bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Progressive fetal atrioventricular block in heterotaxy syndrome
Authors: Swaminathan Sethuraman , Parthiban Anitha 
Published: June 2007

AbstractWe report a fetus with left isomerism, in whom the atrioventricular block progressed from low grade second degree to complete block and fetal hydrops. While it is known that there is a high incidence of heart block in the fetus with left isomerism, as far as we are aware, ours is the first report of Wenckebach type block documented in the fetus by Doppler echocardiography, and demonstration of the progression of heart block during fetus life in the setting of left isomerism.
A novel percutaneously adjustable device for ligature of the vertical vein in the setting of obstructive totally anomalous pulmonary venous connection
Authors: Chowdhury Ujjwal K. , Mishra Anand , Saxena Anita , Kothari Shyam S. , Malhotra Amber , Mahajan Rajiv , Honnakere Jayanth H.V. , Venugopal Panangipalli 
Published: June 2007

AbstractBackgroundA patent vertical vein might be desirable in patients with obstructive totally anomalous pulmonary venous connection with pulmonary hypertension, in order to decrease perioperative pulmonary arterial pressure and avoid pulmonary hypertensive crises. A subset of patients with an unligated vertical vein requires interruption of the vein due to the development of significant left-to-right shunt and right heart failure. We describe here a new device, permitting adjustable ligation of the vertical vein, which permits us to avoid multiple reoperations.Patients and methodsIn five patients, aged 2, 4, 3, 4, and 3 months respectively, and undergoing rechannelling of totally anomalous pulmonary venous connection with an unligated vertical vein, were treated with a device permitting adjusted ligation of the vertical vein over the course of postoperative congestive cardiac failure.ResultsThere was no early or late death. Postoperatively, all ligatures were tightened gradually over a period of 24 to 96 hours, maintaining stable haemodynamics. At a mean follow-up of 55.40 months, there was no evidence of congestive heart failure in any patient, the clinical risk score varying from zero to 2, and no requirement of anti-failure medications. Computed tomographic angiograms during follow-up revealed absence of flow through the vertical vein, and ruled out distortion of the left upper pulmonary and left brachiocephalic veins.ConclusionUse of a percutaneously adjustable device to ligate the vertical vein allows gradual tightening or loosening of the ligature under optimal physiologic conditions, without re-opening the sternum, or having to resort to another thoracotomy once the reactive components of pulmonary hypertension disappear.
The development of a healthy eating indicator shopping basket tool (HEISB) for use in food access studies—identification of key food items
Authors: Anderson AS , Dewar J , Marshall D , Cummins S , Taylor M , Dawson J , Sparks L 
Published: June 2007

AbstractObjectivesTo develop an objective, nutrient-based, healthy eating indicator shopping basket (HEISB) tool for use in studies of access to healthy food.DesignTool development used a literature search to identify previous practice, web information on current definition of healthy foods by the UK Food Standards Agency, and population-based dietary surveys to identify culturally acceptable foods. These findings were then appraised with respect to practical fieldwork considerations.SettingThe review took account of surveys undertaken in a range of geographical areas.ResultsPrevious tools have varied in the foods selected and the rationale for inclusion. Most have considered nutritional composition but no systematic definition has been used and foods have been subjectively classified as ‘less healthy’ or ‘more healthy’. Recent UK work on nutrient profiling enabled individual food items to be objectively assessed for inclusion. Data from national food surveys enabled commonly consumed and culturally acceptable foods to be identified. Practical considerations included item use in meals, convenience, price, and fieldwork constraints. Other issues including health and price discriminators as well as regional preferences were considered. The final HEISB tool comprised 35 items within the following categories – 17 from fruit and vegetables, nine from potatoes, bread and cereal, five from fish/meats, three from dairy, and one from fatty and sugary foods.ConclusionsThe tool provides a rational basis for examining access and availability of healthy foods in cross-sectional and longitudinal retail and consumer studies.
Estimations of daily energy and nutrient availability based on nationally representative household budget survey data. The Data Food Networking (DAFNE) project
Authors: Naska A , Oikonomou E , Trichopoulou A , Wagner K , Gedrich K 
Published: June 2007

