bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improved hatchability and efficient protection after in ovo vaccination with live-attenuated H7N2 and H9N2 avian influenza viruses
Authors: Cai Yibin , Song Haichen , Ye Jianqiang , Shao Hongxia , Padmanabhan Rangarajan , Sutton Troy C , Perez Daniel R 
Published: January 2011

Abstract
Mass in ovo vaccination with live attenuated viruses is widely used in the poultry industry to protect against various infectious diseases. The worldwide outbreaks of low pathogenic and highly pathogenic avian influenza highlight the pressing need for the development of similar mass vaccination strategies against avian influenza viruses. We have previously shown that a genetically modified live attenuated avian influenza virus (LAIV) was amenable for in ovo vaccination and provided optimal protection against H5 HPAI viruses. However, in ovo vaccination against other subtypes resulted in poor hatchability and, therefore, seemed impractical. In this study, we modified the H7 and H9 hemagglutinin (HA) proteins by substituting the amino acids at the cleavage site for those found in the H6 HA subtype. We found that with this modification, a single dose in ovo vaccination of 18-day old eggs provided complete protection against homologous challenge with low pathogenic virus in ≥70% of chickens at 2 or 6 weeks post-hatching. Further, inoculation of 19-day old egg embryos with 106 EID50 of LAIVs improved hatchability to ≥90% (equivalent to unvaccinated controls) with similar levels of protection. Our findings indicate that the strategy of modifying the HA cleavage site combined with the LAIV backbone could be used for in ovo vaccination against avian influenza. Importantly, with protection conferred as early as 2 weeks post-hatching, with this strategy birds would be protected prior to or at the time of delivery to a farm or commercial operation.
GM-CSF and IL-2 as adjuvant enhance the immune effect of protein vaccine against foot-and-mouth disease
Authors: Zhang Can , Wang Bin , Wang Ming 
Published: January 2011

Abstract

Background
Cytokines as molecular adjuvant play a critical role in differentiation of effector T cell subsets and in determination of the magnitude of the response after vaccination. In this study, we investigated the effects of GM-CSF and IL-2 as adjuvant on the immune responses of VP1 recombinant protein as a model antigen for foot and mouth disease.

Results
Six expression plasmids were constructed and expressed in E. coli BL21. In guinea pigs, the immunological and molecular effects of the fusion proteins were determined by ELISA, LPA, DTH and semi-quantitative Reverse Transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR). The data revealed that IL-2 and GM-CSF as adjuvant of VP1 could stimulate both humoral and cell-mediated immune response. Interestingly, IL-2 and GM-CSF, either as a co-expressed protein or as a mixture of two single proteins, showed much better adjuvant effects than that of single one.

Conclusions
IL-2 and GM-CSF could be used as a potential adjuvant for VP1 and had synergistic effect when co-expressed or mixed with VP1.
Primary acantholytic squamous cell carcinoma of the cecum: a case report
Authors: Jukić Zoran , Ledinsky Iva , Ulamec Monika , Ledinsky Mario , Krušlin Božo , Tomas Davor 
Published: January 2011

Abstract

Background
Acantholytic squamous cell carcinoma (ASCC) is an uncommon histopathologic variant of SCC, characterized by marked acantholysis, wherein the tumor cells demonstrate defective cohesion to one another in the cancer nest leading to a pseudoglandular or pseudovascular appearance. The most common site of ASCC is the sun-exposed areas of the skin. Sporadic cases of ASCC have also been reported in various mucosal membranes and organs but to our knowledge this is the first case of primary ASCC of the large bowel.

