bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Targeted overexpression of Angptl6/angiopoietin‐related growth factor in the skin promotes angiogenesis and lymphatic vessel enlargement in response to ultraviolet B
Authors: OKAZAKI Hidenori , HIRAKAWA Satoshi , SHUDOU Masachika , NAKAOKA Yoshiki , SHIRAKATA Yuji , MIYATA Keishi , OIKE Yuichi , HASHIMOTO Koji , SAYAMA Koji 
Published: December 2011

AbstractAngiogenesis is required for physiological tissue repair processes, such as cutaneous wound healing. However, recent studies indicate that endogenous angiogenic factors may enhance photo‐induced skin alterations in response to experimental ultraviolet (UV)‐B exposure. Angiopoietin‐related growth factor (AGF), also known as angiopoietin‐like protein 6 (Angptl6), is known to promote new blood vessel formation and vascular hyperpermeability. Importantly, epidermal overexpression of Angptl6/AGF in mice promotes wound healing in the skin. However, it remains unclear whether overexpression of Angptl6/AGF facilitates tissue repair processes in response to UV‐B irradiation. To test this hypothesis, we subjected Angptl6/AGF transgenic mice to acute or chronic UV‐B exposure. Surprisingly, transgenic mice showed enhanced photosensitivity to subthreshold doses of UV‐B that did not induce skin alterations in wild‐type littermates. Marked enlargement of blood vessels was observed after a single exposure to UV‐B in Angptl6/AGF transgenic mice, although no epidermal changes were observed. Chronic UV‐B exposure over 14 weeks promoted cutaneous skin damage in Angptl6/AGF transgenic mice, whereas wild‐type mice showed little or no macroscopic skin alteration. In addition to pronounced angiogenesis and epidermal hyperplasia, marked enlargement of dermal lymphatic vessels was observed in UV‐B‐exposed Angptl6/AGF transgenic mice. Electron microscopy analysis further revealed that the number and size of collagen bundles in the dermis was markedly reduced after chronic UV‐B exposure in Angptl6/AGF transgenic mice. Taken together, these results indicate that ectopic expression of Angptl6/AGF in mice likely promotes UV‐B‐induced skin alterations, and that angiogenesis could be a therapeutic target in prevention of skin photo‐aging.
Alterations of coagulation and fibrinolysis in patients with angioedema due to C1-inhibitor deficiency
Authors: van Geffen M , Cugno M , Lap P , Loof A , Cicardi M , van Heerde W 
Published: December 2011

Summary
Patients with functional deficiency of C1-inhibitor (C1-INH) suffer from recurrent acute attacks (AA) of localized oedema associated with activation of the contact system, complement and fibrinolysis. To unravel further the role of coagulation and fibrinolysis in the pathophysiology of C1-INH deficiency, we performed simultaneous thrombin and plasmin generation measurements in plasma from patients with hereditary angioedema (HAE) due to C1-INH deficiency during AA (n = 23), in remission (R) (n = 20) and in controls (n = 20). During AA thrombin generation after in-vitro activation of plasma was higher than in controls, as demonstrated by shorter thrombin peak-time (P &lt; 0·05), higher thrombin peak-height (P &lt; 0·001) and increased area under the curve (AUC) (P &lt; 0·05). Additionally, elevated levels of prothrombin fragment 1+2 (P &lt; 0·0001) were observed in non-activated plasma from the same patients. In contrast, in activated plasma from patients during AA plasmin generation estimated as plasmin peak-height (P &lt; 0·05) and plasmin potential (P &lt; 0·05) was reduced, but non-activated plasma of the same patients showed elevated plasmin–anti-plasmin (PAP) complexes (P &lt; 0·001). This apparent discrepancy can be reconciled by elevated soluble thrombomodulin (sTM) (P &lt; 0·01) and thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) in patients during AA providing possible evidence for a regulatory effect on fibrinolysis. Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) was reduced in patients during AA indicating, together with the observed reduction of plasmin generation, the consumption of fibrinolytic factors. In conclusion, our results support the involvement of coagulation and fibrinolysis in the pathophysiology of HAE and show the possible application of simultaneous measurement of thrombin and plasmin generation to evaluate different clinical conditions in HAE patients.
Quantifying global greenhouse gas emissions from land‐use change for crop production
Authors: Flynn Helen C. , Canals Llorenç Milà i. , Keller Emma , King Henry , Sim Sarah , Hastings Astley , Wang Shifeng , Smith Pete 
Published: December 2011

