bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rhizofiltration potential of Arundo donax for cadmium and zinc removal from contaminated wastewater
Authors: Dürešová Zuzana , Šuňovská Anna , Horník Miroslav , Pipíška Martin , Gubišová Marcela , Gubiš Jozef , Hostin Stanislav 
Published: July 2014

AbstractThe main aim of the presented work was to design and characterize the rhizofiltration system comprised of giant reed plants (Arundo donax L.), as species with phytoremediation potential, for the removal of cadmium as a toxic metal and zinc as an important microelement from model solutions spiked with radionuclides 109Cd and 65Zn. The possibility of effective cadmium and zinc rhizofiltration by the root system of giant reed plants under continuous flow conditions to achieve complete decontamination was confirmed. The highest 109Cd and 65Zn specific radioactivity (Bq g−1; dry mass) was found in case of plants located near the input of the solution into the system, whereby the radioactivity in the plants decreased in the direction of the solution flow within the system. On the other hand, gradual increasing of the concentration ratio [Cd]shoot: [Cd]root within this horizontal plants location was observed. Individual experiments showed that the efficiency of cadmium rhizofiltration decreased in the order of model solutions: synthetic wastewater (χ = 505 μS cm−1), deionized water (χ = 29.6 μS cm−1), 100 % Hoagland medium (χ = 1675 μS cm−1). The same results were also found in case of zinc rhizofiltration. For the description of cadmium and zinc rhizofiltration processes, the kinetic mathematical models widely applied for sorption processes under continuous flow conditions were successfully used.
Synthesis by UV-curing and characterisation of polyurethane acrylate-lithium salts-based polymer electrolytes in lithium batteries
Authors: Ugur Mustafa , Kılıç Hasan , Berkem Mustafa , Güngör Atilla 
Published: July 2014

AbstractUV-cured caprolactone-based polyurethane acrylate (PUA) polymer blend electrolytes were prepared and characterised. To develop polymer electrolytes suited to ambient temperature, an ionically-conductive and reliable polymer electrolyte based on urethane acrylate resins synthesised from a fluorine-containing di-functional oligomer 6F ethoxylated diacrylate, a di-functional reactive diluent 1,6-hexanediol diacrylate for adjusting the viscosity, and a radical photo-initiator doped with a mixture of lithium salts were used. Free-standing flexible electrolyte films were prepared by UV-curing via free-radical photopolymerisation. The performance of the lithium polymer cell system (Li/PE(F4)/LiCoO2) was determined by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, a galvanostatic recurrent differential pulse, chronocoulometry and chronoamperometry. The electrolyte with optimal amounts of fluorine-containing oligomer and optimal salt mixture content exhibited enhanced conductivity, showing a conductivity of 1.00 × 10−4 S cm−1 at ambient temperature. The specific capacity, specific energy and specific power of a Li/PE(F4)/LiCoO2 cell were also determined.
Ab initio- and density-functional studies of conformational behaviour of N-formylmethionine in gaseous phase
Authors: Das Gunajyoti , Mandal Shilpi 
Published: July 2014

AbstractThe current work is a study of the conformational space of the non-ionic N-formylmethionine molecule around its seven structurally significant internal backbone torsional angles at B3LYP/6-31++G(d,p) levels of theory in the gaseous phase. The potential energy surface exploration reveals that a total of 432 different conformers would result if all the possible combinations of the internal rotations were to be considered. A set of twelve conformers of the N-formylmethionine molecule are then further analysed in terms of their relative stabilities, theoretically predicted harmonic vibrational frequencies, HOMO-LUMO energy gaps, ESP charges, rotational constants and dipole moments calculated using MP2/6-31++G(d,p) and B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) levels. The calculated relative energy-range of the conformers at the MP2 level is 11.08 kcal mol−1 (1 kcal = 4.1868 kJ), whereas the same obtained at the B3LYP level is 10.02 kcal mol−1. The results of this study provide a good account of the role of four types of intramolecular H-bonds, namely O…H—O, O…H—N, O…H—C and N…H—C, in influencing the energies of the conformers as well as their conformational and vibrational spectroscopic aspects. The relative stability order of the conformers appears to depend on the level of theory used while the vibrational frequencies calculated at the B3LYP level are in better agreement with the experimental values.
Physical and water properties of Albeluvisols in the Silesian Lowland (SW Poland)
Authors: Glina Bartłomiej , Jezierski Paweł , Kabała Cezary 
Published: July 2014

