bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A study of the effect of the drying process on the composition and physicochemical properties of flours obtained from durian fruits of two ripening stages
Authors: Bai‐Ngew Swittra , Therdthai Nantawan , Dhamvithee Pisit , Zhou Weibiao 
Published: August 2013

SummaryDurian cv. Monthong with two ripening stages (unripe and fully ripe) was subjected to microwave vacuum drying (MWD) at 5.49 W g−1 and hot air drying (HAD) at 60 °C. With an increase in ripening degree, the starch content was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) decreased from 40.08–40.42% to 9.44–11.76%. X‐ray diffraction indicated that the crystalline pattern was changed from starch to sucrose. The starch granule morphology of durian flour was conserved for both drying conditions. Peak gelatinisation temperatures of MWD and HAD flours were increased significantly (P ≤ 0.05) from 56.71–57.32 to 60.71–61.23 °C. Using different drying methods, MWD flour had less a*‐value (P ≤ 0.05) than HAD flour. The peak viscosity and trough of the HAD unripe durian flour (5.92 RVU and 3.45 RVU, respectively) were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) lower than those of the MWD unripe durian flour (34.32 RVU and 11.57 RVU, respectively).
The use of ordered weighted averaging method for decision making under uncertainty
Authors: Ahn Byeong Seok , Yager Ronald R. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractA decision making under uncertainty (DMUU) prevails at the outset and often evolves into a decision making under partial uncertainty as information on the states of nature, for example, a probability distribution, is advanced. Many methods have emerged for solving the DMUU problems, which includes the classical decision criteria and the domain criterion. Yager (1988) introduced a new approach, the so‐called ordered weighted averaging (OWA) as a viable method for solving the DMUU problems. The OWA weights to be used in the aggregation are generated under the degree of optimism provided by a decision maker and then combined with the reordered payoffs to produce aggregated payoffs for each strategy. The reordering process, one of the characterizing features of the OWA method, enables us to perform various types of aggregations including maximax, maximin, and Hurwicz‐α index in conjunction with the generated weights. The OWA method obviously extends the Hurwicz approach by taking into account the tradeoffs among the entire payoffs while the Hurwicz approach considers a tradeoff only between the two extremes, the maximum and the minimum payoffs. In this paper, we examine the features of the OWA method in light of Milnor's set of requirements for reasonable decision criteria, thus providing a solid methodological foundation for the DMUU. The OWA method can also be used to solve a group DMUU problem by exploiting individual decision results in the situation when the use of a fuzzy majority is advocated.
The Registry Evaluating Functional Outcomes of Resynchronization Management (REFORM): Quality of Life and Psychological Functioning in Patients Receiving Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy
Authors: FORD JESSICA , SEARS SAMUEL , RAMZA BRIAN , REYNOLDS DWIGHT W. , NGUYEN PAUL , FEDEWA MICHELLE , HOUSE JOHN , KENNEDY PAUL , THOMPSON ROSE , MURRAY CHRISTINA 
Published: August 2013

QoL and Psychosocial Outcomes of CRT. BackgroundCardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is a treatment for heart failure (HF) that improves cardiac, functional, and quality of life (QoL) outcomes. This study was designed to examine the effect of the addition of CRT (CRTD) to the implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) on psychological functioning.Methods and ResultsOverall, 99 participants completed batteries before and 9 months after ICD or CRTD implantation in a registry of HF patients receiving device treatment in 3 US centers. Measures included validated indices of mental health (State Trait Anxiety Inventory, Patient Health Questionnaire: Depression) and generic and disease/device‐specific QoL (Medical Outcomes Study‐Short Form‐12, Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire, Florida Patient Acceptance Survey, Florida Shock Anxiety Scale). Mixed between‐within analyses of covariance were employed to compare device groups on each outcome controlling for cardiac and demographic covariates. Clinically significant anxiety was elevated in both groups at both time points (57% CRTD at baseline, 29% CRTD 9 months, 44% ICD at baseline, 45% ICD 9 months). Clinically significant depressive symptoms were high at baseline (38% CRTD, 31% ICD), but dropped at follow‐up (16% CRTD, 7% ICD; P = 0.01). Participants with CRTD had improved mental component and disease‐specific QoL following CRT; however, CRTD patients had worse QoL, worse mental component QoL at baseline, and worse device acceptance at 9‐month follow‐up than patients with ICDs (all P < 0.05).ConclusionsEvidence of low QoL, psychological functioning, and device acceptance provides the impetus to increase research on well‐being of HF patients being implanted with CRTD in research and clinical work.
Progression in idiopathic, diabetic, paraproteinemic, alcoholic, andB12deficiency neuropathy
Authors: Sachedina Shafina , Toth Cory 
Published: August 2013

