bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of a capillary blood collection system for screening for hemoglobinopathies in remote areas
Authors: COLAH R. B. , WADIA M. , D’SOUZA E. , SAWANT P. M. , MOHANTY D. , MEHRA M. 
Published: August 2008

SummaryAccurate estimation of hemoglobin (Hbs) A, Hb A2, Hb F and abnormal Hb is required for diagnosis of hemoglobinopathies and genetic counseling. High pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) is the most suitable approach available. But for 70% of the rural Indian population, HPLC analysis facilities are not available and screening would require transportation of samples to laboratories in bigger cities. We thus evaluated the feasibility of using a kit designed for measuring Hb A1c using capillary blood for collection and preservation of samples over a period of 15 days at different temperatures for screening for hemoglobinopathies. Capillary blood (5 μl) of 90 individuals was collected in the capillary collection system and run on the Variant Hemoglobin Testing System on days 1, 3, 5, 8, 12 and 15 after incubation at 4, 22, 37, 42 and 50 °C. The stability of different Hbs varied at different temperatures. The stability was maintained for 12 to 15 days by most of the samples up to 37 °C. Hb E was stable for 3 days up to at 37 °C and Hb D and Hb Q for 3 days up to 42 °C. This capillary blood collection system would have tremendous potential for sample collection and transportation under adverse climatic conditions for screening of hemoglobinopathies in remote areas in different countries.
Erroneous automated optical platelet counts in 1‐hour post‐transfusion blood samples
Authors: MAURER‐SPUREJ E. , PITTENDREIGH C. , YAKIMEC J. , DE BADYN M. HUDOBA , CHIPPERFIELD K. 
Published: August 2008

SummaryThrombocytopenic patients with acute leukemia may show high post‐transfusion count increments that significantly exceed the number of transfused platelets. This study demonstrates that the automated hematology analyzer Sysmex XE‐2100 reports erroneously high optical platelet counts when the blood sample contains particles in the size range of platelets or smaller. Thrombocytopenic or low‐normal whole blood samples were spiked with 1 μm latex beads (n = 14) to mimic contaminants under controlled conditions. Optical and impedance measurements of spiked and control samples with the Sysmex XE‐2100 were compared with the Advia 120 and the manual counts. The added beads unexpectedly increased the automated optical platelet counts in the Sysmex XE‐2100 and, to a lesser extent, the Advia 120 (Wilcoxon signed ranks test, P < 0.05), while the beads were not included in the impedance or the manual microscopic platelet counts. Differential interference contrast microscopy was used to investigate samples from platelet concentrates for transfusion. Platelet concentrates (32/128) were identified as possible sources for particles that were microscopically distinct from platelets but would be included in the automated optical count. Transfusion of platelet concentrates containing contaminating particles can lead to unexpectedly high post‐transfusion platelet counts and misdiagnosis of thrombocytopenic patients.
Isolation and characterization of 15 microsatellite loci for the Japanese gudgeon Sarcocheilichthys variegatus
Authors: FUJITA S. , KOMIYA T. , TAKESHIMA H. , WATANABE K. , NISHIDA M. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractA microsatellite‐enriched genomic library was obtained for the Japanese gudgeon Sarcocheilichthys variegatus microoculus, and 15 dinucleotide markers were successfully isolated and characterized. These markers were also available for other Japanese congeners, Sarcocheilichthys variegatus variegatus and Sarcocheilichthys biwaensis. In three populations of Sarcocheilichthys from Lake Biwa and the Ashida River in western Japan, seven to 27 alleles were observed for each locus. Linkage equilibrium was observed among most loci, and only one locus showed significant deviation from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium in a population. These microsatellite markers will be useful for studies of the genetic structure of the Japanese gudgeons.
Development of 10 tri‐ and tetranucleotide microsatellite loci for population studies in the common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)
Authors: HOU NING , LI DA‐YU , LI YONG , LU CUI‐YUN , SUN XIAO‐WEN , LIANG LI‐QUN 
Published: August 2008

