bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The PFA‐100® does not predict delta‐granule platelet storage pool deficiencies
Authors: SLADKY J. L. , KLIMA J. , GROOMS L. , KERLIN B. A. , O’BRIEN S. H. 
Published: January 2012

Summary. There are no published reports investigating the ability of the platelet function analyzer (PFA‐100®) to detect the presence of delta‐granule platelet storage pool deficiencies (δ‐PSPD), a common mild bleeding disorder. Prior studies of the PFA‐100® and congenital platelet disorders have been limited by small numbers of patients with a variety of disorders. We examined PFA‐100® results in a large paediatric patient population diagnosed specifically with δ‐PSPD, and determined the relationship between PFA‐100® and platelet electron microscopy (the gold standard for diagnosis). This study is a retrospective review of patients <19 years of age diagnosed with δ‐PSPD at Nationwide Children’s Hospital from 2008 to 2010. To examine the correlation between PFA‐100® and average number of granules per platelet we used Spearman’s Rho as a non‐parametric measure of dependence. A total of 105 patients diagnosed with δ‐PSPD were included, of which 99 patients underwent PFA‐100® testing. Of those tested 46% had at least one abnormal closure time, whereas 16% had abnormal results for both cartridges. We found no statistical correlation between C‐EPI closure time and average number of granules per platelet (ρ= −0.0095, P‐value = 0.9328), nor between C‐ADP closure time and the average number of granules (ρ = 0.0315, P‐value = 0.7798). The PFA‐100®, a widely used screening test for suspected bleeding disorders, did not correlate with presence or severity of δ‐PSPD as determined by platelet electron microscopy. When evaluating patients with suspected bleeding disorders, PFA‐100® alone cannot be used to rule out the presence of a δ‐PSPD.
Caries prevalence associated with Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus in Japanese schoolchildren
Authors: OKADA MITSUGI , KAWAMURA MAKOTO , ODA YUKI , YASUDA RIE , KOJIMA TARO , KURIHARA HIDEMI 
Published: January 2012

International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry 2012; 22: 342–348
Background.  Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus are known to be associated with dental caries in humans.Aim.  We used a polymerase chain reaction method to detect S. mutans and S. sobrinus in 128 Japanese schoolchildren and then compared their presence with the dental caries experience.Design.  Plaque samples were collected from all erupted tooth sites with a sterile toothbrush, and dental examinations were performed to determine the numbers of decayed and filled teeth in primary (dft) and permanent (DFT) dentition using the WHO caries diagnostic criteria. Fisher’s PLSD test was employed to compare caries scores between combinations of the detected bacteria.Results.  Streptococcus mutans and S. sobrinus were present in 38.3% and 68.0%, respectively, whereas 14.8% were positive for S. mutans alone, 44.5% for S. sobrinus alone, and 23.5% for both S. mutans and S. sobrinus, with 17.2% negative for both. The DFT, dft, and total (DFT + dft) scores for subjects positive for both S. mutans and S. sobrinus were significantly higher than those positive for S. mutans alone (P < 0.05, in triplicate).Conclusion.  These results suggest that schoolchildren harbouring both S. mutans and S. sobrinus have a significant higher dental caries experience in both permanent and primary teeth as compared to those with S. mutans alone.
