bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ethnic differences in F cell levels in Jamaica: a potential tool for identifying new genetic loci controlling fetal haemoglobin
Authors: Creary Lisa E. , McKenzie Colin A. , Menzel Stephan , Hanchard Neil A. , Taylor Veronica , Hambleton Ian , Spector Tim D. , Forrester Terrence E. , Thein Swee Lay 
Published: December 2008

SummaryHigh levels of fetal haemoglobin (HbF) are protective in β‐haemoglobinopathies. The proportion of erythrocytes containing HbF (F‐cells, FC) was measured in healthy adults of African and Caucasian ancestry to assess the feasibility of localizing genes for the FC trait using admixture mapping. Participants were Afro‐Caribbean (AC) blood donors and residents of a rural enclave with a history of recent German admixture (Afro‐German, AG) recruited in Jamaica, and Caucasian Europeans recruited in Jamaica and the UK. FC levels were significantly different between groups (P < 0·001); the geometric mean FC level in the AC sample (n = 176) was 3·75% [95% confidence interval (CI) 3·36–4·18], AG sample (n = 631) was 2·77% (95% CI 2·63–2·92), and among Caucasians (n = 1099) was 3·26% (95% CI 3·13–3·39). After adjustment for age, sex, haemoglobin electrophoresis pattern, and HBG2 genotype, FC levels in the AC group remained significantly different (P < 0·001) from those in the Caucasian and the AG group but the difference between the Caucasian and AG groups became non‐significant (P = 0·46) despite substantial differences in average ancestry. The data confirm ethnic differences in FC levels and indicate the potential usefulness of these populations for admixture mapping of genes for FC levels.
Regulation of iron metabolism through GDF15 and hepcidin in pyruvate kinase deficiency
Authors: Finkenstedt Armin , Bianchi Paola , Theurl Igor , Vogel Wolfgang , Witcher Derrick R. , Wroblewski Victor J. , Murphy Anthony T. , Zanella Alberto , Zoller Heinz 
Published: December 2008

SummaryIron absorption is inadequately increased in patients with chronic haemolytic anaemia, which is commonly complicated by iron overload. Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) has been identified as a bone marrow‐derived factor that abrogates hepcidin‐mediated protection from iron overload under conditions of increased erythropoiesis. Increased concentrations of GDF15 have been reported in β‐thalassaemia patients and GDF15 has been found to suppress hepcidin expression in vitro. To further study the interdependencies of iron metabolism and erythropoiesis in vivo, the concentrations of hepcidin and GDF15 were determined in sera from 22 patients with pyruvate kinase deficiency (PKD) and 21 healthy control subjects. In PKD patients, serum hepcidin levels were 13‐fold lower than in controls (2·0 ng/ml vs. 26·2 ng/ml) and GDF15 was significantly higher (859 pg/ml vs. 528 pg/ml). Serum hepcidin concentrations correlated positively with haemoglobin and negatively with serum GDF15. These results suggest that GDF15 contributes to low hepcidin expression and iron loading in PKD.
Post‐stack velocity analysis in the dip‐angle domain using diffractions
Authors: Reshef Moshe , Landa Evgeny 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTInterval velocity analysis in complex geological areas is often considered as an unresolved problem. A novel approach to improve the velocity analysis process is to perform the analysis in a non‐conventional domain and to use seismic events that are usually ignored during standard data processing and imaging. In this study, a method to analyse diffraction data for migration velocity analysis in the time‐ or depth‐domain is presented. The method is based on the clear distinction between diffractions and reflections in the post‐migration dip‐angle domain. The attractive possibility to perform the analysis, using only stacked data as an input, is demonstrated on synthetic and real data examples.
