bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Diagnosis of Alagille Syndrome—25 Years of Experience at King's College Hospital
Authors: Subramaniam P , Knisely A , Portmann B , Qureshi SA , Aclimandos WA , Karani JB , Baker AJ 
Published: November 2010

ABSTRACTObjective:The aim of the study was to study the clinical and histological features of Alagille syndrome (AGS) at presentation comparing the value of the various modalities before the implementation of genetic diagnosis.Patients and Methods:We performed a retrospective analysis of the records of 117 children diagnosed as having AGS after referral to King's College Hospital between 1980 and 2005.Results:Cholestasis was seen in 104 of 117 (89%), characteristic facies in 91 of 117 (77%), posterior embryotoxon in 72 of 117 (61%), butterfly vertebrae in 44 of 117 (39%), heart disease (most often peripheral pulmonary stenosis) in 107 of 117 (91%), and renal disease in 27 of 117 (23%). Serum cholesterol levels of >5 mmol/L were seen in 52 of 86 (60.4%). Liver biopsy showed characteristic features of paucity of interlobular bile ducts in 59 of 77 (76.6%) children younger than 16 weeks of age, in 10 of 14 (71.4%) between 16 weeks and 1 year of age, and in 8 of 12 (66.66%) older than 1 year of age. Other biopsy findings were those of nonspecific hepatitis and biliary features. Iminodiacetic acid scans showed no excretion of isotope into the bowel after 24 hours in 21 of 35 (60%), and small/no gallbladder on ultrasound was seen in 29 of 104 (27.8%). Eleven of 117 (9.4%) had a diagnostic laparotomy and operative cholangiography, 2 proceeding to Kasai portoenterostomy before referral to our unit.Conclusions:Clinical features of AGS are not as consistently informative as suggested in the literature. Hypercholesterolaemia is nonspecific but may be a helpful pointer. Histology is not characteristic in 25%; hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid scan and ultrasound may suggest a false diagnosis of biliary atresia in 60% and 28%, respectively, supporting the concept that infants with liver disease warrant early referral to a specialist centre. The advent of genetic diagnosis will redefine the syndrome with likely effects on the prognosis of the defined group.
Isolation of Xenopus Oocytes
Authors: Sive Hazel L. , Grainger Robert M. , Harland Richard M. 
Published: December 2010

INTRODUCTIONXenopus oocytes are obtained from sexually mature females by surgically removing parts of the ovary. The operation is not fatal and can be performed on an anesthetized frog several times during its lifetime. However, a recovery period of 2 wk is recommended between operations. A careful record of all operations performed, including details of oocyte quality, should be kept. A frog that produces one good batch of oocytes; e.g., those that translate injected messenger RNAs (mRNAs) efficiently, should be recorded and used again, because oocyte quality is generally frog-dependent.
Microinjection of Xenopus Oocytes
Authors: Sive Hazel L. , Grainger Robert M. , Harland Richard M. 
Published: December 2010

INTRODUCTIONXenopus oocytes can be injected with messenger RNA (mRNA) or DNA constructs into the cytoplasm or nucleus, respectively. The cytoplasm can withstand the introduction of up to 50 nL of injected material, and the nucleus can tolerate up to 20 nL. This protocol describes microinjection of both defolliculated and folliculated Xenopus oocytes. Oocytes remain in good condition for a relatively long time, and injections can be continued, if necessary, over a period of days.
Strigolactones Are Transported through the Xylem and Play a Key Role in Shoot Architectural Response to Phosphate Deficiency in Nonarbuscular Mycorrhizal Host Arabidopsis
Authors: Kohlen Wouter , Charnikhova Tatsiana , Liu Qing , Bours Ralph , Domagalska Malgorzata A. , Beguerie Sebastien , Verstappen Francel , Leyser Ottoline , Bouwmeester Harro , Ruyter-Spira Carolien 
Published: December 2010

