bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ciliate Ingestion and Digestion: Flow Cytometric Measurements and Regrowth of a Digestion‐Resistant Campylobacter jejuni
Authors: First Matthew R. , Park Nina Y. , Berrang Mark E. , Meinersmann Richard J. , Bernhard Joan M. , Gast Rebecca J. , Hollibaugh James T. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractWe measured ingestion and digestion rates of the pathogenic bacterium Campylobacter jejuni by a freshwater ciliate Colpoda sp. to determine whether Campylobacter is able to resist protist digestion. Campylobacter and the nonpathogenic bacterium Pseudomonas putida LH1 were labeled with a 5‐chloromethylfluorescein diacetate, which fluoresces in intact and active cells but fades when exposed to low pH environments, such as protistan food vacuoles. Ingestion and digestion rates were measured via flow cytometry as the change in ciliate fluorescence over time, which corresponded to the quantity of intracellular bacteria. The rate of Campylobacter ingestion exceeded the digestion rate. Ciliates retained labeled Campylobacter 5 h after ingestion was stopped. In contrast, ciliates grazing upon P. putida returned to baseline fluorescence within 5 h, indicating that P. putida were completely digested. The ability of intracellular Campylobacter to remain viable after ingestion was tested by sorting individual ciliates and bacterial cells into Campylobacter‐selective media. Campylobacter growth occurred in 15% (± 5 SE) of wells seeded with highly fluorescent ciliates, whereas only 4% (± 1) of wells seeded with free‐living Campylobacter exhibited growth. A key advantage of this approach is that it is rapid and should be applicable to other phagocytotis studies.
Obstetric complications and neurological soft signs in male patients with schizophrenia
Authors: Bersani Giuseppe , Clemente Roberta , Gherardelli Simona , Bersani Francesco Saverio , Manuali Giorgiana 
Published: November 2011

Bersani G, Clemente R, Gherardelli S, Bersani FS, Manuali G. Obstetric complications and neurological soft signs in male patients with schizophrenia.Objective:The study investigated the relationship between neurological soft signs (NSS) and obstetric complications (OCs) in patients with schizophrenia.Methods:Sixty-three male patients with schizophrenia were divided into two subgroups, based on the OCs presence or absence, which were compared in relation to NSS prevalence. After that, a Person's correlation test was performed to explore the correlation between NSS and OCs severity.Results:The subgroup with OCs showed more NSS, but there were not significant correlations between NSS and OCs severity.Conclusions:It seems that any OC, without distinction in typology and severity, could unspecifically impair the neurodevelopment and inducing NSS expression. Our findings confirm the hypothesis that neurodevelopment alterations, such as those probably induced by OCs, can contribute to a premorbid brain dysfunctional state expressed by NSS.
Multiple psychosomatic symptoms can indicate child physical abuse – results from a study of Swedish schoolchildren
Authors: Jernbro Carolina , Svensson Birgitta , Tindberg Ylva , Janson Staffan 
Published: November 2011

AbstractAim:  To examine whether children with self‐reported experiences of either physical abuse alone or combined with intimate partner violence report more psychosomatic symptoms than other children and to explore whether these possible associations are enhanced by school‐related factors, chronic condition and demographic factors.Methods:  A national cross‐sectional study of 2771 pupils in grades 4, 6 and 9 from 44 schools in Sweden was carried out in 2006 (91% response rate). Data were analysed with univariate tests (chi‐square), multiple logistic regression analyses and stratified logistic regression analyses, expressed as crude odds ratio (OR) and adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence intervals.Results:  There was a strong association between reported physical abuse and multiple (three or more) psychosomatic symptoms among schoolchildren (AOR 2.12). Chronic condition was the only determinant that had an obvious enhancing effect on the association between physical abuse and psychosomatic symptoms in childhood.Conclusion:  This study shows that multiple psychosomatic symptoms are associated with child physical abuse. Health professionals therefore need to pay special attention to schoolchildren who complain about the co‐occurrence of psychosomatic symptoms and pattern of symptoms, which could not be easily explained by other causes.
The guanine cap of human guanylate‐binding protein 1 is responsible for dimerization and self‐activation of GTP hydrolysis
Authors: Wehner Mark , Kunzelmann Simone , Herrmann Christian 
Published: November 2011

