bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Four-Year Longitudinal Performance of a Population-Based Sample of Healthy Children on a Neuropsychological Battery: The NIH MRI Study of Normal Brain Development
Authors: Waber Deborah P. , Forbes Peter W. , Almli C. Robert , Blood Emily A. ,   The Brain Development Cooperative Group
Published: February 2012

AbstractThe National Institutes of Health (NIH) Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Study of Normal Brain Development is a landmark study in which structural and metabolic brain development and behavior are followed longitudinally from birth to young adulthood in a population-based sample of healthy children. Cross-sectional findings from the neuropsychological test battery have been previously described (Waber et al., 2007). The present report details 4-year longitudinal neuropsychological outcomes for those children who were aged 6 to 18 years at baseline (N = 383), of whom 219 (57.2%) completed all 3 visits. Primary observations were (1) individual children displayed considerable variation in scores across visits on the same measures; (2) income-related differences were more prominent in the longitudinal than in the cross-sectional data; (3) no association between cognitive and behavioral measures and body mass index; and (4) several measures showed practice effects, despite the 2-year interval between visits. These data offer an unparalleled opportunity to observe normative performance and change over time on a set of standard and commonly used neuropsychological measures in a population-based sample of healthy children. They thus provide important background for the use and interpretation of these instruments in both research settings and clinical practice. (JINS, 2012, 18, 179–190)
Decision making by pension fund trustees in the face of demographic and economic shocks: a vignette study
Authors: VAN DALEN HENDRIK P. , HENKENS KÈNE , KOEDIJK KEES , SLAGER ALFRED 
Published: February 2012

AbstractHow do pension fund trustees deal with demographic and economic shocks? We examine this issue by using a vignette study among pension fund trustees in the Netherlands. Trustees show asymmetric reactions to shocks in the level of reserves of pension funds. Pension premiums are upwardly flexible but trustees are reluctant to decrease premiums. Asymmetries are also revealed by choices regarding the inflation indexation of benefits and changing real (defined) benefits. Asymmetry is not visible in the policy responses to demographic shocks: increases in life expectancy are reflected by taking structural measures for a defined benefit contract: raising pension premiums and the pension age. Furthermore, trustees allow their choices to be affected by the forces of social comparison: the reserve position of their fund compared to the position of other funds has a significant influence in choosing pension fund policy instruments.
Non-linear Effects in Asymmetric Catalysis: Whys and Wherefores
Authors: Chandrasekhar Sosale 
Published: February 2012

AbstractIt is argued that the titled non-linear effects (NLE) may arise whenever the order of the reaction in the chiral catalyst in greater than 1. In a fundamental departure from previous approaches, this is mathematically elaborated for the second order case. (NLE may also be observed if the chiral catalyst forms non-reacting dimers in a competing equilibrium; practically, however, this implies the in situ resolution of the catalyst.) The amplification of enantiomeric excess by NLE implies a relative (although modest) reduction in the entropy of mixing. The consequent increase in free energy apparently indicates a non-equilibrium process. It is suggested, based on arguments involving the chemical potential, that kinetically-controlled reactions lead to a state of “quasi-equilibrium”: in this, although overall equilibrium is attained, the product-spread is far from equilibrium. Thus, both the linear and NLE cases of chiral catalysis represent departures from equilibrium (which requires that the product e.e. = 0). Interesting similarities exist with models of non-equilibrium systems, the NLE cases apparently being analogs of open systems just after the bifurcation point has been crossed.
Non‐replication of genome‐wide‐based associations of efficient food conversion in dairy cows
Authors: Littlejohn Mathew , Grala Talia , Sanders Kathryn , Walker Caroline , Waghorn Garry , Macdonald Kevin , Spelman Richard , Davis Steve , Snell Russell 
Published: February 2012