Airborne gravity tests in the Italian area to improve the geoid model of Italy
Authors: Barzaghi R. , Borghi A. , Keller K. , Forsberg R. , Giori I. , Loretti I. , Olesen A.V. , Stenseng L. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTAirborne gravimetry is an important method for measuring gravity over large unsurveyed areas. This technology has been widely applied in Canada, Antarctica and Greenland to map the gravity fields of these regions and in recent years, in the oil industry. In 2005, two tests in the Italian area were performed by ENI in cooperation with the Politecnico di Milano and the Danish National Space Center. To the knowledge of the authors, these were the first experiments of this kind in Italy and were performed over the Ionian coasts of Calabria and the Maiella Mountains. The Calabria test field is characterized by strong gravity variations due to the geophysical and topographic structure of the area. The ground gravity coverage is also quite dense. It was thus possible to compare airborne gravity with the ground observed values in order to check the precision of the airborne gravimetry. The second campaign was performed in an unsurveyed area centred on the Maiella Mountains, thus filling the data gap of this zone. Comparisons with existing ground data were also carried out in this area.After smoothing, the collected data have an accuracy of 2–3 mgal, as derived by cross‐over analysis. Moreover, the collocation method applied to compare and merge ground‐based and airborne data proved to be efficient and reliable. The standard deviation of the discrepancies between airborne data and collocation upward continued gravity is, in both cases, less than 8 mgal. In the Maiella test, the gravity field obtained by merging airborne and ground data using collocation also provides a more detailed description of the high‐frequency pattern of the geopotential field in this area.
High α‐defensin levels in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Sthoeger Zev M. , Bezalel Shira , Chapnik Nava , Asher Ilan , Froy Oren 
Published: December 2008

SummaryInnate immunity plays a role in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Our objective was to determine the levels of defensins, which are antimicrobial and immunomodulatory polypeptides, in SLE. Sera from SLE patients and healthy controls were tested for pro‐inflammatory human β‐defensin 2 (hBD‐2) and for α‐defensin human neutrophil peptide 1 (HNP‐1). hBD‐2 could not be detected by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and its mRNA levels were low in SLE patients and similar to those found in controls. In contrast, the mean α‐defensin level in the sera of all SLE patients (11·07 ± 13·92 ng/μl) was significantly higher than that of controls (0·12 ± 0·07 ng/μl). Moreover, 60% of patients demonstrated very high serum levels (18·5 ± 13·36 ng/μl) and 50% showed elevated gene expression in polymorphonuclear cells. High α‐defensin levels correlated with disease activity, but not with neutrophil count. Thus, activation and degranulation of neutrophils led to α‐defensin secretion in SLE patients. Given the immunomodulatory role of α‐defensins, it is possible that their secretion may activate the adaptive immune system leading to a systemic response.
Comparison of the efficacy and safety of bilastine 20 mg vs desloratadine 5 mg in seasonal allergic rhinitis patients
Authors: Bachert C. , Kuna P. , Sanquer F. , Ivan P. , Dimitrov V. , Gorina M. M. , Van De Heyning P. , Loureiro A. ,   The Bilastine International Working Group
Published: December 2008

Background:  Bilastine is a novel, nonsedating H1‐antihistamine developed for symptomatic treatment of Allergic Rhinitis and Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of bilastine 20 mg vs placebo and desloratadine 5 mg in subjects with seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR).Methods:  This randomized, double blind, placebo‐controlled, parallel‐group multicentre study evaluated the effect of 2 weeks’ treatment with bilastine 20 mg, desloratadine 5 mg or matched placebo once daily, in 12–70 years old symptomatic SAR patients. All subjects assessed the severity of nasal (obstruction, rhinorrhoea, itching, and sneezing) and nonnasal (ocular itching, tearing, ocular redness, itching of ears and/or palate) symptoms on a predetermined scale to provide a total symptom score (TSS), composed of nasal and nonnasal symptom scores (NSS and NNSS, respectively). The primary efficacy measure was the area under the curve (AUC) for the TSS over the entire treatment period.Results:  Bilastine 20 mg significantly reduced the AUC of TSS to a greater degree from baseline compared to placebo (98.4 with bilastine vs 118.4 with placebo; P < 0.001), but not compared to desloratadine 5 mg (100.5). Bilastine 20 mg was not different from desloratadine 5 mg but significantly more effective than placebo in improving the NSS, NNSS, and rhinitis‐associated discomfort scores (P < 0.05), and rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire total (P < 0.005) and four out of seven individual domain (P < 0.05) scores. The incidence of treatment emergent adverse events was similar for bilastine (20.6%), desloratadine (19.8%), and placebo (18.8%).Conclusion:  Bilastine 20 mg once daily was efficacious, safe and not different from desloratadine 5 mg once daily in the treatment of SAR symptoms.
