bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A novel duplex SSP–PCR typing method for KIR gene profiling
Authors: Ashouri E. , Ghaderi A. , Reed E. F. , Rajalingam R. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractKiller‐cell immunoglobulin‐like receptors (KIR) control the function of natural killer cells. The number and type of KIR genes are substantially variable among individuals. Sequence‐specific primer–directed polymerase chain reaction (SSP‐PCR) based genotyping is the most commonly used method to assess the KIR gene content. However, it requires a minimum of 16 gene‐specific amplifications and often yields false‐negative results. Herein, we describe the development of a simple and efficient duplex SSP‐PCR assay to identify the presence and absence of 16 KIR genes. This system further distinguishes subsets of KIR2DS4 and KIR3DP1 alleles. The assay was subjected to a blind validation using a panel of 78 reference DNA standards from the UCLA KIR Exchange Program, which showed 100% specificity and accuracy. Compared with the conventional SSP typing methods, the present method is an accurate, simple, cost‐effective and labor‐saving KIR genotyping method for high volume testing.
Selection for verticillium wilt resistance in potato breeding populations derived from four cross types
Authors: Bae J. , Tai G. , Jansky S. H. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractVerticillium wilt (VW) is one of the important yield‐limiting diseases for potato production. To develop resistant clones, the potential for early generation selection was studied using three basic selection methods, individual, family, and within family selection, for two clonal generations. A total of 152 clones were derived from four cross types (2x × 2x, 2x × 4x, 4x × 2x and 4x × 4x). Clones were evaluated for maturity, symptom expression, yield and stem colonization in replicated trials. Heritability and selection response for the traits were estimated for each selection method. Direct selection in the second clonal generation and individual selection showed more gain than that from other methods. Both 2x × 2x and 4x × 2x families were higher yielding and had lower stem colonization scores than 2x × 4x and 4x × 4x crosses. Therefore, 2x × 2x or 4x × 2x crosses between carefully chosen parents with high yield and VW resistance may produce offspring with superior performance.
S‐RNase genotyping and incompatibility group assignment by PCR and pollination experiments in Japanese plum
Authors: Guerra M. E. , Rodrigo J. , López‐Corrales M. , Wünsch A. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractMost Japanese plum‐type cultivars are self‐incompatible and cross pollination is necessary to ensure fruit set. In this study, the S‐RNase genotype and the incompatibility group of 68 Japanese plum‐type cultivars were determined by PCR amplification of the S‐RNase gene. The S‐RNase genotype of 50 cultivars is first reported here and five new Japanese plum S‐RNase alleles (So, Sp, Sq, Sr, Ss) were identified. The results obtained, together with information compiled from previous studies, allowed describing 12 new incompatibility groups (VIII–XIX). The self‐incompatibility of several cultivars and the cross‐compatibility among different incompatibility groups were verified by self‐ and cross‐pollination experiments followed by observation of pollen tube growth. Five cultivars behaved as self‐compatible, but two of them do not have the Se allele, which has been correlated with self‐compatibility. Thus, additional sources of self‐compatibility different from Se appear to be involved in Japanese plum self‐compatibility.
Development and mapping of gene‐tagged SNP markers in laccases of maize (Zea mays L.)
Authors: Andersen J. R. , Asp T. , Lu Y. C. , Kloiber‐Maitz M. , Ouzonova M. , Luebberstedt T. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractLaccases, EC 1.10.3.2 or p‐diphenol : dioxygen oxidoreductases, have been proposed to be involved in the oxidative polymerization of monolignols into lignins in plants. While 17 laccases have been identified in Arabidopsis, only five (ZmLac1–5) have so far been identified in maize. By a bioinformatic approach, 14 putative laccases were identified in maize. One putative laccase was identical to ZmLac1, while five were highly homologous to either ZmLac4 or ZmLac5. Sequence alignment of allelic sequences enabled the development of TaqMan single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers for nine putative laccases. Four of these gene‐tagged SNP markers were validated in a doubled‐haploid mapping population of 140 individuals, mapping these loci to chromosomes 1, 2, 3 and 7, respectively.