AbstractMany assessments of product carbon footprint (PCF) for agricultural products omit emissions arising from land‐use change (LUC). In this study, we developed a framework based on IPCC national greenhouse gas inventory methodologies to assess the impacts of LUC from crop production using oil palm, soybean and oilseed rape as examples. Using ecological zone, climate and soil types from the top 20 producing countries, calculated emissions for transitions from natural vegetation to cropland on mineral soils under typical management ranged from −4.5 to 29.4 t CO2‐eq ha−1 yr−1 over 20 years for oil palm and 1.2–47.5 t CO2‐eq ha−1 yr−1 over 20 years for soybeans. Oilseed rape showed similar results to soybeans, but with lower maximum values because it is mainly grown in areas with lower C stocks. GHG emissions from other land‐use transitions were between 62% and 95% lower than those from natural vegetation for the arable crops, while conversions to oil palm were a sink for C. LUC emissions were considered on a national basis and also expressed per‐tonne‐of‐oil‐produced. Weighted global averages indicate that, depending on the land‐use transition, oil crop production on newly converted land contributes between −3.1 and 7.0 t CO2‐eq t oil production−1 yr−1 for palm oil, 11.9–50.6 t CO2‐eq t oil production−1 yr−1 for soybean oil, and 7.7–31.4 t CO2‐eq t oil production−1 yr−1 for rapeseed oil. Assumptions made about crop and LUC distribution within countries contributed up to 66% error around the global averages for natural vegetation conversions. Uncertainty around biomass and soil C stocks were also examined. Finer resolution data and information (particularly on land management and yield) could improve reliability of the estimates but the framework can be used in all global regions and represents an important step forward for including LUC emissions in PCFs.
Comparing carbon sequestration in temperate freshwater wetland communities
Authors: Bernal Blanca , Mitsch William J. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractHigh productivity and waterlogged conditions make many freshwater wetlands significant carbon sinks. Most wetland carbon studies focus on boreal peatlands, however, with less attention paid to other climates and to the effects of hydrogeomorphic settings and the importance of wetland vegetation communities on carbon sequestration. This study compares six temperate wetland communities in Ohio that belong to two distinct hydrogeomorphic types: an isolated depressional wetland site connected to the groundwater table, and a riverine flow‐through wetland site that receives water from an agricultural watershed. Three cores were extracted in each community and analyzed for total carbon content to determine the soil carbon pool. Sequestration rates were determined by radiometric dating with 137Cs and 210Pb on a set of composite cores extracted in each of the six communities. Cores were also extracted in uplands adjacent to the wetlands at each site. Wetland communities had accretion rates ranging from 3.0 to 6.2 mm yr−1. The depressional wetland sites had higher (P < 0.001) organic content (146 ± 4.2 gC kg−1) and lower (P < 0.001) bulk density (0.55 ± 0.01 Mg m−3) than the riverine ones (50.1 ± 6.9 gC kg−1 and 0.74 ± 0.06 Mg m−3). The soil carbon was 98–99% organic in the isolated depressional wetland communities and 85–98% organic in the riverine ones. The depressional wetland communities sequestered 317 ± 93 gC m−2 yr−1, more (P < 0.01) than the riverine communities that sequestered 140 ± 16 gC m−2 yr−1. The highest sequestration rate was found in the Quercus palustris forested wetland community (473 gC m−2 yr−1), while the wetland community dominated by water lotus (Nelumbo lutea) was the most efficient of the riverine communities, sequestering 160 gC m−2 yr−1. These differences in sequestration suggest the importance of addressing wetland types and communities in more detail when assessing the role of wetlands as carbon sequestering systems in global carbon budgets.
Delayed activation of host innate immune pathways in streptozotocin‐induced diabetic hosts leads to more severe disease during infection with Burkholderia pseudomallei
Authors: Chin Chui‐Yoke , Monack Denise M. , Nathan Sheila 
Published: December 2011

