bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Metric and Bregman projections onto affine subspaces and their computation via sequential subspace optimization methods
Authors: Schöpfer F. , Schuster T. , Louis A. K. 
Published: September 2008

Abstract
In this article we investigate and prove relationships between metric and Bregman projections induced by powers of the norm of a Banach space. We consider Bregman projections onto affine subspaces of Banach spaces and deduce some interesting analogies to results which are well known for Hilbert spaces. Using these concepts as well as ideas from sequential subspace optimization techniques we construct efficient iterative methods to compute Bregman projections onto affine subspaces that are connected to linear, bounded operators between Banach spaces. Especially these methods can be used to compute minimum-norm solutions of linear operator equations or best approximations in the range of a linear operator. Numerical experiments illuminate the performance of our iterative algorithms and demonstrate a significant acceleration compared to the Landweber method.
Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, and parathyroid hormone in familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia and primary hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Christensen Signe Engkjær , Nissen Peter H , Vestergaard Peter , Heickendorff Lene , Rejnmark Lars , Brixen Kim , Mosekilde Leif 
Published: September 2008

IntroductionFamilial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia (FHH) is a lifelong, benign, inherited condition caused by inactivating mutations in the calcium-sensing receptor (CASR) gene. Both FHH and primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) are characterized by elevated P-calcium, normal or elevated plasma-parathyroid hormone (P-PTH), and typically normal renal function. In PHPT, vitamin D metabolism is typically characterized by low plasma levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD), and high plasma levels of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D). In FHH, the vitamin D metabolism is not very well known.ObjectiveTo compare and evaluate plasma 25OHD, 1,25(OH)2D, and PTH in FHH and PHPT.DesignCross-sectional study.MaterialsAbout 66 FHH patients with mutations in the CASR gene, 147 patients with surgically verified PHPT, and 46 controls matched to FHH patients according to age (±5 years), sex, and season. All patients had a P-creatinine <140 μmol/l.MethodsWe measured P-calcium, P-Ca2+, P-albumin, P-creatinine, P-phosphate, P-magnesium, and P-PTH by standard laboratory methods. P-25OHD and P-1,25(OH)2D were measured by RIA or enzyme immunoassay. In FHH, all protein-coding exons in the CASR gene were sequenced and aligned to GenBank reference sequence .ResultsPHPT patients had higher body mass index (2p<0.01), together with higher P-PTH (2p<0.01) and P-1,25(OH)2D (2p<0.01) compared with FHH patients. The groups had similar levels of P-Ca2+ and of P-25OHD. The phenotypic expression of the CASR mutations (as determined by the degree of hypercalcemia) did not influence the levels of P-1,25(OH)2D.ConclusionEven though P-calcium and P-25OHD were comparable, P-1,25(OH)2D and P-PTH differed between FHH and PHPT.
Cardiac manifestations of GH deficiency after treatment for acromegaly: a comparison to patients with biochemical remission and controls
Authors: van der Klaauw Agatha A , Bax Jeroen J , Bleeker Gabe B , Holman Eduard R , Delgado V , Smit Johannes W A , Romijn Johannes A , Pereira Alberto M 
Published: September 2008

ObjectiveBoth GH excess and GH deficiency (GHD) lead to specific cardiac pathology. The aim of this study was to evaluate cardiac morphology and function in patients with GHD after treatment for acromegaly.DesignCross-sectional study.Patients and methodsCardiac parameters were studied by conventional two-dimensional echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging in 53 patients with acromegaly (16 patients with GHD, 20 patients with biochemical remission, and 17 patients with active disease). Patients with GHD were also compared with age- and gender-matched controls.ResultsLeft ventricular (LV) dimensions, wall thickness, and mass did not differ between the three groups, or between the patients with GHD and healthy controls. Systolic function, assessed by LV ejection fraction, tended to be lower in patients with GHD compared with patients with biochemical remission (65.9±7.3% vs 72.4±8.5%, P=0.070), but was higher when compared with active acromegaly (58.8±9.3%, P=0.047). No differences were found with healthy controls. Diastolic function, measured with early diastolic velocity (E′), was lower in patients with GHD when compared with both patients with biochemical remission (6.0±2.1 cm/s vs 8.3±1.5 cm/s, P=0.005) and healthy controls (8.1±1.9 cm/s, P=0.006).ConclusionGHD after acromegaly results in a specific decrease in diastolic function compared with patients with biochemical remission of acromegaly and healthy controls. In addition, systolic function tends to be decreased in patients with GHD compared with patients with biochemical remission, but was higher than that in patients with active acromegaly.
In Vitro and In Vivo Studies of the Use of Some Medicinal Herbals against the Pathogen Aeromonas hydrophila in Goldfish
Authors: Harikrishnan Ramasamy , Balasundaram Chellam 
Published: September 2008

