bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical evaluation of a bioluminescent enzyme immunoassay for detecting norovirus in fecal specimens from patients with acute gastroenteritis
Authors: Shigemoto Naoki , Tanizawa Yukie , Matsuo Takeshi , Sakamaki Nozomi , Ohiro Yoshiyuki , Takayasu Susumu , Fukuda Shinji 
Published: October 2013

AbstractNoroviruses (NoVs), which belong to the family Caliciviridae, are major causative agents of acute gastroenteritis worldwide. Thus, rapid and highly sensitive assays for detecting NoVs are required. Recently, a bioluminescent enzyme immunoassay (BLEIA) for detecting NoVs in fecal specimens was developed. This new assay was evaluated using fecal specimens obtained from acute gastroenteritis patients. Of the 107 specimens that were found to be NoV‐positive by RT‐PCR or RT‐LAMP, 104 specimens produced positive results in the BLEIA (sensitivity: 96.3%). On the other hand, no false‐positive results were observed during the testing of 176 NoV‐negative specimens containing group A or C rotaviruses, astroviruses, sapoviruses, adenovirus type 41, bocaviruses, or parechoviruses. Furthermore, the BLEIA was able to detect many NoV genotypes in the tested specimens, including three genotypes from genogroup I (genotypes 1, 4, and 8) and ten genotypes belonging to genogroup II (genotypes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 12, 13, 16, and 19). By quantifying the number of NoV genome copies in the clinical specimens tested with the BLEIA, its detection limit was estimated to be 106 genome copies per gram of stool and below. Furthermore, as the BLEIA can be performed with an automated device and does not involve complicated procedures it can be used to rapidly test many samples. Therefore, the BLEIA is a rapid and highly sensitive method and could be used as a diagnostic tool at hospitals and clinical laboratories that deal with large numbers of clinical specimens from acute gastroenteritis patients or food handlers. J. Med. Virol. 86:1219–1225, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Analysis of the RF and noise performance of junctionless MOSFETs using Monte Carlo simulation
Authors: Chen Yongbo , Xu Ruimin 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACTThe dynamic characteristics and high‐frequency noise performance of junctionless (JL) metal‐oxide‐semiconductor field‐effect transistors (MOSFETs) are investigated using a full‐band Monte Carlo simulator. A detailed comparison with conventional inversion mode (IM) MOSFETs is presented. The results of the radio frequency performance indicate that, compared with the traditional IM MOSFET, the JL transistor exhibits lower drain current (Ids), transconductance (gm), and cut‐off frequency (ft) because of its lower electron velocity in the high doping channel. However, owing to a reduced output conductance (gds) and a larger Cgs/Cgd ratio (Cgs is the gate‐to‐source capacitance; Cgd is the gate‐to‐drain capacitance), the JL MOSFET presents an improvement in the intrinsic voltage gain (Avo) and maximum frequency of oscillation (fmax) in comparison with the IM transistor, which makes it be a viable option for the high‐voltage and power gain analog/radio frequency applications. The results of the noise characteristics show that the JL MOSFET exhibits higher minimum noise figure (NFmin) and equivalent noise resistance (Rn), indicating an inferior noise performance. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Diverse nodule bacteria were associated with Astragalus species in arid region of northwestern China
Authors: Chen Weimin , Sun Liangliang , Lu Jianjun , Bi Liangliang , Wang Entao , Wei Gehong 
Published: October 2013

AbstractThe legume species of Astragalus as traditional Chinese medicine source and environmental protection plants showed an extensive distribution in the arid region of northwestern China. However, few rhizobia associating with Astragalus have been investigated in this region so far. In this study, 78 endophytic bacteria were isolated from root nodules of 12 Astragalus species and characterized by the PCR‐RFLP of 16S rRNA gene and symbiotic genes together with the phylogenetic analysis. Results showed that the majority (53%) of isolates are non‐nodulating Agrobacterium sp. and the rest are Mesorhizobium genomic species (41%), Ensifer spp. and Rhizobium gallicum (6%), respectively. Mesorhizobium genomic species are broadly distributed in the Astragalus symbioses and most of them share similar symbiotic genes. It seems that horizontal gene transfer occurred frequently among different genomic species independent of their original hosts and sites. Astragalus adsurgens is nodulated by a widely range of rhizobial species in the nodulation test, revealing that it could play an important role in diversification of Astragalus symbionts and that might be a reason for its wide adaptation to diverse environments.
