bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Contributions of tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase to the conversion of d-tryptophan to nicotinamide analyzed by using tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase-knockout mice
Authors: Maeta Akihiro , Sano Mitsue , Fukuwatari Tsutomu , Funakoshi Hiroshi , Nakamura Toshikazu , Shibata Katsumi 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
We investigated the contribution percentage of tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO) and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) to the conversion of d-tryptophan to nicotinamide in TDO-knockout mice. The calculated percentage conversions indicated that TDO and IDO oxidized 70 and 30%, respectively, of the dietary l-tryptophan. These results indicate that both TDO and IDO biosynthesize nicotinamide from d-tryptophan and l-tryptophan in mice.
Effects of low molecular weight soybean peptide on mRNA and protein expression levels of differentiation markers in normal human epidermal keratinocytes
Authors: Tokudome Yoshihiro , Nakamura Kyosuke , Hashimoto Fumie 
Published: May 2014

AbstractLow molecular weight soybean peptide (LSP) was applied to normal human epidermal keratinocytes, and the results showed a significant increase in the gene expression levels of involucrin, transglutaminase, and profilaggrin. Filaggrin protein levels were also significantly higher. It is possible that LSP has an epidermal cell differentiation-promoting effect and may be able to regulate metabolism of the epidermis.
Effectiveness of Common Healthcare Disinfectants against H1N1 Influenza Virus on Reusable Elastomeric Respirators
Authors: Subhash Shobha S. , Cavaiuolo Maria , Radonovich Lewis J. , Eagan Aaron , Lee Martin L. , Campbell Sheldon , Martinello Richard A. 
Published: May 2014

This study evaluated the efficacy of 3 common hospital disinfectants to inactivate influenza virus on elastomeric respirators. Quaternary ammonium/isopropyl alcohol and bleach detergent wipes eliminated live virus, whereas 70% isopropyl alcohol alone was ineffective.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2014;35(7):894–897
The perturbation of electromagnetic fields at distances that are large compared with the object's size
Authors: Ledger Paul D , Lionheart William R B 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
We rigorously derive the leading-order terms in asymptotic expansions for the scattered electric and magnetic fields in the presence of a small object at distances that are large compared with its size. Our expansions hold for fixed wavenumber when the scatterer is a (lossy) homogeneous dielectric object with constant material parameters or a perfect conductor. We also derive the corresponding leading-order terms in expansions for the fields for a low-frequency problem when the scatterer is a non-lossy homogeneous dielectric object with constant material parameters or a perfect conductor. In each case, we express our results in terms of polarization tensors.
Collecting reward to defend homeostasis: A homeostatic reinforcement learning theory
Authors: Keramati Mehdi , Gutkin Boris 
Published: May 2014

AbstractEfficient regulation of internal homeostasis and defending it against perturbations requires complex behavioral strategies. However, the computational principles mediating brain’s homeostatic regulation of reward and associative learning remain undefined. Here we use a definition of primary rewards, as outcomes fulfilling physiological needs, to build a normative theory showing how learning motivated behavior is modulated by the internal state of the animal. The theory proves that seeking rewards is equivalent to the fundamental objective of physiological stability, defining the notion of physiological rationality of behavior. We further give a formal basis for temporal discounting of reward. It also explains how animals learn to act predictively to preclude prospective homeostatic challenges, and attributes a normative computational role to the modulation of midbrain dopaminergic activity by hypothalamic signals.
A new insight for the screening of potential β-lactamase inhibitors
Authors: Singh Vijai , Chaudhary Dharmendra Kumar 
Published: May 2014

AbstractThe β-lactamase produces byAeromonas hydrophilawhich enables to hydrolyze and inactivate β- lactam ring of antibiotics. The homology modeling was used to generate the 3-D model of β-lactamase by using known template 3-D structure. The stereochemical quality and torsion angle of 3-D model were validated. Total eleven effective drugs have been selected and targeted the active amino acid residues in β-lactamase. The drugs were derivative of β-lactam ring antibiotics and screening was made by docking. Out of 11 drugs, 3 drugs (Ampicillin, Astreonam and Sultamicillin) were found to be more potent on the basis of robust binding energy between protein-drug interactions. Additionally, homology of β-lactamase ofA. hydrophilaresembled with other pathogenic bacteria that used for phylogeny analysis. These findings suggest a new insight for better understanding and useful for designing of novel potent drugs.
Comparative Urbanism and the ‘Asian City': Implications for Research and Theory
Authors: Ren Julie , Luger Jason 
Published: May 2014