The importance of environmental heterogeneity and spatial distance in generating phylogeographic structure in edaphic specialist and generalist tree species of Protium (Burseraceae) across the Amazon Basin
Authors: Fine Paul V. A. , Zapata Felipe , Daly Douglas C. , Mesones Italo , Misiewicz Tracy M. , Cooper Hillary F. , Barbosa C. E. A. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractAim  Edaphic heterogeneity may be an important driver of population differentiation in the Amazon but remains to be investigated in trees. We compared the phylogeographic structure across the geographic distribution of two Protium (Burseraceae) species with different degrees of edaphic specialization: Protium alvarezianum, an edaphic specialist of white‐sand habitat islands; and Protium subserratum, an edaphic generalist found in white sand as well as in more widespread soil types. We predicted that in the edaphic specialist, geographic distance would structure populations more strongly than in the edaphic generalist, and that soil type would not structure populations in the edaphic generalist unless habitat acts as a barrier promoting population differentiation.Location  Tropical rain forests of the Peruvian and Brazilian Amazon, Guyana and French Guiana.Methods  We sequenced 1209–1211 bp of non‐coding nuclear ribosomal DNA (internal transcribed spacer and external transcribed spacer) and a neutral low‐copy nuclear gene (phytochrome C) from P. subserratum (n = 65, 10 populations) and P. alvarezianum (n = 19, three populations). We conducted a Bayesian phylogenetic analysis, constructed maximum parsimony haplotype networks and assessed population differentiation among groups (soil type or geographic locality) using analysis of molecular variance and spatial analysis of molecular variance.Results  The edaphic specialist exhibited considerable genetic differentiation among geographically distant populations. The edaphic generalist showed significant genetic differentiation between the Guianan and Amazon Basin populations. Within Peru, soil type and not geographic distance explained most of the variation among populations. Non‐white‐sand populations in Peru exhibited lower haplotype/nucleotide diversity than white‐sand populations, were each other’s close relatives, and formed an unresolved clade derived from within the white‐sand populations.Main conclusions  Geographic distance is a stronger driver of population differentiation in the edaphic specialist than in the generalist. However, this difference did not appear to be related to edaphic generalism per se as adjacent populations from both soil types in the edaphic generalist did not share many haplotypes. Populations of the edaphic generalist in white‐sand habitats exhibited high haplotype diversity and shared haplotypes with distant white‐sand habitat islands, indicating that they have either efficient long‐distance dispersal and/or larger ancestral effective population sizes and thus retain ancestral polymorphisms. These results highlight the importance of edaphic heterogeneity in promoting population differentiation in tropical trees.
Genetic consequences of glacial survival: the late Quaternary history of balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera L.) in North America
Authors: Breen Amy L. , Murray David F. , Olson Matthew S. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractAim  Beringia, the unglaciated region encompassing the former Bering land bridge, as well as the land between the Lena and Mackenzie rivers, is recognized as an important refugium for arctic plants during the last ice age. Compelling palaeobotanical evidence also supports the presence of small populations of boreal trees within Beringia during the Last Glacial Maximum. The occurrence of balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera) in Beringia provides a unique opportunity to assess the implications of persistence in a refugium on present‐day genetic diversity for this boreal tree species.Location  North America.Methods  We sequenced three variable non‐coding regions of the chloroplast genome (cpDNA) from 40 widely distributed populations of balsam poplar across its North American range. We assessed patterns of genetic diversity, geographic structure and historical demography between glaciated and unglaciated regions of the balsam poplar’s range. We also utilized a coalescent model to test for divergence between regions.Results  Levels of genetic diversity were consistently greater for populations at the southern margin (θW = 0.00122) than in the central (θW = 0.00086) or northern (θW = 0.00034) regions of the current distribution of balsam poplar, and diversity decreased with increasing latitude (R2 = 0.49, P < 0.01). We detected low, but significant, structure (FCT = 0.05, P = 0.05), among regions of P. balsamifera’s distribution. The cpDNA genealogy was shallow, however, showing an absence of highly differentiated chloroplast haplotypes. Coalescent analyses supported a model of divergence between the southern ice margin and the northern unglaciated region of balsam poplar’s distribution, but analyses of other regional comparisons did not converge.Main conclusions  The palaeobotanical record supports the presence of a Beringian refugium for balsam poplar, but we were unable to definitively identify the presence of known refugial populations based on genetic data alone. Balsam poplar populations from Beringia are not a significant reservoir of cpDNA diversity today. Unique alleles that may have been present in the small, isolated populations that survived within Beringia were probably lost through genetic drift or swamped by post‐glacial, northward migration from populations south of the ice sheets.
The dose–response relation for the antinociceptive effect of morphine in a fish, rainbow trout
Authors: JONES S. G. , KAMUNDE C. , LEMKE K. , STEVENS E. D. 
