bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Does Reflux Monitoring With Multichannel Intraluminal Impedance Change Clinical Decision Making?
Authors: Rosen Rachel , Hart Kristen , Nurko Samuel 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTObjectives:Multichannel intraluminal impedance with pH (pH‐MII) has become the criterion standard test for the evaluation of gastroesophageal reflux disease, but it is not clear whether the results of this test change clinical decision making. The goal of the present study was to determine the differences in clinical decision making by attending physicians based on the pH probe results versus MII results.Methods:We conducted a prospective study in which physicians were initially given pH probe results and asked how they would change the patient's clinical management based on these results. Physicians were then given the MII results and asked how their management would change. Physicians then were asked whether they believed MII affected their clinical decision making overall.Results:pH probe results changed clinical management 40% of the time and MII results changed clinical management an additional 22% of the time. Clinical decision making was not influenced by the performance of pH‐MII on or off acid suppression. The escalation of acid suppression therapy was the main management change that occurred based on the pH‐MII results.Conclusions:The addition of MII to the standard pH probe resulted in a change in management in approximately 25% of the patients, suggesting that there may be a role for pH‐MII in clinical practice.
Antibodies to a new viral citrullinated peptide, VCP2: fine specificity and correlation with anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) and anti-VCP1 antibodies
Authors: Pratesi F , Tommasi C , Anzilotti C , Puxeddu I , Sardano E , Di Colo G , Migliorini P 
Published: March 2011

SummaryAnti-citrullinated protein/peptide antibodies (ACPA) are a hallmark of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and can be measured using different citrullinated substrates. In this paper we describe a new viral citrullinated peptide – VCP2 – derived from the Epstein–Barr virus-encoded protein EBNA-2 and analyse its potential as substrate for ACPA detection. Analysing sera from 100 RA patients and 306 controls, anti-VCP2 immunoglobulin (Ig)G were found in 66% of RA sera, IgM in 46% and IgA in 39%, compared with less than 3% of control sera. Anti-VCP2 IgG was associated with erosive arthritis, the presence of rheumatoid factor and anti-VCP1 and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibodies. Anti-VCP2 antibodies were detected in 1% and anti-VCP1 antibodies in 4% of CCP-negative RA sera; conversely, 3% of the VCP-negative sera were CCP-positive. Taken together, these data suggest that VCP2 could offer a valuable tool for ACPA detection. Inhibition assays showed that two non-overlapping epitopes – a citrulline–glycine stretch shared between VCP1 and VCP2 and the N-terminal portion of the VCP2 sequence – were targeted by anti-VCP2 antibodies. Moreover, in some RA sera that tested positive in CCP and VCP2 assays, preincubation with VCP2 inhibited binding to CCP, whereas in other sera the binding was unaffected. Thus, the reactivity with more than one ACPA substrate might be due in some RA patients to antibody populations with different specificities, and in others to cross-reactive antibody populations. Finally, affinity-purified anti-VCP2 antibodies immunoprecipitated deiminated Epstein–Barr virus nuclear antigen (EBNA-2) from an EBNA-2-transfected cell line, suggesting that viral sequences may be involved in the generation of the ACPA response.
Evidence for the innate immune response as a correlate of protection in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 highly exposed seronegative subjects (HESN)
Authors: Tomescu C , Abdulhaqq S , Montaner L J 
Published: March 2011

SummaryThe description of highly exposed individuals who remain seronegative (HESN) despite repeated exposure to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 has heightened interest in identifying potential mechanisms of HIV-1 resistance. HIV-specific humoral and T cell-mediated responses have been identified routinely in HESN subjects, although it remains unknown if these responses are a definitive cause of protection or merely a marker for exposure. Approximately half of HESN lack any detectible HIV-specific adaptive immune responses, suggesting that other mechanisms of protection from HIV-1 infection also probably exist. In support of the innate immune response as a mechanism of resistance, increased natural killer (NK) cell activity has been correlated with protection from infection in several high-risk cohorts of HESN subjects, including intravenous drug users, HIV-1 discordant couples and perinatally exposed infants. Inheritance of protective NK KIR3DL1high and KIR3DS1 receptor alleles have also been observed to be over-represented in a high-risk cohort of HESN intravenous drug users and HESN partners of HIV-1-infected subjects. Other intrinsic mechanisms of innate immune protection correlated with resistance in HESN subjects include heightened dendritic cell responses and increased secretion of anti-viral factors such as β-chemokines, small anti-viral factors and defensins. This review will highlight the most current evidence in HESN subjects supporting the role of epithelial microenvironment and the innate immune system in sustaining resistance against HIV-1 infection. We will argue that as a front-line defence the innate immune response determines the threshold of infectivity that HIV-1 must overcome to establish a productive infection.
