bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
HLA gene and haplotype frequencies in Russians, Bashkirs and Tatars, living in the Chelyabinsk Region (Russian South Urals)
Authors: Suslova T. A. , Burmistrova A. L. , Chernova M. S. , Khromova E. B. , Lupar E. I. , Timofeeva S. V. , Devald I. V. , Vavilov M. N. , Darke C. 
Published: April 2012

SummaryWe have characterized the HLA‐A, ‐B, ‐DRB1, ‐DQA1 and ‐DQB1 profiles of three major ethnic groups living in Chelyabinsk Region of Russian South Urals, viz., Russians (n = 207), Bashkirs (n = 146) and Tatars (n = 135). First field level typing was performed by PCR using sequence‐specific primers. Estimates included carriage and gene frequencies, linkage disequilibrium and its significance and related values. Population comparisons were made between the allele family frequencies of the three populations and between these populations and 20 others using a dendrogram. Chelyabinsk Region Russians demonstrate all the features typical of a Caucasoid population, but also have some peculiarities. Together with Tatars, Russians have high frequencies of allele families and haplotypes characteristic of Finno‐Ugric populations. This presupposes a Finno‐Ugric impact on Russian and Tatar ethnogenesis. However, this was not apparent in Bashkirs, the first of the three populations to live in this territory, and implies admixture with populations of a Finno‐Ugric origin with precursors of Russians and Tatars before they came to the South Urals. The Bashkirs appear close to Mongoloids in allele and haplotype distribution. However, Bashkirs cannot be labelled either as typical Mongoloids or as Caucasoids. Thus, Bashkirs possess some alleles and haplotypes frequent in Mongoloids, which supports the Turkic impact on Bashkir ethnogenesis, but also possess the AH 8.1 haplotype, which could evidence an ancient Caucasoid population that took part in their ethnic formation or of recent admixture with adjacent populations (Russians and Tatars). Bashkirs showed no features of populations with a substantial Finno‐Ugric component, for example Chuvashes or Russian Saami. This disputes the commonly held belief of a Finno‐Ugric origin for Bashkirs. Tatars appeared close to many European populations. However, they possessed some characteristics of Asiatic populations possibly reflecting a Mongoloid influence on Tatar ethnogenesis. Some aspects of HLA in Tatars appeared close to Chuvashes and Bulgarians, thus supporting the view that Tatars may be descendents of ancient Bulgars.
Overcoming barriers to practice: A nurse practitioner‐led model
Authors: Heale Roberta 
Published: April 2012

Abstract  Purpose: Nurse practitioners (NPs) in Ontario, Canada, experience many barriers to practice that negatively influence their ability to increase access to comprehensive primary healthcare services. A NP‐Led Clinic Model has helped to overcome many of the barriers and has had a real impact on access to care.Data sources: Legislative and regulatory documents from the government of Ontario were reviewed. Reflection upon the barriers to NP practice in Ontario and the positive impact of the new model of care is presented.Conclusions: NPs with a voice in the governance and operations of a workplace have the potential to reduce barriers to practice.Implications for practice: Lessons for NPs internationally can be learned from the experience of the Ontario NP‐Led Clinic Model.
Independent and Incremental Value of Severely Enlarged Left Atrium in Risk Stratification of Very Elderly Patients With Chronic Systolic Heart Failure
Authors: Bajraktari Gani , Fontanive Paolo , Qirko Spiro , Elezi Shpend , Simioniuc Anca , Huqi Alda , Berisha Venera , Dini Frank L. 
Published: April 2012

Congest Heart Fail. ****;**:**–**. ©2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.The authors sought to assess the impact on survival of demographic, clinical, and echo‐Doppler parameters in patients with chronic heart failure due to left ventricular systolic dysfunction divided according to age groups. This study included 734 patients (age 69±11 years) who were classified into tertiles of age: I (22–66 years), II (67–76 years), and III (77–94 years). Severely enlarged left atrial size was defined as ≥52 mm in men and ≥47 mm in women. Multivariable analysis identified male sex (P=.018) and severely enlarged left atrium (P=.024) as significant correlates of all‐cause mortality in the very elderly cohort, while restrictive filling pattern (RFP) (P=.004) and New York Heart Association class III or IV (P=.005) among patients of the first tertile and RFP (P=.028) among patients in the second tertile were independently associated with mortality after 30±21 months of follow‐up. At the interactive stepwise model in the very elderly population, a severely enlarged left atrium, added to the model after clinical parameters and ejection fraction, moved the chi‐square value from 20.7 to 25.8 (P=.048). RFP emerged as the single best predictor of all‐cause mortality in the younger and intermediate ranges, whereas severely enlarged left atrium was the best predictor in the very elderly.
Profile of intraocular tumour necrosis factor‐α and interleukin‐6 in diabetic subjects with different degrees of diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Gustavsson Carin , Agardh Carl‐David , Agardh Elisabet 
Published: April 2012

