bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of wheat and rye flour solutions for skin prick testing: a multi‐centre study (Stad 1)
Authors: Van Kampen V. , Merget R. , Rabstein S. , Sander I. , Bruening T. , Broding H. C. , Keller C. , Muesken H. , Overlack A. , Schultze‐Werninghaus G. , Walusiak J. , Raulf‐Heimsoth M. 
Published: August 2009

SummaryBackground
Skin prick testing (SPT) is the basic method for diagnosing IgE‐mediated allergies. However, skin reactivity is related to the quality of allergen extracts, which are often poorly defined for occupational allergens.Objective
To compare wheat and rye flour SPT solutions from different producers.Materials and methods
Standardized SPTs were performed in seven allergy centres with wheat and rye flour solutions from four producers in 125 symptomatic bakers. Optimal cut‐off levels for weal sizes were assessed with the Youden Index. Comparisons between SPT results of different solutions were made with flour‐specific IgE (sIgE) as the gold standard. Sensitivities, specificities, positive and negative predictive values, and test efficiencies were calculated and compared with McNemar and χ2‐tests. The influence of the choice of the gold standard (sIgE or challenge) test was examined for 95 subjects. Additionally, SPT solutions were analysed for protein and antigen content.Results
The optimal cut‐off level for all SPT solutions was a weal size of 1.5 mm. While differences between wheat and rye flours were small, differences between producers were important. Variability of sensitivities (0.31–0.96), negative predictive values (0.42–0.91), and test efficiencies (0.54–0.90) were higher than variations of specificities (0.74–1.00) and positive predictive values (0.88–1.00). Similar results were obtained when using challenge test results as the gold standard. Variability could be explained by the different antigen contents of the SPT solutions.Conclusion
There is a wide variability of SPT solutions for wheat and rye flour from different producers, mainly with respect to sensitivities, negative predictive values, and test efficiencies. Improvement and standardization of SPT solutions used for the diagnosis of baker's asthma are highly recommended.
The role of T helper type 17 cells in inflammatory arthritis
Authors: Sarkar S , Cooney L A , Fox D A 
Published: August 2009

SummaryWhile T cells have been implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory arthritis for more than three decades, the focus on the T helper type 17 (Th17) subset of CD4 T cells and their secreted cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-17, is much more recent. Proinflammatory actions of IL-17 were first identified in the 1990s, but the delineation of a distinct Th17 subset in late 2005 has sparked great interest in the role of these cells in a broad range of immune-mediated diseases. This review summarizes current understanding of the role of Th17 cells and their products in both animal models of inflammatory arthritis and human immune-driven arthritides.
Dental avoidance behaviour in parent and child as risk indicators for caries in 5‐year‐old children
Authors: WIGEN TOVE I. , SKARET ERIK , WANG NINA J. 
Published: August 2009

Aim.  The aim of this study was to explore associations between avoidance behaviour and dental anxiety in both parents and children and caries experience in 5‐year‐old children. It was hypothesised that parents’ dental avoidance behaviour and dental anxiety were related to dental caries in 5‐year‐old children.Design.  Data were collected from dental records and by clinical and radiographic examination of 523 children. The parents completed a questionnaire regarding education, national background, dental anxiety, dental attendance, and behaviour management problems. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was conducted.Results.  Children having one or more missed dental appointments (OR = 4.7), child behaviour management problems (OR = 3.3), child dental anxiety (OR = 3.1), and parents avoiding dental care (OR = 2.1) were bivariately associated with caries experience at the age of 5 years. In multivariate logistic regression, having one or more missed dental appointments (OR = 4.0) and child behaviour management problems (OR = 2.4) were indicators for dental caries in 5‐year‐old children, when controlling for parents education and national origin.Conclusion.  Parents that avoid bringing their child to scheduled dental appointments and previous experiences of behaviour management problems for the child indicated risk for dental caries in 5‐year‐old children.
An open‐source deconvolution software package for 3‐D quantitative fluorescence microscopy imaging
Authors: SUN Y. , DAVIS P. , KOSMACEK E.A. , IANZINI F. , MACKEY M.A. 
Published: August 2009

