bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Comparative Study of Apoptosis in Placentas of Normal and Preeclamptic Indian Pregnant Women by TUNEL Assay and M30 Immunostaining
Authors: Sharma Mona , Kumar Rani , Bhatla Neerja , Dhingra Renu 
Published: November 2012

BackgroundPreeclampsia is a unique life‐threatening disorder of human pregnancy associated with the abnormal placentation caused by the inadequate trophoblastic invasion due to altered apoptosis of these cells. The aim of the present study was to assess and compare the apoptosis in trophoblastic cells in various zones (villous and extravillous) of placentas of preeclamptic and normotensive nonproteinuric pregnant women.MethodsHematoxylin eosin staining, TUNEL assay and M30 immunostaining techniques were used for studying apoptosis in trophoblastic cells of placentas of two groups. The results of apoptotic indices by these techniques were compared in preeclamptic group.ResultsThe TUNEL apoptotic indices were higher in all the zones of placentas of preeclamptic group as compared to control group though the results were not statistically significant. M30 immunostaining also gave higher apoptotic indices in all the zones of preeclamptic placentas as compared to the normal group but the result of apoptotic index of basal plate was not statistically significant. M30 immunostaining was absent in stromal cells.ConclusionIn our study, the trophoblastic apoptotic rates were more in villous as well as extravillous zones of preeclamptic placentas as compared to normal placentas and M30 immunostaining was found to be more sensitive and specific for the apoptotic trophoblastic cells as compared to TUNEL assay.
Free Circulating Tumor DNA as a Diagnostic Marker for Breast Cancer
Authors: Hashad D. , Sorour A. , Ghazal A. , Talaat I. 
Published: November 2012

BackgroundCell‐free DNA (cfDNA) in the plasma of patients with both malignant and benign breast lesions was analyzed to determine whether the findings may have diagnostic and prognostic implications and to analyze the association between the levels of cfDNA and prognostic parameters.MethodsPlasma samples were obtained from 99 subjects; 42 with breast cancer (BC), 30 with benign breast lesions, and 27 healthy women as normal controls. Circulatory cfDNA was extracted from the plasma samples and quantified using a real‐time quantitative PCR method. Immunohistochemistry was done on formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded sections to evaluate the status of hormonal receptors (estrogen receptor [ER] and progesterone receptor [PR]), and the protein expression of both Her2/neu and Topoisomerase IIα.ResultsThe level of cfDNA in the BC group was significantly higher than in the benign lesions and control groups. cfDNA level was associated with malignant tumor size, lymph node involvement, stage, and grade as well as Her2/neu and Topoisomerase IIα expression, while it was not associated with ER or PR status.ConclusionsThe present study suggests that the level of cfDNA can be easily quantified using plasma samples. Thus, level of plasma cfDNA might constitute an important noninvasive diagnostic and prognostic valuable tool in cancer breast patients’ management.
Urinary N‐acetyl‐β‐d‐Glucosaminidase Levels are Positively Correlated With 2‐Hr Plasma Glucose Levels During Oral Glucose Tolerance Testing in Prediabetes
Authors: Ouchi Motoshi , Suzuki Tatsuya , Hashimoto Masao , Motoyama Masayuki , Ohara Makoto , Suzuki Kazunari , Igari Yoshimasa , Watanabe Kentaro , Nakano Hiroshi , Oba Kenzo 
Published: November 2012

BackgroundUrinary N‐acetyl‐β‐D‐glucosaminidase (NAG) excretion is increased in patients with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). This study investigated when during the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) the plasma glucose, urine glucose, and insulin levels correlate most strongly with urinary N‐acetyl‐β‐d‐glucosaminidase (NAG) levels in prediabetic subjects.MethodsThe OGTT was administered to 80 subjects who had not yet received a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus (DM) and in whom HbA1c levels were ≤6.8% and fasting plasma glucose levels were <7.0 mmol/l. Forty‐two subjects had normal glucose tolerance (NGT), 31 had impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and 7 had DM according to World Health Organization criteria. Serum levels of cystatin C, the estimated glomerular filtration rate, the urinary albumin‐to‐creatinine (Cr) ratio, urinary and serum β2‐microglobulin, and urinary NAG were measured as markers of renal function.ResultsNAG levels were significantly higher in subjects with DM and in subjects with IGT than in subjects with NGT. No significant associations were observed between glycemic status and other markers of renal function. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the NAG level was positively correlated with plasma glucose levels at 120 min of the OGTT and was associated with the glycemic status of prediabetic patients.ConclusionThese results suggest that postprandial hyperglycemia is an independent factor that causes renal tubular damage in prediabetes patients.
Evaluation of Turbidimetric Inhibition Immunoassay (TINIA) and HPLC Methods for Glycated Haemoglobin Determination
Authors: Genc Sema , Omer Beyhan , Aycan‐Ustyol Esra , Ince Nurhan , Bal Fatih , Gurdol Figen 
Published: November 2012

