bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development of microsatellite and amplicon length polymorphism markers for Camellia japonica L. from tea plant (Camellia sinensis) expressed sequence tags
Authors: UENO SANEYOSHI , TSUMURA YOSHIHIKO 
Published: February 2009

AbstractSimple sequence repeats and amplicon length polymorphism markers for Camellia japonica were developed, based on Camellia sinensis sequences in the National Center for Biotechnology Information database. In total, 2495 gene sequences were used to design 216 primer pairs. To identify amplicon length polymorphism markers, 61 gene loci in 16 Camellia individuals were re‐sequenced. In total, 10 markers (three expressed sequence tags–simple sequence repeats and seven amplicon length polymorphisms) yielded polymerase chain reaction products with clear polymorphic patterns and were used for genotyping 22 C. japonica individuals from a population. Numbers of alleles and expected heterozygosity ranged from two to 13 and from 0.28 to 0.90, respectively.
Mitf dosage as a primary determinant of melanocyte survival after ultraviolet irradiation
Authors: Hornyak Thomas J. , Jiang Shunlin , Guzmán Esther A. , Scissors Beth N. , Tuchinda Chinisada , He Hongbin , Neville James D. , Strickland Faith M. 
Published: February 2009

SummaryMicrophthalmia‐associated transcription factor (Mitf) is essential for melanocyte development and function and regulates anti‐apoptotic Bcl2 expression. We hypothesized that cellular deficiency of Mitf can influence melanocyte survival in response to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Primary melanocyte cultures were prepared from neonatal wild‐type mice and congenic animals heterozygous for Mitf mutations Mitf mi‐vga9/+ and MitfMi‐wh/+ and exposed to UV irradiation. Wild‐type melanocytes were more resistant to UV‐induced apoptosis than melanocytes partially deficient in Mitf activity, as determined by relative levels of intracellular melanin and relative activation of Mitf target genes Tyr, Tyrp1, Dct, and Cdk2. Comparative experiments with wild‐type cells and congenic albino melanocytes demonstrated that these differences are not due to differences in melanin content, implicating Mitf as a primary determinant of UV‐dependent melanocyte survival. Mitf activity correlated directly with resistance to UV‐induced apoptosis in melanocytes. Mitf was important not only for regulating the expression of anti‐apoptotic Bcl‐2 following UV irradiation, but also the expression of the pro‐apoptotic BH3‐only Bad protein and activation of the extrinsic apoptotic pathway. Hence, Mitf is a multifaceted regulator of UV‐induced apoptosis in melanocytes.
SHOULD DIALYSATE CALCIUM CONCENTRATION BE STANDARDISED OR INDIVIDUALISED?
Authors: Lindley Elizabeth J. 
Published: February 2009

SUMMARYThe 2003 K/DOQI bone metabolism guidelines recommend a standard dialysate calcium concentration of 1.25 mmol/l. Studies of calcium balance that take ultrafiltration, as well as changes in ionised calcium, into account show that patients lose calcium when treated with this dialysate Ca. Compensation for negative calcium balance will usually be required in patients with normal or high bone turnover, but may be impossible if the recommendations to restrict intake of calcium, and hold vitamin D therapy if serum phosphate is high, are followed. A literature review suggests that conversion to 1.25 mmol/l dialysate Ca is beneficial in selected, but not all, patients. Conversion to higher dialysate Ca levels has been shown to improve control of calcium, phosphate and PTH, again in selected patients. Given the important role that dialysate calcium concentration plays in the management of renal bone disease, it should be prescribed on an individual basis like other medications.
PHOSPHATE MANAGEMENT—A DIETITIAN'S PERSPECTIVE
Authors: Kariyawasam Deepa 
Published: February 2009

SUMMARYHyperphosphataemia is a complication of renal failure which can lead to vascular calcification and hyperparathyroidism. Many factors influence phosphate levels, e.g. adherence to a low phosphate diet, adequate dialysis, hyperparathyroidism and concordance with phosphate binders. This article looks at the issues to consider and provides a dietitian's perspective on phosphate management.
USE OF HIGH‐DOSE GADOLINIUM AS CONTRAST MEDIA TO AVOID RADIOCONTRAST MEDIA‐INDUCED NEPHROPATHY
Authors: Ruangkanchanasetr Prajej , Rojanamethin Suchada , Ruamthanthong Anuchit , Chaiprasert Amnart , Supaporn Thanom 
Published: February 2009

