bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Changing patterns of malaria during 1996-2010 in an area of moderate transmission in Southern Senegal
Authors: Brasseur Philippe , Badiane Malick , Cisse Moustafa , Agnamey Patrice , Vaillant Michel T , Olliaro Piero L 
Published: July 2011

Abstract

Background
Malaria is reportedly receding in different epidemiological settings, but local long-term surveys are limited. At Mlomp dispensary in south-western Senegal, an area of moderate malaria transmission, year-round, clinically-suspected malaria was treated with monotherapy as per WHO and national policy in the 1990s. Since 2000, there has been a staggered deployment of artesunate-amodiaquine after parasitological confirmation; this was adopted nationally in 2006.

Methods
Data were extracted from clinic registers for the period between January 1996 and December 2010, analysed and modelled.

Results
Over the 15-year study period, the risk of malaria decreased about 32-times (from 0.4 to 0.012 episodes person-year), while anti-malarial treatments decreased 13-times (from 0.9 to 0.07 treatments person-year) and consultations for fever decreased 3-times (from 1.8 to 0.6 visits person-year). This was paralleled by changes in the age profile of malaria patients so that the risk of malaria is now almost uniformly distributed throughout life, while in the past malaria used to concern more children below 16 years of age.

Conclusions
This study provides direct evidence of malaria risk receding between 1996-2010 and becoming equal throughout life where transmission used to be moderate. Infection rates are no longer enough to sustain immunity. Temporally, this coincides with deploying artemisinin combinations on parasitological confirmation, but other contributing causes are unclear.
Rapid optimization of gene dosage in E. coli using DIAL strains
Authors: Kittleson Joshua T , Cheung Sherine , Anderson JChristopher 
Published: July 2011

Abstract

Background
Engineers frequently vary design parameters to optimize the behaviour of a system. However, synthetic biologists lack the tools to rapidly explore a critical design parameter, gene expression level, and have no means of systematically varying the dosage of an entire genetic circuit. As a step toward overcoming this shortfall, we have developed a technology that enables the same plasmid to be maintained at different copy numbers in a set of closely related cells. This provides a rapid method for exploring gene or cassette dosage effects.

Results
We engineered two sets of strains to constitutively provide a trans-acting replication factor, either Pi of the R6K plasmid or RepA of the ColE2 plasmid, at different doses. Each DIAL (different allele) strain supports the replication of a corresponding plasmid at a constant level between 1 and 250 copies per cell. The plasmids exhibit cell-to-cell variability comparable to other popular replicons, but with improved stability. Since the origins are orthogonal, both replication factors can be incorporated into the same cell. We demonstrate the utility of these strains by rapidly assessing the optimal expression level of a model biosynthetic pathway for violecein.

Conclusions
The DIAL strains can rapidly optimize single gene expression levels, help balance expression of functionally coupled genetic elements, improve investigation of gene and circuit dosage effects, and enable faster development of metabolic pathways.
Successful tumour necrosis factor (TNF) blocking therapy suppresses oxidative stress and hypoxia-induced mitochondrial mutagenesis in inflammatory arthritis
Authors: Biniecka Monika , Kennedy Aisling , Ng Chin T , Chang Ting C , Balogh Emese , Fox Edward , Veale Douglas J , Fearon Ursula , O'Sullivan Jacintha N 
Published: July 2011

Abstract
Introduction
To examine the effects of tumour necrosis factor (TNF) blocking therapy on the levels of early mitochondrial genome alterations and oxidative stress.

Methods
Eighteen inflammatory arthritis patients underwent synovial tissue oxygen (tpO2) measurements and clinical assessment of disease activity (DAS28-CRP) at baseline (T0) and three months (T3) after starting biologic therapy. Synovial tissue lipid peroxidation (4-HNE), T and B cell specific markers and synovial vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were quantified by immunohistochemistry. Synovial levels of random mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations were assessed using Random Mutation Capture (RMC) assay.