SummaryDiabetes mellitus is a predisposing factor of melioidosis, contributing to higher mortality rates in diabetics infected with Burkholderia pseudomallei. To investigate how diabetes alters the inflammatory response, we established a streptozotocin (STZ) ‐induced diabetic murine acute‐phase melioidosis model. Viable B. pseudomallei cells were consistently detected in the blood, liver and spleen during the 42‐hr course of infection but the hyperglycaemic environment did not increase the bacterial burden. However, after 24 hr, granulocyte counts increased in response to infection, whereas blood glucose concentrations decreased over the course of infection. A genome‐wide expression analysis of the STZ‐diabetic murine acute melioidosis liver identified ∼ 1000 genes whose expression was altered in the STZ‐diabetic mice. The STZ‐diabetic host transcriptional response was compared with the normoglycaemic host transcriptional response recently reported by our group. The microarray data suggest that the presence of elevated glucose levels impairs the host innate immune system by delaying the identification and recognition of B. pseudomallei surface structures. Consequently, the host is unable to activate the appropriate innate immune response over time, which may explain the increased susceptibility to melioidosis in the STZ‐diabetic host. Nevertheless, a general ‘alarm signal’ of infection as well as defence programmes are still triggered by the STZ‐diabetic host, although only 24 hr after infection. In summary, this study demonstrates that in the face of a B. pseudomallei acute infection, poor glycaemic control impaired innate responses during the early stages of B. pseudomallei infection, contributing to the increased susceptibility of STZ‐induced diabetics to this fatal disease.
Host and habitat specialization of avian malaria in Africa
Authors: LOISEAU CLAIRE , HARRIGAN RYAN J. , ROBERT ALEXANDRE , BOWIE RAURI C. K. , THOMASSEN HENRI A. , SMITH THOMAS B. , SEHGAL RAVINDER N. M. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractStudies of both vertebrates and invertebrates have suggested that specialists, as compared to generalists, are likely to suffer more serious declines in response to environmental change. Less is known about the effects of environmental conditions on specialist versus generalist parasites. Here, we study the evolutionary strategies of malaria parasites (Plasmodium spp.) among different bird host communities. We determined the parasite diversity and prevalence of avian malaria in three bird communities in the lowland forests in Cameroon, highland forests in East Africa and fynbos in South Africa. We calculated the host specificity index of parasites to examine the range of hosts parasitized as a function of the habitat and investigated the phylogenetic relationships of parasites. First, using phylogenetic and ancestral reconstruction analyses, we found an evolutionary tendency for generalist malaria parasites to become specialists. The transition rate at which generalists become specialists was nearly four times as great as the rate at which specialists become generalists. We also found more specialist parasites and greater parasite diversity in African lowland rainforests as compared to the more climatically variable habitats of the fynbos and the highland forests. Thus, with environmental changes, we anticipate a change in the distribution of both specialist and generalist parasites with potential impacts on bird communities.
Case report of a haemovigilance investigation using phylogenetic analysis of HIV‐1 in Brazil
Authors: Pinto A. R. , Petry A. , Gräf T. , Vandresen R. , Kupek E. 
Published: December 2011

Objectives: The aim of this work is to provide the first report of a transfusion‐acquired HIV‐1 infection and to verify transmission from the donor to the recipients using phylogenetic analysis of HIV‐1 DNA sequences in a Brazilian blood bank.Background: Although haemovigilance procedures based on phylogenetic analysis of HIV have been reported in several countries, this type of study has yet to be conducted in Latin America.Materials and Methods: Upon identifying a HIV‐1‐positive repeat blood donor by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) blood screening, all recipients of the donor's previous donation were identified and tested for HIV‐1 by EIA, nucleic acid amplification test and HIV‐1 DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis.Results: One of the recipients tested positive for HIV‐1. The phylogenetic analysis showed a high genetic similarity among the viruses, thus supporting the hypothesis of transmission from the donor to the recipient.Conclusions: Phylogenetic analysis of HIV‐1 DNA sequences has been a decisive tool in verifying suspected transmission of the virus from blood donor to recipient in Brazil.
Clinical pathways in transplantation: a review and examples from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Authors: Pavlakis Martha , Hanto Douglas W. 
Published: December 2011

