bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improvement of Liquid Water Content Retrieval Accuracy by Multilevel Detection in Cloud Tomography
Authors: Zhou Jun , Lei Hengchi , Ji Lei 
Published: September 2012

AbstractA new multilevel detection scheme for cloud tomography is developed. This scheme solves problems intrinsic to conventional single-level detection, such as the lateral boundary problem and the low accuracy of liquid water content (LWC) retrieval for clouds without distinct liquid water cores. Sensitivity studies show that the new multilevel detection scheme can significantly enhance the well posedness of the inverse problem and increases the accuracy of the retrieval. These improvements are achieved not only for clouds with distinct liquid water cores but also for clouds with weak or no liquid water cores, which are difficult to accurately reconstruct using a single-level detection scheme. The settlement of the lateral boundary problem also leads to a natural and easy way of solving the detection time limit problem in cloud tomography. By using a multi-aircraft flight (MAF) scheme, segmental retrieval can be applied to make the applicable scope of cloud tomography much broader. Considering the detection time limit and the cost in practice, the feasible flight scheme at present is MAF with two detection levels. Although only one detection level is added to the conventional single-level scheme, the accuracy of LWC retrieval can be improved by 1.4%–13.1%.
National Symbolism and Tortilla Price Increases in Urban San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Chiapas
Authors: López Arévalo Jorge , Sovilla Bruno , Velasco Germán Martínez 
Published: September 2012

In the past few years Mexico has experienced an increase in the price of tortillas much greater than that of the national consumer price index, the minimum wage, and their basic ingredients (corn and corn flour) that has affected the urban families that buy this basic product in the market. Since the tortilla constitutes a symbolic value for the immense majority of Mexicans, it has remained exposed to the laws of the market, increasingly losing its ritual character of time immemorial. Even when its price has increased, its deep roots in Mexican culture have permitted it to remain a basic product for daily consumption, thus generating strong tensions between its price and its cultural-nutritive role. An analysis of the impact of the increase in the price of tortillas on the consumption of low- and high-income households in San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Chiapas, establishes that tortillas represent a Giffen good—a product for which a price increase, far from diminishing its demand, increases it—for poor urban households. En los últimos años se ha apreciado en México un incremento en el precio de la tortilla muy superior al índice nacional de precios al consumidor, al del salario mínimo y al de sus insumos básicos (maíz en grano y harina de maíz), que ha afectado a las familias residentes en zonas urbanas, las que adquieren este producto básico en el mercado. La tortilla, en tanto que constituye un valor simbólico para la inmensa mayoría de los mexicanos, ha quedado expuesta a las leyes del mercado, perdiendo cada vez más su carácter ritual que tuvo en tiempos immemoriales. Cuando su precio ha tendido al incremento, su arraigo en la cultura mexicana le ha permitido mantenerse como un producto básico de consumo diario, generando así fuertes tensiones entre su precio y su papel cultural-alimenticio. Un análisis del impacto del aumento del precio de la tortilla en el consumo de hogares de ingresos bajo y alto en San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Chiapas, establece que la tortilla representa un bien Giffen—un producto que ante un aumento de precio, lejos de disminuir su demanda, ésta aumenta—para los hogares pobres urbanos.
Altered processing of emotional stimuli in migraine: An event-related potential study
Authors: Andreatta Marta , Puschmann Anne Kathrin , Sommer Claudia , Weyers Peter , Pauli Paul , Mühlberger Andreas 
Published: September 2012

