bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Amyloid β peptide ratio 42/40 but not Aβ42 correlates with phospho‐Tau in patients with low‐ and high‐CSF Aβ40 load
Authors: Wiltfang Jens , Esselmann Hermann , Bibl Mirko , Hüll Michael , Hampel Harald , Kessler Holger , Frölich Lutz , Schröder Johannes , Peters Oliver , Jessen Frank , Luckhaus Christian , Perneczky Robert , Jahn Holger , Fiszer Magdalena , Maler Juan Manuel , Zimmermann Rüdiger , Bruckmoser Ralf , Kornhuber Johannes , Lewczuk Piotr 
Published: January 2007

AbstractNeurochemical dementia diagnostics (NDD) can significantly improve the clinically based categorization of patients with early dementia disorders, and the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of amyloid β peptides ending at the amino acid position of 42 (Aβx‐42 and Aβ1‐42) are widely accepted biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, in subjects with constitutively high‐ or low‐CSF concentrations of total Aβ peptides (tAβ), the NDD interpretation might lead to erroneous conclusions as these biomarkers seem to correlate better with the total Aβ load than with the pathological status of a given patient in such cases. In this multicenter study, we found significantly increased CSF concentrations of phosphorylated Tau (pTau181) and total Tau in the group of subjects with high CSF Aβx‐40 concentrations and decreased Aβx‐42/x‐40 concentration ratio compared with the group of subjects with low CSF Aβx‐40 and normal Aβ ratio (p < 0.001 in both cases). Furthermore, we observed significantly decreased Aβ ratio (p < 0.01) in the group of subjects with APOE ε4 allele compared with the group of subjects without this allele. Surprisingly, patients with low‐Aβx‐40 and the decreased Aβ ratio characterized with decreased pTau181 (p < 0.05), and unaltered total Tau compared with the subjects with high Aβx‐40 and the Aβ ratio in the normal range. We conclude that the amyloid β concentration ratio should replace the ‘raw’ concentrations of corresponding Aβ peptides to improve reliability of the neurochemical dementia diagnosis.
bold: The Barcode of Life Data System (http://www.barcodinglife.org)
Authors: RATNASINGHAM SUJEEVAN , HEBERT PAUL D. N. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractThe Barcode of Life Data System (bold) is an informatics workbench aiding the acquisition, storage, analysis and publication of DNA barcode records. By assembling molecular, morphological and distributional data, it bridges a traditional bioinformatics chasm. bold is freely available to any researcher with interests in DNA barcoding. By providing specialized services, it aids the assembly of records that meet the standards needed to gain BARCODE designation in the global sequence databases. Because of its web‐based delivery and flexible data security model, it is also well positioned to support projects that involve broad research alliances. This paper provides a brief introduction to the key elements of bold, discusses their functional capabilities, and concludes by examining computational resources and future prospects.
Sixteen new simple sequence repeat markers from Brassica juncea expressed sequences and their cross‐species amplification
Authors: HOPKINS CLARE J. , COGAN NOEL O. I. , HAND MELANIE , JEWELL ERICA , KAUR JATINDER , LI XI , LIM GERALDINE A. C. , LING ALISON E. , LOVE CHRISTOPHER , MOUNTFORD HAYLEY , TODOROVIC MARIJA , VARDY MEGAN , SPANGENBERG GERMAN C. , EDWARDS DAVID , BATLEY JACQUELINE 
Published: January 2007

