method with preservation at −20 °C and with the Qiagen DNA Stool Kit with modifications as the DNA extraction method. The significant interaction found between the collection, preservation methods and the extraction methods reinforces the importance of conducting a factorial design experiment, rather than examining each factor separately, as a pilot study before initiating a full‐scale noninvasive research project.
Metagenome analysis reveals yet unexplored reductive dechlorinating potential of Dehalobacter sp. E1 growing in co‐culture with Sedimentibacter sp.
Authors: Maphosa Farai , van Passel Mark W. J. , de Vos Willem M. , Smidt Hauke 
Published: August 2012

SummaryThe importance of Dehalobacter species in bioremediation as dedicated degraders of chlorinated organics has been well recognized. However, still little is known about Dehalobacter's full genomic repertoires, including the genes involved in dehalogenation. Here we report the first insights into the genome sequence of Dehalobacter sp. E1 that grows in strict co‐culture with Sedimentibacter sp. B4. Based on the co‐culture metagenome and the genome of strain B4 (4.2 Mbp) we estimate the genome sequence of strain E1 to be 2.6 Mbp. Ten putative reductive dehalogenase homologue (Rdh)‐encoding gene clusters were identified. One cluster has a putative tetrachloroethene Rdh‐encoding gene cluster, similar to the pceABCT operon previously identified in Dehalobacter restrictus. Metagenome analysis indicated that the inability of strain E1 to synthesize cobalamin, an essential cofactor of reductive dehalogenases, is complemented by Sedimentibacter. The metagenomic exploration described here maps the extensive dechlorinating potential of Dehalobacter, and paves way for elucidation of the interactions with its co‐cultured Sedimentibacter.