AbstractSoil texture, bulk and specific density, total porosity, and the water capacity at pF 0.2.7 were measured in Albeluvisols with more or less pronounced lithological discontinuity. The soil pits were located in the north-eastern part of the Silesian Lowland, on the glacial plain built of till blanketed with cover materials of various origin, mainly sands. Distinct albeluvic tongues with sandy texture and strong stagnic color mosaic at the contact of eluvial and illuvial horizons were identified in all profiles under study. The lowest bulk density was measured in the plough layers, while the highest in subsoil EBw horizons or glossic E/Bt horizons. Total porosity was the largest in plough layers, rapidly decreased in subsoil E horizons and then back increased with depth. Water capacity (at each measured pF value) was strongly correlated mainly with clay content and rapidly raised in E/B horizons. The highest field water capacity was measured in E/Bt horizons at low albeluvic tonguing intensity, or in deeper parts of Bt horizon at larger intensity of albeluvic tonguing into the illuvial horizon. The easily available water stock in the upper 100 cm-thick column of Albeluvisols with lithological discontinuity depends mainly on the depth of transition of eluvial (coarser) and illuvial (finer-textured) zones, similarly to typical Luvisols with the same type of textural (lithological) variability in the soil profile.
Assessment of different methods of soil suitability classification for wheat cultivation
Authors: Sharififar Amin 
Published: July 2014

Abstract This study investigated the impact of soil temperature and soil moisture on the virulence To protect soil resources and also to achieve optimal crop production, it is essential to dedicate the most suitable land to a specific land use. Achieving this goal is possible through land use planning in conjunction with land evaluation. In this study a land suitability evaluation was carried out for wheat (Triticum aestivum) cultivation, and was performed in the Bastam region located in the north east of Iran. 104 soil profiles were sampled and 11 land units were separated. In order to find out the most correct method of physical land suitability evaluation, three methods of combining soil criteria for soil index calculation for wheat production were tested. These methods are based on parametric and maximum limitation approaches, and the results of each method were compared with the observed yield. Ultimately, the maximum limitation method was found to be the best method and was used for classification of the suitability of the study area lands for wheat cultivation. The varying results of applying different ways of evaluation in this study indicate that the accuracy of the method of land evaluation adopted should be checked before using the results for any purposes.
Endoscopic third ventriculostomy and choroid plexus cauterization in infants with hydrocephalus: a retrospective Hydrocephalus Clinical Research Network study
Authors: Kulkarni Abhaya V. , Riva-Cambrin Jay , Browd Samuel R. , Drake James M. , Holubkov Richard , Kestle John R. W. , Limbrick David D. , Rozzelle Curtis J. , Simon Tamara D. , Tamber Mandeep S. , Wellons John C. , Whitehead William E. 
Published: July 2014

Object
The use of endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) with choroid plexus cauterization (CPC) has been advocated as an alternative to CSF shunting in infants with hydrocephalus. There are limited reports of this procedure in the North American population, however. The authors provide a retrospective review of the experience with combined ETV + CPC within the North American Hydrocephalus Clinical Research Network (HCRN).

Methods
All children (< 2 years old) who underwent an ETV + CPC at one of 7 HCRN centers before November 2012 were included. Data were collected retrospectively through review of hospital records and the HCRN registry. Comparisons were made to a contemporaneous cohort of 758 children who received their first shunt at < 2 years of age within the HCRN.

Results
Thirty-six patients with ETV + CPC were included (13 with previous shunt). The etiologies of hydrocephalus were as follows: intraventricular hemorrhage of prematurity (9 patients), aqueductal stenosis (8), myelomeningocele (4), and other (15). There were no major intraoperative or early postoperative complications. There were 2 postoperative CSF infections. There were 2 deaths unrelated to hydrocephalus and 1 death from seizure. In 18 patients ETV + CPC failed at a median time of 30 days after surgery (range 4–484 days). The actuarial 3-, 6-, and 12-month success for ETV + CPC was 58%, 52%, and 52%. Time to treatment failure was slightly worse for the 36 patients with ETV + CPC compared with the 758 infants treated with shunts (p = 0.012). Near-complete CPC (≥ 90%) was achieved in 11 cases (31%) overall, but in 50% (10 of 20 cases) in 2012 versus 6% (1 of 16 cases) before 2012 (p = 0.009). Failure was higher in children with < 90% CPC (HR 4.39, 95% CI 0.999–19.2, p = 0.0501).

Conclusions
The early North American multicenter experience with ETV + CPC in infants demonstrates that the procedure has reasonable safety in selected cases. The degree of CPC achieved might be associated with a surgeon's learning curve and appears to affect success, suggesting that surgeon training might improve results.
Enterococcal Virulence Determinants In Urinary Tract Infection Patients
Authors: Akhter Jabin , Anwar Shaheda , Ahmed Sharmeen 
Published: July 2014

