bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Italian Information System on Zoonoses Data Collection
Authors: Colangeli P. , Iannetti S. , Ruocco L. , Forlizzi L. , Cioci D. , Calistri P. 
Published: June 2012

SummaryIn the framework of the international obligations subscribed by the Italian government, the Italian Ministry of Health should provide the European Union (EU) (European Commission, European Food Safety Authority – EFSA) with a set of data and information related to the report and the spread of zoonoses and to the activities put in place for monitoring and control of zoonoses. In 2008, the Italian Ministry of Health commissioned the Istituto G. Caporale (ICT) to implement an information system able to provide information and data on the monitoring and control of zoonoses in the national territory, in accordance with the national and community legislation. The system is part of the e‐Government process that involves all public administrations of the EU and refers to the use of information and communication technologies for the digital processing of documents in order to obtain simplification and interoperability of administrative procedures through the Internet, as defined in the strategic lines published by the National Centre for Information Systems in Public Administration (DigitPA) in 2009–2011.
In-vitro evaluation of the P-glycoprotein interactions of a series of potentially CNS-active Amaryllidaceae alkaloids
Authors: Eriksson André Huss , Rønsted Nina , Güler Semiha , Jäger Anna Katharina , Sendra Júlia Rodríguez , Brodin Birger 
Published: June 2012

Abstract

Objectives
Drug compounds interacting with the blood–brain barrier efflux transporter P-glycoprotein (P-gp) might have limited access to brain tissue. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether nine potentially CNS-active Amaryllidaceae alkaloids of the crinine, lycorine and galanthamine types interact with P-gp.

Methods
Alkaloids with inhibitory activity towards either the serotonin reuptake transporter or acetylcholinesterase, or both, were investigated using the calcein-AM efflux assay in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells transfected with human multidrug resistance transporter 1.

Key findings
Powelline and 6-hydroxycrinamine showed an interaction with P-gp, with IC50 values between 300 and 500 µm. 3-O-Acetylhamayne showed a weaker interaction, with an IC50 value above 3 mM. Epibuphanisine, lycorine, 1-epi-deacetylbowdenisine, papyramine and galanthamine all showed weak or no interaction with P-gp. There was no observed correlation between alkaloid type and P-gp interaction.

Conclusions
Structurally similar compounds such as crinine and epibuphanisine showed very different P-gp interactions, highlighting the difficulty in predicting P-gp interactions. Epibuphanisine has previously shown activity in the serotonin reuptake transporter assay and may therefore serve as a lead for serotonin reuptake transporter active compounds. The most potent compound in the acetylcholinesterase assay, the marketed drug compound galanthamine (Reminyl), showed no interaction with P-gp.
Progesterone pharmacokinetics in the mouse: implications for potential stroke therapy
Authors: Wong Raymond , Ray David , Kendall David A 
Published: June 2012

Abstract

Objectives
Progesterone has been shown to be neuroprotective in a number of preclinical central nervous system injury models including cerebral ischaemia. The aim of this study was to clarify differences in outcomes owing to different dosing regimens and the pharmacokinetic profile of progesterone, particularly in relation to brain levels.

Methods
Male C57 Bl/6 mice were injected intraperitoneally with progesterone (8 mg/kg in dimethylsulfoxide) or with a bolus injection followed by continuous subcutaneous infusion (1.0 µl/h of a 50 mg/ml progesterone solution) via implanted osmotic minipumps. Plasma and brain samples were collected over 24 h from bolus-injected mice and 48 h from mice implanted with minipumps. Progesterone concentrations were measured by an enzyme-linked immunoassay and pharmacokinetic profiles were constructed.

Key findings
Intraperitoneally injected progesterone had a short half-life (fast component half-life of 0.2 h) in both plasma and brain. Minipump delivery resulted in higher concentrations of progesterone in plasma and particularly in brain over a longer period. The volume of distribution with intraperitoneal injection was 172.78 versus 1641.84 ng/h per g via minipump in the first 24 h.

