bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Production of Low‐Fat Emulsified Cooked Sausages Using Amorphous Cellulose Gel
Authors: Almeida Cássia Mara , Wagner Roger , Mascarin Laura Gizele , Zepka Leila Queiroz , Campagnol Paulo Cezar Bastianello 
Published: September 2014

AbstractEmulsified cooked sausages (beef: 52.5%; pork: 15%; and pork back fat: 20%) were produced with 25, 50, 75 or 100% of their pork back fat content replaced by amorphous cellulose gel (ACG). The physicochemical characteristics (chemical composition, color and texture), fatty acid content and sensory profiles were measured. The moisture content increased and the fat content decreased with increasing fat replacement by ACG, which influenced the color and texture parameters. The 100% replacement of pork back fat decreased the n‐6/n‐3 ratio and increased the contents of vaccenic acid and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA‐9c11t). Consumers observed no significant differences in color, aroma, flavor, texture and overall acceptance among the treatments. The results indicated that the replacement of up to 100% of pork back fat by ACG can be carried out without prejudice to the acceptance of the product, which allows the preparation of emulsified cooked sausages with fat reduction of approximately 84%.Practical ApplicationsIn this study, we evaluated the use of amorphous cellulose gel (ACG) as a substitute for pork back fat in emulsified cooked sausage. We observed that the ACG did not affect the sensory acceptance, even with 100% replacement of pork back fat. Apart from significant fat reduction, the sausages produced with 0% pork back fat showed a better fatty acid profile. We believe that these findings may be useful for the production of emulsified cooked sausages with healthier characteristics, since besides bringing benefits to the society, it will promote a positive image for the meat industry, which is heavily criticized because of the high fat content of meat products.
Flood insurance in England – an assessment of the current and newly proposed insurance scheme in the context of rising flood risk
Authors: Surminski S. , Eldridge J. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractFlooding is the largest natural disaster risk in England and it is expected to rise even further with a changing climate. Agreeing on how we pay for this now and in the future is a challenge, with competing drivers such as fairness, economic efficiency, political feasibility and public acceptance all playing their part. We investigate this in the context of recent efforts to reform the provision of flood insurance, which have been debated between government and industry over the last three years. Recognising the challenge of rising losses and increasing costs we are particularly interested in how the existing arrangement and the new flood insurance proposal (Flood Re) reflect on the need for physical risk reduction. By applying our analytical framework we find an absence of formal incentive mechanisms for risk reduction in the existing and proposed Flood Re scheme. We identify the barriers for applying insurance to risk reduction and point to some possible modifications in the Flood Re proposal to deliver a greater link between risk transfer and risk reduction. Our investigation offers some insights into the challenges of designing and implementing flood insurance schemes – a task that is currently being considered in a range of countries, including several developing countries, who hope to apply flood insurance as a tool to increase their climate resilience.
Quantitative comparison of segmentation algorithms for FIB‐SEM images of porous media
Authors: SALZER M. , PRILL T. , SPETTL A. , JEULIN D. , SCHLADITZ K. , SCHMIDT V. 
Published: September 2014

SummaryFocused ion beam tomography has proven to be capable of imaging porous structures on a nano‐scale. However, due to shine‐through artefacts, common segmentation algorithms often lead to severe dislocation of individual structures in z‐direction. Recently, a number of approaches have been developed, which take into account the specific nature of focused ion beam‐scanning electron microscope images for porous media. In the present study, we analyse three of these approaches by comparing their performance based on simulated focused ion beam‐scanning electron microscope images. Performance is measured by determining the amount of misclassified voxels as well as the fidelity of structural characteristics. Based on this analysis we conclude that each algorithm has certain strengths and weaknesses and we determine the scenarios for which each approach might be the best choice
Analyzing the differentially expressed genes and pathway cross‐talk in aggressive breast cancer
Authors: Chen Wen‐Yan , Wu Fang , You Zhen‐Yu , Zhang Zhan‐Min , Guo Yu‐Ling , Zhong Lu‐Xing 
Published: September 2014