SUMMARYPatients at risk for radiocontrast media‐induced nephropathy (RCIN) with suspected peripheral vascular disease were evaluated with high‐dose (0.4 mmol/kg) gadolinium‐based (Gd) contrast angiography (AG). The patients who were considered susceptible to RCIN were defined by having one or more of the following: (1) pre‐existing serum creatinine (SCr) >124 μmol/l, (2) diabetes mellitus and (3) age >60 years. An increase in SCr ≥ 44 μmol/l or ≥ 25% of baseline was considered significant. Ten patients underwent peripheral AG using a high dose of Gd without any adverse reaction. The mean age was 67.8 years. Nine (90%) patients were diabetic. The quality of these images was satisfactory for diagnosis in eight out of 10 patients. None of these patients had significant change in SCr. The mean SCr (±SD) before, at 48 hours and at 72 hours after AG were 182 ± 97, 177 ± 99 and 177 ± 98 μmol/l, respectively. Based on this limited study, Gd is a promising agent for peripheral angiographic study. In patients at risk for RCIN, the high dose of Gd appears to be safe without obvious nephrotoxicity.
VALUING BLUE FLAG STATUS AND ESTUARINE WATER QUALITY IN MARGATE, SOUTH AFRICA1
Authors: Nahman Anton , Rigby Dan 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThis study estimates the costs associated with reduced water quality and withdrawal of Blue Flag status in Margate, Kwazulu‐Natal, based on travel costs and contingent behaviour (reported change in visits contingent on a hypothetical scenario). Costs associated with hypothetical loss of Blue Flag status (based on reduced visits) range between R17 and R25 million per annum. Interestingly, Blue Flag status was withdrawn shortly after completion of the survey, owing to reduced water quality. This study therefore provides an estimate of the associated welfare losses, and of the benefits of actions to improve water quality and restore Blue Flag status.
DOES MOTHER'S EDUCATION MATTER IN CHILD'S HEALTH? EVIDENCE FROM SOUTH AFRICA1
Authors: Medrano Patricia , Rodríguez Catherine , Villa Edgar 
Published: February 2009

AbstractUsing the 1993 South Africa Integrated Household Survey, this paper studies the effect that mother's education through the knowledge channel has on children's health using height for age Z‐scores as health measure. Under a two‐stage least square methodology we find that an increase in 4 years on mother's education (approximately 1 standard deviation) will lead to an increase of 0.6 standard deviations on her child's height for age Z‐score. We also find, as the medical literature suggests, support for the hypothesis that mother's education is more important for children older than 24 months of age.
TOWARD BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN THEORY AND EMPIRICAL REALITY
Authors: Saunders Stephen Graham 
Published: February 2009

AbstractIntroductory (i.e. first year) undergraduate learners often perceive economics to be remote from reality and overly theoretical, leading to a lack of motivation and enthusiasm to study economics. A general survey of curriculum practice reveals that lecture materials and the pedagogic approach to teaching introductory economics often do not place the current “mainstream” economic theory into its philosophical context. The result being that the learners are unable to bridge the gap between abstract economic theory and empirical reality. This paper argues that research into effective teaching and learning should focus not only on learner characteristics but also on curriculum content and its philosophical underpinnings, in order to research why students hold these negative perceptions. The paper recommends that introductory undergraduate teaching needs to engage in a critical examination, with the learner, of the philosophical underpinnings of “mainstream” economic theory and to introduce debates about the implications of these into the curriculum. This would create exciting new opportunities for teachers and learners to explore the connections between economic theory and social science in general and should come a long way in changing the negative perceptions of introductory undergraduate economics.
WAGNER'S LAW: AN ECONOMETRIC TEST FOR SOUTH AFRICA, 1960‐2006
Authors: Ziramba Emmanuel 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThe main objective for this paper is to test Wagner's law by analysing the causal relationships between real government expenditure and real income for South Africa for the period 1960‐2006. The paper tests the long‐run relationship between the two variables using the autoregressive distributive lag approach to cointegration suggested by Pesaran et al. We use the Granger non‐causality test procedure developed by Toda and Yamamoto, which uses a vector autoregression model to test for the causal link between the two. Evidence of cointegration is sufficient to establish a long‐run relationship between government expenditure and income. However, support for Wagner's law would require unidirectional causality from income to government expenditure. Therefore, cointegration should be seen as a necessary condition for Wagner's law, but not sufficient. This research does find a long‐run relationship between real per capita government expenditure and real per capita income. Results for the short‐run causality find bidirectional causality. On the basis of empirical results in this paper, one may tentatively conclude that Wagner's law finds no support in South Africa.
Anti‐Endothelial Cell Antibodies in Dogs with Immune‐Mediated Hemolytic Anemia and Other Diseases Associated with High Risk of Thromboembolism
Authors: Wells R. , Guth A. , Lappin M. , Dow S. 
Published: February 2009

