bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimization of b value in diffusion‐weighted MRI for characterization of benign and malignant gynecological lesions
Authors: Koc Zafer , Erbay Gurcan , Ulusan Serife , Seydaoglu Gulsah , Aka‐Bolat Filiz
Published: November 2011

Purpose:

To explore the optimal b value in diffusion‐weighted (DW)‐MRI for differentiation of benign and malignant gynecological lesions.

Materials and Methods:

Consecutive 58 patients (66 lesions) with pathologically confirmed diagnosis of gynecological disease were included in the study. Routine pelvic MRI sequences were used for defining the lesions and reviewed independently for benignity/ malignity. Single‐shot echoplanar imaging (SH‐EPI) DW‐MRI with eight b values and nine apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps were obtained. The lesions were analyzed qualitatively on DW‐MRI for benignity/malignity on a five‐point‐scale and quantitatively by measurement of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of ADC values for differentiating between benign and malignant lesions. Pathology results were the reference standard.

Results:

Differentiation between benign and malignant gynecological lesions using visual scoring was found to be successful with b values of 600, 800, or 1000 s/mm2. The mean ADC values of malignant lesions were significantly lower than those of benign lesions for all b value (P < 0.005). The ADCs with b = 0 and 600, 0 and 1000 s/mm2, 0, 600, 800 and 1000 s/mm2, and all b values were more effective for distinguishing malignant from benign gynecological lesions (Az = 0.851, 0.847, 0.848, 0.849, respectively). Using ADC with b = 0, 600, 800, and 1000 s/mm2, a threshold value of 1.20 × 10−3 mm2/s permitted this distinction with a sensitivity of 83%, a specificity of 81%.

Conclusion:

DW‐MRI is an important method, and the optimal b values are between 600 and 1000 s/mm2 for differentiation between benign and malignant gynecological lesions. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2012;35:650‐659. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Mass‐forming autoimmune pancreatitis and pancreatic carcinoma: Differential diagnosis on the basis of computed tomography and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, and diffusion‐weighted imaging findings
Authors: Muhi Ali , Ichikawa Tomoaki , Motosugi Utaroh , Sou Hironobu , Sano Katsuhiro , Tsukamoto Tatsuaki , Fatima Zareen , Araki Tsutomu
Published: November 2011

Purpose:

To differentiate mass‐forming autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) from pancreatic carcinoma by means of analysis of both computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings.

Materials and Methods:

Ten patients with mass‐forming AIP diagnosed by revised clinical criteria of Japan Pancreas Society and 70 patients with pathologically proven pancreatic carcinoma were enrolled in this retrospective study. Two radiologists independently evaluated the CT and MR imaging findings. The sensitivity, specificity, and odds ratio of significant imaging findings and combinations of findings were calculated.

Results:

Seven findings were more frequently observed in AIP patients: (i) early homogeneous good enhancement, (ii) delayed homogeneous good enhancement, (iii) hypoattenuating capsule‐like rim, (iv) absence of distal pancreatic atrophy, (v5) duct penetrating sign, (vi) main pancreatic duct (MPD) upstream dilatation ≤ 4 mm, and (vii) an apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) ≤ 0.88 × 10−3 mm2/s. When the findings of delayed homogeneous enhancement and ADC ≤ 0.88 × 10−3 mm2/s were both used in diagnosis of mass‐forming AIP, a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 100% were achieved. When 4 of any of the 7 findings were used in the diagnosis of AIP, a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 98% were achieved.

Conclusion:

Analysis of a combination of CT and MR imaging findings allows for highly accurate differentiation between mass‐forming AIP and pancreatic carcinoma. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2012;35:827–836. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Modulatory effects of acupuncture on resting‐state networks: A functional MRI study combining independent component analysis and multivariate granger causality analysis
Authors: Zhong Chongguang , Bai Lijun , Dai Ruwei , Xue Ting , Wang Hu , Feng Yuanyuan , Liu Zhenyu , You Youbo , Chen Shangjie , Tian Jie
Published: November 2011

Purpose:

To investigate acupuncture specificity by exploring causal relationships of brain networks following acupuncture at GB40 (Qiuxu), with the acupoint KI3 (Taixi) as a control (belonging to the same nerve segment but different meridians).

Materials and Methods:

Needling at acupoints GB40 and KI3 was performed in 12 subjects separately. The specific coherent patterns, resting‐state networks (RSNs), were retrieved by independent component analysis (ICA) from functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data of resting state and post‐acupuncture resting states, respectively. Then multivariate Granger causality analysis (mGCA) was applied to evaluate the effective connectivity within and among the detected RSNs—default model, memory, executive, auditory, and motor brain networks.

Results:

Following acupuncture at GB40, the strength of causal connectivity between the superior temporal gyrus (STG) and anterior insula was enhanced, while the connection strength between the STG and postcentral gyrus increased following acupuncture at KI3. Additionally, the causal influences within the auditory network increased following acupuncture at GB40, in comparison with the executive network following acupuncture at KI3.

Conclusion:

The current study demonstrates that acupuncture at different acupoints could exert different modulatory effects on RSNs. Our findings may help to understand the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying acupuncture specificity. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2012;35:572‐581. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Variation of noise in multi‐run functional MRI using generalized autocalibrating partially parallel acquisition (GRAPPA)
Authors: Cheng Hu
Published: November 2011

Purpose:

To investigate the noise variation in multi‐run functional MRI (fMRI) scans using generalized autocalibrating partially parallel acquisition (GRAPPA), with a focus on the cause of this variation.