Published: January 2012

Jones, S. G., Kamunde, C., Lemke, K., Stevens, E. D. The dose–response relation for the antinociceptive effect of morphine in a fish, rainbow trout. J. vet. Pharmacol. Therap. 35, 563–570.There have been suggestions that analgesics be used by fish researchers. But in the absence of dose–response data for morphine, this suggestion seems imprudent. The purpose of the present study was to develop a dose–response relationship in fish using six doses of morphine. The response (movement of the fins or tail) to a noxious stimulus (electrical shock to the face region) was monitored before and after a dose of morphine intraperitoneally (i.p.). The i.p. dose of morphine ED50 in rainbow trout was 6.7 ± 0.8 mg/kg (n = 12 at each dose). The plasma morphine concentration EC50 was 4.1 ± 1.5 mg/L. In a second experiment, rainbow trout tested with equal amounts of morphine and naloxone (30 mg/kg) showed that the antinociceptive effect of morphine was blocked by naloxone. It has been suggested that stress‐induced analgesia has been a confounding factor in some fish studies. However, plasma cortisol levels in our study indicated that stress was not a confounding factor in the present experiments. The ED50 for morphine in fish was higher than that reported for humans or other mammals. Our observation showing a dose–response relation for morphine using a noxious stimulus supports arguments for its effectiveness as an antinociceptive drug in fish.
Dissection of genotype–phenotype associations in rice grains using metabolome quantitative trait loci analysis
Authors: Matsuda Fumio , Okazaki Yozo , Oikawa Akira , Kusano Miyako , Nakabayashi Ryo , Kikuchi Jun , Yonemaru Jun‐Ichi , Ebana Kaworu , Yano Masahiro , Saito Kazuki 
Published: January 2012

SummaryA comprehensive and large‐scale metabolome quantitative trait loci (mQTL) analysis was performed to investigate the genetic backgrounds associated with metabolic phenotypes in rice grains. The metabolome dataset consisted of 759 metabolite signals obtained from the grains of 85 lines of rice (Oryza sativa, Sasanishiki × Habataki back‐crossed inbred lines). Metabolome analysis was performed using four mass spectrometry pipelines to enhance detection of different classes of metabolites. This mQTL analysis of a wide range of metabolites highlighted an uneven distribution of 802 mQTLs on the rice genome, as well as different modes of metabolic trait (m‐trait) control among various types of metabolites. The levels of most metabolites within rice grains were highly sensitive to environmental factors, but only weakly associated with mQTLs. Coordinated control was observed for several groups of metabolites, such as amino acids linked to the mQTL hotspot on chromosome 3. For flavonoids, m‐trait variation among the experimental lines was tightly governed by genetic factors that alter the glycosylation of flavones. Many loci affecting levels of metabolites were detected by QTL analysis, and plausible gene candidates were evaluated by in silico analysis. Several mQTLs profoundly influenced metabolite levels, providing insight into the control of rice metabolism. The genomic region and genes potentially responsible for the biosynthesis of apigenin‐6,8‐di‐C‐α‐l‐arabinoside are presented as an example of a critical mQTL identified by the analysis.
Galectin‐9 induced by dietary synbiotics is involved in suppression of allergic symptoms in mice and humans
Authors: de Kivit S. , Saeland E. , Kraneveld A. D. , van de Kant H. J. G. , Schouten B. , van Esch B. C. A. M. , Knol J. , Sprikkelman A. B. , van der Aa L. B. , Knippels L. M. J. , Garssen J. , van Kooyk Y. , Willemsen L. E. M. 
Published: January 2012

Abstract:Background:Prebiotic galacto‐ and fructo‐oligosaccharides (scGOS/lcFOS) resembling non‐digestible oligosaccharides in human milk reduce the development of atopic disorders. However, the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. Galectins are soluble‐type lectins recognizing β‐galactoside containing glycans. Galectin‐9 has been shown to regulate mast cell degranulation and T‐cell differentiation. In this study, the involvement of galectin‐9 as a mechanism by which scGOS/lcFOS in combination with Bifidobacterium breve M‐16V protects against acute allergic symptoms was investigated.Methods:Mice were sensitized orally to whey, while being fed with a diet containing scGOS/lcFOS and Bifidobacterium breve M‐16V (GF/Bb) or a control diet. Galectin‐9 expression was determined by immunohistochemistry in the intestine and measured in the serum by ELISA. T‐cell differentiation was investigated in the mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) as well as in galectin‐9‐exposed peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) cultures. Sera of the mice were evaluated for the capacity to suppress mast cell degranulation using a RBL‐2H3 degranulation assay. In addition, in a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled multicenter trial, galectin‐9 levels were measured in the sera of 90 infants with atopic dermatitis who received hydrolyzed formulae with or without GF/Bb.Results:Galectin‐9 expression by intestinal epithelial cells and serum galectin‐9 levels were increased in mice and humans following dietary intervention with GF/Bb and correlated with reduced acute allergic skin reaction and mast cell degranulation. In addition, GF/Bb enhanced Th1‐ and Treg‐cell differentiation in MLN and in PBMC cultures exposed to galectin‐9.Conclusions:Dietary supplementation with GF/Bb enhances serum galectin‐9 levels, which associates with the prevention of allergic symptoms.
