bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
On the trail of anti‐CDE to unexpected highlights of the RHD*weak 4.3 allele in the Upper Austrian population
Authors: Polin H. , Gaszner W. , Hackl C. , Danzer M. , Niklas N. , Gabriel C. 
Published: January 2012

Background and Objectives  The application of a commercial available microcolumn system for ABO/RH determination lead to irregular results in CDE typing of seemingly D‐ blood samples. In this study, we introduce a comprehensive serological and molecular work‐up of a novel haplotype carrying the RHD*weak 4.3 in combination with an aberrant RHCE*ce.Materials and Methods  The molecular background was characterized by RHD and RHCE‐specific DNA sequencing, RHD cDNA sequencing and RHD zygosity testing. Haplotype‐specific extraction and inheritance analysis were initiated to determine the linkage of the polymorphisms. The genetic admixture was studied by whole genome SNP array analysis. Serology was done using commercial available standard techniques and by in‐house sera likewise.Results  All samples (n = 29) were shown to harbour an altered RHD(T201R, F223V, P291R) allele known as RHD*weak 4.3 associated with a RHCE*ce(W16C, A36T, L245V) gene formation, expressing CX and VS. Both anti‐CX and anti‐V/VS were detected as contaminating antibodies in a commercial available microcolumn system for ABO/RH determination accounting for the positive results in CDE typing. Compared with other population data, the samples were clearly identified as Caucasian.Conclusion  The RHD*weak 4.3 allele with markedly reduced antigen D expression was shown to be associated with an altered RHCE gene formation leading to the expression of CX and VS. Its frequency was estimated 1 in 854 among apparently D‐ Upper Austrian blood donors.
Litter mixture effects on tropical tree seedling growth – a greenhouse experiment
Authors: Coq S. , Weigel J. , Bonal D. , Hättenschwiler S. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractDecomposing litter provides critical nutrients for plants, particularly in nutrient‐poor ecosystems such as tropical forests. We hypothesised that decomposing litter improves the performance of a variety of tropical tree seedlings, and that this litter effect varies depending on the species of litter present in litter mixtures. We addressed these hypotheses with a large pot experiment manipulating a range of different litter mixtures of contrasting quality and using seedlings of four tree species from the Amazonian forest of French Guiana. In contrast to our initial hypothesis, decomposing litter had either neutral or negative impacts on seedling growth, despite strongly different growth rates, biomass allocation patterns and leaf and root traits among tree species. Tree species varied in their responses to litter additions, which were further modified by species identity of the added litter. Our data show litter species‐specific effects on growth, biomass allocation and leaf and root traits of tropical tree seedlings. These results suggest that a net nutrient release from decomposing litter does not necessarily improve tree seedling growth, even under nutrient‐limiting conditions. In conclusion, litter layer composition may affect seedling establishment and recruitment success beyond litter‐derived plant nutrient availability, which may contribute to tree species composition and dynamics in the studied tropical forest.
Water regime and growth of young oak stands subjected to air‐warming and drought on two different forest soils in a model ecosystem experiment
Authors: Kuster T. M. , Arend M. , Bleuler P. , Günthardt‐Goerg M. S. , Schulin R. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractGlobal climate change is expected to increase annual temperatures and decrease summer precipitation in Central Europe. Little is known of how forests respond to the interaction of these climate factors and if their responses depend on soil conditions. In a 3‐year lysimeter experiment, we investigated the growth response of young mixed oak stands, on either acidic or calcareous soil, to soil water regime, air‐warming and drought treatments corresponding to an intermediate climate change scenario. The air‐warming and drought treatments were applied separately as well as in combination. The air‐warming treatment had no effect on soil water availability, evapotranspiration or stand biomass. Decreased evapotranspiration from the drought‐exposed stands led to significantly higher air and soil temperatures, which were attributed to impaired transpirational cooling. Water limitation significantly reduced the stand foliage, shoot and root biomass as droughts were severe, as shown in low leaf water potentials. Additional air warming did not enhance the drought effects on evapotranspiration and biomass, although more negative leaf water potentials were observed. After re‐watering, evapotranspiration increased within a few days to pre‐drought levels. Stands not subjected to the drought treatment produced significantly less biomass on the calcareous soil than on the acidic soil, probably due to P or Mn limitation. There was no difference in biomass and water regime between the two soils under drought conditions, indicating that nutrient availability was governed by water availability under these conditions. The results demonstrate that young oak stands can cope with severe drought and therefore can be considered for future forestry.
Chronic exercise partially restores the transmural heterogeneity of action potential duration in left ventricular myocytes of spontaneous hypertensive rats
Authors: Roman‐Campos Danilo , Carneiro‐Júnior Miguel A , Prímola‐Gomes Thales N , Silva Karina A , Quintão‐Júnior Judson F , Gondim Antonio NS , Duarte Hugo L , Cruz Jader S , Natali Antonio J 
Published: January 2012