Materials and Methods:

A phantom was continuously scanned for 10 runs using echo‐planar imaging (EPI) combined with GRAPPA to simulate a multi‐run fMRI exam. The variation of noise between runs was examined for different GRAPPA acceleration factors. The noise variation was also evaluated in a real fMRI experiment with human subjects at an acceleration factor of two. The cause of noise variation was explored by offline reconstruction using different GRAPPA weights and numerical simulation of GRAPPA reference scans.

Results:

It was found that the noise distribution in the image is stable within a run but may vary randomly from run to run. The variation of noise was also observed in fMRI experiments with human subjects. The variation can be significantly reduced if all the images from individual runs are reconstructed using the same reference scan data.

Conclusion:

Both phantom experiments and human data showed that the noise pattern may change in different fMRI runs. The variation is mainly caused by the random noise in separate reference scans for GRAPPA in each run. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2012;462‐470. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Morphology of gastrointestinal stromal tumors: Historical perspectives
Authors: Appelman Henry D.
Published: November 2011

About 2/3 of gastrointestinal stromal tumors occur in the stomach and about 1/5 in the small intestine with few in the rectum, colon, and esophagus. Their cells are related to the interstitial cells of Cajal. They differ by site in terms of cell type and growth pattern. Benign and malignant tumors are separated based on their light microscopic appearances, size as measured by innumerable pathologists and assistants and mitotic counts. J. Surg. Oncol. 2011; 104:874–881. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Preparation of Gold Nanoparticle– Poly(L‐menthyl methacrylate) Conjugates via ATRP Polymerization
Authors: Gries Katharina , Bubel Kathrin , Wohlfahrt Malte , Agarwal Seema , Koert Ulrich , Greiner Andreas
Published: November 2011

Poly(L‐menthyl methacrylate) (PMenMA) is synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of methyl L‐mentholacrylate using bis[2‐(2‐bromoisobutyrooxy)ethyl]disulfide] ((BiBOE)2)S2) as the ATRP coinitiator. Reduction of hydrogen tetrachloroaureate(III) (HAuCl4 ·3 H2O) by Super‐Hydride in the presence of PMenMA yields gold nanoparticles (AuNP)–PMenMA conjugates in the size range of 2–20 nm, depending on the ratio of PMenMA and HAuCl4. AuNP–PMenMA is characterized by TEM, NMR, IR‐, and UV‐spectroscopy. The correlation of the ratio of (AuNP)–PMenMA conjugates and free PMenMA is analyzed by gel permeation chromatography (GPC).
The methylation patterns of the IGF2 and IGF2R genes in bovine spermatozoa are not affected by flow‐cytometric sex sorting
Authors: Carvalho José O. , Michalczechen‐Lacerda Valquíria A. , Sartori Roberto , Rodrigues Fernanda C. , Bravim Otávio , Franco Maurício M. , Dode Margot A.N.
Published: November 2011

The objectives of this study were to investigate the effect of sexing by flow cytometry on the methylation patterns of the IGF2 and IGF2R genes. Frozen‐thawed, unsorted, and sex‐sorted sperm samples from four Nellore bulls were used. Each ejaculate was separated into three fractions: non‐sexed (NS), sexed for X‐sperm (SX), and sexed for Y‐sperm (SY). Sperm were isolated from the extender, cryoprotectant, and other cell types by centrifugation on a 40:70% Percoll gradient, and sperm pellets were used for genomic DNA isolation. DNA was used for analyses of the methylation patterns by bisulfite sequencing. Methylation status of the IGF2 and IGF2R genes were evaluated by sequencing 195 and 147 individual clones, respectively. No global differences in DNA methylation were found between NS, SX, and SY groups for the IGF2 (P = 0.09) or IGF2R genes (P = 0.38). Very specific methylation patterns were observed in the 25th and 26th CpG sites in the IGF2R gene. representing higher methylation in NS than in the SX and SY groups compared with the other CpG sites. Further, individual variation in methylation patterns was found among bulls. In conclusion, the sex‐sorting procedure by flow cytometry did not affect the overall DNA methylation patterns of the IGF2 and IGF2R genes, although individual variation in their methylation patterns among bulls was observed. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 79:77–84, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Image Analysis of Small Pulmonary Nodules Identified by Computed Tomography
Authors: Henschke Claudia I. , Yankelevitz David F. , Reeves Anthony P. , Cham Matthew D.
Published: November 2011