AbstractTen tri‐ and tetranucleotide microsatellite DNA markers were isolated and characterized from common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) to estimate genetic potential. These markers were tested in the samples from two closely related carp populations (Cyprinus carpio var. xingguonensis and Cyprinus carpio var. wananensis). The number of the alleles ranged from three to nine, and observed and expected hererozygosities varied from 0.207 to 1.000 and from 0.499 to 0.900 in each population, respectively. No evidence for linkage disequilibrium was found, indicating that these markers will be useful for population studies.
New polymorphic microsatellite loci for the Macedonian crested newt, Triturus macedonicus, and cross‐priming testing in four other crested newt species
Authors: SOTIROPOULOS K. , TSAPARIS D. , ELEFTHERAKOS K. , KOTOULAS G. , LEGAKIS A. , KASAPIDIS P. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractEleven microsatellites have been characterized for Triturus macedonicus. Nine loci showed different variation patterns in a sample of 40 individuals from a single breeding pond in Zagori province (Greece), with an average number of 4.2 alleles per locus and an expected heterozygosity ranging from 0.1199 to 0.8079. Distinct cross‐priming amplification rates were recovered on four additional crested newt species. Two monomorphic T. macedonicus loci were polymorphic in other Triturus species. The microsatellites developed herein could be a useful intraspecific genetic tool to undertake fine‐scale population genetic analyses as well as in the study of contact zones between crested newt species.
Two Extra Components in the Brier Score Decomposition
Authors: Stephenson D. B. , Coelho C. A. S. , Jolliffe I. T. 
Published: August 2008

Abstract
The Brier score is widely used for the verification of probability forecasts. It also forms the basis of other frequently used probability scores such as the rank probability score. By conditioning (stratifying) on the issued forecast probabilities, the Brier score can be decomposed into the sum of three components: uncertainty, reliability, and resolution. This Brier score decomposition can provide useful information to the forecast provider about how the forecasts can be improved.
Rather than stratify on all values of issued probability, it is common practice to calculate the Brier score components by first partitioning the issued probabilities into a small set of bins. This note shows that for such a procedure, an additional two within-bin components are needed in addition to the three traditional components of the Brier score. The two new components can be combined with the resolution component to make a generalized resolution component that is less sensitive to choice of bin width than is the traditional resolution component. The difference between the generalized resolution term and the conventional resolution term also quantifies how forecast skill is degraded when issuing categorized probabilities to users. The ideas are illustrated using an example of multimodel ensemble seasonal forecasts of equatorial sea surface temperatures.
Multisensor Comparison and Numerical Modeling of Atmospheric Water Fields: A VOLTAIRE Case Study over Cyprus
Authors: Mariani Stefano , Accadia Christophe , Tartaglione Nazario , Casaioli Marco , Gabella Marco , Michaelides Silas Chr , Speranza Antonio 
Published: August 2008

Abstract
This paper presents a study performed within the framework of the European Union’s (EU) VOLTAIRE project (Fifth Framework Programme). Among other tasks, the project aimed at the integration of the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) data with ground-based observations and at the comparison between water fields (precipitation and total column water vapor) as estimated by multisensor observations and predicted by NWP models. In particular, the VOLTAIRE project had as one of its main objectives the goal of assessing the application of satellite-borne instrument measures to model verification. The island of Cyprus was chosen as the main “test bed,” because it is one of the few European territories covered by the passage of the TRMM Precipitation Radar (PR) and it has a dense rain gauge network and an operational weather radar. TRMM PR provides, until now, the most reliable space-borne spatial high-resolution precipitation measurements.
Attention is focused on the attempt to define a methodology, using state-of-the-art diagnostic methods, for a comprehensive evaluation of water fields as forecast by a limited area model (LAM). An event that occurred on 5 March 2003, associated with a slow cyclone moving eastward over the Mediterranean Sea, is presented as a case study.
The atmospheric water fields were forecast over the eastern Mediterranean Sea using the Bologna Limited Area Model (BOLAM). Data from the Cyprus ground-based radar, the Cyprus rain gauge network, the Special Sensor Microwave Imager (SSM/I), and the TRMM PR were used in the comparison. Ground-based radar and rain gauge data were merged together in order to obtain a better representation of the rainfall event over the island. TRMM PR measurements were employed to range-adjust the ground-based radar data using a linear regression algorithm.
The observed total column water vapor has been employed to assess the forecast quality of large-scale atmospheric patterns; such an assessment has been performed by means of the Hoffman diagnostic method applied to the entire total column water vapor field. Subsequently, in order to quantify the spatial forecast error at the finer BOLAM scale (0.09°), the object-oriented contiguous rain area (CRA) analysis was chosen as a comparison method for precipitation. An assessment of the main difficulties in employing CRA in an operational framework, especially over such a small verification domain, is also discussed in the paper.
A Probabilistic Forecast Approach for Daily Precipitation Totals
Authors: Friederichs Petra , Hense Andreas 
Published: August 2008

