bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Differential niche modification by males and females of a dioecious herb: extending the Jack Sprat effect
Authors: SÁNCHEZ‐VILAS J. , PANNELL J. R. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractMales and females of dioecious plants often differ in morphological, physiological and life‐history traits, probably as a result of their different requirements for reproduction. We found that the growth and reproductive effort of individuals of the dioecious herb Mercurialis annua depended on whether males or females had been growing in the soil previously. This suggests that males and females of M. annua differentially modify the soil in which they are growing. Our study indicates that sexual dimorphism in dioecious plants can give rise to increased environmental heterogeneity as a consequence of sex‐specific niche modification.
Lactadherin functions as a probe for phosphatidylserine exposure and as an anticoagulant in the study of stored platelets
Authors: Hou J. , Fu Y. , Zhou J. , Li W. , Xie R. , Cao F. , Gilbert G. E. , Shi J. 
Published: August 2010

Background and Objectives  Annexin V, the long established standard method of measuring phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure, is not the most suitable probe for the study of stored platelets because of calcium dependence and low sensitivity under 8% PS exposure. The aim of this study was to show lactadherin as a sensitive probe for PS exposure and an effective anticoagulant for stored platelets.Materials and Methods  PS exposure and the associated procoagulant activity of platelets in 20 platelet concentrate units were investigated by flow cytometry, confocal microscopy, coagulation time analysis and enzymatic assays. Annexin V and lactadherin were utilized separately in this study.Results  Using lactadherin, we identified higher levels of PS exposure on the platelets and microparticles compared to detection using annexin V by flow cytometry. Lactadherin staining showed earlier PS exposure localized to platelets membrane in the earlier stage of storage. Subsequently, PS was distributed on the narrow rim of the plasma membrane and blebbing vesicles. Lactadherin or annexin V (32 nm) prolonged coagulation time 2·4 fold versus twofold. The production of thrombin and intrinsic/extrinsic factor Xase were inhibited approximately 85∼90% and 65∼70% by lactadherin and annexin V, respectively.Conclusion  Lactadherin can provide the quantification and location of PS exposure on banked platelets in the absence of agonists. Furthermore, lactadherin is a more effective anticoagulant for inhibiting the procoagulant activity of stored platelets compared with annexin V.
Distribution of Diego blood group alleles and identification of four novel mutations on exon 19 of SLC4A1 gene in the Chinese Han population by polymerase chain reaction sequence–based typing
Authors: Xu X. G. , He J. , He Y. M. , Tao S. D. , Ying Y. L. , Zhu F. M. , Lv H. J. , Yan L. X. 
Published: September 2010

Background  The Diego blood group system plays an important role in transfusion medicine. Genotyping of DI1 and DI2 alleles is helpful for the investigation into haemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN) and for the development of rare blood group databases. Here, we set up a polymerase chain reaction sequence–based typing (PCR‐SBT) method for genotyping of Diego blood group alleles.Study Design and Methods  Specific primers for exon 19 of the solute carrier family 4, anion exchanger, member1 (SLC4A1) gene were designed, and our PCR‐SBT method was established and optimized for Diego genotyping. A total of 1053 samples from the Chinese Han population and the family members of a rare proband with DI1/DI1 genotype were investigated by the PCR‐SBT method. An allele‐specific primer PCR (PCR‐ASP) was used to verify the reliability of the PCR‐SBT method.Results  The frequencies of DI1 and DI2 alleles in the Chinese Han population were 0·0247 and 0·9753, respectively. Six new single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were found in the sequenced regions of the SLC4A1 gene, and four novel SNPs located in the exon 19, in which one SNP could cause an amino acid alteration of Ala858Ser on erythrocyte anion exchanger protein 1. The genotypes for Diego blood group were identical among 41 selected samples with PCR‐ASP and PCR‐SBT.Conclusion  The PCR‐SBT method can be used in Diego genotyping as a substitute of serological technique when the antisera is lacking and was suitable for screening large numbers of donors in rare blood group databases.
Functional analysis of sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) and sucrose synthase (SS) in sugarcane (Saccharum) cultivars
Authors: Verma A. K. , Upadhyay S. K. , Verma P. C. , Solomon S. , Singh S. B. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractSucrose phosphate synthase (SPS; EC 2.4.1.14) and sucrose synthase (SS; EC 2.4.1.13) are key enzymes in the synthesis and breakdown of sucrose in sugarcane. The activities of internodal SPS and SS, as well as transcript expression were determined using semi‐quantitative RT‐PCR at different developmental stages of high and low sucrose accumulating sugarcane cultivars. SPS activity and transcript expression was higher in mature internodes compared with immature internodes in all the studied cultivars. However, high sugar cultivars showed increased transcript expression and enzyme activity of SPS compared to low sugar cultivars at all developmental stages. SS activity was higher in immature internodes than in mature internodes in all cultivars; SS transcript expression showed a similar pattern. Our studies demonstrate that SPS activity was positively correlated with sucrose and negatively correlated with hexose sugars. However, SS activity was negatively correlated with sucrose and positively correlated with hexose sugars. The present study opens the possibility for improvement of sugarcane cultivars by increasing expression of the respective enzymes using transgene technology.
Neonatal community‐acquired pneumonia: Pathogens and treatment
Authors: Wang Hua , Tang Jun , Xiong Ying , Li Xihong , Gonzalez Fernando , Mu Dezhi 
Published: August 2010