AbstractObjectiveTo describe a cost-efficient method for estimating energy and nutrient availability using household budget survey (HBS) data.DesignFour different approaches were tested and the results were compared with published nutrient intake data. The selected method was exemplarily applied in German and Greek data.SettingGermany, 1998; Greece, 1998/99.MaterialNationally representative HBSs.ResultsComparisons showed that HBS-based estimates were generally close to intake data when results were presented as contributions to daily energy intake. Daily energy and protein availabilities were similar in Germany and Greece. Differences were observed in the availability of carbohydrates (German households reported a 5 percentage points higher contribution to daily energy availability) and lipids (Greek households recorded higher values for total fat, but lower values for saturated fat). Meat, added lipids and potatoes were important energy suppliers in Germany, whereas in Greece the first three energy suppliers were added lipids, cereals and meat. In both countries, meat, cereals, milk and cheese were important protein sources and cereals, potatoes, fruits and nuts contributed more than 60% of the daily carbohydrate availability. Added lipids were the major source of fat in the daily diet of both countries, but their contribution amounted to less than one-third in Germany and two-thirds in Greece.ConclusionsNational HBS data can be used for monitoring and comparing nutrient availability among representative population samples of different countries. The ground is set for the development of a harmonised food composition table to be applied to HBS food data at international level.
Body mass index, waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio cut-off points for categorisation of obesity among Omani Arabs
Authors: Al-Lawati Jawad A , Jousilahti Pekka 
Published: June 2007

AbstractBackgroundThere are no data on optimal cut-off points to classify obesity among Omani Arabs. The existing cut-off points were obtained from studies of European populations.ObjectiveTo determine gender-specific optimal cut-off points for body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) associated with elevated prevalent cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk among Omani Arabs.DesignA community-based cross-sectional study.SettingThe survey was conducted in the city of Nizwa in Oman in 2001.Subjects and methodsThe study contained a probabilistic random sample of 1421 adults aged ≥20 years. Prevalent CVD risk was defined as the presence of at least two of the following three risk factors: hyperglycaemia, hypertension and dyslipidaemia. Logistic regression and receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were used to determine optimal cut-off points for BMI, WC and WHR in relation to the area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity and specificity.ResultsOver 87% of Omanis had at least one CVD risk factor (38% had hyperglycaemia, 19% hypertension and 34.5% had high total cholesterol). All three indices including BMI (AUC = 0.766), WC (AUC = 0.772) and WHR (AUC = 0.767) predicted prevalent CVD risk factors equally well. The optimal cut-off points for men and women respectively were 23.2 and 26.8 kg m−2for BMI, 80.0 and 84.5 cm for WC, and 0.91 and 0.91 for WHR.ConclusionsTo identify Omani subjects of Arab ethnicity at high risk of CVD, cut-off points lower than currently recommended for BMI, WC and WHR are needed for men while higher cut-off points are suggested for women.
Casting Beams of Darkness into Bartók’s Cantata Profana
Authors: LOSSEFF NICKY 
Published: June 2007

AbstractBéla Bartók’s Cantata Profana (1930) retains ambiguities inherent in the Romanian myth on which it is based – a story of nine hunting-lads magically transformed into stags. This article explores the mysterious elements through psychoanalysis, positing links between darkness, Bartókian ‘night music’, and the Unconscious. Other aspects of the musical language suggest representations of Lacanian processes, specifically a regressive fantasy to the mental order of the ‘Real’. This is linked to Bartók’s experience of childhood illness, a time of perfect maternal love but profound bodily betrayal, suggesting that the stag-body represents a strong, proud transformation, ‘replacing’ the debilitated body of childhood memory. Musically, the ‘mirror-image’ scales of the opening and ending of the work are re-examined. It is proposed that they represent Bartók acknowledging loss, most importantly the loss of the myth of ‘pure sources’, which had sustained him, both musically and psychologically, up until then. This loss inevitably sought expression after a disastrous polemical debate forced him to abandon the idea of musical purity in folksong.
Comparison of methylation level of genomes among different animal species and various tissues
Authors: Shao-Qing Tang , Yuan Zhang , Qing Xu , Dong-Xiao Sun , Ying Yu 
Published: June 2007