Detection of small pulmonary nodules has markedly increased as computed tomography (CT) technology has advanced and interpretation evolved from viewing small CT images on film to magnified images on large, high‐resolution computer monitors. Despite these advances, determining the etiology of a lung nodule short of major surgery remains problematic. Initial nodule size is a major criterion in evaluating the risk for malignancy, and the majority of CT detected nodules are <10 mm in diameter. Also, the likelihood that the nodule is a lung cancer increases with increasing age and smoking history, and such clinical information needs to be integrated into algorithms that guide the workup of such nodules. Baseline and annual repeat screening results are also very helpful in developing and assessing the usefulness of such algorithms. Based on CT morphology, subtypes of nodules have been identified; today nodules are routinely classified as being solid, part‐solid, or nonsolid. It has been shown that part‐solid nodules have a higher frequency of being malignant than solid or nonsolid ones. Other nodule characteristics such as spiculation are useful, although granulomas and fibrosis also have such features, so these characteristics have not been as useful as nodule‐growth assessment. Depending on the aggressiveness of the lung cancer and the size of the nodule when it is initially seen, a follow‐up CT scan 1–3 months after the first CT scan can identify those nodules with growth at a malignant rate. Software has been developed by all CT scanner manufacturers for such growth assessment, but the inherent variability of such assessments needs further development. Nodule‐growth assessment based on 2‐dimensional approaches is limited; therefore, software has been developed for the 3‐dimensional assessment of growth. Different approaches for such growth assessment have been developed, either using automated computer segmentation techniques or hybrid methods that allow the radiologist to adjust such segmentation. There are, however, inherent reasons for variability in such measurements that need to be carefully considered, and this, together with continued technologic advances and integration of the relevant clinical information, will allow for individualization of the algorithms for the workup of small pulmonary nodules. Mt Sinai J Med 78:882–893, 2011. © 2011 Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Risk factors for elevated INR values during warfarin therapy in hospitalized pediatric patients
Authors: Moffett Brady S. , Ung Meng , Bomgaars Lisa
Published: November 2011

Background

There are currently no data describing the incidence of or risk factors for elevated International Normalized Ratio (INR) values in patients receiving warfarin at a tertiary care pediatric hospital. By minimizing risk factors for elevated INR values patient morbidity may be minimized.

Procedures

A 6‐year retrospective chart review of inpatient admissions at our institution that received warfarin was performed. Factors for elevated INR values, such as patient demographics, disease state, and medication interactions were reviewed. Patients with an INR value ≥ 0.5 above the upper limit of the goal range were compared to patients without an elevated INR value. A logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent variables for elevated INR values.

Results

A total of 298 patient admissions (184 patients) met study criteria, and the largest patient population was between 1 and 12 years old (36.9%). The most common indication for warfarin was mitral valve replacement (25.5%). An elevated INR occurred in 20.8% of admissions. Logistic regression analysis identified Asian race, an elevated baseline INR value, warfarin initiation after cardiac surgery, days of inpatient warfarin therapy, and drug interactions with ciprofloxacin and lansoprazole as independent variables for an elevated INR value (P < 0.05). Obesity was significant as an independent variable for a non‐elevated INR value (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Elevated INR values occur often in patients receiving warfarin while admitted to a tertiary care pediatric facility and modifiable risk factors exist for elevated INR values. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012; 58: 941–944. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Comparison of Headspace Solid‐phase Microextraction, Headspace Single‐drop Microextraction and Hydrodistillation for Chemical Screening of Volatiles in Myrtus Communis L
Authors: Moradi Mohammad , Kaykhaii Massoud , Ghiasvand Ali Reza , Shadabi Shahriar , Salehinia Alinazar
Published: November 2011

Introduction

Headspace solid‐phase microextraction (HS‐SPME) and headspace single‐drop microextraction (HS‐SDME) methods have never been used for the extraction and analysis of the volatile compounds of Myrtus communis. For that reason, in this work, these two techniques were compared with the traditional hydrodistillation (HD) extraction technique.

Objective

To compare SPME and SDME with HD for the extraction and analysis of Myrtus communis volatiles.

Methodology

Three extraction methods, i.e. SPME, SDME and HD, coupled to gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry were used and optimised for the analysis of Myrtus communis volatiles. The SPME extraction was performed on a 100 µm PDMS fibre and for SDME a drop of n‐octadecane containing 0.7% of menthol as internal standard was used as extracting solvent. The results were compared from different viewpoints including efficiency of extraction, different kinds of species extracted and quantity of extracted compounds with HD.

Results

The main analytes extracted by SPME were found to be α‐pinene, limonene, 1,8‐cineole, linalool, linalyl acetate, α‐terpinyl acetate and geranyl acetate, whereas for SDME α‐pinene, limonene, 1,8‐cineole, linalool, linalyl acetate and β‐myrcene were extracted as major components. Hydrodistillation could extract α‐pinene, limonene, 1,8‐cineole, linalool, α‐terpineol, linalyl acetate, α‐terpinyl acetate, geranyl acetate and cis‐isoeugenol better than other volatiles from Myrtus communis.

Conclusion

The results demonstrated that HS‐SPME and HS‐SDME can be applied successfully for the extraction and separation of volatiles in aromatic plants, and these techniques are easier to perform, and more effective than HD for collection of more volatile compounds. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysis of proteome and frost tolerance in chromosome 5A and 5B reciprocal substitution lines between two winter wheats during long‐term cold acclimation
Authors: Vítámvás Pavel , Prášil Ilja T. , Kosová Klára , Planchon Sébastien , Renaut Jenny
Published: November 2011