SummaryAnimal growth relative to food energy input is of key importance to agricultural production. Several recent studies highlighted genetic markers associated with food conversion efficiency in beef cattle, and there is now a requirement to validate these associations in additional populations and to assess their potential utility for selecting animals with enhanced food‐use efficiency. The current analysis tested a population of dairy cattle using 138DNAmarkers previously associated with food intake and growth in a whole‐genome association analysis of beef animals. Although seven markers showed point‐wise significance atP < 0.05, none of the single‐nucleotide polymorphisms tested were significantly associated with food conversion efficiency after correction for multiple testing. These data do not support the involvement of this subset of previously implicated markers in the food conversion efficiency of the physiologically distinctNewZealandHolstein‐Friesian dairy breed.
Variation in the XKR4 gene was significantly associated with subcutaneous rump fat thickness in indicine and composite cattle
Authors: Porto Neto L. R. , Bunch R. J. , Harrison B. E. , Barendse W. 
Published: February 2012

SummaryVariation in the XK, Kell blood group complex subunit–related family, member 4 (XKR4) gene on BTA14 was associated with rump fat thickness in a recent genome‐wide association study. This region is also of interest because it is known to show evidence of a signature of population genetic selection. In this study, additional variation in this gene was genotyped in a sample of a total of 1283 animals of the Belmont Red (BEL) and Santa Gertrudis (SGT) breeds. The SNP rs41724387 was significantly (P < 0.001) associated with rump fat thickness and explained 5.9% of the genetic variance for the trait in this sample. Using the 4466 genotypes for the SNP rs42646708 from several data sets to estimate effects in seven breeds, this relatively large quantitative trait locus effect appears to be a result of the variation in indicine and taurine–indicine composite cattle. However, the only DNA variant found in Brahman cattle that altered the predicted amino acid sequence of XKR4 was not associated with rump fat thickness. This suggests that causative mutations lie outside the coding sequence of this gene.
Tail morphology controls DNA release in two Salmonella phages with one lipopolysaccharide receptor recognition system
Authors: Andres Dorothee , Roske Yvette , Doering Carolin , Heinemann Udo , Seckler Robert , Barbirz Stefanie 
Published: February 2012

SummaryBacteriophages use specific tail proteins to recognize host cells. It is still not understood to molecular detail how the signal is transmitted over the tail to initiate infection. We have analysed in vitro DNA ejection in long‐tailed siphovirus 9NA and short‐tailed podovirus P22 upon incubation with Salmonella typhimurium lipopolysaccharide (LPS). We showed for the first time that LPS alone was sufficient to elicit DNA release from a siphovirus in vitro. Crystal structure analysis revealed that both phages use similar tailspike proteins for LPS recognition. Tailspike proteins hydrolyse LPS O antigen to position the phage on the cell surface. Thus we were able to compare in vitro DNA ejection processes from two phages with different morphologies with the same receptor under identical experimental conditions. Siphovirus 9NA ejected its DNA about 30 times faster than podovirus P22. DNA ejection is under control of the conformational opening of the particle and has a similar activation barrier in 9NA and P22. Our data suggest that tail morphology influences the efficiencies of particle opening given an identical initial receptor interaction event.
Total lymphocyte count is a reliable surrogate marker for CD4 cell counts after the first year of antiretroviral therapy: data from an Indonesian cohort study
Authors: de Jong Marrigje A. , Wisaksana Rudi , Meijerink Hinta , Indrati Agnes , van de Ven Andre J. A. M. , Alisjahbana Bachti , van Crevel Reinout 
Published: February 2012

AbstractMany studies have evaluated the total lymphocyte count (TLC) as a cheap surrogate marker for CD4 cells in HIV‐infected patients not receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART). We assessed whether TLC can replace CD4 cell counts in evaluating the immunological response to ART. In a cohort of patients in Indonesia TLC, if measured after at least 1‐year ART, correctly identified patients with <200 CD4 cells, and reliably excluded immunological failure, obviating the need for CD4 cell measurement in 43% of patients.
Short and erect rice (ser) mutant from ‘Khao Dawk Mali 105’ improves plant architecture
Authors: Yan Wengui , Hu Biaolin , Zhang Qijun , Jia Limeng , Jackson Aaron , Pan Xuhao , Huang Bihu , Yan Zongbu , Deren Christopher 
Published: February 2012

