bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Authentication of Pure L‐Leucine Products Manufactured in China by Discriminating between Plant and Animal Sources Using Nitrogen Stable Isotope Technique
Authors: Huang Jingyu , Nkrumah Philip N. , Appiah‐Sefah Gloria , Tang Shijiang 
Published: March 2013

Abstract L‐leucine products among other branched chain amino acid supplements are highly susceptible to economically motivated adulteration. Curbing this menace is critical and timely. Hence, the δ15N composition of the L‐leucine derived from plants and animals sources was estimated. The trophic enrichment phenomenon of δ15N composition was utilized to elucidate the sources. We finally established the distinction between the respective sources.Samples of plant sources (maize and soybean) and that of animal sources (pig fur and duck feather) were analyzed for δ15N isotopic signatures. An elemental analyzer which was connected to an isotope ratio mass spectrometer operated in the continuous flow mode was utilized. The raw materials were obtained from China. Statistical analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and one‐way analysis of variance.The results indicated lower δ15N values of range –0.7344‰ to 2.384‰ and 1.032‰ to 2.064‰ for maize and soybean samples, respectively. Whereas, a range of 3.860‰ to 6.011‰ and 5.875‰ to 6.011‰ was, respectively, detected in pig fur and duck feather samples. The δ15N difference in plants and animals samples was significant (F = 165.0; P = 1.675 E‐10 for maize and pig fur samples; F = 212.8; P = 0.0001284 for soybean and duck feather samples).It was observed that δ15N trophic enrichment is helpful in elucidating the respective sources. The authors can emphatically assert that the range of δ15N composition of L‐leucine derived from plants sources within the study area is –1.000‰ to 3.000‰ whereas the range in animal sources is 4.000‰ to 9.000‰.Practical Application This study provides a reliable approach in verifying the authenticity of not only L‐leucine products but also other branched chain amino acid supplements and thereby would help in fraud detection of any economically motivated adulteration and mislabeling of these products. When coupled with H and O stable isotope techniques, the region‐of‐origin of the detected adulteration can also be traced successfully. It therefore serves as a guide to food regulatory bodies, food scientists, retailers of these products, consumers, and the general public at large.
Development of Pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) Spread
Authors: Shakerardekani Ahmad , Karim Roselina , Ghazali Hasanah Mohd , Chin Nyuk Ling 
Published: March 2013

Abstract Pistachio nut (Pistacia vera L.) is one of the most delicious and nutritious nuts in the world. Pistachio spreads were developed using pistachio paste as the main component, icing sugar, soy protein isolate (SPI), and red palm oil (RPO), at different ratios. The highest mean scores of all the sensory attributes were depicted by spreads that were made without addition of SPI. It was found that the work of shear was 0 to 11.0 kg s for an acceptable spread. Sensory spreadability, overall texture, spreadability, and overall acceptability were negatively correlated (R > 0.83) with the work of shear of spreads. The findings indicated that the presence of RPO had a direct effect on the viscoelastic behavior of the pistachio spreads. The a values, which are related to the green color of the pistachio product ranged from 1.7 to 3.9 for spread without addition of RPO, and 4.0 to 5.3 in the presence of RPO.Practical Application The development of pistachio spread would potentially increase the food uses of pistachio and introduce consumers with a healthier snack food.
Jujube Honey from China: Physicochemical Characteristics and Mineral Contents
Authors: Zhou Juan , Suo Zhirong , Zhao Pinpin , Cheng Ni , Gao Hui , Zhao Jing , Cao Wei 
Published: March 2013

AbstractWe investigated and compared the physicochemical properties (moisture, color, ash, pH, electrical conductivity, free acidity, lactonic acidity, total acidity, fructose, glucose, sucrose, diastase activity, and HMF) and mineral contents (Al, Ca, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, As, Cd, Pb, and Zn), as well as total proline and total protein contents of 23 jujube honey samples collected from different regions of China. The mineral content was determined by inductively coupled plasma‐optical emission spectrometry (ICP‐OES). The physicochemical values were in the range of approved limits (conforming to EU legislation) in all 23 samples. The physicochemical properties of jujube honey showed significant variations among samples. The mean pH value of the jujube honeys was 6.71. The most abundant minerals were potassium, calcium, sodium, and magnesium, ranging between 1081.4 and 2642.9, 97.1 and 194.2, 7.79 and 127.8, and 10.36 and 24.67 mg/kg, respectively, and potassium made up 71% of the total mineral content. This study demonstrated remarkable variation in physicochemical parameters and mineral contents of jujube honey, mainly depending on its geographic source.
HbA1c and the diagnosis of diabetes and prediabetes in a middle‐aged and elderly Han population from northwest China (HbA1c与中国西北部地区中老年汉族人群糖尿病和糖尿病前期的诊断)
Authors: Wu Shengli , Yi Fengshou , Zhou Chao , Zhang Mintao , Zhu Yujing , Tuniyazi Yilihamu , Huang Lijuan , Huang Xuefang , Wang Fugang , Bi Yufang , Ning Guang 
Published: March 2013