AbstractWe determined prospectively the clinical and electrophysiological progression of idiopathic, diabetic, paraproteinemic, alcoholic, andB12deficiency neuropathy in 606 subjects over 3 years. We hypothesized that idiopathic peripheral neuropathy would demonstrate slower progression when compared with other etiologies. Laboratory assessments were used to determine the etiology of peripheral neuropathy at baseline and after 3 years. When compared with peripheral neuropathy related to type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus, subjects with idiopathic peripheral neuropathy progressed much slower, but demonstrated similar rates of progression to that of the other groups. Overall, detectable progression was minimal over 3 years. After 3 years, only 3% of cases of idiopathic peripheral neuropathy had any potentially identifiable causes discovered. Clinical and electrophysiological detection of very slow progression for these five types of peripheral neuropathy is possible using currently established clinical scales and standard electrophysiological techniques.
Tradition or change? Sources of body procurement for the Anatomical Institute of the University of Cologne in the Third Reich
Authors: Kaiser Stephanie 
Published: August 2013

AbstractWhile it is known that all German anatomical institutes that have been examined made use of the bodies of victims of the National Socialist (NS) regime for teaching and research between 1933 and 1945, detailed investigations on many institutions are still missing. Among these is the anatomical institute of the University of Cologne. This university was the first university to voluntarily self‐align with the policies of the new regime and was therefore often called a ‘model NS university’. In addition, Cologne was the site of a NS special court and a central place for executions. Based on archival sources, this study investigates the interaction between the anatomical institute of the University of Cologne with the NS authorities and the origin of the body supply for dissection and research. The documents reveal that the institute continued to receive bodies from traditional sources like the public morgue and hospitals, but with the beginning of World War II (WWII) an increasing amount of bodies of victims of the NS regime became available. Thus, the anatomical institute of Cologne collaborated and benefited from the policies of the NS regime, especially during WWII, like all other already explored anatomical institutes in Germany to varying degrees.
An investigation of cellular dynamics during the development of intramembranous bones: the scleral ossicles
Authors: Jabalee J. , Hillier S. , Franz‐Odendaal T. A. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractThe development of intramembranous bone is a dynamic and complex process requiring highly coordinated cellular activities. Although the literature describes the detailed cellular dynamics of early mesoderm‐derived endochondral bone, studies regarding neural crest‐derived intramembranous bone have failed to keep pace. We analyzed the development of chick scleral ossicles from the onset of osteoid deposition to mineralization at morphological, histological, and ultrastructural levels. We find that the mesenchymal condensations from which ossicles develop change their shape from ellipsoidal to trapezoidal concurrent with an increase in size. Furthermore, the size of an ossicle is dependent upon its time of induction. Our histological analyses of condensation growth reveal cell migration and osteoid secretion as key cellular processes determining condensation size; these processes occur concomitantly to increase both the area and thickness of condensations. We also describe the formation of the zone of overlap between ossicles and conclude that the process is similar to that of cranial suture formation. Finally, transmission electron microscopy of early condensations demonstrates that early osteoblasts secrete collagen parallel to the long axis of the condensation. This study elucidates fundamental mechanisms of intramembranous bone development at the cellular level, furthering our knowledge of this important process among vertebrates.
Oral motor assessment in individuals with Moebius syndrome
Authors: Ortega Adriana de Oliveira Lira , Marques‐Dias Maria Joaquina , Santos Maria Teresa Botti Rodrigues dos , Castro Talita , Gallottini Marina 
Published: August 2013

