bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A study of gross, histological and blood biochemical changes in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), with rainbow trout gastroenteritis (RTGE)
Authors: Del‐Pozo J , Turnbull J F , Crumlish M , Ferguson H W 
Published: January 2010

AbstractThe mechanisms behind the pathogenesis of rainbow trout gastroenteritis (RTGE) are still unknown. This study examined the macroscopic and microscopic changes in trout with RTGE (RTGE+), as well as the blood chemistry. A total of 464 rainbow trout were sampled from 11 sites in the UK, comprising 152 RTGE+ fish and 330 random, apparently healthy fish. A case definition for RTGE was assessed by the analysis of its agreement with three laboratory tests: histopathology, packed cell volume and kidney bacteriology. Cluster analysis indicated the presence of three distinct presentations within the population of RTGE+ fish. Cluster A included gross signs associated with moribund RTGE+ fish, and clusters B and C identified gross signs consistent with concurrent diseases, notably furunculosis, enteric redmouth and proliferative kidney disease. The information gained was used to select RTGE+ fish without concurrent disease for the analysis of RTGE pathogenesis with blood biochemistry. This analysis revealed a severe osmotic imbalance and a reduced albumin/globulin ratio as indicatives of selective loss of albumin. These findings are compatible with a protein losing enteropathy.
Detection of infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV) from asymptomatic redbanded seabream, Pagrus auriga Valenciennes, and common seabream, Pagrus pagrus (L.), using a non‐destructive procedure
Authors: Lopez‐Jimena B , Garcia‐Rosado E , Infante C , Cano I , Manchado M , Castro D , Borrego J J , Alonso M C 
Published: January 2010

AbstractA non‐destructive procedure based on nested RT‐PCR and dot‐blot hybridization has been developed for the detection of asymptomatic IPNV‐carrier fish. The pair of primers designed for RT‐PCR amplified a 599‐bp fragment of the pVP2 region within the polyprotein gene, resulting in the detection of IPNV genotype III.1. The use of a nested RT‐PCR allowed the amplification of IPNV genotypes III.1 and I.2. In addition, a 191‐bp probe was designed for hybridization studies used in combination with the nested RT‐PCR. The application of the nested RT‐PCR to analyse blood samples from asymptomatic redbanded seabream, Pagrus auriga, and common seabream, P. pagrus, specimens showed a 53.1% and 77.8% prevalence of IPNV‐carriers, respectively. The combination of nested RT‐PCR and dot‐blot hybridization increased the detection rates up to 100% for redbanded seabream and 94.4% for common seabream. Therefore, the protocol described in this study is highly sensitive and specific for the detection of IPNV in asymptomatic carrier fish, and, in addition, the results demonstrate the carrier state in two newly cultured sparid species in southern Spain.
Regularized phase tomography enables study of mineralized and unmineralized tissue in porous bone scaffold
Authors: LANGER M. , LIU Y. , TORTELLI F. , CLOETENS P. , CANCEDDA R. , PEYRIN F. 
Published: January 2010

SummaryRegularized phase tomography was used to image non‐calcified fibrous matrix in in vitro cell‐cultivated porous bone scaffold samples. 3D micro‐architecture of bone and bone scaffold has previously been studied by micro‐computed tomography, synchrotron radiation (SR) micro‐computed tomography and microdiffraction. However, neither of these techniques can resolve the low‐calcified immature pre‐bone fibrous structures. Skelite porous scaffold discs were seeded with osteoblasts, a combination of osteoblast and pre‐osteoclasts and, as controls, with pre‐osteoclasts only, and then cultivated for 8 weeks. They were subsequently imaged using SR propagation‐based phase contrast imaging. Reconstructions using a regularized holographic phase tomography approach were compared to standard (absorption) SR micro‐computed tomography, which show that quantitative analysis, such as volume and thickness measurements, of both the calcified fraction and the immature bone matrix in the reconstructed volumes is enabled. Indications of the effect of this type of culture on Skelite, such as change in mineralization and deposit of mature bone on the walls of the scaffold, are found. The results are verified with a histological study.
Phenotypic variability, neurological outcome and genetics background of 6‐pyruvoyl‐tetrahydropterin synthase deficiency
Authors: Leuzzi V , Carducci Ca , Carducci Cl , Pozzessere S , Burlina A , Cerone R , Concolino D , Donati MA , Fiori L , Meli C , Ponzone A , Porta F , Strisciuglio P , Antonozzi I , Blau N 
Published: January 2010