AbstractThe biosynthesis of the recently identified novel class of plant hormones, strigolactones, is up-regulated upon phosphate deficiency in many plant species. It is generally accepted that the evolutionary origin of strigolactone up-regulation is their function as a rhizosphere signal that stimulates hyphal branching of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. In this work, we demonstrate that this induction is conserved in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), although Arabidopsis is not a host for arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. We demonstrate that the increase in strigolactone production contributes to the changes in shoot architecture observed in response to phosphate deficiency. Using high-performance liquid chromatography, column chromatography, and multiple reaction monitoring-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis, we identified two strigolactones (orobanchol and orobanchyl acetate) in Arabidopsis and have evidence of the presence of a third (5-deoxystrigol). We show that at least one of them (orobanchol) is strongly reduced in the putative strigolactone biosynthetic mutants more axillary growth1 (max1) and max4 but not in the signal transduction mutant max2. Orobanchol was also detected in xylem sap and up-regulated under phosphate deficiency, which is consistent with the idea that root-derived strigolactones are transported to the shoot, where they regulate branching. Moreover, two additional putative strigolactone-like compounds were detected in xylem sap, one of which was not detected in root exudates. Together, these results show that xylem-transported strigolactones contribute to the regulation of shoot architectural response to phosphate-limiting conditions.
Allelic Variation in the Perennial Ryegrass FLOWERING LOCUS T Gene Is Associated with Changes in Flowering Time across a Range of Populations
Authors: Skøt Leif , Sanderson Ruth , Thomas Ann , Skøt Kirsten , Thorogood Danny , Latypova Galina , Asp Torben , Armstead Ian 
Published: November 2010

Abstract
The Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) gene and its orthologs in other plant species (e.g. rice [Oryza sativa] OsFTL2/Hd3a) have an established role in the photoperiodic induction of flowering response. The genomic and phenotypic variations associated with the perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) ortholog of FT, designated LpFT3, was assessed in a diverse collection of nine European germplasm populations, which together constituted an association panel of 864 plants. Sequencing and genotyping of a series of amplicons derived from the nine populations, containing the complete exon and intron sequences as well as 5′ and 3′ noncoding sequences of LpFT3, identified a total of seven haplotypes. Genotyping assays designed to detect the genomic variation showed that three haplotypes were present in approximately equal proportions and represented 84% of the total, with a fourth representing a further 11%. Of the three major haplotypes, two were predicted to code for identical protein products and the third contained two amino acid substitutions. Association analysis using either a mixed model with a relationship matrix to correct for population structure and relatedness or structured association with further correction using genomic control indicated significant associations between LpFT3 and variation in flowering time. These associations were corroborated in a validation population segregating for the same major alleles. The most “diagnostic” region of genomic variation was situated 5′ of the coding sequence. Analysis of this region identified that the interhaplotype variation was closely associated with sequence motifs that were apparently conserved in the 5′ region of orthologs of LpFT3 from other plant species. These may represent cis-regulatory elements involved in influencing the expression of this gene.
Meiotic Progression inArabidopsisIs Governed by Complex Regulatory Interactions between SMG7, TDM1, and the Meiosis I–Specific Cyclin TAM
Authors: Bulankova Petra , Riehs-Kearnan Nina , Nowack Moritz K. , Schnittger Arp , Riha Karel 
Published: December 2010

AbstractMeiosis is a modified cell division that produces four haploid nuclei from a single diploid cell in two rounds of chromosome segregation. Here, we analyze the role of Arabidopsis thaliana SUPPRESSOR WITH MORPHOGENETIC EFFECTS ON GENITALIA7 (SMG7), THREE DIVISION MUTANT1 (TDM1), and TARDY ASYNCHRONOUS MEIOSIS (TAM) in meiotic progression. SMG7 is a conserved nonsense-mediated mRNA decay factor that is also, in Arabidopsis, essential for completion of meiosis. Examination of activating CYCLIN DEPENDENT KINASE A;1 phosophorylation at Thr-161 suggests that the meiotic arrest observed in smg7 mutants is likely caused by a failure to downregulate cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) activity at the end of the second meiotic division. Genetic analysis indicates that SMG7 and TDM1 act in the same pathway to facilitate exit from meiosis. We further demonstrate that the cyclin TAM is specifically expressed in meiosis I and has both stimulatory and inhibitory effects on progression to meiosis II. TAM knockouts skip the second meiotic division producing unreduced gametes, but inactivation of SMG7 or TDM1 alleviates TAM's requirement for entry into meiosis II. We propose a model that meiotic progression in Arabidopsis pollen mother cells is driven by a yet to be identified cyclin-CDK activity that is modulated by regulatory interactions between TDM1, SMG7, and TAM.
Arabidopsis Kinetochore Fiber-Associated MAP65-4 Cross-Links Microtubules and Promotes Microtubule Bundle Elongation
Authors: Fache Vincent , Gaillard Jérémie , Van Damme Daniel , Geelen Danny , Neumann Emmanuelle , Stoppin-Mellet Virginie , Vantard Marylin 
Published: December 2010