Case presentation
A 59-year-old woman underwent right hemicolectomy due to large tumor in cecum and initial part of the ascending colon. Microscopically, the tumor consisted of nests of focally keratinizing large, atypical, squamous epithelial cells. Approximately 70% of the tumor showed acantholytic changes and acantholysis was equally distributed through the entire tumor. Immunohistochemically tumor cells were diffusely positive for cytokeratin (CK) AE1/AE3 and focally positive for epithelial membrane antigen and syndecan 1. All other tested antibodies (CK7, CK 20, CK MNF116, E-cadherin, beta-catenin, p63, p16, CD31, CD34, CEA, estrogen, progesterone) showed negative reaction. Periodic acid Schiff and alcian blue staining showed no intracellular or extracellular mucinous material in the tumor. The diagnosis of acantholytic squamous cell carcinoma of the cecum was suspected and additional examination was recommended to exclude possibility of metastatic carcinoma. Extensive clinical examination which also included whole-body PET/CT scan showed no additional tumors. After the exclusion of possible metastatic disease the diagnosis of primary acantholytic squamous cell carcinoma of the cecum was confirmed. Six months after surgery the metastasis in small intestine and recurrence in the abdominal cavity at the site of surgery appeared and had the same morphological characteristic as the primary tumor in the cecum.

Conclusion
We report a unique case of ASCC arising in cecum and on this way expands the range of tumors originating in colon. Reports of more cases of colonic ASCC would possibly help to elucidate origin, clinical behavior and therapy of these tumors.
Perceptions and attitudes of bhutanese people on Sowa Rigpa, traditional bhutanese medicine: a preliminary study from Thimphu
Authors: Lhamo Namgay , Nebel Sabine 
Published: January 2011

Abstract
Background
Many claims are made that the use of traditional medicine is a substantial and growing part of healthcare behavior around the world. In Bhutan traditional medical practice is one of the country's tangible heritages. The country hosts two forms of traditional medicines: local healing practices and the official traditional medical system known as sowa rigpa, meaning "the science of healing". This paper explores the attitudes on sowa rigpa among Bhutanese living in Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan.

Methods
This study was conducted from May to September 2009. In total, 155 people coming from diverse social backgrounds were randomly selected for the study. The study made use of qualitative as well as quantitative approaches, involving the administration of questionnaires and conducting in-depth interviews.

Results
From the 155 respondents 99% have heard about sowa rigpa, mainly from their friends or relatives. The study showed that sowa rigpa is popular among the respondents since more than half (51%) have said that they have been treated by sowa rigpa doctors. The data revealed that the majority (83%) of the respondents are satisfied with the treatment received.

Conclusion
The Bhutanese healthcare system that integrates sowa rigpa and modern medicine offers an opportunity for active healthcare decision-making by the patients. The improved understanding of the knowledge, attitudes and treatment seeking practices of the participants in the study provides useful information for health practitioners and policy makers to plan health activities. The present preliminary study represents only people living in the capital city of Bhutan. Therefore, a further nationwide study is planned to better understand the role sowa rigpa plays also in rural Bhutan.
Peripheral muscarinic receptors mediate the anti-inflammatory effects of auricular acupuncture
Authors: Chung Wai Yeung , Zhang Hong Qi , Zhang Shi Ping 
Published: January 2011

Abstract

Background
The cholinergic and opioid systems play important roles in modulating inflammation. This study tests whether auricular acupuncture (AA) produces anti-inflammatory effects via opioid and peripheral cholinergic receptors in a rat model.

Methods
Rats were anesthetized with chloral hydrate and inflammation was induced by intraplantar injection of carrageenan. Electroacupuncture was performed at auricular points bilaterally. The severity of inflammation was assessed using changes in paw volume and thermal and mechanical pain thresholds of the rats during recovery from anesthesia.

Results
Electroacupuncture at selected auricular acupoints significantly reduced paw edema and mechanical hyperalgesia, with no significant effect on thermal hyperalgesia. The anti-edematous and analgesic effects of AA were abolished by blockade of peripheral cholinergic muscarinic receptors with methyl atropine. Blockade of local muscarinic receptors at the inflamed site with a small dose of atropine also antagonized the anti-edematous effect of AA. By contrast, systemic opioid receptor blockade with naloxone did not antagonize the anti-inflammatory effects of AA.

