bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The complexity of allergic patients' IgE repertoire correlates with serum concentration of allergen‐specific IgE
Authors: Willumsen N. , Holm J. , Christensen L. H. , Würtzen P. A. , Lund K. 
Published: April 2012

SummaryBackgroundThe governing factor of both effector‐cell activation and facilitated antigen presentation is IgE‐repertoire complexity (IgE‐clonality, ‐affinity and ‐concentration). Yet, the compositions of individual IgE repertoires and correlation between IgE‐repertoire complexity and establishment of allergic sensitization remain to be determined.ObjectiveIn complex formation assays with recombinant IgE, allergen and CD23+ B cells, we assess the composition of serum IgE repertoires and examine the correlation between IgE‐titre and IgE‐repertoire complexity.MethodsThe capacity of sera, from house dust mite‐sensitized individuals, to mediate IgE–Der p 2–CD23 complex formation on CD23+ B cells was measured. In parallel experiments, the effect of supplementing each serum with one or more Der p 2‐specific monoclonal recombinant IgE antibodies on complex formation was determined.ResultsOnly sera with the highest concentration of Der p 2‐specific IgE resulted in complex formation without supplementary recombinant IgE. Intermediately titred sera supported complex formation to various degrees when supplemented with individual recombinant IgE. The degree of complex formation depended on the affinity and epitope specificity of the recombinant IgE. Complex formation by combining serum and recombinant IgEs could not be obtained with sera of relatively low titres of specific IgE. However, these sera had the capacity to dramatically enhance the low complex formation achieved with pairs of affinity‐engineered recombinant IgEs.Conclusion and Clinical RelevanceSerum IgE complexity can be indirectly assessed by combining sera with defined monoclonal IgEs in IgE–allergen–CD23 complex assays. The observed differences in epitope‐coverage of Der p 2‐specific serum‐IgE in sera of different specific IgE titres indicate that increased IgE titres correlate with increased complexity of the IgE‐repertoire. A detailed knowledge of the composition and complexity of allergen‐specific IgE repertoires (and the relation to IgE titre), particularly in the early phase of sensitization, may be used to improve the prediction of the persistence and severity of allergic symptoms, as well as the progression of the Allergic March.
The relationship between body composition and fracture risk using the FRAX model in central south Chinese postmenopausal women
Authors: Zhang Zhimin , Shen Xiangmin , Zhang Hongbing , Li Shuang , Zhou Houde , Wu Xiyu , Sheng Zhifeng , Liao Eryuan 
Published: April 2012

SummaryObjectivesTo assess the relationship between body composition and fracture risk as determined by the FRAX® model in postmenopausal women in central south China.MethodsA cross‐sectional study was conducted in 779 women. Bone mineral density (BMD) of the left femur and total body composition were measured by dual X‐ray absorptiometry. All clinical information was available for incorporation into the FRAX model to assess the 10‐year fracture probability.ResultsIn the FRAX model, when BMD values were included, the 10‐year probability of major osteoporotic fractures and hip fractures was 3·4% and 1·0%, respectively, which was significantly higher than the probability rates of 2·7% and 0·8%, respectively, for the same events when BMD values were not included (P < 0·01). Both fat mass and lean mass were negatively correlated with the predicted 10‐year probability of fracture (P < 0·01), and femoral neck BMD was the most significant determinant of the predicted 10‐year fracture probability. Compared with fat mass, lean mass had more impact on the 10‐year probability of both major and hip osteoporotic fractures.ConclusionIn postmenopausal women in central south China, both fat mass and lean mass were negatively correlated with the predicted 10‐year fracture probability. The effect of lean mass and fat mass on fracture risk may be mediated through their impact on BMD. Compared with fat mass, lean mass had more of an impact on the risk of both major osteoporotic and hip fractures, showing that physical activity is an important component in the prevention of osteoporotic fracture.
Enhanced growth at low population density in Daphnia: the absence of crowding effects or relief from visual predation?
Authors: GLIWICZ Z. MACIEJ , MASZCZYK PIOTR , USZKO WOJCIECH 
Published: April 2012