Quantitative immunohistochemical fingerprinting of adhesion/growth‐regulatory galectins in salivary gland tumours: divergent profiles with diagnostic potential
Authors: Remmelink Myriam , de Leval Laurence , Decaestecker Christine , Duray Anaelle , Crompot Emerence , Sirtaine Nicolas , André Sabine , Kaltner Herbert , Leroy Xavier , Gabius Hans‐Joachim , Saussez Sven 
Published: March 2011

Remmelink M, de Leval L, Decaestecker C, Duray A, Crompot E, Sirtaine N, André S, Kaltner H, Leroy X, Gabius H‐J & Saussez S (2011) Histopathology 58, 543–556 Quantitative immunohistochemical fingerprinting of adhesion/growth‐regulatory galectins in salivary gland tumours: divergent profiles with diagnostic potentialAims:  This study tests the hypothesis that histopathological fingerprinting of galectins, which are emerging multifunctional effectors in cell sociology, could refine the differential diagnosis of salivary tumours.Methods and results:  We applied non‐crossreactive polyclonal antibodies against galectin‐1 (Gal‐1), galectin‐3 (Gal‐3), galectin‐7 (Gal‐7) and galectin‐8 (Gal‐8) for immunohistochemical analysis of salivary gland tumours (72 cases with benign disease and 39 cases with malignancy) and 29 control specimens. The principal positivity of cases, the site of signal presence and the quantitative parameters concerning percentage of positive cells and labelling intensity were determined. Acinic cell and adenoid cystic carcinomas (specifically tubular and cribriform types) shared the expression signature of Gal‐1, Gal‐3 and Gal‐8 presence combined with Gal‐7 absence. Mucoepidermoid carcinomas presented a unique profile based on cytoplasmic Gal‐1, Gal‐3, Gal‐7 and Gal‐8 localization in the intermediate cells. Adenomas were separable from malignancy by a consistent decrease in the labelling index (LI) for Gal‐7 and Gal‐8 (LI Gal‐7, P < 10−6; LI Gal‐8, P = 0.001). When present, staining for the tumour suppressor p16INK4a coincided with Gal‐1 presence.Conclusions:  Expression profiling of the four tested galectins in salivary gland tumours revealed non‐uniform staining patterns with discriminatory potential based on intracellular localization and quantitative aspects.
Reviewing studies with diverse designs: the development and evaluation of a new tool
Authors: Sirriyeh Reema , Lawton Rebecca , Gardner Peter , Armitage Gerry 
Published: March 2011

AbstractRationale, aims & objective  Tools for the assessment of the quality of research studies tend to be specific to a particular research design (e.g. randomized controlled trials, or qualitative interviews). This makes it difficult to assess the quality of a body of research that addresses the same or a similar research question but using different approaches. The aim of this paper is to describe the development and preliminary evaluation of a quality assessment tool that can be applied to a methodologically diverse set of research articles.Methods  The 16‐item quality assessment tool (QATSDD) was assessed to determine its reliability and validity when used by health services researchers in the disciplines of psychology, sociology and nursing. Qualitative feedback was also gathered from mixed‐methods health researchers regarding the comprehension, content, perceived value and usability of the tool.Results  Reference to existing widely used quality assessment tools and experts in systematic review confirmed that the components of the tool represented the construct of ‘good research technique’ being assessed. Face validity was subsequently established through feedback from a sample of nine health researchers. Inter‐rater reliability was established through substantial agreement between three reviewers when applying the tool to a set of three research papers (κ = 71.5%), and good to substantial agreement between their scores at time 1 and after a 6‐week interval at time 2 confirmed test–retest reliability.Conclusions  The QATSDD shows good reliability and validity for use in the quality assessment of a diversity of studies, and may be an extremely useful tool for reviewers to standardize and increase the rigour of their assessments in reviews of the published papers which include qualitative and quantitative work.