Results
4-HNE levels pre/post anti TNF-α therapy were inversely correlated with in vivo tpO2 (P < 0.008; r = -0.60). Biologic therapy responders showed a significantly reduced 4-HNE expression (P < 0.05). High 4-HNE expression correlated with high DAS28-CRP (P = 0.02; r = 0.53), tender joint count for 28 joints (TJC-28) (P = 0.03; r = 0.49), swollen joint count for 28 joints (SJC-28) (P = 0.03; r = 0.50) and visual analogue scale (VAS) (P = 0.04; r = 0.48). Strong positive association was found between the number of 4-HNE positive cells and CD4+ cells (P = 0.04; r = 0.60), CD8+ cells (P = 0.001; r = 0.70), CD20+ cells (P = 0.04; r = 0.68), CD68+ cells (P = 0.04; r = 0.47) and synovial VEGF expression (P = 0.01; r = 063). In patients whose in vivo tpO2 levels improved post treatment, significant reduction in mtDNA mutations and DAS28-CRP was observed (P < 0.05). In contrast in those patients whose tpO2 levels remained the same or reduced at T3, no significant changes for mtDNA mutations and DAS28-CRP were found.

Conclusions
High levels of synovial oxidative stress and mitochondrial mutation burden are strongly associated with low in vivo oxygen tension and synovial inflammation. Furthermore these significant mitochondrial genome alterations are rescued following successful anti TNF-α treatment.
Gender, Competition, and Managerial Decisions
Authors: Price Curtis R. 
Published: July 2011

The purpose of this study is to investigate the use of competitive compensation between a manager and a worker in the laboratory. To this end, we impose a simple agency relationship between two groups of subjects termed managers and workers. The manager chooses a compensation scheme for the worker from either a piece rate or a tournament payment scheme and is paid based on the workers performance in the task. The results indicate that when given information about worker ability, male managers choose the tournament significantly less often for a female worker. On the other hand, when no information about worker ability is given to the manager, there is no difference in compensation choice for the worker, although male and female managers differ significantly in their own preferences for compensation scheme. We conjecture that these results are tied to the fact that there is a measurable stereotype that females are worse at the task relative to males, although further research is needed in this regard. This paper was accepted by Brad Barber, Teck Ho, and Terrance Odean, special issue editors.
Why Do More Boys Than Girls Have a Reading Disability? A Review of the Evidence
Authors: Limbrick Lisa , Wheldall Kevin , Madelaine Alison 
Published: July 2011

AbstractA number of explanations have been proposed in recent years to account for the observed preponderance of boys with a reading disability. The most notable explanations offered for gender differences in reading disability relate to differences in phonemic awareness, auditory processing, behaviour, neurology, variability in cognitive ability and reading motivation. The purpose of this article was to review the available evidence supporting each of these explanations. The impact of confounding variables, including sample selection, sample bias, intelligence, and socioeconomic status was also discussed. Although the different explanations have, to some degree, an impact on overall reading achievement, it does not appear that any single explanation wholly accounts for gender differences in reading ability, and that gender is not a strong or consistent predictor of reading success.
Differential Disadvantage of Anglophone Weak Readers Due to English Orthographic Complexity and Cognitive Processing Weakness
Authors: Galletly Susan A. , Knight Bruce Allen 
Published: July 2011

AbstractThe highly regular orthographies (spelling systems) of many nations expedite literacy development, and their children experience a rapid transition from early literacy (learning to read and write) to sophisticated literacy (reading and writing to learn). In contrast, English orthographic complexity impedes literacy development, particularly for weak readers (Galletly & Knight, in press a, b). This article proposes a model of differential disadvantage of Anglophone weak readers due to cognitive processing weakness and the high cognitive load of learning to read and write English. The disadvantage is differential, first with Anglophone weak readers disadvantaged compared to weak readers in nations with regular orthographies, and second, with subgroups of Anglophone weak readers being more disadvantaged, depending on their levels of language skills and cognitive processing efficiency. Anglophone weak readers with pre-existing language disorder experience the highest levels of differential disadvantage. Weak cognitive processing and automisation in the face of continuing high cognitive load seems a basis for them frequently showing comorbidities, with features of multiple disorder categories (Catts, Adlof, Hogan, & Ellis Weismer, 2005), including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), auditory processing disorder, motor weakness, and social and behavioural impairment. The model is a useful framework for considering the instructional needs of weak readers. Areas where research is needed for building ways forward in optimising literacy development is discussed.
Person-Centred Rehabilitation Counselling: Revisiting the Legacy of Carl Rogers
Authors: Crisp Ross 
Published: July 2011