With 1 figure and 3 tablesAbstractPlant architecture includes branching (tillering) pattern, plant height, leaf shape and angle, and the structure of reproductive organs. These attributes are of major agronomic importance as they determine the adaptability of a plant to various methods of cultivation, which in turn influence harvest index and grain yield. We detected a recessive mutant from the aromatic cultivar ‘Khao Dawk Mali 105’ (KDM105), which exhibits a plant architecture with shorter height, shorter and more erect leaves and panicle than the wild type. The mutant line was named ser for short and erect rice. The ser mutation was induced by 30 kilorads of gamma radiation. Averaged from 10 mature plants grown in the greenhouse, the ser had 104.6° smaller angle between the flag leaf and culm, compared with the KDM105 wild type. For the leaf below the flag leaf, the ser mutant was 46.2° more erect than the wild type. The length of the flag, 2nd and 3rd leaf of the ser was 21.8, 24.4 and 16.3 cm shorter than the wild type, respectively. Plant height as measured from soil surface to flag leaf tip was reduced by 43.5 cm, while plant height measured from soil to panicle tip was reduced by 28.5 cm in the ser in comparison with the wild type. Characterization of 10 booting plants each of the ser, wild and their reciprocal F1 populations confirmed the shortening mutation with no cytoplasmic effect. The ser was identically monomorphic to its wild type and F1 hybrid for all 11 SSR markers covering seven chromosomes, indicating a true mutation. In the F2 generation, a ratio of three wild type to one ser was observed, resulting in a χ2 of 0.067 (P = 0.795) for a single gene segregation and demonstrating a recessive mutation. The ser will be an ideal material for the study on gene pleiotropy and metabolism functions. Further, the pleiotropic gene in such a premium quality cultivar globally known will be valuable for improving plant architecture in rice cultivars.
Evaluation and implementation of a potential diagnostic molecular marker for H1‐conferred potato cyst nematode resistance in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)
Authors: Schultz Lee , Cogan Noel O. I. , McLean Karen , Dale M. Finlay B. , Bryan Glenn J. , Forster John W. , Slater Anthony T. 
Published: February 2012

With 1 figure and 1 tableAbstractPotato cyst nematode (PCN) is a major pest of potato crops. Marker‐assisted selection of PCN‐resistant cultivars is consequently a key objective of many potato breeding programmes. The genetic marker TG689, linked to the resistance gene H1, is the current marker of choice for the prediction of PCN resistance. Polymorphism at TG689 was evaluated across 373 cultivars from Australian and Scottish breeding programmes, revealing the loss of association between the predictive allele and trait locus. Two recently identified genetic markers flanking the H1 locus were then evaluated for association with PCN‐resistant phenotypes across 73 cultivars. With a single exception, presence or absence of a 452‐bp amplicon for the 57R marker was predictive for the target phenotype. Further evaluation of the 57R marker on more than 300 cultivars from the Australian and Scottish potato breeding programmes provided additional evidence for robust diagnostic capability. To enable routine implementation, the 57R marker was converted into a high‐throughput, fluorochrome detection–based assay and screened across a broader collection of parental cultivars and advanced breeding selections for the prediction of PCN resistance.
Study of inheritance of fertility restoration in pigeonpea lines derived from Cajanus cajanifolius
Authors: Sawargaonkar S. L. , Madrap I. A. , Saxena K. B. 
Published: February 2012

