bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Do parental ratings on cognition reflect neuropsychological outcome in congenital heart disease?
Authors: Miatton Marijke , De Wolf Daniël , François Katrien , Thiery Evert , Vingerhoets Guy 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAim: To describe the parental view of the cognitive skills of their child with a surgically corrected congenital heart disease (CHD) and compare it to objectified cognitive measures in children with CHD 6–12 years postoperatively.Methods: Parents completed a questionnaire on several cognitive functions of their child. Children with CHD and healthy controls (n = 86, aged 8 years 8 months ± 1 year 6 months) underwent an abbreviated IQ‐testing and a neurodevelopmental assessment.Results: Parents of the children with CHD more frequently indicated lower sustained attention (p < 0.05), lower divided attention (p < 0.001), more problems with memory and learning skills (p < 0.05), and deficient gross motor functioning (p < 0.01) compared to the parents of healthy controls. Intellectual and neuropsychological assessment revealed a lower estimated full‐scale IQ (p < 0.01), worse sensorimotor functioning (p < 0.001), and lower performances on language (p < 0.001), attention/executive functioning (p < 0.05), and memory (p < 0.05) in the CHD‐group. Several items of the questionnaire were significant predictors for worse neurodevelopmental outcome.Conclusion: Overall, the objective and subjective measures on cognitive functioning are in agreement and indicate the presence of neurocognitive deficits in children with CHD. This study endorses the accuracy and usefulness of a parental questionnaire to report on the cognitive functioning of the child and urges the investigation of neurocognitive functioning in children with CHD at follow‐up.
Reported symptoms of food hypersensitivity and sensitization to common foods in 4‐year‐old children
Authors: Östblom Eva , Wickman Magnus , Van Hage Marianne , Lilja Gunnar 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAim: To characterize reported food hypersensitivity (FHS) among young children in a birth cohort.Methods: At 4 years of age a parental questionnaire on FHS and allergic symptoms was evaluated. Blood was collected for analyses of IgE‐antibodies to egg, milk, fish, wheat, peanut and soy. Complete questionnaire data was available for 3694 children (90%), and blood samples were obtained from 2563 children (63%).Results: FHS was reported in 11% of the children (n = 397). Eczema was the most commonly reported symptom and the only symptom in half of these children. Food‐related reactions from the airways, facial oedema or urticaria were reported in 198 children, and the majority of these children (75%) reported multiple symptoms. Furthermore, a combination of airway symptoms, facial oedema or urticaria together with sensitization to food suggested a more severe form of FHS. This was found in 1.6% of all children. Symptoms caused by peanut were closely associated with sensitization to peanut (p < 0.001).Conclusions: FHS in 4‐year‐old children with any of asthma, rhino‐conjunctivitis, facial oedema or urticaria in combination is in most cases associated to sensitization to food. This phenotype of FHS is likely to represent a more severe form of FHS.
A visual pitfall: Persistent Mullerian duct syndrome (PMDS)
Authors: Marcus KA , Halbertsma FJJ , Picard JY , Otten BJ 
Published: April 2008

Abstract Persistent Müllerian Duct Syndrome (PMDS) is a rare disorder of the anti‐mullerian hormone (AMH) synthesis or receptor, which due to the visual contrast of normal masculine external genitalia and female internal genitalia can raise confusion, sometimes during surgery for cryptorchidism or hernia inguinalis. For an acute and accurate analysis of such a situation a thorough knowledge of gonadal embryology is mandatory. The diagnosis is made on finding Müllerian structures in an individual with complete virilization without signs of hypocortisolism or exposition to maternal androgens during foetal life. Karyotyping and gonadal biopsy provide additional information to confirm the diagnosis. As the risk of malignant transformation is not clear, orchidopexy is advised in patients with cryptorchidism, with lifelong palpatory follow‐up. In case of urologic symptoms, surgical removal of the Müllerian remnants can be considered, with careful attention for the vulnerable ductus deferens. Despite optimal treatment the prognosis regarding fertility remain uncertain.