Summary1. It has been suggested that chemical information from crowded populations of an animal such as Daphnia carries a cue indicating imminent food limitation, and we suggest that in the presence of fish kairomones, it may also convey a hint of the need to enhance antipredation defences.2. We performed two‐factorial experiments with Daphnia grown in flow‐through plankton chambers in medium containing high levels of Scenedesmus food plus chemical information on either low or high population density levels and in the presence or absence of fish chemical cues (kairomones) and recorded (i) the effects on Daphnia growth rate and reproduction, and (ii) the effects on Daphnia depth selection. Further depth‐selection experiments were performed to test the reaction of Daphnia to crowding information at different Daphnia concentrations and to test its effect on daytime and night‐time depth selection by different Daphnia instars in the presence of kairomones.3. The effects of crowding information alone (in the absence of kairomones) were weak and were not significantly strengthened by the addition of kairomones. The effects of kairomones alone (in the absence of crowding information) were much stronger and were increased by the presence of crowding chemicals: Daphnia selected greater depths in daylight (the later the instar and the larger its body size, the greater the depth), their body growth was slower and daily reproductive investment reduced, compared with Daphnia grown in the absence of crowding information. This suggested that crowding chemicals carry a cue indicating the need to invest more into antipredation defences.4. The adaptive significance of these effects was confirmed by the differential vulnerability to predation of the Daphnia when offered as prey to live roach after being grown for 6 days either in the presence (higher vulnerability) or in the absence (lower vulnerability) of information on high density.5. The strong interaction between crowding information and fish kairomones may be explained either as the reaction to a cue indicating impending food stress or as the reaction to a signal of increased predation risk. While the former scenario is already known from crowding studies, the latter is a novel idea that stems from the old concept of ‘low‐density anti‐predation refuge’. The two scenarios are not mutually exclusive: each stems from the need to invest in survival rather than in growth and reproduction [Corrections were made to this paragraph after first online publication on 4 April 2012].
Parental genome imbalance in Brassica oleracea causes asymmetric triploid block
Authors: Stoute Andrew I. , Varenko Valentyna , King Graham J. , Scott Roderick J. , Kurup Smita 
Published: April 2012