Evaluation of resistance to melon yellow spot virus in a cucumber germplasm collection
Authors: Sugiyama M. , Okuda M. , Sakata Y. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractMelon yellow spot virus (MYSV), a member of the genus Tospovirus, is a serious thrips‐transmitted virus of cucurbits in Japan. Resistant cultivars provide an effective means for reducing the impact of the disease; however, no MYSV‐resistant cucumber has been reported. Susceptibilities of 398 cucumber accessions originating from 26 countries were evaluated by mechanical inoculation of MYSV. Thirteen accessions from South Asia, South East Asia and unknown origin had low disease severity indices (DSIs), and 10 of them showed no necrotic lesions on inoculated leaves. No or little positive reaction was detected by DAS‐ELISA analysis of inoculated leaves of these accessions. 27028930 showed resistance to a melon isolate (MYSV‐S) of MYSV, and ‘Yamakyuri‐1’ showed moderate resistance to a cucumber isolate (FuCu05P).
Endo‐sponge assisted treatment of anastomotic leakage following colorectal surgery
Authors: Riss S. , Stift A. , Meier M. , Haiden E. , Grünberger T. , Bergmann M. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractAim  Endo‐sponge assisted treatment (endo‐sponge) represents a novel approach to treat patients with anastomotic dehiscence following anterior resection for rectal cancer. Yet, limited data are available to predict success, compatibility with radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy as well as acceptance by the patients.Method  Between September 2007 and June 2008, nine patients suffering from anastomotic leakage after anterior rectal resection (n = 6) or suffering from leakage of rectal stump following Hartmann’s procedure (n = 3) were treated by endo‐sponge. We recorded clinical outcome and patient’s comfort using a 10‐point visual analogue scale (VAS).Results  Median time of endo‐sponge treatment was 3 weeks (range: 2–8). There were no minor or major complications. In 6 (66.6%) patients, the anastomotic leakage healed successfully. Three patients showed no response and needed further surgical intervention. The lack of success was due to complexity of the leakages, which comprised either more than 270° of the circumference or consisted of two distant fistulas. Formation of granulation tissue was unaffected by chemotherapy. For the question ‘alteration in daily life activity’, a median score of 5 (range: 1–9) was found. Measuring ‘pain sensation’ during endo‐sponge treatment patients scored a median of 3 (range: 0–6).Conclusions  Endo‐sponge treatment can be recommended as an alternative approach to treat pelvic sepsis following anastomotic dehiscence or rectal stump insufficiency. Extended leakages should be treated by different approaches having little probability of successful healing, but can lead to discomfort for the patient. Radiochemotherapy does not cause a problem for application of the endo‐sponge.
Open vs laparoscopic repair of full‐thickness rectal prolapse: a re‐meta‐analysis
Authors: Sajid M. S. , Siddiqui M. R. S. , Baig M. K. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractObjective  A re‐meta‐analysis of available data within the published literature comparing laparoscopic rectopexy (LR) with open repair (OR).Method  We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PubMed and the Cochrane databases from January 1990 to October 2008. We searched the following MESH terms: ‘laparoscopy’, ‘prolapse’ and ‘rectal prolapse’. We used the following text words: ‘rectopexy’, ‘haemorrhoids’, ‘minimally invasive’ and ‘keyhole surgery’. The bibliography of selected trials and a Cochrane review was scrutinized and relevant references obtained. Selected trials were analysed to conduct a meta‐analysis.Results  Twelve comparative studies on 688 patients qualified for the review. There were 330 patients in LR group and 358 in the OR group. LR takes longer to perform compared with OR. This difference was statistically significant [random effects model: standardized mean difference (SMD) 1.63, 95% CI (1.14–2.12), z = 6.56, P < 0.001]. There was a significant reduction in hospital stay between LR vs OR [random effects model: SMD −1.75, 95% CI (−2.45 to −1.05), z = −4.90, P < 0.001]. There was no statistical difference relating to morbidity, constipation, incontinence or mortality between the two groups.Conclusion  laparoscopic rectopexy is a safe and effective modality and is comparable to OR, however, there is still a paucity of randomized controlled trials within the literature regarding this subject. Until these trials are conducted, we would advise caution in deriving absolute conclusions.
Seasonal variation in short‐term mortality after surgery for colorectal cancer?
