bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inorganic sulphate extraction from SO2‐impacted Andosols
Authors: Delfosse T. , Delmelle P. , Givron C. , Delvaux B. 
Published: January 2005

SummarySulphate sorption on to the surface of short‐range ordered minerals and precipitation of Al‐hydroxy sulphate contribute to the acid neutralizing capacity of soils. The correct measurement of total inorganic sulphate is thus essential in soils that are accumulating SO42– anions. We extracted SO42– by various solutions, namely 0.005 m Ca(NO3)2, 0.016 m KH2PO4, 0.5 m NH4F and 0.2 m acidic NH4‐oxalate (pH 3), from Vitric and Eutric Andosols exposed to prolonged deposition of acid and SO2 from an active volcano (Masaya, Nicaragua). We attributed sulphate extractable by KH2PO4 (20–3030 mg kg−1) to anion‐exchangeable SO42–, which was much smaller than NH4F‐ and oxalate‐extractable SO42– (400–9680 and 410–10 480 mg kg−1, respectively). Our results suggest the occurrence of a sparingly soluble Al‐hydroxy‐mineral phase extractable by both NH4F and oxalate. The formation of Al‐hydroxy minerals would result from the combination of enhanced weathering caused by strong acid loading and simultaneous occurrence of large SO42– concentrations in soil solution. Oxalate extracted slightly more inorganic SO42– than did NH4F, this additional amount of SO42– correlating strongly with oxalate‐extractable Si and Fe contents. Preferential occlusion of SO42– by short‐range ordered minerals, especially ferrihydrite, explains this behaviour. If we exclude the contribution of occluded sulphate then oxalate and NH4F mobilize similar amounts of SO42– and are believed to mobilize all of the inorganic SO42– pool.
Land‐use related organic matter dynamics in North Cameroon soils assessed by 13C analysis of soil organic matter fractions
Authors: Sevink J. , Obale‐Ebanga F. , Meijer H. A. J. 
Published: January 2005

SummaryTopsoil samples from cultivated and adjacent non‐cultivated fields on three major agricultural soils in North Cameroon were fractionated into particle‐size fractions that were analysed subsequently for their C and 13C contents. The aim was to obtain further insight into the dynamics of soil organic matter (SOM) in relation to land use in Cameroon. Since organic carbon contents of the fractions were often very small, samples and analyses were extensively replicated to obtain robust statistical estimates of observed differences. For each soil type, differences in δ13C values between fields could be related to changes in the input and decomposition of organic matter arising from soil type, land management and, for example, the nature and abundance of weeds. Turnover of organic matter appeared to be fastest in the sand fraction, which is in line with results from earlier studies. In the finer fractions, clear differences in reaction to changes in input and decomposition were observed, that seem to be linked to differences in clay mineralogy. The results illustrate that SOM in the various fractions is much less stable and more strongly affected by changes in land use than might be assumed on the basis of changes in total SOM contents alone. At the same time, they demonstrate the relevance of 13C isotope analyses of SOM for studies on the impact of land use on these savannah soils with little SOM that are highly susceptible to degradation.
NHS cadet schemes: do they widen access to professional healthcare education?
Authors: Watson Roger , Norman Ian J. , Draper Jan , Jowett Sandra , Wilson‐Barnett Jenifer , Normand Charles , Halliday Debbie 
Published: January 2005

Aim.  The aim of this paper is to report a study investigating the extent to which National Health Service cadet schemes widen access to professional health care education.Background.  Cadet schemes have been reintroduced in the United Kingdom to increase recruitment of nurses and other health care staff to the National Health Service and also to widen access and increase participation in professional health care education by groups poorly represented in such education, including minority ethnic groups.Methods.  A questionnaire survey of all cadet schemes (n = 62) in England at the time of the study was carried out, and the respondents were cadet scheme leaders (n = 62) and cadet students (n = 411). The questionnaires to scheme leaders enquired about when the schemes were established, what the schemes were preparing cadets for, modes of delivery and entry qualifications. The questionnaires to cadets enquired about age, gender, family circumstances, prior experience and ethnic background.Findings.  The majority of schemes had been established since the health service reforms of 1999 and most were preparing cadets to enter professional nurse education programmes. Very few provided opportunities for part‐time study and some asked for entry qualifications. Cadets were younger on entry than a comparator group of student nurses, fewer were married, fewer had previous employment or health‐related employment and a lower percentage of cadets were white.Conclusion.  Cadet schemes have the potential to widen access to professional health care study, but there is only limited evidence that they are doing so. In particular there was a lack of mature entrants to health care professional education via the schemes. However, the majority of schemes offered a route into professional education for students who did not hold sufficient educational qualifications for direct entry to professional health care education. It is encouraging that cadet schemes appear to be attracting a significantly greater proportion of students from Black and minority ethnic groups than preregistration nursing programmes overall.
Clinical characteristics, β‐cell function, HLA class II and mutations in MODY genes in non‐paediatric subjects with Type 1 diabetes without pancreatic autoantibodies
Authors: Aguilera E. , Casamitjana R. , Ercilla G. , Oriola J. , Nicoletti F. , Gomis R. , Conget I. 
Published: January 2005