Dynamics of cold tolerance and crown proteome composition has been analysed in a set of two winter wheat cultivars Mironovskaya 808 and Bezostaya 1 and four reciprocal substitution lines with interchanged chromosomes 5A and 5B during a long‐term cold‐acclimation (CA) treatment. Proteome analysis has revealed 298 differently abundant spots during experiment. Most of them (260) were changed due to CA process and only 52 spots displayed differences between genotypes. Two hundred and seven protein spots were successfully identified by tandem mass spectrometry. Comparison of samples before and after vernalization fulfillment by a combination of ANOVA and Student' T‐test displayed ten differentially abundant protein spots (e.g. chopper chaperones). However, differences in the accumulation of these spots did not reflect differences in vernalization requirement of genotypes. Therefore, our results indicate that vernalization process has not influenced total proteome of CA wheat crowns. A few protein spots (14 spots; e.g. malate dehydrogenase) revealed differential accumulation levels between the individual genotypes or their groups possessing chromosome 5A or 5B from Mironovskaya 808 versus Bezostaya 1. The study has shown the effect of chromosome 5A on physiological traits and also proteome in winter wheat. Putative candidate protein markers for cold tolerance in wheat are discussed.
Proteomic analysis of urinary biomarker candidates for nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer
Authors: Lindén Mårten , Lind Sara Bergström , Mayrhofer Corina , Segersten Ulrika , Wester Kenneth , Lyutvinskiy Yaroslav , Zubarev Roman , Malmström Per‐Uno , Pettersson Ulf
Published: November 2011

Nonmuscle invasive tumors of the bladder often recur and thereby bladder cancer patients need regular re‐examinations which are invasive, unpleasant, and expensive. A noninvasive and less expensive method, e.g. a urine dipstick test, for monitoring recurrence would thus be advantageous. In this study, the complementary techniques mass spectrometry (MS) and Western blotting (WB)/dot blot (DB) were used to screen the urine samples from bladder cancer patients. High resolving MS was used to analyze and quantify the urinary proteome and 29 proteins had a significantly higher abundance (p<0.05) in bladder cancer samples compared with control urine samples. The increased abundance found in urine from bladder cancer patients compared with controls was confirmed with Western blot for four selected proteins; fibrinogen β chain precursor, apolipoprotein E, α‐1‐antitrypsin, and leucine‐rich α‐2‐glycoprotein 1. Dot blot analysis of an independent urine sample set pointed out fibrinogen β chain and α‐1‐antitrypsin as most interesting biomarkers having sensitivity and specificity values in the range of 66–85%. Exploring the Human Protein Atlas (HPA) also revealed that bladder cancer tumors are the likely source of these proteins. They have the potential of being useful in diagnosis, monitoring of recurrence and thus may improve the treatment of bladder tumors, especially nonmuscle invasive tumors.
14‐3‐3ε marks the amyloid‐stimulated microglia long‐term activation
Authors: Di Francesco Laura , Correani Virginia , Fabrizi Cinzia , Fumagalli Lorenzo , Mazzanti Michele , Maras Bruno , Schininà M. Eugenia
Published: November 2011

Microglia‐mediated inflammation in the central nervous system is a hallmark of the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease. Microglial cells activation follows the deposition of amyloid β fibrils and it is generally considered a triggering factor in the early steps of the onset of Alzheimer's disease. Although the initial engagement of microglia seems to play a neuroprotective role, many lines of evidence indicate that a persistent activation with the production of proinflammatory molecules contributes to dismantle neuronal activity and to induce neuronal loss occurring in neurodegenerative diseases. To date, limited proteomic data are available on activated microglial cells in response to extracellular amyloidogenic peptides. In this study, murine microglial cells have been employed to investigate the effects of amyloid β peptides in triggering microglial activation. The response was monitored at the proteome level through a two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis‐based approach. Results show only a limited number of differentially expressed proteins, among these a more acidic species of the cytosolic actin, and the 14‐3‐3ε protein, found significantly upregulated in Aβ‐activated cells. 14‐3‐3ε belongs to a regulatory protein family involved in important cellular processes, including those leading to neurodegenerative diseases, and thus its increased expression suggests a role of this protein in tuning microglia activation.
Investigation of the effect of hyperglycemia on intracerebral hemorrhage by proteomic approaches
Authors: Chiu Cheng‐Di , Chen Tze‐Yung , Chin Li‐Te , Shen Chiung‐Chyi , Huo Jie , Ma Shin‐Yi , Chen Han‐Min , Chu Chi‐Hong
Published: November 2011

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is associated with high mortality and disability, and hyperglycemia worsens the clinical and neurological outcomes of patients with ICH. In this study, we utilized proteomic approaches to investigate the role of hyperglycemia in ICH. Hyperglycemia was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) in adult Sprague–Dawley male rats; ICH was induced by stereotaxic infusion of collagenase/heparin into the right striatum. It was observed that the size of induced hemorrhage was significantly larger in the hyperglycemic group (n=6 in each group). On the first day after ICH, an apparent decrease in the bilateral grasp was also observed for the lesioned hyperglycemic rats compared with normoglycemic ones. When employing 2‐DE and MS to examine the proteomes of perihematomal and control regions in individual hyperglycemic and normoglycemic rats, eight differentially expressed protein targets were identified. Most noteworthy, in response to ICH significant increase of albumin was ubiquitously observed in the brains of normoglycemic rats but not in the brains of hyperglycemic rats. Coincidentally, more significant neuronal apoptosis were found in the perihematomal regions of hyperglycemic rats. These observations described suggest the protection role of albumin in acute stage of ICH, which may be dependent on different blood sugar levels.
Silver nanoparticle decorated ZnO nanorod arrays on AZO films for light absorption enhancement
Authors: Ko Yeong Hwan , Yu Jae Su
Published: November 2011

