bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
GAL1-SceI directed site-specific genomic (gsSSG) mutagenesis: a method for precisely targeting point mutations in S. cerevisiae
Authors: Piccirillo Sarah , Wang Hsiao-Lin , Fisher Thomas J , Honigberg Saul M 
Published: December 2011

Abstract

Background
Precise targeted mutations are defined as targeted mutations that do not require the retention of other genetic changes, such as marker genes, near the mutation site. In the yeast, S. cerevisiae, there are several methods for introducing precise targeted mutations, all of which depend on inserting both a counter-selectable marker and DNA bearing the mutation. For example, the marker can first be inserted, and then replaced with either a long oligonucleotide carrying the mutation (delitto perfetto) or a PCR fragment synthesized with one primer containing the mutation (SSG mutagenesis).

Results
A hybrid method for targeting precise mutation into the genomes uses PCR fragments as in SSG mutagenesis together with a CORE cassette devised for delitto perfetto that contains the homing endonuclease SceI. This method, termed gsSSG mutagenesis, is much more efficient than standard SSG mutagenesis, allowing replacements to be identified without extensive screening of isolates. In gsSSG, recombination between the PCR fragment and the genome occurs equally efficiently regardless of the size of the fragment or the distance between the fragment end and the site of marker insertion. In contrast, the efficiency of incorporating targeted mutations by this method increases as the distance between the mutation and the marker insertion site decreases.

Conclusion
gsSSG is an efficient way of introducing precise mutations into the genome of S. cerevisiae. The frequency of incorporating the targeted mutation remains efficient at least as far as 460 bp from the insertion site meaning that a single insertion can be used to create many different mutants. The overall efficiency of gsSSG can be estimated based on the distance between the mutation and the marker insertion, and this efficiency can be maximized by limiting the number of untargeted mutations. Thus, a single insertion of marker genes plus homing endonuclease cassette can be used to efficiently introduce precise point mutations through a region of > 900 bp.
Folic acid modified gelatine coated quantum dots as potential reagents for in vitro cancer diagnostics
Authors: Gérard Valérie A , Maguire Ciaran M , Bazou Despina , Gun'ko Yurii K 
Published: December 2011

Abstract

Background
Gelatine coating was previously shown to effectively reduce the cytotoxicity of CdTe Quantum Dots (QDs) which was a first step towards utilising them for biomedical applications. To be useful they also need to be target-specific which can be achieved by conjugating them with Folic Acid (FA).

Results
The modification of QDs with FA via an original "one-pot" synthetic route was proved successful by a range of characterisation techniques including UV-visible absorption spectroscopy, Photoluminescence (PL) emission spectroscopy, fluorescence life-time measurements, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS). The resulting nanocomposites were tested in Caco-2 cell cultures which over-express FA receptors. The presence of FA on the surface of QDs significantly improved the uptake by targeted cells.

Conclusions
The modification with folic acid enabled to achieve a significant cellular uptake and cytotoxicity towards a selected cancer cell lines (Caco-2) of gelatine-coated TGA-CdTe quantum dots, which demonstrated good potential for in vitro cancer diagnostics.
Short- and long-term reproductive effects of prenatal and lactational growth restriction caused by maternal diabetes in male rats
Authors: Amorim Elaine MP , Damasceno Débora C , Perobelli Juliana E , Spadotto Raquel , Fernandez Carla DB , Volpato Gustavo T , Kempinas Wilma DG 
Published: December 2011