AbstractObjective  To study clinical characteristics, β‐cell function, HLA typing and mutations in the hepatocyte nuclear factor (HNF)‐1α and HNF‐4α genes in Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) patients without pancreatic autoantibodies.Design and methods  Twenty patients without pancreatic autoantibodies (Ab neg) and 20 with autoantibodies (Ab pos), age/gender matched, were included (age 17–34 years). Islet cell, glutamic acid decarboxylase, tyrosine phosphatase and insulin autoantibodies, basal and stimulated C‐peptide were measured. HLA‐DRB1‐DQA1‐DQB1 typing and screening for mutations in the HNF‐1α and HNF‐4α genes were performed.Results  No differences were found in clinical presentation, metabolic control and β‐cell function in the two groups (onset or after 12 months). DRB1*0301‐DQA1*0501‐DQB1*0201 was the most frequent haplotype in both groups but we found a higher proportion of protective T1D haplotypes and Aspβ57 in the Ab neg group, but in all the cases in combination with susceptible T1D haplotypes. We found two previously reported polymorphisms (HNF‐1α, Ala98Val; HNF‐4α, Thr130Ile) in Ab neg and a new variant (Ser165Gly) in the HNF‐4α gene in an Ab pos subject.Conclusions  In a non‐paediatric population with newly diagnosed T1D, the absence of islet antibodies does not imply clinical or metabolic differences when compared with those cases with islet antibodies. Despite a similar HLA‐DR/DQ typing, the presence of protective alleles and molecular properties in a higher proportion in the Ab neg group suggests that these factors could modulate the presence or absence of islet antibodies. Variants in HNF‐1α and HNF‐4α are unlikely to be major contributors to the pathogenesis of diabetes in antibody‐negative T1D.
Near patient blood ketone measurements and their utility in predicting diabetic ketoacidosis
Authors: Harris S. , Ng R. , Syed H. , Hillson R. 
Published: January 2005

AbstractAim  To assess the utility of near patient blood ketone measurements in predicting diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) among a group of hyperglycaemic unwell patients presenting to a hospital emergency department.Methods  Near patient blood β‐hydroxybutyrate (β‐OHB) testing has recently been introduced as a new tool in our hospital Accident and Emergency department (A&E) for patients with a finger‐prick glucose of > 11 mmol/l. We reviewed the records of the first 50 patients to have a β‐OHB measurement to establish if they developed DKA or received treatment with intravenous insulin within 48 h of presentation. We then compared the diagnostic power of β‐OHB measurements with other clinical, physiological and biochemical markers of DKA.Results  Nine patients had DKA, eight had a compensated metabolic acidosis secondary to raised serum ketones, and 33 had no evidence of DKA during the following 48 h. The median (range) β‐OHB levels in each group were 6.0 (3.1–6.0) mmol/l, 3.4 (1.2–5.7) mmol/l, and 0.1 (0.0–1.2) mmol/l, respectively. A β‐OHB level of ≥ 3.0 mmol/l had a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 88% for DKA. All those with β‐OHB level > 3.0 mmol/l required treatment with intravenous insulin.Conclusion  Measuring β‐OHB when a hyperglycaemic patient is identified could offer a simple method of identifying at an early stage those patients at highest risk of DKA (β‐OHB > 3.0 mmol/l), and redirecting the search for a diagnosis in others (β‐OHB < 1.0 mmol/l).
Prevalence of Skin Disorders in School Children in Ibadan, Nigeria
Authors: Ogunbiyi A. O. , Owoaje Eme , Ndahi A. 
Published: January 2005

