bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of safflower and the efficient recovery of transgenic plants via grafting
Authors: Belide Srinivas , Hac Luch , Singh Surinder P , Green Allan G , Wood Craig C 
Published: May 2011

Abstract

Background
Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) is a difficult crop to genetically transform being susceptible to hyperhydration and poor in vitro root formation. In addition to traditional uses safflower has recently emerged as a broadacre platform for the production of transgenic products including modified oils and pharmaceutically active proteins. Despite commercial activities based on the genetic modification of safflower, there is no method available in the public domain describing the transformation of safflower that generates transformed T1 progeny.

Results
An efficient and reproducible protocol has been developed with a transformation efficiency of 4.8% and 3.1% for S-317 (high oleic acid content) and WT (high linoleic acid content) genotypes respectively. An improved safflower transformation T-DNA vector was developed, including a secreted GFP to allow non-destructive assessment of transgenic shoots. Hyperhydration and necrosis of Agrobacterium-infected cotyledons was effectively controlled by using iota-carrageenan, L-cysteine and ascorbic acid. To overcome poor in vitro root formation for the first time a grafting method was developed for safflower in which ~50% of transgenic shoots develop into mature plants bearing viable transgenic T1 seed. The integration and expression of secreted GFP and hygromycin genes were confirmed by PCR, Southern and Western blot analysis. Southern blot analysis in nine independent lines indicated that 1-7 transgenes were inserted per line and T1 progeny displayed Mendelian inheritance.

Conclusions
This protocol demonstrates significant improvements in both the efficiency and ease of use over existing safflower transformation protocols. This is the first complete method of genetic transformation of safflower that generates stably-transformed plants and progeny, allowing this crop to benefit from modern molecular applications.
Clinical outcomes of chemoradiotherapy for locally recurrent rectal cancer
Authors: Lee Joo Ho , Kim Dae Yong , Kim Sun Young , Park Ji Won , Choi Hyo Seong , Oh Jae Hwan , Chang Hee Jin , Kim Tae Hyun , Park Suk Won 
Published: May 2011

Abstract

Background
To assess the clinical outcome of chemoradiotherapy with or without surgery for locally recurrent rectal cancer (LRRC) and to find useful and significant prognostic factors for a clinical situation.

Methods
Between January 2001 and February 2009, 67 LRRC patients, who entered into concurrent chemoradiotherapy with or without surgery, were reviewed retrospectively. Of the 67 patients, 45 were treated with chemoradiotherapy plus surgery, and the remaining 22 were treated with chemoradiotherapy alone. The mean radiation doses (biologically equivalent dose in 2-Gy fractions) were 54.6 Gy and 66.5 Gy for the chemoradiotherapy with and without surgery groups, respectively.

Results
The median survival duration of all patients was 59 months. Five-year overall (OS), relapse-free (RFS), locoregional relapse-free (LRFS), and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) were 48.9%, 31.6%, 66.4%, and 40.6%, respectively. A multivariate analysis demonstrated that the presence of symptoms was an independent prognostic factor influencing OS, RFS, LRFS, and DMFS. No statistically significant difference was found in OS (p = 0.181), RFS (p = 0.113), LRFS (p = 0.379), or DMFS (p = 0.335) when comparing clinical outcomes between the chemoradiotherapy with and without surgery groups.

Conclusions
Chemoradiotherapy with or without surgery could be a potential option for an LRRC cure, and the symptoms related to LRRC were a significant prognostic factor predicting poor clinical outcome. The chemoradiotherapy scheme for LRRC patients should be adjusted to the possibility of resectability and risk of local failure to focus on local control.
Lymphoscintigraphic findings: delayed oedema after great saphenous vein harvesting
Authors: Belczak C E Q , de Godoy J M P , Cruz A F , Tyszca A L , Neto H J G , Caffaro R A 
Published: May 2011