Background: Migraine patients report psychosocial stress to be among the major triggers for their migraine attacks. The mechanisms underlying the onset of migraine attacks are not yet fully understood. Neuroimaging studies have shown changes in the cortical excitability of migraine patients. Here, we investigated cortical activation related to processing of emotional stimuli in individuals with migraine. Method: Twenty-four participants suffering from migraine attacks and 25 healthy volunteers had to passively observe pictures of emotional facial expressions (angry, happy and neutral). Electro-cortical activity was continuously recorded by means of an electroencephalogram (EEG), and ratings of valence (unpleasant vs. pleasant) and arousal (calm vs. exciting) were collected. Results: The migraine and control group did not differ in their ratings of valence and arousal of the visual stimuli. However, participants with migraine, in contrast to healthy controls, showed larger N170 amplitudes toward angry facial expressions compared to neutral ones. Discussion: Individuals with migraine may have an altered cortical activity linked to the processing of emotional information. Thus, these individuals may process high arousing and threatening events preferentially, and this facilitated processing may be related to their already high cortical excitability.
A MultiSite GatewayTM vector set for the functional analysis of genes in the model Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Nagels Durand Astrid , Moses Tessa , De Clercq Rebecca , Goossens Alain , Pauwels Laurens 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Background
Recombinatorial cloning using the GatewayTM technology has been the method of choice for high-throughput omics projects, resulting in the availability of entire ORFeomes in GatewayTM compatible vectors. The MultiSite GatewayTM system allows combining multiple genetic fragments such as promoter, ORF and epitope tag in one single reaction. To date, this technology has not been accessible in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, one of the most widely used experimental systems in molecular biology, due to the lack of appropriate destination vectors.

Results
Here, we present a set of three-fragment MultiSite GatewayTM destination vectors that have been developed for gene expression in S. cerevisiae and that allow the assembly of any promoter, open reading frame, epitope tag arrangement in combination with any of four auxotrophic markers and three distinct replication mechanisms. As an example of its applicability, we used yeast three-hybrid to provide evidence for the assembly of a ternary complex of plant proteins involved in jasmonate signalling and consisting of the JAZ, NINJA and TOPLESS proteins.

Conclusion
Our vectors make MultiSite GatewayTM cloning accessible in S. cerevisiae and implement a fast and versatile cloning method for the high-throughput functional analysis of (heterologous) proteins in one of the most widely used model organisms for molecular biology research.
Steam-cooking rapidly destroys and reverses onion-induced antiplatelet activity
Authors: Hansen Emilie A , Folts John D , Goldman Irwin L 
Published: September 2012

AbstractBackgroundFoods in the diet that can aid in the prevention of diseases are of major interest. Onions are key ingredients in many cuisines around the world and moreover, onion demand has trended higher over the past three decades. An important pharmacological aspect of onion is the ability to inhibit platelet aggregation. Raw onions inhibit platelet aggregation; however, when onions are boiled or heated, antiplatelet activity may be abolished.MethodsOnion quarters were steamed for 0, 1, 3, 6, 10, and 15 min. The in vitro antiplatelet activity of a yellow hybrid storage onion was examined at these times on the blood of 12 human subjects using in vitro whole blood aggregometry.ResultsContrary to findings reported for boiling, antiplatelet activity was destroyed between 3 and 6 min of steaming, and at 10 min of steaming, cooked onions stimulated platelet activity. Extracts from cooked onion had the potential to reverse the inhibitory effect on blood platelets by 25%. Responses were consistent across all donors. Total polyphenolic concentration and soluble solids were not affected by steaming time.ConclusionsThe potential value of cooked onion preparations may result in destruction or reversal of antiplatelet activity, without affecting the polyphenolic concentration.
Evaluation of stability and size distribution of sunflower oil-coated micro bubbles for localized drug delivery
Authors: Filho Walter Duartede Araujo , Schneider Fábio Kurt , Morales Rigoberto EM 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Background
Micro bubbles were initially introduced as contrast agents for ultrasound examinations as they are able to modify the signal-to-noise ratio in imaging, thus improving the assessment of clinical information on human tissue. Recent developments have demonstrated the feasibility of using these bubbles as drug carriers in localized delivery. In micro fluidics devices for generation of micro bubbles, the bubbles are formed at interface of liquid gas through a strangulation process. A device that uses these features can produce micro bubbles with small size dispersion in a single step.

Methods
A T-junction micro fluidic device constructed using 3D prototyping was made for the production of mono dispersed micro bubbles. These micro bubbles use sunflower oil as a lipid layer. Stability studies for micro bubbles with diameters different generated from a liquid phase of the same viscosity were conducted to evaluate whether micro bubbles can be used as drug carriers. The biocompatibility of coating layer, the ability to withstand environmental pressure variations combined with echogenicity, are key factors that they can safely play the role of drug transporters.