AbstractObjectiveTo identify the optimal threshold of HbA1c and to evaluate the predictive performance of HbA1c levels in diagnosing diabetes and prediabetes in a middle‐aged and elderly Han Chinese population from northwest China.MethodsIn all, 3354 participants aged ≥40 years with no history of diabetes from northwest China were enrolled in the present cross‐sectional study. All subjects underwent a 75‐g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), as well as HbA1c testing. HbA1c thresholds for diagnosing diabetes and prediabetes were identified by the highest sum of sensitivity and specificity of each cut‐off point, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the HbA1c threshold.ResultsThe mean (± SD) age of the participants was 57 ± 8 years, and 70.75% were women. Based on results of the OGTT, 1347 (40.16%) subjects had impaired fasting glucose and/or impaired glucose tolerance, and 725 (21.62%) had diabetes. The area under the ROC curve for detecting undiagnosed diabetes and prediabetes by HbA1c levels was 0.810 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.796–0.823) and 0.732 (95% CI 0.717–0.747), respectively. HbA1c threshold of 6.4% and 6.1% produced the highest sum of sensitivity (60.00% and 61.49%) and specificity (87.33% and 73.24%) for diagnosing diabetes and prediabetes, respectively.ConclusionHbA1c is an effective and convenient method for diagnosing diabetes and prediabetes. HbA1c thresholds of 6.4% and 6.1% may be used as diagnostic criteria for diabetes and prediabetes, respectively, in the Han Chinese population living in northwest China.
Outcome of video‐assisted translumbar retroperitoneal necrosectomy and closed lavage for severe necrotizing pancreatitis
Authors: Ulagendra Perumal Srinivasan , Pillai Sastha Ahanatha , Perumal Senthilkumar , Sathyanesan Jeswanth , Palaniappan Ravichandran 
Published: March 2013

AbstractIntroduction and ObjectiveSurgery for necrotizing pancreatitis is associated with a high rate of morbidity and mortality. We present a series of 26 patients who underwent video‐assisted translumbar retroperitoneal necrosectomy and analyse their outcomes.MethodsRecords of 26 patients who underwent video‐assisted translumbar retroperitoneal necrosectomy and closed drainage for infected pancreatitic necrosis between January 2008 and March 2012 were reviewed, retrospectively.ResultsTwenty‐three out of 26 patients were males, with a mean age of 38.6 (±9.9) years. Alcohol was the aetiology in 18 patients, gall stones in 7, and in 1 it was idiopathic. The mean duration of symptoms before patients were taken up for surgery was 47.2 (±34.8) days. The mean computed tomography severity index was 7.7 (±1.2). All patients had undergone video‐assisted retroperitoneal necrosectomy through a limited left lumbar incision. Post‐operative lavage was given through drains placed in the retroperitoneum. Three patients required re‐exploration. Eleven patients developed complications and there were two mortalities. The median intensive care unit (ICU) stay was 4 days (range 2–14 days). The mean post‐operative hospital stay was 22.5 (±6.6) days.ConclusionVideo‐assisted translumbar retroperitoneal necrosectomy followed by closed lavage of infected pancreatic necrosis in select cases of infected pancreatic necrosis was associated with a low rate of ICU stay, hospital stay and need for re‐entry.
Fast and Accurate Inference for the Smoothing Parameter in Semiparametric Models
Authors: Paige Robert L. , Trindade A. Alexandre 
Published: March 2013