Summary

Hypertension leads to electrophysiological changes in the heart. Chronic exercise induced by a treadmill‐running programme (TRP) is considered a potential non‐pharmacological treatment for hypertension and may have implications in heart remodelling. However, it is not known whether the TRP is able to improve the electrophysiological properties of the heart in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). In the present study, we investigated whether TRP affects the electrical properties of left ventricular (LV) myocytes isolated from different layers of the LV wall of SHR.
Male SHR were divided into exercised (chronic treadmill running for 8 weeks; CEX‐SHR) and sedentary (SED‐SHR) groups. Age‐matched normotensive Wistar male rats served as controls. Action potentials (AP) and transient outward potassium current (Ito) were recorded in subepicardial (EPI) and subendocardial (ENDO) LV myocytes.
In normotensive controls, AP duration (APD) was longer in ENDO cells than in EPI cells. This sort of transmural heterogeneity in the LV was not observed in sedentary SHR and was partially restored in SHR subject to chronic exercise. This partial recovery was associated with an increase in Ito density in EPI cells but not in ENDO cells. The electrophysiological changes observed in the CEX‐SHR group were not accompanied by either amelioration of systolic blood pressure or a reduction in heart hypertrophy.
These findings imply that a TRP is able to improve the electrophysiological parameters of isolated cardiac myocytes in SHR. This sort of adaptation contributes to the overall improvement of heart physiology in this model.
Systematic review of the emotional state and self‐management of widows
Authors: Holm Anne Lise , Severinsson Elisabeth 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe death of a partner in later life is generally experienced as the most stressful normative life event. This study reviewed evidence about the emotional state of widows. Both qualitative and quantitative studies were included in the review. A systematic search was made of the OVID Medline, PubMed, ProQuest, and EBSCOhost/Academic Search Premier databases using the following search words: “depression”, “elderly”/“older”, “emotional state”, “mood”, “self‐management”, “widows”, and “women” for the period January 2000 to December 2010. Thirteen articles met the inclusion criteria, and a qualitative content analysis was used to review them. The findings revealed one main theme: “A struggle to perceive meaning in the meaningless”, which was based on three themes: “Numbing the pain and struggling to control feelings”, “Feeling sad, yet trying to maintain close emotional relationships and meaningful activities”, and “The process of change and self‐management dominated by resilience”. The widows seemed overwhelmed by the need to overcome an unbearable emotional state. The resilience process was experienced as a struggle, and they required time to improve their well‐being and self‐management. To achieve self‐management, nurses should strengthen widows' optimism, control, well‐being, and the pathways that lead to recovery.
Serum levels of pigment epithelium‐derived factor (PEDF) are positively associated with acanthosis nigricans in obese adolescents
Authors: Galhardo J. , Hunt L. P. , Shield J. P. H. 
Published: January 2012

