bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Unexpected problem in aphid DNA barcoding by universal primers
Authors: LEE Wonhoon , LEE Seunghwan 
Published: August 2011

AbstractDNA barcode (mitochondrial COI) sequences have allowed for species identification of aphids. In this study, we newly found a DNA barcoding problem in a part of the DNA sequences for Sitobion avenae. Five S. avenae individuals showed differences of, on average, 32.60% in the DNA sequences from other conspecific individuals, and a BLAST search revealed that the five sequences are similar to those of aphid parasitoids such as Aphidius, Ephedrus and Praon spp. (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Based on these results, we concluded that the universal primers used in aphid DNA barcodes can amplify barcode sequences from parasitoid species within host aphids.
In Vitro Comparison of Support Capabilities of Intra‐Aortic Balloon Pump and Impella 2.5 Left Percutaneous
Authors: Schampaert Stéphanie , van't Veer Marcel , van de Vosse Frans N. , Pijls Nico H.J. , de Mol Bas A. , Rutten Marcel C.M. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractThe Impella 2.5 left percutaneous (LP), a relatively new transvalvular assist device, challenges the position of the intra‐aortic balloon pump (IABP), which has a long record in supporting patients after myocardial infarction and cardiac surgery. However, while more costly and more demanding in management, the advantages of the Impella 2.5 LP are yet to be established. The aim of this study was to evaluate the benefits of the 40 cc IABP and the Impella 2.5 LP operating at 47 000 rpm in vitro, and compare their circulatory support capabilities in terms of cardiac output, coronary flow, cardiac stroke work, and arterial blood pressure. Clinical scenarios of cardiogenic preshock and cardiogenic shock (CS), with blood pressure depression, lowered cardiac output, and constant heart rate of 80 bpm, were modeled in a model‐controlled mock circulation, featuring a systemic, pulmonary, and coronary vascular bed. The ventricles, represented by servomotor‐operated piston pumps, included the Frank–Starling mechanism. The systemic circulation was modeled with a flexible tube having close‐to‐human aortic dimensions and compliance properties. Proximally, it featured a branch mimicking the brachiocephalic arteries and a physiological correct coronary flow model. The rest of the systemic and pulmonary impedance was modeled by four‐element Windkessel models. In this system, the enhancement of coronary flow and blood pressure was tested with both support systems under healthy and pathological conditions. Hemodynamic differences between the IABP and the Impella 2.5 LP were small. In our laboratory model, both systems approximately yielded a 10% cardiac output increase and a 10% coronary flow increase. However, since the Impella 2.5 LP provided significantly better left ventricular unloading, the circulatory support capabilities were slightly in favor of the Impella 2.5 LP. On the other hand, pulsatility was enhanced with the IABP and lowered with the Impella 2.5 LP. The support capabilities of both the IABP and the Impella 2.5 LP strongly depended on the simulated hemodynamic conditions. Maximum hemodynamic benefits were achieved when mechanical circulatory support was applied on a simulated scenario of deep CS.
Potential Underuse, Overuse, and Inappropriate Use of Antidepressants in Older Veteran Nursing Home Residents
Authors: Hanlon Joseph T. , Wang Xiaoqiang , Castle Nicholas G. , Stone Roslyn A. , Handler Steven M. , Semla Todd P. , Pugh Mary Jo , Berlowitz Dan R. , Dysken Maurice W. 
Published: August 2011