Conclusion
This study discovers a role of peripheral muscarinic receptors in mediating the anti-inflammatory effects of AA. The cholinergic muscarinic mechanism appears to be more important than the opioid mechanism in the anti-inflammatory action of AA.
SPABBATS: A pathway-discovery method based on Boolean satisfiability that facilitates the characterization of suppressor mutants
Authors: Flórez Lope A , Gunka Katrin , Polanía Rafael , Tholen Stefan , Stülke Jörg 
Published: January 2011

Abstract

Background
Several computational methods exist to suggest rational genetic interventions that improve the productivity of industrial strains. Nonetheless, these methods are less effective to predict possible genetic responses of the strain after the intervention. This problem requires a better understanding of potential alternative metabolic and regulatory pathways able to counteract the targeted intervention.

Results
Here we present SPABBATS, an algorithm based on Boolean satisfiability (SAT) that computes alternative metabolic pathways between input and output species in a reconstructed network. The pathways can be constructed iteratively in order of increasing complexity. SPABBATS allows the accumulation of intermediates in the pathways, which permits discovering pathways missed by most traditional pathway analysis methods. In addition, we provide a proof of concept experiment for the validity of the algorithm. We deleted the genes for the glutamate dehydrogenases of the Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis and isolated suppressor mutant strains able to grow on glutamate as single carbon source. Our SAT approach proposed candidate alternative pathways which were decisive to pinpoint the exact mutation of the suppressor strain.

Conclusions
SPABBATS is the first application of SAT techniques to metabolic problems. It is particularly useful for the characterization of metabolic suppressor mutants and can be used in a synthetic biology setting to design new pathways with specific input-output requirements.
Product Recalls in the Medical Device Industry: An Empirical Exploration of the Sources and Financial Consequences
Authors: Thirumalai Sriram , Sinha Kingshuk K. 
Published: January 2011

Medical devices play an increasingly significant role in the delivery of health care today. However, persistent quality problems with medical devices and the associated recalls present potential health risks to patients and personnel using these devices. This study addresses three key issues in this regard. First, it empirically assesses the financial implications of medical device recalls to understand if these consequences are severe enough to deter firms from introducing potentially hazardous medical devices into the market, as can be inferred from the literature. Second, the study considers a cross section of medical device manufacturers to examine the effect of firm characteristics on the costs of poor quality. Third, in an attempt to explore the sources of recalls, this study investigates firm characteristics that are likely to be associated with device recalls. The econometric analyses in the study are based on data from manufacturers in the medical device industry over a four-year period (2002–2005). Contrary to our expectations, the findings of the study indicate that at an aggregate level, the market penalties for medical device recalls are not significant, i.e., at the aggregate level, the costs of poor quality are not severe. Furthermore, we find that the magnitude of financial consequences of device recalls is affected by the product scope, sales, growth prospects, and the capital structure of a firm. In our analyses exploring the sources of device recalls, we find that firms with a research and development focus, developing broader product portfolios, have a higher likelihood of device recalls. Also, we find that the likelihood of recalls decreases with prior recall experience, indicating the presence of learning. Implications of the study findings, limitations, and directions for future research are identified. This paper was accepted by Sampath Rajagopalan, operations and supply chain management.
Managing Consumer Returns in a Competitive Environment
Authors: Shulman Jeffrey D. , Coughlan Anne T. , Savaskan R. Canan 
Published: January 2011

This paper investigates the pricing and restocking fee decisions of two competing firms selling horizontally differentiated products. We model a duopoly facing consumers who have heterogeneous tastes for the products and who must experience a product before knowing how well it matches with their preferences. The analysis yields several key insights. Restocking fees not only can be sustained in a competitive environment, but also are more severe when consumers are less informed about product fit and when consumers place a greater importance on how well products' attributes fit with their preferences. We compare the competitive equilibrium prices to a scenario in which consumers are certain about their preferences and find conditions defining when consumer uncertainty results in higher equilibrium prices. Comparison to a monopoly setting yields a surprising result: Equilibrium restocking fees in a competitive environment can be higher than those charged by a monopolist. This paper was accepted by Jagmohan S. Raju, marketing.
Glucocorticoid signaling in cardiac disease
Authors: Ren Rongqin , Cidlowski John A. 
Published: January 2011