Conclusions
A bolus intraperitoneal loading dose of progesterone followed by continuous delivery via osmotic minipump is an effective way of delivering progesterone to the brain.
Impact of Chinese one-child policy on sibling structure: experience from rural areas in three provinces
Authors: Hemminki Elina , Long Qian , Wu Zhuochun , Klemetti Reija 
Published: June 2012

ObjectivesTo study the influence of population policy and boy preference on the sibling structure, that is, in which order and combinations boys and girls are born into families.DesignA population-based survey with a representative sample of new mothers in 2008–2009 in rural China.SettingTwo provinces (Anhui and Shaanxi) where authorisation for a second child was usually given if the first birth was a daughter and one province (Chongqing) where only one child was authorised.ParticipantsThe mothers giving birth in 2008–2009 were identified from family planning and hospital birth registers (including births outside hospitals) (n=5049). Of them, 3673 were interviewed by trained medical university staff members and students using structured questionnaire (response rate 73%).Main outcome measuresChildren's distribution by sex and families' distribution by children's birth order and sex composition were calculated and compared with theoretical values based on the assumption that family planning policy is fully followed.ResultsThe recommended family policy was varyingly followed in the three provinces. In all provinces, there were more second children than allowed. If the policy allowing a second child only after a first-born girl were fully followed, it would result in a sibling structure in which the one-child family is always with a boy and in the two-child family the first one is always a girl. This sibling structure was partly seen in Anhui but weakly in Shaanxi. The policy allowing only one child would result in an equal number of boys and girls, but in Chongqing, there were more boys. In Anhui, unlike the other provinces, there were many more first-born girls than boys, which the authors could not fully explain.ConclusionPopulation policy and boy preference influence the actual and relative number of girls and boys and also sibling structure.
Injury risk and severity in a sample of Maryland residents with serious mental illness
Authors: McGinty Emma E , Baker Susan P , Steinwachs Donald M , Daumit Gail 
Published: June 2012

ObjectiveAdults with serious mental illness experience premature mortality and heightened risk for medical disease, but little is known about the burden of injuries in this population. The objective of this study was to describe injury incidence among persons with serious mental illness.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort study of 6234 Maryl and Medicaid recipients with serious mental illness from 1994–2001. Injuries were classified using the Barell Matrix. Relative risks were calculated to compare injury rates among the study cohort with injury rates in the United States population. Cox proportional hazards modeling with time dependent covariates was used to assess factors related to risk of injury and injury-related death.ResultsForty-three percent of the Maryland Medicaid cohort had any injury diagnosis. Of the 7298 injuries incurred, the most common categories were systemic injuries due to poisoning (10.4%), open wounds to the head/face (8.9%), and superficial injuries, fractures, and sprains of the extremities (8.6%, 8.5%, and 8.4%, respectively). Injury incidence was 80% higher and risk for fatal injury was more than four and a half times higher among the cohort with serious mental illness compared to the general population. Alcohol and drug abuse were associated with both risk of injury and risk of injury-related death with hazard ratios of 1.87 and 4.76 at the p<0.05 significance level, respectively.ConclusionsThe superficial, minor nature of the majority of injuries is consistent with acts of minor victimization and violence or falls. High risk of fatal and non-fatal injury among this group indicates need for increased injury prevention efforts targeting persons with serious mental illness and their caregivers.
PET Evidence for a Role for Striatal Dopamine in the Attentional Blink: Functional Implications
Authors: Slagter Heleen A. , Tomer Rachel , Christian Bradley T. , Fox Andrew S. , Colzato Lorenza S. , King Carlye R. , Murali Dhanabalan , Davidson Richard J. 
Published: June 2012

