bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genetic variability of cytomegalovirus glycoprotein O in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients
Authors: Roubalova K. , Strunecky O. , Vitek A. , Zufanova S. , Prochazka B. 
Published: March 2011

K. Roubalova, O. Strunecky, A. Vitek, S. Zufanova, B. Prochazka. Genetic variability of cytomegalovirus glycoprotein O in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients. Transpl Infect Dis 2011: 13: 237–243. All rights reservedAbstract: Genetic variation of cytomegalovirus (CMV) strains can correlate with their pathogenicity for immunocompromised patients. Glycoprotein O (gO), together with glycoprotein L and glycoprotein H, mediate the fusion of the viral envelope with the cell membrane and promotes virus penetration, envelopment, and release. The variability of gO might play a role in CMV cell tropism. The goal was a retrospective analysis of gO variability in a cohort of hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients to determine the distribution of gO genotypes and to investigate their impact on clinical outcome and manifestation of CMV infection.Methods. In archived blood samples from 51 adult allogeneic HSCT recipients with active CMV infection, gO was analyzed by sequencing the N‐terminal domain of the UL74 gene using the dye deoxy termination method.Results. The gO1 and gO2 clades were most common (39% and 20%, respectively, and gO3 was associated with higher risk of symptomatic infection (P=0.026 in multivariant analysis). Despite being associated with higher antigenemia levels (P=0.02), gO4 had the best survival and lower rate of CMV recurrence. No significant differences were found in clinical manifestation and outcome of CMV disease between patients with various gO clades. Because CMV strains sharing an identical gO sequence differed in glycoprotein B genotypes, sequencing the N‐terminal part of the gO gene does not seem to be optimal for the identification of strains.Conclusions. gO genotyping may contribute to the biological characterization of CMV strains in HSCT recipients.
Characterization of bovine microsatellites by silver staining
Authors: Comincini S. , Leone P. , Redaelli L. , Giuli L. de , Zhang Y. , Ferretti L. 
Published: March 2011

SummarySilver staining was used to detect amplified microsatellite loci from the bovine genome. The standard silver‐staining procedure was modified to allow more direct control in the development of signals. Microsatellites were analysed, to compare the silver‐staining technique and the direct incorporation of a radioactive tracer. With silver staining, levels of sensitivity were achieved that are typical of those with radioisotopic detection. Also, silver staining is a cheaper process, is less hazardous to operators and the environment, and can be performed in laboratories without radioisotopic facilities. A significant advantage of silver staining is the speed of the process, producing results of a typing in 1 day.ZusammenfassungCharakterisierung von Rinder Mikrosatelliten durch SilberfärbungMit Silverstaining (Silberfärbung) wurden amplifizierte Mikrosatellite von Rindern verschiedener Rassen charaktisiert. Für drei Mikrosatelliten wurden einige Nanogramme genomische DNA amplifiziert. Diese Technik erwies sich als empfindlicher und einfacher als die radioisotopische Methodologie und ist auch billiger und ungefährlicher für Forscher und Umwelt. Kann innerhalb eines Tages Ergebnisse erreicht werden Letztens, kann diese Tecknik für Forschung in Labors gebraucht werden, wo keine Radioaktivität benutzt werden kann.
Variance component estimation in animal breeding: a review†
Authors: Hofer A. 
Published: March 2011