Generation of regional climate ensembles using Atmospheric Forcing Shifting
Authors: Sasse Romi , Schädler Gerd 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACTEnsembles of high‐resolution regional climate model (RCM) simulations are crucial for assessing regional climate change and the associated uncertainties. This article presents an RCM ensemble generation technique which explores uncertainties arising from the positioning of synoptic systems in the large‐scale atmospheric forcing by shifting the atmospheric fields from global climate model (GCM) runs horizontally. Here, we discuss how the so‐called Atmospheric Forcing Shifting (AFS) affects temperature and precipitation over Europe for the period 1980–1984. We use ERA‐40 reanalysis data in which the atmospheric fields are shifted to each direction by 25 and 50 km, respectively, to run RCM simulations with COSMO‐CLM at 50‐km resolution. The analysis of the AFS ensemble includes comparisons with E‐OBS observations and COSMO‐CLM runs driven by different GCMs. AFS has an evident effect on the spatiotemporal distributions of temperature and particularly precipitation, which is most pronounced during hydrological summer (May to October) when spatial weather patterns are more variable. Furthermore, AFS produces realistic changes in the likelihood and intensity of extreme precipitation. The changes induced by AFS depend strongly on orography, i.e. precipitation increases are likely to occur where moist air masses are shifted towards the windward mountain side and vice versa. Thus, increasing the RCM ensemble spread by means of AFS is a simple and useful method for sampling observed climate statistics and assessing the variability and changes in mean and extreme climate.
Advances in membrane emulsification. Part B: recent developments in modelling and scale‐up approaches
Authors: Spyropoulos Fotis , Lloyd David M. , Hancocks Robin D , Pawlik Aleksandra K 
Published: October 2013

AbstractMembrane emulsification is a promising process for formulating emulsions and particulates. It offers many advantages over conventional ‘high‐shear’ processes with narrower size distribution products, higher batch repeatability and lower energy consumption commonly demonstrated at a small scale. Since the process was first introduced around 25 years ago, understanding of the underlying mechanisms involved during microstructure formation has advanced significantly leading to the development of modelling approaches that predict processing output; e.g. emulsion droplet size and throughput. The accuracy and ease of application of these models is important to allow for the development of design equations which can potentially facilitate scale‐up of the process and meet the manufacturer's specific requirements. Part B of this review considers the advantages and disadvantages of a variety of models developed to predict droplet size, flow behaviour and other phenomena (namely droplet–droplet interactions), with presentation of the appropriate formulae where necessary. Furthermore, the advancement of the process towards an industrial scale is also highlighted with additional recommendations by the authors for future work. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
The elevated pre‐operative plasma fibrinogen level is an independent negative prognostic factor for cancer‐specific, disease‐free and overall survival in soft‐tissue sarcoma patients
Authors: Szkandera Joanna , Pichler Martin , Liegl‐Atzwanger Bernadette , Absenger Gudrun , Stotz Michael , Ploner Ferdinand , Stojakovic Tatjana , Samonigg Hellmut , Eberhard Katharina , Leithner Andreas , Gerger Armin 
Published: October 2013

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesAccumulating evidence indicates an important pathophysiological role of fibrinogen on tumor cell progression and metastases in different types of cancer. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prognostic relevance of pre‐operative fibrinogen levels on clinical outcome in a large cohort of STS patients.MethodsTwo hundred ninety‐four consecutive STS patients were retrospectively evaluated. Cancer‐specific survival (CSS), disease‐free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) were assessed using the Kaplan–Meier curves and Cox regression models. Finally, we supplemented the well‐established Kattan nomogram by the fibrinogen level and evaluated the gain of predictive accuracy of this novel nomogram by Harrell's concordance index (c‐index).ResultsAn elevated plasma fibrinogen level was significantly associated with established prognostic factors, including age, tumor grade, size, and depth (P < 0.05). Furthermore, in multivariate analysis, increased fibrinogen levels were significantly associated with a poor outcome for CSS (HR = 2.48; 95% CI = 1.28–4.78; P = 0.007), DFS (HR = 2.00; 95% CI = 1.11–3.60; P = 0.021), and OS (HR = 2.20; 95% CI = 1.39–3.47; P < 0.001). The estimated c‐index was 0.747 using the original Kattan nomogram and 0.779 when the fibrinogen levels was added.ConclusionThe pre‐operative plasma fibrinogen level may represent a strong and independent unfavorable prognostic factor for CSS, DFS and OS in STS patients. J. Surg. Oncol. 