Abstract
Aeromonas hydrophila is a ubiquitous and opportunistic bacterial pathogen that produces ulcerative dermatitis under stress conditions and inflicts severe losses on global fisheries and fish culture. This study evaluates the antimicrobial potency of aqueous and ethanolic decoction (individual extract) and concoction (mixed extract) of three common medicinal herbs, turmeric Curcuma longa, Tulsi plant Ocimum sanctum, and neem Azadirachta indica, against the in vitro growth of A. hydrophila. Among the decoctions, A. indica exhibited the most potent antibacterial property (P &lt; 0.05) against A. hydrophila. Among the concoctions, both the aqueous and ethanolic triherbal extracts mixed in the ratio of 1:1:1 had higher antibacterial activity (P &lt; 0.05) than the other concoctions and decoctions. Goldfish Carassius auratus (10 ± 2 g) were challenged with A. hydrophila intramuscularly in the caudal region with two separate doses (days 1 and 3) of 50 μL/fish (1.8 × 103 colony-forming units per milliliter). On days 9 (early) and 15 (late) of infection, fish were held in a net and dip treated for 5 min daily in a 1-L solution of 1% aqueous triherbal concoction. Red blood cell (RBC) count, hemoglobin, and hematocrit levels of the infected group were significantly higher (P &lt; 0.05) than those of the control group. In the early treated group, all of the affected profile values returned to near normal, while the late-treated group registered a partial recovery, such as improved RBC count. The derived hematological values, such as mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, of the early and late-treated groups also significantly declined (P &lt; 0.05) but were restored to near normal (P &gt; 0.05) only in the early treated group. The results suggest that dip treatment of A. hydrophila-infected goldfish in an aqueous triherbal concoction had a synergistic restorative effect on the hematological variables.
Comparison of Female Reproductive Traits and Progeny of First‐Generation Hatchery and Wild Upper Yakima River Spring Chinook Salmon
Authors: Knudsen Curtis M. , Schroder Steve L. , Busack Craig , Johnston Mark V. , Pearsons Todd N. , Strom Charles R. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractHatchery and wild female spring Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha from the upper Yakima River were compared to determine whether their reproductive traits had diverged after a single generation of artificial propagation. Fecundity, relative fecundity, individual egg mass, and total gamete mass were all significantly correlated with body length, while reproductive effort (gonadosomatic index) was not. Regressions of trait versus body length often differed significantly among brood years. Hatchery spring Chinook salmon were significantly smaller than wild females over the four brood years examined. After brood year and body length (when necessary) were accounted for, wild females had an average of 8.8% more total gamete mass, 0.8% more individual egg mass, 7.7% greater fecundity, and 0.8% greater reproductive effort than hatchery females. Relative fecundity (the number of eggs per centimeter of body length) was on average 1.3% greater in hatchery females. We also compared body size at yolk absorption and egg‐to‐fry survival of the progeny from hatchery‐by‐hatchery and wild‐by‐wild matings. After differences in egg size were accounted for, hatchery fry were on average 1.0% heavier than wild fry. Egg‐to‐fry survival rates varied among years, with no consistent difference between hatchery and wild fry. The relationships between reproductive traits and body length were not significantly altered by a single generation of hatchery exposure. However, because hatchery females had smaller body sizes, the distributions of linked traits, such as total gamete mass and fecundity, differed by as much as 0.6 SD, probably resulting in some fitness loss. Our data support the idea that a single generation of state‐of‐the‐art conservation hatchery propagation can produce fish with reproductive traits similar to those of wild fish, given comparable body size.
Oral Health-Related Quality of Life of Children with Craniofacial Conditions
Authors: Geels L. M. , Kieffer J. M. , Hoogstraten Joh , Prahl-Andersen B. 
Published: September 2008