BackgroundVarious factors may affect the accuracy of hemoglobin (Hb) A1c measurements that are widely used to monitor glycemic control in diabetic patients. This study was aimed to compare the values of HbA1c obtained by two different methods, Roche Tina‐quant second and thirdgeneration HbA1c assays based on the turbidimetric inhibition immunoassay (TINIA), and high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) cation‐exchange method used by Arkray Adams HA‐8160 analyzer.MethodsMeasurements of HbA1c were carried out in blood samples from 2,917 patients using above‐mentioned methods. Linear regression was used for the correlation analysis and linear equations. Bland–Altman plots were performed from method comparison data using MedCalc statistical software.ResultsFor the low control, the second generation Tina‐quant assay had within‐run and between‐run CVs 0.8% and 0.9%; for the high control within‐run and between‐run CVs were 1% and 0.96%, respectively. HPLC method for the low control had within‐run CV 1% and between‐run CV 1.3%; for the high control within‐run CV was 0.6% and between‐run CV was 0.9%.ConclusionThere was a good concordance between the results of TINIA and HPLC methods (y = 1.091x – 0.363; r2 = 0.96).
Simultaneous Determination of the Combined Drugs of Ceftriaxone Sodium, Metronidazole, and Levofloxacin in Human Urine by High‐Performance Liquid Chromatography
Authors: Sun Hanwen , Wang Hongliu , Ge Xusheng 
Published: November 2012

AimTo develop a new high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for simultaneous determination of the combined drugs (ceftriaxone sodium, metronidazole, and levofloxacin) in human urine.MethodsCeftriaxone sodium, metronidazole, and levofloxacin were separated on a Kromasil 100–5 C18 (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm, AKZO NOBEL, Bohus, Sweden) analytical column, using the mobile phase consisted of 1.5 mM KH2PO4 (pH 4.5) with 0.0125% triethylamine–methnol (70:30, v/v). Ceftriaxone sodium, metronidazole, and levofloxacin were detected by a photodiode‐array detector at 247, 320, 292 nm, respectively.ResultsUnder optimal conditions, the effective separation of ceftriaxone sodium, metronidazole, and levofloxacin was achieved. A good linearity with the correlation coefficients more than 0.999 was demonstrated. The detection limits of ceftriaxone sodium, metronidazole, and levofloxacin were 0.05, 0.01, and 0.25 μg/ml, respectively, and the average recoveries in human urine were in the range from 97.73 to 100.7% with the average relative standard deviation (RSD) in the range of 2.5% and 3.0%.ConclusionThe proposed method was sensitive, accurate, and rapid. This work may provide a reference for clinical rational drug use and methodology for the pharmacokinetics study of the combined drugs.
Red Cell Distribution Width Can Predict Intestinal Atrophy in Selected Patients With Celiac Disease
Authors: Harmanci Ozgur , Kav Taylan , Sivri Bulent 
Published: November 2012

BackgroundRed cell distribution width (RDW) has been shown as a distinctive marker of mortality and morbidity in a wide spectrum of conditions related to systemic inflammation or deficiency of antioxidant nutrients.ObjectiveWe aimed to investigate the predictive value of RDW in detection of intestinal atrophy in celiac disease (CD).MethodsIron indices and RDW were studied in 49 patients with CD to evaluate the utilization of RDW as a predictive marker for presence of intestinal atrophy.ResultsSixty‐nine percent of patients had iron deficiency at initial presentation and 89% had abnormal RDW defined as >14. Receiver operating characteristics curves of RDW has been found to be a predictive of intestinal atrophy at levels higher than 17.25 (68% sensitivity and 85% specificity). In patients with transglutaminase antibody IgA titers >200 U/l, RDW level >17.75 showed 76% sensitivity and 100% specificity for intestinal atrophy.ConclusionsWe suggest that RDW can be used as a surrogate marker of atrophy in patients with iron deficiency and suspected CD. In addition, the sensitivity, specificity, negative and positive predictive values of RDW increases when used in combination with high levels of transglutaminase IgA antibody.
Enhancing microscopy images of minerals through morphological center operator‐based feature extraction
Authors: Bai Xiangzhi 
Published: November 2012

