bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Biolistic co‐transformation of the nuclear and plastid genomes
Authors: Elghabi Zouhair , Ruf Stephanie , Bock Ralph 
Published: May 2011

SummaryParticle gun‐mediated (so‐called ‘biolistic’) transformation represents a universal genetic transformation technology that is widely applied in nearly all groups of organisms. The mechanism of how accelerated DNA‐coated particles, after their entry into the cell, deliver the foreign DNA to the target compartment is not known. Here we have studied this process in plants by performing co‐transformation experiments with vectors targeted to two different cellular compartments, the nucleus and the plastids (chloroplasts). We find that coating of particles with both plastid and nuclear transformation vectors can result in co‐transformation of chloroplasts and the nucleus. In contrast, mixing of particles coated individually with the vectors does not produce co‐transformed plants. Our data suggest that a single DNA‐coated particle can transform more than one compartment of the plant cell, opening up the possibility to generate doubly transgenic plants in one step. Importantly, co‐transformation can also be obtained in the absence of selection, thus providing a method to produce marker‐free transgenic genomes. In addition, our findings raise the possibility of occasional inadvertent co‐transformation of two genomes and, therefore, have important implications for the molecular characterization and regulation of transgenic plants.
A novel homozygous missense mutation in WNT10B in familial split‐hand/foot malformation
Authors: Khan S , Basit S , Zimri F K , Ali N , Ali G , Ansar M , Ahmad W 
Published: May 2011

Khan S, Basit S, Zimri FK, Ali N, Ali G, Ansar M, Ahmad W. A novel homozygous missense mutation in WNT10B in familial split‐hand/foot malformation.Split‐hand/foot malformation (SHFM) is a rare limb developmental malformation, characterized by variable degree of median clefts of hands and feet due to the absence of central rays of extremities. To date, six different forms of SHFM have been described. Four of these SHFM1, SHFM3, SHFM4 and SHFM5 show autosomal dominant, SHFM6 autosomal recessive and SHFM2 X‐linked pattern of inheritance. In this study a large consanguineous Pakistani family, with autosomal recessive SHFM, appeared in the last two generations, was investigated. In total 15 individuals including 9 males and 6 females were affected with the syndrome. Affected members of the family exhibited SHFM phenotype with involvement of hands and feet. Most of the affected members showed syndactyly/polydactyly in hands and feet, dysplastic hand, aplasia of radial ray of hand and cleft foot. Investigating linkage to known autosomal SHFM loci mapped the family to SHFM6 locus on chromosome 12p11.1‐q13.13. Mutation screening of the gene WNT10B revealed a novel sequence variant (c.986C>G, p.Thr329Arg) in all affected individuals who were studied. This is the third mutation reported in gene WNT10B causing autosomal recessive SHFM syndrome.
Identification of kallikrein and FXIa as impurities in therapeutic immunoglobulins: implications for the safety and control of intravenous blood products
Authors: Etscheid M. , Breitner‐Ruddock S. , Gross S. , Hunfeld A. , Seitz R. , Dodt J. 
Published: May 2011

Background and Objectives  The occurrence of thromboembolic events (TEEs) with intravenous immunoglobulin lots (IVIGs) raised the question of the causative agent for these adverse events. We investigated the predominant plasma proteases in 19 IVIG lots from five manufacturers including three lots associated with adverse events.Material and Methods  The inhibitor profile of the amidolytic activity in IVIG lots was investigated with substrates S‐2302 and S‐2288. In immunocapture assays, prekallikrein and FXI antigen and respective active proteases were quantified. Non‐activated partial thromboplastin time (NAPTT) and a modified FXIa PTT served as global and FXIa‐specific clotting assays, respectively.Results  Kallikrein was identified as one major contaminant activity in IVIGs. A second activity was seen in some IVIGs with substrate S‐2288, but not with S‐2302. Inhibition studies excluded FXIIa, thrombin or plasmin as contaminant activity. FXI antigen was seen in all 19 IVIG lots, and FXIa activity was found as second major impurity in some IVIGs, including all lots involved in TEEs. FXIa highly correlated with a short clotting time in NAPTT.Conclusions  Kallikrein and FXIa are the major contaminants in IVIGs. FXIa was highly procoagulant, with highest level in TEE‐associated IVIGs. Since the NAPTT unambiguously identified FXIa procoagulant activity in IVIGs, its implementation as a release test would improve the safety of IVIGs.
The cactus effect: an alternative to the lupin effect for increasing ovulation rate in sheep reared in semi‐arid regions?
Authors: Rekik M. , Gonzalez‐Bulnes A. , Lassoued N. , Ben Salem H. , Tounsi A. , Ben Salem I. 
Published: May 2011