AbstractThe availability of expressed sequence data derived from gene discovery programs enables mining for simple sequence repeats (SSR), providing useful genetic markers for crop improvement. These markers are inexpensive, require minimal labour to produce and can frequently be associated with functionally annotated genes. This study presents the development and characterization of 16 expressed sequence tags (EST)‐SSR markers from Brassica juncea and their cross‐amplification across Brassica species. Sixteen primer pairs were assessed for polymorphism in all genomes of the diploid and amphidiploid Brassica species. The markers show reliable amplification, considerable polymorphism and high transferability across species, demonstrating the utility of EST‐SSRs for genetic analysis of brassicas.
Assessing the potential of changing land use for reducing soil erosion and sediment yield of catchments: a case study in the highlands of northern Ethiopia
Authors: Tamene L. , Vlek P. L. G. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractReservoir sedimentation is the most serious threat for water harvesting schemes and hydroelectric power dams in Ethiopia. Designing watershed conservation strategies and management is crucial to reduce the rate of sedimentation. Because different landscape types have varying potentials for enhancing erosion processes, site‐ and process‐specific conservation measures are needed to target an appropriate intervention to the most needed locations. In this study, a GIS‐based distributed soil erosion/deposition model was used to simulate the potential of land‐use and cover (LUC) changes and conservation measures for reducing water induced soil erosion and potential sediment yield for two catchments in northern Ethiopia. LUC change and conservation measures targeted gully and stream buffers, protection of steep slopes and protection of areas with soil loss greater than a given threshold. The results show that land management measures targeted at hot‐spot areas of erosion and gully formation could reduce potential annual sediment yield from catchments by approximately 60% compared with the current losses. The study demonstrates the potential of a GIS‐based LUC‐redesign approach as a tool for optimizing land‐use and management strategies to reduce run‐off and erosion rates in the highlands of northern Ethiopia.
Utilizing New Prescription Drugs: Disparities among Non‐Hispanic Whites, Non‐Hispanic Blacks, and Hispanic Whites
Authors: Wang Junling , Zuckerman Ilene H. , Miller Nancy A. , Shaya Fadia T. , Noel Jason M. , Mullins C. Daniel 
Published: January 2007

Objective. To examine racial and ethnic disparities in new prescription drug use.Data Sources/Study Setting. Secondary data analyses of the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (1996–2001), a national survey representative of U.S. noninstitutionalized civilian population. Drug approval dates were from the GenRx database of Mosby.Study Design. A negative binomial model was used to compare annual number of times when new drugs were obtained across racial and ethnic groups. Covariates in the model were demographic, economic characteristics, and health status. Drugs were considered new if approved within the past 5 years. We compared non‐Hispanic whites with non‐Hispanic blacks, and non‐Hispanic whites with Hispanic whites, respectively, to examine racial and ethnic disparities separately.Principal Findings. Descriptive analyses found smaller racial disparities than ethnic disparities: the average annual number of times when new drugs were obtained was higher among non‐Hispanic whites than non‐Hispanic blacks (1.71 versus 1.36; p<.01) and Hispanic whites (1.71 versus 1.11; p<.01). Multivariate analyses found smaller ethnic than racial disparities: the number was 22–33 percent lower among non‐Hispanic blacks than non‐Hispanic whites (significant), and 5–16 percent lower among Hispanic whites than non‐Hispanic whites (not always significant), respectively. While the absolute racial disparities decreased over the early years of the life cycles of the products, the reduction in disparities over time was not significant.Conclusions. There are racial disparities in the use of new medications, which persist during the first 5 years of marketing. Socioeconomic and health characteristics account for a larger share of ethnic disparities than racial disparities.
Surgical anatomy of the liver, hepatic vasculature and bile ducts in the rat
Authors: Martins Paulo Ney Aguiar , Neuhaus Peter 
Published: January 2007

AbstractBackground: The rat is the most used experimental model in surgical research. Virtually all procedures in clinical liver surgery can be performed in the rat. However, the use of the rat model in liver surgery is limited by its small size and limited knowledge of the liver anatomy. As in humans, the rat liver vasculature and biliary system have many anatomical variations. The development of surgical techniques, and the study of liver function and diseases require detailed knowledge of the regional anatomy.Aim: The objective of this study was to describe and illustrate systematically the surgical anatomy of the rat liver to facilitate the planning and performance of studies in this animal. Knowledge of the diameter and length of liver vessels is also important for the selection of catheters and perivascular devices.Methods: Twelve Wistar rat livers were dissected using a surgical microscope. Hepatic and extrahepatic anatomical structures were measured under magnification with a millimeter scale.Conclusion: In this study, we describe the rat liver topographical anatomy, compare it with the human liver and review the literature. Increased knowledge of the rat liver anatomy and microsurgical skills permit individualized dissection, parenchymal section, embolization and ligature of vascular and biliary branches.
Binocular Visual‐Field Loss Increases the Risk of Future Falls in Older White Women
Authors: Coleman Anne L. , Cummings Steven R. , Yu Fei , Kodjebacheva Gergana , Ensrud Kristine E. , Gutierrez Peter , Stone Katie L. , Cauley Jane A. , Pedula Kathryn L. , Hochberg Marc C. , Mangione Carol M. ,   for the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures
Published: January 2007