AbstractTo well enhance the mineral image and image details obtained by microscopes, an effective mineral image enhancement algorithm through feature extraction using the morphological center operator is proposed in this work. First, mineral image feature extraction based on the morphological center operator is proposed and discussed. Second, the multiscale extension of the mineral image feature extraction is given by using the multiscale structuring elements. Third, the important mineral image features at multiscales of image are extracted and used to construct the final mineral features for mineral image enhancement. Finally, the original mineral image is well enhanced through importing the extracted final mineral image features into the original mineral image. Experimental results on different types of microscopy images of minerals verified the effective performance of the proposed algorithm for microscopy mineral image enhancement. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Fast drum strokes: Novel and convergent features of sonic muscle ultrastructure, innervation, and motor neuron organization in the pyramid butterflyfish (hemitaurichthys polylepis)
Authors: Boyle Kelly S. , Dewan Adam K. , Tricas Timothy C. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractSound production that is mediated by intrinsic or extrinsic swim bladder musculature has evolved multiple times in teleost fishes. Sonic muscles must contract rapidly and synchronously to compress the gas‐filled bladder with sufficient velocity to produce sound. Muscle modifications that may promote rapid contraction include small fiber diameter, elaborate sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), triads at the A–I boundary, and cores of sarcoplasm. The diversity of innervation patterns indicate that sonic muscles have independently evolved from different trunk muscle precursors. The analysis of sonic motor pathways in distantly related fishes is required to determine the relationships between sonic muscle evolution and function in acoustic signaling. We examined the ultrastructure of sonic and adjacent hypaxial muscle fibers and the distribution of sonic motor neurons in the coral reef Pyramid Butterflyfish (Chaetodontidae: Hemitaurichthys polylepis) that produces sound by contraction of extrinsic sonic muscles near the anterior swim bladder. Relative to adjacent hypaxial fibers, sonic muscle fibers were sparsely arranged among the endomysium, smaller in cross‐section, had longer sarcomeres, a more elaborate SR, wider t‐tubules, and more radially arranged myofibrils. Both sonic and non‐sonic muscle fibers possessed triads at the Z‐line, lacked sarcoplasmic cores, and had mitochondria among the myofibrils and concentrated within the peripheral sarcoplasm. Sonic muscles of this derived eutelost possess features convergent with other distant vocal taxa (other euteleosts and non‐euteleosts): small fiber diameter, a well‐developed SR, and radial myofibrils. In contrast with some sonic fishes, however, Pyramid Butterflyfish sonic muscles lack sarcoplasmic cores and A–I triads. Retrograde nerve label experiments show that sonic muscle is innervated by central and ventrolateral motor neurons associated with spinal nerves 1–3. This restricted distribution of sonic motor neurons in the spinal cord differs from many euteleosts and likely reflects the embryological origin of sonic muscles from hypaxial trunk precursors rather than occipital somites. J. Morphol., 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Ultrastructure of the male chelicerae of hattena cometis domrow (Acari: Gamasida: Ameroseiidae) functioning as gonopods
Authors: Palma Antonella Di , Seeman Owen , Alberti Gerd 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThe ultrastructure and functional adaptations of male chelicerae in Hattena cometis Domrow are discussed. In particular, as in many other gamasid mites, males of Hattena use the chelicerae, modified as gonopods, to transfer the sperm into the female. For such purpose, a slender process extending from the movable digit, the spermatodactyl, is mainly involved. The spermatodactyl is provided with a sperm transfer duct; in H.cometis, the dorsal surface bent and fused with the ventral surface forms this duct so that the spermatodactyl appears as a cuticular process, connected somehow with the movable digit, and folded on itself to delimit the sperm transfer tube. The organization and ultrastructure of the spermatodactyl are discussed and compared with other gamasid mites studied so far. J. Morphol., 2013. © 2012Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Replacing inorganic fertilizer with anaerobic digestate may maintain agricultural productivity at less environmental cost
Authors: Walsh John J. , Jones Davey L. , Edwards‐Jones Gareth , Williams A. Prysor 
Published: November 2012