SummaryThe present study evaluated the effects of supplementation with cactus cladodes on follicular dynamics and ovulatory response of sheep reared in semi‐arid areas. A total of 76 ewes were distributed into two equal groups supplemented with either concentrated feed or cactus cladodes. After 30 days of supplementation, no differences were found between feeding regimens on the final live weight (LW; 41.5 ± 0.6 and 42.1 ± 0.7 kg in the Concentrate and Cactus groups respectively) and body condition score (BCS; 1.8 ± 0.3 and 1.8 ± 0.4 for Concentrate and Cactus group respectively). Moreover, no differences were found between the initial and the final values of both LW and BCS; thus, there were no effects of supplementation on any of both parameters. Analysis of follicular population showed that, during the follicular phase induced by ram effect, the number of follicles reaching ovulatory size increased in both groups. However, the number was always higher in Cactus ewes and, at oestrus, Cactus ewes had 1.6 ± 0.2 and Concentrate sheep had 1.2 ± 0.2 large follicles (p < 0.05). Thereafter, ovulation rate was affected by duration of supplementation; being higher in sheep fed with cactus for 6–10 days (1.7 ± 0.1) than in ewes supplied with cactus for more than 11 days (1.3 ± 0.1; p < 0.05), in sheep fed with concentrate for 6–10 days (1.2 ± 0.1; p < 0.01) and even than in individuals subjected to classical flushing with concentrate (1.3 ± 0.1; p < 0.05).
Screening for diabetes using Japanese monitoring guidance in schizophrenia patients treated with second‐generation antipsychotics: A cross‐sectional study using baseline data
Authors: Kusumi Ichiro , Ito Koki , Honda Minoru , Hayashishita Tadayuki , Uemura Keiichi , Hashimoto Naoki , Murasaki Mitsukuni , Atsumi Yoshihito , Kadowaki Takashi , Koyama Tsukasa 
Published: May 2011

Aim:  The Japanese blood glucose monitoring guidance for patients receiving second‐generation antipsychotics has been newly developed. We aimed to report a cross‐sectional study using the baseline data of the Japanese monitoring guidance to find undiagnosed hyperglycemia systematically as a routine clinical practice and to quantify the frequency of glucose abnormalities in schizophrenia patients treated with second‐generation antipsychotics.Methods:  Data for 537 patients with schizophrenia, who had not been diagnosed as having diabetes prior to baseline screening and started the monitoring between June 2008 and January 2009, were collected from medical records in 25 hospitals. Blood glucose (fasting or casual), hemoglobinA1c, serum lipids, height/weight, clinical diabetic symptoms, and family history of diabetes were assessed. Patients were classified into normal, pre‐diabetic or probable diabetic type based on their values of blood glucose or hemoglobinA1c, and various background characteristics and serum lipid values were compared among the three types.Results:  Out of 537 patients, 13 (2.4%) met criteria for probable diabetic type, 51 (9.5%) for pre‐diabetic type, and 473 (88.1%) for normal type. Individuals categorized as probable diabetic type had a higher body mass index and higher frequency of family history of diabetes mellitus than those with normal type.Conclusion:  Glucose abnormalities were newly detected in 11.9% of schizophrenia patients treated with second‐generation antipsychotics by the baseline monitoring. To assess the detective power and usefulness of the guidance, longitudinal investigations are necessary.
Hemifield effects of spatial attention in early human visual cortex
Authors: Kraft Antje , Kehrer Stefanie , Hagendorf Herbert , Brandt Stephan A. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractEarly visual areas (V1, V2, V3/VP, V4v) contain representations of the contralateral hemifield within each hemisphere. Little is known about the role of the visual hemifields along the visuo‐spatial attention processing hierarchy. It is hypothesized that attentional information processing is more efficient across the hemifields (known as bilateral field advantage) and that the integration of information is greater within one hemifield as compared with across the hemifields. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging we examined the effect of distance and hemifield on parallel attentional processing in the early visual areas (V1–V4v) at individually mapped retinotopic locations aligned adjacently or separately within or across the hemifields. We found that the bilateral field advantage in parallel attentional processing over separated attended locations can be assigned, at least partly, to differences in distractor position integration in early visual areas. These results provide evidence for a greater integration of locations between two attended locations within one hemifield than across both hemifields. This nicely correlates with behavioral findings of a bilateral field advantage in parallel attentional processing (when distractors in between cannot be excluded) and a unilateral field advantage if attention has to be shifted across separated locations (when locations in between were integrated).
Safety and feasibility of the prostatic urethral lift: a novel, minimally invasive treatment for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
Authors: Woo Henry H. , Chin Peter T. , McNicholas Thomas A. , Gill Harcharan S. , Plante Mark K. , Bruskewitz Reginald C. , Roehrborn Claus G. 
Published: May 2011