BackgroundMoebius syndrome (MS) is a rare congenital condition that is characterised by facial hypomimia and congenital strabismus caused by complete or partial impairment of the 6th and 7th cranial nerves. MS may be further associated with other nerves or malformations, mainly involving the extremities. The objective of this study was to quantify the decrease in oral motor performance in people with MS compared with normoreactive individuals using the Oral Motor Assessment Scale (OMAS).MethodsThe study group comprised 33 subjects between the ages of 2 and 20 years (average age: 10 ± 5 years) with MS along with 46 age‐ and gender‐matched control subjects.ResultsThe study group displayed a lower average functional score than the control group (P < 0.0001). A significant lack of lip closure (P = 0.03) and anterior lingual seal during swallowing (P = 0.03) occurred in the study group; in most cases, the individuals with MS were classified as ‘subfunctional’. In addition, individuals with MS in the older age group displayed better functional scores than those in the younger group (P = 0.05).ConclusionsFunctional damage to oral motor function in individuals with MS is evident, but differs among patients with respect to severity and the movements that are compromised. However, overall, improvements in the functional patterns of these individuals can be observed as they mature in age.
Plum Pox Virus in Japanese Plum from Argentina: Serological Detection and Molecular Characterization of an Isolate from cv. Red Beauty
Authors: Dal Zotto Angélica , Balzarini Mónica , Raigón Juan M. , Rossini Mirta N. , Ducasse Daniel A. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractA Plum pox virus (PPV) isolate detected in a Japanese plum orchard in Pocito (San Juan, Argentina) was transmitted mechanically to Prunus tomentosa and Nicotiana benthamiana. DAS‐ELISA and DASI‐ELISA indicated the virus presence and serological relationship with D‐strain isolates; IC‐RT‐PCR amplified a 1.2‐kb fragment of the virus genome encoding the CP‐3′ nc region. The analysis of the sequence showed the presence of the DAG motif at the 5′ end of the capsid protein and the Rsa I and Alu I sites at the 3′ end. The phylogenetic relationships and multiple alignment with PPV isolates from NCBI database indicated greatest (+98%) homology with the D strain and close identity with MNAT1 (AF360579) USA peach isolate. The sequence analysed showed two amino acid mutations towards the 5′ N‐terminus of CP (the most variable region) with respect to a consensus of PPV D‐strain isolates. This is the first molecular characterization of 3′terminal genome region of PPV isolate to confirm D strain in a Japanese plum from Argentina.
Melatonin ameliorates vascular endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, and atherosclerosis by suppressing the TLR4/NF‐κB system in high‐fat‐fed rabbits
Authors: Hu Ze‐Ping , Fang Xiao‐Ling , Fang Nan , Wang Xiao‐Bian , Qian Hai‐Yan , Cao Zhong , Cheng Yuan , Wang Bang‐Ning , Wang Yuan 
Published: August 2013

AbstractVascular endothelial dysfunction (VED) and inflammation contribute to the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. Melatonin (MLT) normalizes lipid profile, improves endothelial function, and possesses anti‐inflammatory properties. However, the precise mechanisms are still unclear. This study investigated whether MLT could ameliorate VED, inflammation, and atherosclerosis by suppressing the Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB) system in high‐fat‐fed rabbits. Rabbits were randomly divided into three groups that received a standard diet (control group), high‐cholesterol diet (atherosclerosis group), or high‐cholesterol diet plus 10 mg/kg/day MLT (MLT group) for 12 wk. After treatment, high‐fat diet significantly increased serum lipid and inflammatory markers in rabbits in atherosclerosis group compared with that in control group. In addition, high‐fat diet also induced VED and typical atherosclerotic plaque formation and increased intima/media thickness ratio, which were significantly improved by MLT therapy as demonstrated in MLT group. Histological and immunoblot analysis further showed that high‐fat diet enhanced the expressions of TLR4, myeloid differentiation primary response protein (MyD88), and NF‐κB p65, but decreased inhibitor of NF‐κB (IκB) expression. By contrast, MLT therapy decreased the expressions of TLR4, MyD88, and NF‐κB p65 and increased IκB expression. This study has demonstrated that MLT ameliorates lipid metabolism, VED, and inflammation and inhibits the progression of atherosclerosis in high‐fat‐fed rabbits. Moreover, our study indicates for the first time that suppression of the TLR4/NF‐κB system in local vasculature with atherosclerotic damage is important for the protective effects of MLT.
Melatonin‐enhanced autophagy protects against neural apoptosis via a mitochondrial pathway in early brain injury following a subarachnoid hemorrhage
Authors: Chen Jingyin , Wang Lin , Wu Cheng , Hu Qiang , Gu Chi , Yan Feng , Li Jianru , Yan Wei , Chen Gao 
Published: August 2013