Antimicrobial usage in paediatric intensive care units in China
Authors: Ding Hui , Yang Yonghong , Chen Yuan , Wang Yi , Fan Shaozhen , Shen Xuzhuang 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAim: The aim of the study was to determine antimicrobial usage in paediatric intensive care units (PICUs) in China.Methods: Data were equally collected from 540 charts of PICUs in the three Chinese tertiary teaching children hospitals in 2006. The data included demographic, clinical data and those on antimicrobial usage and results of microbiological examinations.Results: Of the 540 cases, 524 (94.7%) patients received at least one antimicrobial agent. The main treatment started empirically in 387 (71.6%). The third‐generation cephalosporins were the major antimicrobials used in all participating hospitals, accounting for 227 (31%). Bacteria were isolated from 48%, 68% and 59% of the three PICUs. Six common pathogens accounted for more than 75% of the isolated bacteria. The rates of Escherichia coli isolates resistant to cefotaxime were 73.8%, 58.3% and 49.2%, respectively, with the rate being higher in H1 than in H2 and H3 (both p < 0.01).Conclusions: Irrational use of antimicrobials exists in clinical practice of PICUs in China. It is recommended that antimicrobial usage should be guided by bacterial isolation and antimicrobial susceptibility tests in order to select correct antimicrobials and to prevent emergency of drug‐resistant strains in PICUs.
Renal concentrating capacity as a marker for glomerular filtration rate
Authors: Nieto Víctor M García , Yanes María Isabel Luis , Zamorano Margarita Monge , González Ma José Hernández , Aros Carolina Peralta , Garin Eduardo H 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAim: We have studied 160 children with a variety of renal diseases, 14 of them with chronic renal failure (CRF), to evaluate maximum urinary osmolality as a predictor of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) testing the hypothesis that a normal GFR is necessary to have a normal urinary concentrating capacity.Methods: All patients had a serum creatinine measured. GFR was calculated according to the Schwartz formula. All patients underwent desmopressin (DDAVP) test to evaluate renal concentrating capacity.Results: Patients with CRF were unable to concentrate the urine beyond 486 mosm/kg whereas all patients with a normal concentrating capacity (urine osmolality > 835 mosm/kg) had a normal GFR. Desmopressin test sensitivity to detect CRF was 100% and specificity 70.5%. A significant negative correlation was found between urinary osmolality after DDAVP administration and serum creatinine levels and between urinary volume corrected by 100 mL of GFR (V/GFR) and urinary osmolality.Conclusion: In our series, a normal concentrating capacity was always associated with a normal GFR while all patients with decreased GFR had a concentrating capacity defect. Thus, in the evaluation of infants and children with renal disease, the finding of a normal urinary concentrating capacity will suggest and intact glomerular and tubular function.
Antioxidative properties of human milk and spermine are not related to expression of Hsp 70
Authors: Shoji Hiromichi , Shimizu Toshiaki 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAim: Heat shock proteins (Hsps) have been detected in various tissues, including those in the intestines, and play a role in cellular protection. Polyamines, such as spermine (SPM), are found in human milk (HM) and act as antioxidants. We hypothesized that the antioxidative property of SPM is related to the expression of Hsp and examined this relationship in an intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) line.Method: (i) Confluent IEC‐6 cells were exposed to mild heat shock (43°C, 1 h) and then allowed to recover at 37°C for 24 h. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was applied to induce oxidative stress and cell viability was evaluated. (ii) Cells were exposed to mild heat shock or pre‐incubated with HM or pre‐incubated with 5 μM SPM for 24 h. Hsp70 expression in IEC‐6 cells was analysed by Western blot.Results: The survival rate of cells treated with mild heat shock after H2O2 challenge was significantly higher than that of non‐pretreated cells. Western blot analysis demonstrated that Hsp70 was expressed in IEC‐6 cells treated with mild heat shock but not in IEC‐6 cells pre‐incubated with HM or 5 μM SPM.Conclusion: Mild heat shock treatment induces Hsp70, which acts as an antioxidant in IEC‐6 cells, but HM or SPM does not induce Hsp70 in this system.
Determination of Anthocyanins and Exploration of Relationship between Their Composition and Petal Coloration in Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia hybrid)
Authors: Zhang Jie , Wang Liang‐Sheng , Gao Jin‐Ming , Shu Qing‐Yan , Li Chong‐Hui , Yao Juan , Hao Qing , Zhang Jing‐Jing 
Published: April 2008

Abstract Petal coloration and pigment components in 12 American crape myrtle cultivars (Lagerstroemia indica×Lagerstroemia fauriei) and five Chinese crape myrtle cultivars (L. indica hybrids) were studied. Color was measured by CIEL*a*b* scale and anthocyanin composition of crape myrtle was determined using high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled to photodiode array detection and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. The presence of the previously reported delphinidin 3‐O‐glucoside, petunidin 3‐O‐glucoside and malvidin 3‐O‐glucoside were confirmed. Cyanidin 3‐O‐glucoside was identified in crape myrtle for the first time. We explored the relationship between petal color and anthocyanin contents by multiple linear regression analyses. The results indicated that total flavones and flavonols were important variables and contributed to blue‐enhancing in crape myrtle. Based on anthocyanins and co‐pigments analysis, flower color breeding in crape myrtle towards true‐red and blue were discussed.