AbstractWhile voices in the comparative urbanism literature call for researchers to approach comparison with more experimental and critical methodologies, there remains no consensus on how to design and realize these studies. This essay examines the implications of comparative urbanism for researching the ‘Asian City'. Given the critique of existing modes of comparison embedded in recent calls for a new comparative urbanism, researchers are faced with a number of pressing questions: How do we approach this ‘regional' topic in a way that both resists categorizing the ‘Asian City' as an exotic ‘other', elevating it onto a mythical pedestal, yet appreciates its differences, localisms and unique ‘cosmopolitan vernacular' (Clifford, 1997; Werbner and Modood, 1997)? This essay thus highlights the multiple challenges of applying the comparative lens to the ‘Asian City', arguing that broader conceptualizations of the ‘Asian City' help to address the dangers in isolating Asian research into its own canon of parochial urban theory and offering a greater diversity of possibilities for justifying case selection in comparative approaches. In doing so, we hope that this essay responds to the comparative turn by illuminating to some extent its inherent complexity and methodological challenges.
Gestation‐specific D‐dimer reference ranges: a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Murphy N , Broadhurst DI , Khashan AS , Gilligan O , Kenny LC , O'Donoghue K 
Published: May 2014

ObjectiveTo establish a gestation‐specific reference range for D‐dimer in healthy pregnant women with a singleton pregnancy using the Auto‐Dimer assay.DesignCross‐sectional studySettingCork University Maternity Hospital, Ireland.PopulationHealthy pregnant women attending for routine antenatal care.MethodsSimultaneous‐quantile regression was performed to construct a median, 5th percentile, and 95th percentile, model of normal pregnancy D‐dimer concentration versus gestational week, ranging from week 6 to 42. Additionally, pair‐wise Mann–Whitney U‐tests were performed to compare distributions of D‐dimer concentrations for each of the four discrete gestational sampling windows with the distribution of D‐dimer concentrations 48 hours postpartum.Main outcome measuresD‐dimer concentrations (ng/ml) during normal gestation (approximately week 6 to week 42).ResultsSeven hundred and sixty healthy pregnant women were investigated between gestational age week 5 and 48 hours postpartum. There was a clear steady increase in median D‐dimer concentrations over the complete gestational period. Additionally, the 95th centile estimates for all gestational time‐points were above the accepted non‐pregnancy normal cut‐off concentration (224 ng/ml). The results of the Mann–Whitney U‐tests suggested that the long‐term postnatal return to normal D‐dimer concentrations begins in the immediate postpartum period.ConclusionsWe found that there is a continuous increase in D‐dimer concentrations across all gestations. This research is potentially beneficial to future diagnosis of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in pregnancy using the new recommended 95th centile potential cut‐offs. Possible further investigation involves an observational study comparing D‐dimer concentrations in women with proven DVT with those that don't, generating likelihood ratios.
Underlying liver disease influences volumetric changes in the spared hemiliver after selective internal radiation therapy with 90Y in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Teo Jin Yao , Goh Brian Kim Poh , Cheah Foong Koon , Allen John Carson , Lo Richard Hoau Gong , Ng David Chee Eng , Goh Anthony Soon Whatt , Khor Andrew Yu Keat , Sim Hui Shan , Ng Jia Jun , Chow Pierce Kah‐Hoe 
Published: May 2014