Generation of Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) Transgenic Chimeric and Nuclear Transfer Embryos Using Embryonic Germ‐Like Cells Expressing Enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein
Authors: Huang B , Cui K , Li T , Wang X , Lu F , Liu Q , Da Silva FM , Shi D 
Published: December 2008

ContentsThe possibility of producing transgenic buffalo embryos by chimera and nuclear transfer (NT) using buffalo embryonic germ (EG)‐like cells expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) has been explored in this study. Buffalo EG‐like cells and fibroblasts with two to eight passages were transfected with the lined plasmid (pCE‐EGFP‐IRES‐Neo‐dNdB) using LipofectamineTM 2000 and selected by culturing in 200 μg/ml G418 for 6–8 days. G418 resistant fibroblasts and EG‐like cells were used for embryo chimera and NT. To produce blastocysts by chimera, 8–16 cells embryos were injected with EG‐like and fibroblast cells. Then, to produce blastocysts by NT, in vitro maturated oocytes were enucleated and afterwards EG‐like/fibroblast cells transferred into the perivitelline space. No statistical differences were observed for the total blastocyst produced by the chimeric method, using EG‐like and fibroblasts as donor cells, resulting on an accomplishment of 35.6% vs 33.3%, respectively. Nevertheless, besides from the 37 blastocysts produced, 23 (62.2%) from EG‐like cells expressed EGFP, none of blastocysts from foetal fibroblasts expressed this protein. When the NT method was used, no statistical difference among different generations was observed in the percentage of oocytes fused, cleaved, and developed to blastocysts after NT for EG‐like cells. On average, the percentage of oocytes fused, cleaved, and developed to blastocysts after NT was respectively 81.8%, 67.7% and 10.7%. For the expression of EGFP, from the 12 blastocysts produced by NT, 7 of them were positive, while none of NT embryos from EGFP positive fibroblasts developed to blastocysts. Results of the present study clearly demonstrated that gene transfected buffalo EG‐like cells have the ability to form chimeric embryos after injecting into buffalo early embryos and reprogramming ability after NT, which can be employed to produce transgenic buffalos through either embryo chimera or NT.
PROSPECTIVE COMPARISON BETWEEN SEDATED HIGH‐DEFINITION ORAL AND UNSEDATED ULTRATHIN TRANSNASAL ESOPHAGOGASTRODUODENOSCOPY IN THE SAME SUBJECTS: PILOT STUDY
Authors: Horiuchi Akira , Nakayama Yoshiko , Hidaka Nao , Ichise Yasuyuki , Kajiyama Masashi , Tanaka Naoki 
Published: December 2008

Background:  Recently, quality as well as acceptability has been a concern regarding endoscopy. The aim of the present study was to compare the acceptability and quality of sedated high‐definition esophagogastroduodenoscopy (sHD‐EGD) using a newly developed high‐definition videoscope with those of unsedated ultrathin esophagogastroduodenoscopy (uUT‐EGD) using a 5.2 mm videoscope.Methods:  Twenty‐two volunteers underwent both peroral sHD‐EGD and transnasal uUT‐EGD on the same day. Sedation consisted of 40 mg of propofol i.v. Both endoscopist and subject satisfaction levels were assessed using a 10 cm visual analogue scale.Results:  All 22 subjects completed the sHD‐EGD and 21 subjects completed the uUT‐EGD. The endoscopist and subject satisfaction levels of sHD‐EGD were significantly better than those of uUT‐EGD (overall endoscopist satisfaction: 9 vs 4, P < 0.0001; overall subject satisfaction: 9 vs 3, P < 0.0001). The optical quality of the endoscopic images of sHD‐EGD was significantly higher than that of uUT‐EGD except in the duodenal bulb (overall quality: 8 vs 7, P < 0.0001). The interobserver agreement for EGD findings in sHD‐EGD was better than with uUT‐EGD, although the EGD findings in both sHD‐EGD and uUT‐EGD were similar. After undergoing both procedures, 91% were willing to have sHD‐EGD again compared to 9% with uUT‐EGD.Conclusions:  The endoscopist and subject satisfaction levels and image quality of sHD‐EGD were better than those of uUT‐EGD. The routine use of high‐definition videoscopes would be expected to provide better acceptability than that obtained with unsedated endoscopy.