Expression of a High Mobility Group Protein Isolated from Cucumis sativus Affects the Germination of Arabidopsis thaliana under Abiotic Stress Conditions
Authors: Jang Ji Young , Kwak Kyung Jin , Kang Hunseung 
Published: April 2008

Abstract Although high mobility group B (HMGB) proteins have been identified from a variety of plant species, their importance and functional roles in plant responses to changing environmental conditions are largely unknown. Here, we investigated the functional roles of a CsHMGB isolated from cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) in plant responses to environmental stimuli. Under normal growth conditions or when subjected to cold stress, no differences in plant growth were found between the wild‐type and transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana overexpressing CsHMGB. By contrast, the transgenic Arabidopsis plants displayed retarded germination compared with the wild‐type plants when grown under high salt or dehydration stress conditions. Germination of the transgenic plants was delayed by the addition of abscisic acid (ABA), implying that CsHMGB affects germination through an ABA‐dependent way. The expression of CsHMGB had affected only the germination stage, and CsHMGB did not affect the seedling growth of the transgenic plants under the stress conditions. The transcript levels of several germination‐responsive genes were modulated by the expression of CsHMGB in Arabidopsis. Taken together, these results suggest that ectopic expression of a CsHMGB in Arabidopsis modulates the expression of several germination‐responsive genes, and thereby affects the germination of Arabidopsis plants under different stress conditions.
Overexpression of Sweet Pepper Glycerol‐3‐Phosphate Acyltransferase Gene Enhanced Thermotolerance of Photosynthetic Apparatus in Transgenic Tobacco
Authors: Yan Kun , Chen Na , Qu Yan‐Yan , Dong Xin‐Chun , Meng Qing‐Wei , Zhao Shi‐Jie 
Published: April 2008

Abstract In order to investigate the relationship between the lipid composition in thylakoid membrane and thermostability of photosynthetic apparatus, tobacco transformed with sweet pepper sense glycerol‐3‐phosphate acyltransferase (GPAT) gene were used to analyze the lipid composition in thylakoid membrane, the net photosynthetic rate and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters under high temperature stress. The results showed that the saturated extent of monogalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG), sulfoquinovosyldiacylglycerol, digalactosyldiacylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol in thylakoid membrane of transgenic tobacco T1 lines increased generally. Particularly, the saturated extent in MGDG increased obviously by 16.2% and 12.0% in T1‐2 and T1‐1, respectively. With stress temperature elevating, the maximum efficiency of photosystem II (PSII) photochemistry (Fv/Fm), actual photochemical efficiency of PSII in the light (ΦPSII) and net photosynthetic rate (Pn) of the two lines and wild type tobacco plants decreased gradually, but those parameters decreased much less in transgenic plants. Even though the recovery process appeared differently in the donor and acceptor side of PSII in transgenic tobacco compared with wild‐type plants, the entire capability of PSII recovered faster in transgenic tobacco, which was shown in the parameters of PI, Fv/Fm and ΦPSII, as a result, the recovery of Pn was accelerated. Conclusively, we proposed that the increase in saturated extent of thylakoid membrane lipids in transgenic plants enhanced the stability of photosynthetic apparatus under high temperature stress.
Transcription Factor WRKY70 Displays Important but No Indispensable Roles in Jasmonate and Salicylic Acid Signaling
Authors: Ren Chun‐Mei , Zhu Qi , Gao Bi‐Da , Ke Shao‐Ying , Yu Wan‐Cong , Xie Dao‐Xin , Peng Wen 
Published: April 2008

Abstract The transcription factor WRKY70 was previously reported to be a common component in salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonate (JA) mediated signal pathways in Arabidopsis. Here, we present that the inactivation of the WRKY70 gene in wrky70‐1 mutant does not alter the responses of both JA and SA, and that wrky70 mutation is unable to restore the coi1 mutant in JA responses. However, overexpression of WRKY70 reduces JA responses such as expression of JA‐induced genes and JA‐inhibitory root growth, and activates expression of SA‐inducible PR1. These data indicate that the WRKY70 is important but not indispensable for JA and SA signaling, and that other regulators may display the redundant role with WRKY70 in modulation of JA and SA responses in Arabidopsis. Furthermore, we showed that JA inhibits expression of WRKY70 and PR1 by both COI1‐dependent and COI1‐independent pathways.