SummaryDeconvolution techniques have been widely used for restoring the 3‐D quantitative information of an unknown specimen observed using a wide‐field fluorescence microscope. Deconv, an open‐source deconvolution software package, was developed for 3‐D quantitative fluorescence microscopy imaging and was released under the GNU Public License. Deconv provides numerical routines for simulation of a 3‐D point spread function and deconvolution routines implemented three constrained iterative deconvolution algorithms: one based on a Poisson noise model and two others based on a Gaussian noise model. These algorithms are presented and evaluated using synthetic images and experimentally obtained microscope images, and the use of the library is explained. Deconv allows users to assess the utility of these deconvolution algorithms and to determine which are suited for a particular imaging application. The design of Deconv makes it easy for deconvolution capabilities to be incorporated into existing imaging applications.
Automated detection of tuberculosis in Ziehl‐Neelsen‐stained sputum smears using two one‐class classifiers
Authors: KHUTLANG R. , KRISHNAN S. , WHITELAW A. , DOUGLAS T. S. 
Published: August 2009

SummaryScreening for tuberculosis in high‐prevalence countries relies on sputum smear microscopy. We present a method for the automated identification ofMycobacterium tuberculosisin images of Ziehl‐Neelsen‐stained sputum smears obtained using a bright‐field microscope. We use two stages of classification. The first comprises a one‐class pixel classifier for object segmentation. Geometric transformation invariant features are extracted for implementation of the second stage, namely one‐class object classification. Different classifiers are compared; the sensitivity of all tested classifiers is above 90% for the identification of a single bacillus object using all extracted features. The mixture of Gaussians classifier performed well in both stages of classification. This method may be used as a step in the automation of tuberculosis screening, in order to reduce technician involvement in the process.
Bi‐parental vs. cooperative breeding in a passerine: fitness‐maximizing strategies of males in response to risk of extra‐pair paternity?
Authors: DU BO , LU XIN 
Published: August 2009

AbstractIn socially monogamous species, males that risk cuckoldry more than others might gain inclusive fitness by yielding paternity to relatives. We tested this prediction in the Tibetan ground tit Pseudopodoces humilis, an unusual facultative cooperative breeder wherein most helpers (87% males) join a mated pair shortly before clutch completion. Extra‐pair paternity among bi‐parental broods occurred less often (26% of broods, 9% of young) compared with cooperative broods (68%, 25%). In the former, most extra‐pair sires (88%) were pair breeders unrelated to the cuckolded males, whereas in the latter, sires (87%) were mainly helpers related to the dominant males. Brood productivity did not differ between the bi‐parental and cooperative breeders, but helpers’ partitioning over group paternity reduced the realized reproductive success of helped males. After taking inclusive fitness into account, however, there was no difference in success of dominant males between the two social systems. One possible explanation for the differences in the rates of cuckoldry in the two systems was body size, because pair‐bond males in bi‐parental situations were significantly larger than those in cooperative ones. We propose two alternative strategies for males to maximize fitness: breed as a pair if large to avoid cuckoldry from helpers, or breed cooperatively if small but compromise some paternity to relatives. Our results provide an unusual route to the incidence of cooperative groups, based on constraints imposed by low competitive ability of breeding males rather than some external ecological or demographic factors.
Fine‐scale population structure in a desert amphibian: landscape genetics of the black toad (Bufo exsul)
Authors: WANG IAN J. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractEnvironmental variables can strongly influence a variety of intra‐ and inter‐population processes, including demography, population structure and gene flow. When environmental conditions are particularly harsh for a certain species, investigating these effects is important to understanding how populations persist under difficult conditions. Furthermore, species inhabiting challenging environments present excellent opportunities to examine the effects of complex landscapes on population processes because these effects will often be more pronounced. In this study, I use 16 microsatellite loci to examine population structure, gene flow and demographic history in the black toad,Bufo exsul, which has one of the most restricted natural ranges of any amphibian.Bufo exsulinhabits four springs in the Deep Springs Valley high desert basin and has never been observed more than several meters from any source of water. My results reveal limited gene flow and moderately high levels of population structure (FST = 0.051–0.063) between all but the two closest springs. I found that the geographic distance across the arid scrub habitat between springs is significantly correlated with genetic structure when distance accounts for topography and barriers to dispersal. I also found very low effective population sizes (Ne = 7–30) and substantial evidence for historical population bottlenecks in all four populations. Together, these results suggest that the desert landscape andB. exsul’s high habitat specificity contribute significantly to population structure and demography in this species and emphasize the importance of considering behavioural and landscape data in conservation genetic studies of natural systems.
Cell division ring, a new cell division protein and vertical inheritance of a bacterial organelle in anammox planctomycetes
Authors: Van Niftrik Laura , Geerts Willie J. C. , Van Donselaar Elly G. , Humbel Bruno M. , Webb Richard I. , Harhangi Harry R. , Camp Huub J. M. Op den , Fuerst John A. , Verkleij Arie J. , Jetten Mike S. M. , Strous Marc 
Published: August 2009