Study Type – Therapy (case series)  Level of Evidence 4 What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add? Most surgical treatments for benign prostatic hyperplasia procedural involve the removal or destruction of prostate tissue and these approaches are commonly associated with treatment related morbidity. Unlike the other therapies, the prostatic urethral lift mechanically opens the prostatic urethra using tensioned sutures that compress prostate tissue between the urethra and prostate capsule. This is the first publication on this technology. This manuscript reports and confirms its safety and feasibility as a minimally invasive surgical treatment for symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia to justify further clinical evaluation.OBJECTIVES• To investigate the Prostatic Urethral Lift (PUL) procedure, a novel, minimally invasive treatment for symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which aims to mechanically open the prostatic urethra without ablation or resection.• To demonstrate the safety and feasibility of this procedure and to make an initial assessment of effectiveness.PATIENTS AND METHODS• The PULprocedure was performed on 19 men in Australia.• Small suture‐based implants were implanted transurethrally under cystoscopic visualisation to separate encroaching lateral prostatic lobes.• Patients were evaluated at 2 weeks and 3, 6, and 12 months after PUL.RESULTS• All cases were successfully completed with no serious or unexpected adverse events (AEs).• Between two and five sutures were delivered in each patient and the prostatic urethral lumen was visually increased in all patients.• Reported postoperative AEs were typically mild and transient and included dysuria and haematuria.• Follow‐up cystoscopy at 6 months in a subset of patients showed no calcification. Histological findings from two of three patients who progressed to transurethral resection of the prostate for return of symptoms showed no evidence of inflammation related to the implanted materials.• The mean International Prostate Symptom Score was reduced by 37% at 2 weeks and 39% at 1 year after PUL as compared with baseline.CONCLUSIONS• We demonstrated in this initial experience that the PUL procedure is safe and feasible.• The safety profile of the PUL procedure appears favourable; most patients reported sustained symptom relief to 12 months with minimal morbidity• PUL therefore warrants further study as a new option for the many patients who seek an alternative to current therapies.
Obesity surgery and the management of excess: exploring the body multiple
Authors: Throsby Karen 
Published: May 2011

AbstractDrawing on ethnographic data gathered through observations and interviews at a surgical weight management clinic in a large hospital, this article argues that while the core values governing the provision of obesity surgery (obesity = ill health; obesity surgery = weight loss; weight loss = improved health and cost savings) can be seen as governing the clinical encounter, the singularity of these collective equations reflects neither the complexity of the patient experience of obesity surgery nor the extent to which the ‘war on obesity’ itself does not adhere strictly to those principles. Drawing on Annemarie Mol’s concept of the body multiple, and focusing on three different forms of excess (excess weight, excess consumption and excess skin) that emerged in the course of the study, this article argues that the rationalised singularity of obesity that is enacted in the obesity surgery clinic risks obscuring the uncertainties inherent to those practices and the moral judgements and values that are ultimately inextricable from them.
Contribution of ultrasound in the assessment of nerve diseases
Authors: Padua L. , Liotta G. , Di Pasquale A. , Granata G. , Pazzaglia C. , Caliandro P. , Martinoli C. 
Published: May 2011