AbstractBackgroundA suboptimal intrauterine environment may have a detrimental effect on gonadal development and thereby increases the risk for reproductive disorders and infertility in adult life. Here, we used uncontrolled maternal diabetes as a model to provoke pre- and perinatal growth restriction and evaluate the sexual development of rat male offspring.MethodsMaternal diabetes was induced in the dams through administration of a single i.v. dose of 40 mg/kg streptozotocin, 7 days before mating. Female rats presenting glycemic levels above 200 mg/dL after the induction were selected for the experiment. The male offspring was analyzed at different phases of sexual development, i.e., peripuberty, postpuberty and adulthood.ResultsBody weight and blood glucose levels of pups, on the third postnatal day, were lower in the offspring of diabetic dams compared to controls. Maternal diabetes also provoked delayed testicular descent and preputial separation. In the offspring of diabetic dams the weight of reproductive organs at 40, 60 and 90 days-old was lower, as well as sperm reserves and sperm transit time through the epididymis. However the plasma testosterone levels were not different among experimental groups.ConclusionsIt is difficult to isolate the effects directly from diabetes and those from IUGR. Although the exposure to hyperglycemic environment during prenatal life and lactation delayed the onset of puberty in male rats, the IUGR, in the studied model, did not influenced the structural organization of the male gonads of the offspring at any point during sexual development. However the decrease in sperm reserves in epididymal cauda and the acceleration in sperm transit time in this portion of epididymis may lead to an impairment of sperm quality and fertility potential in these animals. Additional studies are needed in attempt to investigate the fertility of animals with intrauterine growth restriction by maternal diabetes and possible multigenerational effects.
Corticosteroid Pulse Combination Therapy for Refractory Kawasaki Disease: A Randomized Trial
Authors: Ogata Shohei , Ogihara Yoshihito , Honda Takashi , Kon Shinya , Akiyama Kazumasa , Ishii Masahiro 
Published: December 2011

Objective:This study examined the clinical efficacy and safety of intravenous methylprednisolone-pulse plus intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) combination therapy (IVMP+IVIG) for the initial treatment of patients predicted to have refractory Kawasaki disease (KD).Methods:One hundred twenty-two patients with KD were studied at Kitasato University. Refractory KD was predicted at diagnosis using the Egami score, and the patients were randomly divided to receive either IVMP+IVIG or IVIG alone. The Egami score is used to predict refractory KD patients before treatment using the patient’s age, days of illness, platelet count, C-reactive protein, and alanine aminotransferase level (cutoff: ≥3 points; 78% sensitivity and 76% specificity).Results:Forty-eight patients (39.3%) were predicted to have refractory KD on the basis of the Egami score. The predicted IVIG responders (n = 74) received the standard therapy. The 48 predicted refractory KD patients were randomly assigned to a single-IVIG group (n = 26) or an IVMP+IVIG group (n = 22). Nineteen of the 22 patients (86.4%) in the IVMP+IVIG group had a prompt defervescence compared with 6 of the 26 patients (23.1%) in the single-IVIG group. The number of patients who had a z score ≥2.5 at 1 month was significantly higher in the single-IVIG group than in the IVMP+IVIG group. No serious adverse events were observed in either treatment group.Conclusions:This study demonstrated that IVMP+IVIG therapy is safe and effective for KD patients predicted as refractory.
Primary Pyomyositis of the Pelvis in Children: A Retrospective Review of 8 Cases
Authors: Bertrand Styles L. , Lincoln Eric D. , Prohaska Matthew G. 
Published: December 2011

Primary pyomyositis of the pelvic musculature is a condition rarely seen in temperate climates, although its frequency has been increasing in the United States. The condition should be considered in the initial differential diagnosis of an adolescent presenting with fever, difficulty ambulating, and hip pain. This is a retrospective review of 8 cases of primary pelvic pyomyositis in patients aged 18 years or younger who were treated at the Children’s Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia. The site of infection was the obturator internus in the majority of the cases (5). The site was the gluteus, iliopsoas, and iliacus in 1 case each. Four patients who were diagnosed early responded to intravenous antibiotics with no need for further intervention. Two patients required incision and drainage of an abscess combined with antibiotics. Two patients had prolonged hospital courses requiring intensive unit care and mechanical ventilation. Blood cultures were positive in 87.5% of patients, and all patients presented with elevated acute phase reactants.
One of the most difficult diagnostic aspects of presentation is an inconclusive symptom profile. It is noteworthy that patients with pelvic pyomyositis may present with limited range of motion in a specific plane (the motion placing the infected muscle on stretch) vs global limited range of motion of the joint as is commonly seen in septic arthritis. Early diagnosis is essential to prevent systemic illness and complications associated with this condition. Magnetic resonance imaging with gadolinium is helpful to diagnose and guide treatment.
On Countable Dense and n-homogeneity
Authors: van Mill Jan 
Published: December 2011