AbstractWe applied digestate generated from the anaerobic digestion of slurry, undigested slurry, or inorganic N (ammonium nitrate) or NPK compound fertilizer to pots of grass and a grass–clover mix grown in two soils. Crop yields were equal or enhanced with digestate, and analysis of soil water showed that there was less potential for loss of nutrients via leaching. Replacing inorganic fertilizer with digestate may therefore maintain grassland productivity but with less impact on the environment.
Evaluation of the intervention of a folding screen belonging to the Momoyama period by Raman spectroscopy using different wavelengths
Authors: Pessanha Sofia , Le Gac Agnès , Madeira Teresa Isabel , Bruneel Jean‐Luc , Longelin Stéphane , Carvalho Maria Luisa 
Published: November 2012

Museu Nacional Soares dos Reis (Oporto) owns a pair of Japanese folding screens belonging to the early 17th century – Namban genre. As the pieces manifested structural conservation issues, they were subjected to an intervention between 2000 and 2002 in the National Research Institute for Cultural Properties in Tokyo. According to the restoration report, an unknown substance had been applied to the overall surface, adding a glossy finish, as well as some colors inconsistent with the original painting. These materials seem to correspond to a restoration work conducted in the Western countries, but this intervention does not appear neither in the museum records nor in other historical sources.The aim of this work is to determine the materials used in this restoration work of which very little is known and to understand why these new materials appear in a worse condition of preservation than some of the original ones. Preliminary, in situ , Energy Dispersive X‐ray Fluorescence analyses were performed, and right from the beginning, elements such as Cr, Ba, and Co appear in the spectra of orange, yellow, brown, and blue areas, accusing the anachronism of the used materials. Nineteen microsamples were collected to be analyzed with two different confocal Raman equipments using 514, 532, 638, and 785‐nm laser sources. Interesting results were obtained for the blue decoration of one of the houses: whereas the energy dispersive X‐ray fluorescence spectrum showed the odd combination of Cr, Fe, Co, Cu, and Zn, the Raman spectra indicated mostly the use of Phthalocyanine blue. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cross‐genera transferable e‐microsatellite markers for 12 genera of the Lamiaceae family
Authors: Karaca Mehmet , Ince Ayse Gul , Aydin Adnan , Ay Saadet T 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBackgroundThe Lamiaceae family contains many high‐valued medicinal, aromatic and ornamental plant species. Several members of the genera in this family are under heavy pressure of collection for commercial use. DNA markers such as microsatellites could be used to identify commercially important genotypes and to select high‐yielding ones for development of new varieties.ResultsA total of 12 432 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from Salvia fruticosa, S. miltiorrhiza, S. sclarea and Stenogyne rugosa were analyzed. A total of 6216 ESTs were found to be unique according the redundancy test used. Results of this study indicated that the use of redundant ESTs in comparison to non‐redundant ESTs was advantageous in terms of higher cross‐genera transferability of the markers. A total of 75 EST–microsatellite primer pairs were tested using two different polymerase chain reaction amplification profiles and 52 were found to be cross‐genera transferable. Cross‐genera transferability of the e‐microsatellite primer pairs varied from one species to 12 species tested. It was noted that cross‐genera transferability of e‐microsatellite primer pairs decreased as the evolutionary distance between the sources and target species increased.ConclusionThis study indicated that EST resources from Salvia spp. and Stenogyne rugosa could be successfully used to identify cross‐genera transferable e‐microsatellite markers for uncharacterized genomes of the genera in the Lamiaceae family. These e‐microsatellite markers could allow one to perform comparative analyses of population structure and genomic studies, and facilitate comparative linkage mapping in the genera studied. E‐microsatellite primer pairs reported in this manuscript are equivalent to a total of 135 e‐microsatellite primer pairs since many e‐microsatellite primer pairs show cross‐genera transferability. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
A new Maxwellian view display for trouble‐free accommodation
Authors: Yuuki Akimasa , Itoga Kenji , Satake Tetsuya 
Published: November 2012