OBJECTIVES: To examine prevalence and resident‐ and site‐level factors associated with potential underuse, overuse, and inappropriate use of antidepressants in older Veterans Affairs (VA) Community Living Center (CLC) residents.DESIGN: Longitudinal study.SETTING: One hundred thirty‐three VA CLCs.PARTICIPANTS: Three thousand six hundred ninety‐two veterans aged 65 and older admitted between January 1, 2004, and June 3, 2005, with long stays (≥90 days).MEASUREMENTS: Prevalence of potential underuse, inappropriate use, and overuse of antidepressants in residents with and without depression (as documented according to International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification, codes or Depression Rating Scale).RESULTS: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors were the most commonly prescribed antidepressant. Of the 877 residents with depression, 25.4% did not receive an antidepressant, suggesting potential underuse. Of residents with depression who received antidepressants, 57.5% had potential inappropriate use due primarily to problems seen with drug–drug and drug–disease interactions. Of the 2,815 residents who did not have depression, 1,190 (42.3%) were prescribed one or more antidepressants; only 48 (4.0%) of these had a Food and Drug Administration–approved labeled indication, suggesting potential overuse. Overall, only 17.6% of antidepressant use was appropriate (324/1,844). The only consistent resident factor associated with potential underuse and overuse use was taking an antipsychotic without evidence of schizophrenia (underuse: adjusted relative risk ratio (ARRR)=0.56, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.33–0.94; overuse: adjusted odds ratio=1.52, 95% CI=1.21–1.91). Having moderate to severe pain (ARRR=1.54, 95% CI=1.08–2.20) and the prescribing of an anxiolytic or hypnotic (ARRR=1.33, 95% CI=1.02–1.74) increased the risk of potential inappropriate antidepressant use.CONCLUSION: Potential problems with the use of antidepressants were frequently observed in older U.S. veteran CLC residents. Future studies are needed to examine the true risks and benefits of antidepressant use in CLC and non‐VA nursing homes.
Cardiac Structure and Function and Dependency in the Oldest Old
Authors: Leibowitz David , Jacobs Jeremy M. , Stessman‐Lande Irit , Cohen Aharon , Gilon Dan , Ein‐Mor Eliana , Stessman Jochanan 
Published: August 2011

OBJECTIVES: To examine the association between cardiac function and activities of daily living (ADLs) in an age‐homogenous, community‐dwelling population born in 1920 and 1921.DESIGN: Cross‐sectional analysis of a prospective cohort study.SETTING: Community‐dwelling elderly population.PARTICIPANTS: Participants were recruited from the Jerusalem Longitudinal Cohort Study, which has followed an age‐homogenous cohort of Jerusalem residents born in 1920 and 1921. Four hundred eighty‐nine of the participants (228 male, 261 female) from the most recent set of data collection in 2005 and 2006 underwent echocardiography at their place of residence in addition to structured interviews and physical examination.MEASUREMENTS: A home‐based comprehensive assessment was performed to assess health and functional status, including performance of ADLs. Dependence was defined as needing assistance with one or more basic ADLs. Standard echocardiographic assessment of cardiac structure and function, including ejection fraction (EF) and diastolic function as assessed using early diastolic mitral annular tissue velocity measurements obtained using tissue Doppler, was performed.RESULTS: Of the participants with limitation in at least one ADL, significantly more had low EF (<55%) than the group that was independent (52.6 % vs 39.1%; P=.01). In addition, participants with dependence in ADL had higher left ventricular mass index (LVMI) (129.3 vs 119.7 g/m2) and left atrial volume index (LAVI) (41.3 vs 36.7 mL/m2). There were no differences between the groups in percentage of participants with impaired diastolic function or average ratio of early diastolic transmitral flow velocity to early diastolic mitral annular tissue velocity (11.5 vs 11.8; P=.64).CONCLUSION: In this age‐homogenous cohort of the oldest old, high LVMI and LAVI and indices of systolic but not diastolic function as assessed according to Doppler were associated with limitations in ADLs.
Evaluating pathogen reduction of Trypanosoma cruzi with riboflavin and ultraviolet light for whole blood
Authors: Tonnetti Laura , Thorp Aaron M. , Reddy Heather L. , Keil Shawn D. , Goodrich Raymond P. , Leiby David A. 
Published: August 2011

BACKGROUND: Trypanosoma cruzi, the protozoan parasitic agent of Chagas disease, can be transmitted by blood transfusion. In 2007, most US blood banks started screening blood donations for T. cruzi, but the cost and perceived need of the test have been the subject of ongoing discussion. In this study, we evaluated the ability of the Mirasol System (CaridianBCT), which uses riboflavin (RB) and ultraviolet light to inactivate pathogens, to reduce the levels of infectious T. cruzi in whole blood (WB).STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: WB units were inoculated with 4, 40, 400, and 4000 trypomastigotes/mL. After addition of RB and illumination at various energy levels, the samples were tested for the presence of live parasites by hemoculture.RESULTS: All preillumination samples exhibited T. cruzi growth in hemoculture, while postillumination samples from units containing 4 and 40 trypomastigotes/mL showed no signs of viable parasites after 16 weeks of culture. In contrast, at both 400 and 4000 parasites/mL, two of the three units were positive for viable parasites.CONCLUSIONS: The total log reduction observed for T. cruzi was 3.5 log or greater, but less than 4.5 log. This level of reduction is likely to be orders of magnitude higher than what would be expected in a tainted blood donation, indicating that the Mirasol System could be effective at preventing transfusion of the causative agent of Chagas disease.
Molecular blood typing augments serologic testing and allows for enhanced matching of red blood cells for transfusion in patients with sickle cell disease
Authors: Wilkinson Katie , Harris Samantha , Gaur Prashant , Haile Askale , Armour Rosalind , Teramura Gayle , Delaney Meghan 
Published: August 2011