Abstract.We prove that a connected, countable dense homogeneous space is n-homogeneous for every n, and strongly 2-homogeneous provided it is locally connected. We also present an example of a connected and countable dense homogeneous space which is not strongly 2-homogeneous. This answers in the negative Problem 136 ofWatson in the Open Problems in Topology Book.
Unrectictifiable 1-sets have vanishing analytic capacity
Authors: David Guy 
Published: December 2011

We complete the proof of a conjecture of Vitushkin that says that if

E

is a compact set in the complex plane with finite 1-dimensional Hausdorff measure, then

E

has vanishing analytic capacity (i.e., all bounded analytic functions on the complement of

E

are constant) if and only if

E

is purely unrectifiable (i.e., the intersection of

E

with any curve of finite length has zero 1-dimensional Hausdorff measure). As in a previous paper with P. Mattila, the proof relies on a rectifiability criterion using Menger curvature, and an extension of a construction of M. Christ. The main new part is a generalization of the

T(b)

-Theorem to some spaces that are not necessarily of homogeneous type.

Résumé

On complète la démonstration d'une conjecture de Vitushkin si

E

est une partie compacte du plan complexe de mesure de Hausdorff unidimensionelle nulle, alors

E

est de capacité analytique nulle (toute fonction analytique bornée sur le complémantaire de

E

est consante) si et seulement si

E

est totalement non rectifiable (l'intersection de

E

avec toute courbe de longueur finie est de mesure de Hausdorff nulle). Comme dans un papier précédent avec P. Mattila, la démonstration sur un critère de rectifiabilité utilisant la courbure de Menger, et une extension d'une construction de M Christ. L'élément nouveau principal est une généralisation du théorème

T(b)

sur certains espaces qui ne sont pas nécessairement de type homogène.
The Ecological Approach in Tobacco-Control Practice: Health Promotion Practitioner Characteristics Related to Using the Ecological Approach
Authors: Lévesque Lucie , Richard Lucie , Potvin Louise 
Published: December 2011

Purpose. To identify cognitive factors and personal characteristics related to the integration of the ecological approach in the everyday practice of health promotion practitioners. Design. Sociodemographic, cognitive, and behavior data were collected using a cross-sectional mail survey. Setting. Information was collected from regional public health organizations (n = 129) in the 10 Canadian provinces. Subjects. Health promotion practitioners involved in tobacco-control programming for youth (n = 524) comprised of 81% women with a mean age of 39 years. Measures. Attempts to integrate ecological strategies (i.e., interpersonal, organizational, and policy change) into tobacco-control practice were based on three self-report items. Six scales assessed knowledge, values, and normative beliefs about the ecological approach as well as perceived need for, effectiveness of, and competency regarding using the ecological approach. Results. The survey response rate was 80%. Stepwise discriminant analyses revealed four predictors (p < .001) contributing to the function solution concerning practitioner attempts to target the interpersonal environment: perceived competency, training discipline, years doing health promotion, and gender. Three predictors (p < . 001) contributed to each of the function solutions concerning practitioner attempts to target the organizational environment (perceived competency, perceived effectiveness, and normative beliefs) and practitioner attempts at policy change (perceived competency, knowledge, and normative beliefs). Conclusions. Tobacco-control practitioners who perceive themselves as having the skills to develop and/or implement interventions targeting a person's environment are more likely to target the environment for change.
Is Hypercholesterolemia a Risk Factor and Should it Be Treated in the Elderly?
Authors: Hall Kathleen M. , Luepker Russell V. 
Published: December 2011

