bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Three distinct hydrogen sensing responses of palladium line patterns generated by femtosecond laser direct writing
Authors: Ren Shoutian , Wang Qiang , Wang Yanshen , Qu Shiliang 
Published: June 2012

AbstractApplication of a palladium nanostructure in hydrogen detection is a focus of current research due to its high sensitivity. In this paper, palladium nanometre films are fabricated using femtosecond laser decomposition of palladium acetate films. Their hydrogen sensing characteristics are studied as a function of hydrogen concentration and morphologies of palladium films. As palladium film morphologies vary from continuous to partially continuous and then to discontinuous, the corresponding hydrogen response changes from normal to pulse-like and then to switch-like. Their response characteristics are determined by the different combined effects of the formation of high-resistance palladium hydrogen and the corresponding narrowing of nanogaps between palladium nanoparticles.
Influence of exponentially increasing surface elasticity on the piezoelectric potential of a bent ZnO nanowire
Authors: Yao Haiyan , Yun Guohong , Bai Narsu 
Published: June 2012

Abstract
The influence of surface elasticity on the piezoelectric potential of a bent ZnO nanowire is investigated using a modified core–shell (MC–S) model in which it is assumed that the elasticity in the shell (surface region) is an exponentially increasing function. Specifically, we analyse the effects of the nanowire radius and applied force on the piezoelectric potential with and without the surface elasticity effect, as well as the influence of surface elasticity on the deflection of the nanowire. The results demonstrate that both the nanowire radius and the applied force are key factors affecting the piezoelectric potential, and that the effect of surface elasticity is even more important, which should not be ignored, especially for dimensions below 100 nm.
Perception
Authors: Matilal Bimal Krishna 
Published: June 2012

Abstract
This book is a defence of the form of realism which stands closest to that upheld by the Nyāya–Vaíṣsika school in classical India. The book presents the Nyāya view and critically examines it against that of its traditional opponent, the Buddhist version of phenomenalism and idealism. This reconstruction of Nyāya arguments meets not only traditional Buddhist objections but also those of modern sense-data representationalists.
Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibition protects against increased intra‐abdominal pressure‐induced renal dysfunction in experimental congestive heart failure
Authors: Bishara Bishara , Abu‐Saleh Niroz , Awad Hoda , Ghrayeb Nabil , Goltsman Ilia , Aronson Doron , Khamaysi Iyad , Assady Suhair , Armaly Zaher , Haddad Saleem , Haddad Elias , Abassi Zaid 
Published: June 2012

AimsCongestive heart failure (CHF) is associated with impaired renal function. Previously, we have demonstrated that rats with decompensated CHF exhibited exaggerated sensitivity to the adverse renal effects of increased increased intra‐abdominal pressure (IAP) as compared with normal controls. This study tested whether phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibition protects against the adverse renal effects of increased IAP in rats with CHF.Methods and resultsFollowing baseline periods, rats with compensated and decompensated CHF induced by the placement of an aorto‐caval fistula (ACF), rats with myocardial infarction (MI) induced by left anterior descending (LAD) artery ligation, and sham controls were subjected to consecutive IAPs: 7, 10, or 14 mmHg. Urine flow (V), Na+ excretion (UNaV), glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and renal plasma flow (RPF) were determined. The effects of pre‐treatment with tadalafil on the adverse renal effects of IAP were examined in rats with decompensated CHF and MI. Elevation of IAP to 10 and 14 mmHg produced linear reductions in these parameters. Basal renal function and haemodynamics were lower in CHF rats. Decompensated CHF rats and MI rats that were subjected to 10 and 14 mmHg exhibited exaggerated declines in V, UNaV, GFR, and RPF. In contrast, no adverse renal effects were observed in rats with compensated CHF subjected to IAP. Pre‐treatment of decompensated CHF rats and MI rats with tadalafil ameliorated the adverse renal effects of high IAP.ConclusionDecompensated CHF and MI rats are vulnerable to the adverse renal effects of IAP. Tadalafil abolishes IAP‐induced renal dysfunction, supporting a therapeutic role for PDE5 inhibition in CHF associated with ascites.
In a shake of a lamb's tail: using genomics to unravel a cause of chondrodysplasia in Texel sheep
Authors: Zhao X. , Onteru S. K. , Piripi S. , Thompson K. G. , Blair H. T. , Garrick D. J. , Rothschild M. F. 
Published: June 2012

