bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Diet and Exercise Improve Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio in Overweight Adolescents
Authors: Wang R. , Chen P. , Chen W. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractNeutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines were evaluated in overweight, male Chinese adolescents upon completing a 4-week diet and physical exercise intervention. 43 recruited, non-randomized adolescents (body mass index >25 kg/m2) completed the controlled study. Anthropometric and biologic parameters were measured pre- and post-intervention. After the 4-week intervention, participants exhibited a significant decrease in body mass, body mass index, percentage body fat, basal heart rate, diastolic blood pressure, and all body shape indices tested. A significant decrease in serum lipids (except high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) and insulin levels was observed post-intervention. The neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio was significantly lower post-intervention. Bivariate correlation analyses showed that decrement in Δneutrophil to lymphocyte ratio significantly correlated with decrement in Δinterleukin-6 and Δwhite blood cell count. Thus, a 4-week diet and physical exercise intervention significantly reduces the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio in a population of overweight, male adolescents. Weight loss caused by the intervention was associated with a significant decrease of pro-inflammatory cytokine levels.
Adjectival vs. nominal categorization processes
Authors: Sassoon Galit W. 
Published: December 2011

Classification of entities into categories can be determined based on a rule – a single criterion or relatively few criteria combined with logical operations like ‘and’ or ‘or’. Alternatively, classification can be based on similarity to prototypical examples, i.e. an overall degree of match to prototypical values on multiple dimensions. Two cognitive systems are reported in the literature to underlie processing by rules vs. similarity. This paper presents a novel thesis according to which adjectives and nouns trigger processing by the rule vs. similarity systems, respectively.	The paper defends the thesis that nouns are conceptually gradable and multidimensional, but, unlike adjectives, their dimensions are integrated through similarity operations, like weighted sums, to yield an overall degree of match to ideal values on multiple dimensions. By contrast, adjectives are associated with single dimensions, or several dimensions bound by logical operations, such as ‘and’ and ‘or’. In accordance, nouns are predicted to differ from adjectives semantically, developmentally, and processing-wise. Similarity-based dimension integration is implicit – processing is automatic, fast, and beyond speaker awareness – whereas logical, rule-based dimension integration is explicit, and is acquired late.	The paper highlights a number of links between findings reported in the literature about rule- vs. similarity-based categorization and corresponding structural, distributional, neural and developmental findings about adjectives and nouns. These links suggest that the rule vs. similarity (RS) hypothesis for the adjective-noun distinction should be studied more directly in the future.
Structural characteristics of Mg-doped (1-x)(K0.5Na0.5)NbO3–xLiSbO3 lead-free ceramics as revealed by Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Zhu W L , Zhu J L , Meng Y , Wang M S , Zhu B , Zhu X H , Zhu J G , Xiao D Q , Pezzotti G 
Published: December 2011

Abstract
This paper presents a Raman spectroscopic study of compositional-change-induced structure variation and of the related mechanism of Mg doping in LiSbO3 (LS)-modified (K0.5Na0.5)NbO3 (KNN) ceramics. With increasing LS content from 0 to 0.06, a discontinuous shift towards higher wavenumbers was found for the band position of the A1g(v
1) stretching mode of KNN, accompanied by a clearly nonlinear broadening of this band and a decrease in its intensity. Such morphological changes in the Raman spectrum result from two factors: (i) changes in polarizability/binding strength of the O–Nb–O vibration upon incorporation of Li ions in the KNN perovskitic structure and (ii) a polymorphic phase transition (PPT) from orthorhombic to tetragonal (O → T) phase at x > 0.04. Upon increasing the amount, w, of Mg dopant incorporated into the (1-x)KNN–xLS ceramic structure, the intensity of the Raman bands are enhanced, while the peak position and the full width at half maximum of the A1g(v
1) mode was found to experience a clear dependence on both w and x. Raman characterization revealed that the mechanism of Mg doping is strongly correlated with the concentration of Li in the perovskite structure: Mg2+ ions will preferentially replace Li+ ions for low Mg doping while replace K/Na ions for higher doping of Mg. The PPT O → T was also found to be altered by the introduction of Mg and the critical value of LS concentration, x
O−T, for incipient O → T transition in the KNN–xLS–wMT system was strongly dependent on Mg content, with x
O → T being roughly equal to 0.04 + 2w, for the case of dilute Mg alloying.
Effect of Glutamate and Blood Glutamate Scavengers Oxaloacetate and Pyruvate on Neurological Outcome and Pathohistology of the Hippocampus after Traumatic Brain Injury in Rats
Authors: Zlotnik Alexander , Sinelnikov Igor , Gruenbaum Benjamin F. , Gruenbaum Shaun E. , Dubilet Michael , Dubilet Elena , Leibowitz Akiva , Ohayon Sharon , Regev Adi , Boyko Matthew , Shapira Yoram , Teichberg Vivian I. 
Published: December 2011