Seed Dynamics in Relation to Gaps in a Tropical Montane Rainforest of Hainan Island, South China: (II) Seed Bank
Authors: Zang Run‐Guo , Ding Yi , Zhang Wei‐Yin 
Published: April 2008

AbstractSpatial and temporal patterns of seed bank dynamics in relation to gaps in an old growth tropical montane rainforest of Hainan Island, South China, were studied over two consecutive years. From June 2001 to June 2003, soil seed bank sampling blocks were taken near each of the four sides of each seed trap and immediately put into a nursery for observation of seedling emergence dynamics in four seasons (each experiment in each season). The abundances of seedlings that emerged from seed banks showed the trend of vine functional group (VFG) > shrub functional group (SFG) > tree functional group (TFG) > herb functional group (HFG), but the trend in species richness of seedlings that emerged from the soil seed banks was TFG > VFG > SFG > HFG. The abundances of seedlings that emerged from seed banks in the three gap zones showed no significant differences, but significant differences did exist for the species richness. The time of sampling or seasons of experiments had significant influences on both the species richness and seedling abundances. The seedling emergence processes of each experiment all revealed the unimodal patterns. Few emergences occurred 1 year after each experiment. Compared with those under closed canopies, the recruitment rates from seed to seedlings and from seedlings to saplings in gaps were higher, but the mortality rates from saplings to big trees were also higher in the gaps.
Polaris B, an optical companion of the Polaris (α UMi) system: atmospheric parameters, chemical composition, distance and mass
Authors: Usenko I. A. , Klochkova V. G. 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
We present an analysis of high-resolution spectroscopic observations of Polaris B, the optical companion of the Polaris Ab system. The star has a radial velocity of −16.6 to −18.9 km s−1, and a projected rotational velocity v sin i= 110 km s−1. The derived atmospheric parameters are: Teff= 6900 K; log g= 4.3; Vt= 2.5 km s−1. Polaris B has elemental abundances generally similar to those of the Cepheid Polaris A, although carbon, sodium and magnesium are close to the solar values. At a spectral type of F3 V Polaris B has a luminosity of 3.868 L⊙, an absolute magnitude of +3.30 mag, and a distance of 109.5 pc. The mass of the star is estimated to be 1.39 M⊙, close to a mass of 1.38 ± 0.61 M⊙ for the recently resolved orbital period companion Polaris Ab observed by Evans et al.
Political Ecology and Land Degradation: How Does the Land Lie 21 Years after Blaikie and Brookfield'sLand Degradation and Society?
Authors: Jones Samantha 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe application of political ecology approaches to the study of land degradation sinceBlaikie and Brookfield's (1987) book are notably scant in the academic literature. This brief review traces the way in which the field of political ecology has evolved towards a tendency to question theextentand ‘narratives’ of degradation. It illustrates how studies that have examined thecausesof degradation have concentrated on single relationships (e.g. between land degradation and poverty or population) albeit recognising the mediating effects of other variables such as institutions; rather than examining the multiple causes operating at different scales as the political ecology approach advocates. The influence of post‐structuralism has been strong and some suggest that philosophical debates seem to be leading towards a ‘dissolution of political ecology’ (perhaps only in its early form). Yet, there are calls for a return to appreciating the influence of political economy on land degradation. Some authors note that it is possible for a revived political ecology approach to benefit from the insights of post‐structural political ecology, while still providing a basis for informed policy recommendations.