Human guanylate‐binding protein 1 (hGBP1) belongs to the superfamily of large, dynamin‐related GTPases. The expression of hGBP1 is induced by stimulation with interferons (mainly interferon‐γ), and it plays a role in different cellular responses to inflammatory cytokines, e.g. pathogen defence, control of proliferation, and angiogenesis. Although other members of the dynamin superfamily show a diversity of cellular functions, they share a common GTPase mechanism that relies on nucleotide‐controlled oligomerization and self‐activation of the GTPase. Previous structural studies on hGBP1 have suggested a mechanism of GTPase and GDPase activity that, as a critical step, involves dimerization of the large GTP‐binding domains. In this study, we show that the guanine cap of hGBP1 is the key structural element responsible for dimerization, and is thereby essential for self‐activation of the GTPase activity. Studies of concentration‐dependent GTP hydrolysis showed that mutations of residues in the guanine cap, in particular Arg240 and Arg244, resulted in higher dissociation constants of the dimer, whereas the maximum hydrolytic activity was largely unaffected. Additionally, we identified an intramolecular polar contact (Lys62–Asp255) whose mutation leads to a loss of self‐activation capability and controlled oligomer formation. We suggest that this contact structurally couples the guanine cap to the switch regions of the GTPase, translating the structural changes that occur upon nucleotide binding to a change in oligomerization and self‐activation.Structured digital abstract
hGBP1
and hGBP1 bind by molecularsieving (Viewinteraction)
A model for water sharing in the Ganges River Basin
Authors: Kamruzzaman M. , Beecham S. , Zuppi G. M. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractThis study investigates water resources sharing and in particular the impact of the Farakka Barrage in the Ganges River Basin management which has led to conflict between the Ganges states since 1951. A deadlock prevailed between Bangladesh and India during the dry seasons. The 1996 water sharing treaty adopted and the results suggest that availability of flows is crucial during the period 1 March to 31 May. Moreover, the average flow availability at Farakka dam has been gradually declining during the period 1997 to 2007. For 2005 and 2006, it was found that the average flow availability declined by 12 and 25%, respectively. A Stackelberg leader–follower model is described for optimal water allocation in the Ganges River Basin between Bangladesh and India both with and without additional water transfers from Nepal. It is recommended that a market‐based water transfer arrangement from Nepal is implemented for both Bangladesh and India.
Lower Rehospitalization Rates Among Rural Medicare Beneficiaries With Diabetes
Authors: Bennett Kevin J. , Probst Janice C. , Vyavaharkar Medha , Glover Saundra H. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractPurpose: We estimated the 30‐day readmission rate of Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes, across levels of rurality.Methods: We merged the 2005 Medicare Chronic Conditions 5% sample data with the 2007 Area Resource File. The study population was delimited to those with diabetes and at least 1 hospitalization in the year. Unadjusted readmission rates were estimated across levels of rurality. Multivariate logistic regression estimated the factors associated with readmissions.Findings: Overall, 14.4% had a readmission; this was higher among urban (14.9%) than rural (12.9%) residents. The adjusted odds indicated that remote rural residents were less likely to have a readmission (OR 0.74, 0.57‐0.95) than urban residents. Also, those with a 30‐day physician follow‐up visit were more likely to have a readmission (OR 2.25, 1.96‐2.58) than those without a visit.Conclusion: The factors that contribute to hospital readmissions are complex; our findings indicate that access to follow‐up care is highly associated with having a readmission. It is possible that residents of remote rural counties may not receive necessary readmissions due to lower availability of such follow‐up care. Policy makers should continue to monitor this apparent disparity to determine the impact of these lower rates on both patients and hospitals alike.
One‐legged endurance training: leg blood flow and oxygen extraction during cycling exercise
Authors: Rud B. , Foss Ø. , Krustrup P. , Secher N.H. , Hallén J. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractAim:  As a consequence of enhanced local vascular conductance, perfusion of muscles increases with exercise intensity to suffice the oxygen demand. However, when maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and cardiac output are approached, the increase in conductance is blunted. Endurance training increases muscle metabolic capacity, but to what extent that affects the regulation of muscle vascular conductance during exercise is unknown.Methods:  Seven weeks of one‐legged endurance training was carried out by twelve subjects. Pulmonary VO2 during cycling and one‐legged cycling was tested before and after training, while VO2 of the trained leg (TL) and control leg (CL) during cycling was determined after training.Results: VO2max for cycling was unaffected by training, although one‐legged VO2max became 6.7 (2.3)% (mean ± SE) larger with TL than with CL. Also TL citrate synthase activity was higher [30 (12)%; P < 0.05]. With the two legs working at precisely the same power during cycling at high intensity (n = 8), leg oxygen uptake was 21 (8)% larger for TL than for CL (P < 0.05) with oxygen extraction being 3.5 (1.1)% higher (P < 0.05) and leg blood flow tended to be higher by 16.0 (7.0)% (P = 0.06).Conclusion:  That enhanced VO2max for the trained leg had no implication for cycling VO2max supports that there is a central limitation to VO2max during whole‐body exercise. However, the metabolic balance between the legs was changed during high‐intensity exercise as oxygen delivery and oxygen extraction were higher in the trained leg, suggesting that endurance training ameliorates blunting of leg blood flow and oxygen uptake during whole‐body exercise.
International survey of enteral nutrition protocols used in children with Crohn's disease
Authors: WHITTEN Kylie E , ROGERS Paula , OOI Chee (Keith) Y , DAY Andrew S 
Published: November 2011