Purpose. The 1993 National Cholesterol Education Program guidelines recommend cholesterol screening for elderly patients with and without known coronary heart disease. This review summarizes clinical trial evidence from the medical literature that addresses cholesterol treatment in the elderly. Data Sources. References were obtained from a MEDLINE search, bibliographies, metaanalyses, and review articles. Study Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria. Randomized, controlled clinical trials, including all lipid intervention trials with elderly participants or subgroup analyses of the elderly designed to measure major cardiovascular disease endpoints, were selected. Data Extraction Methods. A MEDLINE search of all clinical trials using key search terms yielded 1360 references. Journal titles and abstracts were reviewed for all references by one of us (K.M.H.). A full journal review was undertaken for 41 references to clinical trials. Five clinical trials fulfilled all criteria and represented unique data. Data Synthesis. A MEDLINE search (from 1966 to January 2000) and bibliography reviews yielded five important clinical trials with analyses of elderly participants. Data are presented in text form and a summary table. Major Conclusions. Clinical trial evidence supports treating hyperlipidemia in elderly persons for secondary prevention of coronary heart disease. Evidence from four secondary prevention trials demonstrated that major coronary heart disease risk decreased by 25% to 30% in elderly subjects treated for 5 years. Unanswered questions include cholesterol treatment for primary prevention in the elderly, gender effect, and benefit of treatment in persons older than 70.
Cigarette Smoking among the Elderly: Disease Consequences and the Benefits of Cessation
Authors: Burns David M. 
Published: December 2011

Synopsis. The disease consequence of smoking occurs disproportionately among the elderly because of the long duration of cumulative injury or change that underlies the bulk of tobacco-caused disease. Older smokers are less likely than younger smokers to attempt quitting, but they are more likely to be successful in the attempts that they do make to quit. Excess absolute rates of disease incidence and mortality due to smoking increase steadily with increasing age and duration of smoking, and there is little evidence to suggest that the disease consequences of smoking diminish among the elderly. Although cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of excess mortality among younger smokers, lung cancer is the largest cause of excess smoking-related mortality over the age of 60 years; and at older ages the excess death rate from chronic obstructive lung disease equals that for cardiovascular disease. Because of the dramatic increases in smoking-related excess mortality with advancing age, approximately 70% of the 400,000 or more deaths occur among those over age 60 years. The benefits of cessation are proportionately somewhat less among the elderly and may manifest more slowly than among younger smokers, but cessation remains the most effective way of altering smoking-induced disease risks at all ages, including those over the age of 60 years.
Choroidal and Photoreceptor Layer Thickness in Myopic Population
Authors: Chen Wei , Wang Zhitao , Zhou Xuefen , Li Bin , Zhang Hong 
Published: December 2011