SummaryInterploidy crosses fail in many plant species due to abnormalities in endosperm development. In the inbreeding species Arabidopsis thaliana, both paternal and maternal excess interploidy crosses usually result in viable seed that exhibit parent‐of‐origin effects on endosperm development and final seed size. Paternal excess crosses result in extended proliferation of the endosperm and larger seeds, while conversely maternal excess crosses result in early endosperm cellularisation and smaller seeds. Investigations into the effect of parental gene dosage on seed development have revealed that MADS box transcription factors, particularly the AGAMOUS‐like family, play important roles in controlling endosperm proliferation. The important crop genus Brassica contains self‐incompatible outbreeding species and has a larger and more complex genome than the closely related Arabidopsis. Here we show that although Brassica oleracea displays strong parent‐of‐origin effects on seed development, triploid block due to lethal disruption of endosperm development was restricted to paternal excess, with maternal excess crosses yielding viable seed. In addition, transcriptome analyses of Brassica homologues of Arabidopsis genes linked to parent‐of‐origin effects revealed conservation of some mechanisms controlling aspects endosperm behaviour in the two species. However, there were also differences that may explain the failure of the paternal excess cross in B. oleracea.
How twins differ: multiple pregnancy and the use of health care in the 2008 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey
Authors: McDonald Andrea M. , Campbell Oona M. R. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractObjectives  To (i) document the incidence of multiplicity in Nigeria, (ii) compare healthcare utilization during pregnancy and at delivery for singleton and multiple pregnancies (iii)and investigate whether antenatal care modifies the relationship between multiplicity and likelihood of having skilled attendance.Methods  This observational study was a secondary analysis of the 2008 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey and included 17 635 women who gave birth to a live infant between 2003 and 2008. Multivariate logistic regression with adjustment for weighting, clustering and confounding was used to investigate associations and look for effect modification.Results  There were 18.5 multiple pregnancies per 1000 maternities. Multiple births had nearly six times the chance of neonatal mortality (AOR 5.74). Mothers with multiple births had more skilled attendance (AOR 1.75), but similar antenatal care utilization (AOR 0.95) as women with a singleton pregnancy. Women with multiple pregnancies attending antenatal care had more visits (mean 9.0 vs. 8.2), blood pressure checks (OR 1.52) and urine tests (OR 1.51). Although antenatal care was strongly associated with skilled attendance, there was no evidence that this was more so for twins than singletons.Conclusions  Multiplicity in Nigeria is not just a common occurrence, but an indicator of a high‐risk pregnancy. The fact that the use of antenatal care by women with a multiple pregnancy is not associated with a disproportionately greater use of skilled delivery care raises questions about the quality of antenatal services. Services should encourage and link all women and especially high‐risk women to skilled attendance at delivery.
Yield and Quality Characteristics of Quinoa Grown in Open Field Under Different Saline and Non‐Saline Irrigation Regimes
Authors: Pulvento C. , Riccardi M. , Lavini A. , Iafelice G. , Marconi E. , d’Andria R. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractA possible alternative to minimize the effects of salt and drought stress is the introduction of species tolerating these conditions with a good adaptability in terms of quantitative and qualitative yield. So quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) cultivar Titicaca was grown in an open field trial in 2009 and 2010 to investigate the effects of salt and drought stress on quantitative and qualitative aspects of the yield. Treatments irrigated with well water (Q100, Q50 and Q25) and corresponding treatments irrigated with saline water (Q100S, Q50S and Q25S) with an electrical conductivity (ECw) of 22 dS m−1 were compared. Salt and drought stress in both years did not cause significant yield reduction, while the highest level of saline water resulted in higher mean seed weight and as a consequence the increase in fibre and total saponin content in quinoa seeds.
Effect of storage time, site and floral morph on seed germination of the threatened distylous primrosePrimula cusickianavar.maguirei
Authors: RAYBURN ANDREW P. , DAVIDSON JACOB B. , SCHUPP EUGENE W. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractEx situconservation of rare plant species requires an understanding of germination requirements. We report the first successful germination trials for Maguire primrose (Primula cusickianavar.maguirei[L.O. Williams] N.H. Holmgren & S. Kelso), a threatened perennial herb narrowly restricted to a 20‐km canyon in northern Utah, USA. Seeds collected from different sites (upper or lower canyon populations) and flower morphs (pin or thrum) that had been stored for either 1 or 2 years were cold, moist stratified in darkness at 1–2°C for 270 days. Independent of treatment, time to first germination was approximately 75 days, time to 50% germination (T50) was approximately 165 days, and total germination was 55.8%. Higher mean germination was observed in seeds stored for 2 years compared with seeds stored for 1 year, as well as in seeds from pin flowers compared with thrum flowers. There was not a significant effect of site on mean germination, but there was a significant storage time × site interaction. Seeds stored for 2 years also had a lower mean T50versus seeds stored for 1 year. In addition, seeds from upper canyon populations had a higher mean T50than those from lower canyon populations. Our results suggest that short‐term storage should not significantly decrease seed viability, and that both flower morph and canyon location may influence germination. Evidence suggests that germination patterns are adaptive. Our results contribute to our understanding of the germination biology ofP. cusickianavar.maguireiand inform future conservation efforts for this threatened species.
The efficacy of transcatheter arterial embolization as the first‐choice treatment after failure of endoscopic hemostasis and endoscopic treatment resistance factors
Authors: Katano Takahito , Mizoshita Tsutomu , Senoo Kyoji , Sobue Satoshi , Takada Hiroki , Sakamoto Tomoyuki , Mochiduki Hisato , Ozeki Takanori , Kato Akihisa , Matsunami Kayoko , Ito Kazuyuki , Joh Takashi 
Published: April 2012