Objective: Evaluation of the Dutch Child Oral Health Impact Profile (COHIP), assessing the level of concordance between parents and children. The internal consistency and the predictive validity of the COHIP for self-reported general health were examined. Methods: Sample size was 35 pairs of parents and children age 11 to 14 with craniofacial conditions. Cronbach alphas were calculated and the level of concordance between parents and children was studied using t tests and intraclass correlations. Predictive validity was assessed using Pearson correlations and linear regression analyses. Results: The COHIP and its subscales, except for one, had satisfactory to high Cronbach alphas (.59 to .94). Parents and children did not differ significantly. Correlations between parents and children were high (.62 to .91). Only “Oral symptoms” proved to be a significant predictor of general health, but only in the parent sample. Conclusions: In spite of the high level of concordance found, proxy reports have to be considered complementary to the reports of the children themselves. The Dutch version of the COHIP performs adequately, but could use some further psychometric evaluation and revision. It does not seem advisable to use the subscales separately as predictors in the same regression model, since they are strongly intercorrelated. For use in craniofacial patients, further validation is needed on a larger sample and some items need to be revised or removed. Finally, given the small number of cases, conclusions must be drawn with caution.
Clinical Outcomes of the Furlow Z-Plasty for Primary Cleft Palate Repair
Authors: Khosla Rohit K. , Mabry Kelly , Castiglione Charles L. 
Published: September 2008

Objective: To review the clinical outcomes following the Furlow Z-plasty for primary cleft palate repair. The primary objective was to determine if the presence of an associated sequence or syndrome (i.e., Pierre Robin sequence), age at palate repair, cleft type, or surgeon experience influenced speech outcomes after a Furlow Z-plasty. Design: The outcomes of 140 patients who underwent palate repair were analyzed retrospectively. Speech evaluations were performed to score the severity of hypernasality, nasal escape, articulation errors, and velopharyngeal insufficiency. Results: The mean age at latest evaluation was 4 years 9 months (age range 2 years old to 12 years old and 4 months). Of the 140 patients, 83% had no evidence of hypernasality, 91% had no presence of nasal escape, and 69% had no articulation errors. Overall, 84% of patients had no evidence of velopharyngeal insufficiency. Secondary posterior pharyngeal flap to correct velopharyngeal insufficiency was required in only 2.1% of patients. The formation of an oronasal fistula occurred in only 3.6% of patients. Nonsyndromic patients with Pierre Robin sequence and syndromic patients did just as well as purely nonsyndromic patients in terms of velopharyngeal insufficiency, hypernasality, and nasal escape. Syndromic patients were more likely to make mild-to-moderate articulation errors. In addition, age at palate repair, cleft type, and surgeon experience had no statistically significant effect on speech results. Conclusions: The Furlow Z-plasty yielded excellent speech results in our patient population with minimal and acceptable rates of fistula formation, velopharyngeal insufficiency, and the need for additional corrective surgery.
Comparison of Short-Term and Long-Term Variability in Nasalance Scores
Authors: Lewis Kerry E. , Watterson Thomas , Blanton Ann 
Published: September 2008

Objective: To evaluate long-term nasalance score variability while accounting for short-term variation associated with subject performance and headgear change variability. Stimuli: Turtle and Mouse Passages. Design: Short-term immediate test-retest nasalance score variability was assessed with no headgear change (NCHG) and with change of headgear (CHG). Long-term variability was assessed with scores obtained in the morning and afternoon of the same day, 1 day apart, and 1 week apart. Scores from the long-term conditions necessarily reflect variability associated with headgear change plus variability, which may be attributed to time. Participants: Twenty-six adults (19 to 70 years of age) with normal speech and resonance. Main Outcome Measures: Forty-six nasalance scores per subject. Results: Mean nasalance difference scores across conditions were compared. Three contrasts were significantly different, each involving comparison of nasalance difference scores in the NCHG condition to difference scores from a CHG condition. Overall, long-term variability was slightly greater than short-term variability. For the Turtle Passage, in the short-term CHG condition, 92% of repeated scores were within five points. In the long-term conditions, 83% to 89% of scores were within five points. For the Mouse Passage, 88% of repeated scores in the CHG condition were within five points. In the long-term conditions, 81% to 83% of scores were within five points. Conclusions: Nasalance scores obtained over time showed slightly greater variability than scores obtained in immediate test-retest conditions; however, variability did not increase as the length of time between measures increased.
Combinatorial Incorporation of Enhancer-Blocking Components of the Chicken β-Globin 5′HS4 and Human T-Cell Receptor α/δ BEAD-1 Insulators in Self-Inactivating Retroviral Vectors Reduces Their Genotoxic Potential
Authors: Ramezani Ali , Hawley Teresa S. , Hawley Robert G. 
Published: September 2008