Authors: Iversen L. H. , Nielsen H. , Pedersen L. , Harling H. , Laurberg S. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractObjective  Comorbidity has a major impact on short‐term and long‐term survival of colorectal cancer (CRC) and many CRC patients suffer from comorbidities. Mortality rates for comorbidities like cardio‐respiratory diseases exhibit distinct seasonal variations with highest rates in the winter. Therefore, we hypothesized some seasonal variation in 30‐day mortality after surgery for CRC as well.Method  In a nationwide study, we examined the seasonal pattern in 30‐day mortality after surgery for CRC from 1996 to 2006. We identified 33 556 CRC patients in the Danish hospital discharge registries. Monthly 30‐day mortality rates were calculated and we constructed a fitted curve of the monthly mortality rates using a periodic regression model. We stratified the analyses for tumour site, urgency of surgery for colon cancer and the level of comorbidity based on American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) score.Results  The overall 30‐day mortality was 8.7% [95% confidence interval 8.4–9.0%). Significant seasonal variation in monthly 30‐day mortality could not be identified. For colon cancer, a nonsignificant increase was seen in July. An even higher increase in July was observed for CRC patients with moderate or severe comorbidity (ASA score ≥ III), but was also nonsignificant.Conclusion  Although comorbidity is a well‐known negative predictor of short‐term survival of CRC, monthly 30‐day mortality after surgery for CRC did not exhibit seasonal variation like that observed for comorbid conditions such as cardio‐respiratory diseases.
Benchmarking circumferential resection margin (R1) resection rate for rectal cancer in the neoadjuvant era
Authors: Chambers W. , Collins G. , Warren B. , Cunningham C. , Mortensen N. , Lindsey I. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractAim  Circumferential resection margin (CRM) involvement (R1) is used to audit rectal cancer surgical quality. However, when downsizing chemoradiation (dCRT) is used, CRM audits both dCRT and surgery, its use reflecting a high casemix of locally advanced tumours. We aimed to evaluate predictors of R1 and benchmark R1 rates in the dCRT era, and to assess the influence of failure of steps in the multidisciplinary team (MDT) process to CRM involvement.Method  A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected rectal cancer data was undertaken. Patients were classified according to CRM status. Uni‐ and multivariate analysis was undertaken of risk factors for R1 resection. The contribution of the steps of the MDT process to CRM involvement was assessed.Results  Two hundred and ten rectal cancers were evaluated (68% T3 or T4 on preoperative staging). R1 (microscopic) and R2 (macroscopic) resections occurred in 20 (10%) and 6 patients (3%), respectively. Of several factors associated with R1 resections on univariate analysis, only total mesorectal excision (TME) specimen defects and threatened/involved CRM on preoperative imaging remained as independent predictors of R1 resections on multivariate analysis. Causes of R1 failure by MDT step classification found that less than half were associated with and only 15% solely attributable to a suboptimal TME specimen.Conclusion  Total mesorectal excision specimen defects and staging‐predicted threatened or involved CRM are independent strong predictors of R1 resections. In most R1 resections, the TME specimen was intact. It is important to remember the contribution of both the local staging casemix and dCRT failure when using R1 rates to assess purely surgical competence.
Stapled haemorrhoidopexy: 6 years’ experience of a referral centre
Authors: Sultan S. , Rabahi N. , Etienney I. , Atienza P. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractAim  To prospectively evaluate the long‐term results and assess patient satisfaction after stapled haemorrhoidopexy (HS).Method  A total of 150 patients (121 male patients) with symptomatic grade II (n = 50) or III (n = 100) haemorrhoids underwent stapled HS. Patients were followed up during consultations at regular intervals, allowing prospective data collection. A final telephone follow up was also undertaken.Results  Follow up data were obtained for 130 of 150 patients (86.6%). After a median follow up of 39 months (range, 12‐72), 90% of the patients were fully satisfied and 92% were free of haemorrhoidal symptoms. There were no intraoperative complications. Postoperative bleeding that required operation was observed in five patients (3.3%). Most late postoperative complications were benign and easily resolved: unexplained pain for over a month (n = 1), external haemorrhoidal thrombosis (n = 2), anal fissure (n = 6) one with hypertrophic papilla, anal fistula (n = 1), rectal stenosis (n = 1), anal incontinence for (n = 1). Eight patients needed rubber band ligation to treat persistent or recurrent symptomatic prolapse. Four patients (2.6%) were reoperated on during the follow up period but none for haemorrhoidal pathology.Conclusion  Stapled HS procedure is effective and has low morbidity, high patient satisfaction and provided good long‐term control of haemorrhoidal symptoms in the treatment of second and third‐degree haemorrhoids.