SummaryThe goal of animal breeding is to improve performance traits of animal populations through selection. The selection criterion is usually based on best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) of additive genetic effects. BLUP requires knowledge about variance components that have to be estimated in practice. Due to its desirable properties restricted maximum likelihood (REML) has become the method of choice for the estimation of variance components of mixed linear models in animal breeding. Impressive progress has been made in the development of efficient computing algorithms that allow REML to be used for general mixed linear models of large data sets. Various flexible computer programs have become available. Due to the adoption of Markov chain Monte Carlo procedures Bayesian estimation has recently become feasible and is increasingly used in animal breeding applications. The availability of powerful computers and advances in the efficiency of computing algorithms allow the consideration of increasingly complex models. Therefore, the development and application of appropriate statistical procedures for model comparison is becoming more important.ZusammenfassungVarianzkomponentenschätzung in der Tierzucht‐eine UebersichtDas Ziel der Tierzucht ist die Verbesserung der Leistung von Tierapopulationen durch Selektion. Als Selektionskriterium wird üblicherweise die beste lineare Vorhersge (BLUP) des additiv genetischen Effektes verwendet. BLUP setzt bekannte Varianzkomponenten voraus, die in der praktischen Anwendung jedoch geschätzt werden müssen. Die attraktiven Eigenschaften haben Restricted Maximum Likelihood (REML) zur Methode der Wahl für die Schätzung von Varianzkomponenten gemischter linearer Modelle in der Tierzucht werden lassen. Beachtliche Fortschritte wurden bei der Entwicklung von effizienten Rechenalgorithmen erzielt, die es erlauben REML für arbiträre gemischte Modelle und grosse Datenmengen zu verwenden. Mehrere flexible Computerprogramme wurden entwickelt und verftügbar gemacht. Die Verwendung von Markov chain Monte Carlo Prozeduren hat die praktische Anwendung der Bayes'schen Schätzung in der Tierzucht ermöglicht. Die stetige Steigerung der Rechenleistung von Computern und die Fortschritte bei der Entwicklung effizienter Rechenalgorithmen erlauben die Anwendung immer komplexerer Modelle. Daher gewinnt die Entwicklung und Anwendung von statistischen Verfahren für den Vergleich alternativer Modelle an Bedeutung.
Association between improvements in insulin resistance and changes in cognitive function in elderly diabetic patients with normal cognitive function
Authors: Yanagawa Madoka , Umegaki Hiroyuki , Uno Tomoko , Oyun Khookhor , Kawano Naoko , Maeno Hitoshi , Yamanouchi Kunio , Sato Yuzo 
Published: March 2011

Aim:  The number of elderly with cognitive dysfunction has been increasing in developed countries. Several studies have shown that diabetes is a risk factor for declines in cognitive function and, recently, numerous studies have demonstrated that exercise improves insulin resistance (IR). However, no studies have been undertaken to examine the relationship between IR and cognitive dysfunction.Methods:  Sixteen elderly diabetic patients participated in this study (mean age 70.9 ± 3.7 years). They were divided into control and training groups, and the training group was instructed to exercise 4 days per week for 12 weeks using horse riding simulation equipment (JOBA). Insulin sensitivity was measured by the euglycemic clamp technique and several tests to assess cognitive function, such as the Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE), were performed.Results:  There were no statistically significant differences between the control and training groups in the baseline data. The differences of glucose infusion rate values and delayed word list scores, between baseline and the follow up, were significantly correlated (P = 0.024). In addition, changes in fasting blood sugar (FBS) and in the Trail Making Test B (TMT‐B) score were also correlated (P = 0.035).Conclusion:  The current study showed that a 12‐week exercise intervention program did not significantly improve IR in elderly diabetic patients. However, changes in IR were associated with improvements in memory function, and reduced FBS was associated with improvements in TMT‐B. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2011; 11: 341–347.
Intercultural education of nurses and health professionals in Europe (IENE)
Authors: Taylor G. , Papadopoulos I. , Dudau V. , Maerten M. , Peltegova A. , Ziegler M. 
Published: March 2011

TAYLOR G., PAPADOPOULOS I., DUDAU V., MAERTEN M., PELTEGOVA A. & ZIEGLER M. (2011) Intercultural education of nurses and health professionals in Europe (IENE). International Nursing Review58, 188–195This paper presents the results of a needs analysis carried out during a 2‐year European Union‐funded project titled ‘Intercultural education of nurses and health professionals in Europe’.Aims:  The study aimed to explore the perceived learning and teaching needs of students and practitioners of health‐care professions in relation to preparation for working in another European country and/or in a multicultural environment. The participating countries were: Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Romania and the UK.Methods:  Questionnaires, consisting of open questions, were completed by a total of 118 participants. Data analysis adopted both a priori and inductive approaches. The predetermined constructs of cultural awareness, cultural knowledge, cultural sensitivity and cultural competence were used to structure suggestions for theoretical input and practical activities and experiences. Inductive analysis revealed other emergent themes that underpin all four of these constructs.Results:  Practical experiences form a fundamental part of preparation for labour mobility and/or for practice within a multicultural environment. However, health‐care practitioners need to be adequately prepared for such experiences and value the opportunity to learn about culture, to explore values and beliefs, and to practise intercultural skills within the safe environment of an educational establishment, facilitated by skilled teachers.
Exploring Social and Geographical Trajectories of Latin Americans in Sweden
Authors: Andersson Roger 
Published: March 2011

