bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
First trimester intact hCG as an early marker of trisomy 21: a promise unrecognised?
Authors: Spencer Kevin , Cowans Nicholas J. , Uldbjerg Niels , Vereecken Annie , Tørring Niels 
Published: November 2008

AbstractBackgroundAn initial study of trisomy 21 cases showed that prior to 10 weeks, maternal serum levels of intact hCG in the early first trimester are lower than normal. Here we further study the levels prior to and after 10 weeks of gestation to further establish whether or not the intact hCG is effective as a very early screening marker.MethodsFifty‐nine samples from pregnancies with trisomy 21 were identified, 31 were collected between the sixth and ninth weeks of gestation and 28 after the tenth week. A series of 629 gestational age‐matched samples collected during the same period formed the control group. Intact hCG was measured by a DELFIA assay.ResultsThe multiples of the median (MoM) in cases (n = 31) collected prior to 10 weeks were 0.79 (CI 0.62–0.98) at a median gestation of 9.1 weeks. Prior to 9 weeks (n = 14) the median was 0.774 (CI 0.54–1.09) at a median gestation of 8.5 weeks. Modelling the detection rate for a 3 or 5% false‐positive rate when screening using intact hCG, free β‐hCG and PAPP‐A at 8–10 weeks of gestation indicated that 71 or 77% of cases would be detected.ConclusionMore data are needed to establish a secure MoM for intact hCG in pregnancies prior to 10 weeks, before it could be considered a suitable screening marker. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Assessing non‐normally distributed processes by interval estimation of the incapability index Cpp
Authors: Ke J.‐C. , Chu Y.‐K. , Chung Y.‐T. , Lin P. C. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractProcess capability indices have been widely used in the manufacturing industry. While most studies consider estimation of capability indices for normal processes, comparatively little is known about their behavior in non‐normal settings. Greenwich and Jahr‐Schaffrath (Int. J. Qual. Reliab. Manage. 1995; 12:58–71) introduced the incapability index Cpp to evaluate processes. In this paper, we explore the interval estimation of the incapability index Cpp for non‐normally distributed processes by utilizing seven feasible methods. We further develop an efficient criterion, which is relative coverage, to evaluate the performance of the seven methods. Detailed discussion of simulation results for six non‐normally distributed processes is presented. The results display that the bootstrap pivotal method developed by Wasserman (All of Statistics: A Concise Course in Statistical Inference. Springer Science, Business Media, Inc., 2004) is the best feasible method to estimate Cpp. An example is also demonstrated to illustrate how the method may be used in practice. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lipid and Phospholipid Profiling of Biological Samples Using MALDI Fourier Transform Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Batoy S. Mariccor A. B. , Borgmann Sabine , Flick Karin , Griffith Josephine , Jones Jeffrey J. , Saraswathi Viswanathan , Hasty Alyssa H. , Kaiser Peter , Wilkins Charles L. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractHere we describe a study of the feasibility of lipid and phospholipid (PL) profiling using matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) Fourier transform mass spectrometry (FTMS) for two different applications. In this work PL profiles of different mammalian tissues as well as those of whole cell organisms were examined. In particular, comparative analysis of lipid and PL profiles of tissues from mice fed different diets was done and, in another application, MALDI FTMS was used to analyze PL profiles of genetically modified Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Computational sorting of the observed ions was done in order to group the lipid and PL ions from complex MALDI spectra. The PL profiles of liver tissues from mice fed different diets showed a cross correlation coefficient of 0.2580, indicating significant dissimilarity, and revealed more than 30 significantly different peaks at the 99.9% confidence level. Histogram plots derived from the spectra of wild type and genetically modified yeast resulted in a cross correlation coefficient 0.8941 showing greater similarity, but still revealing a number of significantly different peaks. Based on these results, it appears possible to use MALDI FTMS to identify PLs as potential biomarkers for metabolic processes in whole cells and tissues.