Abstract
Commonly, postprocessing techniques are employed to calibrate a model forecast. Here, a probabilistic postprocessor is presented that provides calibrated probability and quantile forecasts of precipitation on the local scale. The forecasts are based on large-scale circulation patterns of the 12-h forecast from the NCEP high-resolution Global Forecast System (GFS). The censored quantile regression is used to estimate selected quantiles of the precipitation amount and the probability of the occurrence of precipitation. The approach accounts for the mixed discrete-continuous character of daily precipitation totals. The forecasts are verified using a new verification score for quantile forecasts, namely the censored quantile verification (CQV) score.
The forecast approach is as follows: first, a canonical correlation is employed to correct systematic deviations in the GFS large-scale patterns compared with the NCEP–NCAR reanalysis or the 40-yr ECMWF Re-Analysis (ERA-40). Second, the statistical quantile model between the large-scale circulation and the local precipitation quantile is derived using NCEP and ERA-40 reanalysis data. Then, the statistical quantile model is applied to 12-h forecasts provided by the GFS forecast system. The probabilistic forecasts are reliable and the relative gain in performance of the quantile as well as the probability forecasts compared to the climatological forecasts range between 20% and 50%. The importance of the various parts of the postprocessing is assessed, and the performance is compared to forecasts based on the direct precipitation output from the ECMWF forecast system.
Comments on “Reexamination of Tropical Cyclone Wind–Pressure Relationship”
Authors: Veerasamy Shyamnath 
Published: August 2008

Abstract
In their study on the wind–pressure relationship (WPR) that exists in tropical cyclones, Knaff and Zehr presented results of the use of the Dvorak Atlantic WPR for estimating central pressure and maximum wind speed of tropical cyclones. These show some fairly large departures of estimated central pressure and maximum surface winds from observed values. Based on a study carried out in the southwest Indian Ocean (SWIO), it is believed that improvements in the use of the Dvorak WPR can be achieved by using the size of a closed isobar (it is the 1004-hPa closed isobar in the SWIO) to determine whether to use the North Atlantic (NA), the western North Pacific (WNP), or a mean of the NA and WNP Dvorak WPR for estimating central pressure and maximum wind speed in tropical cyclones.
Reply
Authors: Knaff John A. , Zehr Raymond M. 
Published: August 2008

Abstract
Veerasamy has made several comments concerning the results and methods presented in a recent article by the authors titled “Reexamination of Tropical Cyclone Wind–Pressure Relationships.” One comment concerns the terminology and definition of the environmental pressure. Another comment suggests the merits of a simpler approach developed by Veerasamy in 2005 that utilizes the radius of 1004 hPa to determine the “proper” wind–pressure relationship. The third comment concerns the performance of the Knaff and Zehr wind–pressure relationship [their Eq. (7)] during the well-observed North Atlantic Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma during 2005. The final comment suggests that the techniques discussed in Knaff and Zehr are more difficult to apply than an operational method developed by Veerasamy and used in Mauritius. These comments are addressed individually along with some of the lessons learned since the publication of the Knaff and Zehr methodology that are important to the tropical cyclone community.
A life-breaking event: early experiences of the consequences of a hip fracture for elderly people
Authors: Zidén Lena , Wenestam Claes-Göran , Hansson-Scherman Marianne 
Published: August 2008