Sacral nerve stimulation for faecal incontinence: response rate, satisfaction and the value of preoperative investigation in patient selection
Authors: Vallet C. , Parc Y. , Lupinacci R. , Shields C. , Parc R. , Tiret E. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractObjective  Before undergoing sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) for faecal incontinence (FI), patients are investigated with morphologic, dynamic and electrophysiologic tests. The purpose of our study was to evaluate their value in the selection of patients who may benefit most from neuromodulation.Method  If temporary stimulation resulted in a good objective response, a permanent neuromodulator was implanted. Patients were reviewed at 3 months and then at 6 monthly intervals. Asked by telephone, patient’s satisfaction was described as good, satisfactory or poor.Results  Forty‐five consecutive patients (41 females, median age 59 years) with FI (Wexner 16.1 ± 2.9) underwent SNS. Temporary stimulation was successful in 32 (71)% patients. At a median follow‐up of 33 months, the neuromodulator remained in place in 25 (55%) patients, two do whom switched it off, leaving 23 (51%) with a functioning neuromodulator. There was no statistically significant difference between the characteristics (including manometry, ultrasound and electrophysiology) of patients undergoing implantation (n = 32) or not (n = 13) and those with or without a functioning stimulator (n = 23: n = 13). In the 23 patients with a functioning stimulator the result was good in 12, satisfactory in five and poor in six. There was no statistically significant difference in the patient characteristics between those with a good result (n = 12) and the remainder (n = 32).Conclusion  The findings suggest that investigation for FI does not facilitate patient selection for SNS and cannot be used to predict outcome.
Extensive anal condylomatosis: prognosis in relation to viral and host factors
Authors: Sarzo G. , Mistro A. , Finco C. , Frayle‐Salamanca H. , Marino F. , Franzetti M. , Ferrara R. , Mistrangelo M. , Savastano S. , Vecchiato M. , Merigliano S. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractObjective  To evaluate the clinical course of extensive anal condylomatosis in relation to treatment modalities, patient comorbidity and immune function, and associated papillomavirus (HPV) sequences.Method  Clinical data, treatment modalities and follow‐up were recorded and analysed in relation to host and viral type. Histology, immunohistochemistry and molecular analyses for HPV search and typing were performed on formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded samples.Results  Sixteen patients [14 males, median age 41.8 years (range 19–66)] affected by extensive anal condylomatosis [10 Buschke‐Lowenstein Tumors (BLT) and 6 condylomatosis] treated in three different Italian institutions were included. There was associated preoperative anal intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 (AIN3) in one and invasive carcinoma in three patients. After radical resection (n = 16) recurrence occurred in 4/10 (40%) BLT patients. Malignancy before or after treatment developed in 5/16 (31.25%) patients. HPV sequences were present in all the samples of 15 evaluable patients (types 6 or 11, 9 patients; type 16, 6 patients). A statistically significant association was found between presence of HPV type 16 and both malignancy and recurrence. Viral variant L83V was present in 3/4 HPV 16 positive recurrent cases.Conclusion  Radical resection resulted in a favourable clinical course. Typing of HPV sequences in the management of patients affected by extensive anal condylomatosis may be useful.
Long term follow‐up of transcatheter coil embolotherapy for major colonic haemorrhage
Authors: Ahmed T. M. , Cowley J. B. , Robinson G. , Hartley J. E. , Nicholson A. A. , Lim M. , Ettles D. F. , Monson J. R. T. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractAim  Therapeutic angiography with embolization is fast becoming the preferred treatment modality for major bleeding in the lower gastrointestinal (LGI) tract. The aim of this study was to determine the long term outcome and complications of percutaneous coil embolization (PCE) and its efficacy as definitive therapy in patients with major LGI bleeding.Methods  All patients presenting to our institution with a haemodynamically significant LGI tract bleed between 1995 and 2001 that were unresponsive to conservative measures were considered for emergency angiography and coil embolization where appropriate. The outcome of these individuals was determined by case note review and telephone interview.Results  There were 20 patients (11 females) with a mean follow‐up period 72 months, mean age was 67 years. All underwent PCE following positive angiogram. The most common site of bleeding was the right colon (40%); haemostasis was successfully achieved in 16 (80%) patients. Five of the 20 patients died within 30 days of the intervention, three following PCE and two following surgery. None of the mortality following PCE was considered procedure related. On long term follow‐up four patients required readmission to hospital for further LGI bleeds at 1, 2, 12 and 16 months respectively. Ischaemic complications occurred in 23%.Conclusion  Superselective embolization as the primary technique for the treatment of haemodynamically significant LGI bleeding is an effective, feasible and safe technique. Long term follow‐up in our series up to 72 months has shown that it should be considered as both a primary and potentially definitive treatment for life threatening LGI bleeds.