OBJECTIVES: To examine the relationship between binocular visual field loss and the risk of incident frequent falls in older white women.DESIGN: A multicenter, prospective cohort study.SETTING: Four clinic centers within the United States in Baltimore, Maryland; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Portland, Oregon; and the Monongahela Valley, Pennsylvania.PARTICIPANTS: Four thousand seventy‐one community‐dwelling white women aged 70 and older participating in the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures.MEASUREMENTS: Primary outcome was incident frequent falls, defined as two or more falls within 1 year. Primary risk factors were binocular visual field loss, distance visual acuity in the better eye, and contrast sensitivity at low spatial frequency in the better eye.RESULTS: Of 4,071 women, 409 (10%) had severe binocular visual field loss at the eye examination, and 643 (16%) experienced frequent falls within 1 year after their eye examination. Severe binocular visual field loss was significantly associated with frequent falls when adjusting for age, study site, and cognitive function (odds ratio=1.50, 95% confidence interval=1.11–2.02). The data showed a trend for increasing odds of two or more falls with greater binocular visual field loss (P<.001). In older white women with severe binocular visual field loss, 33.3% of frequent falls were attributable to visual field loss.CONCLUSION: Women with binocular visual field loss are at greater risk of future frequent falls. Screening for binocular visual field loss may identify individuals at high risk of falling.
Regional abundance of a planthopper pest: the effect of host patch area and configuration
Authors: Grilli Mariano P. , Bruno Marina 
Published: January 2007

AbstractThe effect of host patch area and configuration on the abundance of dispersing individuals ofDelphacodes kuscheliFennah (Homoptera: Delphacidae), the vector of Río Cuarto disease in maize, was investigated in the main maize production area of Argentina. Actively dispersingD.kuscheliindividuals were collected from 15 sampling sites during the spring seasons of 1999 and 2000, using sticky traps placed at 6 m above ground level. Host patches were detected and quantified using Landsat 5 TM images for the periods studied. The spatial pattern analysis program FRAGSTATS was used to estimate the total class area, largest patch index, mean proximity index, and patch cohesion index for patches of winter pastures (the main insect host during winter) as observed from the satellite images. Landsat 5 TM estimations showed local variability in the proportion of winter pastures, with patches bigger during 1999 than during 2000, but these patches represented only a very small part of the total landscape. Proximity between host patches was also variable between sites and higher values of cohesion occurred during the first sampling season. The relationship between host area andD. kuschelimean abundance was adjusted to an exponential (R2= 77.5%) model. Host patch dominance, host patch isolation, and host patch connectivity all showed a positive relationship withD. kuschelimean abundance, adjusting significantly to linear models (R2= 92%, R2= 90%, and R2= 22%, respectively). Outbreaks of Río Cuarto disease in the main maize production area of Argentina are related to high vector populations. The results indicate that the abundance ofD. kuschelidepends on factors related to the abundance and configuration of its host patches.
Oral health of monozygotic twins with and without coronary heart disease: a pilot study
Authors: Tabrizi Farnaz , Buhlin Kåre , Gustafsson Anders , Klinge Björn 
Published: January 2007

AbstractAim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the oral health in monozygotic twins where one twin had coronary heart disease (CHD) and the other twin had no clinical signs of the disease.Methods: Ten monozygotic twin pairs (age 55–81 years, eight male, and two female pairs) were recruited from the Swedish twin register. The inclusion criterion for participation was discordance regarding the presence of CHD within every twin pair. All participants underwent a full dental clinical examination including a panoramic radiograph.Results: Twins with CHD had 51.5% bleeding on probing compared with 21.1% without CHD (p=0.01), and more pathological pockets (4 mm) were detected among those with CHD (20±15 versus 8±5), p=0.047). Twins with CHD had a reduced horizontal bone level in comparison with the healthy group (73%versus 78%, p=0.03). Logistic analyses using odds ratio (OR) showed that an increase of one periodontal pocket (4 mm) resulted in an increased risk for the actual twin of belonging to the CHD group (OR 1.17, p=0.03).Conclusions: This study indicates worsened periodontal conditions among twins with CHD compared with their siblings with no history of CHD. This strengthens the association between periodontal inflammation and the presence of atherosclerosis.
Plasmacytoid dendritic cells are absent in skin lesions of polymorphic light eruption
Authors: Wackernagel Alexandra , Massone Cesare , Hoefler Gerald , Steinbauer Elisabeth , Kerl Helmut , Wolf Peter 
Published: January 2007