Abstract
Insertional mutagenesis by retroviral vectors has emerged as a serious impediment to the widespread application of hematopoietic stem cell gene transfer for the treatment of hematologic diseases. Here we report the development of a 77-base pair element, FII/BEAD-A (FB), which contains the minimal enhancer-blocking components of the chicken β-globin 5′HS4 insulator and a homologous region from the human T-cell receptor α/δ BEAD-1 insulator. With a new flow cytometry-based assay, we show that the FB element is as effective in enhancer-blocking activity as the prototypical 1.2-kilobase 5′HS4 insulator fragment. When incorporated into the residual U3 region of the 3′ long terminal repeat (LTR) of a self-inactivating (SIN) gammaretroviral vector, the FB element was stably transferred to the 5′ LTR during reverse transcription, flanking the integrated transgene expression cassette. Notably, using a recently established in vitro insertional mutagenesis assay involving primary murine hematopoietic cells, we found that SIN gammaretroviral vectors, as well as SIN lentiviral vectors, containing the FB element exhibited greatly reduced transforming potential—to background levels under the experimental conditions used—compared with their unshielded counterparts. These results suggest that the FB element-mediated enhancer-blocking modification is a promising approach to dramatically improve the safety of retroviral vectors for therapeutic gene transfer.
Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Activation of CCAAT/Enhancer-Binding Protein α or PU.1 in Hematopoietic Stem Cells Leads to Their Reduced Self-Renewal and Proliferation
Authors: Fukuchi Yumi , Ito Miyuki , Shibata Fumi , Kitamura Toshio , Nakajima Hideaki 
Published: September 2008

