bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
2,5‐Dihydroxybenzoic acid salts for matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometric lipid analysis: Simplified spectra interpretation and insights into gas‐phase fragmentation
Authors: Jaskolla Thorsten W. , Onischke Kristin , Schiller Jürgen 
Published: May 2014

RATIONALEIn the last decades the interest in lipids as important components of membranes has considerably increased. Nowadays, lipids are often routinely analyzed by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF MS). In this regard, many relevant aspects are so far unknown, e.g., gas‐phase stabilities, adduct formation and fragmentation. To fill this gap, MALDI matrix salts are presented which allow for simplified lipid analysis and elucidation of the underlying gas‐phase fragmentation mechanisms.METHODSMALDI‐TOF MS was used due to its beneficial properties for lipid investigations, e.g., high sensitivity, simple sample preparations, and a high tolerance to contaminants. The lipid hydrolysis, ionization and fragmentation properties of synthesized near neutral Na+ and NH4+ salts of the commonly used MALDI matrix 2,5‐dihydroxybenzoic acid were compared to that of DHB free acid itself as well as to base addition to DHB during dried‐droplet sample preparation.RESULTSMany lipid classes such as sterols, triacylglycerols, phosphatidylcholines and ‐ethanolamines undergo initial protonation with subsequent prompt partial up to quantitative fragmentation when analyzed with classical acidic matrices by MALDI‐TOF MS. Neutral matrix salts can prevent initial analyte fragmentation by suppression of analyte protonation. Additionally, intramolecular gas‐phase fragmentation reactions can be inhibited due to analyte stabilization by cation chelation. Base addition during sample preparation leads not only to in situ generation of matrix salts but also to analyte hydrolysis.CONCLUSIONSNeutral DHB salts avoid separation of lipid species into several ionization states when used as matrices in MALDI‐TOF MS. This allows for simplified lipid spectra interpretation. Due to the high cationization efficiency of DHB matrix salts, certain lipid classes become detectable which cannot be analyzed easily using standard acidic DHB. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sensitivity of whole wood stable carbon and oxygen isotope values to milling procedures
Authors: Riechelmann Dana F. C. , Maus Michael , Dindorf Willi , Schöne Bernd R. , Scholz Denis , Esper Jan 
Published: May 2014

RATIONALEMilling of wood samples is a widely applied preparation method for pooling tree‐rings from different trees or periods of several years for determination of δ13C and δ18O values. In this study, whole wood samples were milled using different procedures in order to evaluate potential effects of this preparation method on δ13C and δ18O values.METHODSSubsamples of a 5 cm3 wood piece of a single tree‐ring from a lowland white fir were used. The samples were milled with different setups: (i) two and three stainless‐steel balls, (ii) 3, 5 and 8 min milling time, and (iii) discontinuous and continuous milling. The δ13C values were measured using an elemental analyser connected to an IsoPrime mass spectrometer and δ18O values using a Thermo Scientific MAT 253 mass spectrometer and a TC/EA connected by a ConFlo IV.RESULTSThe results show that varying the milling procedure does not alter the δ13C and δ18O values in comparison to non‐milled blank samples. For shorter milling times, an increased variance of δ18O values is recorded, probably caused by isotopic gradient between early‐ and latewood portions of the tree‐ring and thereby biasing the insufficiently homogenised samples. No overheating effects on the δ13C and δ18O values were detected.CONCLUSIONSMilling of wood samples for carbon and oxygen isotope analyses is an appropriate preparation method. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Metabolite profiling of edible bird's nest using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry
Authors: Chua Yong Guan , Bloodworth Bosco Chen , Leong Lai Peng , Li Sam Fong Yau 
Published: May 2014

