bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Intestinal microbiota in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Mouzaki Marialena , Comelli Elena M. , Arendt Bianca M. , Bonengel Julia , Fung Scott K. , Fischer Sandra E. , McGilvray Ian D. , Allard Johane P. 
Published: February 2013

Abstract

Despite evidence that the intestinal microbiota (IM) is involved in the pathogenesis of obesity, the IM composition of patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has not been well characterized. This prospective, cross-sectional study was aimed at identifying differences in IM between adults with biopsy-proven NAFLD (simple steatosis [SS] or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis [NASH]) and living liver donors as healthy controls (HC). Fifty subjects were included: 11 SS, 22 NASH, and 17 HC. One stool sample was collected from each participant. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to measure total bacterial counts, Bacteroides/Prevotella (herein referred to as Bacteroidetes), Clostridium leptum, C. coccoides, bifidobacteria, Escherichia coli and Archaea in stool. Clinical and laboratory data, food records, and activity logs were collected. Patients with NASH had a lower percentage of Bacteroidetes (Bacteroidetes to total bacteria counts) compared to both SS and HC (P = 0.006) and higher fecal C. coccoides compared to those with SS (P = 0.04). There were no differences in the remaining microorganisms. As body mass index (BMI) and dietary fat intake differed between the groups (P < 0.05), we performed linear regression adjusting for these variables. The difference in C. coccoides was no longer significant after adjusting for BMI and fat intake. However, there continued to be a significant association between the presence of NASH and lower percentage Bacteroidetes even after adjusting for these variables (P = 0.002; 95% confidence interval = −0.06 to −0.02).

Conclusion:
There is an inverse and diet-/BMI-independent association between the presence of NASH and percentage Bacteroidetes in the stool, suggesting that the IM may play a role in the development of NAFLD. (HEPATOLOGY 2013 )
The effect of zinc and the role of p53 in copper‐induced cellular stress responses
Authors: Formigari Alessia , Gregianin Elisa , Irato Paola 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACTMetals can directly or indirectly cause an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation in cells, and this may result in programmed cell death. A number of previous studies have shown that zinc (Zn) modulates mitogenic activity via several signalling pathways, such as AKT, mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK), nuclear factor‐kappa B (NF ‐κB), AP‐1 and p53. The exact role that Zn plays in the regulation of apoptosis remains ambiguous. Intracellular free Zn modulates p53 activity and stability, and excess Zn alters the p53 protein structure and down‐regulates p53's binding to DNA. Copper (Cu) accumulation causes apoptosis that seems to be mediated by DNA damage and subsequent p53 activation. Cu can also displace Zn from its normal binding site on p53, resulting in abnormal protein folding and disruption of p53 function. In spite of the induction of the tumour suppressor p53, hepatic Cu accumulation significantly increases the risk of cancerous neoplasm both in humans and rats, suggesting that p53 function may be impaired in these cells. It is generally understood that imbalances in Cu and Zn levels may lead to a higher prevalence of p53 mutations. An increased number of p53 mutations have been found in liver samples from Wilson's disease (WD) patients. High levels of the p53 mutation most probably contribute to the pathogenesis of cancer in individuals with WD, but the cause and effect are not clear. The protein p53 also plays a crucial role in the transcriptional regulation of metallothionein, which indicates a novel regulatory role for p53. This review discusses the central role of p53 and the redox‐inert metal Zn in the cellular stress responses induced by the redox active biometal Cu. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ultra‐Trace Silver Determination in Biological and Water Samples by Electrothermal Atomic Absorption Spectrometry after Electrodeposition on a Graphite Probe
Authors: Moradkhani Reza , Rouhollahi Ahmad , Shirkhanloo Hamid , Ghasemi Jahan B 
Published: February 2013