Results
The normal distribution curve with small dispersion of the diameter of bubbles validates the process of generating micro bubbles with low value of variation coefficient, i.e., 0.381 at 1.90%. The results also showed the feasibility of using sunflower oil as the lipid matrix with stable population of bubbles over 217 minutes for micro bubbles with an average diameter of 313.04 μm and 121 minutes for micro bubbles with an average diameter of 73.74 μm, considering bubbles with air as gaseous phase.

Conclusion
The results indicate that the micro fluidic device designed can be used for producing micro bubbles with low variation coefficient using sunflower oil as a coating of micro bubbles. These carriers were stable for periods of time that are long enough for clinical applications even when regular air is used as the gas phase. Improved stability can be achieved when biocompatible gas with lower permeability is used.
Acute ischemic stroke following Hump-nosed viper envenoming; first authenticated case
Authors: jeevagan Vijayabala , Chang Thashi , Gnanathasan Christeine Ariaranee 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
Hump-nosed pit viper (Genus Hypnale) is a medically important venomous snake in Sri Lanka and Southwestern India which causes significant morbidity and mortality. Envenoming of this snake results in hemostastic dysfunction, thrombotic microangiopathy, acute kidney injury and death. This case describes an authenticated first case of ischemic stroke in a 65 year old male following envenoming by H.hypnale in Sri Lanka.
Medullary thyroid cancer in a 9-week-old infant with familial MEN 2B: Implications for timing of prophylactic thyroidectomy
Authors: Shankar Roopa Kanakatti , Rutter Michael J , Chernausek Steven D , Samuels Paul J , Mo Jun Qin , Rutter Meilan M 
Published: September 2012

AbstractBackgroundPatients with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2) are at high risk of developing aggressive medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) in childhood, with the highest risk in those with MEN type 2B (of whom >95% have an M918T RET proto-oncogene mutation). Metastatic MTC has been reported as young as 3 months of age. Current guidelines recommend prophylactic thyroidectomy within the first year of life for MEN 2B.Patient findingsWe report a 9-week-old infant with MTC due to familial MEN 2B. A full-term male infant, born to a mother with known MEN 2B and metastatic MTC, had an M918T RET proto-oncogene mutation confirmed at 4 weeks of age. He underwent prophylactic total thyroidectomy at 9 weeks of age. Pathology showed a focal calcitonin-positive nodule (2.5 mm), consistent with microscopic MTC.SummaryThis case highlights the importance of early prophylactic thyroidectomy in MEN 2B. Although current guidelines recommend surgery up to a year of life, MTC may occur in the first few weeks of life, raising the question of how early we should intervene. In this report, we discuss the risks, benefits and barriers to performing earlier thyroidectomy, soon after the first month of life, and make suggestions to facilitate timely intervention. Prenatal anticipatory surgical scheduling could be considered in familial MEN 2B. Multidisciplinary collaboration between adult and pediatric specialists is key to the optimal management of the infant at risk.
Intracerebral delivery of Carboplatin in combination with either 6 MV Photons or monoenergetic synchrotron X-rays are equally efficacious for treatment of the F98 rat glioma
Authors: Bobyk Laure , Edouard Magali , Deman Pierre , Rousseau Julia , Adam Jean-François , Ravanat Jean-Luc , Estève François , Balosso Jacques , Barth Rolf F , Elleaume Hélène 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Background
The purpose of the present study was to compare side-by-side the therapeutic efficacy of a 6-day infusion of carboplatin, followed by X-irradiation with either 6 MV photons or synchrotron X-rays, tuned above the K-edge of Pt, for treatment of F98 glioma bearing rats.

Methods
Carboplatin was administered intracerebrally (i.c.) to F98 glioma bearing rats over 6 days using AlzetTM osmotic pumps starting 7 days after tumor implantation. Radiotherapy was delivered in a single 15 Gy fraction on day 14 using a conventional 6 MV linear accelerator (LINAC) or 78.8 keV synchrotron X-rays.