Aim:  The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the efficacy of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) as the first‐choice treatment in patients with bleeding peptic ulcer after the failure of endoscopic hemostasis. An additional objective was to clarify endoscopic treatment resistance factors.Methods:  Between April 2004 and December 2010, 554 patients were admitted to Kasugai Municipal Hospital for necessary endoscopic hemostasis for bleeding gastric ulcer or duodenal ulcer. In the patients for whom endoscopic hemostasis failed, TAE was attempted. If TAE failed, the patients underwent surgery. The backgrounds of the patients in whom endoscopic treatment was successful and in whom it failed were compared.Results:  TAE was attempted in 15 patients (2.7%). In 12 (80.0%) of 15 patients, embolization with coils was successful. In one patient (6.7%), embolization was ineffective. This patient underwent emergent salvage surgery. In two (13.3%) of 15 patients, no extravasation was observed during arteriography. These patients were cured with medication. In two patients, ulcer perforation was observed during endoscopy after rebleeding. These patients underwent surgery. In total, 3 (0.5%) of 554 patients underwent surgery. No recurrent bleeding was observed after TAE. Hemoglobin level <8 g/dL at presentation (P = 0.02), Rockall score ≥7 at presentation (P = 0.002), and Forrest class Ia/Ib at initial endoscopic hemostasis (P < 0.001) were found to be independent significant endoscopic treatment resistance factors.Conclusions:  TAE is a safe and effective first‐choice treatment for patients in whom endoscopic hemostasis has failed.
Pleasant physical exercise program for prevention of cognitive decline in community‐dwelling elderly with subjective memory complaints
Authors: Kamegaya Tadahiko ,   Long‐Term‐Care Prevention Team of Maebashi City, Maki Yohko , Yamagami Tetsuya , Yamaguchi Tomoharu , Murai Tatsuhiko , Yamaguchi Haruyasu 
Published: April 2012

Aim:  Japan is one of the most rapidly aging societies in the world. Measures to prevent dementia are urgently required in Japan, although such strategies have not yet been established. This study investigated the effectiveness of a pleasant physical exercise intervention on the prevention of cognitive decline in community‐dwelling elderly participants with subjective memory complaints. In this intervention, a pleasant atmosphere was emphasized to enhance the participants' motivation.Method:  We administered a 12‐week intervention program consisting of pleasant physical exercise. This program for the prevention of cognitive decline was carried out as a service of Maebashi city. The service targeted elderly residents aged 65 years and older who had subjective memory complaints. After a control period of 12 weeks, 42 participants, aged between 65–86 years, received intervention once a week at community centers. Participants carried out group exercise, and were encouraged to perform home exercise and walking during the intervention period. The program was carried out by co‐medical professional staff, with the help of senior citizen volunteers.Results:  A total of 30 participants were included in the analysis. There was significant improvement on the Wechsler digit symbol substitution test (P = 0.01).Conclusion:  Participants with subjective memory complaints who continued the pleasant physical exercise programs for 12 weeks showed improvement in some aspects of cognitive function. Participation of senior citizen volunteers enabled smooth implementation of the program, and alleviated the burden on the professional staff. The pleasant physical exercise intervention described in the present study could be regarded as a community‐led intervention to prevent cognitive decline. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2012; ••: ••–••.
Accounting for dispersal and biotic interactions to disentangle the drivers of species distributions and their abundances
Authors: Boulangeat Isabelle , Gravel Dominique , Thuiller Wilfried 
Published: April 2012

Ecology Letters (2012)AbstractAlthough abiotic factors, together with dispersal and biotic interactions, are often suggested to explain the distribution of species and their abundances, species distribution models usually focus on abiotic factors only. We propose an integrative framework linking ecological theory, empirical data and statistical models to understand the distribution of species and their abundances together with the underlying community assembly dynamics. We illustrate our approach with 21 plant species in the French Alps. We show that a spatially nested modelling framework significantly improves the model’s performance and that the spatial variations of species presence–absence and abundances are predominantly explained by different factors. We also show that incorporating abiotic, dispersal and biotic factors into the same model bring new insights to our understanding of community assembly. This approach, at the crossroads between community ecology and biogeography, is a promising avenue for a better understanding of species co‐existence and biodiversity distribution.
Prospective evaluation of interobserver variability of the hydronephrosis index and the renal resistive index as sonographic examination methods for the evaluation of acute hydronephrosis
Authors: Rud Oleg , Moersler Johannes , Peter Julia , Waliszewski Przemyslaw , Gilfrich Christian , Häuser Hannes , Burger Maximilian , Fritsche Hans‐Martin , Wieland Wolf F. , Ahmed Ali M. , Brookman‐May Sabine , May Matthias 
Published: April 2012

