bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Human blood dendritic cells from allergic subjects have impaired capacity to produce interferon‐α via toll‐like receptor 9
Authors: Tversky J. R. , Le T. V. , Bieneman A. P. , Chichester K. L. , Hamilton R. G. , Schroeder J. T. 
Published: March 2008

SummaryBackground
High‐affinity IgE receptor (FcɛRI) expression on blood dendritic cells reportedly correlates with serum IgE levels. Our studies demonstrate that plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) secrete pro‐inflammatory cytokines (IL‐6, TNF‐α) following FcɛRI stimulation – a mode of activation that simultaneously reduces expression of Toll‐like receptor 9 (TLR9). Whether or not TLR9 and/or FcɛRI levels and their function on dendritic cells relate to allergic status is unknown.Objective
The aim of this study is to compare the innate (TLR9‐mediated) immune response of human pDCs to TLR9 and FcɛRIα receptor expression in allergic and non‐allergic subjects.Methods
Basophil‐depleted mononuclear cell fractions containing pDCs were prepared from peripheral blood of allergic and non‐allergic subjects. Intracellular TLR9 and surface FcɛRIα expression in blood dendritic cell antigen‐2‐positive cells were determined by flow cytometry. Activating anti‐IgE antibody, anti‐FcɛRIα antibody, and TLR9 agonist were used to stimulate cell suspensions, with cytokine levels determined by ELISA.Results
No difference in the frequency of pDCs was detected among allergic (n=9) vs. non‐allergic (n=11) subjects (P=0.261). While there was also no difference in the baseline expression of TLR9, pDCs from allergic subjects produced sixfold less IFN‐α when stimulated with CpG (P=0.002). Conversely, there was higher FcɛRIα expression (P=0.01) on the pDCs of allergic subjects.Conclusions
Impaired TLR9‐dependent immune responses in human pDCs are associated with allergic status and inversely correlated with FcɛRIα expression. This impaired innate immune response among dendritic cells of allergic subjects may lead to more targeted therapeutic approaches and could provide a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying conventional and CpG‐based immunotherapy.
Genetic differentiation in diapause response along a latitudinal cline in European yellow dung fly populations
Authors: DEMONT MARCO , BLANCKENHORN WOLF U. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract1. Seasonality is a prime selective factor expected to result in local adaptation of life cycles and dormancy. Genetic differentiation in diapause response was investigated along a European latitudinal cline in the dung flyScathophaga stercoraria(Diptera: Scathophagidae). Such differentiation may be mediated by additive or dominance genetic and/or maternal effects, which need to be distinguished.2. Replicate sibships from five European populations (Lugano, Switzerland: 46.00°N; Zurich, Switzerland: 47.37°N; Oxford, U.K.: 51.75°N; Lund, Sweden: 55.70°N; Reykjavik, Iceland: 64.15°N) were raised in a common laboratory environment known to induce pupal winter diapause (12 °C and 12 h light), revealing a genetic latitudinal cline in both the proportion of individuals entering diapause and diapause duration in response to winter length estimated from weather data.3. Populations from the extremes of the cline (Lugano and Reykjavik) were further reciprocally crossed to investigate the underlying genetics. This experiment revealed evidence for diapause induction at 12 °C being dominant (i.e. not merely additive) and clearly rejected maternal effects as the primary source of this between‐population variation.
Changing transcriptional initiation sites and alternative 5′‐ and 3′‐splice site selection of the first intron deploys Arabidopsis PROTEIN ISOASPARTYL METHYLTRANSFERASE2 variants to different subcellular compartments
Authors: Dinkins Randy D. , Majee Susmita Maitra , Nayak Nihar R. , Martin David , Xu Qilong , Belcastro Marisa P. , Houtz Robert L. , Beach Carol M. , Downie A. Bruce 
Published: March 2008

Summary Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. possesses two PROTEIN‐L‐ISOASPARTATE METHYLTRANSFERASE (PIMT) genes encoding enzymes (EC 2.1.1.77) capable of converting uncoded l‐isoaspartyl residues, arising spontaneously at l‐asparaginyl and l‐aspartyl sites in proteins, to l‐aspartate. PIMT2 produces at least eight transcripts by using four transcriptional initiation sites (TIS; resulting in three different initiating methionines) and both 5′‐ and 3′‐alternative splice site selection of the first intron. The transcripts produce mature proteins capable of converting l‐isoaspartate to l‐aspartate in small peptide substrates. PIMT:GFP fusion proteins generated a detectable signal in the nucleus. However, whether the protein was also detectable in the cytoplasm, endo‐membrane system, chloroplasts, and/or mitochondria, depended on the transcript from which it was produced. On‐blot‐methylation of proteins, prior to the completion of germination, indicated that cruciferin subunits contain isoaspartate. The implications of using transcriptional mechanisms to expand a single gene’s repertoire to protein variants capable of entry into the cell’s various compartments are discussed in light of PIMT’s presumed role in repairing the proteome.