AbstractThe methylation levels of genomes were compared in swine, cattle, sheep, rat, chicken and duck, using the methylation-sensitive amplification polymorphism technique (MSAP). The results showed that the methylation levels in genomes of the species investigated were mostly about 40–50% (except cattle); the methylation level varied in different species; the methylation pattern in various tissues of each species was specific; for the same species, the methylation level of the tissue genome was mostly higher than that of the blood genome; the difference of methylation level between birds and mammals was not significant, however mammals appeared to have a lower hemi-methylation frequency and higher full methylation frequency than birds.
Isolation, identification and expression profile of fourteen differentially expressed sequence tags in the longissimus dorsi muscle tissues from Meishan, Meishan×Large White cross and Large White pigs
Authors: Yong-Gang Liu , Yuan-Zhu Xiong , Bo Zuo , Si-Wen Jiang , Chang-Yan Deng , Jia-Lian Li , Feng-E Li , Rong Zheng 
Published: June 2007

AbstractIn order to detect the molecular mechanism of heterosis in pigs, an mRNA differential display (DD) technique was performed to investigate the differences in gene expression in the longissimus dorsi muscle tissues from Meishan, Meishan×Large White cross and Large White pigs. Fourteen expressed sequence tags (ESTs), differentially expressed between the hybrid and purebred pigs, were isolated and identified through semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Nucleotide sequence analysis revealed that the 14 ESTs are not homologous to any of the known genes or ESTs. These novel ESTs were then deposited in the GenBank database. Tissue expression profile analysis showed that the ESTs were expressed in most tissues, including heart, spleen, liver, kidney, small intestine, ovary and lung, and this also implied that these genes must be important for the life process. Our results indicate the diversity of differential display of genes between the hybrids and purebreds in the Meishan×Large White cross combination. Results also suggest that heterosis in pigs might be derived from the differential expression of many indispensable genes in specific life phases.
Genetic diversity and molecular markers of five snapper species
Authors: Li Liu , Chu-Wu Liu 
Published: June 2007

AbstractIn order to protect and develop valuable snappers (Lutjanus spp.), genetic diversity and molecular markers of five species (Lutjanus vitta, L. fulvus, L. fulviflamma, L. sebae and L. stellatus) were detected and analysed using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and simple sequence repeats (SSR) techniques. The polymorphic loci ratio (P) (86.00–92.11%), the mean intraspecies genetic distances (D) (0.1775–0.3431) and the intraspecies genetic diversity indexes (Hi) (0.1022–0.1634) were calculated using the RAPD technique. The genetic diversities of L. fulviflamma and L. vitta were richest in terms of P, and D and Hi, respectively. The results of SSR showed that low effective numbers of alleles (1.7893–3.6591), medium average heterozygosities (0.332–0.676) and medium polymorphism information contents (PIC) (0.302–0.641) occurred in five species of snappers, indicating comparatively rich genetic diversity among these fish. Nine molecular markers in the products amplified by primers OPA8 and OPP10, and six molecular markers in 11 microsatellite loci were found to be useful as specific markers to identify five species of snappers. Two neighbour-joining (NJ) dendrograms based on the results of RAPD and SSR suggested that L. stellatus and L. sebae are closely related and clustered in one branch, with L. vitta, L. fulviflamma and L. fulvus in the other.
Cloning, expression and immunogenic characterization of theapxIIAgene ofActinobacillus pleuropneumoniae
Authors: Ke-Xia Yan , Jian-Jie Liu , Bin Wu , Xi-Biao Tang , Li-Jun Cai , Ming-Liu Yang , Huan-Chun Chen , Rui Zhou 
Published: June 2007