AbstractA rapid and simple procedure was developed for selective and sensitive determination of ultra‐trace silver in biological and environmental samples using the electrodeposition on a graphite probe modified with palladium followed by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. Several experimental parameters for the electrodeposition, such as deposition potential, electrolyte concentration, pH of solution and deposition time were optimized. The calibration graph after preconcentration was linear in the range of 10‐250 ngL−1 with correlation coefficient of 0.9989 under the optimum conditions for procedure. The limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) base on (3σ) and (10σ) were 2.8 ngL−1 and 9.4 ngL−1 respectively. Related standard deviation (RSD) for eight replicate measurements of 100 ngL−1 silver was 4.3%. Samples were digested completely in a closed microwave digestion system using only perchloric acid, and interference owing to various cations was also investigated. The proposed procedure was successfully applied to determine silver in blood, urine and some environmental samples with satisfactory analytical results.
Vitrifolin A: A Norlabdane Diterpenoid from the Fruits of Vitex trifolia Linn. var. simplicifolia Cham
Authors: Zhang Teng , Zhang Chong Xi , Xie Wei Dong , Row Kyung Ho 
Published: February 2013

AbstractA new norlabdane diterpenoid, named vitrifolin A, was isolated from the fruits of Vitex trifolia Linn. var. simplicifolia Cham. Its structure was elucidated by mean of spectroscopic methods, including HRESIMS, IR, 1D and 2D NMR. The inhibitory effect of vitrifolin A on nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccarideactivated mouse macrophages was also evaluated.
Dissolution behaviour of platinum by electro‐generated chlorine in hydrochloric acid solution
Authors: Kim Min‐seuk , Lee Jae‐chun , Park Sang‐woon , Jeong Jinki , Kumar Vinay 
Published: February 2013

AbstractBackgroundDepletion of primary resources, stringent environmental regulations, and the requirement for energy efficient and eco‐friendly processes have created research interest in recovering Pt from secondary resources using electro‐generated chlorine in HCl solution.ResultsPlatinum dissolution rate was found to increase by a factor of 2.5 by increasing the HCl concentration from 3.0 to 5.0 mol L‐1 at 70°C, while maintaining total chloride ions at 5.0 mol L‐1 with NaCl. Increasing the aqueous chlorine concentration made no improvement to the dissolution rate. A theoretical calculation of distribution for chlorine species showed a predominance of Cl3− ions in comparison with Cl2(aq) upon increasing the acid concentration to above 5.0 mol L‐1; raising temperature also increased the dissolution rate. The activation energies of Pt dissolution in the 5.0 mol L‐1 HCl solution were 82.3 and 83.5 kJ mol‐1 at 5.0 and 15 mmol L‐1 aqueous chlorine concentration, respectively.ConclusionsEco‐friendly electro‐generated chlorine leaching was applied for the dissolution of Pt in hydrochloric acid solutions. Increasing HCl concentration and solution temperature effectively enhanced Pt dissolution during leaching. A quantitative investigation of Pt dissolution rate verified the chemical reaction control of Pt dissolution rather than mass transfer.
Highly efficient and simultaneous removal of 2‐mercaptobenzothiazole and 2‐mercaptobenzoxazole from water samples by copper oxide nanoparticles
Authors: Parham Hooshang , Khoshnam Farzaneh 
Published: February 2013

AbstractBACKGROUNDThis study introduces a method for simultaneous removal of 2‐mercaptobenzoxazole (2MBO) and 2‐mercaptobenzothiazole (2MBT) from water samples. The method uses a cartridge loaded with copper oxide nanoparticles as an efficient adsorbent to separate these hazardous mercaptans from aqueous solutions in a flow process.RESULTSThe effects of some important parameters such as amounts of adsorbent, pH, buffer type and its volume, electrolyte concentration, contact time, flow rate, tolerable volume of solution, reusability of cartridges and interfering ions on removal efficiency were studied. Data on adsorption were analyzed using linear and non‐linear forms of first‐ and second‐order kinetic equations and also Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models and results showed that maximum adsorption amounts of 90.9 mg g−1 and 158.7 mg g−1, were obtained for 2MBO and 2MBT, respectively.CONCLUSIONThe proposed removal method is independent of pH level of the sample solution and is effective over a wide range of pH values. Using a copper oxide nanoparticle loaded cartridge (CONLC) has the advantage that there is no need to collect nanoparticles after the removal process and that CONLC can be reused for further removal processes (at least three times). This method was successfully applied to remove 2MBT (≥95% removal) from the cooling water of a 3000 MW power plant. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
A review: production of activated carbon from agricultural byproducts via conventional and microwave heating
Authors: Alslaibi Tamer M. , Abustan Ismail , Ahmad Mohd Azmier , Foul Ahmad Abu 
Published: February 2013