Abstract.Purpose:  To assess and correlate the levels of inflammatory mediators in the eyes from non‐diabetic and diabetic subjects without retinopathy (NDR), with non‐proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) or with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) to corresponding erum levels.Methods:  The levels of interleukin 1β, interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) were analysed by an ELISA‐mimicking technique in the vitreous from 26 diabetic subjects with active PDR and 27 non‐diabetic subjects, or by a multiplex bead assay in the aqueous humour from 35 diabetic subjects with NDR/NPDR and 40 non‐diabetic subjects. Intraocular protein production was estimated in vitreous specimens by calculating a vitreous/serum ratio.Results:  In the vitreous, IL‐6 was higher in diabetic [157.5 (25.0–1401.0) pg/ml; median (min–max)] than in non‐diabetic subjects [44.0 (5.0–4425) pg/ml; p = 0.021]. The vitreous/serum ratio was high (55.5:1 and 16:1, respectively), suggesting intraocular production. TNF‐α was lower in diabetic [18.0 (8.0–46.0) pg/ml] than in non‐diabetic subjects [22.0 (13.0–47.0) pg/ml; p = 0.034], but the vitreous/serum ratio was elevated in both groups (2:1 and 3.4:1, respectively). TNF‐α levels were higher in serum from diabetic subjects [9.0 (5.0–53.0) pg/ml versus 6.7 (3.0–11.0) pg/ml; p < 0.001]. Aqueous levels of inflammatory mediators did not differ between diabetic subjects with NDR/NPDR and non‐diabetic subjects despite elevated TNF‐α in serum [27.8 (6.8–153.7) pg/ml versus 16.4 (4.1–42.4) pg/ml; p = 0.021].Conclusion:  Intraocular inflammation seems to be involved in PDR but does not seem to be prominent in early retinopathy stages, i.e. NDR or NPDR. Diabetic subjects have an overall increased inflammatory activity compared to non‐diabetic subjects, as demonstrated by increased serum levels of TNF‐α.
Endothelin‐1 derived from spleen‐activated Rho‐kinase pathway in rats with secondary biliary cirrhosis
Authors: Uehara Hideo , Akahoshi Tomohiko , Kawanaka Hirohumi , Hashimoto Naotaka , Nagao Yoshihiro , Tomikawa Morimasa , Taketomi Akinobu , Shirabe Ken , Hashizume Makoto , Maehara Yoshihiko 
Published: April 2012

Aim:  Splenectomy or partial splenic embolism has been reported to improve liver function in patients with hypersplenism and liver dysfunction. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism of improvement after splenectomy.Methods:  Liver cirrhosis was induced by bile duct ligation (BDL). Rats underwent sham operation, splenectomy (Sp group), BDL, or BDL plus splenectomy (BDL + Sp group), and were subjected to experiments at 2 weeks after the operation. Portal venous pressure (PVP) and hepatic tissue blood flow (HTBF) were measured in each group. The plasma concentration of endothelin‐1 (ET‐1) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), RhoA and Rho‐kinase expressions were studied.Results:  There were significant differences in PVP (17.9 ± 0.91 vs 23.3 ± 3.91 cmH2O; P < 0.01) and HTBF (16.6 ± 1.72 vs 13.3 ± 1.82 mL/min; P < 0.01) between the BDL + Sp and BDL groups. In the liver of BDL rats, eNOS phosphorylation and NOx levels were decreased, accompanied by RhoA activation compared with the BDL + Sp group. Splenectomy decreased serum ET‐1 levels, RhoA activation and consequently increased eNOS phosphorylation.Conclusion:  ET‐1 derived from the spleen might increase intrahepatic resistance by downregulating Rho signaling in liver cirrhosis. Splenectomy for splenomegaly in liver cirrhosis might partially improve liver function by enhancing intrahepatic microcirculation.
Does Quality Still Pay? A Reexamination of the Relationship Between Effective Quality Management and Firm Performance
Authors: Zhang Guoqiang Peter , Xia Yusen 
Published: April 2012