With 1 tableAbstractIn this study, single crosses involving four CMS lines and three known fertility restorers were studied to determine the genetics of fertility restoration in pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L. Millsp.). The F1 plants of all the four hybrids were selfed to produce F2 seed and simultaneously crossed to their corresponding A lines to produce BC1F1 seeds during 2007. The parents, F1, F2 and BC1F1 populations were planted in 2008 rainy season at the Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani, India. The interaction of dominant nuclear genes of ICP 2766 with ICPA 2092 produced 100% fertile F1 plant and showed complete dominance for fertility restoration. The restorer ICP 2766 when crossed with ICPA 2092 showed monogenic inheritance (3 : 1), while ICP 2766 crossed with ICPA 2043 revealed digenic inheritance (15 : 1) of fertility restoration. In a cross between ICP 2766 and ICPA 2043, dominant gene of fertility restoration at either of two loci masked the expression of male‐sterile recessive alleles at two loci in such a way that it modified normal dihybrid ratio into 15 : 1 ratio and produced duplicate gene interaction.
Knowing the Essence of the State in Spinoza's Tractatus Theologico‐Politicus
Authors: Garrett Aaron 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThis paper argues that Spinoza's main political writings are concerned, in part, with knowledge of essences as detailed in the Ethics. It is further argued that knowledge of the essences of states, and essential properties that belong to states, may be an example of the elusive scientia intuitiva or third kind of knowledge. The paper concludes by considering Spinoza's goals in his political writings and the importance of metaphysics and the theory of knowledge more broadly for early modern political philosophers.
Beneficial effects of candesartan, an angiotensin‐blocking agent, on compensated alcoholic liver fibrosis ‐ A randomized open‐label controlled study
Authors: Kim Moon Young , Cho Mee Yon , Baik Soon Koo , Jeong Phil Ho , Suk Ki Tae , Jang Yoon Ok , Yea Chang Jin , Kim Jae Woo , Kim Hyun Soo , Kwon Sang Ok , Yoo Byung Su , Kim Jang Young , Eom Min Seob , Cha Seung Hwan , Chang Sei Jin 
Published: February 2012

AbstractBackgroundRecent studies have shown that the renin‐angiotensin system is implicated in hepatic fibrogenesis in vitro and in vivo. However, no study was done in humans with alcoholic liver disease.AimTo investigate the antifibrotic effect of angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1‐R) blocking agents (ARB) in patients with alcoholic liver disease.MethodsThe primary outcome was improvement in patients' histological features. Eighty‐five patients with compensated alcoholic liver fibrosis (≥ F2) which was confirmed by baseline liver biopsy were randomized (intention‐to‐treat (ITT)) to receive either ARB, candesartan (8 mg/day) with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) (600 mg/day) (n = 42) or UDCA alone (n = 43) as control for 6 months and follow‐up liver biopsies were conducted.ResultsAccording to the Laennec fibrosis system, candesartan showed significantly higher rates of histological improvements (ITT, 33.3% vs. 11.6%, P = 0.020). In addition, the fibrosis score was significantly reduced from 3.4 ± 1.4 to 3.1 ± 1.5 (P = 0.005) in the candesartan group. Candesartan also reduced the area of fibrosis and α‐smooth muscle actin positive from 11.3 ± 6.0 to 8.3 ± 4.7 and 28.7 ± 10.5 to 23.9 ± 10.3 (%), and the hydroxyproline levels (μg/g liver tissue) from 7.8 ± 2.4 to 6.3 ± 1.7 respectively (P < 0.05). In addition, the relative expression of transforming growth factor‐β1(TGF‐β1), collagen‐1, AT1‐R, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP‐1), metalloproteinases2 (MMP2), Rac1 and p22phox by real‐time RT‐PCR decreased in the candesartan group (P < 0.05). Mean arterial blood pressure in the candesartan group decreased mildly but significantly (P < 0.001). No significant complications and side effects were observed during the present study.ConclusionsAdministration of ARB in compensated alcoholic liver disease induces improvement of fibrosis in histological and quantitative measurements.
Effects of Timing of Adversity on Adolescent and Young Adult Adjustment
Authors: Kiff Cara J. , Cortes Rebecca C. , Lengua Liliana J. , Kosterman Rick , Hawkins J. David , Mason W. Alex 
Published: February 2012

Exposure to adversity during childhood and adolescence predicts adjustment across development. Furthermore, adolescent adjustment problems persist into young adulthood. This study examined relations of contextual adversity with concurrent adolescent adjustment and prospective mental health and health outcomes in young adulthood. A longitudinal sample (N = 808) was followed from age 10 through 27. Perceptions of neighborhood in childhood predicted depression, alcohol use disorders, andHIVrisk in young adulthood. Further, the timing of adversity was important in determining the type of problem experienced in adulthood. Youth adjustment predicted adult outcomes, and in some cases mediated the relation between adversity and outcomes. These findings support the importance of adversity in predicting adjustment and elucidate factors that affect outcomes into young adulthood.
Does Social Connectedness Promote a Greater Sense of Well‐Being in Adolescence Over Time?
Authors: Jose Paul E. , Ryan Nicholas , Pryor Jan 
Published: February 2012