ObjectiveHypertrophy of the contralateral liver lobe after treatment with yttrium‐90 (90Y) microspheres has recently been reported. This study aimed to quantify left hepatic lobe hypertrophy after right‐sided radioembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and to identify pretreatment predictive factors of hypertrophy in an Asian population.MethodsA retrospective review of patients with inoperable HCC undergoing selective internal radiation treatment (SIRT) with 90Y microspheres at a single institution from January 2008 to January 2012 was performed. Only patients who had treatment delivered via the right hepatic artery alone were included.ResultsIn all, 17 patients fulfilling the study criteria were identified. The mean percentage of left‐lobe hypertrophy was 34.2% ± 34.9% (range 19.0–106.5%) during a median of 5‐month follow‐up. Patients with hepatitis B were found to experience a significantly greater degree of hypertrophy than those with hepatitis C or alcoholic liver cirrhosis. There were no cases of acute liver failure after the administration of SIRT in this study and none of the patients developed disease in the contralateral lobe over the study period.ConclusionsAdministration of unilobar SIRT to the right liver lobe in patients with HCC resulted in a significant degree of contralateral left lobe hypertrophy. Patients with hepatitis B experienced a greater degree of hypertrophy than those with hepatitis C or alcoholic liver cirrhosis.
Pharmacokinetic profile of paclitaxel in the plasma, lung, and diaphragm following intravenous or intrapleural administration in rats
Authors: Li Jie , Tang Jian , Li Yingjie , Yu Jianqi , Zhang Baoshi , Yu Changhai 
Published: May 2014

AbstractBackgroundThe optimal chemotherapy route for non‐small cell lung cancers involving the phrenic nerve and diaphragm is unclear. The pharmacokinetic properties of paclitaxel following intravenous (IV) or intrapleural (IP) administration were analyzed in the plasma, lung, and diaphragm in a rat model. The purpose of this study was to determine whether IP injection increased paclitaxel concentration in the diaphragm.MethodsPaclitaxel was administered by IV or IP to male Sprague‐Dawley rats. The concentration of drug in the plasma, lung, and diaphragm was determined using liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS). The pharmacokinetic parameters area under the curve (AUC), mean residence time (MRT), peak plasma concentration (Cmax), and half‐life (t1/2) were analyzed.ResultsPaclitaxel concentration in the plasma, lung, and diaphragm decreased quickly following IV administration. However, after IP injection, paclitaxel reached a high concentration in the plasma, lung, and diaphragm that declined gradually. Significant differences in all parameters, except Cmax in the lung, were observed between the two routes of administration (all P < 0.05). Plasma exposure to paclitaxel IP was 41.1% of that observed after IV in the first 24 hours (P < 0.05). IP also significantly increased exposure of paclitaxel in comparison with IV administration to 267.3% and 905.7% of IV administration in the lung and diaphragm, respectively (P < 0.05).ConclusionThese results suggest that IP administration may reduce systemic distribution of paclitaxel and increase the concentration in the lung and diaphragm. This could increase therapeutic efficacy by increasing the available drug and reduce systemic toxicity.
What Drives Portfolio Pumping in the Korean Equity Fund Market?
Authors: Lee Jinho , Baek Kang , Park Young S. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractThis paper analyzes whether portfolio pumping by fund managers is widespread in the Korean equity fund market, and identifies the factors encouraging this behavior. The study results demonstrate that (i) fund managers are tempted to distort fund performance through portfolio pumping at year‐end (when their achievement is evaluated); (ii) this manipulation occurs more actively in small funds and those with good past performance; (iii) portfolio pumping is observed more in products of foreign or small‐sized asset management companies; and (iv) although statistically less significant, fund managers are tempted to undertake price manipulation when their holdings have low liquidity.
Postinfectious bronchiolitis obliterans in children: the South American contribution
Authors: Castro‐Rodriguez Jose A. , Giubergia Veronica , Fischer Gilberto B. , Castaños Claudio , Sarria Edgar E. , Gonzalez Ramiro , Mattiello Rita , Vega‐Briceño Luis E. , Murtagh Patricia 
Published: May 2014

AbstractPostinfectious bronchiolitis obliterans (PIBO) is an infrequent chronic lung that causes irreversible obstruction and, or, obliteration of the smaller airways. This review particularly focuses on more than 30 studies from South America.ConclusionThe initial PIBO event occurs in the early years of life and is strongly associated with adenovirus infection and the need for mechanical ventilator support. Treatment requires a multidisciplinary strategy. Multicentre studies are needed to determine progression, optimal management and long‐term follow‐up.
Effects of short‐term detraining following blood flow restricted low‐intensity training on muscle size and strength
Authors: Yasuda Tomohiro , Loenneke Jeremy P. , Ogasawara Riki , Abe Takashi 
Published: May 2014