Impact of light quality on leaf and shoot hydraulic properties: a case study in silver birch (Betula pendula)
Authors: SELLIN ARNE , SACK LAWREN , ÕUNAPUU EELE , KARUSION ANNIKA 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTResponses of leaf and shoot hydraulic conductance to light quality were examined on shoots of silver birch (Betula pendula), cut from lower (‘shade position’) and upper thirds of the crowns (‘sun position’) of trees growing in a natural temperate forest stand. Hydraulic conductances of leaf blades (Klb), petioles (KP) and branches (i.e. leafless stem; KB) were determined using a high pressure flow meter in steady state mode. The shoots were exposed to photosynthetic photon flux density of 200–250 µmol m−2 s−1 using white, blue or red light. Klb depended significantly on both light quality and canopy position (P < 0.001), KB on canopy position (P < 0.001) and exposure time (P = 0.014), and none of the three factors had effect on KP. The highest values of Klb were recorded under the blue light (3.63 and 3.13 × 10−4 kg m−2 MPa−1 s−1 for the sun and shade leaves, respectively), intermediate values under white light (3.37 and 2.46 × 10−4 kg m−2 MPa−1 s−1, respectively) and lowest values under red light (2.83 and 2.02 × 10−4 kg m−2 MPa−1 s−1, respectively). Light quality has an important impact on leaf hydraulic properties, independently of light intensity or of total light energy, and the specific light receptors involved in this response require identification. Given that natural canopy shade depletes blue and red light, Klb may be decreased both by reduced fluence and shifts in light spectra, indicating the need for studies of the natural heterogeneity of Klb within and under canopies, and its impacts on gas exchange.
Oxidation–reduction and reactive oxygen species homeostasis in mutant plants with respiratory chain complex I dysfunction
Authors: JUSZCZUK IZABELA M. , SZAL BOŻENA , RYCHTER ANNA M. 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTMutations in a mitochondrial or nuclear gene encoding respiratory chain complex I subunits lead to decreased or a total absence of complex I activity. Plant mutants with altered or lost complex I activity adapt their respiratory metabolism by inducing alternative pathways of the respiratory chain and changing energy metabolism. Apparently, complex I is a crucial component of the oxidation–reduction (redox) regulatory system in photosynthetic cells, and alternative NAD(P)H dehydrogenases of the mitochondrial electron transport chain (mtETC) cannot fully compensate for its impairment. In most cases, dysfunction of complex I is associated with lowered or unchanged hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) concentrations, but increased superoxide (O2‐) levels. Higher production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by mitochondria in the mosaic (MSC16) cucumber mutant may be related to retrograde signalling. Different effects of complex I dysfunction on H2O2 and O2‐ levels in described mutants might result from diverse regulation of processes involved in H2O2 and O2‐ production. Often, dysfunction of complex I did not lead to oxidative stress, but increased the capacity of the antioxidative system and enhanced stress tolerance. The new cellular homeostasis in mutants with dysfunction of complex I allows growth and development, reflecting the plasticity of plant metabolism.
Effect of data transformation on the distribution and repeatability of egg‐production traits
Authors: Ibe S. N. 
Published: March 2011

SummaryThe distribution and measures of departure from normality of four egg production traits, namely 21‐30 week (EN1), 31‐40 week (EN2), 21‐40 week (EN3), and early and mid‐period (EN4) egg number were determined using 539, 528, 1067 and 108 records, respectively.All traits exhibited significant (p < 0.001) negative skewness and were leptokurtic. Power transformation of the data with appropriately determined values (t = 3.5, 1.4, 1.95 and 3.6, for EN1, EN2, EN3 and EN4, respectively) generally improved symmetry for all traits including kurtosis for all except EN3. While transformation increased estimates of repeatability of EN1 and EN4 by 71% and 11%, respectively, it resulted in slightly lower estimates for EN2 and EN3, which seemed to show near‐normal distribution before transformation. While it does not seem desirable to transform data whose distribution is not far from normal (t < 2), it is desirable to appropriately transform data that show pronounced non‐normal distribution before estimating repeatability with them. Repeatability thus appears to be sensitive to data type, and appropriate data (transformed or not) should be used in order to reliably estimate this genetic parameter.ZusammenfassungWirkung der Datentransformation auf Verteilung und Wiederholbarkeit von LegeleistungsmerkmalenVerteüung und Maße für Abweichung von der Normalverteilung von vier Legeleistungsmerkmalen, undewischen Eizahl in den Lebenswochen 21‐30 (EN1), 31‐40 (EN2), 21‐40 (EN3) und in früher und mittlerer Legeperiode (EN4) wurden von 539, 528, 1067, 108 Hennen erstellt. Alle Merkmale zeigten signifikante negative Schiefe (p < 0.001) und Leptokurtosis. Datentransformation mit Exponenten 3.5, 1.4, 1.95 und 3.6 für die vier Merkmale verbesserte Symmetric und Kurtosis außer für EN3. Wiederholbarkeit von EN1 und EN4 wurde um 71 bzw. 15% verbessert, aber bei EN2 und EN3 vermindert, die allerdings vor Transformation nahezu normal verteilt waren. Transformation von Daten mit geringer Abweichung von Normal‐verteilung (t < 2) scheint nicht erforderlich zu sein, wohl aber von solchen, wo die Abweichung ausgeprägt ist. Wiederholbarkeit ist gegenüber Abweichungen von Normalität empfindlich und sollte daher an transformierten Daten geschätzt werden.