Aim:  To analyse the bacterial pathogens and drug sensitivities for neonatal community‐acquired pneumonia.Methods:  Seven hundred sixty sputum samples from newborns with community‐acquired pneumonia were cultured to determine microbial organisms present and their drug sensitivities.Results:  Of the 760 specimens, 425 grew pathogens for a 55.9% positive rate. Among the 425 positive cultures, 278 grew gram‐negative organisms (65.4%), 142 grew gram‐positive organisms (33.3%), while 5 grew fungus (1.3%). The most common gram‐negative organisms were Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Hemophilus influenzae, while the most common gram‐positive organisms were Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus haemolyticus. To the gram‐negative organisms, the most sensitive drugs were meropenem, imipenem and amikacin, while to the gram‐positive ones were vancomycin, teicoplanin and quinupristin/dalfopristin.Conclusions:  The most common causative bacteria were gram‐negative organisms, which were highly sensitive to Meropenem, Imipenem and Amikacin, yet often treatable with more focused antibiotic coverage, which depended on the bacterium identified.
Parent‐perceived barriers to participation in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy
Authors: Vogts Nicole , Mackey Anna H. , Ameratunga Shanthi , Stott N. Susan 
Published: August 2010

Aim:  To pilot the use of the Craig Hospital Inventory of Environmental Factors (CHIEF) questionnaire to ascertain information regarding barriers to participation experienced by a sample of New Zealand children with cerebral palsy.Methods:  The CHIEF questionnaire was administered to parents/caregivers of a consecutive sample of 32 children with cerebral palsy attending a paediatric tertiary clinic in Auckland. Twenty‐three children walked independently, 5 used walking aides and four used a wheelchair. Twenty‐four of the 32 parent‐respondents provided contextual feedback for their responses and wider issues relating to the topic.Results:  The barriers to participation most commonly reported by parents were attitudes at school (72%) and in the community (56%), difficulties accessing personal equipment (59%), and the natural environment and built surroundings (56%). Contextual information from families generally supported their answers to the questionnaire but highlighted that some parents had confused the ‘not applicable’ and ‘never’ options. Discrepancy between scores on the policy‐related questions and later contextual feedback suggested that the policy subscale did not fully capture family concerns about limited availability of public funding for equipment, therapy, and educational support.Conclusions:  The CHIEF instrument proved easy to use in a clinic setting. However, parent‐respondent feedback highlighted the difficulties in interpreting responses to some items when the instrument is used in isolation to quantify environmental barriers to participation. The results highlight the need to develop research approaches and tools that can explore barriers to participation by children with cerebral palsy taking account of socio‐economic and other relevant contextual information.
The social determinants of early child development: An overview
Authors: Maggi Stefania , Irwin Lori J. , Siddiqi Arjumand , Hertzman Clyde 
Published: August 2010