AbstractThis article explores the relevance of Carl Rogers' person-centred approach (PCA) to rehabilitation counselling. His major theoretical contribution concerning the primacy of the client's actualising tendency and the six ‘core conditions’ of the counsellor–client relationship deserves greater recognition in vocational rehabilitation. The most widely known and researched core conditions have focused upon the proverbial triad: congruence (genuineness), unconditional positive regard and empathy. However, all six core conditions are discussed with emphasis placed on recent refinements to Rogers' original theory and their importance to rehabilitation counselling. Evidenced-based research concerning the impact of PCA-oriented rehabilitation counselling is lacking. It is argued that the efficacy of PCA can be extrapolated from meta-analyses in other fields of psychotherapy and education.
Meteorological Aspects of Wind Park Design
Authors: Emeis Stefan 
Published: July 2011

AbstractA simple consideration - based on an analytically solvable model of the momentum balance - is presented, which calculates the reduction in wind speed at hub height in an indefinitely large wind park as function of surface roughness, atmospheric thermal stability, and the mean distance between the wind turbines in this wind park. Weakest reduction occurs for a wind park erected on a rough land surface during unstable thermal stratification (minus 2%). Highest reduction occurs for an offshore wind park over a very smooth sea surface during stable thermal conditions (minus 45%). This model can be used to find the optimum distance between wind turbines in wind parks. Likewise this model calculates the wake length of entire wind parks as function of surface roughness and thermal stability. For offshore wind parks wake lengths between 10 and 30 km are found, for onshore parks this length is much less. This additional information can be used to find the optimum distance between adjacent wind parks.
Experimental Investigation on a Latent Heat Thermal Storage Unit for Solar Cooling Application
Authors: Chidambaram L. , Ramana A. S. , Kamaraj G. , Velraj R. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractConventional cooling technologies that utilize harmful refrigerants consume more energy and cause peak loads leading to negative environmental impacts. As the world grapples with the energy and environmental crisis, there is an urgent need to develop and promote environmentally benign sustainable cooling technologies. Solar cooling is one such promising technology, given the fact that solar energy is the cheapest and most widely available renewable energy that matches the cooling load requirements. However thermal storage systems are essential to overcome the disadvantage of the intermittent nature of solar energy and variations in the cooling demand. The enhanced utilization of solar energy and other consequences of thermal storage integrated systems have gained the attention of researchers in recent years. The concept of combined sensible and latent heat storage system is successfully introduced in several applications and it has many advantages. This paper presents the performance of the solar collector system and the charging characteristics of a PCM based latent heat thermal storage unit, which is designed to provide continuous supply of heat for the operation of 1 kW vapor absorption refrigeration unit. Investigations on PCM integrated thermal storage system have revealed improvement in heat storage capacity, lower heat loss and an increased solar collector efficiency due to better thermal stratification.
Forensic Evidence Collection and DNA Identification in Acute Child Sexual Assault
Authors: Thackeray Jonathan D. , Hornor Gail , Benzinger Elizabeth A. , Scribano Philip V. 
Published: July 2011

OBJECTIVE:To describe forensic evidence findings and reevaluate previous recommendations with respect to timing of evidence collection in acute child sexual assault and to identify factors associated with yield of DNA.METHODS:This was a retrospective review of medical and legal records of patients aged 0 to 20 years who required forensic evidence collection.RESULTS:Ninety-seven of 388 (25%) processed evidence-collection kits were positive and 63 (65%) of them produced identifiable DNA. There were 20 positive samples obtained from children younger than 10 years; 17 of these samples were obtained from children seen within 24 hours of the assault. Three children had positive body samples beyond 24 hours after the assault, including 1 child positive for salivary amylase in the underwear and on the thighs 54 hours after the assault. DNA was found in 11 children aged younger than 10 years, including the child seen 54 hours after the assault. Collection of evidence within 24 hours of the assault was identified as an independent predictor of DNA detection.CONCLUSIONS:Identifiable DNA was collected from a child's body despite cases in which: evidence collection was performed &gt;24 hours beyond the assault; the child had a normal/nonacute anogenital examination; there was no reported history of ejaculation; and the victim had bathed and/or changed clothes before evidence collection. Failure to conduct evidence collection on prepubertal children beyond 24 hours after the assault will result in rare missed opportunities to identify forensic evidence, including identification of DNA.
Automated Dose-Rounding Recommendations for Pediatric Medications
Authors: Johnson Kevin B. , Lee Carlton K. K. , Spooner S. Andrew , Davison Coda L. , Helmke Jill S. , Weinberg Stuart T. 
Published: July 2011