Background: Dogs with immune‐mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) and certain inflammatory diseases are at high risk of developing thromboembolic disease. The presence of anti‐endothelial cell autoantibodies (AECA) has been associated with an increased risk of thromboembolism in humans.Hypothesis: AECA will be detected more often in dogs at risk of thromboembolism than in healthy control animals or dogs with diseases not associated with a higher risk of thromboembolism.Animals: Ninety‐one sick dogs and 22 healthy control dogs.Methods: Retrospective case‐controlled study. Serum was screened for the presence of AECA. Dogs were identified for the study based on the risk of thromboembolism as determined by clinical impression and the underlying disease process. Flow cytometry and normal canine endothelial cells were used to screen serum samples from sick and healthy control dogs for the presence of AECA. In addition, serum from dogs with confirmed thromboemboli was also screened for the presence of AECA by immunohistochemistry.Results: AECA were detected in 2/91 sick dogs, both with infectious diseases, but were not found in healthy dogs. Anti‐endothelial antibodies were not detected in 21 dogs with IMHA and 20 dogs with systemic inflammatory response syndrome, sepsis, or both.Conclusions: We conclude that AECA are rarely detectable in dogs considered at high risk of thromboembolism. These findings suggest that AECA may not play an important role in the pathogenesis of thromboembolism in dogs with IMHA and other inflammatory diseases.
Genetic and Environmental Risk Indicators in Canine Non‐Hodgkin's Lymphomas: Breed Associations and Geographic Distribution of 608 Cases Diagnosed throughout France over 1 Year
Authors: Pastor M. , Chalvet‐Monfray K. , Marchal T. , Keck G. , Magnol J.P. , Fournel‐Fleury C. , Ponce F. 
Published: February 2009

Background: The etiology of non‐Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) is multifactorial. Environmental and genetic factors are frequently incriminated both in humans and dogs.Objectives: Our purpose was to study the geographic distribution of canine NHL (CNHL) in France and to evaluate genetic and environmental influences.Animals: Six hundred and eight cases of CNHL, diagnosed throughout France over 1 year, were collected from 7 Veterinary Histopathologic Laboratories.Methods: Retrospective study. Breeds affected by lymphomas were compared with the national population and associations between breed and immunophenotype were studied. The distribution of CNHL and canine T‐cell NHL per 100,000 dogs per department was compared with the distribution of waste incinerators, polluted sites, and radioactive waste.Results: The breeds significantly overrepresented among lymphoma cases were Boxer, Setter, and Cocker Spaniel (P < .001). There was a significant association between Boxer and T‐cell NHL (P < .001), and between German Shepherd and Rottweiler and B‐cell NHL (P < .01). The geographic distribution of CNHL and canine T‐cell NHL indicated significant heterogeneity. Significant association between distributions of CNHL and waste incinerators (ρ= 0.25, P < .05), polluted sites (ρ= 0.36, P < .001), and radioactive waste (ρ= 0.51, P < .001) was found.Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Influence of genetics in the development of CNHL was supported by the existence of an association between breed and immunophenotype. Waste incinerators, polluted sites, and radioactive waste could just be considered as risk indicators of CNHL, but not as risk factors. Case‐control studies around critical sites are necessary to confirm the implication of those environmental factors in the development of CNHL.
Unilateral and Bilateral Congenital Sensorineural Deafness in Client‐Owned Pure‐Breed White Cats
Authors: Cvejic D. , Steinberg T.A. , Kent M.S. , Fischer A. 
Published: February 2009