Abstract
The acentrosomal plant mitotic spindle is uniquely structured in that it lacks opposing centrosomes at its poles and is equipped with a connective preprophase band that regulates the spatial framework for spindle orientation and mobility. These features are supported by specialized microtubule-associated proteins and motors. Here, we show that Arabidopsis thaliana MAP65-4, a non-motor microtubule associated protein (MAP) that belongs to the evolutionarily conserved MAP65 family, specifically associates with the forming mitotic spindle during prophase and with the kinetochore fibers from prometaphase to the end of anaphase. In vitro, MAP65-4 induces microtubule (MT) bundling through the formation of cross-bridges between adjacent MTs both in polar and antipolar orientations. The association of MAP65-4 with an MT bundle is concomitant with its elongation. Furthermore, MAP65-4 modulates the MT dynamic instability parameters of individual MTs within a bundle, mainly by decreasing the frequency of catastrophes and increasing the frequency of rescue events, and thereby supports the progressive lengthening of MT bundles over time. These properties are in line with its role of initiating kinetochore fibers during prospindle formation.
Ability of radial arterial palpation and observation of the pulse oximetry trace to estimate non‐invasive systolic pressure in healthy volunteers and in women undergoing spinal anaesthesia for elective caesarean section*
Authors: Sabharwal A. , Strickland T. , Yentis S. M. 
Published: November 2010

SummaryWe assessed the ability of palpating the radial arterial pulse and observing the oximeter trace to estimate the automated non‐invasive systolic pressure reading in 20 healthy female volunteers and 20 parturients undergoing spinal anaesthesia for elective caesarean section. Using real‐time values of cuff pressure during inflation/deflation, the pressure was recorded when the manually palpated radial arterial pulse or pulse oximeter waveform disappeared and reappeared. The actual measured systolic pressure was noted and the results compared using Bland–Altman analysis. In the volunteers, the bias/precision for radial arterial palpation was −12.9/22.1 mmHg (inflation) and −9.7/16.7 mmHg (deflation), and for oximetry 29.5/18.8 mmHg (inflation) and −20.7/21.7 mmHg (deflation). In the parturients, the bias/precision was −19.0/47.6 mmHg (inflation) and −15.5/51.0 mmHg (deflation) for arterial palpation, and 22.6/16.1 mmHg (inflation) and −14.2/19.9 mmHg (deflation) for oximetry. Our results suggest that neither method is accurate at estimating the non‐invasive systolic pressure, with all except oximetry (inflation) underestimating it by approximately 10–20 mmHg and with poor precision.
Emulsifying properties and structural characteristics of β‐conglycinin and dextran conjugates synthesised in a pressurised liquid system
Authors: Xu Cai‐ hong , Yu Shu‐ juan , Yang Xiao‐quan , Qi Jun‐ru , Lin Hua , Zhao Zhen‐gang 
Published: December 2010

SummaryThe purpose of this study was to characterise the Maillard reaction in a pressurised liquid system containing β‐conglycinin and dextran. The rate of browning and the free amino content in this liquid system, with an initial pH of 7.2, were measured after reaction under atmospheric pressure and at 10 MPa. The secondary and tertiary structures of the conjugates were analysed by circular dichroism, showing that the increased pressure accelerated the reaction rate of the free amino groups and reduced the rate of browning. Significant structural changes occurred in the tertiary structure of the conjugates. Additionally, the emulsifying properties of the β‐conglycinin–dextran conjugates produced were studied. The emulsifying properties of the conjugates produced at 10 MPa were higher than those made at atmospheric pressure.
Effects of radiation process on total protein and amino acids composition of raw and processed pearl millet flour during storage
Authors: Mohamed ElShazali Ahmed , Mohamed Ahmed Isam A. , Yagoub Abu ElGasim A. , Babiker Elfadil E. 
Published: December 2010