Aim:  This paper offers an overview of the current state of knowledge of the critical social determinants of child development and the complex ways in which these can influence health trajectories.Methods:  We conducted an overview of the research conducted by medical and social scientists in the attempt to uncover the conditions under which children reach optimal health and developmental.Results:  The first years of life represent a critical period during which trajectories of health vulnerability are determined by the complex interplay between biological, genetic, and environmental conditions.Conclusions:  There are fundamental principles of optimal child development that apply to all human beings, regardless of language and culture.
Interpersonal violence hospitalisations for adolescents: A population‐based study
Authors: Meuleners Lynn B , Lee Andy H , Hendrie Delia 
Published: August 2010

Aim:  To investigate the incidence and nature of interpersonal violence hospitalisations for victims aged 11–18 years and to identify subgroups at risk of repeat hospital admissions.Methods:  A population‐based, retrospective study of interpersonal violence from 1990 to 2004 was undertaken, using linked hospital morbidity and mental health records for adolescents in Western Australia.Results:  A total of 3607 adolescents incurred 4094 violence hospitalisations during the study period. Of this cohort, 2992 (83%) were between 15 and 18 years of age. Younger victims aged 11–14 years with a previous mental illness admission were at increased risk of a subsequent hospitalisation for violence when compared to those without (hazard ratio (HR) 2.81, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.83–4.31). Adolescents aged 15–18 years were at increased risk to incur a second violence episode if they were female (HR 1.46, 95% CI 1.23–1.75), Indigenous (HR 1.83, 95% CI 1.51–2.22), living in rural (HR 1.60, 95% CI 1.26–2.04) or remote areas (HR 1.96, 95% CI 1.56–2.47) and had a previous mental illness admission (HR 1.56, 95% CI 1.30–1.86).Conclusions:  The identification of victim subgroups at high risk of repeat hospitalisations is important for preventing interpersonal violence. Adolescents with a mental illness should be specifically targeted for attention.
Relationship between birth head circumference and adulthood quality of life in Chinese people
Authors: Xu Tao , Zhang Zhen‐xin , Han Shao‐mei , Hu Hong‐tao , Xiao Xin‐hua , Gong Xiao‐ming , Chen Xia , Wang Zi‐shi , Liu Ai‐min 
Published: August 2010

Aim:  To determine the relationship between birth size and later QOL for Chinese people.Methods:  Birth data of 1074 subjects were obtained from obstetric birth records of Peking Union Medical College Hospital. All subjects are interviewed face to face with the 36‐Item Short‐Form Health Survey scale by trained investigators. Linear regression model was used to analyse the relationship between QOL and birth head circumference of the subjects after adjusting for the childhood and adulthood characteristics. The relationship was described with regression coefficients (B) and its 95% confidence interval (CI).Results:  The mean weighted score of QOL was 88.1 ± 9.1, ranging from 76.8 to 100. Larger birth head circumference meant higher adulthood QOL total score (P= 0.001). After controlling the adulthood confounders, as compared to larger head circumference (≥33 cm), small (<31 cm) and medium head circumferences (31–33 cm) meant lower adulthood QOL scores (B=−2.356, P= 0.005 and B=−1.645, P= 0.014, respectively). The increase of head circumference by 1 cm was associated with 0.480 (95% CI: 0.141, 0.820) increase of QOL score after adjusting adulthood confounders (P= 0.006).Conclusions:  This study validated the relationship between birth head circumference and QOL in later life. Smaller head circumference at birth could predict worse adulthood QOL at above 50 years old.
The effect and mechanism of action of carbocysteine on airway bacterial load in rats chronically exposed to cigarette smoke
Authors: SUN Li , TANG Lifeng , XU Yan , WANG Shouqin , LI Yaming , KANG Jian 
Published: August 2010