Pharmacotherapy according to treatment guidelines is associated with lower mortality in a community‐based sample of patients with chronic heart failure A prospective cohort study
Authors: Störk Stefan , Hense Hans Werner , Zentgraf Claudia , Uebelacker Iris , Jahns Roland , Ertl Georg , Angermann Christiane E. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractBackground:The effectiveness of chronic heart failure (CHF) pharmacotherapy in unselected cohorts is unknown.Aims:To estimate the association between quality of CHF pharmacotherapy and all‐cause mortality risk.Methods and results:In a prospective cohort study, 1054 unselected patients with CHF (61% with reduced and 39% with normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)) were consecutively enrolled. Quality of pharmacotherapy was assessed by calculating a guideline adherence indicator (GAI‐3, range 0–100%) based on prescription of beta blockers, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor II type‐1 blockers, and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists. Median follow‐up in survivors was 595 days (100% complete). In patients with reduced LVEF the median GAI‐3 was 67%, and inversely associated with age, CHF severity, and important comorbidities. Mortality rates in GAI‐3 categories low/medium/high were 79/30/11 per 100 person‐years. In multivariable Cox regression, high GAI‐3 was independently predictive of lower mortality risk: hazard ratio (HR) 0.50 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.32–0.74; P<0.001) vs low GAI‐3. This association was also observed in subgroups of high age (HR 0.42, 95%CI 0.27–0.66; P<0.001) and women (HR 0.42, 95%CI 0.23–0.79; P=0.007).Conclusions:In this community‐based cohort with CHF, better implementation of pharmacotherapy was associated with better prognosis in patients with reduced LVEF, irrespective of age and sex.
Influence of coronary artery disease and coronary revascularization status on outcomes in patients with acute heart failure syndromes: A report from OPTIMIZE‐HF (Organized Program to Initiate Lifesaving Treatment in Hospitalized Patients with Heart Failure)*
Authors: Rossi Joseph S. , Flaherty James D. , Fonarow Gregg C. , Nunez Eduardo , Gattis Stough Wendy , Abraham William T. , Albert Nancy M. , Greenberg Barry H. , O'Connor Christopher M. , Yancy Clyde W. , Young James B. , Davidson Charles J. , Gheorghiade Mihai 
Published: November 2008

AbstractBackground:Coronary artery disease (CAD) is frequent among patients hospitalized with acute heart failure syndromes (AHFS).Aims:To describe the influence of coronary revascularization status on survival in patients with AHFS.Methods and results:OPTIMIZE‐HF enrolled 48,612 patients with AHFS from 259 U.S. hospitals. In‐hospital data were obtained for all patients and post‐discharge 60–90 day follow‐up in a pre‐specified 10% sample. CAD was associated with higher in‐hospital (3.7% vs. 2.9%, OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.00–1.31) and post‐discharge mortality (9.2% vs. 6.9%, HR 1.37, 95% CI 1.03–1.81) compared to no CAD. Post‐discharge, patients with CAD who were not revascularized had higher mortality compared to patients without CAD (10.6% vs. 6.9%, HR 1.56, 95% CI 1.15–2.11). This association was similar in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction (EF <40%, adjusted HR 1.52, 95% CI 0.98–2.35) and preserved systolic function (EF ≥40%, adjusted HR1.58, 95% CI 1.05–2.39). Patients with CAD who were revascularized had similar mortality to patients without CAD (HR 1.06, 95% CI 0.62–1.80 for PSF, HR 1.13, 95% CI 0.71–1.80 for LVSD).Conclusions:In AHFS, patients with CAD have a higher 60–90 day post‐discharge mortality compared to no‐CAD patients. However, patients with CAD who are revascularized appear to have similar post‐discharge mortality when compared to the no‐CAD group. This suggests that revascularization status may confer a survival advantage in this high risk population.
A 3D‐investigation shows that angiogenesis in primate cerebral cortex mainly occurs at capillary level
Authors: Risser Laurent , Plouraboué Franck , Cloetens Peter , Fonta Caroline 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThis paper describes the use of a new 3D high‐resolution imaging technique dedicated to functional vessels for a systematic quantitative study of angiogenesis in the primate cortex. We present a new method which permits, using synchrotron X‐ray micro‐tomography imaging, the identification of micro‐vascular components as well as their automatic numerical digitalization and extraction from very large 3D image analysis and post‐treatments. This method is used to analyze various levels of micro‐vascular organization and their postnatal modifications. Comparing newborn‐ and adult marmosets, we found an increase in vascular volume (270%), exchange surface (260%) and vessel length (290%) associated to a decrease in distances between vessel and tissue (32%). The increase in relative vascular volumes between the two ages, examined through the whole cortical depth, has been found to be mainly sustained by events occurring at the capillary level, and only marginally at the perforating vessel level. This work shows that the postnatal cortical maturation classically described in terms of synaptogenesis, gliogenesis and connectivity plasticity is accompanied by an intensive remodeling of micro‐vascular patterns.