SummaryAnammox bacteria are members of the phylum Planctomycetes that oxidize ammonium anaerobically and produce a significant part of the atmosphere's dinitrogen gas. They contain a unique bacterial organelle, the anammoxosome, which is the locus of anammox catabolism. While studying anammox cell and anammoxosome division with transmission electron microscopy including electron tomography, we observed a cell division ring in the outermost compartment of dividing anammox cells. In most Bacteria, GTP hydrolysis drives the tubulin‐analogue FtsZ to assemble into a ring‐like structure at the cell division site where it functions as a scaffold for the molecular machinery that performs cell division. However, the genome of the anammox bacterium ‘Candidatus Kuenenia stuttgartiensis’ does not encode ftsZ. Genomic analysis of open reading frames with potential GTPase activity indicated a possible novel cell division ring gene: kustd1438, which was unrelated to ftsZ. Immunogold localization specifically localized kustd1438 to the cell division ring. Genomic analyses of other members of the phyla Planctomycetes and Chlamydiae revealed no putative functional homologues of kustd1438, suggesting that it is specific to anammox bacteria. Electron tomography also revealed that the bacterial organelle was elongated along with the rest of the cell and divided equally among daughter cells during the cell division process.
The regulatory interplay between membrane‐integrated sensors and transport proteins in bacteria
Authors: Tetsch Larissa , Jung Kirsten 
Published: August 2009

SummaryBacteria sense environmental stimuli and transduce this information to cytoplasmic components of the signal transduction machinery to cope with and to adapt to ever changing conditions. Hence, bacteria are equipped with numerous membrane‐integrated proteins responsible for sensing such as histidine kinases, chemoreceptors and ToxR‐like proteins. There is increasing evidence that sensors employ transport proteins as co‐sensors. Transport proteins are well‐suited information carriers as they bind low‐molecular‐weight molecules in the external medium and transport them into the cytoplasm, allowing them to provide dynamic information on the metabolic flux. This review explores the sensing capabilities of secondary permeases, primary ABC‐transporters, and soluble substrate‐binding proteins. Employing transporters as co‐sensors seems to be a sophisticated and probably widely distributed mechanism.
Replacement of the λ boxB RNA–N peptide with heterologous RNA–peptide interactions relaxes the strict spatial requirements for the formation of a transcription anti‐termination complex
Authors: Horiya Satoru , Inaba Mitsuru , Koh Chang‐Song , Uehara Hiroaki , Masui Naomi , Mizuguchi Misa , Ishibashi Masaya , Matsufuji Senya , Harada Kazuo 
Published: August 2009