Abstract
As major mediators of stress regulation, glucocorticoids have an essential role in maintaining cardiovascular homeostasis under both physiological and pathological conditions. The release of glucocorticoids into the peripheral circulation is adjusted by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in response to various pathological challenges such as sepsis, starvation, and psychological stress. Clinically, dysregulation of the glucocorticoid-mediated signaling as a result of either excess ligand or receptor hypersensitivity is connected with the progression of unfavorable cardiovascular events such as cardiac hypertrophy, atherosclerosis, and coronary artery disease. The direct effects of glucocorticoids on cardiac tissues are mediated by two steroid receptors, the glucocorticoid receptor and mineralocorticoid receptor, which are both expressed by cardiomyocytes. Although each receptor has some shared responses to glucocorticoids, each receptor also has unique effects on cardiac functions. Elucidating the selective actions of each receptor is critical for determining the proper pharmaceutical targets in cardiovascular diseases.
Estrogens and progestins: molecular effects on brain cells
Authors: Mannella Paolo , Simoncini Tommaso , Genazzani Andrea Riccardo 
Published: January 2011

Abstract
Sex steroids are known to regulate brain function and their role is so important that several diseases are strictly correlated with the onset of menopause when estrogen-progesterone deficiency makes neural cells much more vulnerable to toxic stimuli. Although in the past years several scientists have focused their studies on in vitro and in vivo effects of sex steroids on the brain, we are still far from complete knowledge. Indeed, contrasting results from large clinical trials have made the entire issue much more complicated. Currently we know that protective effects exerted by sex steroids depend on several factors among which the dose, the health of the cells and the type of molecule being used. In this review, we present an overview of the direct and indirect effects of estrogen and progesterone on the brain with specific focus on the molecular mechanisms by which these molecules act on neural cells.
Patterns of Richness, Composition, and Distribution of Sphingid Moths Along an Elevational Gradient in the Andes-Amazon Region of Southeastern Peru
Authors: Ignatov Igor I , Janovec John P , Centeno Pedro , Tobler Mathias W , Grados Juan , Lamas Gerardo , Kitching Ian J 
Published: January 2011

Abstract
The adult sphingid communities of three sites in southeastern Peru representative of the moist tropical forest of the lowland Amazon, the pluvial tropical forest of the upper Amazon and Andean foothills, and the montane cloud forest of the eastern slopes of the Andes were sampled during 2004–2006 by using mercury vapor light traps. In total, 119 species of Sphingidae were documented. Species diversity was highest in the upper Amazon and Andean foothills, with 94 species (21 genera), followed by 80 species (21 genera) in the Amazonian lowlands, and 43 species (17 genera) in the montane cloud forest. The greatest number of endemics (22) was registered at the upper AmazonAndean foothills site. The montane cloud forest site was characterized by the highest relative percentage of endemic species. The species assemblages of the lowland Amazon and the Andean foothills were more similar in composition to each other than to the montane assemblage. All three assemblages proved to be more distinctive than expected based on the proximity of the sampled sites and seemingly good flight capabilities of sphingid moths. This was reflected by the endemics accounting for nearly 40% of the total species pool. By contrast, cosmopolitans numbered only 26 species, or 22% of the total assemblage. We hypothesize that the composition and distribution of sphingid species along this elevational gradient may reflect floristic similarities and differences between the study sites and the extent to which different species are adapted to cope with certain environmental conditions, such as temperature and air humidity.
Larval Development ofDiaphorencyrtus aligarhensis(Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), an Endoparasitoid ofDiaphorina citri(Hemiptera: Psyllidae)
Authors: Rohrig Eric , Shirk Paul D , Hall David G , Stansly Philip A 
Published: January 2011