AbstractProduction of activated carbon (AC) from agricultural byproducts is a research field that has gained increased interest in recent years because of its potential for the disposal of agro‐residues. At the same time, a beneficial byproduct that can be used in a number of environmental applications is produced. This paper surveys the developments in the production processes of AC from agricultural byproducts in the past 7 years from 2005 to 2012 via conventional and microwave heating. Emphasis is placed on the applied methodology and the influences of activating conditions, such as carbonization temperature, retention time, and impregnation ratio. From the review of AC production processes, agricultural wastes produced by a chemical method with microwave heating can be a source of AC with relatively higher surface area than that produced via conventional heating. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
A comparison of N‐doped TiO2 photocatalysts preparation methods and studies on their catalytic activity
Authors: Liu Yanan , He Jun , Sun Yu , Hu Jinlong , Li Chunyan , Xue Gang , Ognier Stéphanie 
Published: February 2013

AbstractBackgroundN‐doped TiO2 can narrow the TiO2 forbidden band and thereby increase its catalytic activity under visible light. In this work, three methods (the sol–gel method (SG), the tetrabutyl titanate hydrolysis precipitation method TN', and the H2O2‐modified method (TNH)) were used to prepare N‐doped TiO2 photocatalysts. The Reactive Red‐Violet dye (KN‐R) was used as the target pollutant. The catalytic activities of the photocatalysts prepared via the three methods were compared and studied.ResultsThe structures and optoelectronic properties of these catalysts were characterized by various means. The results demonstrated that the N‐doped TiO2 catalyst synthesized using the TNH method exhibited the most efficient catalytic activity under visible light and produced a degradation rate of 90% for the Reactive Red‐Violet dye. The N‐doped TiO2 prepared using the SG method exhibited the lowest catalytic activity under both UV and visible light. The kinetics of photocatalysis degradation for KN‐R by N‐doped TiO2 prepared by TNH method was studied and found to be zero order due to the good adsorption effect between KN‐R and TiO2.ConclusionThe N‐doped TiO2 prepared by TNH method showed good photocatalytic activity in the case of degrading dye under both UV and visible light. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Fabrication of Chitosan Nanoparticles with Aggregation‐Induced Emission Characteristics and Their Applications in Long‐Term Live Cell Imaging
Authors: Li Min , Hong Yuning , Wang Zhengke , Chen Sijie , Gao Meng , Kwok Ryan T. K. , Qin Wei , Lam Jacky W. Y. , Zheng Qichang , Tang Ben Zhong 
Published: February 2013