The silver (Ag) nanoparticle (NP) decorated zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorod arrays (NRAs) on aluminum‐doped ZnO (AZO) coated glass substrates were fabricated by the wet chemical synthesis of ZnO and a subsequent thermal evaporation of Ag without thermal annealing. The optical properties of ZnO NRAs with different sized Ag NPs were investigated for light absorption enhancement, in comparison with the Ag on glass substrate. The nominal size and the amount of Ag NPs were controlled by changing the evaporation time. As the evaporation time was increased from 200 to 1000 s, the amount of Ag NPs of ≲ 50 nm attached to ZnO NRAs was increased, leading to a significant increase of light absorption due to the enhanced localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) compared to the Ag on glass substrate. However, at a long evaporation time of 2000 s, the evaporated Ag did not exhibit the peak of LSPR because the deposited Ag NPs become excessively agglomerated. At evaporation times of 200–1000 s, the resonance peaks of the ZnO NRAs with Ag NPs were observed at λ ∼ 463–508 nm. After evaporating at 1000 s, the peak absorptance of 94% was achieved.
The field emission of Cu‐doped ZnO
Authors: Ye Fan , Cai Xing‐Min , Dai Fu‐Ping , Jing Shou‐Yong , Zhang Dong‐Ping , Fan Ping , Liu Li‐Jun
Published: November 2011

Cu‐doped ZnO films were deposited by direct current magnetron sputtering at room temperature in an atmosphere of argon and oxygen. The properties of Cu‐doped ZnO films were characterized and their field emission was studied. The field emission is related to the defect energy levels of Zn interstitials. Cu doping can weaken the field emission by reducing the number of Zn interstitials, deteriorating the crystalline quality and forming electron traps. The content of Cu has to be carefully controlled to achieve a field emission with a large current density and a low threshold voltage.
Imaging of the interstitial iron concentration in crystalline silicon by measuring the dissociation rate of iron–boron pairs
Authors: Herlufsen Sandra , Macdonald Daniel , Bothe Karsten , Schmidt Jan
Published: November 2011

We present a dynamic approach for measuring the interstitial iron concentration in boron‐doped crystalline silicon using photoluminescence (PL) imaging. This camera‐based technique utilizes the characteristic dependence of the dissociation rate of iron–boron pairs on the interstitial iron concentration. We determine the dissociation rate by measuring the time‐dependent PL signal after complete association of iron–boron pairs in the sample. Since we are only interested in the time dependence of the PL signal, we are able to generate images of the interstitial iron concentration in absolute units without any calibration and without knowing the recombination properties of the interstitial iron or iron–boron pairs. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Influence of enzyme active and inactive soy flours on cassava and corn starch properties
Authors: Sciarini Lorena S. , Ribotta Pablo D. , León Alberto E. , Pérez Gabriela T.
Published: November 2011

The aim of this work was to study the influence of enzyme active and inactive soy flours on the properties of cassava and corn starches. Four starch/soy flour composites were evaluated: cassava/active soy flour (Cas/AS), cassava/inactive soy flour (Cas/IS), corn/active soy flour (Corn/AS) and corn/inactive soy flour (Corn/IS). Starch gelatinization occurred at 58.67°C for Cas and at 64.19°C for corn; gelatinization occurred at higher temperatures when soy flours were present, while ΔH diminished. The presence of AS reduced 80% the retrogradation enthalpy of Cas and 40% that of corn. Cas presented lower pasting temperature than corn starch (67.8 and 76.8°C, respectively) and higher peak viscosity (427.9 and 232.8 BU, respectively). The pasting properties of both starches were drastically reduced by soy flours, and this effect was more noticeable in Cas; AS had higher effect than IS. X‐ray diffraction pattern of retrograded samples showed that both starches recrystallisation (mainly that of Cas) was reduced when AS was added. Tan δ values decreased with AS addition to corn, but they increased when added to Cas. The images obtained using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) showed that IS was distributed as large aggregates, whereas AS distribution was more homogeneous, especially when incorporated to Cas. These results show that cassava starch interacts specifically with active soy flour (AS, mainly in native state). The delaying effect of AS on cassava starch retrogradation was clearly shown. This finding could be useful in obtaining gluten‐free breads of high quality and low retrogradation rate.
Neurocognitive outcome in patients with hypertyrosinemia type I after long‐term treatment with NTBC
Authors: Thimm Eva , Richter‐Werkle Renate , Kamp Gudrun , Molke Bettina , Herebian Diran , Klee Dirk , Mayatepek Ertan , Spiekerkoetter Ute
Published: November 2011

Objective

The implementation of NTBC into treatment of hypertyrosinemia type I (HT I) greatly improved survival by prevention of acute liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma. However, there are first reports of cognitive impairment in patients with elevated plasma tyrosine concentrations.

Methods

We here assess the neurocognitive development using standardized psychometric test batteries with respect to cognition, motor abilities and speech in nine early‐treated patients with HT I under long‐term NTBC treatment.