Diabet. Med. 29, e117–e120 (2012)AbstractIntroduction  Circulating pigment epithelium‐derived factor, or serine protease inhibitor F1, is upregulated during adipogenesis, contributing to obesity‐induced insulin resistance. Furthermore, pigment epithelium‐derived factor is abundant in stage I melanosomes and has been reported to increase pigment granules and the appearance of mature melanosomes in retinal pigment epithelium. As acanthosis nigricans is a well‐recognized clinical marker of insulin resistance, we hypothesized that increased pigment epithelium‐derived factor might be associated with the generation of acanthosis nigricans.Methods  Acanthosis nigricans, anthropometric measurements, circulating total PEDF and metabolic profiles were assessed in 28 obese adolescents in a hospital‐based obesity clinic.Results  Subjects with acanthosis nigricans (n = 10) showed greater plasma levels of pigment epithelium‐derived factor (PEDF) than those without [geometric mean 23.55 (range 15.2–40.2) vs. 9.01 (range 5.5–18.7) μg/ml; P < 0.001]. Although pigment epithelium‐derived factor was positively correlated with the homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) (r = 0.779, P < 0.001; 95% CI 0.573–0.892), as previously reported, for the same degree of insulin resistance, those with acanthosis nigricans exhibited a 2.1‐fold (95%CI 2.0–2.3) higher level of pigment epithelium‐derived factor.Conclusions  While acanthosis nigricans is undoubtedly associated with insulin resistance, its appearance is not ubiquitous in patients at any given level of HOMA‐IR. The higher levels of pigment epithelium‐derived factor in those with acanthosis nigricans compared with those without, with similar levels of resistance, suggest that pigment epithelium‐derived factor levels are associated with acanthosis nigricans.
Field trials and tribulations—making sense of the regulations for experimental field trials of transgenic crops in Europe
Authors: Gómez‐Galera Sonia , Twyman Richard M. , Sparrow Penelope A.C. , Van Droogenbroeck Bart , Custers René , Capell Teresa , Christou Paul 
Published: January 2012

SummaryTransgenic plants that are being developed for commercial cultivation must be tested under field conditions to monitor their effects on surrounding wildlife and conventional crops. Developers also use this opportunity to evaluate the performance of transgenic crops in a typical environment, although this is a matter of commercial necessity rather than regulatory compliance. Most countries have adapted existing regulations or developed new ones to deal specifically with transgenic crops and their commodities. The European Union (EU) is renowned, or perhaps notorious, for having the broadest and most stringent regulations governing such field trials in the world. This reflects its nominal adherence to the precautionary approach, which assumes all transgenic crops carry an inherent risk. Therefore, field trials in the EU need to demonstrate that the risk associated with deploying a transgenic crop has been reduced to the level where it is regarded as acceptable within the narrowly defined limits of the regulations developed and enforced (albeit inconsistently) by national and regional governments, that is, that there is no greater risk than growing an equivalent conventional crop. The involvement of national and regional competent authorities in the decision‐making process can add multiple layers of bureaucracy to an already‐intricate process. In this review, we use country‐based case studies to show how the EU, national and regional regulations are implemented, and we propose strategies that could increase the efficiency of regulation without burdening developers with further unnecessary bureaucracy.
Combining Spatial Information Sources While Accounting for Systematic Errors in Proxies
Authors: Paciorek Christopher J. 
Published: January 2012

SummaryEnvironmental research increasingly uses high dimensional remote sensing and numerical model output to help to fill space–time gaps between traditional observations. Such output is often a noisy proxy for the process of interest. Thus we need to separate and assess the signal and noise (often called discrepancy) in the proxy given complicated spatiotemporal dependences. Here I extend a popular two-likelihood hierarchical model by using a more flexible representation for the discrepancy. I employ the little-used Markov random-field approximation to a thin plate spline, which can capture small-scale discrepancy in a computationally efficient manner while better modelling smooth processes than standard conditional auto-regressive models. The increased flexibility reduces identifiability, but the lack of identifiability is inherent in the scientific context. I model particulate matter air pollution by using satellite aerosol and atmospheric model output proxies. The estimated discrepancies occur at a variety of spatial scales, with small-scale discrepancy particularly important. The examples indicate little predictive improvement over modelling the observations alone. Similarly, in simulations with an informative proxy, the presence of discrepancy and resulting identifiability issues prevent improvement in prediction. The results highlight but do not resolve the critical question of how best to use proxy information while minimizing the potential for proxy-induced error.
Morphometric analysis of intralobular, interlobular and pleural lymphatics in normal human lung
Authors: Sozio Francesca , Rossi Antonella , Weber Elisabetta , Abraham David J. , Nicholson Andrew G. , Wells Athol U. , Renzoni Elisabetta A. , Sestini Piersante 
Published: January 2012