SummaryIn bacteriophage λ, formation of a transcriptional anti‐termination complex involving the elongating RNA polymerase is mediated by the interaction of boxB RNA with the RNA‐binding domain of the N protein (N peptide). In an attempt to understand the spatial requirements for boxB/N peptide interaction within the anti‐termination complex, the effects of changes in the distance between boxA and boxB RNA, the length of the boxB stem, and the distance between the N peptide and remainder of the N protein were examined using a bacterial reporter system. It was found that the requirements for boxB stem length and the distance between N peptide and the remainder of N were optimized and strict. In contrast, replacement of the boxB/N interaction by heterologous RNA–peptide interactions appeared to relax the strict requirement for RNA stem length and the orientation of the RNA‐binding peptide, presumably due to the absence of the cooperative interaction between boxB/N and the host factor NusA. In addition, the decrease in activity upon stem lengthening could be partially suppressed by simultaneous lengthening of the RNA spacer. A further understanding of the structural organization of the anti‐termination complex may provide insights into how functional ribonucleoprotein complexes may be engineered.
Reactive oxygen species homeostasis and signalling during drought and salinity stresses
Authors: MILLER GAD , SUZUKI NOBUHIRO , CIFTCI‐YILMAZ SULTAN , MITTLER RON 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACTWater deficit and salinity, especially under high light intensity or in combination with other stresses, disrupt photosynthesis and increase photorespiration, altering the normal homeostasis of cells and cause an increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS play a dual role in the response of plants to abiotic stresses functioning as toxic by‐products of stress metabolism, as well as important signal transduction molecules. In this review, we provide an overview of ROS homeostasis and signalling in response to drought and salt stresses and discuss the current understanding of ROS involvement in stress sensing, stress signalling and regulation of acclimation responses.
Enhanced assimilation rate and water use efficiency with latitude through increased photosynthetic capacity and internal conductance in balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera L.)
Authors: SOOLANAYAKANAHALLY RAJU Y. , GUY ROBERT D. , SILIM SALIM N. , DREWES ERIC C. , SCHROEDER WILLIAM R. 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACTIn outdoor common gardens, high latitude populations of deciduous tree species often display higher assimilation rates (A) than low latitude populations, but they accomplish less height. To test whether trends in A reflect adaptation to growing season length or, alternatively, are garden growth artefacts, we examined variation in height increment and ecophysiological traits in a range‐wide collection of Populus balsamifera L. populations from 21 provenances, during unconstrained growth in a greenhouse. Rooted cuttings, maintained without resource limitation under 21 h photoperiod for 90 d, displayed increasing height growth, A, leaf mass per area and leaf N per area with latitude whereas stomatal conductance (gs) showed no pattern. Water‐use efficiency as indicated by both gas exchange and δ13C increased with latitude, whereas photosynthetic nitrogen‐use efficiency decreased. Differences in δ13C were less than expected based on A/gs, suggesting coextensive variation in internal conductance (gm). Analysis of A–Ci curves on a subset of populations showed that high latitude genotypes had greater gm than low‐latitude genotypes. We conclude that higher peak rates of height growth in high latitude genotypes of balsam poplar are supported by higher A, achieved partly through higher gm, to help compensate for a shorter growing season.
Neoproterozoic glacial dynamics revealed by provenance of diamictites of the Bebedouro Formation, São Francisco Craton, Central Eastern Brazil
Authors: Figueiredo Felipe Torres , De Almeida Renato Paes , Tohver Eric , Babinski Marly , Liu Dunyi , Fanning Christopher Mark 
Published: August 2009

AbstractOne of the main questions on Neoproterozoic geology regards the extent and dynamics of the glacial systems that are recorded in all continents. We present evidence for short transport distances and localized sediment sources for the Bebedouro Formation, which records Neoproterozoic glaciomarine sedimentation in the central‐eastern São Francisco Craton (SFC), Brazil. New data are presented on clast composition, based on point counting in thin section and SHRIMP dating of pebbles and detrital zircon. Cluster analysis of clast compositional data revealed a pronounced spatial variability of clast composition on diamictite indicating the presence of individual glaciers or ice streams feeding the basin. Detrital zircon ages reveal distinct populations of Archean and Palaeoproterozoic age. The youngest detrital zircon dated at 874 ± 9 Ma constrains the maximum depositional age of these diamictites. We interpret the provenance of the glacial diamictites to be restricted to sources inside the SFC, suggesting deposition in an environment similar to ice streams from modern, high latitude glaciers.
The clinical spectrum of neurologic disorders after intestinal and multivisceral transplantation
Authors: Živković Saša A. , Eidelman Benjamin H. , Bond Geoffrey , Costa Guilherme , Abu‐Elmagd Kareem M. 
Published: August 2009