ABSTRACTBackground and objective:  Carbocysteine (S‐carboxymethylcysteine) is a mucoactive drug with in vitro free radical scavenging and anti‐inflammatory properties. Several clinical trials have indicated that carbocysteine reduces exacerbation rates in COPD. In the present study, the effect of carbocysteine on the airway load of Haemophilus influenzae was assessed in rats chronically exposed to cigarette smoke (CS). In addition, the effects of carbocysteine on airway mucus hypersecretion and mucociliary clearance (MCC) associated with the adherence and clearance of H. influenzae were investigated.Methods:  Wistar rats were randomly divided into control, carbocysteine vehicle, CS exposure and carbocysteine treatment groups. After 12 weeks, rats were selected for quantitative inoculation of H. influenzae. BAL fluid and lungs were collected aseptically after 3 h for quantitative culture of H. influenzae. MCC was measured by quantifying the clearance of 99mTc‐Sc. Goblet cell metaplasia and the presence of mucoid matter were evaluated by Alcian blue/periodic acid‐Schiff staining. Mucin 5AC (Muc5AC) expression was detected by western blotting and real‐time reverse transcription‐PCR.Results:  Exposure to CS increased airway H. influenzae load, aggravated mucus hypersecretion and delayed MCC. Treatment with carbocysteine decreased airway H. influenzae load, and attenuated airway mucus hypersecretion, with improved MCC associated with adherence and clearance of H. influenzae.Conclusions:  These results suggest that carbocysteine may be beneficial in patients with COPD by increasing the clearance of bacteria and decreasing bacterial load.
Osteopontin levels are elevated in patients with eosinophilic pneumonia
Authors: UENO Takuya , MIYAZAKI Eishi , ANDO Masaru , NUREKI Shin‐ichi , KUMAMOTO Toshihide 
Published: August 2010

ABSTRACTBackground and objective:  Osteopontin is a key cytokine involved in pro‐inflammatory T helper type 1 (Th1)‐associated immune responses, which has recently been implicated in allergic diseases. We investigated the pathogenic role of osteopontin in eosinophilic pneumonia.Methods:  The concentrations of osteopontin and Th1‐ or Th2‐associated cytokines were measured in BAL fluid (BALF) from 41 patients with eosinophilic pneumonia, including those with acute (AEP, n = 12), chronic (CEP, n = 16), or drug‐induced eosinophilic pneumonia (DEP, n = 13). The results were compared with those from patients with other interstitial lung diseases. Immunocytochemistry and double immunofluorescence labelling were performed to determine the cellular source of osteopontin.Results:  Osteopontin was significantly elevated in BALF from patients with eosinophilic pneumonia as compared with BALF from patients with drug‐induced interstitial pneumonia, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, idiopathic interstitial pneumonia, or sarcoidosis, and also compared with BALF from healthy volunteers. Osteopontin concentrations elevated at the time of exacerbation decreased during clinical improvement, either spontaneously or as a result of corticosteroid therapy. Elevated concentrations of CXCL10, CCL17 and IL‐10 were also detected in BALF from patients with eosinophilic pneumonia. Osteopontin concentrations in BALF of AEP patients were correlated with IL‐5, as well as IL‐10, CCL11, CCL17 and CXCL10 concentrations. In AEP and DEP patients, serum osteopontin concentrations were also elevated. Double immunofluorescence labelling showed that in patients with eosinophilic pneumonia, osteopontin was expressed in lung eosinophils.Conclusions:  Osteopontin is likely to contribute to the development of inflammation in patients with eosinophilic pneumonia.
Validation of five contemporary prognostication systems for primary pancreatic endocrine neoplasms: results from a single institution experience with 61 surgically treated cases
Authors: Goh Brian K. P. , Chow Pierce K. H. , Tan Yu‐Meng , Cheow Peng‐Chung , Chung Yaw‐Fui A. , Soo Khee‐Chee , Wong Wai‐Keong , Ooi London L.P. J. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractBackground:  Presently, several systems for the prognostication of pancreatic endocrine neoplasms (PENs) exist and the most appropriate classification system has not been clearly defined. This study aims to validate the performance of the 2004 World Health Organization (WHO), European Neuroendocrine Tumor Society (ENETS), Memorial Sloan‐Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), American Joint Committee for Cancer (AJCC) TNM staging and Bilimoria criteria in a cohort of patients with PENs who underwent surgery at a single institution.Methods:  This study is a retrospective review of 61 consecutive patients who underwent surgical treatment for PEN. Actuarial disease‐specific survival (DSS) of all 61 patients and recurrence‐free survival (RFS) of 53 patients who had curative resection were analysed.Results:  On univariate analyses, tumour size ≥50 mm, non‐curative resection, lymph node involvement, presence of distant metastases, presence of necrosis, mitotic count ≥2/10 hpf and poor differentiation were associated with decreased DSS. Tumour size ≥50 mm, lymph node involvement, lymphovascular invasion, presence of necrosis and mitotic count ≥2/10 hpf were associated with decreased actuarial RFS. All five staging systems were useful in stratifying the 61 patients according to actuarial DSS. However, the MSKCC grading and ENETS grading systems were not statistically significant in stratifying DSS in the 61 patients. In the 53 patients who underwent curative resection, the WHO, ENETS, MSKCC, AJCC staging and the MSKCC grading systems were successful in stratifying the patients according to actuarial RFS. However, the Bilimoria scoring and ENETS grading systems were not useful in prognosticating these 53 patients.Conclusion:  All five classification systems were useful for the prognostication of surgically treated PENs in our patient cohort.
Calcium dependence of the priming, activation and inactivation of ryanodine receptors in frog motor nerve terminals
Authors: Soga‐Sakakibara Satoko , Kubota Masakazu , Suzuki Sinichi , Akita Tenpei , Narita Kazuhiko , Kuba Kenji 
Published: August 2010