AbstractChitosan with tetraphenylethene pendants (TPE‐CS) are synthesized by reaction between amine and isothiocyanate groups of chitosan and tetraphenylethene (TPE), respectively. Nanoparticles of TPE‐CS (TPE‐CS NPs) are fabricated by ionic gelation method. The NPs are uniform in size, spherical in shape, monodispersed, and positive in surface charge. The suspension of TPE‐CS NPs emits strong blue fluorescence under photoexcitation due to the aggregation‐induced emission characteristics of the TPE moieties. The NPs can be internalized into cytoplasm through endocytosis pathway and retain inside the live cells to image the cells. Cytotoxicity assay reveals that TPE‐CS NPs are cytocompatible and thus can be used for long‐term live cell imaging.magnified image
Movement Disorders in Adult Patients With Classical Galactosemia
Authors: Rubio‐Agusti Ignacio , Carecchio Miryam , Bhatia Kailash P. , Kojovic Maja , Parees Isabel , Chandrashekar Hoskote S. , Footitt Emma J. , Burke Derek , Edwards Mark J. , Lachmann Robin H.L. , Murphy Elaine 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACTClassical galactosemia is an autosomal recessive inborn error of metabolism leading to toxic accumulation of galactose and derived metabolites. It presents with acute systemic complications in the newborn. Galactose restriction resolves these symptoms, but long‐term complications, such as premature ovarian failure and neurological problems including motor dysfunction, may occur despite adequate treatment. The objective of the current study was to determine the frequency and phenotype of motor problems in adult patients with classical galactosemia. In this cross‐sectional study, adult patients with a biochemically confirmed diagnosis of galactosemia attending our clinic were assessed with an interview and neurological examination and their notes retrospectively reviewed. Patients were classified according to the presence/absence of motor dysfunction on examination. Patients with motor dysfunction were further categorized according to the presence/absence of reported motor symptoms. Forty‐seven patients were included. Thirty‐one patients showed evidence of motor dysfunction including: tremor (23 patients), dystonia (23 patients), cerebellar signs (6 patients), and pyramidal signs (4 patients). Tremor and dystonia were often combined (16 patients). Thirteen patients reported motor symptoms, with 8 describing progressive worsening. Symptomatic treatment was effective in 4 of 5 patients. Nonmotor neurological features (cognitive, psychiatric, and speech disorders) and premature ovarian failure were more frequent in patients with motor dysfunction. Motor dysfunction is a common complication of classical galactosemia, with tremor and dystonia the most frequent findings. Up to one third of patients report motor symptoms and may benefit from appropriate treatment. Progressive worsening is not uncommon and may suggest ongoing brain damage in a subset of patients. © 2013 Movement Disorder Society
A Strategy Combining Differential Low‐Throughput Screening and Virtual Screening (DLS‐VS) Accelerating the Discovery of new Modulators for the Orphan GPR34 Receptor
Authors: Diaz Constantino , Labit‐Le Bouteiller Christine , Yvon Stéphane , Cambon‐Kernëis Aimée , Roasio Annette , Jamme Marie‐Françoise , Aries Amélie , Feuillerat Claude , Perret Eric , Guette Fréderique , Dieu Pierre , Miloux Brigitte , Albène Danielle , Hasel Nathalie , Kaghad Mourad , Ferran Edgardo , Lupker Jan , Ferrara Pascual 
Published: February 2013

AbstractThe DLS‐VS strategy was developed as an integrated method for identifying chemical modulators for orphan GPCRs. It combines differential low‐throughput screening (DLS) and virtual screening (VS). The two cascaded techniques offer complementary advantages and allow the experimental testing of a minimal number of compounds. First, DLS identifies modulators specific for the considered receptor among a set of receptors, through the screening of a small library with diverse chemical compounds. Then, an active molecular model of the receptor is built by homology to a validated template, and it is progressively refined by rotamers modification for key side‐chains, by VS of the already screened library, and by iterative selection of the model generating the best enrichment. The refined active model is finally used for the VS of a large chemical library and the selection of a small set of compounds for experimental testing. Applied to the orphan receptor GPR34, the DLS‐VS strategy combined the experimental screening of 20 000 compounds and the virtual screening of 1 250 000 compounds. It identified one agonist and eight inverse agonists, showing a high chemical diversity. We describe the method. The strategy can be applied to other GPCRs.
Blind retrospective motion correction of MR images
Authors: Loktyushin Alexander , Nickisch Hannes , Pohmann Rolf , Schölkopf Bernhard 
Published: February 2013

PurposeSubject motion can severely degrade MR images. A retrospective motion correction algorithm, Gradient‐based motion correction, which significantly reduces ghosting and blurring artifacts due to subject motion was proposed. The technique uses the raw data of standard imaging sequences; no sequence modifications or additional equipment such as tracking devices are required. Rigid motion is assumed.MethodsThe approach iteratively searches for the motion trajectory yielding the sharpest image as measured by the entropy of spatial gradients. The vast space of motion parameters is efficiently explored by gradient‐based optimization with a convergence guarantee.ResultsThe method has been evaluated on both synthetic and real data in two and three dimentions using standard imaging techniques. MR images are consistently improved over different kinds of motion trajectories. Using a graphics processing unit implementation, computation times are in the order of a few minutes for a full three‐dimentional volume.ConclusionThe presented technique can be an alternative or a complement to prospective motion correction methods and is able to improve images with strong motion artifacts from standard imaging sequences without requiring additional data. Magn Reson Med 70:1608–1618, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Electrical Properties Tomography in the Human Brain at 1.5, 3, and 7T: A Comparison Study
Authors: van Lier Astrid L. H. M. W. , Raaijmakers Alexander , Voigt Tobias , Lagendijk Jan J. W. , Luijten Peter R. , Katscher Ulrich , van den Berg Cornelis A. T. 
Published: February 2013