A stochastic simulation study of the efficiency of marker‐assisted introgression in livestock
Authors: Groen A. F. , Smith C. 
Published: March 2011

SummaryIntrogression has been applied in livestock breeding for a long time. Using genetic markers might increase the efficiency of introgression, as it allows: 1. Identification of the introgressed allele in crossbred progeny; and 2. Selection on ‘genomic similarity’ to the recipient line in the backcross individuals. The aims of this study were 1. To determine the efficiency of marker‐assisted introgression relative to selection on phenotypic performance during introgression; and 2. To determine what extent this efficiency depends on the quality of the marker information. Stochastic modelling was used to simulate haplotypes, and genotypic and phenotypic values of individuals (150 per generation) on the basis of a finite‐locus model (150 linked loci with alternating marker loci and quantitative‐trait loci, and one locus for the introgressed allele). Selection of crossbred animals included two steps. In step 1, selection was for the introgressed allele; in step 2, selection was either at random, on phenotype, or on marker‐genomic similarity to the recipient line. From the results, it is concluded that, in introgression, selection for genomic similarity is less efficient than selection for the phenotype. When selection for the phenotypic performance of the animals (before reproduction age) is not possible, selection for genomic similarity, even with a dense marker map, is of little benefit.ZusammenfassungStocbastische Simulation der Wirksamkeit marker‐assistierter Introgression bei HaustierenIntrogression wird in der Tierzächtung seit langem praktiziert. Genetische Marker könnten die Wirksamkeit der Introgression steigern insofern, als damit: 1. Identifikation der introgredierten Allele in Kreuzungsnachkommen möglich ist; und 2. Selektion hinsichtlich ‘genomischer Ahnlichkeit’ mit der Empfängerlinie in den Rückkreuzungsindividuen. Die Untersuchung betrifft die Wirksamkeit marker‐assistierter Introgression relativ zur Selektion nach Leistung während Introgression, in Abhängigkeit von der Qualität der Markerinformation. Stochastische Modelle wurden zur Simulierung von Haplotypen verwendet und genotypische und phänotypische Werte von 150 Individuen pro Generation auf der Basis eines begrenzten Locusmodells (150 gekoppelte Loci, alternierend zwischen Marker und quantitativen Merkmalsloci und einen Locus für das introgredierte Allel). Selektion von Kreuzungstieren umfaßte zwei Stufen. Stufe 1 betraf Selektion für das introgredierte Allel; Stufe 2 entweder zufällige Selektion nach Phänotyp oder nach genomischer (Marker) Ähnlichkeit zur rezipierenden Linie. Die Resultate zeigen, daß Selektion für genomische Ähnlichkeit bei Introgression weniger wirksam ist als phänotypische. Wenn Selektion der letzten Art (vor Reproduktionsalter) nicht möglich ist, bringt Selektion für genomische Ähnlichkeit sogar mit einer dichten Markerkarte wenig Vorteile.
Organization of competitive cattle‐breeding associations in the European Union1
Authors: Schmitt F. , Momm H. 