Results

High plasma tyrosine concentrations were frequently documented resulting in elevated 12‐month median plasma tyrosine concentrations in seven out of nine patients. Plasma NTBC concentrations were generally in the lower therapeutic range. Five out of seven patients (71%) above 3 years of age had a total IQ score below the average. In addition, five out of seven patients above 3 years showed an inhomogenous test profile with significant differences between the different testing scales. Motor abilities were subnormal in four out of seven patients(57%). Cerebral MRI revealed no abnormalities. Logopedic evaluation in children at school age documented dysfunction or retardation in language development in all but one of the tested patients (80%), however, all but one patients had a migration background.

Conclusions

A high number of patients performed below normal in the assessment of development, motor function and speech. We propose intellectual impairment as long‐term complication in HT type I with elevated plasma tyrosine under NTBC treatment as observed in other hypertyrosinemias. These findings remain to be reproduced in greater patient numbers.
Cystathionine beta‐synthase mutants exhibit changes in protein unfolding: conformational analysis of misfolded variants in crude cell extracts
Authors: Hnízda Aleš , Jurga Vojtěch , Raková Kateřina , Kožich Viktor
Published: November 2011

Protein misfolding has been proposed to be a common pathogenic mechanism in many inborn errors of metabolism including cystathionine β‐synthase (CBS) deficiency. In this work, we describe the structural properties of nine CBS mutants that represent a common molecular pathology in the CBS gene. Using thermolysin in two proteolytic techniques, we examined conformation of these mutants directly in crude cell extracts after expression in E. coli. Proteolysis with thermolysin under native conditions appeared to be a useful technique even for very unstable mutant proteins, whereas pulse proteolysis in a urea gradient had limited values for the study of the majority of CBS mutants due to their instability. Mutants in the active core had either slightly increased unfolding (p.A114V, p.E302K and p.G307S) or extensive unfolding with decreased stability (p.H65R, p.T191M, p.I278T and p.R369C). The extent of the unfolding inversely correlated with the previously determined degree of tetrameric assembly and with the catalytic activity. In contrast, mutants bearing aminoacid substitutions in the C‐terminal regulatory domain (p.R439Q and p.D444N) had increased global stability with decreased flexibility. This study shows that proteolytic techniques can reveal conformational abnormalities even for CBS mutants that have activity and/or a degree of assembly similar to the wild‐type enzyme. We present here a methodological strategy that may be used in cell lysates to evaluate properties of proteins that tend to misfold and aggregate and that may be important for conformational studies of disease‐causing mutations in the field of inborn errors of metabolism.
Parenting interventions for male young offenders: A review of the evidence on what works
Authors: Buston K. , Parkes A. , Thomson H. , Wight D. , Fenton C.
Published: November 2011

Approximately one in four incarcerated male young offenders in the UK is an actual or expectant father. This paper reviews evidence on the effectiveness of parenting interventions for male young offenders. We conducted systematic searches across 20 databases and consulted experts. Twelve relevant evaluations were identified: 10 from the UK, of programmes for incarcerated young offenders, and two from the US, of programmes for young parolees. None used experimental methods or included a comparison group. They suggest that participants like the courses, find them useful, and the interventions may improve knowledge about, and attitudes to, parenting. Future interventions should incorporate elements of promising parenting interventions with young fathers in the community, for example, and/or with older incarcerated parents. Young offender fathers have specific developmental, rehabilitative, and contextual needs. Future evaluations should collect longer‐term behavioural parent and child outcome data and should use comparison groups and, ideally, randomization.
Neuromuscular Disorders in the Cat: Clinical Approach to Weakness
Authors: Volk Holger A , Shihab Nadia , Matiasek Kaspar
Published: November 2011

Practical relevance Weakness is a relatively common clinical presentation in feline medicine and can be caused by primary neuromuscular disease or by diseases of other body systems affecting the neuromuscular system secondarily. Successful work-up relies on a thorough clinical and neurological examination, and logical problem solving, based on an understanding of the underlying neuroanatomical and pathophysiological mechanisms.

Clinical challenges Feline neuromuscular diseases can be a diagnostic challenge. On initial inspection, the presenting signs can mimic disorders of other body systems, particularly cardiovascular, pulmonary and orthopaedic disease, or may be confused with systemic illnesses. Additionally, because many different pathologies of the feline neuromuscular system converge to a similar clinical phenotype, further diagnostic steps such as electrodiagnostics, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, and muscle and nerve biopsies must be considered even after neuromuscular dysfunction has been identified.

Audience This review provides a framework for the clinical approach to the weak cat and gives a practical summary of neuromuscular diseases for the general practitioner and specialist alike.

Evidence base Many diseases affecting the feline neuromuscular system have been well described in the veterinary literature, mostly based on retrospective case reports and series. The evidence base for the treatment of feline neuromuscular diseases remains very limited.
Acute Spinal Cord Injury in the Cat: Causes, Treatment and Prognosis
Authors: Eminaga Salih , Palus Viktor , Cherubini Giunio Bruto
Published: November 2011

Practical relevance Acute spinal conditions are a common emergency presentation in general veterinary practice and have the potential to cause devastating spinal cord injury (SCI) and consequent severe neurological deficits. SCI can be divided into two subgroups: exogenous SCI (vertebral fracture and/or luxation/subluxation) and endogenous SCI (intervertebral disc extrusion and ischaemic myelopathy).