Urinary tract infection caused by Enterococci has become frequent occurrences in health care settings. Currently they emerged with increasing resistance to multiple antibiotics. Haemolysin, gelatinase and biofilm production are some markers that have been proposed as possible Enterococcal virulence factors. In view of the increasing importance of Enterococcal infection, the present study was designed to isolate and identify the Enterococci to the species level from urine of urinary tract infection patients and to investigate their possible virulence factors. Biofilm was detected on polystyrene microtitre plate to see the adherence of microorganism. Haemolysin production and gelatin hydrolysis detected by standard microbiological method. Fifty nine enterococcal isolates were speciated by conventional microbiological method and examined for their ability to form biofilm by microtitre plate assay. In this study, biofilm formations by Enterococci were found in 83.33% isolates from catheterized and 56.09% from non-catheterized patients. Aong them, E.faecalis & 50% E.faecium produced biofilm. About 43.63% E.faecalis & 10% E.faecium produced haemolysin and only one isolate were found to be gelatinase positive. Frequency of virulence factors (VFs) in combination was observed in this study. Two VFs (haemolysin and biofilm) were observed in 27.11% in combination and 3 VFs ( haemolysinm biofilm and gelatinase) were present in 1.69% isolates. These results suggest that although there may not be an absolute role for individual virulence determinants in infectivity, combinations of factors may play a role in allowing a biofilm infection to be more resistant to therapy.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjmm.v6i1.19361 Bangladesh J Med Microbiol 2012; 06(01): 14-17
Antimicrobial Resistance pattern of Common Bacterial Pathogens in Tertiary Care Hospitals in Dhaka City
Authors: Chowdhury Durdana , Jhora Sanya Tahmina , Saha Mili Rani , Nahar Najmun 
Published: July 2014

Bacterial pathogens were isolated from pus, wound swab, urine, blood and throat swab. A total of 300 samples were collected from Sir Salimullah Medical College & Mitford Hospital (SSMC & MH), BIRDEM and National Medical College (NMCH) and processed following standard microbiological methods. Antibiotic susceptibility testing were performed on pure culture isolates by employing Kirby-Bauer disc-diffusion method for the commonly used antibiotics. 326 (93.33%) bacterial pathogens were isolated from 300 patients. Single bacterial pathogen was present in 78% cases and mixed bacterial pathogens were in 15.40% cases. Staphylococcus aureus was the predominant species (38.66%) followed by Escherichia coli (38%), Pseudomonas spp. (13.33%), Proteus spp. (8.33%), CoNS (7.66%), Serratia spp (2.85%), Klebsiella spp. (2.00%) and Acinetobacter spp. (0.97%). Resistance rate towards amoxicillin, ciprofloxacin, co-trimoxazole and ceftriaxone were high among both Gram-positive and Gram-negative isolates. However, both groups showed good susceptibility to gentamicin and levofloxacin. S. aureus and CoNS showed 100% sensitivity to vancomycin and all isolated Gram negative organisms showed 98-100% sensitivity to imipenem.These results indicate that gentamicin and levofloxacin may be convenient alternative antimicrobial agent for both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and vancomycin for Gram positive and imipenem for Gram negative bacteria as well.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjmm.v7i2.19327 Bangladesh J Med Microbiol 2013; 07(02): 13-16
Assessment of the medial collateral ligament as an intra-operative anatomical landmark for tibial plateau levelling osteotomy
Authors: Daubs B. , Bader J. , Silverman E. , Ley B. 
Published: July 2014

SummaryObjectives: To determine whether the medial collateral ligament can be a reliable intra-operative anatomical landmark for rotation of the tibial plateau in the tibial plateau levelling osteotomy (TPLO) procedure, thus providing a tibial plateau rotation equal to that obtained using standard preoperative measurements.Methods: Tibial plateau levelling osteotomy procedures were performed on pelvic limbs (n = 42) from canine cadavers with or without a history of cranial cruciate ligament deficiency. The rotation of the proximal fragment was performed such that the orientation of the fibres of the medial collateral ligament were aligned parallel to the caudal tibial cortex at the location of the osteotomy. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate the difference between calculated rotation to achieve a postoperative tibial plateau angle of five degrees and the actual rotation achieved by aligning the medial collateral ligament and caudal tibial cortex.Results: The rotation performed by alignment of the medial collateral ligament fibres with the caudal tibial cortex resulted in a significantly greater rotation than the calculated movement required to achieve a postoperative angle of five degrees. The mean over-rotation was 2.1 ± 1.73 mm.Clinical significance: Use of the medial collateral ligament alignment with the caudal tibial cortex will reliably result in over-rotation of the tibial plateau and should not be used as an intra-operative guideline for tibial plateau rotation during TPLO procedures.
Calibration and Validation of the 2WIN Photoscreener Compared to the PlusoptiX S12 and the SPOT
Authors: Kirk Stephanie , Armitage M. Diane , Dunn Shelley , Arnold Robert W. 
Published: July 2014

Purpose:
Pediatricians are interested in the amblyopia detection ability of photoscreeners, whereas ophthalmologists ponder their value as autorefractors. The 2WIN (Adaptica, Padova, Italy) is a new device capable of estimating refractive error and ocular alignment by infrared photoscreening.