2014 109:139–144. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Magnolol‐induced inhibition of tumor growth in systemic malignancies
Authors: Kapoor Shailendra 
Published: October 2013

The commentary illustrates the significant tumor attenuating effects of magnolol and refers to the article on “Screening active anti‐breast cancer compounds from Cortex Magnolia officinalis by 2D LC–MS” (X. Hou, et al., J. Sep. Sci. 2013, 36 (4), 706–712). On the basis of the literature, there is definitively need for further studies to fully understand the magnolol reation pathways and to harness the antineoplastic effects.
Fractionated ablative carbon dioxide laser for the treatment of rhinophyma
Authors: Serowka Kathryn L , Saedi Nazanin , Dover Jeffrey S. , Zachary Christopher B. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractBackgroundRhinophyma is a progressive and disfiguring proliferative disorder of the nose, which is related to chronic rosacea. Many different treatment modalities have been utilized both alone and in combination including: loop cautery, CO2 laser, argon laser, dermabrasion, cryotherapy, radiotherapy, full‐thickness excision, skin graft, flap reconstruction, and cold scalpel. CO2 resurfacing has been considered first line therapy but is often associated with a shiny, scarred appearance, with patulous pores, and with loss of pigmentation. We report a technique using aggressive parameters with the fractionated ablative CO2 laser, resulting in improvement of appearance with very few complications.Materials and MethodsFive patients who presented with rhinophyma of varying degrees were treated with a series of fractional ablative CO2 laser treatments (Fraxel re:Pair, Solta Medical, Hayward, CA). These patients were treated with settings of up to 70 mJ, 70% density and 16–18 passes. All patients received HSV prophylaxis using either acyclovir 400 mg TID or valacyclovir 500 mg BID. Patients were rendered anesthetic by 1% lidocaine and epinephrine regional perinasal nerve block.ResultsAll of the patients tolerated the procedure well with reepithelialization at days 4–7 and self‐limited edema and erythema. Patients with relatively early to moderate signs of rhinophyma proved optimal candidates for this treatment. There were no adverse events. Patients and physicians noted significant improvement and reduction in the rhinophyma without the typical scarring noted with most other treatments.ConclusionRhinophyma treated with fractionated ablative CO2 laser using relatively aggressive parameters achieved good cosmetic outcomes in this group of early to moderate cases of rhinophyma, while still retaining the benefits of a fractionated treatment such as faster healing times and fewer adverse events. Lasers Surg. Med. 46:8–12, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Light‐Induced Refractive Index Modulation in Photoactive Liquid‐Crystalline Elastomers
Authors: Tašič Blaž , Li Wei , Sánchez‐Ferrer Antoni , Čopič Martin , Drevenšek‐Olenik Irena 
Published: October 2013

A comparative study of UV‐irradiation‐induced refractive index modulation in two analogous monodomain nematic side‐chain liquid‐crystalline elastomer materials is conveyed. In one of them, mesogenic azobenzene derivatives are incorporated as pendant co‐monomers, and in the other as crosslinking units. The dependence of the optical diffraction properties on the polarization state of the probe beam reveals that diffraction is predominantly of a bulk origin for both materials. For prolonged UV exposures, the material with pendant azobenzene derivatives exhibits practically constant diffraction properties, while the material with cross‐linking azobenzene units shows a profound decrease of diffraction efficiency with increasing exposure time. The difference is attributed to photoinduced alignment of the azobenzene molecules, which is much stronger in the material with the crosslinking azobenzene units.