Purpose This study examined the profile of the choroidal thickness and photoreceptor layer thickness (PRLT) in healthy myopia subjects, with an attempt to find the connection between change of the choroidal thickness and retinal thickness changes. Methods A total of 64 study participants (64 eyes) were divided into 3 groups in terms of their refractive status: normal sight group (+1.0 D˜−1.0 D), mild or moderate myopia group (−1.0 D˜−6.0 D), high myopia group (>−6.0 D). The fovea and parafoveal region (the region of 6 mm diameter of the fovea as center) of the images were selected by spectral domain optical coherence tomography. A circle of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) layer simulated by applying the least square curve fitting technique was obtained. Along the vertical direction of the RPE layer, choroidal thickness (choroidal thickness involved the total thickness at the fovea and parafoveal), PRLT, retinal thickness (RT), ganglion layer thickness (GLT), and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT) in the fovea (PRLT-f, RT-f) or in the parafoveal region (PRLT-pf, RT-pf, GLT and RNFLT) were calculated by Image J software manually. Results As compared with group 1, PRLT-pf, RT-pf, and choroidal thickness were significantly reduced (p<0.05) in group while no significant difference was found in PRLT-f, RT-f, GLT, and RNFLT between the 2 groups. Both univariate and forward multivariate linear regression analysis showed that PRLT-pf and choroidal thickness intertwined obviously. Conclusions In high myopia subjects, not only choroidal thickness, but also photoreceptor layer thickness in the parafoveal region decreased significantly. On the basis of neuron vascular unit theory, the change in choroidal thickness is significantly related to the alternation in PRLT and vice versa.
Results of Rapid Needs Assessments in Rural and Urban Iowa Following Large-scale Flooding Events in 2008
Authors: Quinlisk Patricia , Jones Mary J. , Bostick Nathan A. , Walsh Lauren E. , Curtiss Rebecca , Walker Robert , Mercer Steve , Subbarao Italo 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACTBackground: On June 8 and 9, 2008, more than 4 inches of rain fell in the Iowa-Cedars River Basin causing widespread flooding along the Cedar River in Benton, Linn, Johnson, and Cedar Counties. As a result of the flooding, there were 18 deaths, 106 injuries, and over 38 000 people displaced from their homes; this made it necessary for the Iowa Department of Health to conduct a rapid needs assessment to quantify the scope and effect of the floods on human health.Methods: In response, the Iowa Department of Public Health mobilized interview teams to conduct rapid needs assessments using Geographic Information Systems (GIS)-based cluster sampling techniques. The information gathered was subsequently employed to estimate the public health impact and significant human needs that resulted from the flooding.Results: While these assessments did not reveal significant levels of acute injuries resulting from the flood, they did show that many households had been temporarily displaced and that future health risks may emerge as the result of inadequate access to prescription medications or the presence of environmental health hazards.Conclusions: This exercise highlights the need for improved risk communication measures and ongoing surveillance and relief measures. It also demonstrates the utility of rapid needs assessment survey tools and suggests that increasing use of such surveys can have significant public health benefits.(Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2011;5:287–292)
Highly Efficient and Chemoselective Ruthenium‐Catalyzed Hydrosilylation of Aldehydes
Authors: Do Youngshil , Han Junghoon , Rhee Young Ho , Park Jaiwook 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThe highly chemoselective hydrosilylation of aldehydes was achieved using a ruthenium catalyst activated by a household fluorescent light (30 W) at or below room temperature. The hydrosilylation was almost exclusive to aldehydes over ketones and olefins.
Rhodium‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Intramolecular [4+2] Cycloaddition using a Chiral Phosphine‐Phosphite Ligand: Importance of Microwave‐Assisted Catalyst Conditioning
Authors: Falk Anna , Fiebig Lukas , Neudörfl Jörg‐Martin , Adler Andreas , Schmalz Hans‐Günther 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThe use of modular α,α,α′,α′‐tetraaryl‐1,3‐dioxolane‐4,5‐dimethanol (TADDOL)‐ and 1,1′‐bi‐2‐naphthol (BINOL)‐derived phosphine‐phosphite ligands (L2*) in the asymmetric rhodium‐catalyzed intramolecular [4+2] cycloaddition (“neutral” Diels–Alder reaction) of (E,E)‐1,6,8‐decatriene derivatives (including a 4‐oxa and a 4‐aza analogue) was investigated. Initial screening of a small ligand library led to the identification of a most promising, TADDOL‐derived ligand bearing a phenyl group adjacent to the phosphite moiety at the arene backbone. In the course of further optimization studies, the formation of a new, more selective catalyst species during the reaction time was observed. By irradiating the pre‐catalyst with microwaves prior to substrate addition high enantioselectivities (up to 93% ee) were achieved. The new cyclization protocol was successfully applied to all three substrates investigated to give the bicyclic products in good yield and selectivity. 31P NMR and ESI‐MS measurements indicated the formation of a [Rh(L2*)2]+ species as the more selective (pre‐) catalyst.
Polyaniline nanofibers supported on titanium as templates for immobilization of Pd nanoparticles: A new electro‐catalyst for hydrazine oxidation
Authors: Hosseini M. G. , Zeynali S. , Momeni M. M. , Najjar R. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractPalladium nanoparticles (Pd‐NPs)/polyaniline (PAni)/titanium (Ti) catalysts were prepared using electroless deposition of Pd‐NPs on PAni matrixes coated on Ti substrate. PAni/Ti electrodes were synthesized by electro‐polymerization of aniline on Ti. The morphology of Pd‐NPs on PAni/Ti electrodes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy technique and results indicated that Pd‐NPs were uniformly dispersed on the surface of PAni film. The electro‐catalytic properties of Pd‐NPs/PAni/Ti catalysts toward oxidation of hydrazine were investigated by different electrochemical methods and results showed that Pd‐NPs/PAni/Ti catalysts have high electrochemical activity. In addition, the mechanism of hydrazine electrochemical oxidation catalyzed by Pd‐NPs/PAni/Ti was investigated. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011