bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Noninvasive assessment of liver fibrosis in thalassaemia major patients by transient elastography (TE) – lack of interference by iron deposition
Authors: Di Marco Vito , Bronte Fabrizio , Cabibi Daniela , Calvaruso Vincenza , Alaimo Giuseppe , Borsellino Zelia , Gagliardotto Francesco , Almasio Piero Luigi , Capra Marcello , Craxì Antonio 
Published: November 2009

SummaryThe correlation between liver stiffness, measured by transient elastography, liver fibrosis, using the histological METAVIR score, and iron overload, measured by atomic absorption spectrometry was evaluated in 56 homozygous‐β‐thalassaemics. Liver stiffness increased proportionally to liver fibrosis staging (r = 0·70; P > 0·001) independently of liver iron concentration (r = 0·01; P = 0·932). The area under the receiver‐operating characteristic curve for prediction of cirrhosis was 0·997 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0·925–1·000) with cut‐off of 13 kPa with 100% sensitivity (95% CI: 69·0–100·0) and 95% specificity (95% CI: 84·2–99·3). Transient elastography is a reliable non‐invasive tool for diagnosing advanced liver fibrosis in homozygous‐β‐thalassaemics, regardless of the degree of iron overload.
Spatial scaling of ecosystem C and N in a subtropical savanna landscape
Authors: LIU FENG , BEN WU X. , BAI E. , BOUTTON THOMAS W. , ARCHER STEVEN R. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractWidely occurred woody encroachment in grass‐dominated ecosystems has the potential to influence soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) pools at local, regional, and global scales. Evaluation of this potential requires assessment of both pool sizes and their spatial patterns. We quantified SOC and TN, their relationships with soil and vegetation attributes, and their spatial scaling along a catena (hill‐slope) gradient in the southern Great Plains, USA where woody cover has increased substantially over the past 100 years. Quadrat variance analysis revealed spatial variation in SOC and TN at two scales. The larger scale variation (40–45 m) was approximately the distance between centers of woody plant communities and their adjoining herbaceous patches. The smaller scale variation (10 m) appeared to reflect the local influence of shrubs on SOC and TN. Litter, root biomass, shrub, and tree basal area (a proxy for plant age) exhibited not only similar spatial scales, but also strong correlations with SOC and TN, suggesting invasive woody plants alter both the storage and spatial scaling of SOC and TN through ecological processes related primarily to root turnover and, to a lesser extent litter production, as mediated by time of occupancy. Forb and grass biomass were not significantly correlated with SOC and TN suggesting that changes in herbaceous vegetation have not been the driving force for the observed changes in SOC and TN. Because SOC and TN varied at two scales, it would be inappropriate to estimate SOC and TN pools at broad scales by extrapolating from point sampling at fine scales. Sampling designs that capture variation at multiple scales are required to estimate SOC and TN pools at broader scales. Knowledge of spatial scaling and correlations will be necessary to design field sampling protocols to quantify the biogeochemical consequences of woody plant encroachment at broad scales.
Three tetraspanins from Chinese shrimp, Fenneropenaeus chinensis, may play important roles in WSSV infection
Authors: Wang B , Li F , Xiang J , Gui L , Luo Z , Yan H 
Published: November 2009