MicroRNA‐23b promotes tolerogenic properties of dendritic cells in vitro through inhibiting Notch1/NF‐κB signalling pathways
Authors: Zheng J. , Jiang H.‐Y. , Li J. , Tang H.‐C. , Zhang X.‐M. , Wang X.‐R. , Du J.‐T. , Li H.‐B. , Xu G. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBackground:MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are known to regulate the inflammatory response in various cell types. However, the ability of miRNAs to modulate dendritic cells (DCs) function for allergen immunotherapy is unclear.Objective:To assess the role of miR‐23b in the regulation of ovalbumin (OVA)‐induced DC differentiation and function and to investigate the related molecular mechanisms.Methods:Bone marrow‐derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) were generated from murine bone marrow progenitor cells and subsequently stimulated with OVA to examine the profile of miRNA expression. After transfection with miR‐23b reagents, DCs were evaluated for endocytic ability, surface marker expression, cytokine secretion and CD4+ T‐cell differentiation. The possible roles of the Notch and NF‐κB signalling pathways were also evaluated. Human monocyte‐derived dendritic cells (MDDCs) were similarly evaluated as well.Results:Significant upregulation of miR‐23b was observed in BMDCs pulsed with OVA. Following miR‐23b transfection, BMDCs showed decreased OVA uptake, increased IL‐10 production, decreased IL‐12 production and an enhanced capacity to promote FoxP3+ CD4+ T regulatory cells (Tregs) differentiation. In addition, inactivation of the Notch1 and NF‐κB signalling pathways were observed. Conversely, inhibition of miR‐23b in BMDCs resulted in the opposite effects. In human MDDCs, miRNA23b transfection similarly increased IL‐10 and decreased IL‐12 production, and that treated human MDDCs induced increased FoxP3+ CD4+ T cells.Conclusion:Our findings provide evidence that miR‐23b is capable of inducing tolerogenic DC activity and Treg responses in vitro through the inhibition of the Notch1 and NF‐κB signalling pathways; thus, miR‐23b might represent a therapeutic target for the management of allergic diseases.
Production of Nuclear Transfer Embryos by Using Somatic Cells Isolated From Milk in Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)
Authors: Golla K , Selokar NL , Saini M , Chauhan MS , Manik RS , Palta P , Singla SK 
Published: January 2012

ContentsSomatic cells in milk are a potential source of nuclei for nuclear transfer to produce genetically identical animals; this is especially important in animals that are susceptible to risks of bacterial infection on biopsy collection. In this study, a minimum of 10 milk samples were collected from each of the three buffaloes representing Murrah breed. All the samples were processed immediately and cell colonies were obtained. Cell colonies from one buffalo (MU‐442) survived beyond 10 passages and were evaluated by fluorescence microscopy and used in nuclear transfer experiments. In culture, these cells expressed vimentin, indicating they were of fibroblast origin similar to ear cells. We compared the effectiveness of cloning using those milk‐derived fibroblast (MDF) cells and fibroblast cells derived from the ear derived fibroblast (EDF). Fusion and cleavage rates of MDF‐NT and EDF‐NT embryos were found to be similar (92.43 ± 1.28% vs 94.98 ± 1.24%, and 80.27 ± 1.75% vs 84.56 ± 3.73%, respectively; p > 0.01); however, development to blastocyst stage and total cell number was higher for EDF‐NT embryos (50.24 ± 2.54%, 227.14 ± 13.04, respectively, p < 0.01), than for MDF‐NT embryos (16.44 ± 0.75%, 170.57 ± 4.50 respectively). We conclude that somatic cells from milk can be cultured effectively and used as nucleus donor to produce cloned blastocyst‐stage embryos.