RATIONALEEdible bird's nest (EBN) is a renowned food item in the Chinese community due to the therapeutic effects claimed to be brought about by its consumption. However, very little scientific information has been revealed to support these claims. Thus, metabolite profiling was performed to identify the metabolites and to relate them to the medicinal properties of EBN. The study also aims to further extend the results to determine any possible differences when the EBNs are classified according to their coloration, countries or production sites.METHODSExtraction of the metabolites was performed via sonication of EBN with methanol and chloroform. Two analytical platforms, namely gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS), were utilized to detect the metabolites. This multi‐analytical platform would provide a comprehensive coverage of the metabolites in EBN. GC/MS analysis was conducted in scan mode from m/z 50–650. On the other hand, LC/MS analysis was operated in both positive and negative ion mode from m/z 150–1000.RESULTSMetabolites were identified and their relationships with the medicinal properties of EBN were deduced. Classification with chemometrics illustrates that EBNs could be differentiated according to their coloration, countries and production sites. This differentiation was due to the environment where the EBNs are produced. Furthermore, GC/MS was demonstrated to be more suitable for classification as the processing methods of the EBNs did not cause a significant variation in the metabolites detected by GC/MS.CONCLUSIONSThe overall findings suggest that the novel approach of metabolite profiling offers new insights to understanding EBN and provided evidence to support the medicinal properties of EBN. In addition, the success of classification of EBNs with metabolite profiling combining with chemometrics represents a paradigm shift in the quality control of this food item. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mahalanobis distance similarity measure based distinguisher for template attack
Authors: Zhang Hailong , Zhou Yongbin , Feng Dengguo 
Published: May 2014

AbstractUnder the assumption that power leakages at different interesting points follow multivariate normal distribution, maximum likelihood principle (MLP) can be used as an efficient distinguisher for template attack (TA). Therefore, in key‐recovery, one uses MLP to recover the correct key. In pattern recognition, Mahalanobis distance similarity measure (MDSM) is usually used to measure the similarity of two vectors in terms of their distance. A merit of MDSM is that, when measuring the similarity of two vectors, one takes the cross correlation between different variables into consideration. In this paper, we investigate the application of MDSM as a distinguisher in TA. We will show that there exists a certain relationship between MLP‐based TA and MDSM‐based TA under the assumption that the covariance matrices of different templates are identical. However, in MDSM‐based TA, power leakages at different interesting points are not required to follow multivariate normal distribution. We perform practical experiments to evaluate the key‐recovery efficiency of MDSM‐based TA. Experimental results verify that, in the same attack scenario, the key‐recovery efficiency of MDSM‐based TA can be higher than that of MLP‐based TA. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modeling performances of concurrent big data applications
Authors: Castiglione Aniello , Gribaudo Marco , Iacono Mauro , Palmieri Francesco 
Published: May 2014

SummaryBig Data applications are characterized by a non‐negligible number of complex parallel transactions on a huge amount of data that continuously varies, generally increasing over time. Because of the amount of needed resources, the ideal runtime scenario for these applications is based on complex cloud computing and storage infrastructures, providing a scalable degree of parallelism together with isolation between different applications and resource abstraction. However, such additional abstraction degree also introduces significant complexity in performance modeling and decision making. Potential concurrency of many applications on the same cloud infrastructure has to be evaluated, and, simultaneously, scalability of applications over time has to be studied through proper modeling practices, in order to predict the system behavior as the usage patterns evolve and the load increases. For this purpose, in this paper, we propose an analytic modeling technique based on the use of Markovian Agents and Mean Field Analysis that allows the effective description of different concurrent Big Data applications on a same, multi‐site cloud infrastructure, accounting for mutual interactions, in order to support the careful evaluation of several elements in terms of real costs/risks/benefits for correctly dimensioning and allocating the resources and verifying the existing service level agreements. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An edge model for the evaluation of wind power ramps characterization approaches
Authors: Bossavy Arthur , Girard Robin , Kariniotakis George 
Published: May 2014