Puzzling practice: A strategy for working with clinical practice issues
Authors: Walsh Kenneth , Moss Cheryle , Lawless Jane , McKelvie Rhonda , Duncan Lindsay 
Published: March 2008

In this paper we aim to share the evolution of innovative ways to explore, ‘unpack’ and reframe clinical issues that exist in everyday practice. The elements of these processes, which we call ‘puzzling practice’, and the techniques associated with them, were delineated over a two year period by the four authors using action theory based processes. The authors have evolved several different frameworks for ‘puzzling practice’ which we draw on and use in our practice development work and in our research practice. This paper pays attention to a particular form of puzzling practice that we have found to be useful in assisting individual clinicians and teams to explore and find workable solutions to practice issues.The paper uses a semi‐fictitious example of ‘Puzzling Practice’ gleaned from our experience as practice development facilitators. In this example ‘puzzling practice’ uses seven different elements; naming the issue; puzzling the issue; testing the puzzle exploring the heart of out practice; formulating the puzzle question; visualizing the future; and generating new strategies for action. Each of the elements is illustrated by the story and the key foundations and ideas behind each element is explored.
Risk factors for anastomotic leakage after rectal cancer surgery: a case‐control study
Authors: Jestin P. , Påhlman L. , Gunnarsson U. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractBackground  With introduction of the total mesorectal excision technique and preoperative radiotherapy in rectal cancer surgery, the local recurrence rate has decreased and the overall survival has improved. One drawback, however, is the high anastomotic leakage rate of approximately 10–18%. Male gender and low anastomoses are known risk factors for such leakage. The aim of this study was to identify potentially modifiable risk factors.Method  In a case‐control study, data from the Swedish Rectal Cancer Registry (1995–2000) were analysed. Cases were all patients with anastomotic leakage after an anterior resection (n = 134). Two controls were randomly selected for each case. The medical records (n = 402) were checked against a study protocol. Due to incorrect recording two cases and 28 controls were excluded from further analyses.Results  In the multivariate analysis significant risk factors were American Society of Anesthesiologists score > 2 [OR = 1.40 (95% CI 1.05–1.83)], preoperative radiotherapy [OR = 1.34 (95% CI 1.06–1.69)], intraoperative adverse events [OR = 1.85 (95% CI 1.32–2.58)], level of anastomosis ≤ 6 cm [OR = 1.39 (95% CI 1.01–1.90)] and severe bleeding [OR = 1.45 (95% CI 1.14–1.84)]. Diverting stoma protected from leakage [OR = 0.68 (95% CI 0.52–0.88)]. Male gender was a risk factor in the univariate but not in the multivariate analysis [OR = 1.30 (95% CI 1.04–1.63) and OR = 1.26 (95% CI 1.00–1.58), respectively]. Except for a protective stoma, none of the variables considered as possible targets for improvement, such as postoperative epidural anaesthesia, observation at intensive care unit for more than 24 h, and intraabdominal drainage, proved to be protective factors either in the univariate or in the multivariate analyses.Conclusion  The most important risk factors for leakage were adverse intraoperative events, low anastomoses and preoperative radiotherapy. A diverting stoma is protective and can reduce the consequences when leakage occurs. Further analyses with focus on the surgical technique and individual surgeon may be valuable in identifying targets for improvement.