Enrichment and photoperiod interact to affect spatial learning and hippocampal dendritic morphology in white‐footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus)
Authors: Workman Joanna L. , Bowers Stephanie L. , Nelson Randy J. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractIn seasonally changing environments, individuals must coordinate endogenous processes with ambient conditions. Winter is a challenging time to survive and reproduce. In order to anticipate decreased food availability and low temperatures in winter, many rodents use decreasing day lengths as a precise temporal cue. Short day lengths alter several adaptations, including reproduction, immune function, aggressive behavior and spatial learning in non‐tropical rodents. Specifically, short days impair spatial learning in white‐footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) and alter dendritic complexity in the hippocampus. The goal of the current study was to determine whether short days constrain neural plasticity. If short days limit the capacity for plasticity, then environmental enrichment, a manipulation that induces morphological changes, should alter dendritic morphology in long, but not short, days. Male white‐footed mice were assigned to long (16 : 8 LD) or short (8 : 16 LD) photoperiod in either enriched or standard cages. Enrichment consisted of a large cage, cage mates, Habitrail® tubes, a nest box and a running wheel. Mice were tested in the Morris water maze. Reproductive tissues were collected and weighed; brains were processed for dendritic morphology. Short days impaired spatial learning. Short days also reduced spine density on apical dendrites within the CA3 region of the hippocampus. However, enrichment prevented short‐day‐induced deficits in learning and also increased hippocampal spine density in the CA1 and CA3 regions in short‐day mice. These results suggest that day length and other non‐photic environmental factors interact to regulate dendritic morphology, and that short photoperiods do not constrain the capacity for functional neural plasticity.
Pervasive canopy dynamics produce short‐term stability in a tropical rain forest landscape
Authors: Kellner James R. , Clark David B. , Hubbell Stephen P. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractA fundamental property of all forest landscapes is the size frequency distribution of canopy gap disturbances. But characterizing forest structure and changes at large spatial scales has been challenging and most of our understanding is from permanent inventory plots. Here we report the first application of light detection and ranging remote sensing to measurements of canopy disturbance and regeneration in an old‐growth tropical rain forest landscape. Pervasive local height changes figure prominently in the dynamics of this forest. Although most canopy gaps recruited to higher positions during 8.5 years, size frequency distributions were similar at two points in time and well‐predicted by power‐laws. At larger spatial scales (hundreds of ha), height increases and decreases occurred with similar frequency and changes to canopy height that were analysed using a height transition matrix suggest that the distribution of canopy height at the beginning of the study was close to the projected steady‐state equilibrium under the recent disturbance regime. Taken together, these findings show how widespread local height changes can produce short‐term stability in a tropical rain forest landscape.
The rapid‐acting properties of insulin aspart are preserved in elderly people with type 2 diabetes*
Authors: Krones R. , Schütte C. , Heise T. 
Published: December 2008

Aims:  Elderly type 2 diabetes patients may face increased risk of hypoglycaemic episodes because of unpredictable eating habits. The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of insulin aspart (IAsp) were studied in elderly patients to examine the potential for postprandial dosing.Methods:  Nineteen type 2 diabetes subjects, aged ≥65 years, were enrolled in this randomized, double‐blind, crossover trial. Subjects received 0.3 U/kg IAsp or regular human insulin during a glucose clamp procedure.Results:  IAsp showed a faster onset of action with significantly higher values for area under the glucose infusion rate curves, AUCGIR(0–120 min) and AUCGIR(0–300 min) (p = 0.0001). Maximum metabolic activity was higher (4.4 vs. 3.8 mg/kg/min, p = 0.0039) and occurred earlier with IAsp (196 vs. 278 min, p < 0.0001). Late metabolic activity (AUCGIR (300–600 min)) was significantly lower with IAsp (p = 0.0006).Conclusion:  Clinical studies are required to confirm whether postprandial administration of IAsp is appropriate for elderly patients.