AbstractAimThe aim of this study was to explore the genes and pathways involved in the aggressive breast cancer cells.MethodsThe gene expression profiles of GSE40057, including four aggressive breast cell lines and six less aggressive cell lines, were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The gene differential expression analysis was carried out with limma software with the method of Bayes for multiple tests. The gene ontology (GO) term enrichment and pathway cross‐talk analysis were performed with the online tool of DAVID and Cytoscape software.ResultsA total of 401 differentially expressed genes (DEG), such as pentraxin 3 (PTX3), snail family zinc finger 2 (SNAI2), interleukin‐8/6 (IL‐8/6), osteonectin (SPARC), matrix metallopeptidase‐1 (MMP‐1) and Ras‐related protein Rab‐25 (Rab 25), were identified between aggressive and less aggressive cell lines. They were mainly enriched in the GO terms of response to wounding, negative regulation of cell proliferation and calcium binding. Pathways in cancer dysfunctionally interacted with glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism (P < 0.0001), basal transcription factors (P < 0.0001), tyrosine metabolism (P < 0.0001), calcium signaling pathway (P = 0.0021), FcγR‐mediated phagocytosis (P = 0.0022), metabolism of xenobiotics by cytochrome P450 (P = 0.0097) and phagosome (P = 0.0102).ConclusionThe screened aggressive cancer‐associated DEG (PTX3, SNAI2, IL‐8/6, SPARC, MMP‐1 and Rab25) and significant pathways (calcium signaling pathway, tyrosine metabolism, alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism) give us new insights into the mechanism of aggressive breast cancer cells, and these DEG may become promising target genes in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer.
Ratio of ovarian stroma and total ovarian area by ultrasound in prediction of hyperandrogenemia in reproductive‐aged Thai women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A diagnostic test
Authors: Leerasiri Pichai , Wongwananuruk Thanyarat , Rattanachaiyanont Manee , Indhavivadhana Suchada , Techatraisak Kitirat , Angsuwathana Surasak 
Published: September 2014

AbstractAimTo evaluate the performance of ovarian stromal area to total ovarian area (S/A) ratio for the prediction of biochemical hyperandrogenism in Thai women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).MethodsA cross‐sectional study was performed in 222 reproductive‐aged Thai women with PCOS attending the Gynecologic Endocrinology Unit (GEU), Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital from May 2007 to January 2009. The patients were interviewed for medical history and examined for anthropometry and clinical hyperandrogenism. Venous blood samples were obtained for androgen profiles. An ovarian ultrasonogram was obtained via transvaginal or transrectal ultrasonography.ResultsThe prevalences of clinical and biochemical hyperandrogenism were 48.6% and 81.1%, respectively. The S/A ratio at a cut‐off point of 0.33 had modest predictability for hyperandrogenism, namely, 0.537 area under the receiver–operator curve, 36.6% sensitivity, 72.1% specificity, 83.8% positive predictive value (PPV) and 20.9% negative predictive value (NPV). The combination of clinical hyperandrogenism and S/A ratio improved the predictability for biochemical hyperandrogenism, with sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of 72.1%, 58.1%, 87.8% and 33.3%, respectively.ConclusionThe S/A ratio alone is not a good predictor for biochemical hyperandrogenism in Thai PCOS women attending GEU for menstrual dysfunction. The combination of S/A ratio and clinical hyperandrogenism has better performance than the S/A ratio alone to predict biochemical hyperandrogenism.
Rare fetal complications associated with placental mesenchymal dysplasia: A report of two cases
Authors: Jimbo Tomoka , Fujita Yasuyuki , Yumoto Yasuo , Fukushima Kotaro , Kato Kiyoko 
Published: September 2014

AbstractPlacental mesenchymal dysplasia (PMD) is a rare disease that may be difficult to distinguish from molar pregnancy. The disease is associated with major fetal complications, including Beckwith–Wiedemann syndrome, fetal growth restriction and intrauterine fetal death. Rarely, fetal hematological disorders and liver tumors also may occur. Two patients were referred to our hospital during their second trimesters because of suspected molar pregnancies. Fetal karyotyping and maternal serum human chorionic gonadotropin level determinations led to the PMD diagnoses. In one case, the maternal clinical course was normal, but the neonate suffered from disseminated intravascular coagulation and needed a platelet transfusion. In the second case, the PMD decreased during pregnancy, but a gradually increasing fetal liver tumor appeared. The tumor was diagnosed as mesenchymal hamartoma, based on ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging studies. The neonate was delivered without cardiovascular compromise. Due to the difficulty of immediate surgical treatment, expectant management, with close follow‐up, was chosen.
Polymorphisms of progesterone receptor and ovarian cancer risk: A systemic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Liao Jing , Ding Dong , Sun Chaoyang , Weng Danhui , Meng Li , Chen Gang , Ma Ding 
Published: September 2014