AbstractThree members of the tetraspanin/TM4SF superfamily were cloned from Chinese shrimp, Fenneropenaeus chinensis. The deduced amino acid sequences of the three proteins have typical motifs of the tetraspanin/TM4SF superfamily. Phylogenetic analysis of the proteins, together with the known tetraspanins of invertebrates and vertebrates, revealed that they belong to different tetraspanin subfamilies: CD9, CD63 and tetraspanin‐3. The three cloned genes of CD9, CD63 and tetraspanin‐3 showed apparently different tissue distributions. The CD9 gene (FcCD9) was specifically expressed in the hepatopancreas. While for the CD63 gene (FcCD63), the highest expression was detected in nerves, epidermis and heart, with low expression in haemocytes, ovary, gill, hepatopancreas and stomach and no expression in intestine, muscle and lymphoid organ. Compared with FcCD9 and FcCD63, the tetraspanin‐3 gene (FcTetraspanin‐3) was more broadly expressed and its highest expression was detected in the intestine. Its expression in nerves was lower than in the intestine, but was higher than in other tissues. Expression in haemocytes, ovary and muscle was much lower than in other tissues. The expression profiles of FcCD9, FcCD63 and FcTetraspanin‐3 in different tissues, including haemocytes, lymphoid organ and hepatopancreas, were compared by real‐time PCR when shrimp were challenged by live white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) and heat‐inactivated WSSV. All three tetraspanins were markedly up‐regulated in the live WSSV‐challenged shrimp tissues. The data suggested that the three cloned members of TM4SF superfamily in Chinese shrimp may play a key role in the route of WSSV infection.
Dietary and clinical impacts of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy
Authors: Latva‐Pukkila U. , Isolauri E. , Laitinen K. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractBackground:  Nutrition during pregnancy is important for the health of both mother and infant. Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy (NVP) may alter food intake but the dietary and clinical consequences of NVP are poorly understood. The present study aimed to identify the differences in dietary intakes and clinical characteristics of women with NVP compared with those without.Methods:  Women with (n = 134) or without (n = 53) NVP were studied in each trimester of pregnancy. The babies were studied at birth, and at 1 and 6 months. The presence of nausea and vomiting was established by interviews using standard questions. Daily intakes of foods and nutrients were assessed from 3‐day food diaries. Weight gain during pregnancy and weights and lengths of the infants at birth and at 1 and 6 months of age were recorded.Results:  In the first trimester, intake of meat products and thus protein in women with NVP was lower both quantitatively (P = 0.007) and as a proportion of energy (16.4E% [interquartile range (IQR) 14.9–18.4]) compared to non‐NVP [18.3E% (IQR 16.3–19.8), P = 0.003]. The proportional intakes of carbohydrates were higher in NVP subjects [50.1E% (IQR 46.7–53.6)] than in non‐NVP [46.8E% (IQR 43.6–51.9), P = 0.008]. Dietary and total intakes of vitamin B12, total intake of magnesium and dietary intake of zinc were lower in women with NVP. Changes in diet remained throughout pregnancy. Women with NVP had shorter pregnancies [39.9 (95% CI 39.6–40.1)] compared with those without [40.4 (95% CI 40.1–40.8) weeks, P = 0.018], but neither pregnancy weight gain nor infants’ weight and length differed.Conclusions:  Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy modified dietary intake and has potential clinical impacts as suggested by the altered pregnancy duration. In view of the programming effect of early nutrition, these alterations may carry long‐term health consequences.
Microstructure and high temperature transport properties of Ca‐doped nickel oxide
Authors: CIENIEK L. , KUSIŃSKI J. , PETOT‐ERVAS G. , PETOT C. 
Published: November 2009

SummaryThe high temperature microstructure of Ca‐doped NiO single crystals was analysed to clear the experimental data on electrical conductivity, Seebeck's effect, diffusion and kinetic demixing. Combined transmission light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy examinations coupled with EDS analyses revealed the presence of CaO precipitates in localized (eutectic‐like) zones for a wide range of analysed oxygen partial pressure. Their presence in the structure was confirmed for equilibrium (air) conditions in NiO‐CaO system at about 1700°C (∼42 mol% CaO), according to phase diagrams (Smith et al., 1969). For the wide range of oxygen partial pressure and high temperature (1000 ÷ 1200°C) the spinel phase was not observed, which is opposite to our previous results obtained for Ca‐doped CoO single crystals (Kusinski et al., 2006). The chemical diffusion and electrical field kinetic demixing experiments have been combined to prove that the presence of Ca leads to an increase of the chemical diffusion coefficient of NiO. This unexpected result (DCa > DNi), confirmed during electrical conductivity experiment, indicates that correlation effects between Ni and Ca cations play a decisive role in diffusion processes in (Ni,Ca)O.
Advantages of aberration correction for HRTEM investigation of complex layer compounds
Authors: SPIECKER E. , GARBRECHT M. , JÄGER W. , TILLMANN K. 
Published: November 2009