Background: Congenital sensorineural deafness has been reported frequently in experimental mixed‐breed white cats but there is a paucity of data on occurrence of deafness in client‐owned pure‐breed white cats.Objective: To describe hearing status in client‐owned pure‐breed white cats.Animals: Eighty‐four pure‐breed client‐owned cats with white coat color of 10 registered breeds presented for routine hearing evaluation before breeding (1995–2008).Methods: Hearing was assessed by click‐evoked brainstem auditory evoked response.Results: Overall deafness prevalence was 20.2%; 9 cats (10.7%) were bilaterally deaf and 8 cats (9.5%) were unilaterally deaf. There was no association between sex and deafness status (P= .85). Deafness status was associated with iris color (P= .04).Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Congenital sensorineural deafness frequently occurs in pure‐breed cats with white coat color. Unilateral sensorineural deafness was as common as bilateral deafness.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Right Ventricular Morphology and Function in Boxer Dogs with Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Baumwart R.D. , Meurs K.M. , Raman S.V. 
Published: February 2009

Background: Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is a myocardial disease characterized by fibrofatty replacement of the right ventricle and ventricular tachyarrhythmias, reported most commonly in the Boxer dog. Although ARVC is characterized as a myocardial disease, the impact of the disease on the function of the right ventricle has not been well studied.Objective: To noninvasively evaluate the function and anatomy of the right ventricle in Boxer dogs with ARVC.Animals: Five adult Boxer dogs with ARVC and 5 healthy size‐matched hound dogs.Methods: Magnetic resonance imaging was performed on an ECG‐gated conventional 1.5‐T scanner using dark blood imaging and cine acquisitions. Images were evaluated by delineation of endocardial right and left ventricular contours in the end‐diastolic and end‐systolic phases of each slice. Right and left end‐systolic and end‐diastolic volumes were generated using Simpson's rule and ejection fraction was calculated. Images were evaluated for right ventricular (RV) aneurysms and wall motion abnormalities. Spin echo images were reviewed for the presence of RV myocardial fatty replacement or scar.Results: RV ejection fraction was significantly lower in Boxers with ARVC compared with the controls (ARVC 34%± 11 control 53%± 10, P < .01). There was an RV aneurysm in 1 dog with ARVC but not in any of the controls. RV myocardial gross fatty changes were not observed in dogs of either group.Conclusions and Clinical Importance: These findings could be interpreted to suggest that arrhythmias and myocardial dysfunction precede the development of morphological abnormalities in dogs with ARVC.
Validation of a Commercially Available Immunoassay for the Measurement of Bovine Cardiac Troponin I
Authors: Varga A. , Schober K.E. , Walker W.L. , Lakritz J. , Michael Rings D. 
Published: February 2009

Background: Commercially available cardiac troponin I (cTnI) assays developed for use in humans have not yet been validated for use in cattle.Hypotheses: The ADVIA Centaur TnI‐Ultra immunoassay can be used for the detection of bovine cTnI. In healthy cattle, serum cTnI is undetectable or is present only in trace amounts.Methods: Purified bovine cTnI and cTnI‐free bovine serum were used for the evaluation of assay performance including intra‐ and inter‐assay precision, sensitivity, interference, linearity, and recovery. Effects of storage at 23, 4, −20, and −80 °C for 2 days, and at −20 and −80 °C for 7 and 14 days and repeated freeze‐thaw cycles on recovery of cTnI were analyzed. Serum cTnI concentrations in 30 healthy dairy cows were determined.Results: Intra‐ and inter‐assay precisions (mean ± SD) were 4.48 ± 2.26 and 13.36 ± 6.59%, respectively. The assay demonstrated linearity at 0.5, 2, 15, and 30 ng/mL cTnI. Mean recovery was 100.81, 85.26, 87.72, and 114.42%, respectively. Skeletal muscle homogenate added to serum of known cTnI concentration did not alter the concentration of the analyte (P > .05). Concentration of cTnI significantly decreased when samples were stored at 4 and 23 °C for 2 days (P < .05). Repeated freeze‐thaw cycles and storage at −20 °C for 7 days had no significant influence on cTnI concentration (P > .05). Serum cTnI concentration in healthy cattle was ≤0.03 ng/mL.Conclusion and Clinical Importance: ADVIA Centaur can be used reliably for the detection of serum cTnI concentration in cattle.
Experimental
Investigation of the Clocking Effect in a 1.5-Stage Axial Turbine—Part I: Time-Averaged
Results
Authors: König Sven , Stoffel Bernd , Taher
Schobeiri M. 
Published: February 2009