Cerebral DARPP‐32 expression after methylphenidate administration in young and adult rats
Authors: Souza Renan P. , Soares Eliane C. , Rosa Daniela V.F. , Souza Bruno R. , Gomes Karin M. , Valvassori Samira S. , Réus Gislaine Z. , Inácio Cecília G. , Martins Márcio R. , Gomez Marcus V. , Quevedo João , Romano‐Silva Marco A. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractDopamine may alter the phosphorylation state of DARPP‐32 that plays a central role in the dopaminergic neurons biology. Studies have shown that DARPP‐32/protein phosphatase 1 cascade is a major target for psychostimulants drugs. Methylphenidate is a psychostimulant that acts blocking the dopamine transporter has been used as an effective treatment for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. We investigated if methylphenidate could alter DARPP‐32 expression in five brain regions (striatum, hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, cortex and cerebellum) in young and adult rats.Our results showed that methylphenidate treatment is able to alter DARPP‐32 expression in rat brain. Acute methylphenidate treatment has reduced hippocampal DARPP‐32 protein levels in old rats, while chronic methylphenidate treatment has decreased them in old rat hippocampus and young rat cerebellum. It was found an increased cortical expression after chronic methylphenidate administration in old rats. Our results provide the first experimental demonstration that methylphenidate induces changes in total DARPP‐32 expression that are posology‐ and age‐related in some rat brain areas, although further studies are needed to shed more light on the mechanisms behind these findings.
To breed or not to breed? Empirical evaluation of drug effects in adolescent rats
Authors: Wiley Jenny L. , Evans Rhys L. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe recent upsurge of research on adolescent rats raises the issue of the extent to which different methods of rodent procurement might affect results. Here, we examined the effects of acute and repeated dosing with two antipsychotics, haloperidol and clozapine, and Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol [Experiments 1 and 2, respectively] in adolescent rats of both sexes that differed in shipping status (i.e., shipped from a commercial breeder at weaning or bred in‐house). In each experiment, test drugs produced effects that were characteristic for their respective classes in previous studies with adult rodents. Both haloperidol and clozapine produced catalepsy and haloperidol decreased locomotion in shipped and bred rats of both sexes, with sensitization to haloperidol‐induced catalepsy developing with repeated dosing. The most prominent between‐status difference in this experiment was greater sensitivity of the shipped rats to haloperidol‐induced changes in locomotor activity over a wider dose range, an effect that was especially evident in females. In Experiment 2, vehicle levels of motor activity were decreased in bred rats (which did not occur in Experiment 1), resulting in flattening of the Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol dose–effect curve for this measure in bred rats of each sex. Acutely, Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol produced antinociception, hypothermia and catalepsy in both groups of rats, with tolerance developing after repeated dosing. Status‐related differences were sex‐dependent. Whereas bred female rats were more sensitive to Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol's antinociceptive effects, shipped male rats were more sensitive to its antinociceptive effects as well as to its hypothermic and cataleptic effects. Together, the results of these descriptive experiments suggest that between‐status differences tend to be quantitative rather than qualitative. Further, these results suggest that careful attention to issues related to rodent procurement during adolescence is warranted and may help to account for divergent findings in different labs.