AbstractAimGrowing bodies of studies have investigated the associations between three progesterone receptor (PGR) polymorphisms, +331G/A, Alu insertion and Val660Leu, and susceptibility to ovarian cancer, but the results remain controversial and inconclusive. Thus, we conducted a meta‐analysis to derive a more precise estimation of the associations.MethodsA total of 21 case–control studies from 16 publications that included analyses of Alu insertion (981 cases, 2136 controls), Val660Leu (2205 cases, 3222 controls) and +331G/A (2842 cases, 4305 controls) polymorphisms were identified.ResultsSignificantly increased risks of ovarian cancer were found for Alu insertion (T2 T2 + T1T2 vs T1T1; odds ratio [OR], 1.504; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.206–2.203) and Val660Leu (TT vs GT; OR, 1.524; 95% CI, 1.013–2.293). No significant association was found between +331G/A polymorphism and ovarian cancer.ConclusionThis meta‐analysis suggests that the two polymorphisms of PGR, Alu insertion and Val660Leu, may contribute to ovarian cancer susceptibility as low‐penetrance risk factors.
Does rater personality matter? A meta‐analysis of rater Big Five–performance rating relationships
Authors: Harari Michael B. , Rudolph Cort W. , Laginess Andrew J. 
Published: September 2014

We examined rater personality traits consistent with the Five‐Factor Model as sources of systematic non‐performance variance in job performance ratings using meta‐analysis (k = 28). Several personality factors, including agreeableness, extraversion, and emotional stability, were related to performance ratings (ρ = .25, .12, and .12, respectively), and features of the rating context (e.g., study setting, appraisal purpose, accountability) moderated these relationships. Cumulatively, the Big Five accounted for between 6% and 22% of the variance in performance ratings. Implications for performance appraisal research and practice are discussed.Practitioner points

Performance ratings serve a number of important functions in organizations, and their construct validity is a central issue.

We identified rater personality traits, consistent with the Five‐Factor Model, as sources of non‐performance variance in performance ratings.

To the extent that job performance ratings are contaminated by rater personality traits, requiring raters to justify their ratings may result in criterion scores that reflect greater levels of criterion relevance.
A Comparison of Different Estimation Methods for Fungicide EC50 and EC95 Values
Authors: Li Jin‐Li , Liu Xiang‐Yang , Xie Jia‐Tao , Di Ya‐Li , Zhu Fu‐Xing 
Published: September 2014

AbstractEC50 and EC95 (the effective concentrations to cause inhibitions by 50 and 95%, respectively) are commonly used to express fungicide potency. Different methods are currently employed to calculate EC50 and EC95 values. In this study, EC50 and EC95 values for fungicide epoxiconazole against 34 isolates of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum were calculated with seven different methods. Results showed that for both EC50 and EC95 calculations, there was no significant difference among three statistical programs IBM spss®, GraphPad Prism® and dps® (P ≥ 0.066). Methods linear log (linear regression of mycelial growth inhibition vs. logarithmic concentration) and interpolation log (linear interpolation from inhibition and logarithmic concentration data) were not significantly different (P ≥ 0.058) from IBM spss in EC50 calculations. These results indicate that among the seven methods, the three statistical programs IBM spss, GraphPad Prism, dps and linear log method are appropriate for EC50 calculations. But for EC95 calculations, only the three statistical programs are recommended, and GraphPad Prism is likely to give a little higher values than spss and dps.
Mitochondrial catastrophe during doxorubicin‐induced cardiotoxicity: a review of the protective role of melatonin
Authors: Govender Jenelle , Loos Ben , Marais Erna , Engelbrecht Anna‐Mart 
Published: September 2014

AbstractAnthracyclines, such as doxorubicin, are among the most valuable treatments for various cancers, but their clinical use is limited due to detrimental side effects such as cardiotoxicity. Doxorubicin‐induced cardiotoxicity is emerging as a critical issue among cancer survivors and is an area of much significance to the field of cardio‐oncology. Abnormalities in mitochondrial functions such as defects in the respiratory chain, decreased adenosine triphosphate production, mitochondrial DNA damage, modulation of mitochondrial sirtuin activity and free radical formation have all been suggested as the primary causative factors in the pathogenesis of doxorubicin‐induced cardiotoxicity. Melatonin is a potent antioxidant, is nontoxic, and has been shown to influence mitochondrial homeostasis and function. Although a number of studies support the mitochondrial protective role of melatonin, the exact mechanisms by which melatonin confers mitochondrial protection in the context of doxorubicin‐induced cardiotoxicity remain to be elucidated. This review focuses on the role of melatonin on doxorubicin‐induced bioenergetic failure, free radical generation, and cell death. A further aim is to highlight other mitochondrial parameters such as mitophagy, autophagy, mitochondrial fission and fusion, and mitochondrial sirtuin activity, which lack evidence to support the role of melatonin in the context of cardiotoxicity.
Isolation and characterization of human mesenchymal stem cells from gingival connective tissue
Authors: Jin S. H. , Lee J. E. , Yun J‐H. , Kim I. , Ko Y. , Park J. B. 
Published: September 2014