Objective The aim of this study was to identify lymphoscintigraphic changes associated with lower-extremity oedema after the harvesting of the saphenous vein using a series of short Q2 incisions for coronary bypass. Method Forty-four patients (32 males and 12 females) with a mean age of 62.7 ± 7.8 (47–75 years old) were evaluated in a retrospective, quantitative, cross-sectional study from June 2007 to January 2008, three to 188 months (mean: 46 months) after the surgical procedure. Assessment was by water displacement volumetry and lymphoscintigraphy of the lower limbs. Results expressed as means with standard deviations were compared employing the Student's t-test and the chi-square or Fisher's exact tests were used to compare data expressed as frequencies. An alpha error of 5% was considered acceptable ( P ≤ 0.05). Results The presence of dermal backflow, as identified by lymphoscintigraphy with an accumulation of radiotracer in the thoracic duct and popliteal lymph nodes was significantly greater on the operated side. Conclusion There was a significant association between dermal backflow and delayed oedema.
The Athlete Biological Passport
Authors: Sottas Pierre-Edouard , Robinson Neil , Rabin Olivier , Saugy Martial 
Published: May 2011

BACKGROUND
In elite sports, the growing availability of doping substances identical to those naturally produced by the human body seriously limits the ability of drug-testing regimes to ensure fairness and protection of health.

CONTENT
The Athlete Biological Passport (ABP), the new paradigm in testing based on the personalized monitoring of biomarkers of doping, offers the enormous advantage of being independent of this endless pharmaceutical race. Doping triggers physiological changes that provide physiological enhancements. In the same way that disease-related biomarkers are invaluable tools that assist physicians in the diagnosis of pathology, specifically selected biomarkers can be used to detect doping.

SUMMARY
The ABP is a new testing paradigm with immense potential value in the current climate of rapid advancement in biomarker discovery. In addition to its original aim of providing proof of a doping offense, the ABP can also serve as a platform for a Rule of Sport, with the presentation before competition of the ABP to objectively demonstrate that the athlete will participate in a healthy physiological condition that is unaltered by performance-enhancing drugs. Finally, the decision-support system used today for the biological monitoring of world top-level athletes can also be advantageously transferred to other areas of clinical practice to reach the goal of personalized medicine.
Acidic oxidation of kraft lignin into aromatic monomers catalyzed by transition metal salts
Authors: Werhan Holger , Mir Joan Mora , Voitl Tobias , Rudolf von Rohr Philipp 
Published: May 2011

AbstractAs one of the three main components in woody biomass, lignin is an abundant but underused renewable raw material and carbon source. Owing to its aromatic structure and large availability as a by-product of pulping, its conversion into chemicals is highly attractive. In the present work, the oxidation of a softwood kraft lignin in acidic media was investigated in the presence of a homogeneous catalyst. The objective was to find a cheap but efficient catalyst for the depolymerization of kraft lignin into aromatic monomers. Different transition metal salts were screened and compared to phosphomolybdic acid, which was investigated in previous studies, and to experiments in sulfuric acid without additional catalyst. Vanillin and methyl vanillate were the main monomeric products detected by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry but their formation was only slightly increased by using transition metal salts (up to 6.28 wt% yield). However, the presence of iron or copper chloride resulted in fast formation kinetics and significant amounts of other monomeric products. In addition, an efficient fragmentation of the lignin molecule from a weight-average molecular weight of 3500 g mol-1down to 500 g mol-1was observed by size-exclusion chromatography. The enhanced incorporation of oxygen into the reaction products in the presence of those catalysts was proven by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and the influence of the catalyst concentration was studied.
Fungal pretreatment of pine wood to reduce the emission of volatile organic compounds
Authors: Stratev Daniel , Gradinger Cornelia , Ters Thomas , Fackler Karin , Kuncinger Thomas , Srebotnik Ewald 
Published: May 2011

Abstract
Sterilized pine wood strands were treated with the ascomycete Ophiostoma piliferum (Cartapip 97™) in an attempt to reduce aldehyde emissions through degradation of aldehyde-forming precursors. Wooden boards were then produced from the treated strands by means of a laboratory press. VOC emissions of these boards were characterized and the concentrations of seven major substances were followed for a period of 28 days in Markes μ-CTE micro-chambers employing Tenax-TDAS/GC/MS analytics. Boards made from treated strands showed a highly significant (P<0.001) reduction in aldehyde emissions by 70% compared to the control boards, while differences in the monoterpene emissions were not significant (P>0.05). Wood extractives from treated and untreated strands were also analyzed by GC/MS after milling and acetone/water extraction. A marked decrease of C18 unsaturated fatty acids was detected in agreement with the reduction of aldehyde emissions, and the monosaccharides as indicators of fungal growth were depleted and stilbenes and lignans were partially degraded.
A conceptual critique of parenting research in Hong Kong
Authors: Fok Hung-Kit , Shek Daniel T.L. 
Published: May 2011