SummaryThe present work describes radiation‐induced effects during storage on total protein and amino acids composition of raw and processed flour of two pearl millet cultivars (Ashana and Dembi). The protein content of the whole raw flour was 14.46% and 13.38% for Ashana and Dembi cultivars, respectively. Dehulling of the grains reduced the protein content to 13.38% and 12.67% for the cultivars, respectively. Storage of the radiated whole and dehulled flour for 60 days slightly reduced the protein content even after cooking. The effect of radiation process in combination with the treatments applied to the grains and/or flour on amino acids contents was found to be varying between the cultivars. Most of the amino acids were stable against all treatments except leucine, glutamic acid and phenylalanine. Regardless of the storage period and processing method, amino acid contents of Ashana cultivar were increased after radiation process compared to that of Dembi cultivar.
The Geneva Conferences and the emergence of the International Network for Person‐centered Medicine
Authors: Mezzich Juan E. 
Published: November 2010

AbstractThe yearly Geneva Conferences on Person‐centered Medicine started in May 2008 as a collaborative effort of global medical and health organizations and committed clinicians and scholars to place the whole person at the centre of medicine and health care. They were informed by the traditions of great ancient civilizations and recent developments in clinical care and public health. The process of the Geneva Conferences led to the development of the International Network for Person‐centered Medicine as a non‐for‐profit institution aimed at organizing future editions of the Geneva Conference and building person‐centred medicine as a paradigmatic repriorizing of the medical and health fields in collaboration inter alia with the World Medical Association, the World Health Organization and the World Organization of Family Doctors.
Outlining the bases of person‐centred integrative diagnosis
Authors: Salloum Ihsan M. , Mezzich Juan E. 
Published: November 2010

AbstractRational and aims As diagnosis is a critical first step for clinical care, it was early recognized that an appropriate diagnostic model was necessary as informational basis for person‐centred clinical care.Methods The design of a person‐centred integrative diagnosis model was based on literature reviews and work meetings in London, Paris, Geneva, Preston, UK and Uppsala, Sweden over the past 2 years.Results and conclusion The current person‐centred integrative diagnosis model argues for a broader concept of diagnosis and covers both ill health and positive health through the following three levels: Health Status (from illness to recovery/wellness and from disabilities to adaptive functioning), Experience of Health (cultural factors and values concerning ill health and positive health) and Contributory Factors (including internal and external risk and protective factors). Each of these domains will be evaluated with standardized categories and dimensions as well as narratives. Specific attention is paid to evaluators (clinicians, patient, family and other carers) and the interactive evaluation process.
The person in health care policy development
Authors: Wallcraft Janet 
Published: November 2010

AbstractObjective  The objective of this article is to explore the rationale for involvement of persons in health care policy in western countries, and to examine evidence of the difference public involvement can make.Methods  The information is drawn from research and reports on changes in health care policy towards greater democratization of decision making.Conclusions  Strong reasons have been put forward for wider public involvement in health care policy, and some evidence is now available that involvement is popular with stakeholders and can improve services, though it is a complex intervention needing complex strategies of evaluation.
Heart rate response and factors affecting exercise performance during home‐ or class‐based rehabilitation for knee replacement recipients: lessons for clinical practice
Authors: Naylor Justine M. , Ko Victoria 
Published: November 2010