Background and ObjectiveThe main purpose of this study was to isolate and characterize gingival connective tissue‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (GMSCs). The secondary purpose was to present a modified isolation method for the GMSCs.Material and MethodsCollected healthy gingival tissue samples were de‐epithelialized and minced into small fragments. The tissues were digested by dispase and collagenase IV for 30 min. The first digested cell suspension was discarded, and then additional digestion was performed to the remaining cells in the same solution for 90 min. The isolated cells from gingiva was incubated in 37°C humidified condition and observed by inverted microscope. Cytoskeletal morphology was evaluated by phalloidin immunofluorescence. Potency of the cells was tested by colony‐forming unit fibroblast assay. GMSCs were characterized by osteogenic, adipogenic and chondrogenic differentiation, and flow cytometric, immunofluorescence analysis.ResultsGMSCs showed spindle‐shaped, fibroblast‐like morphology, colony‐forming abilities, adherence to plastic and multilineage differentiation (osteogenic, adipogenic, chondrogenic) potency. GMSCs expressed CD44, CD73, CD90 and CD105, but did not express CD14, CD45, CD34 and CD19 in flow cytometry. Expression of stem cell markers (SSEA‐4, STRO‐1, CD146, CD166 and CD271) and a mesenchymal marker (vimentin) were observed by immunofluorescence.ConclusionsIn conclusion, we isolated and characterized stem cells from human gingival connective tissue with modified protocol. GMSCs showed multipotency with high proliferation and characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells. GMSCs are promising sources for tissue engineering and may be obtained during routine procedures under local anesthesia. Further research is needed to evaluate the potential of GSMCs' proliferation and cryopreservation.
Upregulation of the PI3K/Akt Pathway in the Tumorigenesis of Canine Thyroid Carcinoma
Authors: Campos M. , Kool M.M.J. , Daminet S. , Ducatelle R. , Rutteman G. , Kooistra H.S. , Galac S. , Mol J.A. 
Published: September 2014

BackgroundInformation on the genetic events leading to thyroid cancer in dogs is lacking.Hypothesis/ObjectivesUpregulation of the PI3K/Akt pathway has an important role in the tumorigenesis of thyroid carcinoma in dogs.AnimalsFifty‐nine dogs with thyroid carcinoma and 10 healthy controls.MethodsQuantitative RT‐PCR was performed for VEGFR‐1, VEGFR‐2, EGFR, PIK3CA, PIK3CB, PDPK1, PTEN, AKT1, AKT2, COX‐2, and CALCA. Mutation analysis was performed for known hotspots of RAS (N, K, H), PIK3CA, BRAF, RET, and for the entire coding region of PTEN.ResultsForty‐three dogs (73%) had follicular cell thyroid carcinoma (FTC) and 16 dogs (27%) had medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). The relative mRNA expressions of VEGFR‐1 (P < .001), VEGFR‐2 (P = .002), PDPK1 (P < .001), AKT1 (P = .009), and AKT2 (P < .001) were increased in FTC, and those of EGFR (P < .001), VEGFR‐1 (P = .036), and PIK3CA (P = .019) were increased in MTC when compared to normal thyroid glands. Mutation analysis of K‐RAS identified 2 activating missense mutations, which also have been described in thyroid cancer of humans. A G12R substitution was present in 1 FTC and an E63K substitution was present in 1 MTC. No functional mutations were found in the sequenced regions of H‐RAS, N‐RAS, PIK3CA, BRAF, RET, and PTEN.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceThe increased expression of several genes associated with PI3K/Akt signaling suggests the involvement of this pathway in the pathogenesis of thyroid carcinoma in dogs, warranting further research on pathway activation and gene amplification. The mutations most frequently associated with thyroid cancer in humans are rare in dogs.
Electrophysiologic Confirmation of Heterogenous Motor Polyneuropathy in Young Cats
Authors: Aleman M. , Dickinson P.J. , Williams D.C. , Sturges B.K. , LeCouteur R.A. , Vernau K.M. , Shelton G.D. 
Published: September 2014