BACKGROUND: Sickle cell disease (SCD) patients have dissimilar red blood cell (RBC) phenotypes compared to the primarily Caucasian blood donor base due, in part, to underlying complex Rh and silenced Duffy expression. Gene array–based technology offers high‐throughput antigen typing of blood donors and can identify patients with altered genotypes. The purpose of the study was to ascertain if RBC components drawn from predominantly Caucasian donors could provide highly antigen‐matched products for molecularly typed SCD patients.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: SCD patients were genotyped by a molecular array (HEA Beadchip, BioArray Solutions). The extended antigen phenotype (C, c, E, e, K, k, Jka, Jkb, Fya, Fyb, S, s) was used to query the inventory using different matching algorithms; the resulting number of products was recorded.RESULTS: A mean of 96.2 RBC products was available for each patient at basic‐level, 34 at mid‐level, and 16.3 at high‐level stringency. The number of negative antigens correlated negatively with the number of available products. The Duffy silencing mutation in the promoter region (67T>C) (GATA) was found in 96.5% of patients. Allowing Fy(b+) products for patients with GATA increased the number of available products by up to 180%, although it does not ensure prevention of Duffy antibodies in all patients.CONCLUSIONS: This feasibility study provides evidence that centers with primarily Caucasian donors may be able to provide highly antigen‐matched products. Knowledge of the GATA status expands the inventory of antigen‐matched products. Further work is needed to determine the most clinically appropriate match level for SCD patients.
Relative distribution of West Nile virus RNA in blood compartments: implications for blood donor nucleic acid amplification technology screening
Authors: Lai Lori , Lee Tzong‐Hae , Tobler Leslie , Wen Li , Shi Ping , Alexander Jeff , Ewing Helen , Busch Michael 
Published: August 2011

BACKGROUND: Despite implementation of targeted individual‐donor nucleic acid test (NAT) screening of blood donors for West Nile virus (WNV), three “breakthrough” WNV transfusion transmission cases were reported (2004‐2008), suggesting that current plasma‐based assays are unable to detect all WNV‐infectious donations. A 2007 report found that 19 of 20 red blood cell components from WNV‐infected donors contained 1 log higher viral load than plasma components. This study's aim was to further establish the value of screening whole blood relative to plasma for WNV RNA by generating differential viral loads on paired samples derived from blood screening tubes.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: WNV RNA–positive donors identified by routine NAT screening were enrolled and quantitative viral data were generated using cross‐sectional (index‐donation) and longitudinal (follow‐up) specimens. A real‐time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction viral load assay was used on both study sample sets and replicate qualitative NAT screening assays were also used on the longitudinal study samples.RESULTS: For the cross‐sectional study, seronegative index donations (n = 29) had WNV RNA concentrations fourfold higher in plasma than in whole blood, whereas for seropositive donations (n = 13), the WNV RNA concentrations were 10‐fold higher in whole blood than in plasma. All 10 longitudinal study participants were seropositive throughout the follow‐up study; whole blood viral load was consistently greater than plasma viral load (mean difference, 343 copies; p < 0.001) up to 200 days after index.CONCLUSION: The improved sensitivity of WNV NAT using whole blood instead of plasma was confirmed, but appears to be limited to better detection in seropositive stages. However, the implication of these findings for blood screening requires further study to establish the infectivity of persistent whole blood viremia.
MDLChunker: A MDL‐Based Cognitive Model of Inductive Learning
Authors: Robinet Vivien , Lemaire Benoît , Gordon Mirta B. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractThis paper presents a computational model of the way humans inductively identify and aggregate concepts from the low‐level stimuli they are exposed to. Based on the idea that humans tend to select the simplest structures, it implements a dynamic hierarchical chunking mechanism in which the decision whether to create a new chunk is based on an information‐theoretic criterion, the Minimum Description Length (MDL) principle. We present theoretical justifications for this approach together with results of an experiment in which participants, exposed to meaningless symbols, have been implicitly encouraged to create high‐level concepts by grouping them. Results show that the designed model, called hereafter MDLChunker, makes precise quantitative predictions both on the kind of chunks created by the participants and also on the moment at which these creations occur. They suggest that the simplicity principle used to design MDLChunker is particularly efficient to model chunking mechanisms. The main interest of this model over existing ones is that it does not require any adjustable parameter.
Poverty of the Stimulus Revisited
Authors: Berwick Robert C. , Pietroski Paul , Yankama Beracah , Chomsky Noam 
Published: August 2011