AbstractWind power forecasting is a recognized means of facilitating large‐scale wind power integration into power systems. Recently, there has been focus on developing dedicated short‐term forecasting approaches for large and sharp wind power variations, so‐called ramps. Accurate forecasts of specific ramp characteristics (e.g., timing and probability of occurrence) are important, as related forecast errors may lead to potentially large power imbalances, with a high impact on the power system. Various works about ramps’ periodicity or predictability have led to the development of new characterization approaches. However, a thorough analysis of these approaches has not yet been carried out. Such an analysis is necessary to ensure the reliability of subsequent conclusions on ramps’ characteristics. In this paper, we propose a comprehensive framework for evaluating and comparing different characterization approaches of wind power ramps. As a first step, we introduce a theoretical model of a ramp inspired from edge‐detection literature. The proposed model incorporates some important aspects of the wind power production process so as to reflect its non‐stationary and bounded aspects, as well as the random nature of ramp occurrences. Then, we introduce adequate evaluation criteria from signal‐processing and statistical literature, in order to assess the ability of an approach for reliably estimating ramp characteristics (i.e., timing and intensity). On the basis of simulations from this model and using the evaluation criteria, we study the performance of different ramp detection filters and multi‐scale characterization approaches. Our results show that some practical choices in wind‐energy literature are inappropriate, while others, namely, from signal‐processing literature, are preferable. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modelling inborn errors of metabolism in zebrafish
Authors: Wager Kim , Mahmood Fahad , Russell Claire 
Published: May 2014

AbstractThe majority of human inborn errors of metabolism are fatal multisystem disorders that lack proper treatment and have a poorly understood mechanistic basis. Novel technologies are required to address this issue, and the use of zebrafish to model these diseases is an emerging field. Here we present the published zebrafish models of inborn metabolic diseases, discuss their validity, and review the novel mechanistic insights that they have provided. We also review the available methods for creating and studying zebrafish disease models, advantages and disadvantages of using this model organism, and successful examples of the use of zebrafish for drug discovery and development. Using a zebrafish to model inborn errors of metabolism in vivo, although still in its infancy, shows promise for a deeper understanding of disease pathomechanisms, onset, and progression, and also for the development of specific therapies.
One-stage hip reconstruction in children with cerebral palsy: Long-term results at skeletal maturity
Authors: Mallet Cindy , Ilharreborde B. , Presedo A. , Khairouni A. , Mazda K. , Penneçot G. F. 
Published: May 2014

Purpose Hip subluxation is common in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Surgery is indicated in case of pain or progressive increase of Reimers index on radiographs. Peri-iliac osteotomy combined with femoral osteotomy is one of the numerous operative techniques available, but results at skeletal maturity remain unclear. The purpose of this radiological study was to report the long-term results of this procedure. Materials and methods Twenty hips in 20 children were retrospectively evaluated at skeletal maturity. Mean age at surgery was 8.1 years and follow-up averaged 9.1 years. All patients underwent Dega acetabuloplasty, soft-tissue release and femoral-shortening varus derotation osteotomy without open reduction. Reimers index, acetabular angle (AA) and neck-shaft angle (NSA) were compared on preoperative, postoperative and latest follow-up radiographs. Results Dega osteotomy significantly improved the AA and the correction remained stable at maturity. The NSA significantly decreased postoperatively (153°–115°), but recurrence of the valgus deformity (130°) of the proximal femur was observed at maturity. Consequently, Reimers index followed the same evolution. No case of osteonecrosis was reported but one hip dislocated and one subluxated during follow-up. Conclusion Progressive recurrence of the valgus deformity of the proximal femur, attributable to adductors spasticity and gluteus medius weakness, led to a significant increase in the Reimers index. However, hip coverage remained >70 % at maturity in 90 % of the hips. This one-stage procedure without hip dislocation efficaciously corrected acetabulum dysplasia and successfully treated neurological hips in CP patients. Level of evidence IV: retrospective study.
Fungal lysis by a soil bacterium fermenting cellulose
Authors: Tolonen Andrew C. , Cerisy Tristan , El‐Sayyed Hafez , Boutard Magali , Salanoubat Marcel , Church George M. 
Published: May 2014

SummaryRecycling of plant biomass by a community of bacteria and fungi is fundamental to carbon flow in terrestrial ecosystems. Here we report how the plant fermenting, soil bacterium Clostridium phytofermentans enhances growth on cellulose by simultaneously lysing and consuming model fungi from soil. We investigate the mechanism of fungal lysis to show that among the dozens of different glycoside hydrolases C. phytofermentans secretes on cellulose, the most highly expressed enzymes degrade fungi rather than plant substrates. These enzymes, the GH18 Cphy1799 and Cphy1800, synergize to hydrolyse chitin, a main component of the fungal cell wall. Purified enzymes inhibit fungal growth and mutants lacking either GH18 grow normally on cellulose and other plant substrates, but have a reduced ability to hydrolyse chitinous substrates and fungal hyphae. Thus, C. phytofermentans boosts growth on cellulose by lysing fungi with its most highly expressed hydrolases, highlighting the importance of fungal interactions to the ecology of cellulolytic bacteria.
The idea of philosophical sociology
Authors: Chernilo Daniel 
Published: May 2014