SummaryChondrodysplasia in Texel sheep is a recessively inherited disorder characterized by dwarfism and angular deformities of the forelimbs. A genome‐wide association study using the Illumina OvineSNP50 BeadChip on 15 sheep diagnosed as affected and eight carriers descended from three affected rams was conducted to uncover the genetic cause. A homozygous region of 25 consecutive single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci was identified in all affected sheep, covering a region of 1 Mbp on ovine chromosome 4. Seven positional candidate genes – including the solute carrier family 13 (sodium/sulphate symporters), member 1 (SLC13A1) – were identified and used to search for new SNPs for fine mapping of the causal locus. The SLC13A1 gene, encoding a sodium/sulphate transporter, was the primary candidate gene attributable to similar phenotypes observed in the Slc13a1 knockout mouse model. We discovered a 1‐bp deletion of T (g.25513delT) at the 107 bp position of exon 3 in the SLC13A1 gene. Genotyping by direct sequencing and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis for this mutation showed that all 15 affected sheep were g.25513delT/g.25513delT; the eight carriers were g.25513delT/T and 54 normal controls were T/T. The mutation g.25513delT shifts the open reading frame of SLC13A1 to introduce a stop codon and truncate C‐terminal amino acids. It was concluded that the g.25513delT mutation in the SLC13A1 gene was responsible for the chondrodysplasia seen in these Texel sheep. This knowledge can be used to identify carriers with the defective g.[25513delT] allele to avoid at‐risk matings to improve animal welfare and decrease economic losses.
Genome‐wide association study identifies candidate markers for bull fertility in Holstein dairy cattle
Authors: Peñagaricano F. , Weigel K. A. , Khatib H. 
Published: June 2012

SummaryThe decline in the reproductive efficiency of dairy cattle has become a challenging problem worldwide. Female fertility is now taken into account in breeding goals while generally less attention is given to male fertility. The objective of this study was to perform a genome‐wide association study in Holstein bulls to identify genetic variants significantly related to sire conception rate (SCR), a new phenotypic evaluation of bull fertility. The analysis included 1755 sires with SCR data and 38 650 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) spanning the entire bovine genome. Associations between SNPs and SCR were analyzed using a mixed linear model that included a random polygenic effect and SNP genotype either as a linear covariate or as a categorical variable. A multiple testing correction approach was used to account for the correlation between SNPs because of linkage disequilibrium. After genome‐wide correction, eight SNPs showed significant association with SCR. Some of these SNPs are located close to or in the middle of genes with functions related to male fertility, such as the sperm acrosome reaction, chromatin remodeling during the spermatogenesis, and the meiotic process during male germ cell maturation. Some SNPs showed marked dominance effects, which provide more evidence for the relevance of non‐additive effects in traits closely related to fitness such as fertility. The results could contribute to the identification of genes and pathways associated with male fertility in dairy cattle.
Genome‐wide association analysis and genetic architecture of egg weight and egg uniformity in layer chickens
Authors: Wolc A. , Arango J. , Settar P. , Fulton J. E. , O’Sullivan N. P. , Preisinger R. , Habier D. , Fernando R. , Garrick D. J. , Hill W. G. , Dekkers J. C. M. 
Published: June 2012