Results
Untreated control animals had a median survival time (MeST) of 33 days. Animals that received either carboplatin alone or irradiation alone with either 78.8 keV or 6 MV had a MeSTs 38 and 33 days, respectively. Animals that received carboplatin in combination with X-irradiation had a MeST of > 180 days with a 55% cure rate, irrespective of whether they were irradiated with either 78.8 KeV synchrotron X-rays or 6MV photons.

Conclusions
These studies have conclusively demonstrated the equivalency of i.c. delivery of carboplatin in combination with X-irradiation with either 6 MV photons or synchrotron X-rays.
Zasp regulates integrin activation
Authors: Bouaouina Mohamed , Jani Klodiana , Long Jenny Y. , Czerniecki Stefan , Morse Elizabeth M. , Ellis Stephanie J. , Tanentzapf Guy , Schöck Frieder , Calderwood David A. 
Published: September 2012

Summary
Integrins are heterodimeric adhesion receptors that link the extracellular matrix (ECM) to the cytoskeleton. Binding of the scaffold protein, talin, to the cytoplasmic tail of β-integrin causes a conformational change of the extracellular domains of the integrin heterodimer, thus allowing high-affinity binding of ECM ligands. This essential process is called integrin activation. Here we report that the Z-band alternatively spliced PDZ-motif-containing protein (Zasp) cooperates with talin to activate α5β1 integrins in mammalian tissue culture and αPS2βPS integrins in Drosophila. Zasp is a PDZ–LIM-domain-containing protein mutated in human cardiomyopathies previously thought to function primarily in assembly and maintenance of the muscle contractile machinery. Notably, Zasp is the first protein shown to co-activate α5β1 integrins with talin and appears to do so in a manner distinct from known αIIbβ3 integrin co-activators.
The role of microtubules in neutrophil polarity and migration in live zebrafish
Authors: Yoo Sa Kan , Lam Pui-ying , Eichelberg Mark R. , Zasadil Lauren , Bement William M. , Huttenlocher Anna 
Published: September 2012

SummaryMicrotubules control cell motility by positively regulating polarization in many cell types. However, how microtubules regulate leukocyte migration is not well understood, particularly in living organisms. Here we exploited the zebrafish system to study the role of microtubules in neutrophil migration in vivo. The localization of microtubules was visualized in motile neutrophils using various bioprobes, revealing that, in contrast to what has been seen in studies in vitro, the microtubule organizing center is positioned in front of the nucleus (relative to the direction of migration) in motile neutrophils. Microtubule disassembly impaired attraction of neutrophils to wounds but enhanced the polarity of F-actin dynamics as measured by the distribution of stable and dynamic F-actin. Microtubule depolymerization inhibited polarized phosphoinositol 3-kinase (PI(3)K) activation at the leading edge and induced rapid PI(3)K independent motility. Finally, we show that microtubules exert their effects on neutrophil polarity and motility at least in part by the negative regulation of both Rho and Rac activity. These results provide new insight into the role of microtubules in neutrophil migration in a living vertebrate and show that the motility of these professional migratory cells are subject to distinctly different rules from those established for other cell types.
Rab6 is required for the exocytosis of cortical granules and the recruitment of separase to the granules during the oocyte-to-embryo transition in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Kimura Kenji , Kimura Akatsuki 
Published: September 2012