Abstract
Our outside world changes continuously, for example, when driving through traffic. An important question is how our brain deals with this constant barrage of rapidly changing sensory input and flexibly selects only newly goal-relevant information for further capacity-limited processing in working memory. The challenge our brain faces is experimentally captured by the attentional blink (AB): an impairment in detecting the second of two target stimuli presented in close temporal proximity among distracters. Many theories have been proposed to explain this deficit in processing goal-relevant information, with some attributing the AB to capacity limitations related to encoding of the first target and others assigning a critical role to on-line selection mechanisms that control access to working memory. The current study examined the role of striatal dopamine in the AB, given its known role in regulating the contents of working memory. Specifically, participants performed an AB task and their basal level of dopamine D2-like receptor binding was measured using PET and [F-18]fallypride. As predicted, individual differences analyses showed that greater D2-like receptor binding in the striatum was associated with a larger AB, implicating striatal dopamine and mechanisms that control access to working memory in the AB. Specifically, we propose that striatal dopamine may determine the AB by regulating the threshold for working memory updating, providing a testable physiological basis for this deficit in gating rapidly changing visual information. A challenge for current models of the AB lies in connecting more directly to these neurobiological data.
Some subordination and superordination results of generalized Srivastava-Attiya operator
Authors: Aouf Mohamed Kamal , Mostafa Adela Osman , Shahin Awatif Mohamed , Madian Samar Mohamed 
Published: June 2012

Abstract
In this article, we obtain some subordination and superordination-preserving results of the generalized Srivastava-Attyia operator. Sandwich-type result is also obtained.

Mathematics Subject Classification 2000: 30C45.
LNA probes substantially improve the detection of bacterial endosymbionts in whole mount of insects by fluorescent in-situhybridization
Authors: Priya Natarajan Gayatri , Pandey Neeti , Rajagopal Raman 
Published: June 2012

Abstract

Background
Detection of unculturable bacteria and their localization in the host, by fluorescent in-situ hybridization (FISH), is a powerful technique in the study of host-bacteria interaction. FISH probes are designed to target the 16 s rRNA region of the bacteria to be detected. LNA probes have recently been used in FISH studies and proven to be more efficient. To date no report has employed LNA probes for FISH detection of bacterial endosymbiont in the whole mount tissues. Further, though speculated, bacteriocytes have not been reported from males of Bemisia tabaci.

Results
In this study, we compared the efficiency in detecting bacteria by fluorescent DNA oligonucleotides versus modified probes containing Locked Nucleic Acid (LNA) substitution in their structure. We used the insect Bemisia tabaci as the experimental material since it carried simultaneous infection by two bacteria: one a primary endosymbiont, Portiera (and present in more numbers) while the other a secondary endosymbiont Arsenophonus (and present in less numbers). Thus a variation in the abundance of bacteria was expected. While detecting both the bacteria, we found a significant increase in the signal whenever LNA probes were used. However, the difference was more pronounced in detecting the secondary endosymbiont, wherein DNA probes gave weak signals when compared to LNA probes. Also, signal to noise ratio for LNA probes was higher than DNA probes. We found that LNA considerably improved sensitivity of FISH, as compared to the commonly used DNA oligonucleotide probe.

Conclusion
By employing LNA probes we could detect endosymbiotic bacteria in males, which have never been reported previously. We were able to detect bacteriocytes containing Portiera and Arsenophonus in the males of B. tabaci. Thus, employing LNA probes at optimized conditions will help to significantly improve detection of bacteria at the lowest concentration and may give a comprehensible depiction about their specific distribution within samples.
Correlation between spatial (3D) structure of pea and bean thylakoid membranes and arrangement of chlorophyll-protein complexes
Authors: Rumak Izabela , Mazur Radosław , Gieczewska Katarzyna , Kozioł-Lipińska Joanna , Kierdaszuk Borys , Michalski Wojtek P , Shiell Brian J , Venema Jan Henk , Vredenberg Wim J , Mostowska Agnieszka , Garstka Maciej 
Published: June 2012

Abstract

Background
The thylakoid system in plant chloroplasts is organized into two distinct domains: grana arranged in stacks of appressed membranes and non-appressed membranes consisting of stroma thylakoids and margins of granal stacks. It is argued that the reason for the development of appressed membranes in plants is that their photosynthetic apparatus need to cope with and survive ever-changing environmental conditions. It is not known however, why different plant species have different arrangements of grana within their chloroplasts. It is important to elucidate whether a different arrangement and distribution of appressed and non-appressed thylakoids in chloroplasts are linked with different qualitative and/or quantitative organization of chlorophyll-protein (CP) complexes in the thylakoid membranes and whether this arrangement influences the photosynthetic efficiency.