Background/purpose: Polymorphic light eruption (PLE) is a common photodermatosis of potential autoimmune origin, and an overlap with lupus erythematosus (LE) has been described. Plasmacytoid dendritic cell (PDC)‐induced expression of interferon (IFN)‐α has been found to be present in LE skin lesions and plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of LE by promoting autoimmunity. We therefore asked whether PDCs may also be involved in the pathogenesis of PLE and searched for those cells [which can be identified by their high levels of interleukin (IL)‐3 receptor α chain (CD123), combined with other cell markers such as CD68] in skin lesions.Methods: Paraffin‐embedded biopsy specimens from a total of 27 patients with clinically and histologically confirmed PLE (nine women, mean age 32.7 years, age range 18–43), LE (seven women, four men, CCLE: n=4, SCLE: n=2, lupus tumidus: n=5, mean age 48.5 years, age range 41–65) or psoriasis (four women, three men, mean age 43.3 years, age range 19–54) (as control group) were analyzed by immunohistochemical CD68/CD123 double staining. Quantification of the immunohistochemical staining was performed by visual cell counting of CD68−/CD123+, CD68+/123–, and CD68+/CD123+ cells separately in the epidermis and dermis of the samples in at least 10 random fields per sample at × 400 microscopic magnification by two of the investigators in a blinded fashion.Results: Microscopic examination of the immunohistochemically stained sections revealed that CD68+/CD123+ cells were present in most specimens obtained from LE [10/11 (91%)] and psoriasis [6/7 (86%)] patients but not at all in those obtained from PLE patients. Quantification and statistical analysis of the dermal infiltrate revealed that CD68+/CD123+ cells were present at a mean±SEM field density of 5.6±1.3 in LE, 1.6±0.6 in psoriasis but totally absent in PLE (P=0.0010 vs. LE, P=0.0135 vs. psoriasis by an unpaired Student's t‐test).Conclusion: The results confirm the potential significance of PDCs in LE and psoriasis, however the absence of PDCs in PLE contradicts the hypothesis that these cells might play a role in the latter disease.
Microbial‐associated oral lichenoid reactions
Authors: Bäckman K , Jontell M 
Published: January 2007

Objective:  The objective of the present study was to compare a new type of symptomatic lichenoid reaction, specifically located on the mucosal side of the lips, and associated with microorganisms, with a matched group presenting with reticular oral lichen planus (OLP) of the buccal mucosa.Patients and methods:  The mean age for both groups was 66 years with a predominance of women (62%). The lichenoid reaction group (n = 25) presented with a reticular reaction pattern embracing various degrees of erythema. Patients presenting with OLP had similar lesions confined to the buccal mucosa but not on the mucosal side of the lips.Results:  In both groups, 80% were on any type of medication. However, 56% of the patients with lichenoid reactions medicated with more than three drugs compared with 29% (P < 0.05) in the OLP group. The former group more often used medicaments prescribed for cardiovascular diseases (48%vs 25%). Twenty‐two of the patients with lichenoid reactions were treated with chlorhexidine. In 80% of these patients (n = 18), the lesions improved or completely healed, indicating a microbial association.Conclusion:  Lichenoid reactions present on the mucosal side of the lips may be initiated by microbial plaque precipitated on the buccal surfaces of the anterior teeth.
Cellular response to unfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum of plants
Authors: Urade Reiko 
Published: January 2007