BackgroundReports of motor polyneuropathies in young cats are scarce. Further, in‐depth electrophysiologic evaluation to confirm a motor polyneuropathy in young cats of various breeds other than 2 Bengal cats is lacking.Hypothesis/ObjectivesTo confirm a motor polyneuropathy in young cats of various breeds.AnimalsFive young cats with heterogenous chronic or relapsing episodes of weakness.MethodsRetrospective case series. Cats were presented for evaluation of generalized neuromuscular disease and underwent electrophysiologic examination including electromyography, nerve conduction, and repetitive nerve stimulation. Minimum database and muscle and nerve biopsy analyses were carried out. Descriptive statistics were performed.ResultsDisease onset was at 3 months to 1 year of age and in 5 breeds. The most common clinical sign (5 of 5 cats) was weakness. Additional neurologic deficits consisted of palmigrade and plantigrade posture (4/4), low carriage of the head and tail (4/4), and variable segmental reflex deficits (5/5). Motor nerve conduction studies were abnormal for the ulnar (4/4), peroneal (5/5), and tibial (2/2) nerves (increased latencies, reduced amplitudes, slow velocities). A marked decrement was observed on repetitive nerve stimulation of the peroneal nerve in 3 cats for which autoimmune myasthenia gravis was ruled out. All sensory nerve conduction studies were normal. Histologic evaluation of muscle and nerve biopsies supported heterogenous alterations consistent with motor polyneuropathy with distal nerve fiber loss.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceHeterogenous motor polyneuropathies should be considered in young cats of any breed and sex that are presented with relapsing or progressive generalized neuromuscular disease.
Oxidant‐Antioxidant Status in the Blood of Horses with Symptomatic Recurrent Airway Obstruction (RAO)
Authors: Niedzwiedz A. , Jaworski Z. 
Published: September 2014

BackgroundSystemic oxidative stress in horses with recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) is poorly characterized.ObjectivesThe goal of this study was to investigate whether equine RAO is associated with systemic disturbances in the oxidant‐antioxidant equilibrium.AnimalsSeven healthy horses and 7 horses with symptomatic RAO.MethodsA prospective study. Healthy and RAO‐affected horses were exposed to a 48‐hour challenge with moldy hay and straw to induce clinical exacerbation of RAO. Venous blood was collected and the activities of the superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione reductase (GR) in equine erythrocyte lysates were measured. The concentration of thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances (TBARSs) was assessed both in erythrocyte lysates and in plasma.ResultsA significant increase in the activities of GPx and SOD was detected in RAO‐affected horses compared with the control animals. There was no significant difference between groups in terms of the erythrocyte lysate activities of CAT, GR, or TBARs or the plasma concentration of TBARs.Conclusion and Clinical ImportanceOur results support the hypothesis that RAO in horses is associated with systemic oxidative stress. Future studies are needed to assess whether horses suffering from RAO can benefit from antioxidant supplementation.
The pharmacokinetics of dexmedetomidine administered as a constant rate infusion in horses
Authors: Ranheim B. , Risberg Å. I. , Spadavecchia C. , Landsem R. , Haga H. A. 
Published: September 2014

Dexmedetomidine, the most selective α2‐adrenoceptor agonist in clinical use, is increasingly being used in both conscious and anaesthetized horses; however, the pharmacokinetics and sedative effects of this drug administered alone as an infusion are not previously described in horses. Seven horses received an infusion of 8 μg dexmedetomidine/kg/h for 150 min, venous blood samples were collected, and dexmedetomidine concentrations were assayed using liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry (LC/MS) and analyzed using noncompartmental pharmacokinetic analysis. Sedation was scored as the distance from the lower lip of the horse to the ground measured in centimetre. The harmonic mean (SD) plasma elimination half‐life (Lambda z half‐life) for dexmedetomidine was 20.9 (5.1) min, clearance (Cl) was 0.3 (0.20) L/min/kg, and volume of distribution at steady‐state (Vdss) was 13.7 (7.9) L/kg. There was a considerable individual variation in the concentration of dexmedetomidine vs. time profile. The level of sedation covaried with the plasma concentration of dexmedetomidine. This implies that for clinical use of dexmedetomidine constant rate infusion in conscious horses, infusion rates can be easily adjusted to effect, and this is preferable to an infusion at a predetermined value.