AbstractThis article introduces the idea of philosophical sociology as an enquiry into the relationships between implicit notions of human nature and explicit conceptualizations of social life within sociology. Philosophical sociology is also an invitation to reflect on the role of the normative in social life by looking at it sociologically and philosophically at the same: normative self‐reflection is a fundamental aspect of sociology's scientific tasks because key sociological questions are, in the last instance, also philosophical ones. For the normative to emerge, we need to move away from the reductionism of hedonistic, essentialist or cynical conceptions of human nature and be able to grasp the conceptions of the good life, justice, democracy or freedom whose normative contents depend on more or less articulated conceptions of our shared humanity. The idea of philosophical sociology is then sustained on three main pillars and I use them to structure this article: (1) a revalorization of the relationships between sociology and philosophy; (2) a universalistic principle of humanity that works as a major regulative idea of sociological research, and; (3) an argument on the social (immanent) and pre‐social (transcendental) sources of the normative in social life. As invitations to embrace posthuman cyborgs, non‐human actants and material cultures proliferate, philosophical sociology offers the reminder that we still have to understand more fully who are the human beings that populate the social world.
Apolipoprotein B as an independent predictor of arterial stiffness in systemic lupus erythematosus patients
Authors: Kwankaew Jirateep , Leelawattana Rattana , Saignam Anchalee , Siripaitoon Boonjing , Uea‐areewongsa Parichat , Juthong Siriporn 
Published: May 2014

AbstractAimTo determine the relationship of apolipoprotein B (Apo‐B) and arterial stiffness determined by brachial‐ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) subjects.MethodsEighty‐seven Thai SLE subjects with inactive disease activity were studied. Fasting blood was collected for creatinine, glucose, lipid profiles, Apo‐B and Apo‐A1. Pearson correlation and stepwise‐linear regression were used for the analysis.ResultsThe mean age of the subjects was 36.69 ± 10.85 years; 6.90% of them had stage 3 or more severe chronic kidney disease, 49.40% took anti‐hypertensive drugs and 4.60% had abnormal glucose metabolism. The mean value for baPWV was 1332 ± 274.12 cm/s. Thirty‐six percent of the subjects had increased arterial stiffness with mean Apo‐B levels of 1.05 ± 0.31 g/L compared to 0.94 ± 0.24 in normal arterial stiffness. There were correlations of baPWV with age, systolic blood pressure (BP), diastolic BP and creatinine clearance. Apo‐B tended to be associated with baPWV (P = 0.06) whereas low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol did not (P = 0.2). By multiple regression analysis, systolic BP, age and Apo‐B were the significant predictors of baPWV.ConclusionApo‐B was independently associated with arterial stiffness in SLE subjects.
Good response to infliximab in rheumatoid arthritis following failure of interleukin‐1 receptor antagonist
Authors: Bao Jun , Yue Tao , Li Ting , He Dong‐Yi , Bao Yi‐Xiao 
Published: May 2014