Leuzzi V, Carducci Ca, Carducci Cl, Pozzessere S, Burlina A, Cerone R, Concolino D, Donati MA, Fiori L, Meli C, Ponzone A, Porta F, Strisciuglio P, Antonozzi I, Blau N. Phenotypic variability, neurological outcome and genetics background of 6‐pyruvoyl‐tetrahydropterin synthase deficiency.This study aimed to investigate the clinical variability and factors implied in the outcome of 6‐pyruvoyl‐tetrahydropterin synthase deficiency (PTPSd). Biochemical and clinical phenotype, treatment variables, and 6‐pyruvoyl‐tetrahydropterin synthase (PTS) genotype, were explored retrospectively in 19 Italian patients (12 males and 7 females, aged 4 months to 33 years).According to the level of biogenic amines in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) at the diagnosis, the patients were classified as mild (6) (normal level) or severe (13) (abnormal low level) form (MF and SF, respectively). Blood Phe ranged from 151 to 1053 µmol/l in MF (mean ± SD: 698 ± 403) and 342–2120 µmol/l in SF (mean ± SD: 1175 ± 517) (p = 0.063). Patients with MF showed a normal neurological development (a transient dystonia was detected in one), while all SF patients except one presented with severe neurological impairment and only four had a normal neurological development. The outcome of the SF was influenced by the precocity of the treatment. Serial CSF examinations revealed a decline of 5‐hydroxyindolacetic acid in MFs and an incomplete restoration of neurotransmitters in SFs: neither obviously affected the prognosis. PTS gene analysis detected 17 different mutations (seven so far unreported) (only one affected allele was identified in three subjects). A good correlation was found between genotype and clinical and biochemical phenotype.The occurrence of brain neurotransmitter deficiency and its early correction (by the therapy) are the main prognostic factors in PTPSd.
Cardiac conduction improvement in two heterozygotes for primary carnitine deficiency on l‐carnitine supplementation
Authors: Sarafoglou K , Tridgell AHC , Bentler K , Redlinger‐Grosse K , Berry SA , Schimmenti LA 
Published: January 2010

Sarafoglou K, Tridgell AHC, Bentler K, Redlinger‐Grosse K, Berry SA, Schimmenti LA. Cardiac conduction improvement in two heterozygotes for primary carnitine deficiency on l‐carnitine supplementation.Expanded newborn screening (NBS) for free carnitine levels has led to the identification of a larger number of heterozygous infants of undiagnosed mothers affected with systemic primary carnitine deficiency (PCD), which in turn leads to the identification of other undiagnosed heterozygous family members. There is an increasing recognition that individuals heterozygous for mutations of genes involved in fatty acid oxidation (FAO) may become symptomatic under environmental stress (fasting, prolonged exercise and illness). Considering the importance of carnitine in FAO, its role in heart and bowel function and in lipid metabolism, what is still little known is the phenotypic variability, biochemical parameters and clinical course of PCD heterozygotes with consistently low‐to‐normal levels to low levels of carnitine over a lifetime. We report on three generations of a family—an asymptomatic PCD heterozygous infant identified through NBS that led to the diagnosis of her asymptomatic PCD‐affected mother and the heterozygous status of the maternal grandparents who report some cardiac symptoms that overlap with PCD that improved with l‐carnitine supplementation.
Biological activity of soils under rubber trees (Hevea brasiliensis) affected by trunk phloem necrosis
Authors: Wongcharoen A. , Pando A. , Nandris D. , Hanboonsoon Y. , Hartmann C. , Rouland‐Lefèvre C. 
Published: January 2010