Children's Planning of Classroom Plays with Adult or Child Direction
Authors: Baker‐Sennett Jacquelyn , Matusov Eugene , Rogoff Barbara 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThis study examined the planning that occurred when children participated in classroom playcrafting with either adult or child leadership. In a first‐/second‐grade classroom in an innovative public school, we videotaped 11 sessions in which children volunteered to develop a play with small groups of classmates and seven sessions in which adult volunteers (parents and a grandparent) developed plays with small groups of children. The plays were crafted in one session of about an hour, and then usually performed for the class.More planning took place during child‐ than adult‐directed sessions (averaging 92 vs. 35 percent of the session's duration). The groups led by children were more frequently involved in planning of themes, planning of details of the themes, and especially in improvisationally mindstorming ideas than were the groups led by adults. In adult‐directed sessions, the adults often planned the play before the children joined the activity, and the children spent most of the session in non‐playplanning activities such as gluing and coloring puppets or rehearsal of lines designed by the adult in advance. We argue that opportunities to observe and participate in planning—which occurred more frequently in child‐directed than adult‐directed sessions—are important to the development of planning skills and of co‐ordination of plans with others.
Positional Accuracy of Spatial Data: Non‐Normal Distributions and a Critique of the National Standard for Spatial Data Accuracy
Authors: Zandbergen Paul A 
Published: March 2008

AbstractSpatial data quality is a paramount concern in all GIS applications. Existing spatial data accuracy standards, including the National Standard for Spatial Data Accuracy (NSSDA) used in the United States, commonly assume the positional error of spatial data is normally distributed. This research has characterized the distribution of the positional error in four types of spatial data: GPS locations, street geocoding, TIGER roads, and LIDAR elevation data. The positional error in GPS locations can be approximated with a Rayleigh distribution, the positional error in street geocoding and TIGER roads can be approximated with a log‐normal distribution, and the positional error in LIDAR elevation data can be approximated with a normal distribution of the original vertical error values after removal of a small number of outliers. For all four data types considered, however, these solutions are only approximations, and some evidence of non‐stationary behavior resulting in lack of normality was observed in all four datasets. Monte‐Carlo simulation of the robustness of accuracy statistics revealed that the conventional 100% Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) statistic is not reliable for non‐normal distributions. Some degree of data trimming is recommended through the use of 90% and 95% RMSE statistics. Percentiles, however, are not very robust as single positional accuracy statistics. The non‐normal distribution of positional errors in spatial data has implications for spatial data accuracy standards and error propagation modeling. Specific recommendations are formulated for revisions of the NSSDA.
Comparing Student Performance in Online and Blended Sections of a GIS Programming Class
Authors: Detwiler James E 
Published: March 2008

AbstractEducators and non‐educators alike commonly assume that online courses cannot match the effectiveness of their traditional, face‐to‐face counterparts. This article describes a comparative study of the performance and study habits of two groups of students in a course in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software programming and customization: one delivered online to adult professionals working asynchronously; the other delivered in a blended, online/face‐to‐face environment to upper‐level undergraduates in residence. Course grades show that the undergraduate cohort underperformed in comparison to the online cohort, in spite of the fact that their version of the course included face‐to‐face lecture and lab time in addition to the online course materials. To explore differences in the study habits of the two groups, all students were asked to keep a diary of the time they devoted to coursework. Information from these diaries suggest that a student's ability to meet learning objectives is less dependent on the course content delivery mechanism than it is on the student's motivation, maturity and time management skills.
Resection of Pulmonary Metastases in Canine Osteosarcoma: 36 Cases (1983–1992)
Authors: O'BRIEN M. G. , STRAW R. C. , WITHROW S. J. , POWERS B. E. , JAMESON V. J. , LAFFERTY M. , OGILVIE G. K. , LaRUE S. M. 
Published: March 2008

Thirty‐six dogs underwent pulmonary metastatectomy for osteosarcoma. All patients had been treated for histologically confirmed osteosarcoma of the appendicular skeleton. Treatment for the primary tumor consisted of amputation or a limb sparing procedure in conjunction with adjuvant chemotherapy, local radiation therapy, or both.Significant factors in determining prognosis included the disease‐free interval (DFI) between treatment of the primary tumor and development of pulmonary metastases and the number of metastatic nodules present at surgery. Dogs that developed pulmonary metastases 300 days or more after diagnosis of the primary tumor had a median DFI of 128 days after metastatectomy. Dogs that developed pulmonary metastases fewer than 300 days after diagnosis had a median DFI of 58 days. Dogs with one or two metastatic nodules removed had a median DFI of 95 days, whereas dogs with three or more nodules removed had a median DFI of 53 days. The results of this study indicate that prognostic variables exist for dogs with metastatic pulmonary osteosarcoma and can help predict survival after metastatectomy. These variables are similar to the prognostic variables that have been determined for human patients undergoing pulmonary metastatectomy because of osteosarcoma. Though a controversial procedure, pulmonary metastatectomy seems to be a valid treatment option for selected dogs with metastatic pulmonary osteosarcoma.