SummaryAberration‐corrected high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) has been applied to resolve the atomic structure of a complex layered crystal, (PbS)1.14NbS2, which comprises a high density of incommensurate interfaces. The strong suppression of image delocalization and the favourable contrast transfer under negative Cs imaging (NCSI) conditions have been exploited for obtaining HRTEM images which directly reveal the projected crystal structure and allow to study lattice imperfections, like stacking disorder and layer undulations, with atomic scale resolution. The advantages of aberration‐corrected HRTEM over conventional HRTEM are demonstrated by direct comparison of experimental images and computer simulations.
Na+ transport in glycophytic plants: what we know and would like to know
Authors: CRAIG PLETT DARREN , MØLLER INGE SKRUMSAGER 
Published: November 2009

ABSTRACTSoil salinity decreases the growth rate of plants and can severely limit the productivity of crop plants. The ability to tolerate salinity stress differs widely between species of plants as well as within species. As an important component of salinity tolerance, a better understanding of the mechanisms of Na+ transport will assist in the development of plants with improved salinity tolerance and, importantly, might lead to increased yields from crop plants growing in challenging environments. This review summarizes the current understanding of the components of Na+ transport in glycophytic plants, including those at the soil to root interface, transport of Na+ to the xylem, control of Na+ loading in the stele and partitioning of the accumulated Na+ within the shoot and individual cells. Using this knowledge, strategies to modify Na+ transport and engineer plant salinity tolerance, as well as areas of research which merit particular attention in order to further improve the understanding of salinity tolerance in plants, are discussed.
Olive fruit fly [Bactrocera (Dacus) oleae (Rossi) (Diptera: Tephritidae)] adult rearing diet without antibiotic
Authors: Dimou I. , Rempoulakis P. , Economopoulos A. P. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractThe olive fruit fly [Bactrocera (Dacus) oleae (Rossi) (Diptera: Tephritidae)] adult diet since its development in the 1960’s regularly incorporates antibiotic. Considering recent findings on the importance and function of the indigenous microbial flora of insects, the effects of antibiotic removal were measured on the survival and egg laying of wild flies derived from McPhail trappings and from field infested olive fruits. In the first case wild flies fed no antibiotic laid significantly greater numbers of eggs for two generations (in 5 out of 10 and 2 out of 10 counting dates for G1 and G2 respectively), while there were no significant differences in survival in either test (P = 0.221 for P generation, P = 0.988 for G1 generation from McPhail traps, P = 0.056 for flies from infested fruits). Percent egg–pupa recovery and adult emergence were not significantly affected by lack of antibiotic. An antibiotic‐free strain has been maintained for eight generations, showing acceptable performance when compared to the long‐reared standard ‘Laboratory’ strain. Overall results suggest the feasibility of an adult diet free of antibiotic without negative effects on colony survival and performance.
The Sequence of the Genome of an Isolate of Hydrangea Ringspot Virus from the Czech Republic
Authors: Gadiou Sebastien , ČErvena Gabriela , Kundu Jiban Kumar 
Published: November 2009

AbstractAn isolate of Hydrangea ringspot virus (HdRSV) was obtained in 2008 from infected Hydrangea spp. in the Czech Republic. The isolate (HydCZ) induced chlorotic to mildly necrotic local lesions or chlorotic systemic symptoms, respectively, in Chenopodium quinoa and Nicotiana benthamiana. The genome of HydCZ (6185 nt) was fully sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that isolate HydCZ shares high nucleotide sequence identity (96.6%) with an isolate (PD109) from the Netherlands. This is the first report of the sequence of an isolate of HdRSV from the Czech Republic and is the second full genome sequence of the virus.
Role of proteinuria in defining pre‐eclampsia: Clinical outcomes for women and babies
Authors: Thornton Charlene E , Makris Angela , Ogle Robert F , Tooher Jane M , Hennessy Annemarie 
Published: November 2009