OBJECTIVE:  Differing protocols have been utilized in published studies evaluating exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) in the management of active pediatric Crohn's disease. This study aimed to ascertain the protocols currently utilized in different pediatric centers around the world and to highlight their similarities and differences.METHODS:  A questionnaire was circulated to individuals at pediatric centers in countries in Europe, North America and Asia–Pacific. Respondents were asked to indicate the number of children treated with EEN at their centers in the previous years and to provide details of their protocol used for administering EEN to these children.RESULTS:  Responses were received from 35 separate centers (42% of those asked). The duration of EEN varied from <6 weeks to >12 weeks, but was most commonly 6 to 8 weeks. Although 23 different formulas were utilized across the centers, most (90%) used polymeric formulas. Flavourings were commonly added to formulas but wide variations existed between centers with the prescription of food and fluids permitted during the EEN period. The reintroduction of food after EEN also varied greatly: the most common recommendations were for an initial low‐fiber diet (26%) or the gradual introduction of food quantity as the formula volume decreased (52%).CONCLUSIONS:  This questionnaire‐based study has shown the wide variations in EEN protocols used in different areas of the world. The development of consistent protocols may enhance the acceptance, efficacy and wider utilization of this therapy.
Statistical Considerations for Analysis of Microarray Experiments
Authors: Owzar Kouros , Barry William T. , Jung Sin‐Ho 
Published: November 2011

AbstractMicroarray technologies enable the simultaneous interrogation of expressions from thousands of genes from a biospecimen sample taken from a patient. This large set of expressions generates a genetic profile of the patient that may be used to identify potential prognostic or predictive genes or genetic models for clinical outcomes. The aim of this article is to provide a broad overview of some of the major statistical considerations for the design and analysis of microarrays experiments conducted as correlative science studies to clinical trials. An emphasis will be placed on how the lack of understanding and improper use of statistical concepts and methods will lead to noise discovery and misinterpretation of experimental results. Clin Trans Sci 2011; Volume 4: 466–477
Comparison of cytokine levels from undiluted vitreous of untreated patients with retinal vein occlusion
Authors: Koss Michael J , Pfister Marcel , Rothweiler Florian , Michaelis Martin , Cinatl Jindrich , Schubert Ralf , Koch Frank H 
Published: November 2011