PurposeTo investigate the effect of magnetic field strength on the validity of two assumptions (namely, the “transceive phase assumption” and the “phase‐only reconstruction”) for electrical properties tomography (EPT) at 1.5, 3, and 7T.TheoryElectrical properties tomography is a method to map the conductivity and permittivity using MRI; the B1+ amplitude and phase is required as input. The B1+ phase, however, cannot be measured and is therefore deduced from the measurable transceive phase using the transceive phase assumption. Also, earlier studies showed that the B1+ amplitude is not always required for a reliable conductivity reconstruction; this is the so‐called “phase‐only conductivity reconstruction.”MethodsElectromagnetic simulations and MRI measurements of phantoms and the human head.ResultsReconstructed conductivity and permittivity maps based on B1+ distributions at 1.5, 3, and 7T were compared to the expected dielectric properties. The noise level of measurements was also determined.ConclusionThe transceive phase assumption is most accurate for low‐field strengths and low permittivity and in symmetric objects. The phase‐only conductivity reconstruction is only applicable at 1.5 and 3T for the investigated geometries. The measurement precision was found to benefit from a higher field strength, which is related to increased signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) and increased curvature of the B1+ field. Magn Reson Med 71:354–363, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
4D Dark Blood Arterial Wall Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Methodology and Demonstration in the Carotid Arteries
Authors: Koktzoglou Ioannis 
Published: February 2013

PurposeTo propose and test a four‐dimensional (4D) dark‐blood magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) method based on a radial sampling trajectory capable of displaying the human arterial wall and its motion in three spatial dimensions over the cardiac cycle.MethodsThe carotid arteries of volunteer and patient subjects were imaged with the proposed 4D dark‐blood MRI sequence on a 3T scanner. Validation of arterial lumen and arterial wall areas obtained with the proposed 4D dark‐blood technique was made with respect to established two‐dimensional bright‐blood cine and high spatial resolution three‐dimensional dark‐blood MRI protocols, respectively.ResultsThe proposed 4D MRI method provided for dark‐blood display of the carotid arterial wall and demonstrated its movement and distension over the cardiac cycle. Quantitative measurements of arterial lumen and wall areas were in statistical agreement with established MRI techniques.Conclusion4D blood suppressed MRI of the human vascular system with submillimeter isotropic spatial resolution is feasible in a clinically reasonable scan time, and data obtained in the carotid arteries show good agreement with established MRI techniques. Future efforts will examine the constellation of data provided by the method and investigate its utility for assessing cardiovascular risk. Magn Reson Med 69:956–965, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Whole‐Heart Coronary MRA with 3D Affine Motion Correction Using 3D Image‐Based Navigation
Authors: Henningsson Markus , Prieto Claudia , Chiribiri Amedeo , Vaillant Ghislain , Razavi Reza , Botnar René M 
Published: February 2013

PurposeRobust motion correction is necessary to minimize respiratory motion artefacts in coronary MR angiography (CMRA). The state‐of‐the‐art method uses a 1D feet‐head translational motion correction approach, and data acquisition is limited to a small window in the respiratory cycle, which prolongs the scan by a factor of 2–3. The purpose of this work was to implement 3D affine motion correction for Cartesian whole‐heart CMRA using a 3D navigator (3D‐NAV) to allow for data acquisition throughout the whole respiratory cycle.Methods3D affine transformations for different respiratory states (bins) were estimated by using 3D‐NAV image acquisitions which were acquired during the startup profiles of a steady‐state free precession sequence. The calculated 3D affine transformations were applied to the corresponding high‐resolution Cartesian image acquisition which had been similarly binned, to correct for respiratory motion between bins.ResultsQuantitative and qualitative comparisons showed no statistical difference between images acquired with the proposed method and the reference method using a diaphragmatic navigator with a narrow gating window.ConclusionWe demonstrate that 3D‐NAV and 3D affine correction can be used to acquire Cartesian whole‐heart 3D coronary artery images with 100% scan efficiency with similar image quality as with the state‐of‐the‐art gated and corrected method with approximately 50% scan efficiency. Magn Reson Med 71:173–181, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.