Clinical challenges The majority of cats with SCI have concurrent injuries. The clinician must perform a thorough physical examination and prioritise and then stabilise the life-threatening problems before focusing on the neurological examination. The possibility of multiple sites of SCI and spinal shock can make interpretation of the neurological examination challenging. While plain radiographs or myelography are usually diagnostic, they do not give direct information about the integrity of the spinal cord parenchyma or the severity of any damage. If facilities or experienced staff capable of performing the necessary surgery are not available, or advanced imaging is indicated, referral to a specialist veterinary institution should be considered.

Audience This review is aimed at clinicians dealing with feline SCI in the emergency setting or at first-opinion level, and discusses causes, initial management, specific treatment and prognosis.

Patient group While any cat may potentially be affected by SCI, there is a tendency for exogenous SCI to be more common in younger individuals and, in the authors' experience, pure-breed cats are very rarely presented. Endogenous SCI can be seen in any breed and is typically a condition of adult cats.
Swords into plowshares: The organizational transformation of rebel groups into political parties
Authors: Ishiyama John , Batta Anna
Published: November 2011

How do the features of a rebel group and the external political environment interact to affect the internal dynamics within a rebel group after it transforms into a political party? In this paper we combine literature on organizational change in parties in new democracies with the emerging literature on rebel group-to-party transformation, to develop a framework by which to understand these dynamics. Using the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) as a case study, we find that the legacies of the conflict, the organizational legacies of the rebel group, and the post civil war incentives for electoral gain, create political cleavages within parties that generate considerable organizational centripetal pressures, pressures that will need to be accommodated in new party organizational structures.
Dispersal of buoyancy-driven flow in porous media with inclined baffles
Authors: Rayward-Smith W. J. , Woods Andrew W.
Published: November 2011

Here we explore the effect of a series of low-permeability tilted baffles on the ascent of a buoyant fluid injected into a porous rock from a linear well, motivated by several industrial processes, particularly CO2 sequestration. We first consider, both theoretically and experimentally, the dynamics associated with flow past an individual inclined baffle; if the incident flux is sufficiently large then a pool of injectate grows beneath the baffle and spills over both ends, partitioning the flux, but otherwise the injectate only flows over the updip end of the baffle, leaving a stagnant zone under the downdip part of the baffle. In a multi-layered system, the flow may then be described using nonlinear recurrence relations based on the flow past an individual baffle. Using this approach, in the particular case in which there is a regular distribution of baffles, we show that, on a scale greater than individual baffles, the flow adjusts to a plume of constant width rising at an angle $\chi $ to the vertical, which depends on the geometry of the baffles. This constant-width plume may be described by an effective directional permeability $({k}_{p} , 0)$ at angles $(\chi , \lrm{\pi} / 2\ensuremath{-} \chi )$ to the vertical where we find ${k}_{p} \ll k$, where $k$ is the effective permeability of the regions between baffles. Within the boundaries of this plume the majority of pore space is bypassed. Indeed, the plume-scale effective porosity is largely associated with the pools of injectate which collect beneath each baffle. We show that since the constant-width plume has such a large lateral extent, the total pore space occupied by the plume, per unit height, is larger than for a homogeneous formation. Furthermore, these pools lead to a large surface area between injectate and formation water, which enhances the reaction of the injectate with the formation water. However, we also show that, in steady state, it may be hard to determine this plume-scale effective porosity since the ratio of the effective Darcy speed and the effective interstitial speed of the plume only relates to the porosity of the updip part of these pools, in which the injectate is flowing.
Attenuation of short surface waves by the sea floor via nonlinear sub-harmonic interaction
Authors: Alam Mohammad-Reza , Liu Yuming , Yue Dick K. P.
Published: November 2011

We consider the indirect mechanism for dissipation of short surface waves through their near-resonant interactions with long sub-harmonic waves that are dissipated by the bottom. Using direct perturbation analysis and an energy argument, we obtain analytic predictions of the evolution of the amplitudes of two short primary waves and the long sub-harmonic wave which form a near-resonant triad, elucidating the energy transfer, from the short waves to the long wave, which may be significant over time. We obtain expressions for the rate of total energy loss of the system and show that this rate has an extremum corresponding to a specific value of the (bottom) damping coefficient (for a given pair of short wavelengths relative to water depth). These analytic results agree very well with direct numerical simulations developed for the general nonlinear wave–wave and wave–bottom interaction problem.
A prospective study of intake oftrans-fatty acids from ruminant fat, partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, and marine oils and mortality from CVD
Authors: Laake Ida , Pedersen Jan I. , Selmer Randi , Kirkhus Bente , Lindman Anja S. , Tverdal Aage , Veierød Marit B.
Published: November 2011