SummaryThe pioneering work by Professor Soller et al., among others, on the use of genetic markers to analyze quantitative traits has provided opportunities to discover their genetic architecture in livestock by identifying quantitative trait loci (QTL). The recent availability of high‐density single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) panels has advanced such studies by capitalizing on population‐wide linkage disequilibrium at positions across the genome. In this study, genomic prediction model Bayes‐B was used to identify genomic regions associated with the mean and standard deviation of egg weight at three ages in a commercial brown egg layer line. A total of 24 425 segregating SNPs were evaluated simultaneously using over 2900 genotyped individuals or families. The corresponding phenotypic records were represented as individual measurements or family means from full‐sib progeny. A novel approach using the posterior distribution of window variances from the Monte Carlo Markov Chain samples was used to describe genetic architecture and to make statistical inferences about regions with the largest effects. A QTL region on chromosome 4 was found to explain a large proportion of the genetic variance for the mean (30%) and standard deviation (up to 16%) of the weight of eggs laid at specific ages. Additional regions with smaller effects on chromosomes 2, 5, 6, 8, 20, 23, 28 and Z showed suggestive associations with mean egg weight and a region on chromosome 13 with the standard deviation of egg weight at 26–28 weeks of age. The genetic architecture of the analyzed traits was characterized by a limited number of genes or genomic regions with large effects and many regions with small polygenic effects. The region on chromosome 4 can be used to improve both the mean and standard deviation of egg weight by marker‐assisted selection.
Safe prescribing: a titanic challenge
Authors: Routledge Philip A. 
Published: June 2012

The challenge to achieve safe prescribing merits the adjective ‘titanic’. The organisational and human errors leading to poor prescribing (e.g. underprescribing, overprescribing, misprescribing or medication errors) have parallels in the organisational and human errors that led to the loss of the Titanic 100 years ago this year. Prescribing can be adversely affected by communication failures, critical conditions, complacency, corner cutting, callowness and a lack of courage of conviction, all of which were also factors leading to the Titanic tragedy. These issues need to be addressed by a commitment to excellence, the final component of the ‘Seven C's’.Optimal prescribing is dependent upon close communication and collaborative working between highly trained health professionals, whose role is to ensure maximum clinical effectiveness, whilst also protecting their patients from avoidable harm. Since humans are prone to error, and the environments in which they work are imperfect, it is not surprising that medication errors are common, occurring more often during the prescribing stage than during dispensing or administration.A commitment to excellence in prescribing includes a continued focus on lifelong learning (including interprofessional learning) in pharmacology and therapeutics. This should be accompanied by improvements in the clinical working environment of prescribers, and the encouragement of a strong safety culture (including reporting of adverse incidents as well as suspected adverse drug reactions whenever appropriate). Finally, members of the clinical team must be prepared to challenge each other, when necessary, to ensure that prescribing combines the highest likelihood of benefit with the lowest potential for harm.
Sensitivity of minimal residual disease in acute myeloid leukaemia in first remission – methodologies in relation to their clinical situation
Authors: Hokland Peter , Ommen Hans Beier , Nyvold Charlotte Guldborg , Roug Anne Stidsholt 
Published: June 2012

SummaryThe concept of minimal residual disease in acute myeloid leukaemia has been steadily developed pre‐clinically, with quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) leading the way with highly validated assays for patient‐based risk stratification at post‐treatment time points, which are being integrated in clinical trials both at evaluation of first complete remission (CR1) and after attaining CR1. Moreover, multicolour flow cytometry (MFC) has been increasingly employed in identifying leukaemia‐associated immunophenotypes (LAIPs) with significant progress being made in standardization. In translating these widely varying methodologies to parameters useful for individualized patient decision‐making, one of the obstacles has been that the assays entail varying sensitivities dependent on a number of variables. For qPCR, sensitivity depends on target type (i.e. fusion transcript, mutated gene or even overexpressed gene) and – in the case of overexpressed genes – on expression in healthy haematopoiesis. For MFC, sensitivity is likewise largely a function on whether the same phenotype is seen in normal immature cells and, in addition, antigen drift/shift with LAIPs changing at relapse is a well‐known problem. In considering which sensitivity to opt for, a further variable is the situation of patient, most importantly the level of cytoreduction intended. Here we will attempt to give an overview of these pertinent questions intended for the practicing haematologist, focusing on where the field is heading at the clinical level.
A new analytical approach to landscape genetic modelling: least‐cost transect analysis and linear mixed models
Authors: VAN STRIEN MAARTEN J. , KELLER DANIELA , HOLDEREGGER ROLF 
Published: June 2012