AbstractThe koinobiont endoparasitoid Diaphorencyrtus aligarhensis (Shafee, Alam & Agarwal) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) is an imported biological control agent being released in Florida against the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Psyllidae). The eggs and early larvae were found free floating within the hemocoel. Larvae were soft bodied with no observable hairs, bristles, or external appendages, such as anal vesicles, in any instar. By the third instar, larvae had begun attaching to nymphal tissues by anal secretions that provided a means of orienting within the host nymph. The penultimate and last-instar larvae were found with their posterior anchored in the head—thoracic region of the host with their head oriented toward the posterior of the host nymph. Before the beginning of the prepupal stage, the host nymph was turned into a mummy and glued to a plant surface, apparently requiring some secretions from the wasp larva. Development from oviposition to adult eclosion of D. aligarhensis took ≈16 d at 25°C when oviposition occurred in second-through early fourth-instar nymphs, although this time was shortened by 4 d (25%) when the wasps oviposited in mid-fourth-instar D. citri nymphs. This reduction in developmental time did not affect wasp fertility or life span and may offer a significant approach to improved rearing of this wasp for augmentative releases to control the Asian citrus psyllid.
Assessing Alternative Measures of Wealth in Health Research
Authors: Cubbin Catherine , Pollack Craig , Flaherty Brian , Hayward Mark , Sania Ayesha , Vallone Donna , Braveman Paula 
Published: January 2011

Objectives. We assessed whether it would be feasible to replace the standard measure of net worth with simpler measures of wealth in population-based studies examining associations between wealth and health. Methods. We used data from the 2004 Survey of Consumer Finances (respondents aged 25–64 years) and the 2004 Health and Retirement Survey (respondents aged 50 years or older) to construct logistic regression models relating wealth to health status and smoking. For our wealth measure, we used the standard measure of net worth as well as 9 simpler measures of wealth, and we compared results among the 10 models. Results. In both data sets and for both health indicators, models using simpler wealth measures generated conclusions about the association between wealth and health that were similar to the conclusions generated by models using net worth. The magnitude and significance of the odds ratios were similar for the covariates in multivariate models, and the model-fit statistics for models using these simpler measures were similar to those for models using net worth. Conclusions. Our findings suggest that simpler measures of wealth may be acceptable in population-based studies of health.
Transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells and nucleus pulposus cells in a degenerative disc model in rabbits: a comparison of 2 cell types as potential candidates for disc regeneration
Authors: Feng Ganjun , Zhao Xianfeng , Liu Hao , Zhang Huina , Chen Xiangjun , Shi Rui , Liu Xi , Zhao Xiaodan , Zhang Wenli , Wang Beiyu 
Published: January 2011

Object
The aim of this study was to compare transplanted mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) in a degenerative disc model in rabbits to determine the better candidate for disc cell therapy.

Methods
Mesenchymal stem cells and NPCs were transplanted in a rabbit model of disc degeneration. Changes in disc height, according to plain radiography, T2-weighted signal intensity on MR imaging, histology, sulfated glycosaminoglycan (sGAG)/DNA, and associated gene expression levels, were evaluated among healthy controls without surgery, sham-operated animals in which only disc degeneration was induced, MSC-transplanted animals, and NPC-transplanted animals for a 16-week period.

Results
Sixteen weeks after cell transplantation, in the MSC- and NPC-transplanted groups, the decline in the disc height index was reduced and T2-weighted signal intensity increased compared with the sham-operated group. Safranin O staining showed a high GAG content, which was also supported by sGAG/DNA assessment. Disc regeneration was also confirmed at the gene expression level using real-time polymerase chain reaction. However, no significant differences in expression were found between the NPC- and MSC-transplanted groups.

Conclusions
Study data showed that MSC transplantation is effective for the treatment of disc degeneration and seems to be an ideal substitute for NPCs.