Abstract:  Although skin diseases are common in children, there are very few population‐based studies in West Africa. Recently, there has been considerable emphasis on hygiene and socio‐economic impact on the incidence of allergic disorders in children. We determined the prevalence of skin diseases in a public primary school in Ibadan (southwest Nigeria). A questionnaire for assessing factors associated with the prevalence of diseases was completed, and a complete physical examination was carried out on 1066 students. The study included 529 (49.6%) boys and 537 (50.4%) girls with a mean age of 8.8 ± 2.5 years. The mean family size of the subjects was 6.7 ± 2.3 while the mean number of rooms in their homes was 2.6 ± 1.45. Infectious dermatosis was commonly observed. Of 375 children with a skin lesion, 162 (15.2%) had dermatophytosis, most often tinea capitis, 50 (4.7%) had pityriasis versicolor, and 50 (4.7%) had scabies. Other dermatoses observed included papular urticaria in 35 (3.3%) and angular cheilitis in 27 (2.5%) children. One or more melanocytic nevi were found in 40 (3.8%) children while 138 (12.9%) and 77 (7.25%) had tribal and scarification marks, respectively. Atopic eczema and viral warts were virtually absent. We concluded that fungal infections and scabies were the most common skin diseases in our study population, whereas allergic illnesses were nearly absent.
Prolonged platelet preservation by transient metabolic suppression
Authors: Badlou B.A. , IJseldijk M.J.W. , Smid W.M. , Akkerman J.W.N. 
Published: January 2005

BACKGROUND:  In this study whether metabolic suppression can be used to preserve platelet (PLT) function during prolonged storage was investigated.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:  Washed human PLTs were incubated without glucose and with antimycin A to block energy generation. Metabolic suppressed PLTs (MSPs) were stored for 72 hours at different temperatures to find the optimal storage temperature. Controls were incubated with 5 mmol per L glucose and stored at 22 and 4°C.RESULTS:  Following metabolic recovery with glucose, MSPs stored at 37, 22, and 4°C showed an increase in basal P‐selectin expression (PSE) reaching greater than 40 percent after about 2, 20, and 48 hours; a decrease in thrombin receptor–activating peptide SFLLRN (TRAP)‐induced PSE inversely related to the increase in basal PSE; and a decrease in TRAP‐induced aggregation reaching less than 30 percent after about 4, 24, and more than 72 hours. When compared with control suspensions, MSPs stored at 4°C better preserved a low basal PSE and in addition showed a better adhesion to surface coated‐von Willebrand factor and fibrinogen in a flow chamber.CONCLUSION:  Metabolic suppression before storage at 4°C contributes to better preservation of PLT function.
Induction of immune tolerance across major histocompatibility complex barrier by transfusion of ultraviolet B–irradiated immature dendritic cells
Authors: Xia Chang‐Qing , Kao Kud‐Jang 
Published: January 2005

BACKGROUND:  Transfusion of ultraviolet B (UVB)‐irradiated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) induces immunologic tolerance across the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) barrier in a murine model. It is necessary, however, to reduce contaminating platelets (PLTs) to a minimum. Ex vivo preparation of dendritic cells (DCs) offers an opportunity to rid the contaminating PLTs. The use of immature and mature DCs (iDCs and mDCs) with and without UVB irradiation for tolerance induction was therefore investigated.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:  iDCs and mDCs were prepared by culture of Balb/c (H‐2d) mouse marrow cells in the presence of granulocyte‐macrophage–colony‐stimulating factor and interleukin‐4. Different dose schedules of iDCs were tested for tolerance induction in CBA (H‐2k) mice. Tolerance induction by UVB‐irradiated iDCs and mDCs was compared. Tolerance induction in two additional strains of mice (C3H and C57BL/6) was also studied. The induction of tolerance was tested by challenging transfusions of treated mice with PBMNCs from the donor strain. The induction of negative regulatory CD4+ T cells in tolerized mice was examined.RESULTS:  Four weekly transfusions of 5 × 104 UVB‐irradiated iDCs from Balb/c mice efficiently induced immune tolerance in CBA and C3H mice. iDCs and mDCs without UVB irradiation could not induce immune tolerance. Tolerance induced by transfusions of UVB‐irradiated iDCs was associated with the development of CD4+‐regulatory T cells as demonstrated by an adoptive transfer study.CONCLUSION:  Transfusion of UVB‐iDCs induces immune tolerance across the MHC barrier in certain combinations of mouse strains. The results support the idea that iDCs irradiated with UVB may be applied to induce immune tolerance across the MHC barrier.
Predicting blood donor arrival
Authors: Bosnes Vidar , Aldrin Magne , Heier Hans Erik 
Published: January 2005