AbstractLandscape genetics aims to assess the effect of the landscape on intraspecific genetic structure. To quantify interdeme landscape structure, landscape genetics primarily uses landscape resistance surfaces (RSs) and least‐cost paths or straight‐line transects. However, both approaches have drawbacks. Parameterization of RSs is a subjective process, and least‐cost paths represent a single migration route. A transect‐based approach might oversimplify migration patterns by assuming rectilinear migration. To overcome these limitations, we combined these two methods in a new landscape genetic approach: least‐cost transect analysis (LCTA). Habitat‐matrix RSs were used to create least‐cost paths, which were subsequently buffered to form transects in which the abundance of several landscape elements was quantified. To maintain objectivity, this analysis was repeated so that each landscape element was in turn regarded as migration habitat. The relationship between explanatory variables and genetic distances was then assessed following a mixed modelling approach to account for the nonindependence of values in distance matrices. Subsequently, the best fitting model was selected using the statistic. We applied LCTA and the mixed modelling approach to an empirical genetic dataset on the endangered damselfly, Coenagrion mercuriale. We compared the results to those obtained from traditional least‐cost, effective and resistance distance analysis. We showed that LCTA is an objective approach that identifies both the most probable migration habitat and landscape elements that either inhibit or facilitate gene flow. Although we believe the statistical approach to be an improvement for the analysis of distance matrices in landscape genetics, more stringent testing is needed.
Control of Staphylococcus aureus pathogenicity island excision
Authors: Mir‐Sanchis Ignacio , Martínez‐Rubio Roser , Martí Miguel , Chen John , Lasa Íñigo , Novick Richard P. , Tormo‐Más María Ángeles , Penadés José R. 
Published: June 2012

SummaryStaphylococcus aureus pathogenicity islands (SaPIs) are a group of related 15–17 kb mobile genetic elements that commonly carry genes for superantigen toxins and other virulence factors. The key feature of their mobility is the induction of SaPI excision and replication by certain phages and their efficient encapsidation into specific small‐headed phage‐like infectious particles. Previous work demonstrated that chromosomal integration depends on the SaPI‐encoded recombinase, Int. However, although involved in the process, Int alone was not sufficient to mediate efficient SaPI excision from chromosomal sites, and we expected that SaPI excision would involve an Xis function, which could be encoded by a helper phage or by the SaPI, itself. Here we report that the latter is the case. In vivo recombination assays with plasmids in Escherichia coli demonstrate that SaPI‐coded Xis is absolutely required for recombination between the SaPI attL and attR sites, and that both sites, as well as their flanking SaPI sequences, are required for SaPI excision. Mutational analysis reveals that Xis is essential for efficient horizontal SaPI transfer to a recipient strain. Finally, we show that the master regulator of the SaPI life cycle, Stl, blocks expression of int and xis by binding to inverted repeats present in the promoter region, thus controlling SaPI excision.
Killing two birds with one stone: an ABC transporter regulates gene expression through sequestration of a transcriptional regulator at the membrane
Authors: Görke Boris 
Published: June 2012

SummaryTranscriptional regulators are controlled through various, mostly well‐understood, principles. In the study of Richet et al., published in this issue of Molecular Microbiology, fluorescence microscopy was used to uncover an unorthodox mechanism that relies on the dynamic shuttling of a gene regulator between the membrane and the chromosome. When not occupied with transport, the maltose‐specific ABC transporter sequesters and thereby inactivates its cognate transcriptional regulator MalT. Upon maltose transport, MalT is released from the membrane and activates the maltose utilization and transport genes. This mechanism prevents induction of MalT by endogenously produced maltotriose, which is the inducer. Thus, the maltose uptake system is a trigger transporter with a bi‐functional role in transport and regulation.
Effect of Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation on Pregnancy and Infant Outcomes: A Systematic Review
Authors: Ramakrishnan Usha , Grant Frederick Kobina , Goldenberg Tamar , Bui Vinh , Imdad Aamer , Bhutta Zulfiqar Ahmed 
Published: June 2012