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Genome‐wide screening of aberrant DNA methylation which associated with gene expression in mouse skin cancers
Authors: Fujiwara Kyoko , Ghosh Srimoyee , Liang Ping , Morien Evan , Soma Masayoshi , Nagase Hiroki 
Published: October 2013

AbstractEpigenetic alteration of genomic DNA is a common and key process in carcinogenesis. There is considerable evidence indicating that some of the somatic alterations occurring during carcinogenesis in humans also involve the same processes as those observed in mice. Therefore, we analyzed mouse skin cancer tissues induced by the 2‐stage carcinogenesis model to identify skin tumor‐specific differentially methylated regions (ST‐DMRs) during the multistep carcinogenesis process. We have previously identified ST‐DMRs using the restriction landmark genomic scanning (RLGS) technique and reported that some of the mouse ST‐DMRs were also epigenetically modified in human cancers, such as melanoma, neuroblastoma, and brain tumor. These results encouraged us to pursue global methylation screening in mouse skin carcinogenesis. Using the methylated DNA immunoprecipitation (MeDIP) method combined with the NimbleGen promoter plus CpG island (CpGi) array, we identified 615 ST‐DMRs. In combination with global gene expression analysis, 91 of these ST‐DMRs were shown to be located on or around the genes differentially expressed between normal skin and tumor tissues, including a candidate human tumor suppressor gene Tfap2e. As observed in human colorectal cancers, Tfap2e was methylated at a CpGi located in intron 3 and downregulated in skin tumors. Our results identified aberrant methylated regions that were associated with gene expression regulation during carcinogenesis, which may indicate critical genetic regions also involved in human carcinogenesis. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Impact of specific executive functions on driving performance in people with Parkinson's disease
Authors: Ranchet Maud , Paire‐Ficout Laurence , Uc Ergun Y. , Bonnard Arnaud , Sornette Damien , Broussolle Emmanuel 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACTExecutive functions encompass various cognitive processes and are critical in novel or demanding driving situations. Our aim was to determine the role of impairments in specific executive functions (updating, flexibility, inhibition) on road performance in drivers with Parkinson's disease (PD), a condition commonly associated with early executive dysfunction. In this pilot study, 19 patients with mild to moderate PD and 21 healthy controls matched for age, education, and driving experience were tested using a neuropsychological battery assessing global cognitive abilities, updating (n‐back task), flexibility (plus‐minus task), and inhibition (Stroop test). Participants also underwent a 45‐minute road test in which they were scored by a driving instructor and a second experimenter. To separate “at‐risk” drivers from safe drivers, a composite driving indicator was calculated from the Test Ride for Investigating Practical Fitness to Drive score, the penalty score from the observation grid, and the number of safety interventions made by the driving instructor. Eight of the 40 drivers (all PD) were rated as “at risk.” Measures of updating (the n‐back task) and mental flexibility (the plus‐minus task) predicted driving safety even after adjustment for group status, explaining 53% of the total variance. These 2 tests also discriminated between safe and “at‐risk” drivers within the PD group. These findings, although preliminary, suggest that updating and mental flexibility are critical for safe driving in PD. Assessment batteries for driving fitness should probe different aspects of executive functions, specifically when evaluating drivers with PD. © 2013 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Increase of the plasma α‐synuclein levels in patients with multiple system atrophy