Pavlakis M, Hanto DW. Clinical pathways in transplantation: a review and examples from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.  Clin Transplant 2011 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399‐0012.2011.01564.x.  © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract:  Clinical pathways (CP) have been developed to aid in the management of many surgical and medical conditions. Studies show the benefits of CP on outcomes including reduction in length of stay (LOS), morbidity, costs, and improvement in patient satisfaction (Arch Surg 2008: 394: 31; J Eval Clin Pract 2007: 13: 920; Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2000: 126: 322; Circulation 2000: 101: 461; BMC Pulm Med 2006: 6: 22; Int J Health Care Qual Assur 2006: 19: 237; Am J Med Qual 2005: 20: 83; Am J Surg 2006: 192: 399; Am Surg 2005: 71: 152). Reports of CP in solid organ transplantation are lacking, possibly given the complexity of the transplant procedures that entail a complex, multidisciplinary pre‐operative evaluation, inpatient, and post‐operative time frames. We have developed CP from presentation for transplant evaluation to post‐transplant follow‐up for liver, kidney, and pancreas transplantation and live kidney and live liver donation and are making them available online for viewing. Our CPs encompass the pre‐operative, peri‐operative, and post‐operative period, including both outpatient and inpatient care. We propose that transplantation is an ideal forum for successful implementation of CP, given the rigorous process that centers are subject to for CMS approval and the ample opportunity for improving our patients’ lives by improvement in and streamlining of the entire process of clinical care from end‐stage organ failure to post‐transplant long‐term management. Our CPs can be found at http://bidmc.org/CentersandDepartments/Departments/TransplantInstitute/TransplantClinicalPathways.aspx.
The predictive value of skin prick testing for challenge‐proven food allergy: A systematic review
Authors: Peters Rachel L. , Gurrin Lyle C. , Allen Katrina J. 
Published: December 2011

To cite this article: Peters RL, Gurrin LC, Allen KJ. The predictive value of skin prick testing for challenge‐proven food allergy: A systematic review. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2012: 23: 347‐352.AbstractImmunoglobulin E‐mediated (IgE) food allergy affects 6–8% of children, and the prevalence is believed to be increasing. The gold standard of food allergy diagnosis is oral food challenges (OFCs); however, they are resource‐consuming and potentially dangerous. Skin prick tests (SPTs) are able to detect the presence of allergen‐specific IgE antibodies (sensitization), but they have low specificity for clinically significant food allergy. To reduce the need for OFCs, it has been suggested that children forgo an OFC if their SPT wheal size exceeds a cutoff that has a high predictability for food allergy. Although data for these studies are almost always gathered from high‐risk populations, the 95% positive predictive values (PPVs) vary substantially between studies. SPT thresholds with a high probability of food allergy generated from these studies may not be generalizable to other populations, because of highly selective samples and variability in participant’s age, test allergens, and food challenge protocol. Standardization of SPT devices and allergens, OFC protocols including standardized cessation criteria, and population‐based samples would all help to improve generalizability of PPVs of SPTs.
Inheritance of foliar blast resistance in pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum)
Authors: Gupta Shashi K. , Sharma Rajan , Rai Kedar N. , Thakur Ram P. 
Published: December 2011

With 1 tableAbstractFoliar blast, caused by Pyricularia grisea (Cooke) Sacc, has recently emerged as a serious disease of pearl millet in India. To study the inheritance of resistance to this disease, two resistant restorer lines (ICMR 06222 and ICMR 07555) and two susceptible maintainer lines (ICMB 95444 and ICMB 89111) were selected on the basis of foliar blast reaction in tests conducted under field and greenhouse conditions. Each of the two resistant parents was crossed with two susceptible parents to generate four sets of F1s, F2s and their backcrosses with both resistant and susceptible parental lines. These were evaluated for disease reaction with artificial inoculation under both field and greenhouse conditions. The disease reaction of the F1s, and the segregation patterns of resistance in the F2s and backcross generations, showed that resistance to foliar blast in pearl millet is controlled by a single dominant gene.
A Survey of Congenital Reproductive Abnormalities in Rams in Abattoirs in South West England
Authors: Smith KC , Brown PJ , Barr FJ 
Published: December 2011