BACKGROUND:
Although pediatric electronic prescribing systems are increasingly being used in pediatric care, many of these systems lack the clinical decision-support infrastructure needed to calculate a safe and effective rounded medication dose. This infrastructure is required to facilitate tailoring of established dosing guidance while maintaining the medication's therapeutic intent.

OBJECTIVE:
The goal of this project was to establish best practices for generating an appropriate medication dose and to create an interoperable rounding knowledge base combining best practices and dose-rounding information.

METHODS:
We interviewed 19 pediatric health care and pediatric pharmacy experts and conducted a literature review. After using these data to construct initial rounding tolerances, we used a Delphi process to achieve consensus about the rounding tolerance for each commonly prescribed medication.

RESULTS:
Three categories for medication-rounding philosophy emerged from our literature review: (1) medications for which rounding is used judiciously to retain the intended effect; (2) medications that are rounded with attention to potential unintended effects; and (3) medications that are rarely rounded because of the potential for toxicity. We assigned a small subset of medications to a fourth category—inadequate data—for which there was insufficient information to provide rounding recommendations. For all 102 medications, we were able to arrive at a consensus recommendation for rounding a given calculated dose.

CONCLUSIONS:
Results of this study provide the pediatric information technology community with a primary set of recommended rounding tolerances for commonly prescribed drugs. The interoperable knowledge base developed here can be integrated with existing and developing electronic prescribing systems, potentially improving prescribing safety and reducing cognitive workload.
Electrogenerated chemiluminescence from carbon dots
Authors: Sun L. , Teng T.-H. , Rashid Md. H. , Krysmann M. , Dallas P. , Wang Y. , Hyun B.-R. , Bartnik A. C. , Malliaras G. G. , Wise F. W. , Giannelis E. P. 
Published: July 2011

ABSTRACTWe report an interesting property of carbon dots: they emit light under charge injection. We synthesized carbon dots in diameter about 20 nm using wet chemistry methods. The photoluminescence quantum efficiency of the carbon dots dissolved in water was about 11%. We observed strong electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) from the sample. This observation of ECL from carbon dots indicates that they could be a good candidate material for carbon-based electroluminescent devices.
Increased Numbers of Low-Oxygenated Pancreatic Islets After Intraportal Islet Transplantation
Authors: Olsson Richard , Olerud Johan , Pettersson Ulrika , Carlsson Per-Ola 
Published: July 2011

OBJECTIVE
No previous study has measured the oxygenation of intraportally transplanted islets, although recent data suggest that insufficient engraftment may result in hypoxia and loss of islet cells.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
After intraportal infusion into syngeneic mice, islet oxygenation was investigated in 1-day-old, 1-month-old, or 3-month-old grafts and compared with renal subcapsular grafts and native islets. Animals received an intravenous injection of pimonidazole for immunohistochemical detection of low-oxygenated islet cells (pO2 &lt;10 mmHg), and caspase-3 immunostaining was performed to assess apoptosis rates in adjacent tissue sections.

RESULTS
In the native pancreas of nontransplanted animals, ∼30% of the islets stained positive for pimonidazole. In 1-day-old and 1-month-old grafts, the percentage of pimonidazole-positive islets in the liver was twice that of native islets, whereas this increase was abolished in 3-month-old grafts. Beneath the renal capsule, pimonidazole accumulation was, however, similar to native islets at all time points. Apoptosis rates were markedly increased in 1-day-old intrahepatic grafts compared with corresponding renal islet grafts, which were slightly increased compared with native islets. One month posttransplantation renal subcapsular grafts had similar frequencies of apoptosis as native islets, whereas apoptosis in intraportally implanted islets was still high. In the liver, islet graft vascular density increased between 1 and 3 months posttransplantation, and apoptosis rates simultaneously dropped to values similar to those observed in native islets.