Study Type – Diagnosis (reliability)Level of Evidence 2bWhat's known on the subject? and What does the study add?Conventional sonography is the standard imaging technique used in patients with acute renal colic. A decreasing hydronephrosis index (HI) is associated with an increase in obstructive uropathy. Obstructive uropathy leads to an increase in the renal resistive index (RRI).The present study shows that both the RRI and HI methods are easily practicable in patients presenting with stone‐related renal colic. The grade of hydronephrosis correlates positively with the HI but not with the RI.OBJECTIVE
To confirm the reliability of assessements of the renal resistive index (RRI) and the hydronephrosis index (HI) comprising two sonographic techniques providing additional information in patients with acute renal colic.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
Sonographic measurement of hydronephrosis and assessment of common clinical criteria was performed in 22 consecutive patients presenting with unilateral stone‐related renal colic. RRI and HI were separately recorded by two investigators within a prospective study.
Interobserver agreement and comparison of sonographic with computed tomography (CT) findings were assessed with the Cohen's kappa statistic (κ) for attributive ordinal characteristics and Spearman's rank correlation/rho (ρ) for attributive metric characteristics.
RESULTS
There was a significant correlation between HI and the sonographically‐evaluated grade of hydronephrosis, although not between RRI and the grade of hydronephrosis.
For all procedures (RRI, HI, sonography and CT), significant differences between the symptomatic and the asymptomatic kidney were assessed.
Interobserver agreement was excellent for the grade assessment of hydronephrosis by conventional sonography (κ= 0.82; P < 0.001), good to very good for HI (ρ= 0.60; P= 0.003) and acceptable to good for RRI (ρ= 0.49; P= 0.021).
CONCLUSIONS
The RRI and HI methods are both easily practicable as stageless examination methods in patients presenting with stone‐related renal colic, and both also reliably distinguish between obstruction and non‐obstruction.
Exact thresholds for both methods must still be defined based on further successive studies.
Additionally, changes of values under medical expulsive therapy and correlation with the functional status of the obstructed kidney remain to be examined.
AN EVALUATION OF THE GREEK UNIVERSITIES’ ECONOMICS DEPARTMENTS
Authors: Katranidis Stelios , Panagiotidis Theodore , Zontanos Costas 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTThis study provides a ranking of Economics Departments of Greek universities. Contrary to the existing literature, we look directly at the citations of the faculty members as a measure of academic performance and avoid the classification of journals. Additionally, the country of the PhD studies was found to be a significant variable that can explain the productivity of Greek economists. PhD holders from US and UK universities are characterized by higher productivity compared to those from other countries.
HUMAN CAPITAL FORMATION AND TAX EVASION
Authors: Goerke Laszlo 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTA strictly risk‐averse individual with an exogenous gross income in period one can acquire human capital in the same period and evade taxes. Period‐two income rises with educational investments in period one and can also be hidden from tax authorities. It is shown that a greater tax deductibility of educational investments and higher individual ability induce a positive correlation between tax evasion and educational investments in period two, whereas the relationship in period one is ambiguous. These theoretical predictions can explain diverse empirical findings on the correlation between education and tax evasion.
How Does Childbirth Alter Intrahousehold Resource Allocation? Evidence from Japan*
Authors: Fujii Tomoki , Ishikawa Ryuichiro 
Published: April 2012

AbstractExploiting unique panel data that include direct measurements of resource allocation within households, we investigated the impact of childbirth on intrahousehold allocation for married Japanese couples. Based on a collective model of the household, we developed reduced‐form and structural‐form estimation equations that allow us to focus on private goods to track the changes in intrahousehold resource allocation. We found one additional child is associated with a reduction in the wife's private expenditure share by at least two percentage points. This may be because she substitutes more say in decisions on the children for her own private expenditure share.