AbstractA central goal of modern generative grammar has been to discover invariant properties of human languages that reflect “the innate schematism of mind that is applied to the data of experience” and that “might reasonably be attributed to the organism itself as its contribution to the task of the acquisition of knowledge” (Chomsky, 1971). Candidates for such invariances include the structure dependence of grammatical rules, and in particular, certain constraints on question formation. Various “poverty of stimulus” (POS) arguments suggest that these invariances reflect an innate human endowment, as opposed to common experience: Such experience warrants selection of the grammars acquired only if humans assume, a priori, that selectable grammars respect substantive constraints. Recently, several researchers have tried to rebut these POS arguments. In response, we illustrate why POS arguments remain an important source of support for appeal to a priori structure‐dependent constraints on the grammars that humans naturally acquire.
Anti‐infective surgical therapy of peri‐implantitis. A 12‐month prospective clinical study
Authors: Heitz‐Mayfield L. J. A. , Salvi G. E. , Mombelli A. , Faddy M. , Lang N. P. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractAimThe aim of this prospective cohort study was to evaluate an anti‐infective surgical protocol for the treatment of peri‐implantitis.Materials and methodsThirty‐six implants in 24 partially dentate patients with moderate to advanced peri‐implantitis were treated using an anti‐infective surgical protocol incorporating open flap debridement and implant surface decontamination, with adjunctive systemic amoxicillin and metronidazole. Treatment outcomes were assessed at 3, 6 and 12 months. Patient‐based statistical analyses using multiple regression analyses were performed.ResultsThere was 100% survival of treated implants at 12 months. At 3 months, there were statistically significant (P < 0.01) reductions in mean probing depths (PD), Bleeding on Probing (BoP) and suppuration. The greater the mean PD at baseline, the greater the PD reduction at 3 months. At 3 months, there was also a significant mean facial mucosal recession of 1 mm (P < 0.001). All these changes were maintained at 6 and 12 months. At 12 months, all treated implants had a mean PD < 5 mm, while 47% of the implants had complete resolution of inflammation (BoP negative). At 12 months, 92% of implants had stable crestal bone levels or bone gain. There were no significant effects of smoking on any of the treatment outcomes.ConclusionsFor the treatment of peri‐implantitis, an anti‐infective protocol incorporating surgical access, implant surface decontamination and systemic antimicrobials followed by a strict postoperative protocol was effective at 3 months with the results maintained for up to 12 months after treatment.
Deep sequencing of short RNAs reveals novel microRNAs in minor salivary glands of patients with Sjögren’s syndrome
Authors: Tandon M , Gallo A , Jang S‐I , Illei GG , Alevizos I 
Published: August 2011

Oral Diseases (2012) 18, 127–131Objectives:  Sjögren’s syndrome is a complex autoimmune disease of the salivary gland with an unknown etiology, so a thorough characterization of the transcriptome would facilitate our understanding of the disease. We use ultradeep sequencing of small RNAs from patients with Sjögren’s syndrome and healthy volunteers, primarily to identify and discover novel miRNA sequences that may play a role in the disease.Methods:  Total RNA was isolated from minor salivary glands of healthy volunteers and patients with either high or low salivary flow and sequenced on the SOLiD platform. Prediction of mature miRNAs from the sequenced reads was carried out using miRanalyzer, and expression was validated using Taqman qPCR assays.Results:  We validated the presence of six previously unidentified miRNA sequences in patient samples and in several cell lines. One of the validated novel miRNAs shows promise as a biomarker for salivary function.Conclusion:  Sequencing small RNAs in the salivary gland is largely unprecedented, but here, we show the feasibility of discovering novel miRNAs and disease biomarkers by sequencing the transcriptome.
Incidence and pattern of hearing impairment in children with ≤ 800 g birthweight in British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Synnes Anne R , Anson Shelagh , Baum Julia , Usher Laurie 
Published: August 2011