Abstract
Parenting processes have been investigated for over 30 years in Hong Kong. Three conceptual limitations are identified, based on 90 studies selected from the PsycINFO database: lack of investigation of indigenous parenting concepts; lack of investigation of causes, concomitants and consequences of the parenting process; and lack of alternative explanations for results. Suggestions for improvement are also made in each area. Limitations of the present study are discussed.
Novel Formulations of an Organic Acid Herbicide
Authors: Penner Donald , Coleman Robert , Michael Jan 
Published: May 2011

Abstract
Herbicides sold commercially to producers of organic crops have low specific activity. The potential exists to increase the herbicidal activity of the more active candidate herbicides with appropriate and acceptable adjuvants and emulsifiers. The naturally occurring organic acid chosen for this study was caprylic acid (C8). Caprylic disrupts the integrity of the plasmalemma of plant cells, causing desiccation. Both the spread and penetration of a spray solution become important in maximizing herbicidal or desiccant activity. The addition of an emulsification system is necessary to facilitate microemulsion stability when formulations are diluted in water. In greenhouse studies, a natural emulsifier from naturally occurring sources was found to be as effective as a phosphate ester emulsifier for enhancing caprylic acid activity on velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti), giant foxtail (Setaria faberi), and common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album). Citric acid, when used as an adjuvant in C8 product formulations, increased herbicidal activity on the weed species tested. Desiccation obtained with organic herbicide formulations were observed to be much greater than that obtained with a currently available herbicide formulation such as MATRAN.
Reproducibility of Probing Depth Measurement by an Experimental Periodontal Probe Incorporating Optical Fiber Sensor
Authors: Ishihata Kazuki , Wakabayashi Noriyuki , Wadachi Juro , Akizuki Tatsuya , Izumi Yuichi , Takakuda Kazuo , Igarashi Yoshimasa 
Published: May 2011

Background: An experimental periodontal sensor probe (SP) equipped with an optical fiber for recording function was developed. The aim was to test the intraexaminer reproducibility of probing using the SP and to assess the consistency with the manual probe (MP).Methods: The SP was assembled with an external sheath covering the probe tip of an MP. The sheath was slid backward by the free gingival margin while probing and the sliding distance was detected by the sensor. The probing was conducted with the walking stroke at six sites for four first molar teeth in six maintenance patients with the SP and the MP at a 1‐hour interval. The deepest reading in the vicinity of each site was recorded. The measurements were rerecorded 1 week later.Results: The mean depth was 3.03 and 3.08 mm recorded by the MP and SP, respectively. Although no significant difference was found between the probes (P >0.05) in all measurement sites, the mean depth at the lingual site of the upper left first molar was noticeably lower with the SP. For sites ≥7 mm, significantly lower depth was recorded by the SP (P <0.05). Zero discrepancy in duplicate measurements was found in 76% of all sites with MP and 92% with SP.Conclusions: The reproducibility of the SP was comparable to that of the MP. The results indicate that for sites of maintenance patients with probing depth <7 mm there was excellent agreement obtained by a single examiner using the SP compared to the MP.
Making Measures Count
Authors: Friedman Allon N. , Fadem Stephen Z. 
Published: May 2011

Summary
An abundance of available laboratory information has led in part to the establishment of quantitative performance goals that use serum albumin, hemoglobin, Kt/V, and bone mineral indices to track quality of medical care and even physician reimbursement. As we look to the future, the next generation of measures should should more specifically reflect efforts to improve more fundamental outcomes, such as mortality, hospitalization, and quality of life. In this essay we address the important question of how clinicians can translate rich sources of quantitative data into a service that makes a difference in our patients' lives; a way to distinguish exemplary from ordinary care; a means to support continuous improvement in our care patterns individually and as part of larger, integrated health care systems all while avoiding prematurely advocating flawed quality measures. We also offer a pathway for how future quality measures can be developed. Our ultimate goal is to individualize quantitative assessments and by doing so encourage more meaningful, patient-oriented care that will lead to improved outcomes, greater physician job satisfaction, and wiser allocation of scarce resources.
Prevalence of echinococcosis in humans, livestock and dogs in northern Italy
Authors: Manfredi M. , Cerbo A. , Zanzani S. , Moriggia A. , Fattori D. , Siboni A. , Bonazza V. , Filice C. , Brunetti E. 
Published: May 2011