Results
Our results from TEM and in situ CLSM strongly indicate the existence of different arrangements of pea and bean thylakoid membranes. In pea, larger appressed thylakoids are regularly arranged within chloroplasts as uniformly distributed red fluorescent bodies, while irregular appressed thylakoid membranes within bean chloroplasts correspond to smaller and less distinguished fluorescent areas in CLSM images. 3D models of pea chloroplasts show a distinct spatial separation of stacked thylakoids from stromal spaces whereas spatial division of stroma and thylakoid areas in bean chloroplasts are more complex. Structural differences influenced the PSII photochemistry, however without significant changes in photosynthetic efficiency. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of chlorophyll-protein complexes as well as spectroscopic investigations indicated a similar proportion between PSI and PSII core complexes in pea and bean thylakoids, but higher abundance of LHCII antenna in pea ones. Furthermore, distinct differences in size and arrangements of LHCII-PSII and LHCI-PSI supercomplexes between species are suggested.

Conclusions
Based on proteomic and spectroscopic investigations we postulate that the differences in the chloroplast structure between the analyzed species are a consequence of quantitative proportions between the individual CP complexes and its arrangement inside membranes. Such a structure of membranes induced the formation of large stacked domains in pea, or smaller heterogeneous regions in bean thylakoids. Presented 3D models of chloroplasts showed that stacked areas are noticeably irregular with variable thickness, merging with each other and not always parallel to each other.
Blood pressure and particulate air pollution in schoolchildren of Lahore, Pakistan
Authors: Sughis Muhammad , Nawrot Tim S , Ihsan-ul-Haque Syed , Amjad Asad , Nemery Benoit 
Published: June 2012

AbstractBackgroundAir pollution is a growing health problem for urban populations in emerging economies. The present study examines the (cross-sectional) relation between blood pressure and particulate air pollution in schoolchildren of Lahore (Pakistan).MethodsWe recruited a sample of 8–12 year-old children (mean age 9.9 years; 45% girls) from two schools in Lahore situated in areas with low (n = 79) and high (n = 100) air pollution, respectively. During the study period (January-April 2009) particulate pollution [PM10and PM2.5i.e.particles with aerodynamic diameters below 10 μm or 2.5 μm, respectively] was measured at the school sites with a laser operated device (Metone Aerocet 531). Blood pressure was measured, after 5 minutes of sitting rest, using an automated device (average of 5 consecutive measurements). Spot urine samples were also collected and concentrations of Na and K were measured.ResultsMean daily values of PM2.5were 28.5 μg/m3(SD: 10.3) and 183 μg/m3(SD: 30.2), in the low and high pollution areas, respectively. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly higher in children living in the high pollution area (115.9/70.9 mm Hg) than in the low pollution area (108.3/66.4 mm Hg), independently of age, gender, height, weight, socio-economic status, passive smoking and the urinary concentrations of Na, K, and creatinine.ConclusionsIn 8–12 year-old children, exposure to (traffic-related) air pollution was associated with higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure. These findings, if they persist, might have clinical relevance at older age.
Joint source/channel iterative arithmetic decoding with JPEG 2000 image transmission application
Authors: Zaibi Sonia , Zribi Amin , Pyndiah Ramesh , Aloui Nadia 
Published: June 2012

Abstract
Motivated by recent results in Joint Source/Channel coding and decoding, we consider the decoding problem of Arithmetic Codes (AC). In fact, in this article we provide different approaches which allow one to unify the arithmetic decoding and error correction tasks. A novel length-constrained arithmetic decoding algorithm based on Maximum A Posteriori sequence estimation is proposed. The latter is based on soft-input decoding using a priori knowledge of the source-symbol sequence and the compressed bit-stream lengths. Performance in the case of transmission over an Additive White Gaussian Noise channel is evaluated in terms of Packet Error Rate. Simulation results show that the proposed decoding algorithm leads to significant performance gain while exhibiting very low complexity. The proposed soft input arithmetic decoder can also generate additional information regarding the reliability of the compressed bit-stream components. We consider the serial concatenation of the AC with a Recursive Systematic Convolutional Code, and perform iterative decoding. We show that, compared to tandem and to trellis-based Soft-Input Soft-Output decoding schemes, the proposed decoder exhibits the best performance/complexity tradeoff. Finally, the practical relevance of the presented iterative decoding system is validated under an image transmission scheme based on the JPEG 2000 standard and excellent results in terms of decoded image quality are obtained.
Default in plasma and intestinal IgA responses during acute infection by simian immunodeficiency virus
Authors: Chaoul Nada , Burelout Chantal , Peruchon Sandrine , van Buu Beatrice Nguyen , Laurent Pascale , Proust Alexis , Raphael Martine , Garraud Olivier , Le Grand Roger , Prevot Sophie , Richard Yolande 
Published: June 2012