Summary
Remodeling of the embryo surface after fertilization is mediated by the exocytosis of cortical granules derived from the Golgi complex. This process is essential for oocyte-to-embryo transition in many species. However, how the fertilization signal reaches the cortical granules for their timely exocytosis is largely unknown. In Caenorhabditis elegans, the recruitment of separase, a downstream effector of the fertilization signal, to the cortical granules is essential for exocytosis because separase is required for membrane fusion. However, the molecule that recruits separase to the cortical granules remains unidentified. In this study, we found that Rab6, a Golgi-associated GTPase, is essential to recruit separase to the cortical granules in C. elegans embryos. Knockdown of the rab-6.1 gene, a Rab6 homolog in C. elegans, resulted in failure of the membrane fusion step of cortical granule exocytosis. Using a transgenic strain that expresses GFP-fused RAB-6.1, we found that RAB-6.1 temporarily co-localized with separase on the cortical granules for a few minutes and then was dispersed in the cytoplasm concomitantly with membrane fusion. We found that RAB-6.1, as well as cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)-1 and anaphase promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C), was required to recruit separase to the cortical granules. RAB-6.1 was not required for the chromosome segregation process, unlike CDK-1, APC/C and SEP-1. The results indicate that RAB-6.1 is required specifically for the membrane fusion step of exocytosis and for the recruitment of separase to the granules. Thus, RAB-6.1 is an important molecule for the timely exocytosis of the cortical granules during oocyte-to-embryo transition.
Chronic destructive pulmonary tuberculosis: assessment of disease activity by computed tomography
Authors: Nam Kyung Jin , Jeong Yeon Joo , Kim Yeong Dae , Kim Kun-Il , Lee Jun Woo , Park Hye Kyung , Hoseok I 
Published: September 2012

Background Determination of disease activity of chronic destructive pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) on imaging studies can be difficult because several imaging findings due to disease chronicity such as a residual cavity can be misinterpreted as an active disease. Purpose To evaluate computed tomography (CT) findings to predict active disease in patients with chronic destructive pulmonary TB. Material and Methods CT findings of 36 patients with chronic active destructive pulmonary TB and 78 patients with chronic inactive destructive pulmonary TB were reviewed and their patterns of lung lesions were compared. Statistical comparisons were performed using chi-square and Student's T tests for univariate analyses, and a stepwise logistic regression method was used for multivariate analysis. Results Based on univariate analyses, cavitary destruction ( P = 0.015), non-branching centrilobular nodules ( P < 0.001), tree-in-bud pattern ( P < 0.001), airspace nodules ( P < 0.001), and cavities in other lobes ( P = 0.001) were more frequently seen in chronic active destructive pulmonary TB. A stepwise logistic regression analysis demonstrated that tree-in-bud pattern (odds ratio, 52.3; 95% confidence interval, 6.2-437.2; P < 0.001) were significant CT findings associated with active disease. Conclusion Tree-in-bud pattern were the most characteristic CT findings to predict active disease in patients with chronic destructive pulmonary TB.
Inter- and intraradiologist variability in the BI-RADS assessment and breast density categories for screening mammograms
Authors: Redondo A , Comas M , Macià F , Ferrer F , Murta-Nascimento C , Maristany M T , Molins E , Sala M , Castells X 
Published: September 2012

Objective
The aim of this study was to evaluate reader variability in screening mammograms according to the American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) assessment and breast density categories.

Methods
A stratified random sample of 100 mammograms was selected from a population-based breast cancer screening programme in Barcelona, Spain: 13 histopathologically confirmed breast cancers and 51 with true-negative and 36 with false-positive results. 21 expert radiologists from radiological units of breast cancer screening programmes in Catalonia, Spain, reviewed the mammography images twice within a 6-month interval. The readers described each mammography using BI-RADS assessment and breast density categories. Inter- and intraradiologist agreement was assessed using percentage of concordance and the kappa (κ) statistic.

Results
Fair interobserver agreement was observed for the BI-RADS assessment [κ=0.37, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.36–0.38]. When the categories were collapsed in terms of whether additional evaluation was required (Categories III, 0, IV, V) or not (I and II), moderate agreement was found (κ=0.53, 95% CI 0.52–0.54). Intra-observer agreement for BI-RADS assessment was moderate using all categories (κ=0.53, 95% CI 0.50–0.55) and substantial on recall (κ=0.66, 95% CI 0.63–0.70). Regarding breast density, inter- and intraradiologist agreement was substantial (κ=0.73, 95% CI 0.72–0.74 and κ=0.69, 95% CI 0.68–0.70, respectively).

Conclusion
We observed a substantial intra-observer agreement in the BI-RADS assessment but only moderate interobserver agreement. Both inter- and intra-observer agreement in mammographic interpretation of breast density was substantial.

Advances in knowledge
Educational efforts should be made to decrease radiologists' variability in BI-RADS assessment interpretation in population-based breast screening programmes.