Summary1. The presence of proteinuria is not essential to the diagnosis of pre‐eclampsia under many diagnostic consensus statements. The aim of the present study was to assess maternal and perinatal outcomes after proteinuric pre‐eclampsia compared with other non‐proteinuric disease presentations.2. An individual patient data review (n = 670) was undertaken for 2003–2006 at a tertiary referral centre in Sydney (NSW, Australia). Women were diagnosed in accordance with the Australasian Society for the Study of Hypertension in Pregnancy Consensus Statement. Data were analysed with the Chi‐squared test, t‐tests and non‐parametric tests. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05.3. The proteinuric cohort had higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure recordings than the non‐proteinuric cohort (160/102 and 149/94 mmHg, respectively; P < 0.001), and were also administered magnesium sulphate more frequently (44 vs 22%, respectively; P < 0.001), delivered at earlier gestation (37 vs 38 weeks, respectively; P < 0.001), required operative delivery more frequently (63 vs 48%, respectively; P < 0.001) and received more antihypertensive medications during the antenatal period (72 vs 57%, respectively; P < 0.001). Acute renal failure and acute pulmonary oedema were rare. Four cases of eclampsia all occurred in non‐proteinuric women. The perinatal mortality rate was lower for the offspring of women with proteinuric pre‐eclampsia compared with offspring of non‐proteinuric women (13/1000 and 31/1000, respectively; P = 0.006).4. The results of the present study indicate that the presence of proteinuria denotes a group of women who have higher antenatal blood pressure, who deliver at earlier gestation and require operative delivery more commonly, although it is not an indicator of other markers of maternal morbidity or perinatal mortality.
Effects of exogenous urotensin II on vascular remodelling after balloon injury
Authors: Zhang Li‐Fang , Ding Wen‐Hui , Shi Li‐Bin , Li Kang , Haom Yan‐Jie , Ke Yuan‐Nan , Tang Zhao‐Shu 
Published: November 2009

Summary1. Urotensin II (U‐II) is a powerful vasoconstrictor peptide that stimulates cell proliferation. However, the systemic effects of U‐II on cellular and extracellular matrix responses of vessel walls have not been investigated. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of exogenous U‐II on arterial neointimal hyperplasia after balloon injury.2. A stenosis model of the thoracic aorta after balloon injury was established in male Wistar rats. Rats were divided into three groups (n = 5 in each): (i) uninjured; (ii) injured for 21 days; and (iii) injured and then treated with U‐II (1 nmol/kg per h) via an osmotic minipump for 21 days. Another group of rats were killed on Days 7 and 14 after balloon injury for the analysis ofin vitrocollagen synthesis and secretion with U‐II treated by [3H]‐proline incorporation and determination of [3H]‐hydroxyproline radioactivity, respectively.3. Urotensin II immunoreactivity was 1.74‐fold higher in vessels injured for 21 days than in uninjured vessels and mRNA levels of the urotensin UT receptor were upregulated by 55% following injury. After U‐II treatment, the mRNA levels of the UT receptor were further upregulated (by 40%). In addition, U‐II treatment increased the intimal area of injured aortas (13 ± 5vs7 ± 2% in group iii and ii, respectively), as well as increasing collagen content and cell proliferation. Protein levels of matrix metalloproteinase 1 were decreased in U‐II‐treated rats.In vitro, U‐II treatment increased collagen synthesis and secretion in uninjured vessels in a concentration‐dependent manner (10−10, 10−9and 10−8 mol/L U‐II), especially in injured aortas on Day 7 after injury.4. In conclusion, exogenous U‐II may upregulate mRNA levels of the UT receptor, as well as increase collagen and cell proliferation, all of which would contribute to intimal hyperplasia after angioplasty.
Does a small biopsied gastric specimen limit the usage of two directional transnasal esophagogastroduodenoscopy?
Authors: Rhee Kyoung Hoon , Han Hye Seung , Lee Sun‐Young , Seo Tae Ho , Ko Soon‐Young , Kim Byung Kook , Sung In‐Kyung , Jin Choon‐Jo , Min Young Il 
Published: November 2009