AbstractClose to 20 percent of the Swedish population are of immigrant origin; one in eight is foreign‐born. About 45 percent of all immigrants originate from outside Europe and most of these have entered the country as refugees or relatives of refugees. Issues connected to immigration, including the number of immigrants, settlement patterns and level of social integration of ethnic minorities, have been much discussed in Sweden in recent decades.This paper focuses on the integration of Latin American immigrants in Sweden. It compares the level of integration – measured as educational achievement, labour market participation, income and housing – experienced by first and second generation migrants. I use register information allowing me to include all 1st and 2nd generation Latin Americans that have lived in Sweden between 1990 and 2006 (in total 127,000 individuals). Data are longitudinal, which means that individuals can be followed over time. I make use of the longitudinal material in order to study changes in residential patterns and in attempts to explain educational and employment outcomes for second generation Latin Americans.The general conclusion of the paper is that in terms of integration, LAC immigrants have an intermediate position compared to other immigrant categories; they are often better off than people from Africa and the Middle East but clearly below the level experienced by some other migrants, especially those from Western Europe. This cannot be explained by level of education. The average level of education is high for first generation immigrants from LA countries. For many people, the level of labour market participation and income increase over time but one important result of this analysis is that second generation Latin Americans seem to do less well in Sweden compared to many other second generation migrants.
The burrow systems and burrowing dynamics of the mole‐rats Bathyergus suillus and Cryptomys hottentotus in the fynbos of the south‐western Cape, South Africa
Authors: Davies Katherine C. , Jarvis Jennifer U. M. 
Published: March 2011

The configuration and dynamics of six Bathyergus suillus and one Cryptomys hottentotus burrow systems in coastal fynbos vegetation was studied for a year by monitoring mound production and excavating burrows. Bathyergus suillus is a large solitary mole‐rat and C. hottentotus is smaller and social. Our results are compared with those for other subterranean rodents.Most B. suillus burrows (15–22 cm in diameter) were 40–65 cm below ground to prevent their collapse in the seasonally softer and drier surface sand; the burrows were consequently situated deeper than most food plants. Cryptomus hottentotus burrows were narrower (5–7 cm) and shallower (<35 cm), facilitating food location but restricting these mole‐rats to more consolidated soils. Bathyergus suillus and C. hottentotus burrows were of similar length (up to 400 m) but in terms of biomass per metre, C. hottentotus and other small social mole‐rats have relatively longer systems. The mean home range of B. suillus (0.27 ha) was higher than most subterranean rodents, including C. hottentotus (0.16 ha), but their mean density (0.9 ha−1) and biomass (≏ 500 g ha−1) was low. Bathyergus suillus appear to remain resident in an area and to have an optimum burrow length, maintained by blocking old burrows with newly‐excavated soil. This blocking may promote rapid regeneration of food plants within the home range. Daily burrow extension (estimated from mound production alone) averaged 0.7 m for both mole‐rats. The maximum monthly burrow extension was 141 m for B. suillus and 47 m for C. hottentotus. All mole‐rats have a characteristically clumped and patchy distribution, reasons for this are discussed. Bathyergus suillus cats and uses as nesting a wide range of roots, leaves and stems but preferentially selects some plant species. It rarely stores food. Cryptomys hottentotus eats and stores geophytes. Reasons for these dietary differences and the possibility that mole‐rats act as agents of dispersal of geophytes are discussed.
Do best practice guidelines improve the legibility of pharmacy labels for the visually impaired?
Authors: Latham Keziah , Waller Sam , Schaitel James 
Published: March 2011