Abstract
The presence of Echinococcus sp. cysts was investigated in 822 sheep, 123 goats and 112,521 cattle from Lombardy region, North Italy. Faecal samples from 40 sheepdogs were also analyzed, with 9 samples containing taeniid eggs (22.5 %), 8 samples being coproantigen-positive (20 %), and one dog from a northern province (Lecco) positively confirmed by PCR. Cystic Echinococcosis (CE) was detected in 0.36 % of sheep and in 0.29 % of cattle in 2004. No goat resulted to be infected. Data from CE patients treated in Lombardy were collected by inspecting hospital discharge records. In 2004, 156 CE-related admissions (62 % male and 38 % female) were reported in Lombardy. Total hospital stay was 1,372 days (1,286 for inpatients, 86 for outpatients). Most patients (72.4 %) were residents in Lombardy and 1.9 % were from Piedmont; the remaining patients were from central and southern Italy. According to acquired data CE resulted hypoendemic in animals in Lombardy. Prevalence rates in humans were higher than expected in this region, usually considered as non-endemic. Assessment of the prevalence of CE in humans remains a difficult, costly, time-consuming and labourintensive task. The present study suggests establishing a National Registry of Cystic Echinococcosis with the aim to highlight regional risk factors and to benefit from its matching both clinical and epidemiological data.
Optimization of Power System Development Using Acceleration Factor for Power Flow Calculation
Authors: Obusev A. , Oleinikova I. , Krishans Z. 
Published: May 2011

Optimization of Power System Development Using Acceleration Factor for Power Flow Calculation
The dynamic optimization process is analyzed from the viewpoint of simplifying the power flow calculations. The aim of the work was to reduce the calculation time using all admissible algorithms. Although the conventional iteration methods are simple and fast enough, the use of the so-called relaxation principle leads to increased calculation time. The paper exemplifies the power flow calculation based on the iteration method using acceleration factor. Proposals concerning the modelling of a power system are put forward in the aspect of its future development.
Distant Determination of Bilirubin Distribution in Skin by Multi-Spectral Imaging
Authors: Saknite I. , Jakovels D. , Spigulis J. 
Published: May 2011

Distant Determination of Bilirubin Distribution in Skin by Multi-Spectral Imaging
For mapping the bilirubin distribution in bruised skin the multi-spectral imaging technique was employed, which made it possible to observe temporal changes of the bilirubin content in skin photo-types II and III. The obtained results confirm the clinical potential of this technique for skin bilirubin diagnostics.
Transformations of the Employment Structure as an Expression of the Transformation of Polish Industry Against the Background of the European Union
Authors: Rachwał Tomasz 
Published: May 2011

Transformations of the Employment Structure as an Expression of the Transformation of Polish Industry Against the Background of the European Union
Global social and economic changes, connected mainly with globalization processes, have an impact on changes both in present spatial and division structures of the industry and in its functions in the economic development of various spatial systems. The aim of the paper is to analyze changes in the industry's role in the Polish economy during the period of economic transformation and European integration based on its share in the employment structure. These changes are set against transformations in other EU countries, diversification and transformations of the division structure of employment in Polish industry and the similarity of the Polish employment structures to the EU countries as an expression of transformation processes. The analyzed processes are stimulated by the international environment and a change in national conditions for the socio-economic development.
Immigrants and Immigration Policy in Ageing Finland
Authors: Łobodzińska Anna 
Published: May 2011