Background
Decreasing blood glutamate concentrations after traumatic brain injury accelerates brain-to-blood glutamate efflux, leading to improved neurologic outcomes. The authors hypothesize that treatment with blood glutamate scavengers should reduce neuronal cell loss, whereas administration of glutamate should worsen outcomes. The authors performed histologic studies of neuronal survival in the rat hippocampus after traumatic brain injury and treatment with blood glutamate scavengers.

Methods
Traumatic brain injury was induced on anesthetized male Sprague-Dawley rats by a standardized weight drop. Intravenous treatment groups included saline (control), oxaloacetate, pyruvate, and glutamate. Neurologic outcome was assessed using a Neurological Severity Score at 1 h, and 1, 2, 7, 14, 21, 28 days. Blood glutamate was determined at baseline and 90 min. Four weeks after traumatic brain injury, a histologic analysis of surviving neurons was performed.

Results
Oxaloacetate and pyruvate treatment groups demonstrated increased neuronal survival (oxaloacetate 2,200 ± 37, pyruvate 2,108 ± 137 vs. control 1,978 ± 46, P < 0.001, mean ± SD). Glutamate treatment revealed decreased neuronal survival (1,715 ± 48, P < 0.001). Treatment groups demonstrated favorable neurologic outcomes at 24 and 48 h (Neurological Severity Score at 24 and 48 h: 5.5 (1-8.25), 5 (1.75-7.25), P = 0.02 and 3(1-6.5), 4 (1.75-4.5), P = 0.027, median ± corresponding interquartile range). Blood glutamate concentrations were decreased in the oxaloacetate and pyruvate treatment groups. Administration of oxaloacetate and pyruvate was not shown to have any adverse effects.

Conclusions
The authors demonstrate that the blood glutamate scavengers oxaloacetate and pyruvate provide neuroprotection after traumatic brain injury, expressed both by reduced neuronal loss in the hippocampus and improved neurologic outcomes. The findings of this study may bring about new therapeutic possibilities in a variety of clinical settings.
Rapid Kinetic Labeling of Arabidopsis Cell Suspension Cultures: Implications for Models of Lipid Export from Plastids
Authors: Tjellström Henrik , Yang Zhenle , Allen Doug K. , Ohlrogge John B. 
Published: December 2011

Abstract
Cell cultures allow rapid kinetic labeling experiments that can provide information on precursor-product relationships and intermediate pools. T-87 suspension cells are increasingly used in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) research, but there are no reports describing their lipid composition or biosynthesis. To facilitate application of T-87 cells for analysis of glycerolipid metabolism, including tests of gene functions, we determined composition and accumulation of lipids of light- and dark-grown cultures. Fatty acid synthesis in T-87 cells was 7- to 8-fold higher than in leaves. Similar to other plant tissues, phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine were major phospholipids, but galactolipid levels were 3- to 4-fold lower than Arabidopsis leaves. Triacylglycerol represented 10% of total acyl chains, a greater percentage than in most nonseed tissues. The initial steps in T-87 cell lipid assembly were evaluated by pulse labeling cultures with [14C]acetate and [14C]glycerol. [14C]acetate was very rapidly incorporated into PC, preferentially at sn-2 and without an apparent precursor-product relationship to diacylglycerol (DAG). By contrast, [14C]glycerol most rapidly labeled DAG. These results indicate that acyl editing of PC is the major pathway for initial incorporation of fatty acids into glycerolipids of cells derived from a 16:3 plant. A very short lag time (5.4 s) for [14C]acetate labeling of PC implied channeled incorporation of acyl chains without mixing with the bulk acyl-CoA pool. Subcellular fractionation of pea (Pisum sativum) leaf protoplasts indicated that 30% of lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase activity colocalized with chloroplasts. Together, these data support a model in which PC participates in trafficking of newly synthesized acyl chains from plastids to the endoplasmic reticulum.
Plastid Proteome Assembly without Toc159: Photosynthetic Protein Import and Accumulation of N-Acetylated Plastid Precursor Proteins
Authors: Bischof Sylvain , Baerenfaller Katja , Wildhaber Thomas , Troesch Raphael , Vidi Pierre-Alexandre , Roschitzki Bernd , Hirsch-Hoffmann Matthias , Hennig Lars , Kessler Felix , Gruissem Wilhelm , Baginsky Sacha 
Published: December 2011