AbstractAimTo evaluate the efficacy of tumor necrosis factor inhibitor infliximab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who were disease‐resistant to recombinant human interleukin‐1 receptor antagonist (IL‐1Ra).MethodsA total of 104 patients with active RA despite methotrexate (MTX) treatment were enrolled in the open trial. Among them, 27 IL‐1Ra nonresponders ‘Switchers’ and 51 biologic‐naive patients ‘Naivers’ received an infusion of 3 mg/kg infliximab at weeks 0, 2, 6 and 14, combined with concurrent MTX therapy, while the other 26 patients who had never received any biologics ‘Controls’ continued MTX monotherapy. Clinical outcomes and safety were assessed at weeks 0, 2 and every 4 weeks thereafter for 18 weeks with the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) core set criteria, the Disease Activity Score in 28 joints, and records of adverse events (AEs) and abnormal laboratory findings.ResultsAt week 18, an ACR20 response was achieved in 56% of Switchers and 61% of Naivers, compared with 23% of Controls (P = 0.0013 and 0.0126, respectively). Compared with Controls, both Switchers and Naivers achieved a significant improvement in tender‐joint count, swollen‐joint count, patient's assessment of pain, patient's and physician's global assessment of disease activity, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C‐reactive protein. Switchers even achieved a greater benefit from health assessment questionnaire (HAQ) scores than Naivers. Infliximab was well tolerated, with a similar incidence of AEs across all study groups.ConclusionSwitching from IL‐1Ra to infliximab is effective in improving disease activity and maintaining joint function.
Evaluation of hormone receptor, human epidermal growth factor receptor‐2 and Ki‐67 with core needle biopsy and neoadjuvant chemotherapy effects in breast cancer patients
Authors: Ge Wen‐kai , Yang Ben , Zuo Wen‐shu , Zheng Gang , Dai Ying‐qi , Han Chao , Yang Li , Zheng Mei‐zhu 
Published: May 2014

AbstractBackgroundWe investigated the reliability of core needle biopsy (CNB) in evaluating the status of hormone receptor (HR), human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER)‐2, and Ki‐67 status, and the effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) on the expression of these immunohistochemical markers.MethodsAmong 177 patients with breast adenocarcinoma, 95 patients underwent NAC and the remaining 82 patients made up the control group. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to evaluate the expression status of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), HER‐2, and Ki‐67 in the specimens obtained by surgical excision or CNB.ResultsIn the control group, the expression of ER, PR, HER‐2, and Ki‐67 was highly consistent between samples from surgical excision or CNB (all r > 0.8, P < 0.05). In the NAC group, the proportions of samples with changes in ER, PR, HER‐2, and Ki‐67 expression were 12.7%, 24.1%, 5.1%, and 38.0%, respectively; the figures in the control group were 2.4%, 4.9%, 2.4%, and 7.3%, respectively, which significantly differed in ER, PR, and Ki‐67 (P < 0.05), but not HER‐2 (P > 0.05). In the NAC group, pre‐ and post‐treatment ER+ rates did not significantly differ (P > 0.05), although PR+ and high Ki‐67 expression rates did significantly differ (P < 0.05).ConclusionNeither CNB nor surgical excision samples gave highly consistent results in HR, HER‐2, and Ki‐67 status. NAC can alter HR and Ki‐67 status in breast adenocarcinoma patients. NAC decreased PR+ rate and Ki‐67 expression. The mean ER+ rate exhibited a decreasing, but insignificant trend after NAC treatment. NAC had no significant effect on HER‐2 expression.
The comparison of energy metabolism and meat quality among three pig breeds
Authors: Shen Linyuan , Lei Huaigang , Zhang Shunhua , Li Xuewei , Li Mingzhou , Jiang Xiaobing , Zhu Kangping , Zhu Li 
Published: May 2014

AbstractThe objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of muscle‐fibre types and hormones on glycolytic potential and meat quality traits and their association with glycolytic‐related gene expression in three different altitude pig breeds. The pig breeds studied were the Tibetan pig (TP, high altitude), the Liang‐Shan pig (LSP, middle altitude) and the Duroc × (Landrace × Yorkshire) cross (DLY, flatland). The results indicated that TP and LSP had better meat quality than DLY (P < 0.01). The glycolytic potential (GP) increased in the order of TP < LSP < DLY and decreased with time post mortem. DLY had higher glucagon and epinephrine contents than LSP and TP (P < 0.01). The proportions of myosin heavy chain muscle fibers type I in the Longissimus dorsi increased in the order of DLY < TP < LSP, whereas the proportion of type IIb increased in the order of TP < LSP < DLY. The expression of gene PKM2 played an important role in the glycolysis rate of the different genotypes. Compared with the other two pig breeds, the high‐altitude breeds had better meat quality attributes, which may be due to the slow rate of glycolysis metabolism.