Immigrants and Immigration Policy in Ageing Finland
The paper addresses the issue of current immigration to Finland in the context of population ageing. It is estimated that about 40% of the present labour force will have withdrawn from the Finnish labour market by the year 2020. The government of this rapidly ageing country is seeking possible remedies to the problem of a shrinking labour force. The necessity of attracting a new workforce as well as the growing number of immigrants in the ethnically homogeneous Finnish society create a need for more detailed and creative immigration policy. The paper analyzes the age and economic structure of the immigrant population, its participation in the labour market as well as the importance of immigration in contemporary demographic changes in Finland. Another aim of this paper is to outline major issues concerning Finnish immigration policy.
Electoral Geography as a New Mean of Analyzing Social Change. Kraków City and Małopolskie Voivodship Case Study
Authors: Haydukiewicz Lech 
Published: May 2011

Electoral Geography as a New Mean of Analyzing Social Change. Kraków City and Małopolskie Voivodship Case Study
The paper describes political support for Polish political parties as aggregated into four principal options (left-wing, liberal, populist, and right-wing) as well as flux in the electorate in Małopolskie voivodship in the last two decades in order to show regions of electoral stability that tend to do favour the four principal social and political options. Stabilization of cultural and political identity and gradual changes therein are shown by comparing dominant political options with selected social and economic data. The comparison should also allow for a reasonable prediction of future gains and losses for each political option.
Treatment of a nonunion, secondary to gunshot fracture, of the distal radius with circular external fixation and rhBMP-2 in a cat
Authors: Maitre P. , Cachon T. , Carozzo C. , Fau D. , Genevois J-. P. , Viguier E. , Arnault F. 
Published: May 2011

SummaryObjective: To report the successful use of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) in the treatment of an ante-brachial non-union, secondary to gunshot fracture, stabilized with circular external fixation in a cat.Procedure: Following a diagnosis of a highly comminuted gunshot fracture of the distal right radius and ulna, the fracture was stabilized with a circular external fixation. A two-ring frame was placed in closed fashion.Results: The skin wound healed uneventfully by second intention in 21 days. Twenty-eight weeks after external fixation, bone healing was absent. 0.8mL of 0.2mg/mL of rhBMP-2 in two collagen sponges was placed in the bone defect. Eight weeks after rhBMP-2 implantation, an early bone healing response was noted on radiographic evaluation. Sixteen weeks after rhBMP-2 implantation, fracture union was achieved.Discussion: To the authors’ knowledge, 160 ±g is the lowest reported dose of rhBMP-2 that leads to bony union in a cat. However as an individual case study, this report can not be used as evidence that rhBMP-2 at this lower dose is appropriate for use in all cats. Further studies are needed to establish the minimum efficient dose of rhBMP-2 in cats.
Le contrôle de constitutionnalité de la loi en Allemagne : quelques comparaisons avec le système français
Authors: Grewe Constance 
Published: May 2011

Résumé Bien plus que le contrôle de constitutionnalité de la loi en France, le système allemand est influencé par l’évolution de la justice constitutionnelle allant d’une protection de la loi vers une protection des droits. Dès lors, la spécialisation et la séparation des contentieux constitutionnels tendent à s’effacer ; le contrôle abstrait surtout mais également le contrôle concret des normes régressent au profit du recours constitutionnel. La question est de savoir dans quelle mesure la QPC opère un rapprochement ou éloigne encore les deux systèmes.
Systemizing Local and Regional Cooperation Efforts to Combat Sex Slavery
Authors: McGaha Johnny 
Published: May 2011

Les histoires horribles relatées par les survivants de la traite sexuelle, qu'ils soient mineurs ou adultes, avivent les passions et incitent les décideurs et ceux qui sont impliqués dans le mouvement anti-traite à agir. De nombreux pays à travers le monde ont adopté des lois strictes en matière de lutte contre la traite et obligent à l'application de la loi, des procureurs et des services d’aide aux victimes travaillant ensemble pour éradiquer ce terrible crime. Les États-Unis, qui ont déjà voté la loi sur la protection contre la traite de 2000, ont affecté plusieurs millions de dollars pour lutter contre le trafic à l’intérieur et à l’extérieur des frontières. Malheureusement une grande partie de cet effort a été fait en vain en raison du manque de coordination au niveau local. Ce document présente un modèle réussi de groupe de travail multi-agences qui est basé sur un « système » qui requiert que toutes les parties prenantes travaillent ensemble au niveau local et régional selon un modèle de collaboration qui aidera à trouver le succès.