SummaryA fast and accurate method of confidence interval construction for the smoothing parameter in penalised spline and partially linear models is proposed. The method is akin to a parametric percentile bootstrap where Monte Carlo simulation is replaced by saddlepoint approximation, and can therefore be viewed as an approximate bootstrap. It is applicable in a quite general setting, requiring only that the underlying estimator be the root of an estimating equation that is a quadratic form in normal random variables. This is the case under a variety of optimality criteria such as those commonly denoted by maximum likelihood (ML), restricted ML (REML), generalized cross validation (GCV) and Akaike's information criteria (AIC). Simulation studies reveal that under the ML and REML criteria, the method delivers a near‐exact performance with computational speeds that are an order of magnitude faster than existing exact methods, and two orders of magnitude faster than a classical bootstrap. Perhaps most importantly, the proposed method also offers a computationally feasible alternative when no known exact or asymptotic methods exist, e.g. GCV and AIC. An application is illustrated by applying the methodology to well‐known fossil data. Giving a range of plausible smoothed values in this instance can help answer questions about the statistical significance of apparent features in the data.
A three‐year follow‐up of ranibizumab treatment of exudative AMD: impact on the outcome of carrying forward the last acuity observation in drop‐outs
Authors: Frennesson Christina I. , Nilsson Sven Erik G. 
Published: March 2013

Abstract.Purpose:  To analyse a 3‐year clinical patient cohort of ranibizumab treatment of exudative age‐related macular degeneration (AMD), to investigate the impact on visual outcome of carrying forward the last acuity observation in drop‐outs and to explore possible differences between the early and the late phase of the study.Methods:  A retrospective study of 312 eyes with neovascular AMD. The patients were followed up monthly, received three initial monthly injections of 0.5 mg ranibizumab and were re‐treated pro re nata (PRN). Time‐domain optical coherence tomography (TD‐OCT) was used until spectral‐domain (SD)‐OCT was introduced during the last year of enrolment. Sixty‐five patients were discontinued from the study. Primary outcome: change in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA).Results:  Best corrected visual acuity was 58.4 (CI 56.9–59.9) ETDRS (Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study) letters. At three months, it had increased by 4.1 letters (p = 0.0004), at 12 months by 1.8 letters, at 24 months by 1.0 letter and at 36 months by 0.1 letter. However, if the last available acuity of drop‐outs was carried forward one step and included, acuity had increased by 3.9 letters at 3 months (p < 0.0001) and by 1.0 letter at 12 months but had decreased by 3.8 letters at 24 months (p = 0.019) and by 4.1 letters (p = 0.003) at 36 months. At 24 months, the result was significantly (p = 0.030) less favourable when drop‐outs were included. In patients enrolled during the late phase, BCVA was 59.3 (CI 56.7–62.0). It had increased by 5.7 letters (p < 0.0001) at three months and by 5.8 letters at 12 months (p = 0.0016). In patients enrolled during the early phase, BCVA was 57.9 (CI 55.0–60.8). At three months, it had increased by 3.5 letters (p = 0.0008), but at 12 months, it had decreased by 2.3 letters (ns). The result at 12 months was significantly (p = 0.0033) better for the late than for the early phase. The number of injections was also significantly (p = 0.011) higher in the late phase. Adverse events were similar to those in earlier clinical trials.Conclusions:  The results of this 3‐year cohort showed that the initial average acuity could be maintained over 36 months, which was comparable to those of many other clinical cohorts. However, if the last available acuity of drop‐outs was carried forward one step and included, the acuity figures would have fallen significantly. The results in patients enrolled during the late phase of the study were fairly similar to those in clinical trials.
The characterisation and risk factors of ischaemic heart disease in patients with coeliac disease
Authors: Emilsson L. , Carlsson R. , Holmqvist M. , James S. , Ludvigsson J. F. 
Published: March 2013