Background and purpose:  Recently, ultrasound (US) has been used to assess the peripheral nervous system; however, there is no real study about its possible significant role in routine practice. Our study aims to assess the contribution of US as a routine tool in a neurophysiological laboratory.Methods:  The study assesses 130 patients who presented clinical suspicion of peripheral nerve diseases, excluding motor neuron disease, radiculopathy, hereditary and acquired polyneuropathy. All patients were clinically, neurophysiologically and sonographically assessed in the same session by the same neurologist/neurophysiologist. To avoid interpretation bias, two independent and blinded clinicians, different than the examiners performing electrodiagnosis and US, reviewed clinical, neurophysiological and US findings (also data about follow‐up, when available) and classified the contribution of US as follows: Contributive (US had influence on the diagnostic and therapeutic strategies), Confirming (US confirmed the clinical and neurophysiological diagnosis), Non‐Confirming (US findings were normal) and Incorrect (US findings led to incorrect diagnosis).Results:  US impacted, namely modified the diagnostic and therapeutic path in 42.3% of cases (55 patients); US had a confirmatory role in 40% (52 patients); US did not confirm clinical and neurophysiological diagnosis in 17.7% (23 cases); no incorrect US findings were observed.Conclusion:  US complements neurophysiological assessment even in routine practice, and this confirms the increasing interest in US for a multidimensional evaluation of peripheral nerve system diseases.
Virological response to darunavir in patients infected with HIV is linked to darunavir resistance–associated mutations corrected by the count of mutations with positive impact and is not associated with pharmacological and combined virological/pharmacological parameters
Authors: Dailly Eric , Rodallec Audrey , Allavena Clotilde , Deslandes Guillaume , Garnier Elisabeth , Billaud Eric , Ferré Virginie , Reliquet Véronique , Bouquié Régis , Raffi François , Jolliet Pascale 
Published: May 2011

AbstractThe relationships between virological (darunavir resistance–associated mutations), pharmacological (darunavir trough plasma concentration), combined virological/pharmacological [darunavir genotypic inhibitory quotient (GIQ)] parameters and virological response were evaluated in experienced patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus. In this retrospective study (48 patients), the relationship between these parameters and the virological response was investigated by multivariate logistic regression. Darunavir GIQ is defined as the ratio between darunavir trough plasma concentration and the count of darunavir resistance–associated mutations (V11I, V32I, L33F, I47V, I50V, I54L/M, T74P, L76V, I84V, L89V) corrected or not corrected by the count of mutations with positive impact (V82A and E35D). The pharmacological and combined virological/pharmacological parameters failed to predict virological response. The count of darunavir resistance–associated mutations corrected by the count of V82A and E35D mutations was the single parameter significantly (P = 0.027) associated with virological response. This result suggests that both negative and positive impacts of mutations including V82A and E35D should be considered to predict virological response in experienced patients.
Hepatitis C viral protein translation: mechanisms and implications in developing antivirals
Authors: Hoffman Brett , Liu Qiang 
Published: May 2011

AbstractHepatitis C viral protein translation occurs in a cap‐independent manner through the use of an internal ribosomal entry site (IRES) present within the viral 5′‐untranslated region. The IRES is composed of highly conserved structural domains that directly recruit the 40S ribosomal subunit to the viral genomic RNA. This frees the virus from relying on a large number of translation initiation factors that are required for cap‐dependent translation, conferring a selective advantage to the virus especially in times when the availability of such factors is low. Although the mechanism of translation initiation on the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) IRES is well established, modulation of the HCV IRES activity by both cellular and viral factors is not well understood. As the IRES is essential in the HCV life cycle and as such remains well conserved in an otherwise highly heterogenic virus, the process of HCV protein translation represents an attractive target in the development of novel antivirals. This review will focus on the mechanisms of HCV protein translation and how this process is postulated to be modulated by cis‐acting viral factors, as well as trans‐acting viral and cellular factors. Numerous therapeutic approaches investigated in targeting HCV protein translation for the development of novel antivirals will also be discussed.
Suicide mortality trends in young people aged 15 to 19 years in Lithuania
Authors: Strukcinskiene B , Andersson R , Janson S 
Published: May 2011