BACKGROUND:  Keeping waiting time at blood donation short is important for making donation a good experience for the donors and hence to motivate for repeat donations. At the Blood Bank of Oslo, fixed appointments are used, and few donors arrive without appointments. On average, 59 percent of scheduled donors arrive, but day‐to‐day variations are large. Methods for predicting the number of donors that will arrive on a given day would be valuable in reducing waiting times.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:  Information about candidate explanatory variables was collected for all appointments made in a 971‐day period (179,121 appointments). A logistic regression model for the prediction of blood donor arrival was fitted.RESULTS:  Among 18 explanatory variables, the most important were the time from appointment making to appointment date; the contact medium used; the donor age and total number of donations; and the number of no‐shows, arrivals, and deferrals during the preceding 2 years. Compared to taking only the average arrival rate into account, prediction intervals were reduced by 43 percent.CONCLUSION:  Statistical modeling can provide useful estimates of blood donor arrival, allowing for better planning of donation sessions.
A new strategy for estimating risks of transfusion‐transmitted viral infections based on rates of detection of recently infected donors
Authors: Busch Michael P. , Glynn Simone A. , Stramer Susan L. , Strong D. Michael , Caglioti Sally , Wright David J. , Pappalardo Brandee , Kleinman Steven H. ,   NHLBI‐REDS NAT Study Group
Published: January 2005

BACKGROUND:  Estimates for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐1 and hepatitis C virus (HCV) transfusion‐transmitted risks have relied on incidence derived from repeat donor histories and imprecise estimates for infectious, preseroconversion window periods (WPs).STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:  By use of novel approaches, WPs were estimated by back‐extrapolation of acute viral replication dynamics. Incidence was derived from the yield of viremic, antibody‐negative donations detected by routine minipool nucleic acid testing (MP‐NAT) of 37 million US donations (1999‐2002) or from sensitive/less‐sensitive HIV‐1 enzyme immunoassay (S/LS‐EIA) results for seropositive samples from 6.5 million donations (1999). Incidences and WPs were combined to calculate risks and project yield of individual donation (ID)‐NAT.RESULTS:  The HIV‐1 WP from presumed infectivity (1 copy/20 mL) to ID‐NAT detection was estimated at 5.6 days, and the periods from ID to MP‐NAT detection and from MP‐NAT to p24 detection at 3.4 and 6.0 days, respectively; corresponding estimates for HCV were 4.9, 2.5, and 50.9 days (the latter represents period from MP‐NAT to HCV antibody detection). The HIV‐1 incidence projected from MP‐NAT yield or from S/LS‐EIA data was 1.8 per 100,000 person‐years, resulting in a corresponding HIV‐1 transfusion‐transmitted risk of 1 in 2.3 million. The HCV incidence from MP‐NAT yield was 2.70 per 100,000 person‐years with a corresponding risk of 1 in 1.8 million donations. Conversion from MP‐NAT to ID‐NAT was projected to detect two to three additional HIV‐1 and HCV infectious units annually.CONCLUSIONS:  MP‐NAT yield and S/LS‐EIA rates can accurately project transfusion risks. HCV and HIV‐1 risks, currently estimated at 1 per 2 million units, could be reduced to 1 in 3 to 4 million units by ID‐NAT screening.
Predonation screening of blood donors with rapid tests: implementation and efficacy of a novel approach to blood safety in resource‐poor settings
Authors: Owusu‐Ofori Shirley , Temple Jillian , Sarkodie Francis , Anokwa Margaret , Candotti Daniel , Allain Jean‐Pierre 
Published: January 2005