SummaryBackgroundStudies have shown an increased risk of ischaemic heart disease (IHD) in patients with coeliac disease (CD), despite the patients' lack of traditional IHD risk factors.AimTo characterise IHD according to CD status.MethodsData on duodenal or jejunal biopsies were collected in 2006–2008 from all 28 pathology departments in Sweden and were used to define CD (equal to villous atrophy; Marsh stage 3). We used the Swedish cardiac care register SWEDEHEART to identify IHD and to obtain data on clinical status and risk factors at time of first myocardial infarction for this case‐only comparison. Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). CD patients were compared with general population reference individuals.ResultsWe identified 1075 CD patients and 4142 reference individuals with subsequent IHD. CD patients with myocardial infarction had lower body mass index (P < 0.001) and cholesterol values (P < 0.001) and were less likely to be active smokers (OR = 0.74; 95% CI = 0.56–0.98) than reference individuals with myocardial infarction. CD patients had less extensive coronary artery disease at angiography (any stenosis: OR = 0.80; 95% CI = 0.66–0.97; three‐vessel disease: OR = 0.73; 95% CI = 0.57–0.94); but there was no difference in the proportions of CD patients with positive biochemical markers of myocardial infarction (CD: 92.2% vs. reference individuals: 91.5%, P = 0.766).ConclusionDespite evidence of an increased risk of IHD and higher cardiovascular mortality, patients with coeliac disease with IHD have a more favourable cardiac risk profile compared with IHD in reference individuals.
Theoretical Characterization of Galanin Receptor Type 3 (Gal3) and Its Interaction with Agonist (GALANIN) and Antagonists (SNAP 37889 and SNAP 398299): An In Silico Analysis
Authors: Kothandan Gugan , Gadhe Changdev G. , Cho Seung J. 
Published: March 2013

In this study, we report on modeling of galanin receptor type 3 and its interaction with agonist and antagonists using in silico methodologies. Comparative structural modeling of galanin receptor type 3 was based on multiple templates. With the availability of reported selective galanin receptor type 3 antagonists, docking was carried out into the predicted binding site. Similarly, galanin, a reported agonist, was also modeled and then docked into the receptor's active site. CoMFA models were developed using ligand‐based (q2 = 0.537, r2 = 0.961, noc = 5), and receptor‐guided (docked mode 1: q2 = 0.574, r2 = 0.946, noc = 5), (docked mode 2: q2 = 0.499, r2 = 0.954, noc = 5) alignment schemes. CoMFA contour analysis revealed that bulky substitution around the meta position of the phenyl ring, as well as optimal substitution (para) of the phenyl ring, could produce molecules with improved activity. We also found that Gln79, Ile82, Asp86, Trp88, His99, Ile102, Tyr103, Glu170, Pro174, Ala175, Asp185, Arg273, His277, and Tyr281 are crucial, and mutational studies on these residues could be helpful. The results obtained from this study can further be exploited for structure‐based drug design and also help the researchers to identify novel antagonists targeting galanin receptor type 3.
The spectrum of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations in breast cancer patients in the Bahamas
Authors: Akbari MR , Donenberg T , Lunn J , Curling D , Turnquest T , Krill‐Jackson E , Zhang S , Narod SA , Hurley J 
Published: March 2013

AbstractWe sought to identify the full range of founder mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 in the Bahamas and to estimate the proportion of all BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations that are accounted for by founder mutations. We studied 214 Bahamian women with invasive breast cancer, unselected for age or family history. A founder mutation had previously been identified in 49 patients. We conducted full sequencing of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes and multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification (MLPA) for 156 patients. A novel founder mutation in BRCA2 (exon 17 818delA) was seen in four different patients and five other unique mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2, including a large deletion (exons 8–9) in BRCA1. In total, a mutation was seen in 58 of the 214 patients (27%); 92% of carriers carried one of the seven founder mutations. Approximately 27% of unselected cases of breast cancer in the Bahamian population are attributable to a mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2, a prevalence which far exceeds that of any other country. The majority of women who carry a mutation in the Bahamas, carry one of the seven founder mutations, making it possible to offer genetic testing to all women at risk for breast cancer in the Bahamas.
Does tuition for journal referees work? A quantitative evaluation of a half‐day tuition course
Authors: Kelly M. J. , Thomas W. E. G. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractAimMost consultants participating as referees in the peer review process of papers submitted to scholarly journals have had no training or tuition. This study attempted to evaluate the effect on reviewing of a half‐day course held at the Royal Society of Medicine.MethodRegistered consultant delegates were sent two ‘doctored’ papers, a case report and an original paper, well before the meeting to review at home using the standard computerized score sheet issued with referee requests by Colorectal Disease. At the start of the meeting the scores were entered into a computer as ‘Before’. After each paper had been presented and then discussed, it was re‐marked to give the ‘After’ score. The Before and After scores were compared with the post‐meeting feedback forms.ResultsThe Before and After scores provided by the participants for the two papers each reviewed were not significantly different for the questions relating to the publication/rejection decision. The Before score was higher than the After score for questions relating to the Abstract, Introduction and Method sections. Feedback forms regarding the tuition were universally positive and appreciative.ConclusionConsultants already have the expertise to decide whether a paper should be rejected. The study day appears to give an additional insight that may change an initial opinion. In general a paper scored before the meeting was scored lower after it was presented and discussed at the meeting (the tuition).
Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for peritoneal carcinomatosis: the Danish experience
Authors: Iversen L. H. , Rasmussen P. C. , Hagemann‐Madsen R. , Laurberg S. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractAimCytoreductive surgery (CRS) combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is a treatment option with curative intent for selected patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC). CRS and HIPEC have been implemented in Denmark at a single centre since 2006. Six years of data on these patients were analysed.MethodPatients with PC from colorectal or appendiceal cancer, pseudomyxoma peritonei or malignant peritoneal mesothelioma referred to the single national HIPEC centre were prospectively registered from June 2006 to July 2012. Morbidity, 30‐day mortality and long‐term survival of patients who underwent CRS and HIPEC were analysed.ResultsIn total, 80 patients underwent CRS and HIPEC. PC originated from colorectal cancer in 34 patients, pseudomyxoma peritonei in 29, appendiceal cancer in 13 and malignant peritoneal mesothelioma in four patients. Thirty‐two patients had one or more complications during the hospital stay. The 30‐day mortality rate was 1.3%. The predicted 2‐, 3‐ and 5‐year survival was 60%, 47% and 38% in patients with PC from colorectal cancer, and 100%, 93% and 73% in pseudomyxoma peritonei patients.ConclusionCRS and HIPEC is a safe procedure when centralized as in Denmark. Favourable long‐term outcome was achieved in selected patients with PC from colorectal cancer and pseudomyxoma peritonei. Short‐term and long‐term outcomes were comparable to results from international centres.
Estimating Large Numbers
Authors: Landy David , Silbert Noah , Goldin Aleah 
Published: March 2013