Abstract
Comprehensive experimental investigations were conducted to get deeper insight into the physics of stator clocking in turbomachines. Different measurement techniques were used to investigate the influence of varying clocking positions on the highly unsteady flow field in a 1.5-stage axial low-pressure (LP) turbine. A Reynolds number typical for LP turbines as well as a two-dimensional blade design were chosen. Stator 2 was developed as a high-lift profile with a separation bubble on the suction side. This paper presents the results that were obtained by means of static pressure tappings and five-hole probes as well as the time-averaged results of unsteady x-wire measurements. The probes were traversed in different measuring planes for ten clocking positions. Depending on the clocking position, a variation in total pressure loss for Stator 2, a change of the rotor exit flow angle, and a dependency of the Stator 2 exit flow angle were found. The influence of these parameters on turbine efficiency was studied. Three main factors affecting the total pressure loss could be separated: the size of the separation bubble, the production of turbulent kinetic energy, and the strength of the periodic fluctuations downstream of Stator 2.
Experiments on the Physical Mechanism of Heat Transfer Augmentation by Freestream Turbulence at a Cylinder Stagnation Point
Authors: Nix A. C. , Diller T. E. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractDetailed time records of velocity and heat flux were measured near the stagnation point of a cylinder in low-speed airflow. The freestream turbulence was controlled using five different grids positioned to match the characteristics from previous heat flux experiments at NASA Glenn using the same wind tunnel. A hot wire was used to measure the cross-flow velocity at a range of positions in front of the stagnation point. This gave the average velocity and fluctuating component including the turbulence intensity and integral length scale. The heat flux was measured with a heat flux microsensor located on the stagnation line underneath the hot-wire probe. This gave the average heat flux and the fluctuating component simultaneous with the velocity signal, including the heat flux turbulence intensity and the coherence with the velocity. The coherence between the signals allowed identification of the crucial positions for measurement of the integral length scale and turbulence intensity for prediction of the time-averaged surface heat flux. The frequencies corresponded to the most energetic frequencies of the turbulence, indicating the importance of the penetration of the turbulent eddies from the freestream through the boundary layer to the surface. The distance from the surface was slightly less than the local value of length scale, indicating the crucial role of the turbulence in augmenting the heat flux. The resulting predictions of the analytical model matched well with the measured heat transfer augmentation.
New High-Throughput Screening Assay To Reveal Similarities and Differences in Inhibitory Sensitivities of Multidrug ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters
Authors: Kolaczkowski Marcin , Kolaczkowska Anna , Motohashi Noboru , Michalak Krystyna 
Published: February 2009

ABSTRACTCdr1p is the major ATP-binding cassette multidrug transporter conferring resistance to azoles and other antifungals inCandida albicans. In this study, the identification of new Cdr1p inhibitors by use of a newly developed high-throughput fluorescence-based assay is reported. The assay also allowed monitoring of the activity and inhibition of the related transporters Pdr5p and Snq2p ofSaccharomyces cerevisiae, which made it possible to compare its performance with those of previously established procedures. A high sensitivity, resulting from a wide dynamic range, was achieved upon high-level expression of the Cdr1p, Pdr5p, and Snq2p transporters in anS. cerevisiaestrain in which the endogenous interfering activities were further reduced by genetic manipulation. An analysis of a set of therapeutically used and newly synthesized phenothiazine derivatives revealed different pharmacological profiles for Cdr1p, Pdr5p, and Snq2p. All transporters showed similar sensitivities to M961 inhibition. In contrast, Cdr1p was less sensitive to inhibition by fluphenazine, whereas phenothiazine selectively inhibited Snq2p. The inhibition potencies measured by the new assay reflected the ability of the compounds to potentiate the antifungal effect of ketoconazole (KTC), which was detoxified by the overproduced transporters. They also correlated with the 50% inhibitory concentration for inhibition of Pdr5p-mediated transport of rhodamine 6G in isolated plasma membranes. The most active derivative, M961, potentiated the activity of KTC against an azole-resistantCDR1-overexpressingC. albicansisolate.