Using the unique degradation ratio system (DRS) as an alternative method for feed evaluation and diet formulation: A review
Authors: YU Peiqiang 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTRecently obtained information on applications of the unique degradation ratio system (DRS) as an alternative method for feed evaluation and diet formulation is reviewed, in relation to optimum rumen fermentation and nutrient utilization and availability. The DRS ratio values show the balance between potentially microbial protein synthesis from rumen degradable crude protein and that potentially from the energy extracted during anaerobic fermentation in the rumen. In modeling feed evaluation and diet formulation, the degradation ratios can be used in assisting to detect effects of feed processing and optimize the composition of ruminant diets. Unfortunately, few researchers provide such crucial ratio data when they studied rumen degradation characteristics of a feed or diet mainly due to lack of knowledge of the DRS system. The emphasis of this article is on: (i) systematic introduction of the DRS system; and (ii) prediction the optimal rumen fermentation using the DRS system. The information described in this article may give better insight into the principal, computation and applications of the DRS system for feed and diet evaluation. A focus of the article is on evaluation of the DRS system as an alternative new approach to establishment of a feed evaluation system that more accurately accounts for feed digestive processes in the ruminant on a quantitative basis.
Cell wall degradation of tropical and temperate forage grasses measured by nylon bag and in vitro digestion techniques
Authors: KASUYA Natsuki , XU Qin , KOBAYASHI Yoshinao , FUKUDA Kiyoharu , ENISHI Osamu , IIYAMA Kenji , ITABASHI Hisao 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTFour tropical and four temperate grasses were subjected to nylon bag fiber degradation study with fistulated Holstein cattle as well as in vitro digestion with broad spectrum cellulase, and the degradability of cell wall carbohydrate and lignin for the respective forage grasses were determined. The degradability of neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber for the same plant materials appeared to be similar, but that of acid detergent lignin was constantly lower. As for the plant materials used in the present study, Italian ryegrass, orchardgrass and guineagrass showed high degradability of fibers in nylon bag incubation, while setaria, cogongrass and wheat showed smaller degradability. In both nylon bag incubation and in vitro digestion experiments, the forage samples showing relatively lower degradability exhibited notably lower disappearance of xylose than that of glucose or arabinose. It was also observed that dry matter degradability correlated negatively with the initial content of esterified and/or etherified p‐coumaric acid. These results were assumed to be caused by the difference in resistance towards rumen microbial degradation due to the concentration of lignin‐carbohydrate complex.
Impact of energy and protein restriction on energy expenditure of gestation in twin‐bearing ewes
Authors: KIANI Alishir , CHWALIBOG Andre , TAUSON Anne‐Helene , NIELSEN Mette O. 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTThis study aimed to investigate the impact of energy and protein restriction on energy expenditure of gestation (EEgest) in twin‐bearing ewes. Multiparous twin‐bearing ewes were fed either adequate (A: n = 10) or restricted to 60% of energy and protein requirements (R: n = 10) during the last 6 weeks of gestation. Whole‐body energy expenditure (EE) and retained energy (RE) were calculated from respiratory gaseous exchange combined with nitrogen balance at 7, 5 and 2 weeks prepartum. Twin lamb birth weight was lower in the R group compared to those in the A group (7.9 ± 0.31 vs 9.3 ± 0.19 kg, P < 0.01). The EEgest was lower in the R group than the A group (4.6 vs 5.9 MJ/day, SE = 0.30, P < 0.01). Between 5 and 2 weeks prepartum, EEgest contribution to the whole‐body EE significantly (P < 0.01) increased from 39% to 45% and from 34% to 40% in the A and R groups, respectively. Based on kg conceptus weight, both EEhomeorhetic (from 292 to 270 kJ/kg/day, SE = 6.2, P < 0.001) and EEconceptus (from 259 to 177 kJ/kg/day, SE = 23.8, P = 0.02) decreased between weeks 5 and 2 prepartum. The EEconceptus tended to be lower (P = 0.06) in the R group than the A group both at 5 weeks (219 vs 298 kJ/kg/day, SE = 32.8) and 2 weeks (from 138 to 217 kJ/kg/day, SE = 30.1) prepartum. In conclusion, energy and protein restriction reduced energy expenditure of gestation calculated per kg conceptus weight. The decrease may be associated with energy expenditure of conceptus growth and maintenance.