AbstractAim:  This study aimed to evaluate changes over time in the characteristics of permanent hearing impairment (HI) in extremely low‐birthweight (ELBW ≤800 g) children.Methods:  Data from sequential visits up to 5 years of age assessing hearing and other neurodevelopmental outcomes were extracted from a cohort of ELBW subjects born between 1983 and 2006 at a single Canadian site. Trends in HI incidence, severity and association with other impairments were analysed in three 8‐year epochs.Results:  Fifty of 586 ELBW children had a HI. HI rates increased from 5% in epoch 1 to 7% in epoch 2–13% in epoch 3 (p = 0.01). Mild HI decreased from 78% in epoch 1 to 35% in epoch 3 (p = 0.03). Median age at diagnosis decreased from 13 to 8 months. Comorbidities were more common in HI children than non‐HI children: cerebral palsy (40% vs 14%, p < 0.0001)), cognitive (38% vs 12%, p < 0.0001) and visual impairments (16% vs 6%, p = 0.009).Conclusion:  The incidence and severity of hearing impairment in a cohort of extremely low‐birthweight children increased significantly from 5% to 13% (p = 0.01) over a 24‐year period. Comorbidities were common. Potentially modifiable causes are explored.
Measuring maternal stress and perceived support in 25 Italian NICUs
Authors: Montirosso Rosario , Provenzi Livio , Calciolari Guido , Borgatti Renato ,   NEO‐ACQUA Study Group
Published: August 2011

AbstractAims:  To determine the validity and reliability of the Parental Stressor Scale: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (PSS: NICU) and the Nurse Parental Support Tool (NPST) for use with Italian parents; to investigate to which extent demographic variables and/or situational factors affect NICU‐related maternal stress.Methods:  Mothers (N = 156) of very preterm (VPT) infants from 25 Italian NICUs completed a socio‐demographic form, the PSS: NICU and the NPST at discharge. Psychometric properties of both tools were evaluated.Results:  High internal consistency and split‐half reliability were found for both measures. The multi‐dimensional structure of the PSS:NICU was confirmed. Alteration in parental role emerged as the greatest source of NICU‐related stress. Length of stay in NICU and familiar socio‐economic status explained partial variance in the PSS: NICU scores. NPST score mitigates the stress because of the infant’s appearance and behaviour, but not that related to the parental role alteration.Conclusions:  PSS: NICU and NPST demonstrated adequate psychometric properties in a large sample of Italian mothers. The need for a psychologically informed support to NICU mothers is suggested.
Initial species pattern affects invasion resistance in experimental grassland plots
Authors: Yurkonis Kathryn A. , Wilsey Brian J. , Moloney Kirk A. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractQuestionDoes the spatial patterning of plant species affect plant community dynamics in ways that are independent of effects attributable to species richness or abundances? Does the initial species pattern affect subsequent diversity and invasion in a perennial grassland system?LocationField experiment, Iowa State University Horticultural Research Station, Ames, Iowa, USA.MethodsExperimental plots (4 m2) were planted with seedlings of four grassland species arranged into increasingly larger groups (patches) of conspecific individuals while controlling plot‐scale richness and evenness. Available light (photosynthetically active radiation; PAR) at the soil surface was measured each month for three growing seasons after planting. Species’ relative abundances were quantified via point‐intercept sampling within each plot at the end of each growing season.ResultsIn the three growing seasons after planting, planted species richness and evenness (plot scale) did not vary among plots planted with different species patterns. However, early in the second growing season more light reached the soil surface in plots with initially larger conspecific patches. Invader abundance was also consistently higher in plots planted with initially larger conspecific patches.ConclusionsOur findings support the hypothesis that invasion resistance increases as communities become more heterogeneous at fine scales and suggest that within‐plot heterogeneity should be considered as an additional factor when assessing invasion resistance in perennial plant communities.