High‐throughput single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping in wheat (Triticum spp.)
Authors: Bérard Aurélie , Le Paslier Marie Christine , Dardevet Mireille , Exbrayat‐Vinson Florence , Bonnin Isabelle , Cenci Alberto , Haudry Annabelle , Brunel Dominique , Ravel Catherine 
Published: April 2009

SummaryOver the past few years, considerable progress has been made in high‐throughput single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping technologies, largely through the investment of the human genetics community. These technologies are well adapted to diploid species. For plant breeding purposes, it is important to determine whether these genotyping methods are adapted to polyploidy, as most major crops are former or recent polyploids. To address this problem, we tested the capacity of the multiplex technology SNPlex™ with a set of 47 wheat SNPs to genotype DNAs of 1314 lines that were organized in four 384‐well plates. These lines represented different taxa of tetra‐ and hexaploid Triticum species and their wild diploid relatives. We observed 40 markers which gave less than 20% missing data. Different methods, based on either Sanger sequencing or the MassARRAY® genotyping technology, were then used to validate the genotypes obtained by SNPlex™ for 11 markers. The concordance of the genotypes obtained by SNPlex™ with the results obtained by the different validation methods was 96%, except for one discarded marker. Furthermore, a mapping study on six markers showed the expected genetic positions previously described. To conclude, this study showed that high‐throughput genotyping technologies developed for diploid species can be used successfully in polyploids, although there is a need for manual reading. For the first time in wheat species, a core of 39 SNPs is available that can serve as the basis for the development of a complete SNPlex™ set of 48 markers.
Multiplex single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)‐based genotyping in allohexaploid wheat using padlock probes
Authors: Edwards Keith J. , Reid Alex L. , Coghill Jane A. , Berry Simon T. , Barker Gary L. A. 
Published: April 2009

SummarySingle nucleotide polymorphisms are the most common polymorphism in plant and animal genomes and, as such, are the logical choice for marker‐assisted selection. However, many plants are also polyploid, and marker‐assisted selection can be complicated by the presence of highly similar, but non‐allelic, homoeologous sequences. Despite this, there is practical and academic demand for high‐throughput genotyping in several polyploid crop species, such as allohexaploid wheat. In this paper, we present such a system, which utilizes public single nucleotide polymorphisms previously identified in both agronomically important genes and in randomly selected, mapped, expressed sequence tags developed by the wheat community. To achieve relatively high levels of multiplexing, we used non‐amplified genomic DNA and padlock probe pairs, together with high annealing temperatures, to differentiate between similar sequences in the wheat genome. Our results suggest that padlock probes are capable of discriminating between homoeologous sequences and hence can be used to efficiently genotype wheat varieties.
A NOTE ON THE FORMAL TREATMENT OF EXPLOITATION IN A MODEL WITH HETEROGENOUS LABOR
Authors: Duménil Gérard , Foley Duncan , Lévy Dominique 
Published: April 2009

ABSTRACTThe paper presents a formal generalization of Marx's analysis of exploitation and prices in economies in which categories of labor are distinguished according to their unequal ability to create exchange value. Measures of exploitation of categories of labor which are consistent with both the Price of Net Product‐Unallocated Purchasing Power (PNP‐UPP) (New Interpretation) and the traditional interpretation of Marx's theory of value are defined which aggregate consistently over labor categories and sectors. In order to measure rates of exploitation from real economic data some additional assumption about relative rates of exploitation (which Marx often explicitly assumes to be equal) is required.