ContentsCongenital abnormalities of the reproductive tract of male sheep were surveyed at three abattoirs in the south west of England during the period June 2000–January 2004. A total of 7307 rams were examined [6521 lambs (prepubescent) and hoggets (aged from their first autumn after birth until first shorn) and 786 adult rams mature rams that had been exposed to ewes]. A total of 156 congenital lesions were detected, 87 of which occurred in lambs. Testicular hypoplasia was the most common lesion occurring in 69 lambs as well as eight hoggets (‘microtestes’ were recognized in nine other animals in which the testis was disproportionately smaller than the epididymis). The second most common lesion found was notched scrotum occurring in 34 animals (27 young rams and seven adults). Some cases of notched scrotum were accompanied by hypospadias which was seen in a total of seven lambs and eight hoggets. Other lesions, detected in five or less animals (less than approximately 0.05% of the animals examined), included cryptorchidism and various abnormalities of the epididymis (segmental aplasia of the epididymis, blind efferent ducts and epididymal cyst) and congenital scrotal hernia. The overall prevalence of congenital lesions of 2.21% emphasizes the importance of undertaking breeding soundness examinations of young rams before they are put with the flock.
Retrospective cohort study of accident outcomes for individuals who have successfully undergone driver assessment following stroke
Authors: Pearce Alison M. , Smead Jan M. , Cameron Ian D. 
Published: December 2011

Background:  The occupational role of ‘driver’ is highly valued. Stroke can have a significant impact on an individual’s ability to drive safely. Multi‐disciplinary driver assessments are conducted to assess the safety of post‐stroke individuals returning to driving, however, little follow‐up of drivers following successful assessment has been performed.
Aim:  The objective of this study was to investigate whether passing a multi‐disciplinary driving assessment following stroke predicted medium‐ to long‐term safe and confident driving.
Methods:  A retrospective cohort study with primary data collection through structured telephone interviews was undertaken. Respondents were individuals post‐stroke aged 18–74 years who had successfully passed a multi‐disciplinary driver assessment.
Results:  Forty‐five respondents were interviewed an average of 20 months following the assessment. Forty individuals were still driving. Twenty‐five driving respondents reported driving in conditions that indicated confident driving. Confident driving was measured by driving frequency and distance, night driving, freeway driving and driving alone. The frequency of accidents and incidents suggests that 95% (n = 38) of drivers are ‘safe’. Eight respondents reported accidents, one of which was major. In two accidents the respondent was ‘at fault’. A crash rate of 222 per 100,000 drivers is within the confidence interval for similar accidents in New South Wales.
Conclusions:  The results of this small cohort study suggest that a multi‐disciplinary driver assessment may be effective in identifying people following stroke with the ability to drive safely and confidently.
Oral versus intravenous antibiotics in treatment of paediatric febrile neutropenia
Authors: Vedi Aditi , Cohn Richard 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThe purpose of this study is to determine whether, in low‐risk febrile neutropenic paediatric populations, oral antibiotics are as effective as intravenous antibiotics in obtaining resolution of the febrile neutropenic episode. A comprehensive literature search of MEDLINE, EMBASE and CENTRAL identified prospective, randomised controlled trials comparing oral antibiotics with intravenous antibiotics in the treatment of febrile neutropenic episodes in low‐risk paediatric oncology patients. Outcomes assessed were mortality, rate of treatment failure, length of the febrile neutropenic episode and adverse events. The random effects model was used to calculate risk ratios (RRs) for dichotomous data and mean difference with standard deviation for continuous data. Seven trials were included in the overall analysis, which included 934 episodes of febrile neutropenia in 676 patients aged between 9 months and 20 years. The overall treatment failure rates were not significantly different between oral and intravenous antibiotics (RR: 1.02, 95% confidence interval 0.78–1.32, P= 0.91). In carefully selected low‐risk febrile neutropenic children, empiric treatment with oral antibiotics is a safe and effective alternative to intravenous antibiotics as they lower the cost of treatment as well as psychosocial burden on these children and their families.