Objective: To explore and describe the consequences of an acute hip fracture as experienced by home-dwelling elderly people shortly after discharge from hospital. Design: Semi-structured interviews using the phenomenographic method. Subjects and setting: Eighteen subjects were interviewed in their own homes one month after discharge. Results: The interviewees described experiences of changes in their relation to the body, themselves, to others and to their whole life situation. These experiences were described as being limited in movement, having lost confidence in the body, becoming humble and grateful, respecting oneself and one's own needs, becoming more dependent on others, gaining more human contact and being treated in a friendly way by others, being secluded and trapped at home, feeling old, closer to death and having lost their zest for life, and taking one day at a time and being uncertain about the future. Conclusion: Experienced consequences of a hip fracture were multidimensional and involved dramatic changes in the interviewees' life situation, including existential thoughts and reappraisal of the years of life that remained. The results indicate that the fracture seemed not only to break the bone but also to cause social and existential cracks, as experienced in the early phase after the injury.
Toll motorway accessibility for wheelchair users: a survey
Authors: Prigent Hélène , Roche Nicolas , Guillon Bruno , Hurand Anne , Moreau Bernadette , Dufresne Jean Pierre , Ravaud Jean-François , Lofaso Frédéric 
Published: August 2008

Objective: To identify difficulties encountered by wheelchair users who travel on toll motorways, with the goal of defining areas for improvement. Design: Survey. After observing a wheelchair user travelling on a toll motorway and using the associated services, we designed a self-questionnaire on perceptions by wheelchair users of toll motorway accessibility. Setting: Toll motorway and rehabilitation hospital in France. Subjects: We recruited 167 wheelchair users by advertisement and, to assess selection bias, 19 consecutive outpatients who visited our hospital's wheelchair showroom. Intervention: None. Results: Of the 186 included subjects, 91 (49%) were used to driving independently on toll motorways. Among them, only 16% used automatic toll booths and 32% reported difficulties at toll booths. Furthermore, 53% routinely asked for help at filling stations, and only 27% were aware of the availability of a free-of-charge assistance service for disabled people at some filling stations. Among the 186 toll motorway users, only 84 (45%) reported never encountering difficulties in lay-bys; 162 (87%) felt that toilet accessibility was the most important feature of lay-bys and 143 (77%) preferred the locked toilets reserved for disabled people. Conclusion: Wheelchair users reported difficulties on toll motorways that could be corrected fairly easily.
'Show me, don't tell me'; is this a good approach for rehabilitation?
Authors: Nadar Mohammed Shaban , McDowd Joan 
Published: August 2008

Objective: To assess the possible memory advantages of the subject-performed task (SPT) and experimenter-performed task (EPT) encoding method in rehabilitation settings. Design: Controlled quasi-experimental trial. Setting: University research laboratory and community setting. Subjects: Eighteen stroke survivors and 18 age-, education- and gender-matched controls. Intervention: Participants were instructed to study three lists of 20 action phrases (such as 'ring the bell') by either reading, performing or observing others perform the tasks for later memory assessment. Main measure: After the phrases had been studied, verbal and written memory tests were implemented and responses were recorded. Results: The memory performance of stroke survivors and control groups was significantly better under the SPT method (mean (SD) 7.95 (2.7)) and EPT method (mean (SD) 7.95 (2.5)) relative to the baseline verbal task method (mean (SD) 4.2 (1.9)), (P<0.001 ANOVA). Participants also remembered functional tasks better than clinical tasks (P<0.001 ANOVA). Conclusion: Encoding by the SPT and EPT methods are significantly more effective than receiving verbal instructions. The SPT and EPT encoding methods show promise and therapists may be able to use them in the clinic to facilitate the memory performance of stroke survivors.
Improved Muscle Healing after Contusion Injury by the Inhibitory Effect of Suramin on Myostatin, a Negative Regulator of Muscle Growth
Authors: Nozaki Masahiro , Li Yong , Zhu Jinhong , Ambrosio Fabrisia , Uehara Kenji , Fu Freddie H. , Huard Johnny 
Published: August 2008