AbstractBackground and Aims:  It is difficult to approach certain gastric regions due to the limited bending ability of transnasal esophagogastroduodenoscopy (TN‐EGD). We analyzed the TN‐EGD biopsied specimens according to where they were obtained inside the stomach.Methods:  Two hundred and eighty‐nine gastric biopsy specimens were obtained during diagnostic TN‐EGD. The gastric biopsied specimens were quantified according to their diameter and depth in micrometers, and depth in layers (superficial mucosa, deep mucosa, muscularis mucosa and submucosa). The quality was measured by the degrees of anatomical orientation (good, intermediate and poor), presence of crush artifact (none to minimal, mild and moderate) and overall diagnostic adequacy (adequate, suboptimal and inadequate).Results:  Poor orientation, presence of crush and overall diagnostic inadequacy were present in 33 (11.4%), 26 (9.0%) and 37 (12.8%) of the 289 specimens, respectively. Deep mucosa was present in 211 specimens (73.0%), while muscularis mucosa was present in only 75 specimens (26.0%). Specimens taken from the posterior aspect of the cardia exhibited the shallowest depth (P = 0.011), poorest orientation (P < 0.001) and poorest diagnostic adequacy (P < 0.001). Fluoroscopic findings demonstrated that the posterior aspect of the cardia was difficult to approach closely and perpendicularly because of the anatomical configuration of the stomach in nature.Conclusion:  TN‐EGD biopsied specimens obtained from the posterior aspect of the cardia exhibit limitations in both quality and quantity. When performing a biopsy using two directional TN‐EGD, special attention should be paid to gastric lesions located on the posterior aspect of the cardia.
Electrogastrographic characteristics in subjects with stomach remnant
Authors: Lee Hsing‐Feng , Chang Full‐Young , Lu Ching‐Liang , Luo Jiing‐Chyuan , Chen Chih‐Yen , Wu Han‐Chang 
Published: November 2009

AbstractBackground and Aims:  Slow wave (SW) is an essential component in mediating stomach motility. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the SW characteristics in subjects with stomach remnant.Methods:  We consecutively enrolled 58 distal radical subtotal gastrectomy (RSG) patients (male/female: 44/14, age: 33–79 years) to receive an electrogastrographic (EGG) measurement. Their Helicobacter pylori status and dyspeptic score were simultaneously assessed. In addition, EGG data of 58 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy subjects were compared. Based on power spectral analysis, the following EGG parameters were derived: dominant frequency (DF)/power (DP), percentage of normal rhythm (2–4 cpm), power ratio (PR) referring the postprandial power change, etc.Results:  Visual analysis occasionally found a short period of ∼11 cpm myoelectricity‐like rhythm. Distal RSG patients had lower fasting (1.90 ± 0.69 vs 2.97 ± 0.58 cpm, P < 0.001) and postprandial (2.03 ± 0.72 vs 3.35 ± 0.27 cpm, P < 0.001) DF values, while their fasting (36.2 ± 22.3% vs 67.1 ± 23.4%, P < 0.001) and postprandial (33.4 ± 19.9% vs 82.2 ± 16.7%, P < 0.001) percentages of normal rhythms were diminished. In contrast, fasting DP, its meal response and PR (2.99 ± 2.40 vs 2.45 ± 2.63, NS) were comparable to those of controls. Neither gender, age, type of gastroenterostomy, Helicobacter pylori colonization, dyspeptic score nor elapsed time after surgery had an obvious influence on EGG parameters.Conclusions:  Distal RSG patients may have decreased SW frequency and less meal ingestion changed EGG parameters in terms of SW frequency, normality and stability, whereas their EGG power remained unchanged irrespective of meal ingestion.
Use of over‐the‐counter medicines for young children in Australia
Authors: Trajanovska Misel , Manias Elizabeth , Cranswick Noel , Johnston Linda 
Published: November 2009

Aim:  To describe over‐the‐counter (OTC) medicine use by Australian parents for children aged birth to 24 months; types of medicines used and indications for use.Methods:  A cross‐sectional survey of parents was conducted using a self‐administered over‐the‐counter medicine use questionnaire. A total of 640 questionnaires were distributed to parents of children who attended a hospital outpatient clinic, maternal and child health centre, or a childcare service in Melbourne, Australia.Results:  A total of 325 questionnaires were completed (50.1%). Of these, 98.2% of parents had reportedly purchased at least one OTC medicine for their child in the previous 12 months. The most commonly purchased medicines were: paracetamol (acetaminophen) (95.9%), choline salicylate (47.3%), ibuprofen (36.4%), and cough and cold products (46.7%). Paracetamol was commonly used for a high temperature (82.4%) and non‐specific pain (62.3%). Over 40% of parents had used cough and cold products to treat cold and flu symptoms. Nineteen (6.1%) parents had used OTC medicines to induce sleep or settle their child.Conclusions:  Most parents had used at least one OTC medicine to manage childhood symptoms. Of concern is that over 40% of parents had used cough and cold products for their young child, despite a lack of evidence surrounding their efficacy. In order to minimise risks associated with OTC medicine use, particularly cough and cold products, health‐care providers need to continue the provision of current evidence‐based information to parents regarding safe and appropriate use of medicines for their child.