CONCLUSIONS
The vascular engraftment of intraportally transplanted islets is markedly delayed compared with renal islet grafts. The prolonged ischemia of intraportally transplanted islets may favor an alternative implantation site.
Ganglioside GM1 Deficiency in Effector T Cells From NOD Mice Induces Resistance to Regulatory T-Cell Suppression
Authors: Wu Gusheng , Lu Zi-Hua , Gabius Hans-Joachim , Ledeen Robert W. , Bleich David 
Published: July 2011

OBJECTIVETo detect GM1 deficiency and determine its role in effector T cells (Teffs) from NOD mice in establishing resistance to regulatory T-cell (Treg) suppression.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSCD4+ and CD8+ Teffs were isolated from spleens of prediabetic NOD mice for comparison with similar cells from Balb/c, C57BL/6, and NOR mice. GM1 was quantified with thin-layer chromatography for total cellular GM1 and flow cytometry for cell-surface GM1. Suppression of Teff proliferation was determined by application of GM1 cross-linking agents or coculturing with Tregs. Calcium influx in Teffs was quantified using fura-2.RESULTSResting and activated CD4+ and CD8+ Teffs of NOD mice contained significantly less GM1 than Teffs from the other three mouse strains tested. After activation, NOD Teffs resisted suppression by Tregs or GM1 cross-linking agents in contrast to robust suppression of Balb/c Teffs; this was reversed by preincubation of NOD Teffs with GM1. NOD Teffs also showed attenuated Ca2+ influx via transient receptor potential channel 5 (TRPC5) channels induced by GM1 cross-linking, and this, too, was reversed by elevation of Teff GM1.CONCLUSIONSGM1 deficiency occurs in NOD Teffs and contributes importantly to failed suppression, which is rectified by increasing Teff GM1. Such elevation also reverses subthreshold Ca2+ influx via TRPC5 channels, an essential aspect of suppression. Our results also support a critical role for galectin-1 as a GM1 cross-linking counter-receptor that fittingly is upregulated and released by Tregs during activation. These findings suggest a novel mechanism by which pathogenic Teffs evade regulatory suppression, thereby leading to autoimmune β-cell destruction and type 1 diabetes.
Novel Soy Germ Pasta Improves Endothelial Function, Blood Pressure, and Oxidative Stress in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Clerici Carlo , Nardi Elisabetta , Battezzati Pier Maria , Asciutti Stefania , Castellani Danilo , Corazzi Nadia , Giuliano Vittorio , Gizzi Stefania , Perriello Gabriele , Di Matteo Giorgio , Galli Francesco , Setchell Kenneth D.R. 
Published: July 2011

OBJECTIVE
To compare the effects of a novel soy germ–enriched pasta, containing isoflavone aglycons, with conventional pasta on endothelial function and cardiovascular risk markers in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
This randomized controlled double-blind crossover study compared one serving/day of soy germ pasta and conventional pasta for 8 weeks for effects on brachial artery flow-mediated vasodilation, blood pressure, plasma lipids, oxidized LDL cholesterol, 8-iso-PGF2α, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), glutathione (GSH), and homocysteine.

RESULTS
Isoflavone-enriched pasta significantly improved arterial stiffness (P = 0.005) and reduced systolic (P = 0.026) and diastolic (P = 0.017) blood pressures. Plasma TAC increased (P = 0.0002), oxidized LDL cholesterol decreased (P = 0.009), 8-iso-PGF2α decreased (P = 0.001), GSH levels increased (P = 0.0003), and homocysteine decreased (P = 0.009) consistent with a reduction in oxidative stress. No significant changes were observed with conventional pasta.

CONCLUSIONS
Pasta enriched with biologically active isoflavone aglycons improved endothelial function and had beneficial effects on cardiovascular risk markers in patients with T2D.