Abstract
Import of nuclear-encoded precursor proteins from the cytosol is an essential step in chloroplast biogenesis that is mediated by protein translocon complexes at the inner and outer envelope membrane (TOC). Toc159 is thought to be the main receptor for photosynthetic proteins, but lacking a large-scale systems approach, this hypothesis has only been tested for a handful of photosynthetic and nonphotosynthetic proteins. To assess Toc159 precursor specificity, we quantitatively analyzed the accumulation of plastid proteins in two mutant lines deficient in this receptor. Parallel genome-wide transcript profiling allowed us to discern the consequences of impaired protein import from systemic transcriptional responses that contribute to the loss of photosynthetic capacity. On this basis, we defined putative Toc159-independent and Toc159-dependent precursor proteins. Many photosynthetic proteins accumulate in Toc159-deficient plastids, and, surprisingly, several distinct metabolic pathways are negatively affected by Toc159 depletion. Lack of Toc159 furthermore affects several proteins that accumulate as unprocessed N-acetylated precursor proteins outside of plastids. Together, our data show an unexpected client protein promiscuity of Toc159 that requires a far more differentiated view of Toc159 receptor function and regulation of plastid protein import, in which cytosolic Met removal followed by N-terminal acetylation of precursors emerges as an additional regulatory step.
Revisiting issues, drawbacks and opportunities with observational studies in comparative effectiveness research
Authors: Alemayehu Demissie , Cappelleri Joseph C. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractRationale  Despite their inherently pervasive limitations, data from observational studies are increasingly relied upon by health care decision makers to fill critical information gaps created by lack of evidence from randomized controlled trials.Aim and objective  The aim and objective of this article was to revisit the major issues associated with observational studies from secondary data sources.Method  The method of this article was canvass of the literature.Results  Sources of bias are highlighted and steps intended to minimize bias are summarized.Conclusion  Efforts should be made to improve causal inference of treatment effects from observational studies found in secondary data sources. Extra care and caution should be exercised in the interpretation and reporting of results from these studies.
Attitude, knowledge and behaviour towards evidence‐based medicine of physical therapists, students, teachers and supervisors in the Netherlands: a survey
Authors: Scholten‐Peeters Gwendolijne G. M. , Beekman‐Evers Monique S. , van Boxel Annemiek C. J. W. , van Hemert Sjanna , Paulis Winifred D. , van der Wouden Johannes C. , Verhagen Arianne P. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractRationale, aims and objectives  Evidence‐based medicine (EBM) has gained widespread acceptance in physical therapy. However, because little is known about the attitudes, knowledge and behaviour of physical therapists towards EBM, and their participation in research to generate EBM, we explored these aspects among physical therapy students, teachers, supervisors and practising physical therapists.Methods  This is a cross‐sectional survey in which participants completed a web‐based questionnaire to determine their attitudes, knowledge and behaviour regarding EBM, and their participation in research.Results  Questionnaires were sent to 814 participants of which 165 were returned. The overall mean score for attitude was 4.3 [standard deviation (SD) 1.0; range 1–7], which indicates a weak positive attitude. Teachers scored the highest (4.9, SD 1.2) and students the lowest (4.1, SD 0.8). Although most participants had some understanding of the technical terms used in EBM, only teachers felt able to explain these terms to others. Of the students, 45% rated their perceived EBM knowledge as bad and 45% as average, whereas 78% of the teachers considered that they had good knowledge. To answer clinical questions, most students generally use textbooks (96%) and the opinion of their supervisors (87.7%).Conclusions  There is a weak positive attitude of physical therapists, teachers, supervisors and students towards participating in research in general practice, but there is a lack of knowledge and active behaviour regarding EBM, especially among physical therapy students.
Heterozygosity predicts clutch and egg size but not plasticity in a house sparrow population with no evidence of inbreeding
Authors: WETZEL DANIEL P. , STEWART IAN R. K. , WESTNEAT DAVID F. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractWe investigated the link between heterozygosity and the reaction norm attributes of reproductive performance in female house sparrows (Passer domesticus). We collected data on clutch size, egg size, hatching success and nestling survival in 2816 nesting attempts made by 791 marked individuals over a 16‐year period. Pedigree analysis revealed no evidence of inbreeding. Neither parent–offspring regression nor an animal model revealed significant heritability in clutch or egg size. We selected 42 females that laid at least seven clutches at our study site and used a survey of 21 autosomal microsatellite loci to estimate heterozygosity for each female. We controlled for phenotypic plasticity and found that both clutch and egg size showed significant positive correlations with heterozygosity. We found no evidence that heterozygosity influenced the slope of individual reaction norms. Further analysis suggested that clutch size was affected by heterozygosity across the genome, but egg size had more complex relationships, with evidence favouring the influence of multiple loci. Given the apparent lack of inbreeding and large population size, our results suggest associative overdominance as the likely mechanism for the impact of heterozygosity, but also created a puzzle about the process producing associations between neutral markers and the genes affecting clutch size or egg size. One possible explanation is a long‐term residual effect of the historical bottleneck that occurred when house sparrows were introduced into North America. The existence of heterozygosity‐fitness correlations in a population with considerable phenotypic plasticity and little inbreeding implies that the effects of heterozygosity may be more significant than previously thought.
Environmental enrichment blocks ethanol‐induced locomotor sensitization and decreases BDNF levels in the prefrontal cortex in mice
Authors: Rueda André Veloso Lima , Teixeira Ana Maria Aristimunho , Yonamine Mauricio , Camarini Rosana 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACTThe use of addictive drugs can lead to long‐term neuroplastic changes in the brain, including behavioral sensitization, a phenomenon related to addiction. Environmental enrichment (EE) is a strategy used to study the effect of environment on the response to several manipulations, including treatment with addictive drugs. Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been associated with behaviors related to ethanol addiction. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of EE on ethanol‐induced behavioral sensitization and BDNF expression. Mice were exposed to EE and then repeatedly treated with a low dose (1.8 g/kg) of ethanol. Another group of mice was first subjected to repeated ethanol treatment according to the behavioral sensitization protocol and then exposed to EE. Environmental enrichment prevented the development of ethanol‐induced behavioral sensitization and blocked behavioral sensitization in sensitized mice. Both repeated ethanol and EE decreased BDNF levels in the prefrontal cortex but not in the hippocampus. However, BDNF levels were lower in ethanol‐treated mice exposed to EE. These findings suggest that EE can act on the mechanisms implicated in behavioral sensitization, a model for drug‐induced neuroplasticity and relapse. Additionally, EE alters BDNF levels, which regulate addiction‐related behaviors.
Basophil allergen threshold sensitivity, CD‐sens, IgE‐sensitization and DBPCFC in peanut‐sensitized children
Authors: Glaumann S. , Nopp A. , Johansson S. G. O. , Rudengren M. , Borres M. P. , Nilsson C. 
Published: December 2011