Citation information: Latham K, Waller S & Schaitel J. Do best practice guidelines improve the legibility of pharmacy labels for the visually impaired? Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2011, 31, 275–282. doi: 10.1111/j.1475‐1313.2010.00816.xAbstractPurpose:  Reading pharmacy labels on medications is a challenging task for visually impaired people. Design for Patient Safety (DfPS) best practice guidelines exist on the presentation of information on pharmacy labels, but it is unclear to what extent current labels follow the guidance. It is also unclear whether labels produced to DfPS guidelines are more accessible to patients with impaired vision.Methods:  Twenty‐four sample labels were obtained from six different pharmacy chains. Experimental labels were constructed reflecting a typical pharmacy label, an ideal label constructed to DfPS guidelines, and a large print label. 20 normally‐sighted subjects read labels under habitual conditions (mean VA −0.14 log MAR, Snellen equivalent 6/4.4), and under two conditions of simulated visual impairment (mean VA +0.41 and +0.69 logMAR, Snellen equivalents 6/15.4 and 6/29.4). Outcome measures were speed and accuracy of label reading.Results:  Median font size for the primary directions on the sample labels was 9.5 point (range 8–10 point), rather than the recommended minimum size of 12 point. In the mild visual impairment condition, using the ideal label improved accurate reading speed by 58% over the typical label, and using the large print label improved accurate reading speed by about 100%. In the moderate visual impairment condition, 65% of subjects were able to see sufficient of the directions to be able to take the medication appropriately with the ideal label, and 80% with the large print label, as compared to 20% with the typical label.Conclusions:  DfPS best practice guidelines were not fully met by any of the pharmacy labels in this sample. With unimpaired vision, label design had little impact on legibility. However, the results provide evidence that preparing pharmacy labels according to DfPS guidelines improves their relative legibility in simulated visual impairment. These findings need extending to those with actual visual impairment, but the current results strengthen the argument for conformance to DfPS guidelines.
How does the presence and duration of central visual impairment affect reaching and grasping movements?
Authors: Pardhan Shahina , Gonzalez‐Alvarez Carmen , Subramanian Ahayla 
Published: March 2011

Citation information: Pardhan S, Gonzalez‐Alvarez C & Subramanian A. How does the presence and duration of central visual impairment affect reaching and grasping movements? Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2011, 31, 233–239. doi: 10.1111/j.1475‐1313.2010.00819.xAbstractPurpose:  To examine how subjects with central visual impairment (CVI) due to macular degeneration conduct reaching and grasping movements compared to those with normal vision and to determine whether these are influenced by the duration of the impairment.Methods:  Eighteen subjects with CVI and 9 subjects of a similar age but with normal vision were recruited. Subjects were required to pick up a cylindrical object and a motion analysis system recorded and reconstructed the reaching and grasping movements in 3‐D. Subjects were also divided into two groups based on the duration of their vision loss: subjects with CVI of less/greater than 10 years duration.Results:  Subjects with CVI showed significant differences in some transport and grasping indices compared to age matched normal subjects (p < 0.05) but not in all. More indices were correlated to contrast sensitivity (5) than to visual acuity results (2).Conclusions:  Subjects with CVI required extra time prior to starting the movement (as shown by longer onset time) and this was probably needed to localise the object and to perceive its dimensions. They spent more time after maximum grip aperture, indicating a need for a longer time to grasp the object. A possible reason is that visually impaired patients need to use more tactile information than normal subjects in order to fully execute grasping of the object. CVI that was of <10 years in duration affected more indices compared to CVI that was of long standing and may suggest adaptation to the visual impairment for this task.
Myocardial pharmacokinetics of ebastine, a substrate for cytochrome P450 2J, in rat isolated heart
Authors: Kang W , Elitzer S , Noh K , Bednarek T , Weiss M 
Published: March 2011