AbstractThe structural gene encoding ApxII toxin (apxIIA) was amplified from the genomic DNA ofActinobacillus pleuropneumoniae(APP) strain HB08 (serotype 2) and cloned into the prokaryotic expression vector pET-28a. SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis showed that theapxIIAgene was expressed inEscherichia coliBL21 (DE3) and the expressed products could react with ApxII antibodies. The recombinant ApxIIA was purified from the inclusion bodies. Kunming mice were intraperitoneally vaccinated twice, with an interval of 2 weeks, using unfolded/refolded recombinant proteins, the native ApxII toxin extracted from the cultural supernatant of a strain of APP serotype 7 (APP-7) or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). Serum antibody was examined by ApxIIA-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) 2 weeks after every vaccination. Two weeks after the second vaccination, mice were challenged intraperitoneally with a lethal dose of APP-7 (1.08 × 108cfu per mouse). The protection rate reached 91.7% in the native ApxII group, 83.3% in the refolded recombinant protein group and 58.3% in the unfolded recombinant protein group, while all mice in the PBS group died within 36 h after challenge. Our data revealed that the refolded recombinant ApxIIA had excellent immunogenicity and could elicit protection against a lethal challenge of APP.
AFLP fingerprinting analysis of genetic polymorphism of 12 indigenous chicken breeds
Authors: Yu-Shi Gao , Yun-Jie Tu , Hai-Bing Tong , Ke-Hua Wang , Kuan-Wei Chen 
Published: June 2007

AbstractA total of six amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) primer combinations were used to detect genetic variation of pooled DNA in a sample of 12 chicken breeds indigenous to China, and AFLP DNA fingerprinting of each chicken breed was constructed. Polymorphic bands, specific bands and genetic similarity coefficients of 12 chicken breeds were calculated from AFLP data. A total of 279 polymorphic bands were generated by the six primer combinations, giving, on average, 46.5 polymorphic markers detected per primer combination. Nine specific bands were produced in the pooled DNA of Jiuyuan black and Dongxiang black chickens. However, one specific band was produced in the pooled DNA of Wenchang and Xingyi bantam chickens. An unweighted-pair-group method using average linkages (UPGMA) cluster analysis revealed that the 12 chicken breeds could be divided into three groups. Genetic similarity coefficients and the UPGMA tree of the 12 chicken breeds were consistent with their breeding history as well as their geographical distribution. Based on AFLP DNA fingerprinting, genetic diversity, genetic relationship and identification of chicken breeds can be analysed.
Inheritance and resistance to insects in CryIA(c) transgenic cabbage
Authors: Han-Xia Li , Ruo-He Yin , Ya-Chun Lu , Yu-Yang Zhang , Jun-Hong Zhang 
Published: June 2007

AbstractUsing hypocotyl segments of aseptic seedlings of cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) as explants, regenerated plants with kanamycin resistance were obtained mediated by Agrobacterium tumefaciens (strain LBA4404). The transformed plants with the CryIA(c) (Bt) gene were confirmed by Southern blotting analysis, indicating the integration of the transgene into the cabbage genome. The majority of the transgenic plants had only a single copy of the inserted CryIA(c) gene. Leaf section bioassays showed that resistance against larvae of diamondback moth in CryIA(c) transgenic cabbage was significantly enhanced. The inheritance patterns of the transgene in T1 offspring of transgenic cabbage were investigated using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis and a kanamycin resistance test on the leaves of young seedlings. The results showed that dominant gene loci, CryIA(c) or neomycin phosphotransferase gene (NPTII), followed Mendelian inheritance, with a ratio of 3:1 segregation in T1 populations.
Comparison of protective effects among H5 subtype avian influenza DNA vaccines with optimized HA gene and expressive vectors
Authors: Yong-Ping Jiang , Hong-Bo Zhang , Cheng-Jun Li , Zhi-Gao Bu , Guo-Hua Deng , Kangzhen Yu , Hua-Lan Chen 
Published: June 2007