This longitudinal study was designed to investigate whether or not social connectedness predicts psychological well‐being over time. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the temporal relations between these constructs assessed yearly for 3 years for a sample of 1,774 10‐ to 15‐year‐olds (at Time 1). Results indicated that global connectedness (i.e., connectedness combined across the domains of family, school, peers, and neighborhood) predicted well‐being, but no reciprocal relation was found. However, reciprocal relations were revealed by analyses that examined connectedness at the domain level, that is, for family and school contexts. The results suggest that youth who reported higher levels of social connectedness at one point in time would subsequently report higher well‐being (i.e., life satisfaction, confidence, positive affect, and aspirations).
Dental implants and improvement of oral health‐related quality of life
Authors: Pavel Kriz , Seydlova Michaela , Dostalova Tatjana , Zdenek Valenta , Chleborad Karel , Jana Zvarova , Feberova Jitka , Radek Hippmann 
Published: February 2012

Kriz P, Seydlova M, Dostalova T, Valenta Z, Chleborad K, Zvarova J, Feberova J, Hippmann R. Dental implants and improvement of oral health‐related quality of life. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2012; 40 (Suppl. 1): 65–70. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S
Abstract –
Objectives:  Oral health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL) is a multifaceted field involving many factors. The aim of our study was to assess whether implant therapy improves OHRQoL in dental patients.
Methods:  Patients receiving at least one implant completed a health‐related questionnaire before and after the implantation (minimum 1.5 months). Questions covered the functional and aesthetic scales (AS). Paired differences in individual scores were analysed using the Wilcoxon signed‐rank test. A univariate analysis of covariance was used to relate overall and scale‐specific average paired differences to age, gender, marital and educational status. Multivariate analysis of covariance was used to assess interactions between the covariates and different scales of outcome. All tests were performed at statistical significance level α = 0.05.
Results:  All twelve Wilcoxon tests supported an improvement in OHRQoL after implant placement. On the AS, the mean difference in OHRQoL scores was found to be associated with marital status, presence of aesthetic reasons for undergoing the surgery and number of front teeth replaced by implants. On the functional scale (FS), most significant associations were observed with the number of front teeth replaced via implantation, followed by the presence of chewing problems and marital status. The multivariate analysis helped to identify the covariates that varied significantly over the two scales of interest.
Conclusions:  Effects of covariates responding significantly differently on different scales should not be summarized using an overall univariate analysis, using paired score differences averaged over all items. Such effect summary would be misleading. In the present study, significant implant‐related improvements in OHRQoL were observed on both the aesthetic and FS in patients with at least one implant in the front dental area.
The oral health‐related quality of life in edentulous patients treated with Conventional complete dentures
Authors: AlBaker Abdulaziz M. 
Published: February 2012

Objective:  To compare the oral health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL) between patients with both maxillary and mandibular complete denture and those with either the maxillary or the mandibular complete denture.Background:  Satisfaction of denture wearers can be estimated using the OHRQoL questionnaires like the OHIP‐EDENT and the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI).Methods:  Two questionnaires were used to compare the OHRQoL between edentulous patients who had conventional removable complete denture on both jaws and those who had on either one of the jaws.Result:  The age of the participants ranged from 42 to 75 years, with the mean age of 58 ± 8.12 years. The mean OHIP‐EDENT scores were significantly high among those who wore conventional dentures in both jaws (54.12 ± 5.21), compared with the participants who only had denture either on upper or lower jaw (46.52 ± 7.35). It was noticed that the mean GOHAI score was significantly lower (p < 0.05) among participants who had conventional denture on both upper and lower jaw (28.25 ± 3.67), as compared to those who had conventional denture only on one arch (35.12 ± 2.11).Conclusion:  Patients with complete dentures in both jaw (Group I) were less satisfied than patients with single complete denture (Group II). The result obtained in this study shows dissatisfaction with conventional dentures among edentulous patients.