Basin‐scale patterns in the abundance of SAR11 subclades, marine Actinobacteria (OM1), members of the Roseobacter clade and OCS116 in the South Atlantic
Authors: Morris Robert M. , Frazar Christian D. , Carlson Craig A. 
Published: January 2012

SummaryBacterioplankton are major biogeochemical agents responsible for mediating the flux of dissolved organic matter (DOM) and subsequent cycling of nutrients in the oceans. Most information about the composition of bacterioplankton communities has come from studies along well‐defined biogeochemical gradients in the northern hemisphere. This study extends observations of spatial and temporal dynamics for SAR11, Actinobacteria and OCS116 in the North Atlantic by demonstrating distinct spatial variability in the abundance and distribution of these and other lineages across the South Atlantic gyre and in the Benguela upwelling system. We identified shifts in SAR11, Actinobacteria, OCS116, SAR86, SAR116 and members of the Roseobacter clade along basin‐scale gradients in nutrients, chlorophyll and dissolved organic carbon (DOC). Distinct SAR11 subclades dominated the western and eastern regions of the gyre, and Actinobacteria, OCS116 and members of the Roseobacter lineages were most abundant at the deep chlorophyll maxima. SAR86 and SAR116 accounted for a significant fraction of coastal and open ocean communities, respectively, and members of the gamma sulfur oxidizer (GSO) clade persisted in the Benguela upwelling system. These data suggest that distinct communities are partitioned along basin‐scale biogeochemical gradients, that SAR11 community structure varies across the gyre and that Actinobacteria, OCS116, and members of the Roseobacter clade are closely associated with phytoplankton in the gyre.
A resounding success or a disastrous failure: Re‐examining the interpretation of evidence on the Portuguese decriminalisation of illicit drugs
Authors: HUGHES CAITLIN ELIZABETH , STEVENS ALEX 
Published: January 2012

In this Harm Reduction Digest two observers and scholars of the 2001 Portuguese drug policy reform consider divergent accounts of the reform which viewed it as a ‘resounding success’ or a ‘disastrous failure’. Acknowledging from their own experience the inherent difficulties in studying drug law reform, Caitlin Hughes and Alex Stevens take the central competing claims of the protagonists and consider them against the available data. They remind us of the way all sides of the drug policy debates call upon and alternatively use or misuse ‘evidence’ to feed into discussions of the worth, efficacy and desirability of different illicit drug policies. In doing so they provide pause for thought for those of us who operate as drug policy researchers and drug policy advocates.Simon LentonCo‐editor, Harm Reduction Digest
Culture Shock and Higher Education Performance: Implications for Teaching
Authors: Kelly Philip , Moogan Yvonne 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe globalisation of higher education brings together learners and teachers from differing systems, creating a heterogeneous and diverse environment. Yet many higher education institutions typically rely on foreign students themselves to adapt to their new higher education environments. An investigation was undertaken as to whether traditional approaches are effective and efficient in meeting the needs of the internationally mobile student. Using data from the last ten years (1999 to 2009) from a post‐1992 University in the North West of England an analysis of over 15,000 postgraduate assessments found a significant performance difference between home country students and international mobile students. Results found that home country students perform significantly better than international students, although the latter perform better in examinations than in coursework. However, there is a substantive improvement during the dissertation stage for both groups. Possible reasons for such variations in performance are explored.
The Community of Workers' University: A Pragmatic Institution for the Future?
Authors: Gibbs Paul , Costley Carol 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe identity of the worker foregrounds the development of higher education rather than the other way around. It is developed in contrast to the lack of higher education innovation in the recent UK Government White Paper on Higher Education and in the educational philosophy of Tawney and the neo‐pragmaticism of Rorty. The proposal is that higher learning, after capabilities have been nurtured in compulsory schooling, may be developed through communities of workers acting as agent for improvement of their communities; not in universities at all. This is a radical approach to higher education and employment and one that might bring true diversity to the higher education sector.