Thyroid tubercle of Zuckerkandl: anatomical and surgical experience from 79 thyroidectomies
Authors: Page C , Cuvelier P , Biet A , Boute P , Laude M , Strunski V 
Published: November 2008

AbstractObjective:To highlight a poorly known anatomical variation of the lateral lobe of the thyroid gland, which can be useful in identifying the recurrent laryngeal nerve during thyroid surgery.Materials and methods:We performed a three-year prospective study of 79 thyroid surgery patients. Great attention was paid to anatomical variations of the thyroid gland (i.e. the presence or absence of a distinct tubercle of Zuckerkandl), the recurrent laryngeal nerve and the location of the parathyroid glands.Results:A total of 71 right lobectomies and 74 left lobectomies were performed. Five tubercles of Zuckerkandl were identified (7.04 per cent of cases) and were useful in detecting the recurrent laryngeal nerve (but only on the right side).Conclusion:The tubercle of Zuckerkandl is a poorly known and variable anatomical feature of the thyroid gland which may not, in fact, be so rare. It arises for embryological reasons, and it can be a reliable anatomical landmark for identifying the recurrent laryngeal nerve during thyroid surgery. It should be included in the Nomina Anatomica as the ‘processus posterior glandulae thyroideae’ described by Zuckerkandl.
Pragmatic differentiation in early trilingual development
Authors: MONTANARI SIMONA 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTThis study examines pragmatic differentiation in early trilingual development through a longitudinal analysis of language choice in a developing Tagalog–Spanish–English trilingual child. The child's patterns of language choice with different language users are analyzed at age 1 ; 10 and 2 ; 4 to examine: (1) whether evidence for pragmatic differentiation can be found even before age two and in simultaneous interactions with distinct language users; (2) whether lexical gaps determine the child's choice of one language over another; and (3) whether her patterns of language choice are affected by the interlocutors language use and their responses to mixing. The results indicate that the child was capable of selecting the appropriate language according to the interlocutors' language from the earliest sessions. However, switches to inappropriate languages were common due to vocabulary gaps, the interlocutors' acceptance of mixing and the possibilities determined by the existence of multiple lexical resources and multiple language users.
Associations between lexicon and grammar at the end of the second year in Finnish children
Authors: STOLT SUVI , HAATAJA LEENA , LAPINLEIMU HELENA , LEHTONEN LIISA 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTThe emergence of grammar in relation to lexical growth was analyzed in a sample of Finnish children (N=181) at 2 ; 0. The Finnish version of the Communicative Development Inventory was used to gather information on both language domains. The onset of grammar occurred in close association with vocabulary growth. The acquisition of the nominal and verbal inflections of Finnish differed when analyzed in relation to the lexicon in which they are used: the strongest growth in the acquisition of case form types occurred when the nominal lexicon size was roughly between 50 and 250 words, whereas verb inflectional types were acquired actively from the beginning of the verb lexicon acquisition. The findings extend the previous findings of the close association between lexicon and grammar (e.g. Bates & Goodman, 1999). The results suggest that different grammatical structures display different degrees and types of lexical dependency.
Oxygen uptake of the human fetus at term
Authors: ACHARYA GANESH , SITRAS VASILIS 
Published: November 2008

AbstractObjective. To measure oxygen uptake of term human fetuses and compare the values between those delivered vaginally following normal labor and those delivered by cesarean section before the onset of labor. Design. This was a prospective cross‐sectional study. Setting. University teaching hospital. Sample. Twenty healthy pregnant women at term (38–42 weeks) were included in this study. Among them, 10 were delivered by elective cesarean section and 10 had normal vaginal delivery. Methods. Umbilical vein volume blood flow was measured <24 hours before delivery. Immediately after delivery, the fetal weight was determined, and the umbilical venous and arterial blood samples were obtained. Blood gas analysis was performed and hemoglobin content was measured. Fetal oxygen uptake was calculated as a product of umbilical venous blood flow and the difference in the umbilical arterial and venous oxygen content. Results. We found that the mean oxygen uptake in human fetuses at term (median gestational age 39 weeks) to be 6.58 ml/min/kg (i.e. 0.29 mmol/min/kg). There was no significant difference in oxygen uptake between fetuses delivered following uncomplicated normal labor and those delivered by elective cesarean section before the onset of labor. Conclusion. Oxygen uptake of the appropriately grown normal human fetus at term is approximately 6.6 ml/kg/min and is not significantly affected by normal labor and delivery. Human fetuses tolerate intermittent reductions in uterine blood flow and oxygen supply associated with myometrial contractions during normal labor quite well.