Trans-fatty acids (TFA) have adverse effects on blood lipids, but whether TFA from different sources are associated with risk of CVD remains unresolved. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the association between TFA intake from partially hydrogenated vegetable oils (PHVO), partially hydrogenated fish oils (PHFO) and ruminant fat (rTFA) and risks of death of CVD, CHD, cerebrovascular diseases and sudden death in the Norwegian Counties Study, a population-based cohort study. Between 1974 and 1988, participants were examined for up to three times. Fat intake was assessed with a semi-quantitative FFQ. A total of 71 464 men and women were followed up through 2007. Hazard ratios (HR) and 95 % CI were estimated with Cox regression. Energy from TFA was compared to energy from all other sources, carbohydrates or unsaturatedcis-fatty acids with different multivariable models. During follow-up, 3870 subjects died of CVD, 2383 of CHD, 732 of cerebrovascular diseases and 243 of sudden death. Significant risks, comparing highest to lowest intake category, were found for: TFA from PHVO and CHD (HR 1·23 (95 % CI 1·00, 1·50)) and cerebrovascular diseases (HR 0·65 (95 % CI 0·45, 0·94)); TFA from PHFO and CVD (HR 1·14 (95 % CI 1·03, 1·26)) and cerebrovascular diseases (HR 1·32 (95 % CI 1·04, 1·69)); and rTFA intake and CVD (HR 1·30 (95 % CI 1·05, 1·61)), CHD (HR 1·50 (95 % CI 1·11, 2·03)) and sudden death (HR 2·73 (95 % CI 1·19, 6·25)) in women. These associations with rTFA intake were not significant in men (Pinteraction ≥ 0·01). The present study supports that TFA intake, irrespective of source, increases CVD risk. Whether TFA from PHVO decreases risk of cerebrovascular diseases warrants further investigation.
The Genesis of St. Augustine's Idea of Original Sin
Authors: Bonaiuti Ernesto
Published: November 2011

The thought of Augustine on the two ethical categories of sin and grace is of great importance in the history of Christian theology. His system of grace and predestination prevailed for many centuries, although not without strong opposition, and underwent, through scholastic elaboration, substantial changes in order to save the freedom of the will; and finally it reappeared in the conception of the spiritual life shaped by Luther and the other teachers of the Reformation. It is on account of his doctrine about grace and predestination that Protestant theologians like to call Augustine “der Paulus nach Paulus und der Luther vor Luther.” Whatever may be the exactness of this genealogy, it shows at least the value and efficacy of the Augustinian conception of the natural and supernatural life on the development of the European spirit. In the Catholic tradition this thought of Augustine is at the very basis of the ethical, ecclesiological, and sacramental systems; in the Christian but non-Catholic movements this doctrine, interpreted in a rather paradoxical way, gave a starting-point to the Reformation.
Kant's Moral Theology
Authors: Walter Johnston Estep
Published: November 2011

The most generally acknowledged mode of apprehending God or argument for his existence, is the Moral. The argument has various forms, of which the more commonly accepted and influential, in its main principles, is that of Kant. Kant emphatically rejected the traditional arguments for the existence of God — the Ontological, Cosmological, and Teleological — as inadequate and invalid. More generally, he rejected or greatly subordinated the theoretical reason in the sphere of religion, and gave primacy to the practical or moral reason. He went far in teaching that the sphere of science and the sphere of religion are separate and independent of each other.
American, English, and Dutch Theological Education
Authors: Lake Kirsopp
Published: November 2011

To the student of differing methods of education the chief interest of a comparison between English, Continental, and American methods is that the first two represent entirely different views as to objects and methods, while American education is a compromise between them. It is therefore perhaps desirable before proceeding to discuss theological education in particular to develop a little more fully the general characteristics of the three forms.
Hebrew Psalmody
Authors: Peters John P.
Published: November 2011

Professor Kent has undertaken to provide English-reading students of the Old Testament with a complete library of hand-books for the study of the contents of that great collection of Hebrew writings, which shall be of scientific value; not necessarily presenting new and original research by the author, but representing the best results of modern scholarship. The present volume, the fifth in this series, deals with the lyric poetry of the Old Testament, including songs of lamentation, songs of love and marriage, and a variety of oracles, triumphal odes, and national songs. All of these together, however, constitute but one-fifth of the total sum of Hebrew lyric poetry here dealt with, four-fifths consisting of the Psalms. It is especially Professor Kent's treatment of that collection of hymns, constituting not merely far the greater part of Hebrew lyric poetry quantitatively but also far the greater part of it qualitatively, which I propose to discuss in this article. As Kent says in his preface, the Psalms “are the real heart of the Old Testament. In them the innermost soul of the Jewish race is laid bare.” Not only this; they are “the link that binds the Old to the New Testament.” They have played as large a part in Christian as in Jewish worship. They have been translated for Christian use in all kinds of forms into almost every tongue, and an enormous literature has grown up about them. From the modern standpoint, however, they “have been to a certain extent neglected.”
The Ethics of College Students
Authors: Harris George
Published: November 2011

The American college is a picturesque, a unique, a very vital community. Students are not out of the world—a college is not a monastery; yet it is a world of its own, with peculiar objects and traditions, with a distinct atmosphere. The catalogue shows a curriculum, a faculty, a few hundred names, and the college would seem to be lectures, study, recitations. But around all that and including it, the college is a great fraternity, a mystic circle, a cult. It is Alma Mater, a glorified personality.
Confucianism and the New China
Authors: Williams Edward T.
Published: November 2011

Confucianism, with its elaborate ritual, its bloody sacrifices, its antiquated symbolism, and its fine ethical teaching, has again been made the State religion of China. Several recent mandates by the President, Yüan Shih-k'ai, have restored to it in the school, in the civil service, and in the army, the authority which previous to the revolution it had held almost uninterruptedly for two thousand years.