Abstract
Previous studies using loss-of-function mutants revealed that CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α (C/EBPα) and PU.1 are potential regulators for hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). To gain further insight into the HSC regulation by C/EBPα or PU.1, we used transgenic mice expressing conditional forms of these transcription factors to examine whether their activation alone is sufficient for modulating HSC functions. The activation of C/EBPα or PU.1 in HSCs in vitro or in vivo led to their suppression of growth, decreased mixed colony formation, and impaired competitive repopulating activities because of their defective self-renewal. These effects were more prominently observed when C/EBPα was activated, and the differentiation capacity to megakaryocytic lineage was selectively impaired upon C/EBPα activation. Unexpectedly, the expression of Bmi-1 and HoxB4, well-known regulators for self-renewal of HSCs, was not affected by the activation of C/EBPα or PU.1, suggesting that they regulate HSC function through an as yet unknown mechanism. Our data suggest that the activation of C/EBPα or PU.1 is sufficient to repress stem cell capacities in HSCs, and their fine-tuned regulation is critical for HSC homeostasis.
Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Impacts of multiple stressors on growth and metabolic rate ofMalaclemys terrapin
Authors: Holliday Dawn K. , Elskus Adria A. , Roosenburg Willem M. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractCoastal species encounter numerous physiological stressors ranging from daily fluctuations in salinity and temperature to anthropogenic contaminants, yet the effects of such stressor combinations on aquatic organisms remain largely unknown. Exposure to environmental contaminants, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), can disrupt physiological processes, and while physiological responses to salinity change are well understood, the combined effects of salinity change and contaminants on these processes are unknown. Marine and brackish water turtles are often simultaneously exposed to both stressors. We exposed male, eight-month-old diamondback terrapins to one of four salinity treatments (0, 10, 20, and 30 parts per thousand) in the presence and absence of the anthropogenic stressor 3,3′,4,4′,5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB 126, 20 μg/g via intraperitoneal injection) and monitored growth (carapace length and mass) and metabolic rate for six months. Exposure to PCB 126 significantly reduced growth (p &lt; 0.0001), lowered standard metabolic rates (SMRs; p &lt; 0.0001), and altered respiratory pattern (p &lt; 0.0001). Salinity stress reduced growth (p &lt; 0.0001) and altered the respiratory pattern (p &lt; 0.0001) but had no overall effect on metabolic rate (p = 0.33). No interactive effects of PCBs and salinity were seen on either growth or metabolic rate. Our data indicate terrapins may be able to cope with some effects of salinity change through physiological adjustments but are less able to cope with PCBs. We show that PCB 126 disrupts the ecophysiological mechanisms that affect life history traits and thus ultimately could alter population structure and dynamics. The present study enriches our understanding of the environmental toxicology of reptiles and aids in the interpretation of health conditions documented in field-collected turtles contaminated with PCBs.
Comparative hepatic activity of xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes and concentrations of organohalogens and their hydroxylated analogues in captive greenland sledge dogs (Canis familiaris)
Authors: Verreault Jonathan , Maisonneuve France , Dietz Rune , Sonne Christian , Letcher Robert J. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractA captive study was performed with Greenland sledge dogs (Canis familiaris) fed a naturally organohalogen-contaminated diet (Greenland minke whale [Balaenoptera acutorostrata] blubber; exposed group) or a control diet (pork fat; control group). The catalytic activity of major xenobiotic-metabolizing phase I and II hepatic microsomal enzymes was assessed. Relative to control dogs, ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity in exposed dogs was twofold higher (p = 0.001). Testosterone hydroxylation yielded 6β- and 16β-hydroxy (OH) testosterone and androstenedione, with higher rates of production (23–27%; p ≤ 0.03) in the exposed individuals. In the exposed dogs, epoxide hydrolase (EH) activity was 31% higher (p = 0.02) relative to the control dogs, whereas uridine diphosphoglucuronosyl transferase (UDPGT) activity was not different (p = 0.62). When the exposed and control dogs were combined, the summed (Σ) plasma concentrations of OH-polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners were predicted by plasma ΣPCB concentrations and EROD activity (p ≤ 0.04), whereas testosterone hydroxylase, EH, and UDPGT activities were not significant predictors of these concentrations. Consistent results were found for individual OH-PCB congeners and their theoretical precursor PCBs (e.g., 4-OH-CB-187 and CB-183, and 4-OH-CB-146 and CB-146) and for EROD activity. No association was found between ΣOH–polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) and ΣPBDE plasma concentrations, or between potential precursor-metabolite pairs, and the enzyme activities. The present results suggest that liver microsomal EROD activity and plasma PCB concentrations have a greater (e.g., relative to EH activity) predictive power for the occurrence of plasma OH-PCB residues in sledge dogs. These results also suggest that plasma OH-PBDEs likely are not products of cytochrome P450-mediated transformation but, rather, are accumulated via the diet.
Post mortemsurvey of dental disorders in 349 donkeys from an aged population (2005–2006). Part 1: Prevalence of specific dental disorders
Authors: du TOIT N. , GALLAGHER J. , BURDEN F. A. , DIXON P. M. 
Published: September 2008

SummaryReasons for performing study: Donkey dental disorders are being recognised with increased frequency worldwide and have important welfare implications; however, no detailed investigations of dental disorders in donkeys appear to have been published.Objectives: To determine the prevalence of specified dental disorders in donkeys by performing a prospectivepost mortemstudy on donkeys that were subjected to euthanasia or died for other reasons at the Donkey Sanctuary, UK.Methods:Post mortemexaminations were performed on 349 donkeys over an 18 month period, 2005–2006. The presence and extent of specified dental disorders were recorded and these data analysed to determine their prevalence and common locations.45Results: A high prevalence (93%) of disorders was noted in the population with a median age of 31 years. In particular, cheek teeth diastemata (85% prevalence) were very common, often associated with advanced periodontal disease. Other disorders observed included missing teeth (in 55.6% of donkeys), displaced teeth (43%), worn teeth (34%), local overgrowths (15%), focal sharp overgrowths (3%) and dental‐related soft tissue injuries (8%).Conclusions and potential relevance: Aged donkeys have a high prevalence of significant dental disease, especially cheek teeth diastemata. These findings highlight the importance of routine dental examinations and prophylactic dental treatments to improve the dental health and welfare of donkeys.