Authors: Sun Zhan‐Fang , Xiang Xiao‐Shuang , Chen Zhao , Zhang Li , Tang Bei‐Sha , Xia Kun , Jiang Hong 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACTMultiple system atrophy, a sporadic neurodegenerative disease, is characterized by the presence of high numbers of glial cytoplasmic inclusions mainly formed by α‐synuclein protein, which is encoded by the SNCA gene. To date, however, few studies have investigated the plasma α‐synuclein levels in patients with multiple system atrophy. We studied plasma α‐synuclein concentrations by using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay in 74 patients with multiple system atrophy and 90 healthy controls. The plasma α‐synuclein levels were significantly elevated in patients who had multiple system atrophy compared with the control group (P = 0.000). In a subgroup of 48 patients who had probable multiple system atrophy, there was a weakly negative correlation between plasma α‐synuclein levels and subscores on Unified Multiple System Atrophy Rating Scale item VI (rs = −0.307; P = 0.034). Plasma α‐synuclein levels were elevated in patients with multiple system atrophy, and these levels may be decreased with the development of disease. © 2013 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
A New Perspective on Family Involvement in Chronic Pain Management Programmes
Authors: Swift C. M. , Reed K. , Hocking C. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate how those with pain, and their significant others, perceive the involvement of significant others in a multidisciplinary chronic pain management programme.MethodsSemi‐structured telephone interviews were conducted with eight people who had attended a Family Day as part of a three‐week multidisciplinary chronic pain management programme in Auckland, New Zealand. Four of the participants had pain and four were significant others. Follow‐up interviews were conducted with seven of the participants up to one year after their initial interview. Conventional content analysis was used to analyse collected data.ResultsParticipants viewed the involvement of significant others to be important because managing pain necessitates ‘being on the same page’ and significant others also needed an opportunity to access support and information.ConclusionThe involvement of significant others in programmes is perceived to be important but must be a balance between what is feasible for significant others and beneficial for all. Further research into when and how significant others are included within programmes is urgently required. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Is total duration of distal compound muscle action potential better than negative peak duration in the diagnosis of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy?
Authors: Lagarde Julien , Viala Karine , Fournier Emmanuel 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACTIntroduction: The diagnosis of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is difficult, and the role of electrophysiology is crucial. Distal compound muscle action potential (CMAP) duration is a useful tool that is assessed by measuring negative peak duration (NP). The value of total distal CMAP duration (T), which seems more precise from a physiological standpoint, has not been studied. Methods: We reviewed retrospectively the records of 50 patients with CIDP and 50 controls with chronic axonal neuropathy. We constructed ROC curves for NP and T. Results: Comparison of AUC for T vs. NP showed an advantage for the former (P = 0.026 for the fibular nerve). Our derived cut‐offs offered a sensitivity of 42.3% for T vs. 35.3% for NP. Conclusion: This study suggests a slight advantage for T over NP duration of the distal CMAP in the diagnosis of CIDP. However, the clinical relevance of this result must be weighed against the feasibility of this measurement. Muscle Nerve 49: 895–899, 2014
The effects of strength, aerobic, and concurrent exercise on skeletal muscle damage in rats
Authors: Rech Anderson , Radaelli Regis , De Assis Adriano M. , Fernandes João R. , Longoni Aline , Vozari‐Hampe Magdolna M. , Pinto Ronei S. , Matté Cristiane 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACTIntroduction: In this study we examined oxidative stress and skeletal muscle damage resulting from acute strength, aerobic, or concurrent exercise in rats. Methods: The animals were divided into control (C), strength (SE), aerobic (AE), and combined (CE) exercise groups. They were euthanized at 3 different time‐points (6, 24, and 48 h) after acute exercise. Results: SE exercise rats had increased dichlorofluorescein oxidation at 6 h post‐exercise and decreased superoxide dismutase activity at all time‐points. Glutathione peroxidase activity and sulfhydryl levels were increased in the AE group at 48 h post‐exercise. Serum lactate dehydrogenase activity was increased in the SE and CE groups at 24 h and in the AE group at 48 h. Echo intensity was elevated at 24 h for all groups. Conclusions: Forty‐eight hours was sufficient for complete recovery from oxidative stress and muscle damage in the SE and CE groups, but not in the AE group. Muscle Nerve 50: 79–86, 2014