Abstract.Purpose:  To compare cytokines in undiluted vitreous of treatment‐naïve patients with macular oedema without vitreomacular traction secondary to branch (BRVO), central (CRVO) and hemi‐central (H‐CRVO) retinal vein occlusion.Methods:  Ninety‐four patients (median age 72 years, 42 men) underwent an intravitreal combination therapy, including a single‐site 23‐gauge core vitrectomy and the application of bevacizumab and dexamethasone due to vision‐decreasing macular oedema. Among these were 43 patients with BRVO, 35 with CRVO and 16 patients with hemi‐CRVO, which were distributed in a fresh or old retinal vein occlusion type (seven or more months after onset). Undiluted vitreous samples were analysed for interleukin 6 (IL‐6), monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF‐A) with cytometric BEAD assay. Vitreous samples from patients with idiopathic epiretinal membrane served as controls (n = 14).Results:  The mean cytokine values were highest in the CRVO group with IL‐6 = 64.7 pg/ml (SD ± 115.8), MCP‐1 = 1015.8 pg/ml (±970.1) and VEGF‐A = 278.4 pg/ml (±512.8), followed by the H‐CRVO group with IL‐6 = 59.9 pg/ml (SD ± 97.5), MCP‐1 = 938.8 pg/ml (±561.1) and VEGF‐A = 211.5 pg/ml (±232.4). The BRVO group had IL‐6 = 23.2 pg/ml (SD ± 48.8), MCP‐1 = 602.6 pg/ml (±490.3) and VEGF‐A = 161.8 pg/ml (±314.4). The values of MCP‐1 and VEGF‐A were significantly different for CRVO or H‐CRVO versus BRVO. All values were significantly higher than in the control samples, which had 6.2 ± 3.4 pg/ml (IL‐6), 253 ± 74 pg/ml (MCP‐1) and 7 ± 4.9 pg/ml (VEGF‐A). Within the old RVO type, only MCP‐1 was significantly different for CRVO or H‐CRVO versus BRVO.Conclusions:  Both inflammatory markers and VEGF‐A were higher in CRVO and H‐CRVO than in BRVO undiluted vitreous samples. It seems that monocyte recruitment to the vessel wall, which might underlie the importance of eosinophils in tissue remodelling after RVO, is of special interest owing to the significant difference in MCP‐1 in the older RVO types.
Complement system activation and endothelial dysfunction in patients with age‐related macular degeneration (AMD): possible relationship between AMD and atherosclerosis
Authors: Machalińska Anna , Kawa Miłosz P. , Marlicz Wojciech , Machaliński Bogusław 
Published: November 2011

Abstract.Age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) shares several pathological and epidemiological similarities with systemic atherosclerosis (AS). First, an association between AS and AMD is apparent from the analyses of the histological and biochemical structure of atherosclerotic plaques in the vascular walls and retinal drusen, the hallmark of AMD. Second, there is considerable evidence implicating endothelial dysfunction in the pathogenesis of both disorders, and cellular oxidative stress appears to be a common denominator underlying this process. Moreover, there are observations that the complement system (CS) triggering inflammatory response contributes to the onset and advancement of both diseases. The CS plays a role in the generation of drusen and neovascularization in AMD as well as in vascular endothelium activation, cell damage and ultimately atherosclerotic plaque formation in the course of systemic arteriosclerosis. It is widely recognized that both AMD and AS are not only related to local stimulation of the CS, but also result in its systemic activation. In addition, a specific Y402H polymorphism of the complement inhibitor factor H has been found to be associated with the incidence of both AMD and AS. Here, we propose a linking hypothesis between CS activation, endothelial dysfunction and the pathogenesis of two common and age‐related pathological processes, AS and AMD. We also discuss the potential therapeutic value of pharmacological modulation of CS activation in these disorders.
Chondroitin sulphate has objective but no subjective effects
Authors: Ernst E 
Published: November 2011