AbstractAim:  This paper considers the suicide mortality trends from 1990–2009 in young people aged 15 to 19 years in Lithuania.Methods:  Suicide and injury mortality data, plus mortality data from all causes, were used to compare the trend lines.Results:  Suicide mortality rate in young people aged 15–19 years and in all population showed a rising trend from 1990, and then a decreasing trend from 2002 year. This trend was significant exclusively in boys. When comparing suicide deaths as a percentage of injury deaths and of all deaths in the age group 15–19 years, rising trends for boys were evident, whilst in girls, there was no evidence of change.Conclusions:  In Lithuania, from early 1990s, the frequency of suicide increased amongst adults and young people aged 15–19 years. After 2002, a decrease in deaths by suicide was observed both for the whole population and for young people aged 15–19 years. The rise and fall was obvious for boys. The reasons for different trends may have been influenced by the political and socioeconomic instability in the 1990–2002 period, and the socioeconomic stability, together with active preventive measures, from 2002. Although the consumption of modern Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) increased during the same time, suicide mortality was again high during the economic crisis in 2008–2009.
Modelling effective thermal climate for mountain forests in the Bavarian Alps: Which is the best model?
Authors: Reger Birgit , Kölling Christian , Ewald Jörg 
Published: May 2011

AbstractQuestion: Which thermal climate model performs best in predicting the combined effects of temperature and radiation on forest vegetation in the Bavarian Alps?Location: Bavarian Alps, Germany.Methods: In order to find the best model for effective thermal climate for the Bavarian Alps, we analysed models using the following predictors derived from climate data and/or a digital elevation model: (a) temperature variables only, (b) temperature plus slope aspect and inclination, and (c) temperature plus potential global solar radiation. Models were tested by linear regression against four response variables based on average Ellenberg indicator values for temperature (cover weighted/unweighted, with/without bryophytes), which were computed for 2280 georeferenced relevés from the vegetation database BERGWALD. We optimized (b) by empirically searching for thermally most favourable slope aspect and inclination.Results: Closest model fit was achieved for unweighted temperature values based on vascular plants without bryophytes. Model fit (adj. R2) increased from using temperature alone to temperature–radiation, to temperature–aspect–inclination as predictors. The best spatially explicit model for predicting temperature values (adj. R2=0.57) was based on the variable combination mean temperature in the growing season (May to September), slope aspect (optimal aspect 195°) and inclination (optimal slope 30°).Conclusion: Combining mean temperatures and relief variables in GIS allows creation of predictive maps of mountain forest response to thermal climate. Applied to climate change scenarios, our model can forecast potential vegetation distribution in the future. The superiority of simple empirical relief factors over a widely used model of potential radiation casts doubt on the meaningfulness of the latter for vegetation studies.
Heterologous synthesis of cytochrome c′ by Escherichia coli is not dependent on the System I cytochrome c biogenesis machinery
Authors: Inoue Hiroki , Wakai Satoshi , Nishihara Hirofumi , Sambongi Yoshihiro 
Published: May 2011

Hydrogenophilus thermoluteolus cytochrome c′ (PHCP) has typical spectral properties previously observed for other cytochromes c′, which comprise Ambler’s class II cytochromes c. The PHCP protein sequence (135 amino acids) deduced from the cloned gene is the most homologous (55% identity) to that of cytochrome c′ from Allochromatium vinosum (AVCP). These findings indicate that PHCP forms a four‐helix bundle structure, similar to AVCP. Strikingly, PHCP with a covalently bound heme was heterologously synthesized in the periplasm of Escherichia coli strains deficient in the DsbD protein, a component of the System I cytochrome c biogenesis machinery. The heterologous synthesis of PHCP by aerobically growing E. coli also occurred without a plasmid carrying the genes for Ccm proteins, other components of the System I machinery. Unlike Ambler’s class I general cytochromes c, the synthesis of PHCP is not dependent on the System I machinery and exhibits similarity to that of E. coli periplasmic cytochrome b562, a 106‐residue four‐helix bundle.Database
The sequence data reported here have been deposited in the DDBJ database under accession no. AB617519.