AbstractSupplementation with multiple micronutrients (MM) during pregnancy may result in improved pregnancy and infant outcomes. We conducted meta‐analyses of randomised controlled trials that evaluated the effects of prenatal supplementation with MM (defined as containing at least five micronutrients and typically included iron or iron and folic acid). The outcomes of interest were low birthweight (<2500 g), birthweight, small‐for‐gestational age (SGA), gestational age, preterm birth (<37 weeks' gestation), stillbirth and neonatal death, maternal morbidity and mortality. We identified eligible studies through PubMed and EMBASE database searches. Meta‐analyses were performed by pooling results for outcomes that were reported from more than one trial and sub‐analyses were conducted to evaluate the effect of timing of intervention and amount of iron. We included published results from 16 trials in this review. Compared with control supplementation that was usually iron plus folic acid in most studies, MM supplementation resulted in a significant reduction in the incidence of low birthweight [pooled risk ratio (RR) 0.86; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.81, 0.91] and SGA (pooled RR 0.83 [95% CI 0.73, 0.95]) and an increase in mean birthweight (weighted mean difference (WMD) 52.6 g [95% CI 43.2 g, 62.0 g]). There was no significant difference in the overall risk of preterm birth, stillbirth, and maternal or neonatal mortality, but we found an increased risk of neonatal death for the MM group compared with iron–folate in the subgroup of five trials that began the intervention after the first trimester (RR 1.38 [95% CI 1.05, 1.81]). None of the studies evaluated maternal morbidity. Compared with iron plus folic acid supplementation alone, prenatal maternal supplementation with MM resulted in a reduction in the incidence of low birthweight and SGA but increased risk of neonatal death in the subgroup of studies that began the intervention after the first trimester.
Antihelminthics in Pregnancy and Maternal, Newborn and Child Health
Authors: Imhoff‐Kunsch Beth , Briggs Virginia 
Published: June 2012

AbstractSoil‐transmitted helminths (STHs), primarily Ascaris, Trichuris and hookworm, inflict a substantial morbidity burden on poor populations living in tropical and subtropical regions. Chronic STH infections can cause intestinal blood loss and nutrient loss and/or malabsorption, which can result in or exacerbate iron deficiency, anaemia and other nutritional deficiencies. More than 1 billion people are infected with at least one STH, and at least 44 million pregnant women are infected with hookworm alone. Pregnant women are especially vulnerable to the harmful consequences of these parasitic infections due to increased nutritional demands during pregnancy. We aimed to determine the effect of antihelminthics in pregnancy on maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH) outcomes. A systematic review was conducted using online databases, and relevant articles were hand searched. We included four observational studies in the general review and four randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in the meta‐analysis (total n = 3777 for the meta‐analysis). Antihelminthics in pregnancy had no overall benefit on maternal anaemia [risk ratio (RR) = 0.93 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.79, 1.10]], low birthweight (RR = 0.96 [95% CI 0.72, 1.29]) or perinatal mortality (RR = 0.98 [95% CI 0.58, 1.68]). The risk of very low birthweight was lower in the antihelminthics group (RR = 0.21 [95% CI 0.05, 0.83]); however, this estimate included data from only two trials (total n = 1936). In all four trials, antihelminthics in pregnancy significantly decreased the prevalence of STH infection. Three observational studies showed that antihelminthics in pregnancy improved maternal iron status, two studies reported beneficial effects on birthweight, and two studies found a beneficial effect on infant survival. Although few RCTs to date have failed to collectively demonstrate a clear beneficial impact of antihelminthics in pregnancy on maternal, newborn and child health outcomes, findings from observational studies suggest a potential benefit on maternal anaemia, birthweight and infant mortality. This meta‐analysis was limited by a dearth of evidence from RCTs, and further trials examining the effect of antihelminthics starting in the second trimester of pregnancy in poor, STH‐endemic regions with high rates of anaemia are needed.