Because of the changing competitive environment, quality might have lost some of its luster and emphasis in business. The research question we aim to address in this paper is: Does quality still pay in the new competitive environment? Using replication research, we re‐examine the impact of an effective total quality management (TQM) program on a firm's operating performance in the new competitive environment. We use publicly available data for award‐winning firms and adopt several control‐firm‐selection approaches in our event study. Based on data from more than 500 firms, we find that over a 10‐year period—6 years before to 3 years after winning their first quality award—firms in our sample perform significantly better than control groups in various operating performance measures. Not only do award‐winning firms have better results after receiving awards, they also have superior performance records before the award. Our results suggest that quality is still critical to achieving long‐term competitive advantages, and firms who continuously improve their quality continue to reap rewards by way of sales and financial performances exceeding those of their competitors.
Stack Operation Using Composite Membrane-Electrodes Assemblies at 120ÃÂ °C
Authors: Giacoppo G. , Carbone A. , Gatto I. , Saccà A. , Pedicini R. , Barbera O. , Passalacqua E. 
Published: April 2012

A 500 W stack operating at medium temperatures was designed, manufactured and tested. Nanocomposite Nafion membranes/electrodes (MEA1-NZr) assemblies, containing a commercial yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) as a filler, were developed to work over 80ÃÂ °C. A 100 cm2 cell active area with a parallel serpentine flow field as reactants distributor was used for stack realization. Preliminary electrochemical tests in a single cell and in two-cells short stack were performed at 120ÃÂ °C, 3 barabs and fully hydrated gases, reaching a rated power at 50 A of about 30W in single cell and 70W in short stack. Finally, a 20 cells stack was assembled, with composite MEA-NZr, and tested at 120ÃÂ °C, 3 barabs and partially humidified gases. In these conditions, a power of 433 W at 50 A was reached. Comparing these results with the short stack performance at the same current (50 A), a 24% of power loss, which corresponds to 7 W/cell, was recorded. This performance reduction could be explained considering the scale up effect passing from 2-cells to 20-cells stack. The obtained results show that the developed composite membrane-electrodes assemblies and the designed stack are suitable for working at higher temperature than traditional polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells.
Computational Fluid
Dynamics Modeling of Benjamin and Taylor Bubbles in Two-Phase Flow in
Pipes
Authors: Ramdin M. , Henkes Ruud 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
There is an increasing interest in applying three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) for multiphase flow transport in pipelines, e.g., in the oil and gas industry. In this study, the volume of fluid (VOF) multiphase model in a commercial CFD code was used to benchmark the capabilities. Two basic flow structures, namely, the Benjamin bubble and the Taylor bubble, are considered. These two structures are closely related to the slug flow regime, which is a common flow pattern encountered in multiphase transport pipelines. After nondimensionalization, the scaled bubble velocity (Froude number) is only dependent on the Reynolds number and on the Eötvös number, which represent the effect of viscosity and surface tension, respectively. Simulations were made for a range of Reynolds numbers and Eötvös numbers (including the limits of vanishing viscosity and surface tension), and the results were compared with the existing experiments and analytical expressions. Overall, there is very good agreement. An exception is the simulation for the 2D Benjamin bubble at a low Eötvös number (i.e., large surface tension effect) which deviates from the experiments, even at a refined numerical grid.
High Mortality Associated with Catabacter hongkongensis Bacteremia
Authors: Lau Susanna K. P. , Fan Rachel Y. Y. , Lo Hoo-Wing , Ng Ricky H. Y. , Wong Samson S. Y. , Li Iris W. S. , Wu Alan K. L. , Ng Kenneth H. L. , Tseung Steven , Lee Rodney A. , Fung Kitty S. C. , Que Tak-Lun , Yuen Kwok-Yung , Woo Patrick C. Y. 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACT

Catabacter hongkongensis
is a recently described catalase-positive, motile, anaerobic, nonsporulating, Gram-positive coccobacillus that was first isolated from blood cultures of four patients from Hong Kong and Canada. Although DNA sequences representing
C. hongkongensis
have been detected in environmental sources, only one additional case of human infection has been reported, in France. We describe five cases of
C. hongkongensis
bacteremia in Hong Kong, two presenting with sepsis, one with acute gangrenous perforated appendicitis, one with acute calculous cholecystitis, and one with infected carcinoma of colon. Three patients, with gastrointestinal malignancy, died during admission. All five isolates were catalase positive, motile, and negative for indole production and nitrate reduction and produced acid from arabinose, glucose, mannose, and xylose. They were unambiguously identified as
C. hongkongensis
by 16S rRNA gene analysis. Of the total of 10 reported cases of
C. hongkongensis
bacteremia in the literature and this study, most patients had underlying diseases, while two cases occurred in healthy young individuals with acute appendicitis. Six patients presented with infections associated with either the gastrointestinal or biliary tract, supporting the gastrointestinal tract as the source of bacteremia.
C. hongkongensis
bacteremia is associated with a poor prognosis, with a high mortality of 50% among reported cases, especially in patients with advanced malignancies. All reported isolates were susceptible to metronidazole. Identification of more
C. hongkongensis
isolates by 16S rRNA gene sequencing will help better define its epidemiology and pathogenesis.
Rapid Detection of
rpoB
Gene Mutations Conferring Rifampin Resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Ao Wanyuan , Aldous Stephen , Woodruff Evelyn , Hicke Brian , Rea Larry , Kreiswirth Barry , Jenison Robert 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACT

Multidrug-resistant
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
strains are widespread and present a challenge to effective treatment of this infection. The need for a low-cost and rapid detection method for clinically relevant mutations in
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
that confer multidrug resistance is urgent, particularly for developing countries. We report here a novel test that detects the majority of clinically relevant mutations in the beta subunit of the RNA polymerase (
rpoB
) gene that confer resistance to rifampin (RIF), the treatment of choice for tuberculosis (TB). The test, termed TB ID/R, combines a novel target and temperature-dependent RNase H2-mediated cleavage of blocked DNA primers to initiate isothermal helicase-dependent amplification of a
rpoB
gene target sequence. Amplified products are detected by probes arrayed on a modified silicon chip that permits visible detection of both RIF-sensitive and RIF-resistant strains of
M. tuberculosis
. DNA templates of clinically relevant single-nucleotide mutations in the
rpoB
gene were created to validate the performance of the TB ID/R test. Except for one rare mutation, all mutations were unambiguously detected. Additionally, 11 RIF-sensitive and 25 RIF-resistant clinical isolates were tested by the TB ID/R test, and 35/36 samples were classified correctly (96.2%). This test is being configured in a low-cost test platform to provide rapid diagnosis and drug susceptibility information for TB in the point-of-care setting in the developing world, where the need is acute.
Cytology and Human Papillomavirus Testing 6 to 12 Months after ASCUS or LSIL Cytology in Organized Screening To Predict High-Grade Cervical Neoplasia between Screening Rounds
Authors: Tropé Ameli , Sjøborg Katrine D. , Nygård Mari , Røysland Kjetil , Campbell Suzanne , Alfsen G. Cecilie , Jonassen Christine M. 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACT
We carried out a prospective study comparing the performance of human papillomavirus (HPV) E6/E7 mRNA (PreTect HPV-Proofer; NorChip, Klokkarstua, Norway) and DNA (Amplicor HPV test; Roche Diagnostics, Basel, Switzerland) triage testing of women 6 to 12 months after atypical-squamous-cells-of-undetermined-significance (ASCUS) or low-grade-squamous-intraepithelial-lesion (LSIL) cytology in organized screening to predict high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia of grade 2 or worse (CIN2+) between screening rounds. Between January 2005 and April 2008, 692 study women with screening-detected ASCUS/LSIL cytology 6 to 12 months earlier returned for HPV mRNA and DNA testing and repeat cytology. The median follow-up time was 3 years, using existing health care facilities. Follow-up test results were available for 625 women. Of the 145 CIN2+ cases detected during the study period, 95 (65.5%) were HPV mRNA positive 6 to 12 months after screening-detected ASCUS/LSIL, 44 (30.4%) were HPV mRNA negative, and 6 (4.1%) were invalid. The corresponding HPV DNA results were 139 (95.9%), 5 (3.4%), and 1 (0.7%), respectively. The cumulative incidences of CIN2+ 3 years after a negative HPV mRNA and DNA test were 10.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 7.2 to 13.3%) and 1.8% (95% CI, 0.0 to 3.6%), respectively. The cumulative incidences of CIN2+ 3 years after positive HPV mRNA and DNA tests were 52.8% (95% CI, 40.1 to 60.1%) and 41.3% (95% CI, 35.5 to 46.6%), respectively. In conclusion, both positive HPV mRNA and DNA test results have a high enough long-term prediction of CIN2+ risk to consider referral to colposcopy as good practice when performed in delayed triage of women with ASCUS/LSIL cytology. In addition, the low CIN2+ risk among women with a negative Amplicor HPV test in our study confirms its safe use in a clinical setting.
Comparison of the Abbott RealTi
m
e High-Risk Human Papillomavirus (HPV), Roche Cobas HPV, and Hybrid Capture 2 Assays to Direct Sequencing and Genotyping of HPV DNA
Authors: Park Yongjung , Lee Eunhee , Choi Jonghyeon , Jeong Seri , Kim Hyon-Suk 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACT

Infection with high-risk (HR) human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes is an important risk factor for cervical cancers. We evaluated the clinical performances of two new real-time PCR assays for detecting HR HPVs compared to that of the Hybrid Capture 2 test (HC2). A total of 356 cervical swab specimens, which had been examined for cervical cytology, were assayed by Abbott RealTi
m
e HR and Roche Cobas HPV as well as HC2. Sensitivities and specificities of these assays were determined based on the criteria that concordant results among the three assays were regarded as true-positive or -negative and that the results of genotyping and sequencing were considered true findings when the HPV assays presented discrepant results. The overall concordance rate among the results for the three assays was 82.6%, and RealTi
m
e HR and Cobas HPV assays agreed with HC2 in 86.1% and 89.9% of cases, respectively. The two real-time PCR assays agreed with each other for 89.6% of the samples, and the concordance rate between them was equal to or greater than 98.0% for detecting HPV type 16 or 18. HC2 demonstrated a sensitivity of 96.6% with a specificity of 89.1% for detecting HR HPVs, while RealTi
m
e HR presented a sensitivity of 78.3% with a specificity of 99.2%. The sensitivity and specificity of Cobas HPV for detecting HR HPVs were 91.7% and 97.0%. The new real-time PCR assays exhibited lower sensitivities for detecting HR HPVs than that of HC2. Nevertheless, the newly introduced assays have an advantage of simultaneously identifying HPV types 16 and 18 from clinical samples.
Evaluation of Macrolide Resistance and Enhanced Molecular Typing of Treponema pallidum in Patients with Syphilis in Taiwan: a Prospective Multicenter Study
Authors: Wu Hsiu , Chang Sui-Yuan , Lee Nan-Yao , Huang Wen-Chi , Wu Bing-Ru , Yang Chia-Jui , Liang Shiou-Haur , Lee Chen-Hsiang , Ko Wen-Chien , Lin Hsi-Hsun , Chen Yen-Hsu , Liu Wen-Chun , Su Yi-Ching , Hsieh Chia-Yin , Wu Pei-Ying , Hung Chien-Ching 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACT

Studies of macrolide resistance mutations and molecular typing using the newly proposed enhanced typing system for
Treponema pallidum
isolates obtained from HIV-infected patients in the Asia-Pacific region are scarce. Between September 2009 and December 2011, we conducted a survey to detect
T. pallidum
using a PCR assay using clinical specimens from patients with syphilis at six major designated hospitals for HIV care in Taiwan. The
T. pallidum
strains were genotyped by following the enhanced molecular typing methodology, which analyzed the number of 60-bp repeats in the acidic repeat protein (
arp
) gene,
T. pallidum
repeat (
tpr
) polymorphism, and the sequence of base pairs 131 to 215 in the
tp0548
open reading frame of
T. pallidum
. Detection of A2058G and A2059G point mutations in the
T. pallidum
23S rRNA was performed with the use of restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). During the 2-year study period, 211 clinical specimens were obtained from 136 patients with syphilis.
T. pallidum
DNA was isolated from 105 (49.8%) of the specimens, with swab specimens obtained from chancres having the highest yield rate (63.2%), followed by plasma (49.4%), serum (35.7%), and cerebrospinal fluid or vitreous fluid (18.2%) specimens. Among the 40 fully typed specimens, 11 subtypes of
T. pallidum
were identified. Subtype 14f/f (18 isolates) was the most common isolates, followed by 14f/c (3), 14b/c (3), and 14k/f (3). Among the isolates examined for macrolide resistance, none had the A2058G or A2059G mutation. In conclusion, we found that type 14 f/f was the most common
T. pallidum
strain in this multicenter study on syphilis in Taiwan and that none of the isolates exhibited 23S rRNA mutations causing resistance to macrolides.