AbstractMelatonin is a strong antioxidant that has beneficial effects against early brain injury (EBI) following a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in rats; protection includes reduced mortality and brain water content. The molecular mechanisms underlying these clinical effects in the SAH model, however, have not been clearly identified. This study was undertaken to determine the influence of melatonin on neural apoptosis and the potential mechanism of these effects in EBI following SAH using the filament perforation model of SAH in male Sprague Dawley rats. Melatonin (150 mg/kg) or vehicle was given via an intraperitoneal injection 2 hr after SAH induction. Brain samples were extracted 24 hr after SAH. The results show that melatonin treatment markedly reduced caspase‐3 activity and the number of TUNEL‐positive cells, while the treatment increased the LC3‐II/LC3‐I, an autophagy marker, which indicated that melatonin‐enhanced autophagy ameliorated apoptotic cell death in rats subjected to SAH. To further identify the mechanism of autophagy protection, we demonstrated that melatonin administration reduced Bax translocation to the mitochondria and the release of cytochrome c into the cytosol. Taken together, this report demonstrates that melatonin improved the neurological outcome in rats by protecting against neural apoptosis after the induction of filament perforation SAH; moreover, the mechanism of these antiapoptosis effects was related to the enhancement of autophagy, which ameliorated cell apoptosis via a mitochondrial pathway.
Melatonin alleviates secondary brain damage and neurobehavioral dysfunction after experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage: possible involvement of TLR4‐mediated inflammatory pathway
Authors: Wang Zhong , Wu Lingyun , You Wanchun , Ji Chengyuan , Chen Gang 
Published: August 2013

AbstractPrevious studies proved that melatonin protected against secondary brain damage by modulating oxidative stress after experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), but it has not been evaluated yet about its effects on inflammatory pathway and secondary cognitive dysfunction in SAH model. This study was undertaken to evaluate the influence of melatonin on toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling pathway and neurobehavioral tests after SAH. Adult SD rats were divided into four groups: control group (n = 20), SAH group (n = 20), SAH+vehicle group (n = 20), and SAH+melatonin group (n = 20). The rat SAH model was induced by injection of 0.3 mL fresh arterial, nonheparinized blood into the prechiasmatic cistern in 20 s. In SAH+melatonin group, melatonin was administered i.p. at 150 mg/kg at 2 and 24 hr after the induction of SAH. Cognitive and memory changes were investigated in the Morris water maze. Treatment with melatonin markedly decreased the expressions of TLR4 pathway‐related agents, such as high‐mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), TLR4, nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB), myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Administration of melatonin following SAH significantly ameliorated spatial learning and memory deficits in this prechiasmatic blood injection model. Staining of apoptosis and necrosis indicated that fewer positive cells appeared in melatonin‐treated group than SAH+vehicle group. In conclusion, melatonin may attenuate neurobehavioral dysfunction in this SAH model, and melatonin exhibits neuroprotection possibly not only through anti‐oxidative pathway but also anti‐inflammatory signaling after experimental SAH.
Association Between Clinical Decision Support System Use and Rural Quality Disparities in the Treatment of Pneumonia
Authors: Mitchell Jordan , Probst Janice , Brock‐Martin Amy , Bennett Kevin , Glover Saundra , Hardin James 
Published: August 2013