SummaryWe investigated the effects of 3 weeks of detraining on muscle cross‐sectional area (CSA) and one‐repetition maximum strength (1‐RM) in young men who had previously participated in 6 weeks (3 days week−1) of bench press training [blood flow restricted low‐intensity (LI‐BFR; n = 10, 20% 1‐RM) or high‐intensity (HI; n = 7, 75% 1‐RM)]. Bench press 1‐RM and muscle CSA of triceps brachii (TB) and pectoralis major (PM) were evaluated before (pre) and after training period (post) as well as after detraining period (detraining). Bench press 1‐RM was higher at both post and detraining than at pre for LI‐BFR (P<0·01) and the HI (P<0·01). TB and PM muscle CSA were higher at both post and detraining than at pre for the HI group (P<0·01), while the LI‐BFR group only increased (P<0·01) at post. Relative dynamic strength (1‐RM divided by TB muscle CSA) was higher at both post and detraining than at pre for the HI group (P<0·01), while the LI‐BFR group only increased (P<0·01) at detraining. In conclusion, increased muscle strength following 6 weeks of training with LI‐BFR as well as HI was well preserved at 3 weeks of detraining. HI‐induced muscle strength appears to be dependent upon both neural adaptations and muscle hypertrophy with training and detraining. On the other hand, LI‐BFR‐induced muscle strength appears to be related primarily to muscle hypertrophy with training and to neural adaptations with detraining.
Cortical muscle control of spontaneous movements in human neonates
Authors: Kanazawa Hoshinori , Kawai Masahiko , Kinai Takahiro , Iwanaga Kougorou , Mima Tatsuya , Heike Toshio 
Published: May 2014

AbstractAnatomical studies show the existence of corticomotor neuronal projections to the spinal cord before birth, but whether the primary motor cortex drives muscle activity in neonatal ‘spontaneous’ movements is unclear. To investigate this issue, we calculated corticomuscular coherence (CMC) and Granger causality in human neonates. CMC is widely used as an index of functional connectivity between the primary motor cortex and limb muscles, and Granger causality is used across many fields of science to detect the direction of coherence. To calculate CMC and Granger causality, we used electroencephalography (EEG) to measure activity over the cortical region that governs leg muscles, and surface electromyography (EMG) over the right and left tibialis anterior muscles, in 15 healthy term and preterm neonates, during spontaneous movements without any external stimulation. We found that 17 leg muscles (10 right, seven left) in 12 neonates showed significant CMC, whose magnitude significantly correlated with postnatal age only in the beta frequency band. Further analysis revealed Granger causal drive from EEG to EMG in 14 leg muscles. Our findings suggest that the primary motor cortex drives muscle activity when neonates move their limbs. Moreover, the positive correlation between CMC magnitude and postnatal age suggests that corticomuscular communication begins to develop during the neonatal stage. This process may facilitate sensory‐motor integration and activity‐dependent development.
Spike detection from noisy neural data in linear‐probe recordings
Authors: Takekawa Takashi , Ota Keisuke , Murayama Masanori , Fukai Tomoki 
Published: May 2014

AbstractSimultaneous recordings of multiple neuron activities with multi‐channel extracellular electrodes are widely used for studying information processing by the brain's neural circuits. In this method, the recorded signals containing the spike events of a number of adjacent or distant neurons must be correctly sorted into spike trains of individual neurons, and a variety of methods have been proposed for this spike sorting. However, spike sorting is computationally difficult because the recorded signals are often contaminated by biological noise. Here, we propose a novel method for spike detection, which is the first stage of spike sorting and hence crucially determines overall sorting performance. Our method utilizes a model of extracellular recording data that takes into account variations in spike waveforms, such as the widths and amplitudes of spikes, by detecting the peaks of band‐pass‐filtered data. We show that the new method significantly improves the cost–performance of multi‐channel electrode recordings by increasing the number of cleanly sorted neurons.
The Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori Gastritis in Newly Diagnosed Children with Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Roka Kleoniki , Roubani Aikaterini , Stefanaki Kalliopi , Panayotou Ioanna , Roma Eleftheria , Chouliaras Giorgos 
Published: May 2014