Živković SA, Eidelman BH, Bond G, Costa G, Abu‐Elmagd KM. The clinical spectrum of neurologic disorders after intestinal and multivisceral transplantation. Clin Transplant 2009: DOI: 10.1111/j.1399‐0012.2009.01065.x © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract:  Background:  Intestinal transplantation has evolved into an effective therapy for patients with intestinal failure and the inability to be maintained on total parenteral nutrition. Long‐term heavy immunosuppression and complex systemic disturbances increase the risk of the neurologic complications.Methods:  This retrospective analysis identified the post‐transplant neurologic complications in adult patients who underwent intestinal transplantation at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center between May 1990 and August 1998. The recipients received 28 isolated intestine, 17 composite liver‐intestine, and nine multivisceral allografts.Results:  With a median follow‐up of 25 months, 46 of 54 recipients (68%) developed headaches (n = 27; 50%), encephalopathy (n = 23; 43%), seizures (n = 9; 17%), neuromuscular disorders (n = 4; 7%), opportunistic CNS infections (n = 4; 7%), and ischemic stroke (n = 2; 4%).Conclusions:  Under high maintenance immunosuppression, intestinal transplant recipients were at high risk for neurologic complications. Future studies are needed to describe post‐transplant neurologic complications with modern immunosuppression protocols.
Infectious complications associated with alemtuzumab use for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: comparison with anti‐thymocyte globulin
Authors: Park S.H. , Choi S.‐M. , Lee D.‐G. , Choi J.‐H. , Yoo J.‐H. , Kim S.‐H. , Kim H.‐J. , Cho S.‐G. , Eom K.‐S. , Lee J.‐W. , Min W.‐S. , Shin W.‐S. , Kim C.‐C. 
Published: August 2009

Objectives. To evaluate the incidence of infectious complications after receiving alemtuzumab as part of a conditioning regimen for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in Korean patients.Methods. From November 2004 to January 2006, 12 patients who received alemtuzumab‐based conditioning regimens for allogeneic HSCT were evaluated retrospectively until death or until the end of the follow‐up in July 2007; they were compared with 18 patients who received rabbit anti‐thymocyte globulin (ATG)‐containing conditioning regimens from January 2002 to January 2006.Results. Post‐engraftment infections occurred more frequently in the alemtuzumab recipients than in the ATG recipients; the mean number of infections, excluding cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections, per patient during the follow‐up period was 2.6±1.4 vs. 1.0±0.8 (P=0.003), respectively. Although there was no statistical difference in the cumulative incidence of CMV  infection between the 2 groups (91.7% vs. 55.6%, P=0.381), the alemtuzumab recipients had a higher incidence of CMV  diseases (41.6% vs. 0%, P=0.0006) and a higher recurrence rate of CMV infection (90.0% vs. 27.3%, P=0.008) than did the ATG recipients, irrespective of the dose of alemtuzumab. Hemorrhagic cystitis (HC) (66.7% vs. 16.7%, P=0.009) and BK virus‐associated HC (41.7% vs. 5.6%, P=0.026) developed more frequently in the alemtuzumab recipients. The all‐cause mortality rate was not significantly different between the alemtuzumab and the ATG recipients (75% vs. 55.6%, P=0.28).Conclusion. Alemtuzumab recipients had a high incidence of CMV disease as well as BK virus‐associated HC compared with the ATG recipients. The dose of alemtuzumab should be tailored to patients' risk; in addition, the implementation of the appropriate prophylaxis for CMV and early detection strategies for BK virus are recommended.