BACKGROUND:  In sub‐Saharan Africa, the percentage of screened blood is limited to approximately 75 percent for human immunodeficiency virus antibodies (anti‐HIV), 50 percent for hepatitis B surface antigen, and 19 percent for hepatitis C virus antibodies (anti‐HCV), mainly because of costs.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:  In 2002 to 2003, candidate blood donors were screened before donation for HIV, HCV, and hepatitis B virus (HBV) serologic markers with rapid tests. The efficacy of this screening was assessed by nucleic acid testing (NAT) applied to pools of 10 plasma samples from donated units with a virus specific triplex assay. NAT‐reactive pools were resolved by viral genome identification in individual plasma sample. Deferred candidate donors were referred to a donor‐care program.RESULTS:  A total of 9372 people were screened and 1534 (16.4%) were deferred. No HIV or HCV RNA–containing samples remained undetected by rapid tests unless a human testing error was involved. In contrast, 1.3 and 3.0 percent of HBV DNA–containing blood units were negative with rapid tests but were detected in individual donations with enzyme immunoassay and genomic amplification, respectively. Only half of these units were detectable in pools of 10 samples. One‐third of deferred candidate donors attended the donor‐care program and were informed and counseled.CONCLUSIONS:  Predonation viral screening of blood donors is effective in high endemic areas, and the savings it generates may improve the safety and limit the cost of blood. Communication with deferred donors may contribute to public health. A new screening strategy associating serologic rapid test before donation and NAT on pools of 10 plasma samples after donation is proposed.
Potassium Transport in a Halophilic Member of theBacteriaDomain: Identification and Characterization of the K+Uptake Systems TrkH and TrkI fromHalomonas elongataDSM 2581T
Authors: Kraegeloh Annette , Amendt Birgit , Kunte Hans Jörg 
Published: January 2005

ABSTRACTThe halophilic bacteriumHalomonas elongataaccumulates K+, glutamate, and the compatible solute ectoine as osmoprotectants. By functional complementation ofEscherichia colimutants defective in K+uptake, we cloned three genes that are required for K+uptake inH. elongata. Two adjacent genes, namedtrkA(1,374 bp) andtrkH(1,449 bp), were identified on an 8.5-kb DNA fragment, while a third gene, calledtrkI(1,479 bp), located at a different site in theH. elongatachromosome, was found on a second 8.5-kb fragment. The potential protein expressed bytrkAis similar to the cytoplasmic NAD+/NADH binding protein TrkA fromE. coli, which is required for the activity of the Trk K+uptake system. The deduced amino acid sequences oftrkHandtrkIshowed significant identity to the transmembrane protein of Trk transporters. K+transport experiments with ΔtrkHand ΔtrkImutants ofH. elongatarevealed that TrkI exhibits aKmvalue of 1.12 mM, while the TrkH system has a half-saturation constant of 3.36 mM. Strain KB12, relying on TrkH alone, accumulated K+with a lowerVmaxand required a higher K+concentration for growth in highly saline medium than the wild type. Strain KB15, expressing only TrkI, showed the same phenotype and the same K+transport kinetics as the wild type, proving that TrkI is the main K+transport system inH. elongata. In the absence of both transporters TrkH and TrkI, K+accumulation was not detectable. K+transport was also abolished in atrkAdeletion mutant, indicating that TrkI and TrkH depend on one type of TrkA protein. Reverse transcriptase PCR experiments and Northern hybridization analyses of thetrkAHlocus revealed cotranscription oftrkAHas well as a monocistronic transcript with onlytrkA.
gpwac of the T4-Type Bacteriophages: Structure, Function, and Evolution of a Segmented Coiled-Coil Protein That Controls Viral Infectivity
Authors: Letarov A. , Manival X. , Desplats C. , Krisch H. M. 
Published: January 2005

ABSTRACT

The
wac
gene product (gpwac) or fibritin of bacteriophage T4 forms the six fibers that radiate from the phage neck. During phage morphogenesis these whiskers bind the long tail fibers (LTFs) and facilitate their attachment to the phage baseplate. After the cell lysis, the gpwac fibers function as part of an environmental sensing device that retains the LTFs in a retracted configuration and thus prevents phage adsorption in unfavorable conditions. A comparative analysis of the sequences of 5
wac
gene orthologs from various T4-type phages reveals that the ∼50-amino-acid N-terminal domain is the only highly conserved segment of the protein. This sequence conservation is probably a direct consequence of the domain's strong and specific interactions with the neck proteins. The sequence of the central fibrous region of gpwac is highly plastic, with only the heptad periodicity of the coiled-coil structure being conserved. In the various gpwac sequences, the small C-terminal domain essential for initiation of the folding of T4 gpwac is replaced by unrelated sequences of unknown origin. When a distant T4-type phage has a novel C-terminal gpwac sequence, the phage's gp36 sequence that is located at the knee joint of the LTF invariably has a novel domain in its C terminus as well. The covariance of these two sequences is compatible with genetic data suggesting that the C termini of gpwac and gp36 engage in a protein-protein interaction that controls phage infectivity. These results add to the limited evidence for domain swapping in the evolution of phage structural proteins.