Effects of high potassium chloride supplementation on growth rate and renal function in mice
Authors: MURAI Iori , IMANISHI Satoshi , SUGIMOTO Miki , KUME Shin‐ichi 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTFifty‐four mice were assigned to a control diet group or a KCl diet group to clarify the effects of KCl supplementation on growth rate, water intake and renal function in mice, and 5% of KCl was supplemented in KCl diets for 1–4 weeks. Bodyweights of KCl supplemented mice were significantly lower than those of control mice, and bodyweights of control and KCl supplemented mice at 28 days after treatment were 45.5 and 41.2 g, respectively. Feed intake was not affected by KCl supplementation, but water intake of KCl supplemented mice was significantly higher than that of control mice. Bone weights of KCl supplemented mice at 2 weeks after treatment were significantly lower than those of control mice. Serum urea nitrogen concentration at 4 weeks and serum K and Cl concentrations at 2 weeks were significantly lower in KCl supplemented mice. Histological alteration using hematoxylin–eosin and Sirius red staining was not found in the kidney of each mouse at 1, 2, and 4 weeks after treatment. These results suggest that high KCl supplementation decreases the rate of bodyweight gain and increases water intake in mice.
Comparative observation on the growth changes of the histochemical properties and collagen architecture of the Musculus puboischiofemoralis pars medialis from Silky, layer‐type and meat‐type cockerels
Authors: OSHIMA Ichiro , IWAMOTO Hisao , TABATA Shoji , ONO Yoshitaka , ISHIBASHI Akira , SHIBA Nobuya , MIYACHI Hideyuki , NISHIMURA Shotaro 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTGrowth‐related changes in the histochemical properties and collagen architecture of the Musculus puboischiofemoralis pars medialis were compared among Silky, layer‐type, and meat‐type cockerels. Histochemical and immunohistochemical methods were employed and collagen architecture was studied using scanning electron microscopy. Total intramuscular collagen was also determined. The myofibers were categorized as type I, type IIA and a transitional form, type I‐tr. The proportion of type I‐tr myofibers diminished and these myofibers were transformed entirely into type I myofibers in meat‐type but incompletely in the others. The largest diameter of type I myofiber was found in layer‐type at 30 weeks of age. At 30 weeks of age, layer‐type birds had attained well‐developed perimysial collagen bundles while meat‐type birds had less developed bundles. The endomysial collagen network had a large mesh size at 1 week and then accumulated many collagen fibrils to form a felt‐like fabric of fibrils by 30 weeks of age. Silky birds developed the thickest endomysial collagen plates of all the breeds. From these results it appears that growth‐related changes in the histological structure of M. puboischiofemoralis pars medialis are not necessarily causally affected by the different growth rates of chicken breeds.
Estrogen receptor alpha expression in the thymus of chick embryos during late stages of embryogenesis
Authors: YONEZAWA Yasuji , SHIN Young‐ha , ABE Asaki , KONDO Yasuhiro 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTIn the present study, we examined the presence of estrogen receptor α (ERα) in the thymus of chick embryos using two methods, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT‐PCR) with a primer set designed based on the sequence of chicken ERα–cDNA, and immunohistochemistry using anti‐ER antibody which cross‐reacts with chicken ERα. Expression of ERα mRNA was detected in the thymus of chick embryos at all stages of embryogenesis (14th to 19th day of embryogenesis) examined, as well as hen's oviducts which were used as a positive control. Scattered ERα‐positive sites were observed in the medulla of the thymus, but no sites were detected in the cortex, indicating a medulla‐limiting presence of ER‐positive sites in the chicken thymus. At high magnification under microscopic observation, ER‐positive cells were found specifically in Hassall's corpuscles or the cells in the vicinity of the Hassall's corpuscles in the medulla of the thymus. In mammalian species, Hassall's corpuscle is related to T‐cell genesis in the thymus, although the physiological significance of the component in the chicken thymus has not been reported. The results of the present study raise the possibility that estrogen plays a role in T‐cell differentiation in the thymus of chick embryos by acting on Hassall's corpuscle.