AbstractWe studied a new display system that realizes a Maxwellian view. The system is composed of a base display and a fly‐eye lens with micro‐pinholes. This forms ray intersecting points of diameter of 0.8 mm at a viewing distance of 280 mm. It was confirmed that the new display system can extend the depth of field of the human eye system, where the observer sets the ray intersecting point at his pupil.
Head injury and Parkinson's disease: A population‐based study
Authors: Fang Fang , Chen Honglei , Feldman Adina L. , Kamel Freya , Ye Weimin , Wirdefeldt Karin 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBackground:The epidemiological evidence on head injury and the risk of Parkinson's disease (PD) has been inconsistent.Methods:We examined the relation between previous hospitalization for head injury and PD using a population‐based nested case‐control design based on the Swedish National Patient Register from 2001 until 2007, including 18,648 PD cases and 93,240 controls, randomly selected from the general population. Exposure was defined as hospitalization for head injury between 1987 and index date.Results:Overall, previous hospitalization resulting from head injury was associated with an increased risk of PD; this association appeared to be largely explained by head injuries experienced recently, especially within 1 year before PD ascertainment.Conclusions:Our results do not provide convincing evidence for a causal relationship between head injury later in life and PD. © 2012 Movement Disorder Society
An electromyographic study of parkinsonian swallowing and its response to levodopa
Authors: Tawadros Paul B. , Cordato Dennis , Cathers Ian , Burne John A. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBackground:Few studies have investigated the effect of levodopa on parkinsonian swallowing with findings thus far being equivocal.Methods:We used surface electromyography and accelerometry to investigate submental and laryngeal muscle activation during swallowing in 14 parkinsonian subjects before and after levodopa and in 22 age‐matched controls. Our aims were (1) to demonstrate the clinical utility of noninvasive electromyography, (2) to identify electromyographic features of parkinsonian swallowing, and (3) to investigate the effect of levodopa on parkinsonian swallowing.Results:The parkinsonian group showed increased burst amplitudes and durations and increased swallow duration, clearing activity and latency between submental and laryngeal bursts (P < .05) and used more swallows than did controls to consume water boluses (P < .001). Levodopa decreased the latency between submental and laryngeal bursts (P < .05) but did not produce effects on individual muscle bursts.Conclusions:The clinical utility of electrophysiological and biomechanical methods of swallowing assessment was demonstrated. Levodopa tended to normalize the timing of the combined swallow response but not the activity of individual muscles. © 2012 Movement Disorder Society
Effect of the phytotherapeutic agent eviprostat on the bladder in a rat model of bladder overdistension/emptying
Authors: Kawai Yuko , Oka Michiko , Kyotani Junko , Oyama Tatsuya , Matsumoto Seiji , Kakizaki Hidehiro 
Published: November 2012

AbstractAimsIschemia–reperfusion injury is an important factor in the development of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) that is partly mediated by the generation of free radicals. We investigate the effect of the phytotherapeutic agent Eviprostat, a treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) that has antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory activity, on urinary bladder blood flow (BBF), and function in a rat model of bladder overdistension and emptying (OE).MethodsFor 8 days before surgery, OE rats received daily oral Eviprostat (36 mg/kg/day) or vehicle, while sham‐operated animals received vehicle. The bladder was distended by infusion of saline over a period of 2 hr (overdistension) and then emptied. After 24 hr, BBF was measured with a laser speckle blood flow imager. The oxidative‐stress marker malondialdehyde (MDA), proinflammatory cytokines, and myeloperoxidase were determined in the isolated bladder, and histological analysis was performed. Functional contractile responses of bladder strips to electrical field stimulation, carbachol, and KCl were measured.ResultsTwenty‐four hours after bladder OE, a significant decrease in BBF and significant increases in bladder weight, malondialdehyde, proinflammatory cytokines, and myeloperoxidase were observed. Eviprostat almost completely prevented these changes. Histological analysis of the bladder of OE rats showed hemorrhage, accumulation of leukocytes, desquamation of epithelium, and edema, and Eviprostat suppressed these changes. The reduction in functional contractile forces in the bladder of OE rats was also prevented by Eviprostat.ConclusionEviprostat‐mediated suppression of increased bladder oxidative stress and inflammation caused by bladder OE may contribute to the improvement of BBF and bladder function by Eviprostat. Neurourol. Urodynam. 32: 1031–1037, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.