Wildi LM, Raynauld JP, Martel‐Pelletier J, Beaulieu A, Bessette L, Morin F, Abram F, Dorais M, Pelletier JP.Chondroitin sulphate reduces both cartilage volume loss and bone marrow lesions in knee osteoarthritis patients starting as early as 6 months after initiation of therapy: a randomised, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled pilot study using MRI.Ann Rheum Dis 2011; 70: 982–9.
A herbal formula for food allergy
Authors: Gundling K 
Published: November 2011

Wang J, Patil S, Yang N, Ko J, Lee J, Noone S, Sampson H, Li X.Safety, tolerability, and immunologic effects of a food allergy herbal formula in food allergic individuals: a randomized, double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled, dose escalation, phase 1 study.Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2010; 105: 75–84.
Assessing the potential of Caribbean phytomedicinals
Authors: Awang Dennis VC 
Published: November 2011

AbstractOver the past four decades, there has not been any significant organised research into the therapeutic efficacy and/or potential toxicity of purportedly medicinal Caribbean botanicals. Books published during the period and dealing with such plants were essentially compendia of ethnopharmacological information regarding uses, containing occasional crude modes of preparation of treatments and sparse data on chemical constituents. More recent publications have tended to consider the evidence‐based legitimacy of a modest number of pharmacologically active plants. Currently, two of the most prominent organisations in this area are TRAMIL (the Program of Applied Research to Popular Medicine in the Caribbean) and the Caribbean Herbal Medicine Research Institute (CaHMRI). While TRAMIL's expressed main aim is to stimulate research that has the potential to educate physicians, pharmacologists, health personnel, and health programmes, its core research activity has been the conduct of ethnopharmacological disease‐based surveys on the traditional medicinal uses of plants by the people in the Caribbean territories; TRAMIL is not involved in the conduct of clinical trials. A major objective of CaHMRI at the University of Trinidad and Tobago is claimed to be the provision of sound scientific information about medicinal plants and herbal remedies. However, CaHMRI's declared mission is the identification of local medicinal plants and isolation of their characteristic bioactive constituents, although an Internet posting states that it plans to test herbal medicinal extracts for their safety and efficacy through clinical trials. However, so far CaHMRI has not reported on any such activities. Cuba appears to be the only Caribbean territory to have made significant progress in advancing the status of herbal medicines from the folkloric domain. As part of its national natural and traditional medicine system, herbal medicine products are being manufactured by the State in pharmaceutical production laboratories.
Leader and follower organizational identification: The mediating role of leader behaviour and implications for follower OCB
Authors: Schuh Sebastian C. , Zhang Xin‐an , Egold Nikolai W. , Graf Matthias M. , Pandey Diwakar , van Dick Rolf 
Published: November 2011

The transfer model of organizational identification (OI) posits a trickle‐down process of OI from leaders to followers. This, in turn, should foster employees’ willingness to engage in extra‐role behaviour. Prior research has provided consistent support for the model in field studies and experimental settings. The present studies extend the OI transfer model by examining the mediating role of transformational leadership (TFL) behaviour in the leader OI‐follower OI link. Using a multi‐level, multi‐source approach we tested our model in two studies. Study 1 was conducted in Germany (N= 18 leaders and 216 employees) and provided support for the proposed mediation process. In a second Study, which was conducted in China (N= 44 leaders and 109 followers), we were able to replicate and extend these findings. Again, leader behaviour mediated the link between leader OI and employee OI. Additionally, we found that leader transformational behaviour and employee OI together mediated the link between leader OI and employee extra‐role efforts.Practitioner Points
Given that organizations are generally structured in a pyramid‐shaped form, the present findings suggest that leader OI can be highly leveraged since it appears to cascade down the organizational hierarchy.
Hence, measures fostering leader OI appear to be effective and efficient means to increase followers’ identification with the organization. Follower OI, in turn, positively relates to employee extra‐effort on behalf of the organization.
Furthermore, our findings suggest that this transfer of OI is not restricted to leader‐follower links in western, individualistic societies but also applies to China, characterized by more collectivistic values.