AbstractIn spite of their presumed relevance in maintaining interalveolar septal fluid homeostasis, the knowledge of the anatomy of human lung lymphatics is still incomplete. The recent discovery of reliable markers specific for lymphatic endothelium has led to the observation that, contrary to previous assumptions, human lymphatic vessels extend deep inside the pulmonary lobule in association with bronchioles, intralobular arterioles or small pulmonary veins. The aim of this study was to provide a morphometric characterization of lymphatic vessels in the periphery of the human lung. Human lung sections were immunolabelled with the lymphatic marker D2‐40, followed by blood vessel staining with von Willebrand Factor. Lymphatic vessels were classified into: intralobular (including those associated with bronchovascular bundles, perivascular, peribronchiolar and interalveolar), pleural (in the connective tissue of the visceral pleura), and interlobular (in interlobular septa). The percentage area occupied by the lymphatic lumen was much greater in the interlobular septa and in the subpleural space than in the lobule. Most of the intralobular lymphatic vessels were in close contact with a blood vessel, either alone or within a bronchovascular bundle, whereas 7% were associated with a bronchiole and < 1% were not connected to blood vessels or bronchioles (interalveolar). Intralobular lymphatic size progressively decreased from bronchovascular through to peribronchiolar, perivascular and interalveolar lymphatics. Lymphatics associated with bronchovascular bundles had similar morphometric characteristics to pleural and interlobular lymphatics. Shape factors were similar across lymphatic populations, except that peribronchiolar lymphatics had a marginally increased roundness and circularity, suggesting a more regular shape due to increased filling, and interlobular lymphatics had greater elongation, due to a greater proportion of conducting lymphatics cut longitudinally. Unsupervised cluster analysis confirmed a marked heterogeneity of lymphatic vessels both within and between groups, with a cluster of smaller vessels specifically represented in perivascular and interalveolar lymphatics within the alveolar interstitium. Our data indicate that intralobular lymphatics are a heterogeneous population, including vessels surrounding the bronchovascular bundle analogous to the conducting vessels present in the pleural and interlobular septa, many small perivascular lymphatics responsible for maintaining fluid balance in the alveolar interstitium, and a minority of intermediate lymphatics draining the peripheral airways. These lymphatic populations could be differentially involved in the pathogenesis of diseases preferentially involving distinct lung compartments.
Sertraline inhibits pre‐synaptic Na+ channel‐mediated responses in hippocampus‐isolated nerve endings
Authors: Aldana Blanca I. , Sitges María 
Published: January 2012