AbstractObjectives  Patients undergoing total knee replacement (TKR) are typically de‐conditioned and manifest medical co‐morbidities associated with a lack of fitness. Consequently, an argument exists for rehabilitation programmes to target cardiovascular fitness. Doubt exists, however, as to the capacity of TKR recipients to exercise intensely and effectively. This preliminary study aimed to: (1) determine whether patients participating in a home‐ or class‐based exercise programme can exercise in their heart rate (HR) training zone, and (2) identify confounding factors influencing performance.Methods  A mixed method study nested within a randomized trial was undertaken. Forty‐two people (mean age 70 years; 23 women) randomized to commence a 6‐week group‐based (GRP) or monitored home‐based programme (MHP) 2 weeks post surgery participated. Assessments were undertaken weeks 5 (GRP and MHP) and 8 (GRP only) post surgery. HR and participant perceived exertion (PE, 0–10 point scale) captured exercise intensity. Qualitative description using triangulation of informant sources identified factors influencing exercise performance.Results  For both programmes, attainment of training HR was almost universal (93% or more), average time spent above the training HR exceeded 30 minutes, and PE indicated moderate exertion (5/10). Individual inconsistency in time spent above the training HR was evident between testing weeks in GRP participants. Therapist skill and focus, and patient co‐morbidity, knee pain and stiffness and willingness were confounders of performance.Conclusion  TKR recipients participating in exercise programmes can exercise moderately hard indicating a potential for rehabilitation to improve cardiovascular fitness. Whether individual fitness actually improves likely depends in part on therapist recognition of key modifiable factors. It is recommended that therapists use these observations to inform practice so patients extract the most benefit from their rehabilitation.
A multi‐professional evidence‐based practice course improved allied health students' confidence and knowledge
Authors: Bennett Sally , Hoffmann Tammy , Arkins Miranda 
Published: November 2010

AbstractPurpose  To evaluate the effectiveness of a semester‐long multi‐professional university course teaching evidence‐based practice principles to allied health students in terms of changes in attitudes, confidence, and perceived and actual knowledge regarding evidence‐based practice.Methods  This was a pre–post study of allied health students who completed a multi‐professional university course that taught evidence‐based practice skills and concepts. The course was run over a 13‐week period (2 hours per week) and utilized didactic lectures, tutorial and workshop formats, and a hands‐on database searching session. Participants completed a questionnaire which assessed their attitudes, confidence, and perceived and actual knowledge regarding evidence‐based practice on the first and last day of the course.Results  Ninety‐one students participated in the study; however, complete data sets were available for only 59 participants. Attitudes towards evidence‐based practice did not significantly improve; however, attitudes were already positive prior to undertaking the course. There was a statistically significant improvement in confidence with a mean increase of 9.02 [score range 6–30, 95% confidence interval (CI) 8.21, 9.82]. Perceived knowledge improved with a statistically significant mean increase of 14.15 (score range 5–25, 95% CI 12.55, 15.75) and there was a statistically significant mean increase in actual knowledge of 3.56 (score range 0–10, 95% CI 2.83, 4.29).Conclusions  Teaching evidence‐based practice skills and concepts to allied health students within a multi‐professional university curriculum improved confidence and perceived and actual knowledge regarding evidence‐based practice. Further research is needed to determine if these changes result in long‐term behaviour change once students graduate, and to consider optimal methods for multi‐ and interprofessional delivery of evidence‐based practice training.
The effect of evidence‐based medicine (EBM) training seminars on the knowledge and attitudes of medical students towards EBM
Authors: Khader Yousef S. , Batayha Waleed , Al‐Omari Mousa 
Published: November 2010

AbstractBackground  There is debate about the most effective method for teaching evidence‐based medicine (EBM) in medical schools. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of integration of EBM training seminars into the curriculum of the community medicine course in changing the knowledge and attitudes of the fourth year medical students towards EBM.Methods  This is a quasi‐experimental study conducted on the fourth year medical students who joined the community medicine mandatory summer course at Jordan University of Science and Technology in the period between July 1 and August 31, 2008. We measured medical students' self‐reported attitudes about and knowledge of EBM before the integration of EBM seminars into the community medicine course and at the end of course.Results  A high proportion of students had positive attitude towards EBM before and after the course. After the course, the vast majority (91.8%) became aware of the presence of guidelines and protocols for diseases compared with 59.0% who were aware of that before (P < 0.005). Only small proportion of students reported that they understand and able to explain the common epidemiological concepts that are used in EBM before the training. After the training, a significantly higher proportion of students reported understanding the epidemiological concepts.Conclusion  Integration of EBM training course into community course for the fourth year students improved their EBM knowledge. Longitudinal studies are needed to evaluate the long‐term effects of EBM curriculum in changing behaviours, practice patterns and patient care outcome.