AbstractWe studied the effects of varying extracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]o) and Ca2+ channel density and intracellular loading of Ca2+ chelators on stimulation‐induced rises in intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) in frog motor nerve terminals with Ca2+ imaging. The slowly waxing and waning components of rises in [Ca2+]i induced by repetitive tetani were suppressed by blockers of Ca2+ pumps of the endoplasmic reticulum (thapsigargin and cyclopiazonic acid) and a blocker of ryanodine receptors [8‐(N,N‐diethylamino)octyl 3,4,5‐trimethoxybenzoate hydrochloride] without affecting the initial quickly‐rising component, thus reflecting the priming (and then subsequent rapid activation) and inactivation phases of Ca2+‐induced Ca2+ release (CICR) from the endoplasmic reticulum. A short tetanus‐induced rise in [Ca2+]i was proportional to [Ca2+]o, whereas the component of CICR was non‐linearly related to [Ca2+]o with saturation at 0.9 mm. The progressive blockade of Ca2+ channels by ω‐conotoxin GVIA caused proportional decreases in CICR and short tetanus‐induced [Ca2+]i rises. Intracellular loading of BAPTA and EGTA reduced the magnitude of CICR as well as short tetanus‐induced rises in [Ca2+]i with a greater effect of BAPTA than EGTA on CICR. The time to peak and the half decay time of CICR were prolonged by a low [Ca2+]o or Ca2+ channel blocker or [Ca2+]i chelators. These results suggest that ryanodine receptors sense the high [Ca2+]i transient following single action potentials for triggering CICR, whereas the priming and inactivation processes of CICR sense a slower, persisting rise in [Ca2+]i during and after action potential trains. A model is presented that includes CICR activation in elementary units.
A comparative molecular analysis of water‐filled limestone sinkholes in north‐eastern Mexico
Authors: Sahl Jason W. , Gary Marcus O. , Harris J. Kirk , Spear John R. 
Published: August 2010

SummarySistema Zacatón in north‐eastern Mexico is host to several deep, water‐filled, anoxic, karstic sinkholes (cenotes). These cenotes were explored, mapped, and geochemically and microbiologically sampled by the autonomous underwater vehicle deep phreatic thermal explorer (DEPTHX). The community structure of the filterable fraction of the water column and extensive microbial mats that coat the cenote walls was investigated by comparative analysis of small‐subunit (SSU) 16S rRNA gene sequences. Full‐length Sanger gene sequence analysis revealed novel microbial diversity that included three putative bacterial candidate phyla and three additional groups that showed high intra‐clade distance with poorly characterized bacterial candidate phyla. Limited functional gene sequence analysis in these anoxic environments identified genes associated with methanogenesis, sulfate reduction and anaerobic ammonium oxidation. A directed, barcoded amplicon, multiplex pyrosequencing approach was employed to compare ∼100 000 bacterial SSU gene sequences from water column and wall microbial mat samples from five cenotes in Sistema Zacatón. A new, high‐resolution sequence distribution profile (SDP) method identified changes in specific phylogenetic types (phylotypes) in microbial mats at varied depths; Mantel tests showed a correlation of the genetic distances between mat communities in two cenotes and the geographic location of each cenote. Community structure profiles from the water column of three neighbouring cenotes showed distinct variation; statistically significant differences in the concentration of geochemical constituents suggest that the variation observed in microbial communities between neighbouring cenotes are due to geochemical variation.