SummaryTrunk phloem necrosis (TPN) is currently one of the most economically important diseases of the rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis). Investigations of the aetiology of the disorder have failed to identify any biotic causal agents but a multidisciplinary study has recently suggested that the disease may be caused by a combination of exogenous and endogenous stresses. These stresses can affect plant physiology and may also have an impact on soil biology and soil biochemistry. In this study, macrofauna diversity and soil enzyme activities were compared for the soils under trees affected by TPN and under healthy trees. Principal component analysis revealed associations between TPN and macrofauna diversity and soil enzyme activities. Groups of ants and termites were associated with the soil under healthy and trees affected by TPN respectively. Polysaccharidase (cellulase, xylanase and, particularly, amylase) activities were lower in the soil under trees affected by TPN whereas N‐acetylglucosaminidase activity was higher. These findings suggested that termite density and N‐acetylglucosaminidase activity are useful indicators of TPN, while lower values of polysaccharidases activities are the consequence of this disease. The impact of TPN on soil ecosystem was discussed.
Chronic kidney disease as a risk factor for Clostridium difficile infection
Authors: EDDI RODNEY , MALIK MOHAMMED N. , SHAKOV RADA , BADDOURA WALID J. , CHANDRAN CHANDRA , DEBARI VINCENT A. 
Published: January 2010