Thioredoxin h System and Wheat Seed Quality
Authors: Zahid Abderrakib , Afoulous Samia , Cazalis Roland 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTThioredoxin is one of the key systems controlling cellular redox balance in all living organisms. Plant thioredoxins are a diverse multigene family divided into two systems, the chloroplastic and the cytoplasmic systems, which are distinguishable by the electron donor and by the enzyme that catalyses thioredoxin reduction. In cereal seed, the thioredoxin (Trx) h system acts in the developing phase, controlling the delivery of compounds during seed filling. Early in the development of the imbibed seed, it promotes the mobilization of storage nitrogen and carbon in the endosperm by inhibiting the inactivators of amylolytic enzyme and by activating a specific serine protease, thiocalsin. During seed maturation and germination, the Trx h system controls oxidative stress in the living tissues, specifically in the scutellum and the aleurone layer, where it accumulates in the nucleus. The overexpression and the suppression of Trx confirm these features and constitute a powerful tool to manage seed quality, due to the large number of Trx h isoforms and to the specific nature of some of them.
Sorghum Protein Extraction by Sonication and Its Relationship to Ethanol Fermentation
Authors: Zhao Renyong , Bean Scott R. , Wang Donghai 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTThe objectives of this research were to develop a rapid method for extracting proteins from mashed and nonmashed sorghum meal using sonication (ultrasound), and to determine the relationships between the levels of extractable proteins and ethanol fermentation properties. Nine grain sorghum hybrids with a broad range of ethanol fermentation efficiencies were used. Proteins were extracted in an alkaline borate buffer using sonication and characterized and quantified by size‐exclusion HPLC. A 30‐sec sonication treatment extracted a lower level of proteins from nonmashed sorghum meal than extracting the proteins for 24 hr with buffer only (no sonication). However, more protein was extracted by sonication from the mashed samples than from the buffer‐only 24‐hr extraction. In addition, sonication extracted more polymeric proteins from both the mashed and nonmashed samples compared with the buffer‐only extraction method. Confocal laser‐scanning microscopy images showed that the web‐like protein microstructures were disrupted during sonication. The results showed that there were strong relationships between extractable proteins and fermentation parameters. Ethanol yield increased and conversion efficiency improved significantly as the amount of extractable proteins from sonication of mashed samples increased. The absolute amount of polymeric proteins extracted through sonication were also highly related to ethanol fermentation. Thus, the SE‐HPLC area of proteins extracted from mashed sorghum using sonication could be used as an indicator for predicting fermentation quality of sorghum.
Changes in aquatic insect emergence in response to whole‐lake experimental manipulations of introduced trout
Authors: POPE KAREN L. , PIOVIA‐SCOTT JONAH , LAWLER SHARON P. 
Published: November 2008

Summary1. Insects emerging from mountain lakes provide an important food source for many terrestrial predators. The amount of insect subsidy that emerges from lakes is influenced by predator composition, but predator effects could be ameliorated by greater habitat complexity. We conducted a replicated whole‐lake experiment to test the effects of introduced fish predators on the abundance and composition of aquatic insects within and emerging from the littoral zone of 16 mountain lakes in the Trinity Alps Wilderness in northwestern California.2. Study treatments matched the fisheries management options being implemented in California’s wilderness areas: (i) continued stocking with non‐native trout, (ii) suspension of stocking, and (iii) suspension of stocking and removal of fish. We also included four naturally fishless ‘reference’ lakes. We compared abundances and biomass of emerging aquatic insects before treatments were initiated and for 3 years following their establishment. Abundances of benthic insects were also compared in the third year post‐treatment.3. Trout removal rapidly increased abundances of mayflies, caddisflies, and insect predators, and overall insect biomass emerging from lakes. No significant differences were found between the suspension of stocking lakes and continued stocking lakes. Fish density was a more important predictor of aquatic insect emergence than habitat complexity.4. Mayfly larvae responded positively to fish removal and caddisfly larvae tended to be more abundant in lakes without fish, but we did not detect effects on abundance of predatory insects. However, we found large insect predators in shallower water in lakes with fish compared to fish removal or fish‐free reference lakes.5. These results provide insights into the continuing effects of past and current fish stocking practices on the flow of insect prey from mountain lakes into the neighbouring terrestrial environment. We also show that these consequences can rapidly be reversed by removing non‐native fishes.