Abstract

Background
Conflicting results regarding changes in mucosal IgA production or in the proportions of IgA plasma cells in the small and large intestines during HIV-infection have been previously reported. Except in individuals repeatedly exposed to HIV-1 but yet remaining uninfected, HIV-specific IgAs are frequently absent in mucosal secretions from HIV-infected patients. However, little is known about the organization and functionality of mucosal B-cell follicles in acute HIV/SIV infection during which a T-dependent IgA response should have been initiated. In the present study, we evaluated changes in B-cell and T-cell subsets as well as the extent of apoptosis and class-specific plasma cells in Peyer’s Patches, isolated lymphoid follicles, and lamina propria. Plasma levels of IgA, BAFF and APRIL were also determined.

Results
Plasma IgA level was reduced by 46% by 28 days post infection (dpi), and no IgA plasma cells were found within germinal centers of Peyer’s Patches and isolated lymphoid follicles. This lack of a T-dependent IgA response occurs although germinal centers remained functional with no sign of follicular damage, while a prolonged survival of follicular CD4+ T-cells and normal generation of IgG plasma cells is observed. Whereas the average plasma BAFF level was increased by 4.5-fold and total plasma cells were 1.7 to 1.9-fold more numerous in the lamina propria, the relative proportion of IgA plasma cells in this effector site was reduced by 19% (duodemun) to 35% (ileum) at 28 dpi.

Conclusion
Our data provide evidence that SIV is unable to initiate a T-dependent IgA response during the acute phase of infection and favors the production of IgG (ileum) or IgM (duodenum) plasma cells at the expense of IgA plasma cells. Therefore, an early and generalized default in IgA production takes place during the acute of phase of HIV/SIV infection, which might impair not only the virus-specific antibody response but also IgA responses to other pathogens and vaccines as well. Understanding the mechanisms that impair IgA production during acute HIV/SIV infection is crucial to improve virus-specific response in mucosa and control microbial translocation.
Isolated extrahepatic bile duct rupture: a rare consequence of blunt abdominal trauma. Case report and review of the literature
Authors: Balzarotti Ruben , Cimbanassi Stefania , Chiara Osvaldo , Zabbialini Gianpietro , Smadja Claude 
Published: June 2012

Abstract
A 16-year-old girl suffered blunt abdominal trauma. Clinically, a severe motor impairment with paraesthesia of the legs was found. Posterior osteosynthesis in T10-L1 with laminectomy in T10-T12 and posterolateral arthrodesis in T11-T12 was performed because of a dorsal traumatic vertebral fracture. On hospital day 7, because of an acute abdomen, surgical laparoscopic exploration showed sterile bloody fluid without any evident hemorrhagic injury. On hospital day 11, the patient was reoperated on by the laparoscopic approach for increasing abdominal pain and fever: a peritoneal biliary fluid was aspirated. After conversion to open surgery, cholecystectomy was performed. Intraoperative cholangiography was considered as normal. On arrival at our institution 13 days after injury, the patient was operated on for a biliary peritonitis. Intraoperatively, a trans-cystic cholangiography showed a biliary leakage of the common bile duct; a T-tube was placed into the common bile duct; a subhepatic drainage was placed too. On postoperative day 30, a T-tube cholangiography showed a normal biliary tree, without any leakage, and the T-tube was subsequently removed. The patient had a complete recovery.