ABSTRACT:Introduction:  Clostridium difficile‐associated diarrhoea (CDAD) is the most common cause of nosocomial diarrhoea in the USA. In this study, we sought to determine the association between chronic kidney disease (CKD) and CDAD.Methods:  A case–control study was designed to determine the association between CKD and CDAD in an urban hospital. Over a 2‐year period, all patients diagnosed with CDAD (n = 188) were included as cases and the prevalence of CKD was calculated. Age‐ and sex‐matched patients without CDAD were considered as controls with a ratio of 2:1 controls to cases. The prevalence of different stages of advanced CKD (stages 3–5) was determined and compared between groups. Also the calculated odds ratios (OR) were adjusted for multiple possible confounding variables using logistic regression analysis.Results:  There was no significant difference in prevalence of advanced CKD between cases and controls (OR = 1.38, 95% confidence intervals (CI) = 0.90–2.12, P = 0.1365). The association between CKD and CDAD remained insignificant in subjects with CKD stages 3–5 who were not on dialysis (OR = 1.07, 95% CI = 0.65–1.77), P = 0.7970). However, the group with end‐stage renal disease on dialysis showed a significant association (OR = 2.60, 95% CI = 1.25–5.41, P = 0.0165). Controlling for antibiotics as a possible confounding variable, yielded an OR that was not statistically significant (OR = 2.05, 95% CI = 0.94–4.47, P = 0.07), but still showing a trend towards increased risk.Conclusion:  End‐stage renal disease may increase the risk of acquiring CDAD through unknown mechanisms. This suggests implementing better surveillance strategies for these patients and eliminating the known risk factors for CDAD.
Clinical heterogeneity and prognostic features of South Australian patients with anti‐synthetase autoantibodies
Authors: Dugar M. , Cox S. , Limaye V. , Blumbergs P. , Roberts‐Thomson P. J. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractAim:  To determine the clinical, serological and prognostic features of patients with autoantibodies against three aminoacyl‐transfer RNA synthetases (ARS), namely Jo‐1 (histidyl‐tRNA synthetase), PL‐7 (threonyl‐tRNA synthetase) and PL‐12 (alanyl‐tRNA synthetase) in South Australia.Methods:  Patients with autoantibodies against ARS detected by line immunoassay (anti‐Jo1, anti‐PL7, anti‐PL12) or enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (anti‐Jo1) were identified from existing laboratory databases for the period 1994–2009. Demographic, clinical and serological data were obtained by retrospective review of patients' medical records and laboratory databases.Results:  Forty‐two patients with autoantibodies were identified (anti‐Jo1 = 37, anti‐PL7 = 4, anti‐PL12 = 1). Females were more commonly affected than males (M : F = 12:30). Twenty‐one patients had polymyositis (anti‐Jo1 = 17, anti‐PL7 = 4), seven dermatomyositis (anti‐Jo1 = 6, anti‐PL12 = 1), 10 overlap syndrome (anti‐Jo1 = 10; lupus = 4, scleroderma = 3, Sjögren's syndrome = 2 and rheumatoid arthritis = 2) and four had interstitial lung disease (ILD) only (anti‐Jo1 = 4). ILD was present in 69%, polyarthritis in 59% and positive anti‐nuclear antibody (ANA) in 43% of patients. Concurrence of autoantibodies against Ro‐52 with Jo‐1 was seen in 12 patients. The mean follow‐up period was 8.3 years (95% CI 5.8–10.8) with 12 deaths. Poor prognostic indicators were age of onset >60 years (P= 0.001), cancer (P= 0.002), negative ANA (P= 0.006) and negative autoantibodies to extractable nuclear antigens (P= 0.02).Conclusion:  Patients with autoantibodies against ARS present with varied clinical features and occasionally with isolated lung involvement (amyopathic ILD). Older age of onset, malignancy and negative immunologic tests are predictors of poor prognosis. Concurrence of autoantibodies against Jo‐1 and Ro‐52 may reflect a coupling effect during generation of autoimmunity.
Acute gout management during hospitalization: a need for a protocol
Authors: Gnanenthiran S. R. , Hassett G. M. , Gibson K. A. , McNeil H. P. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractAim: To review systematically the management of acute gout during hospitalization.Methods: Case‐file review of all episodes of acute gout occurring in a large tertiary hospital over a 20‐month period.Results: Of 134 acute gout episodes identified, the large majority (118) occurred in patients not admitted under the rheumatology unit. Baseline anti‐gout medications were frequently ceased on admission and in 9% of episodes, no pharmacotherapy was prescribed. Delays in initiation of treatment occurred in up to 29% of patients. Acute management included anti‐inflammatory monotherapy, or combinations of colchicine, non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroids. Of patients prescribed colchicine, 26% received >1.5 mg/day and a strong correlation was found between colchicine dose and the occurrence of diarrhoea. NSAIDs were prescribed in 29% of patients with pre‐existing renal impairment. Overall, 25% of patients received inappropriate pharmacological management. In patients not under the direct care of the rheumatology unit, in‐hospital rheumatology consultation was sought by the treating unit in 34% of episodes. Consultation was sought more frequently in patients with multiple joint involvement, but there were no other obvious differences in baseline clinical characteristics between cases with or without rheumatology involvement. In cases with rheumatology involvement, patients were investigated more frequently, they received more pharmacotherapeutic intervention, in particular combination anti‐inflammatory therapy, and they achieved better symptomatic relief and long‐term follow up.Conclusion: Acute gout episodes in hospital are variably investigated and treated with frequent suboptimal management. We recommend establishment of a hospital‐wide protocol to support decision‐making regarding investigations, treatment and follow up.
Six‐minute walk test: observed adverse events and oxygen desaturation in a large cohort of patients with chronic lung disease
Authors: Jenkins S. , Čečins N. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractBackground:  The 6‐min walk test (6MWT) is widely used to assess patients with chronic lung disease (CLD). Anecdotal reports and studies in small numbers of patients with CLD suggest that complications associated with the 6MWT are rare. This study reports the incidence of observed adverse events during the 6MWT in patients referred to an outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation service.Methods:  Seven hundred and forty‐one patients with stable CLD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), n= 572) completed the 6MWT in accordance with a standardized protocol that included continuous monitoring of oxygen saturation (SpO2) and heart rate (Polar).Results:  Adverse events occurred in 43 tests (6%). One 6MWT was terminated by the tester because of chest pain and one patient developed persistent tachycardia and irregular pulse immediately following the test. In 35 tests, the tester instructed the patient to stop walking because of profound oxygen desaturation (SpO2 < 80%). Six patients prematurely terminated the 6MWT because of symptoms. Forty‐seven per cent (n= 345) of patients exhibited significant oxygen desaturation (≥4% fall in SpO2 to <90%). Pre‐exercise SpO2 was a significant predictor of desaturation in the COPD (1.79, 1.54–2.08, adjusted odds ratio (OR), 95% confidence intervals) and ILD (OR 1.40, 1.11–1.77) cohorts with FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in 1 s) also a predictor in COPD (OR 3.02, 1.77–5.15).Conclusion:  Profound oxygen desaturation is the most common adverse event observed during the 6MWT in patients with stable ILD and COPD. We propose that the American Thoracic Society 6MWT guidelines are revised to recommend continuous monitoring of SpO2 during the 6MWT in patients with ILD and COPD.
The intraspecific scaling of metabolic rate with body mass in fishes depends on lifestyle and temperature
Authors: Killen Shaun S. , Atkinson David , Glazier Douglas S. 
Published: January 2010