Background Muscle contusions are the most common muscle injuries in sports medicine. Although these injuries are capable of healing, incomplete functional recovery often occurs. Hypothesis Suramin enhances muscle healing by both stimulating muscle regeneration and preventing fibrosis in contused skeletal muscle. Study Design Controlled laboratory study. Methods In vitro: Myoblasts (C2C12 cells) and muscle-derived stem cells (MDSCs) were cultured with suramin, and the potential of suramin to induce their differentiation was evaluated. Furthermore, MDSCs were cocultured with suramin and myostatin (MSTN) to monitor the capability of suramin to neutralize the effect of MSTN. In vivo: Varying concentrations of suramin were injected in the tibialis anterior muscle of mice 2 weeks after muscle contusion injury. Muscle regeneration and scar tissue formation were evaluated by histologic analysis and functional recovery was measured by physiologic testing Results In vitro: Suramin stimulated the differentiation of myoblasts and MDSCs in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, suramin neutralized the inhibitory effect of MSTN on MDSC differentiation. In vivo: Suramin treatment significantly promoted muscle regeneration, decreased fibrosis formation, reduced myostatin expression in injured muscle, and increased muscle strength after contusion injury. Conclusion Intramuscular injection of suramin after a contusion injury improved overall skeletal muscle healing. Suramin enhanced myoblast and MDSC differentiation and neutralized MSTN's negative effect on myogenic differentiation in vitro, which suggests a possible mechanism for the beneficial effects that this pharmacologic agent exhibits in vivo. Clinical Relevance These findings could contribute to the development of biological treatments to aid in muscle healing after experiencing a muscle injury.
Comorbidity, socioeconomic status and multiple sclerosis
Authors: Marrie RA , Horwitz R , Cutter G , Tyry T , Campagnolo D , Vollmer T 
Published: August 2008

Objective Multiple sclerosis (MS) is associated with substantial morbidity. The impact of comorbidity on MS is unknown, but comorbidity may explain some of the unpredictable progression. Comorbidity is common in the general population, and is associated with adverse health outcomes. To begin understanding the impact of comorbidity on MS, we need to know the breadth, type, and frequencies of comorbidities among MS patients. Using the North American Research Committee on Multiple Sclerosis (NARCOMS) Registry, we aimed to describe comorbidities and their demographic predictors in MS. Methods In October 2006, we queried NARCOMS participants regarding physical comorbidities. Of 16,141 participants meeting the inclusion criteria, 8983 (55.7%) responded. Results Comorbidity was relatively common; if we considered conditions which are very likely to be accurately self-reported, then 3280 (36.7%) reported at least one physical comorbidity. The most frequently reported comorbidities were hypercholesterolemia (37%), hypertension (30%), and arthritis (16%). Associated with the risk of comorbidity were being male [females vs. males, odds ratio (OR) 0.77; 0.69–0.87]; age (age >60 years vs. age ≤44 years, OR 5.91; 4.95–7.06); race (African Americans vs. Whites, OR 1.46; 1.06–2.03); and socioeconomic status (Income <$15,000 vs. Income >$100,000, OR 1.37; 1.10–1.70). Conclusions Comorbidity is common in MS and similarly associated with socioeconomic status.
CD4 T cells: fates, functions, and faults
Authors: Zhu Jinfang , Paul William E. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractIn 1986, Mosmann and Coffman identified 2 subsets of activated CD4 T cells, Th1 and Th2 cells, which differed from each other in their pattern of cytokine production and their functions. Our understanding of the importance of the distinct differentiated forms of CD4 T cells and of the mechanisms through which they achieve their differentiated state has greatly expanded over the past 2 decades. Today at least 4 distinct CD4 T-cell subsets have been shown to exist, Th1, Th2, Th17, and iTreg cells. Here we summarize much of what is known about the 4 subsets, including the history of their discovery, their unique cytokine products and related functions, their distinctive expression of cell surface receptors and their characteristic transcription factors, the regulation of their fate determination, and the consequences of their abnormal activation.
Runx transcription factors in neuronal development
Authors: Inoue Ken-ichi , Shiga Takashi , Ito Yoshiaki 
Published: August 2008

AbstractRunt-related (Runx) transcription factors control diverse aspects of embryonic development and are responsible for the pathogenesis of many human diseases. In recent years, the functions of this transcription factor family in the nervous system have just begun to be understood. In dorsal root ganglion neurons, Runx1 and Runx3 play pivotal roles in the development of nociceptive and proprioceptive sensory neurons, respectively. Runx appears to control the transcriptional regulation of neurotrophin receptors, numerous ion channels and neuropeptides. As a consequence, Runx contributes to diverse aspects of the sensory system in higher vertebrates. In this review, we summarize recent progress in determining the role of Runx in neuronal development.