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE It is well established that cytochrome P450 2J (CYP2J) enzymes are expressed preferentially in the heart, and that ebastine is a substrate for CYP2J, but it is not known whether ebastine is metabolized in myocardium. Therefore, we investigated its pharmacokinetics in the rat isolated perfused heart.EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Rat isolated hearts were perfused in the recirculating mode with ebastine for 130 min. The concentrations of ebastine and its metabolites, hydroxyebastine and carebastine, were measured using liquid chromatography with a tandem mass spectrometry. The data were analysed by a compartmental model. The time course of negative inotropic response was linked to ebastine concentration to determine the concentration–effect relationship.KEY RESULTS Ebastine was metabolized to an intermediate compound, hydroxyebastine, which was subsequently further metabolized to carebastine. No desalkylebastine was found. The kinetics of the sequential metabolism of ebastine was well described by the compartmental model. The EC50 of the negative inotropic effect of ebastine in rat isolated heart was much higher than free plasma concentrations in humans after clinical doses.CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS The kinetics of ebastine conversion to carebastine via hydroxyebastine resembled that observed in human liver microsomes. The results may be of interest for functional characterization of CYP2J activity in rat heart.
Interleukin‐1β and Interleukin‐6 Expression and Gene Polymorphisms in Subjects with Peri‐Implant Disease
Authors: Melo Rafaela F. , Lopes Beatriz M. V. , Shibli Jamil A. , Marcantonio Junior Elcio , Marcantonio Rosemary Adriana C. , Galli Glória M. Thompson 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTBackground: Polymorphisms found in the IL‐1 family genes have been associated with susceptibility of periodontal disease. However, very little is known about the relationship between polymorphisms on inflammatory mediators' genes and peri‐implant disease.Purpose: The aim of the present study was to evaluate interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) concentration in the crevicular fluid, and the impact of gene polymorphisms on healthy and diseased implants in comparison with healthy teeth.Materials and Methods: We examined 47 implants and teeth in 47 patients grouped as: 31 healthy implants, 16 implants with peri‐implantitis, 31 healthy teeth from patients with healthy implants, and 16 healthy teeth from patients with peri‐implantitis. Clinical parameters were recorded from all implants and teeth. Gingival crevicular fluid was collected to evaluate the concentration of IL‐1β and IL‐6. Cells from buccal mucosa were collected and their genomic DNA extracted for identification of the following polymorphisms: IL1B+3954, IL1B‐511, and IL6‐174.Results: Clinical evaluation demonstrated that implants with peri‐implantitis had less favorable indexes for probing depth (PD), relative clinical attachment level (CAL), bleeding on probing, and suppuration when compared with healthy implants and, for PD and CAL when compared with healthy teeth. There was no significant difference in the concentration of IL‐1β and IL‐6 detected between groups. There were no statistically significant differences between alleles and polymorphisms distribution on the studied population.Conclusions: There was no correlation between the concentration of IL‐1β and IL‐6 in the crevicular sulcular fluid present in healthy or diseased osseointegrated implants in comparison with healthy teeth. The studied gene polymorphisms had no influence on peri‐implant disease.
Influence of inflammation‐related changes on conformational characteristics of HLA‐B27 subtypes as detected by IR spectroscopy
Authors: Fabian Heinz , Loll Bernhard , Huser Hans , Naumann Dieter , Uchanska‐Ziegler Barbara , Ziegler Andreas 
Published: March 2011

Inflammatory processes are accompanied by the post‐translational modification of certain arginine residues to yield citrulline, and a pH decrease in the affected tissue, which might influence the protonation of histidine residues within proteins. We employed isotope‐edited IR spectroscopy to investigate whether conformational features of two human major histocompatibility antigen class I subtypes, HLA‐B*2705 and HLA‐B*2709, are affected by these changes. Both differ only in residue 116 (Asp vs. His) within the peptide‐binding grooves, but are differentially associated with inflammatory rheumatic disorders. Our analyses of the two HLA‐B27 subtypes in complex with a modified self‐peptide containing a citrulline RRKWURWHL (U = citrulline) revealed that the heavy chain is more flexible in the HLA‐B*2705 subtype than in the HLA‐B*2709 subtype. Together with our previous studies of HLA‐B27 subtypes complexed with the unmodified self‐peptide RRKWRRWHL, these findings support the existence of subtype‐specific conformational features of the heavy chains under physiological conditions, which are undetectable by X‐ray crystallography and exist irrespective of the sequence of the bound peptide and its binding mode. They might thus influence antigenic properties of the respective HLA‐B27 subtype. Furthermore, a decrease in the pH from 7.5 to 5.6 during the analyses had an influence only on HLA‐B*2709 complexed with the unmodified self‐peptide, where His116 is not contacted by any peptide side chain. This permits us to conclude that histidines, and in particular His116, influence the stability of MHC:peptide complexes. The conditions prevailing in inflammatory environments in vivo might thus also exert an impact on selected conformational features of HLA‐B27:peptide complexes.Structured digital abstract
B*27
and VIPR bind by biophysical (View interaction).