AbstractDespite their importance in public discourse, numbers in the range of 1 million to 1 trillion are notoriously difficult to understand. We examine magnitude estimation by adult Americans when placing large numbers on a number line and when qualitatively evaluating descriptions of imaginary geopolitical scenarios. Prior theoretical conceptions predict a log‐to‐linear shift: People will either place numbers linearly or will place numbers according to a compressive logarithmic or power‐shaped function (Barth & Paladino, ; Siegler & Opfer, ). While about half of people did estimate numbers linearly over this range, nearly all the remaining participants placed 1 million approximately halfway between 1 thousand and 1 billion, but placed numbers linearly across each half, as though they believed that the number words “thousand, million, billion, trillion” constitute a uniformly spaced count list. Participants in this group also tended to be optimistic in evaluations of largely ineffective political strategies, relative to linear number‐line placers. The results indicate that the surface structure of number words can heavily influence processes for dealing with numbers in this range, and it can amplify the possibility that analogous surface regularities are partially responsible for parallel phenomena in children. In addition, these results have direct implications for lawmakers and scientists hoping to communicate effectively with the public.
Expression of a lung developmental cassette in the adult and developing zebrafish swimbladder
Authors: Cass Amanda N. , Servetnick Marc D. , McCune Amy R. 
Published: March 2013

SUMMARYThe presence of an air‐filled organ (AO), either lungs or a swimbladder, is a defining character of the Osteichthyes (bony vertebrates, including tetrapods). Despite the functional and structural diversity of AOs, it was not previously known whether the same group of developmental regulatory genes are involved in the early development of both lungs and swimbladders. This study demonstrates that a suite of genes (Nkx2.1, FoxA2, Wnt7b, GATA6), previously reported to be co‐expressed only in the tetrapod lung, is also co‐expressed in the zebrafish swimbladder. We document the expression pattern of these genes in the adult and developing zebrafish swimbladder and compare the expression patterns to those in the mouse lung. Early‐acting genes involved in endoderm specification are expressed in the same relative location and stage of AO development in both taxa (FoxA2 and GATA6), but the order of onset and location of expression are not completely conserved for the later acting genes (Nkx2.1 and Wnt7b). Co‐expression of this suite of genes in both tetrapod lungs and swimbladders of ray‐finned fishes is more likely due to common ancestry than independent co‐option, because these genes are not known to be co‐expressed anywhere except in the AOs of Osteichthyes. Any conserved gene product interactions may comprise a character identity network (ChIN) for the osteichthyan AO.