To cite this article: Glaumann S, Nopp A, Johansson SGO, Rudengren M, Borres MP, Nilsson C. Basophil allergen threshold sensitivity, CD‐sens, IgE‐sensitization and DBPCFC in peanut‐sensitized children. Allergy 2012; 67: 242–247.Abstract
Background:  Immunoglobulin E (IgE)‐sensitization to peanut is common and can indicate an allergy. A positive test needs to be confirmed by a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled food challenge (DBPCFC), which is regarded as ‘the gold standard’. The aim of the study was to evaluate the basophil allergen threshold sensitivity (CD‐sens) and antibodies to peanut allergen components in relation to DBPCFC in the diagnoses of peanut allergy in children.
Methods:  Thirty‐eight children with suspected peanut allergy underwent a DBPCFC. CD‐sens to peanut and Ara h 2 were analysed as well as IgE‐antibody to peanut and some of its allergen components (Ara h 1, 2, 3, 8 and 9).
Results:  Twenty‐five children had a positive DBPCFC, and 92% of these were positive in CD‐sens to peanut and Ara h 2. Two children with a positive DBPCFC were classified as ‘low‐responders’ and were not further evaluated. Children positive in DBPCFC had higher CD‐sens values to peanut (median 1.3; range 0.4–29, n = 21) compared with children negative in DBPCFC (median 0; range 0–0.5, n = 13) (P < 0.0001). A positive DBPCFC correspond with increased levels of IgE‐antibody to Ara h 1, 2 and 3 compared with those with a negative challenge (P < 0.0001 for all). All children with a negative CD‐sens were negative in DBPCFC.
Conclusion: In this study, a negative CD‐sens to peanut excluded peanut allergy. Both tests, CD‐sens to peanut and immunoassay for IgE‐antibody to the peanut components, appear to be safe, time saving and cost‐effective complements to DBPCFC.
Successful treatment of disseminated fusariosis with voriconazole in an acute lymphoblastic leukaemia patient
Authors: Labois Aurelie , Gray Christian , Lepretre Stephane 
Published: December 2011