Elevated plasma prostaglandins and acetylated histone in monocytes in Type 1 diabetes patients
Authors: Chen S. S. H. , Jenkins A. J. , Majewski H. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractAims/hypothesis  Inflammation is implicated in diabetes and cyclooxygenase (COX) is involved in vascular inflammatory processes, participating in both atherosclerosis and thrombosis. The aims were to determine whether levels of monocyte COX and plasma COX metabolites are increased in Type 1 diabetic patients and to determine whether these could be linked to histone hyperacetylation.Materials and methods  Monocytes from 19 Type 1 diabetic and 39 non‐diabetic control subjects were probed for COX and acetylated histone H4 proteins by immunoblotting. Plasma COX metabolite levels [thromboxane B2 (TXB2) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)] were determined by enzyme immunoassay.Results  Monocyte COX‐2 expression was significantly up‐regulated (1.3‐fold) in diabetic relative to the non‐diabetic control subjects and plasma PGE2 was markedly elevated (2.7‐fold). In diabetic subjects, monocyte acetylated histone H4 levels were significantly elevated; sub‐group analysis indicated that the increased histone acetylation was found only in the complication‐free group.Conclusions  Results support increased inflammatory activity in Type 1 diabetes that involves COX‐2 and increased prostaglandin production, which may predispose patients to cardiovascular events. The observation of elevated histone acetylation only in complication‐free diabetic subjects suggests that this may be a protective mechanism. This merits further investigation as histone hyperacetylation has been associated with reduced expression of factors involved in vascular injury and remodelling.
Past and future range shifts and loss of diversity in dwarf willow (Salix herbacea L.) inferred from genetics, fossils and modelling
Authors: Alsos Inger Greve , Alm Torbjørn , Normand Signe , Brochmann Christian 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTAim  Climate change may cause loss of genetic diversity. Here we explore how a multidisciplinary approach can be used to infer effects of past climate change on species distribution and genetic diversity and also to predict loss of diversity due to future climate change. We use the arctic‐alpine plant Salix herbacea L. as a model.Location  Europe, Greenland and eastern North America.Methods  We analysed 399 samples from 41 populations for amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) to identify current patterns of genetic structure and diversity and likely historical dispersal routes. Macrofossil records were compiled to infer past distribution, and species distribution models were used to predict the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and future distribution of climatically suitable areas.Results  We found strong genetic differentiation between the populations from Europe/East Greenland and those from Canada/West Greenland, indicating a split probably predating the LGM. Much less differentiation was observed among the four genetic groups identified in Europe, and diversity was high in the Scandinavian as well as in southern alpine populations. Continuous distribution in Central Europe during the last glaciation was inferred based on the fossil records and distribution modelling. A 46–57% reduction in suitable areas was predicted in 2080 compared to present. However, mainly southern alpine populations may go extinct, causing a loss of about 5% of the genetic diversity in the species.Main conclusions  From a continuous range in Central Europe during the last glaciation, northward colonization probably occurred as a broad front maintaining diversity as the climate warmed. This explains why potential extinction of southern populations by 2080 will cause a comparatively low loss of the genetic diversity in S. herbacea. For other species with different glacial histories, however, the expected climate‐change induced regional extinction may cause a more severe loss of genetic diversity. We conclude that our multidisciplinary approach may be a useful tool for assessing impact of climate change on loss of genetic diversity.
Variance Estimation in the Analysis of Microarray Data
Authors: Wang Yuedong , Ma Yanyuan , Carroll Raymond J. 
Published: December 2008

SummaryMicroarrays are one of the most widely used high throughput technologies. One of the main problems in the area is that conventional estimates of the variances that are required in the t-statistic and other statistics are unreliable owing to the small number of replications. Various methods have been proposed in the literature to overcome this lack of degrees of freedom problem. In this context, it is commonly observed that the variance increases proportionally with the intensity level, which has led many researchers to assume that the variance is a function of the mean. Here we concentrate on estimation of the variance as a function of an unknown mean in two models: the constant coefficient of variation model and the quadratic variance–mean model. Because the means are unknown and estimated with few degrees of freedom, naive methods that use the sample mean in place of the true mean are generally biased because of the errors-in-variables phenomenon. We propose three methods for overcoming this bias. The first two are variations on the theme of the so-called heteroscedastic simulation–extrapolation estimator, modified to estimate the variance function consistently. The third class of estimators is entirely different, being based on semiparametric information calculations. Simulations show the power of our methods and their lack of bias compared with the naive method that ignores the measurement error. The methodology is illustrated by using microarray data from leukaemia patients.