AbstractTo evaluate the effects of H5 subtype avian influenza DNA vaccine with HA gene and expressive vector optimization, groups of 3-week-old specific pathogen free (SPF) chickens were inoculated intramuscularly with a single dose of 100 μg or 10 μg of pCIHA5, pCAGGHA5, pCIoptiHA5 or pCAGGoptiHA5 in 200 μl volume. Another group of chickens was injected with 200 μl phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) as controls. Sera were collected every week after vaccination to detect the HI and agar-gel precipitin (AGP) antibodies. Four weeks after the single vaccination, all chickens were challenged with 100LD50 of the highly pathogenic A/Goose/GuangDong/1/96(H5N1) [Gs/GD/1/96(H5N1)]. Oropharyngeal and cloacal swab specimens were collected from all chickens 3, 5 and 7 days after inoculation for titration of virus in eggs. Chickens were observed daily for 2 weeks for signs of disease and death. Results showed that in the groups vaccinated with 100 μg pCAGGoptiHA5 and pCAGGHA5 chickens were completely protected from virus challenge (no disease signs, no virus shedding and no deaths), while only partial protection occurred in chickens vaccinated with 100 μg pCIoptiHA5 (75%) and pCIHA5 (50%). In groups vaccinated with 10 μg pCAGGoptiHA5 and pCAGGHA5 chickens were protected from virus challenge (no disease signs and no deaths). In the group vaccinated with 10 μg pCIoptiHA5 the protection ratio was 75%, while chickens vaccinated with 10 μg pCIHA5 all died after challenge. Results indicated that codon usage optimization of the HA gene and β-actin promoter enhanced the protection efficiency of H5 subtype avian influenza DNA vaccine and the construction pCAGGoptiHA5 could protect chickens from lethal H5N1 virus challenge even at the low dose of 10 μg, implying the possibility for the commercialization of an avian influenza DNA vaccine in the near future.
Polymorphism of porcine uncoupling protein 3 (UCP3) and association with fat deposition and meat quality
Authors: Liang Ren , Bao-Qin Zhu , Dan Han , Yi-Bo Zhang , Hui-Juan Song , Rui-Xia Zeng , Yu-Hong Su 
Published: June 2007

AbstractBased on quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping, the gene for porcine uncoupling protein 3 (UCP3) was chosen as a candidate gene for pig fat deposition and meat quality traits. In this study, a partial coding region of the UCP3 gene was sequenced and one single nucleotide polymorphism (cSNP) was found at 395 bp. The mutation was G→A and resulted in the amino acid change from glycine to arginine. This site was also recognized by restriction endonuclease SmaI. The UCP3 SmaI polymorphism was analysed among 186 individuals of Large White×Meishan F2 progeny using polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). The genotypes of the UCP3 SmaI polymorphism were AA, AB and BB. The frequency of A and B alleles was respectively 0.56 and 0.44. Statistical analyses showed that the SmaI polymorphism in the F2 population was significantly associated with back-fat thickness at thorax–waist and buttock, as well as with intramuscular fat, drip-loss rate and water-holding capacity. The additive effect of UCP3 SmaI was clearly shown. The genotype AA reduced back-fat thickness and drip-loss rate, increased water-holding capacity, and decreased the intramuscular fat. The effect of the pig UCP3 SmaI polymorphism needs to be analysed in other populations using larger samples.
Analysis of SNP markers for chicken blue-shelled gene using PCR-SSCP
Authors: Rui Zhao , Zhen-Zhen Liu , Gui-Yun Xu , Ning Yang 
Published: June 2007

AbstractThe oocyan (O) gene determines blue shell pigmentation of domesticated chicken. The O locus is closely linked to ALEV1 on chromosome 1 with a genetic distance of 2.3 cM. Blue eggshells contain a protoporphyrin, biliverdin and zinc biliverdin chelating complex, which belongs to the porphyrin metabolic pathway. A bio-informatic approach was first used to BLAST for the genes of the enzymes in the porphyrin pathway; no gene was detected to specify the O locus. Due to a limited number of simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers around the O locus, polymerase chain reaction–single-strand conformational polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) was then employed to search for candidate single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. The sequence bearing a marker was found to consist of two transversions at Chr1:61754089T→A and Chr1:61754175A→T, respectively. Population screening showed that 81% of homozygous blue-shelled layers (OO) were classified as AA genotype at the SNP loci, while 89% of heterozygous blue-shelled layers (Oo) were AB genotype and 93% of tinted layers (oo) were BB genotype. The results indicated that there is a close association between O locus and SNP locus, suggesting that the marker locus could be used as a molecular marker in breeding for blue-shelled chickens.