AbstractBackgroundRecent studies have shown that patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are less likely to be infected with Helicobacter pylori compared with non‐IBD patients. We aimed to study the prevalence of H. pylori‐positive and H. pylori‐negative gastritis in newly diagnosed children with IBD in comparison to those with non‐IBD in Greece.Materials and MethodsAll children who underwent first esophagogastroduodenal endoscopy between 2002 and 2011 were retrospectively included. Four groups were studied: patients with Crohn's disease (CD), ulcerative colitis (UC), IBD unclassified (IBDU), and non‐IBD individuals (non‐IBD). Helicobacter pylori infection was defined by positive culture or by positive histology and CLO test. Those children with negative or not available culture and only one positive test (histology or CLO) were further evaluated by urea breath test, and the positives were also included in the infected group.ResultsWe studied 159 patients with IBD (66 CD, 34 UC, and 59 IBDU) and 1209 patients in non‐IBD individuals. Helicobacter pylori gastritis was less frequent in the IBD group (3.8% vs 13.2% in the control group, p < .001), whereas IBD patients were significantly older than non‐IBD children (p < .001). Children with H. pylori‐negative gastritis were 3.3 times more likely to belong in the IBD group compared with H. pylori‐positive patients (p = .006).ConclusionsOccurrence of H. pylori gastritis is less frequent in children with IBD compared with controls. Our study confirms an inverse association between H. pylori and IBD. Future studies are needed to distinguish between a true protective role of H. pylori and a confounding effect due to previous antibiotic use in children with IBD.
High‐fat and high‐cholesterol diet rapidly induces non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis with advanced fibrosis in Sprague–Dawley rats
Authors: Ichimura Mayuko , Kawase Miku , Masuzumi Miki , Sakaki Mika , Nagata Yasuo , Tanaka Kazunari , Suruga Kazuhito , Tamaru Shizuka , Kato Shigeko , Tsuneyama Koichi , Omagari Katsuhisa 
Published: May 2014

AimThe development of fibrosis is considered an important phase in the progress of non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) towards the end stage of liver disease, including cirrhosis. However, few small animal models can display NASH‐associated fibrosis. We aimed to establish a dietary model of NASH with rapid progression to fibrosis using genetically normal rats.MethodsNine‐week‐old male Sprague–Dawley rats were fed with normal, high‐fat (HF), or two types of high‐fat and high‐cholesterol (HFC) diets for 9 weeks (n = 5 each). All HFC diets contained 1.25% or 2.5% cholesterol.ResultsThe rats fed with the HF diet developed mild steatosis and inflammation without fibrosis at 18 weeks of age, whereas all rats given the HFC diet developed obvious steatosis and inflammation with hepatocyte ballooning and fibrosis. Two of five (40%) rats given the HFC diet containing 2.5% cholesterol progressed to liver cirrhosis. Hepatic total cholesterol levels were significantly higher in rats given the HFC, than the normal or HF diets. The HFC diet significantly and dose‐dependently decreased microsomal triglyceride transfer protein expression. Cholesterol tended to suppress carnitine palmitoyltransferase activity and adenosine triphosphate‐binding cassette transporter G5 expression. Adding cholesterol to the HF diet modified hepatic lipid metabolism at the molecular level.ConclusionThe HFC diet induced hepatic features of NASH and eventually progressed cirrhosis in Sprague–Dawley rats within 9 weeks.
Physicochemical properties, antioxidant activity and inhibition ofα‐glucosidase of a novel fermented pepper (Capsiccum annuum L.) leaves‐based vinegar
Authors: Song Young‐Ran , Shin Nam‐Sik , Baik Sang‐Ho 
Published: May 2014

SummaryThe aim of this study was to utilise by‐product pepper leaves for vinegar production due to its nutritional value. Changes in physicochemical and functional properties in four main process from raw material (leaves) to lactic acid (juice), alcohol (wine) and acetic acid (vinegar) fermentations were evaluated and compared. Their nutritional compositions were significantly different and particularly the wine and vinegar had higher total phenol content and their expanded diversity than the juice and then leaves (P < 0.05). Difference in values for phenolic compound was highly correlated with their α‐glucosidase inhibitory (AGI) and antioxidant capacities in DPPH and superoxide radical scavenging and reducing power assays (r = 0.919–0.981); vinegar ≥ wine > juice > leaves. Especially, AGI activity was greatly enhanced depending on fermentation steps beyond expectation. Thus, these data confirm that pepper leaves is a good functional source and the vinegar fermentation improved the functionality in stages.