Ecology Letters (2010) 13: 184–193AbstractMetabolic energy fuels all biological processes, and therefore theories that explain the scaling of metabolic rate with body mass potentially have great predictive power in ecology. A new model, that could improve this predictive power, postulates that the metabolic scaling exponent (b) varies between 2/3 and 1, and is inversely related to the elevation of the intraspecific scaling relationship (metabolic level, L), which in turn varies systematically among species in response to various ecological factors. We test these predictions by examining the effects of lifestyle, swimming mode and temperature on intraspecific scaling of resting metabolic rate among 89 species of teleost fish. As predicted, b decreased as L increased with temperature, and with shifts in lifestyle from bathyal and benthic to benthopelagic to pelagic. This effect of lifestyle on b may be related to varying amounts of energetically expensive tissues associated with different capacities for swimming during predator–prey interactions.
Sperm of colourful males are better protected against oxidative stress
Authors: Helfenstein Fabrice , Losdat Sylvain , Møller Anders Pape , Blount Jonathan D. , Richner Heinz 
Published: January 2010

Ecology Letters (2010) 13: 213–222AbstractSperm cells are highly vulnerable to free radicals, and sperm quality and male fertility are critically affected by oxidative stress. Recently, sexual ornaments, particularly carotenoid‐based colourful traits, have been proposed to depend on a male’s capacity to resist oxidative stress, and thus to signal sperm quality. We conducted an experimental test of this hypothesis on great tits Parus major, in which adults are sexually dichromatic in carotenoid‐based breast plumage. We report the first evidence that ornaments and sperm quality may be linked through oxidative stress. When experimentally subjected to oxidative stress resulting from increased workload, less colourful males suffered a greater reduction in sperm motility and swimming ability, and increased levels of sperm lipid peroxidation compared to more colourful males. Moreover, the level of sperm lipid peroxidation was negatively correlated with sperm quality. Finally, carotenoid supplementation increased sperm quality of less colourful males, suggesting that pale males are deficient in carotenoid antioxidants.
Statistical learning in typically developing children: the role of age and speed of stimulus presentation
Authors: Arciuli Joanne , Simpson Ian C. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractIt is possible that statistical learning (SL) plays a role in almost every mental activity. Indeed, research on SL has grown rapidly over recent decades in an effort to better understand perception and cognition. Yet, there remain gaps in our understanding of how SL operates, in particular with regard to its (im)mutability. Here, we investigated whether participant‐related variables (such as age) and task‐related variables (such as speed of stimulus presentation) affect visual statistical learning (VSL) in typically developing children. We tested 183 participants ranging in age from 5 to 12 years and compared three speeds of presentation (using stimulus durations of 800, 400 and 200 msecs). A multiple regression analysis revealed significant effects of both age and speed of presentation – after attention during familiarization and gender had been taken into consideration. VSL followed a developmental trajectory whereby learning increased with age. The amount of learning increased with longer presentation times (as shown by Turk‐Browne, Jungé & Scholl, 2005, in their study of adults). There was no significant interaction between the two variables. These findings assist in elucidating the nature of statistical learning itself. While statistical learning can be observed in very young children and at remarkably fast presentation times, participant‐ and task‐related variables do impact upon this type of learning. The findings reported here may serve to enhance our understanding of individual differences in the cognitive and perceptual processes that are thought to rely, at least in part, on SL (e.g. language processing and object recognition).
Mapping numerical processing, reading, and executive functions in the developing brain: an fMRI meta‐analysis of 52 studies including 842 children
Authors: Houdé Olivier , Rossi Sandrine , Lubin Amélie , Joliot Marc 
Published: January 2010

AbstractTracing the connections from brain functions to children’s cognitive development and education is a major goal of modern neuroscience. We performed the first meta‐analysis of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data obtained over the past decade (1999–2008) on more than 800 children and adolescents in three core systems of cognitive development and school learning: numerical abilities, reading, and executive functions (i.e. cognitive control). We ran Activation Likelihood Estimation (ALE) meta‐analyses to obtain regions of reliable activity across all the studies. The results indicate that, unlike results usually reported for adults, children primarily engage the frontal cortex when solving numerical tasks. With age, there may be a shift from reliance on the frontal cortex to reliance on the parietal cortex. In contrast, the frontal, temporo‐parietal and occipito‐temporal regions at work during reading in children are very similar to those reported in adults. The executive frontal regions are also consistent with the imaging literature on cognitive control in adults, but the developmental comparison between children and adolescents demonstrates a key role of the anterior insular cortex (AIC) with an additional right AIC involvement in adolescents.