Published: March 2011

SummaryIn almost every member state of the European Union (EU), associations for cattle breeding are, in principle, controlled by farmers. These associations are being subjected to increasing competition, mainly through the legal harmonization of policies in the EU and the increasing application of biotechnical innovations in cattle breeding. Methods for improving the competitiveness of cattlebreeding associations through their organizational structure are investigated. An initial survey is made of the cattle‐breeding associations in the EU. Then, proposals for the organization of competitive cattle‐breeding associations are derived, based on case studies. These proposals are concerned with the cooperative structure and the organizational structure of the joint breeding enterprise in the associations.ZusammenfassungOrganisation wettbewerbsfähiger Rinderzuchtorganisationen in der Europäischen GemeinschaftIn fast allen Mitgliedsstaaten der Europäischen Union bestehen für die Rinderzüchtung prinzipiell von Landwirten betriebene Vereinigungen. Diese Vereinigungen sind vor allem durch die EU‐Rechts‐ harmonisierung und den zunehmenden Einsatz biotechnischer Neuerungen in der Rinderzüchtung einem verstärkten Wettbewerb ausgesetzt. Es wird untersucht, wie die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit der Rinderzuchtvereinigungen durch ihre Organisationsstruktur erhöht werden kann. Dazu wird ein Uberblick über die Rinderzuchtvereinigungen in der EU gegeben. Insbesondere werden aufgrund von Fallstudien Vorschläge zur Organisation wettbewerbsfähiger Rinderzuchtvereinigungen hergeleitet. Die Vorschläge beziehen sich auf die Genossenschaftsstruktur und die Organisationsstruktur des gemeinschaftlichen Züchtungsbetriebs der Vereinigungen.
SSCP analysis in the D‐loop region of porcine mitochondrial DNA as confirmed by sequence diversity
Authors: Lin C. S. , Liu C. Y. , Wu H. T. , Sun Y. L. , Chang L. C. , Yen N. T. , Yang P. C. , Huang M. C. , Mao S. J. T. 
Published: March 2011

SummarySequence polymorphism of the displacement loop (D‐loop) region in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is a cytoplasmic DNA marker. Since the analysis of single‐strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) has been used for detection of substitutions in nucleotide sequence, this technique was employed to investigate the porcine sequence polymorphism in the D‐loop region. The primers were prepared to amplify the most polymorphic site with 392‐bp in the D‐loop region from whole blood of pigs. The PCR‐SSCP patterns were identical in European breeds Landrace and Duroc, but were different in Yorkshire and in Taiwanese breeds Lanyu and Taoyuan. Nucleotide sequence analysis in the 392‐bp PCR products were completely in accordance with the PCR‐SSCP patterns. There was only a single nucleotide substitution between Yorkshire and Landrace/Duroc pig and 2–3 nucleotide substitutions (dependent on the breed and individual) between Taiwanese Lanyu and Taoyuan. As many as 10–11 nucleotides were different between European and Taiwanese breeds in which most differences clustered within a certain region in the D‐loop. The results suggest that PCR‐SSCP analysis may be used for detecting single nucleotide substitution in the porcine mtDNA D‐loop region and show the diversified sequence in this region between European and Asian origins.ZusammenfassungSSCP Analyse in der D‐Schleifen‐Region porciner mitochondrialer DNA bestätigt durch Sequenz DiversitätDa Einzelstrang Konformationspolymorphismus (SSCP) zur Entdeckung von Substitutionen in der Nukleotidesequenz benutzt wird, haben wir diese Technik zur Untersuchung der D‐Schleifen Region angewendet. Es wurden Primers zur Amplifikation der am stärksten polymorphen 392 bp konstruiert. Die PCR‐SSCP Muster waren zwischen Landrasse und Duroc identisch, unterschieden sich aber bei Yorkshire und den Taiwanesichen Rassen Lanyu und Taoyuan. Die Analyse der Nukleotidsequenzen im 392 bp PCR Produkt ergaben ein identisches Bild. Yorkshire unterschied sich von Landrasse/Duroc nur in einer Substitution und die Taiwanesichen Rassen voneinander um 2 bis 3. Von den europäischen unterschieden sich diese aber in 10 bis 11 Nukleotiden, wobei die Unterschiede in einer bestimmten D‐Schleifen Region gehäuft sind. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, daß PCR‐SSCP Analyse zu Entdeckung einzelner Nukleotid Substitutionen geeignet ist und diesbezüglishe Unterschiede zwischen Rassen europäischer und asiatischer Herkunft aufzeigt.