AbstractPurposeTo determine whether there is an association between clinical decision support system (CDSS) use and quality disparities in pneumonia process indicators between rural and urban hospitals.MethodsData were used from the FY 2009 American Hospital Association electronic health record (EHR) adoption survey (3,616 responding hospitals) to identify hospitals that used CDSS for clinical guidelines and reminders. This was linked to the 2009 Hospital Compare data set from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (3,805 reporting hospitals). The merged data set contained 2,405 hospitals: 1,330 were noncritical in metropolitan ZIP Code Tabulation Areas (ZCTAs), 692 were noncritical in rural ZCTAs, and there were 383 critical access hospitals (CAHs; 359 in rural ZCTAs, 24 in urban ZCTAs). The dependent variable was a pneumonia composite quality score, composed of 6 pneumonia process indicators calculated for each hospital. Adjusted analysis controlled for a hospital's propensity to use CDSS.FindingsWhile quality was lower in rural institutions, unadjusted pneumonia quality scores varied modestly, from 90.08% in CAHs to 93.38% in urban hospitals. Hospitals that used CDSS had higher unadjusted pneumonia process composite scores than their non‐CDSS counterparts. After controlling for CDSS use, the propensity for CDSS use, and hospital and community characteristics, hospitals in rural ZCTAs did not have significantly different process composite scores than their metropolitan counterparts.ConclusionsCDSS was positively associated with quality of care for pneumonia. Adoption of EHRs with CDSS functionality in rural hospitals may serve to reduce quality gaps. Costs of EHR implementation may be a barrier to this process.
The Selectivity and Potency of the New PDE5 Inhibitor TPN729MA
Authors: Wang Zhen , Zhu Difeng , Yang Xiaochun , Li Jianfeng , Jiang Xiangrui , Tian Guanghui , Terrett Nicholas Kenneth , Jin Jie , Wu Honghai , He Qiaojun , Yang Bo , Shen Jingshan 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACT

Introduction
TPN729MA is a newly developed phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor (PDE5i) for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, which offers potential for greater selectivity and longer duration of action than PDE5i in current clinical use.

Aim
We investigated the in vitro inhibitory potency and selectivity of TPN729MA on PDE isozymes, and its efficacy in animal models.

Methods
The inhibition of 11 human recombinant PDEs by TPN729MA, sildenafil, and tadalafil were determined using radioimmunoassay. The effect of TPN729MA and sildenafil on intracavernous pressure (ICP), blood pressure (BP), and ICP/BP ratio were determined in a rat model of erection induced by electric stimulation and in a dog model of erection induced by sodium nitroprusside injection.

Main Outcome Measures
The main outcome measures were IC50 of TPN729MA, sildenafil, and tadalafil for PDE1-PDE11; maximum ICP; BP and ICP/BP ratio.

Results
The IC50 of TPN729MA, sildenafil, and tadalafil for PDE5 was 2.28, 5.22, and 2.35 nM, respectively. TPN729MA showed 248, 366, 20, and 2671-fold selectivity against PDE1, PDE4, PDE6, and PDE11, respectively. TPN729MA showed excellent selectivity against PDE2, 3, 7, 8, 9, and 10 (&gt;10,000-fold). In the rat model of erection, TPN729MA (5.0 and 2.5 mg/kg), but not sildenafil, significantly increased the maximum ICP compared with vehicle. Significantly increased ICP/BP was observed in the TPN729MA (5.0 mg/kg) group at all time points, in the TPN729MA (2.5 mg/kg) group at 75, 90, 105, and 120 minutes time points, and in sildenafil group at 75 and 90 minutes time points compared with vehicle. In the dog model of erection, TPN729MA and sildenafil significantly increased ICP and ICP/BP but showed no significant effect on BP compared with vehicle.

Conclusions
TPN729MA is a potent PDE5i with a balanced selectivity profile. TPN729MA shows excellent in vitro and in vivo potency, and a longer effect on erectile function than sildenafil in animal model.