SummaryFusarium species are actually the second most common pathogenic mould in immunocompromised patients, and it is difficult to treat such fusarial infections with current antifungal agents. We report the case of a 53‐year‐old woman with Philadelphia‐positive acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. During induction chemotherapy with febrile neutropenia, she developed a disseminated fusariosis, with persistent fever refractory to antibacterial agents and caspofungin (as empirical therapy), painful skin lesions and respiratory impairment. Fusarium solani was isolated from skin biopsy. Voriconazole was successfully implemented as antifungal curative therapy. During the second intensive chemotherapy no reactivation of fusariosis was detected.
Recurrent candidaemia and pacemaker wire infection with Candida albicans
Authors: Glöckner A. 
Published: December 2011

SummaryRecurrent candidaemia is both a cause and a symptom of deep organ candidiasis or infection of foreign bodies (e.g. central venous line, other indwelling catheter or pacemaker wire) and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. This case report demonstrates that in the event of pacemaker wire infection with Candida and when it is not possible to remove the infected pacemaker wire, treatment with an echinocandin, such as anidulafungin, can be safe and successful.
Candida tropicalis pylephlebitis with persistent fungaemia in a 72‐year‐old lady with severe pancreatitis
Authors: Meersseman Wouter 
Published: December 2011

SummaryPylephlebitis is defined as septic thrombophlebitis of the portal venous system, usually secondary to infection or inflammation in the abdomen. In the current report, we present a case of fungal pylephlebitis that complicated the course of pancreatitis and resolved with echinocandins.
Evaluation of fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) for the identification of Candida albicans in comparison with three phenotypic methods
Authors: Lakner Anna , Essig Andreas , Frickmann Hagen , Poppert Sven 
Published: December 2011

SummarySevere Candida infections are increasing and are associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. Rapid and accurate differentiation of Candida albicans from non‐C. albicans species is essential for therapeutic decisions. We therefore developed a fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) assay comprising previously described probes and a newly designed specific C. albicans probe/competitor probe combination. The FISH probes were first evaluated using 99 selected fungal strains covering 31 species, and a specificity between 96% and 100% and a sensitivity of 100%. The FISH assay was then applied to 110 clinical isolates in parallel with API32C, the chromogenic Candida ID agar, and determination of filamentous colony morphology. All tests produced highly reliable results. However, the Candida ID agar misidentified Candida dubliniensis as C. albicans. Determination of filamentous colony morphology allowed 100% reliable identification of C. albicans, but took 48 h. FISH allowed identification of clinical C. albicans isolates within 3 h with a sensitivity and specificity of 100%. FISH was additionally applied to 48 blood cultures showing yeasts in the Gram stain and correctly identified all 33 cases of C. albicans.