Secretory and transmembrane proteins are synthesized in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in eukaryotic cells. Nascent polypeptide chains, which are translated on the rough ER, are translocated to the ER lumen and folded into their native conformation. When protein folding is inhibited because of mutations or unbalanced ratios of subunits of hetero‐oligomeric proteins, unfolded or misfolded proteins accumulate in the ER in an event called ER stress. As ER stress often disturbs normal cellular functions, signal‐transduction pathways are activated in an attempt to maintain the homeostasis of the ER. These pathways are collectively referred to as the unfolded protein response (UPR). There have been great advances in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the UPR in yeast and mammals over the past two decades. In plants, a UPR analogous to those in yeast and mammals has been recognized and has recently attracted considerable attention. This review will summarize recent advances in the plant UPR and highlight the remaining questions that have yet to be addressed.
INFLUENCE OF MEASUREMENT TECHNIQUE, TEST FOOD, TEETH AND MUSCLE FORCE INTERACTIONS IN MASTICATORY PERFORMANCE
Authors: GAMBARELI FLÁVIA RIQUETO , SERRA MARCIA DIAZ , PEREIRA LUCIANO JOSÉ , GAVIÃO MARIA BEATRIZ DUARTE 
Published: January 2007

ABSTRACT The role of texture and flavors in mastication is evident, but it is difficult to understand the interactions among food properties, oral physiology and perception. Mastication results from rhythmic mandibular movements. The teeth and masticatory muscles together form the mechanism whereby the food particles are fragmented. Masticatory performance and efficiency are defined as the capacity to reduce natural or artificial test materials during mastication, or by counting the number of strokes required to reduce food, respectively. Foods eaten for nourishment are very different from the industrial test materials used to quantify masticatory performance, thus, divergences could arise if the chewable material can or cannot be swallowed. This study presents a synopsis of masticatory performance methods, which is also related to muscle force, number of teeth and test chewing substance diversity. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSThe attributes of food, such as appearance, flavor and texture, as well as its interaction with saliva, number of teeth and conditions of the biomechanical system, influence the chewing process. In addition, reflex control and cognition can influence food perception and breakdown in the mouth. Food acceptability and choice depend on sensory properties of the food, which are perceived during chewing and swallowing. Masticatory performance and maximal occlusal force measurement may provide essential information that could lead to an appropriate diagnosis as regards masticatory function. Masticatory efficiency and performance can be measured to determine the individual's capacity to comminute a natural or a chewable test material. A material with uniform properties that can be reliably reproduced is essential to provide an ideal test bolus for the scientific study of masticatory effectiveness.
SENSORY EVALUATION OF COOKED RICE IN RELATION TO WATER‐TO‐RICE RATIO AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES
Authors: SRISAWAS WEENA , JINDAL VINOD K. 
Published: January 2007

ABSTRACT The effects of cooking water‐to‐rice (W/R) ratio on the sensory characteristics of cooked rice eating quality of 14 varieties of Thai rice were investigated in relation to their physicochemical properties. Milled rice samples were cooked with five W/R ratios ranging from 1.3 to 2.5 on a weight basis and presented to 12 trained panelists for sensory evaluation. A three‐way analysis of variance and a principal component analysis identified the intensity of sensory hardness as the main characteristic of cooked rice. It decreased with increasing W/R ratio whereas sensory stickiness decreased. The overall acceptability based on appearance, texture and flavor attributes reached peak levels corresponding to optimum W/R ratios for different rice varieties, and was highly correlated with sensory hardness and stickiness. Partial least squares regression models of optimum W/R ratio and peak overall acceptability gave coefficients of determination of 0.991 and 0.980, respectively, thus indicating that the optimum W/R ratio and the acceptability ratings of cooked rice could be reliably predicted from the physicochemical properties such as the apparent amylose content, protein content, gel consistency, alkali‐spreading value and grain elongation ratio of milled rice. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSSensory evaluation of cooked rice eating qualities is a difficult task to carry out routinely on a day‐to‐day basis. Presently, rice varieties are categorized according to grain dimensions and selective physicochemical traits that reflect on the eating quality of cooked rice. Though it has been long realized that the amount of water used for cooking and rice physicochemical properties highly influence the eating quality of cooked rice, no information is currently available on the quantitative evaluation of these factors. Results of this study showed that models could be developed to quantify the optimum amount of water for cooking rice of different varieties with the most desirable sensory eating qualities. The prediction of peak overall sensory acceptability scores that correspond to the optimum cooking water‐to‐rice ratio could be useful for categorizing rice varieties based on their impact on sensory eating quality and for the development of baseline information for consumers by the rice industry.