J. Neurochem. (2012) 121, 197–205.AbstractIn the present study, a possible sertraline action on cerebral pre‐synaptic Na+ channels was investigated. For this purpose, the effect of sertraline on responses induced by the Na+ channel opener, veratridine, namely the increase in Na+ and in neurotransmitter release in hippocampus‐isolated nerve endings was investigated. Results show that sertraline in the low μM range (1.5–25 μM) progressively inhibits the rise in Na+ and the release of pre‐loaded [3H]Glu as well as the release of endogenous 5‐HT, Glu and GABA (detected by HPLC) induced by veratridine depolarization either under external Ca2+‐free conditions or in the presence of external Ca2+. In addition, under non‐depolarized conditions, sertraline (25 μM) increased the external concentration of 5‐HT at expense of its internal concentration, and unchanged the external and internal concentrations of the amino acid neurotransmitters and of the 5‐HT main metabolite, 5‐HIAA. This result is consistent with the sertraline inhibitory action of the serotonin transporter. However, sertraline is unlikely to inhibit pre‐synaptic Na+ channels permeability by increasing external 5‐HT. Because 5‐HT in a wide concentration range (1–1000 μM) did not change the veratridine‐induced increase in Na+. In summary, present findings demonstrate that besides the inhibition of 5‐HT reuptake, sertraline is an effective inhibitor of pre‐synaptic Na+ channels controlling neurotransmitter release.
The Use of Management Control Mechanisms to Mitigate Moral Hazard in the Decision to Outsource
Authors: SEDATOLE KAREN L. , VRETTOS DIMITRIS , WIDENER SALLY K. 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACT Using archival data from the U.S. passenger airline industry, this study examines whether management control mechanisms aimed at mitigating moral hazard explain outsourcing decisions over and above transaction cost economics (TCE) determinants documented in prior research. Consistent with TCE theory, we find that in‐house production efficiencies and our proxy for transaction risk (i.e., deriving from transaction infrequency, transaction complexity, and relationship‐specific investments) significantly explain the extent of outsourcing of aircraft maintenance. We extend TCE insights to show that incentive delta (i.e., the sensitivity of CEO portfolio holdings to stock price changes) strengthens the negative association between production efficiencies and outsourcing while incentive vega (i.e., the sensitivity of CEO holdings to stock return volatility) weakens the negative association between transaction risk and outsourcing. Monitoring strengthens the negative association between in‐house production efficiencies and outsourcing, but has no effect on the transaction risk–outsourcing relation. The results suggest that the use of outsourcing to achieve cost savings is promoted through both incentive contracts and monitoring, but outsourcing to achieve the desired risk level is promoted only through incentive contracts.
Pharmacokinetics and Tolerability of Rizatriptan in Pediatric Migraineurs in a Randomized Study
Authors: Fraser Iain P. , Han Lingling , Han Tae H. , Li Chi‐Chung , Hreniuk David , Stoch S. Aubrey , Wagner John A. , Linder Steven , Winner Paul 
Published: January 2012

Objective.— To evaluate the pharmacokinetic profile and tolerability of single doses of rizatriptan oral disintegrating tablets (ODTs) in pediatric migraineurs.Background.— Acute migraine treatment options for children are limited despite a rising migraine prevalence. No triptans are approved in those under 12, and only sumatriptan nasal spray (European Union) and almotriptan tablets (USA) are approved for those aged 12‐17. Appropriate dose selection based on body weight may be a factor in establishing treatment efficacy in this population.Methods.— Randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, parallel group, single‐dose study in 6‐ to 17‐year‐old migraineurs. The study was performed between acute migraine attacks. Subjects were allocated to 1 of 2 groups based on body weight: (1) those weighing <40 kg received rizatriptan ODT 5 mg or placebo; (2) those weighing ≥40 kg received rizatriptan 10 mg ODT or placebo. Pharmacokinetic data were compared with historical data on rizatriptan ODT 10 mg in healthy adults.Results.— The geometric mean area under the plasma concentration‐time curve from time 0 to infinity (AUC(0‐∞)) (hours·ng/mL) and maximum peak plasma concentration (Cmax) (ng/mL) were 56.68 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 48.60, 66.09) and 22.39 (95% CI: 17.90, 28.02), respectively, for the <40 kg group and 78.49 (95% CI: 68.93, 89.38) and 22.27 (95% CI: 18.43, 26.92), respectively, for the ≥40 kg group. For the comparison of children vs adults, the geometric mean ratios for rizatriptan AUC(0‐∞) and Cmax were 0.85 (90% CI: 0.73, 0.98) and 1.07 (90% CI: 0.86, 1.34), respectively, for the <40 kg group vs historical adult data and 1.17 (90% CI: 1.02, 1.34) and 1.06 (90% CI: 0.87, 1.30), respectively, for the ≥40 kg group vs historical adult data. There were no serious adverse events, and rizatriptan was generally well tolerated.Conclusions.— In pediatric migraineurs, a weight‐based dosing scheme generated plasma rizatriptan AUC(0‐∞) and Cmax values that were generally similar to those historically observed in adults administered a 10‐mg dose of rizatriptan ODT (a proven effective dose). The data support further evaluation of the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of this rizatriptan dosing scheme in larger scale clinical trials in the pediatric migraineur population.