SGI2, a Relative ofSalmonellaGenomic Island SGI1 with an Independent Origin
Authors: Levings Renee S. , Djordjevic Steven P. , Hall Ruth M. 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACTMultiply antibiotic-resistantSalmonella entericaserovar Emek strains isolated in Australia and the United Kingdom had similar features, suggesting that they all belong to a single clone. These strains all contain SGI2 (formerly SGI1-J), an independently formed relative ofSalmonellagenomic island SGI1. In SGI2, the complex class 1 integron which includes all of the resistance genes is not located betweentnpR(S027) and S044 as in SGI1 and SGI1 variants. Instead,tnpRwas found to be adjacent to S044, and the integron is located 6.9 kb away, within S023. In both SGI1 and SGI2, the 25-bp inverted repeats that mark the outer ends of class 1 integrons are flanked by a 5-bp duplication of the target, indicating that incorporation of the integron was by transposition. A small number of differences between the sequences of the backbones of SGI1 and SGI2 were also found. Hence, a class 1 integron has entered two different variants of the SGI backbone to generate two distinct lineages. Despite this, the integron in SGI2 has a complex structure that is very similar to that of In104 in SGI1. Differences are in the cassette arrays and in the gene which encodes the chloramphenicol and florfenicol efflux protein. The CmlA9 protein, encoded by InEmek, is only 92.8% identical to FloRc (also a CmlA family protein) from SGI1. A variant form of SGI2, SGI2-A, which has lost thetet(G) andcmlA9resistance determinants, was found in one strain.
Acquisition of a Plasmid-Borne
bla
OXA-58
Gene with an Upstream IS
1008
Insertion Conferring a High Level of Carbapenem Resistance to
Acinetobacter baumannii
Authors: Chen Te-Li , Wu Roy Chen-Chih , Shaio Men-Fang , Fung Chang-Phone , Cho Wen-Long 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACT

The oxacillinase gene was reported to confer limited resistance to carbapenem in
Acinetobacter baumannii
. In this study, we have demonstrated that an
A. baumannii
clinical isolate harboring a plasmid, pTVICU53, has 11,037 bp encoding 13 open reading frames. A
bla
OXA-58
gene with an upstream insertion of truncated IS
Aba3
(ΔIS
Aba3
) and IS
1008
was found in this plasmid. ΔIS
Aba3
and IS
1008
provided two independent promoters for the transcription control of the
bla
OXA-58
gene. The transformation of pTVICU53 or a shuttle vector bearing IS
1008
-ΔIS
Aba3
-
bla
OXA-58
to different
A. baumannii
recipients can increase their MICs of carbapenem 64- to 256-fold. The deletion of promoters provided by IS
1008
resulted in dramatic decreases in
bla
OXA-58
transcription and a 32- to 64-fold reduction in the carbapenem MIC. These findings highlight that
A. baumannii
might develop carbapenem resistance with a single transformation step, taking up a plasmid containing a genetic construct with a potentially high level of transcription of the
bla
OXA-58
gene.
Functional Diversity among Metallo-β-Lactamases: Characterization of the CAR-1 Enzyme of
Erwinia carotovora
Authors: Stoczko Magdalena , Frère Jean-Marie , Rossolini Gian Maria , Docquier Jean-Denis 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACT

Metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs) are zinc-dependent bacterial enzymes characterized by an efficient hydrolysis of carbapenems and a lack of sensitivity to commercially available β-lactamase inactivators. Apart from the acquired subclass B1 enzymes, which exhibit increasing clinical importance and whose evolutionary origin remains unclear, most MBLs are encoded by resident genes found in the genomes of organisms belonging to at least three distinct phyla. Using genome database mining, we identified an open reading frame (ORF) (ECA2849) encoding an MBL-like protein in the sequenced genome of
Erwinia carotovora
, an important plant pathogen. Although no detectable β-lactamase activity could be found in
E. carotovora
, a recombinant
Escherichia coli
strain in which the ECA2849 ORF was cloned showed decreased susceptibility to several β-lactams, while carbapenem MICs were surprisingly poorly affected. The enzyme, named CAR-1, was purified by means of ion-exchange chromatography steps, and its characterization revealed unique structural and functional features. This new MBL was able to efficiently hydrolyze cephalothin, cefuroxime, and cefotaxime and, to a lesser extent, penicillins and the other cephalosporins but only poorly hydrolyzed meropenem, while imipenem was not recognized. CAR-1 is the first example of a functional naturally occurring MBL in the family
Enterobacteriaceae
(order
Enterobacteriales
) and highlights the extraordinary structural and functional diversity exhibited by MBLs.
Pharmacokinetics and Tissue Distribution of Anidulafungin in Rats
Authors: Damle Bharat , Stogniew Martin , Dowell James 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACT
This study assessed the tissue distribution of anidulafungin in rats. Anidulafungin rapidly distributed into tissues, achieving peak concentrations within 30 min, and maintained levels above MICs for common pathogens over 72 h. In tissues susceptible to fungal infection (liver, lung, spleen, kidney), exposure was 9- to 12-fold higher than in plasma.