Methods:
Sequential pediatric eye patients with a high (56% to 60%) prescreening prevalence of amblyopia risk factors were screened with the PlusoptiX S12 (PlusoptiX, Inc., Atlanta, GA), SPOT (PediaVision, Lake Mary, FL), and 2WIN photoscreeners before confirmatory examination adhering to American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus guidelines and Alaska Blind Child Discovery institutional review board protocol. Instrument referral guidelines determined through phase 1 comparison was then applied on additional patients for validation in phase 2.

Results:

Sixty-two children (age: 1 to 10 years, mean: 5.2 years) were screened with all three devices before cycloplegic examination. Refractive results were inconclusive due to pupil size, cooperation, and out-of-range values. Values for sensitivity (91% and 78%), specificity (71% and 59%), and inconclusive rate (10% and 13%) were found for PlusoptiX and SPOT. The 2WIN was calibrated for this age range (phase 1), yielding 71% sensitivity, 67% specificity, and a 5% inconclusive rate. Regression compared to examination for the PlusoptiX, SPOT, and 2WIN, respectively, were sphere (
r
2
: 0.76, 0.87, and 0.58), cylinder power (
r
2
: 0.67, 0.56, and 0.50), and cylinder axis (
r
2
: 0.71, 0.41, and 0.40). A preferred 2WIN instrument criteria set was determined from the receiver operating characteristic curve. In phase 2, with 117 patients comparing 2WIN to PlusoptiX A-09, sensitivity was 73% and 85%, specificity was 76% and 73%, and inconclusive rate was 8% and 12%, respectively. The three instant-interpreting photorefractors performed well on amblyopic children, with the 2WIN having low inconclusive results. The PlusoptiX outperformed the SPOT and 2WIN as an autorefractor, particularly with respect to astigmatism power and axis.

Conclusions:
The new 2WIN is a promising addition to portable photoscreeners for amblyopia detection and estimating refractive error.

[J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus 2014;51(5):289–292.]
Expression of Mutant BMPR‐II in Pulmonary Endothelial Cells Promotes Apoptosis and a Release of Factors that Stimulate Proliferation of Pulmonary Arterial Smooth Muscle Cells
Authors: Yang Xudong , Long Lu , Reynolds Paul N. , Morrell Nicholas W. 
Published: July 2014

Mutations in the bone morphogenetic protein type II receptor gene (BMPR‐II) are the major cause of heritable pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Although both endothelial and smooth muscle cell BMPR‐II dysfunction have been seen to contribute to pulmonary hypertension in vivo, little is known about the impact of BMPR‐II mutation on the interaction between these two important cell types. We employed adenoviral vectors to overexpress wild type or mutant (kinase‐deficient mutation, D485G) BMPR‐II in human pulmonary arterial endothelial cells (PAECs). PAECs transfected with mutant BMPR‐II demonstrated increased susceptibility to apoptosis. Conditioned media from PAECs transfected with mutant BMPR‐II increased the proliferation of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs), when compared with conditioned media from PAECs transfected with wild‐type BMPR‐II. PAECs transfected with mutant BMPR‐II released higher levels of TGF‐β1 and FGF2 into the conditioned media than the wild‐type BMPR‐II‐transfected cells. Conditioned media from PAECs expressing mutant BMPR‐II also showed increased activation of luciferase activity in a TGF‐β bioassay. The increased proliferation observed in PASMCs exposed to conditioned media from PAECs expressing mutant BMPR‐II was inhibited by neutralizing the antibodies to TGF‐β1, or small molecule inhibitors of ALK‐5 (SD208) or FGFR1 (SU5402). We conclude that mutation in BMPR‐II increases susceptibility to apoptosis of PAECs and leads to secretion of growth factors that stimulate the proliferation of PASMCs. These processes may contribute to the remodeling of pulmonary arteries observed in patients with familial or heritable PAH.
Is Peroxisome Proliferator‐Activated Receptor Gamma (PPARγ) a Therapeutic Target for the Treatment of Pulmonary Hypertension?
Authors: Green David E. , Sutliff Roy L. , Hart C. Michael 
Published: July 2014

Pulmonary hypertension (PH), a progressive disorder associated with significant morbidity and mortality, is caused by complex pathways that culminate in structural and functional alterations of the pulmonary circulation and increases in pulmonary vascular resistance and pressure. Diverse genetic, pathological, or environmental triggers stimulate PH pathogenesis culminating in vasoconstriction, cell proliferation, vascular remodeling, and thrombosis. We conducted a thorough literature review by performing MEDLINE searches via PubMed to identify articles pertaining to PPARΓ as a therapeutic target for the treatment of PH. This review examines basic and preclinical studies that explore PPARΓ and its ability to regulate PH pathogenesis. Despite the current therapies that target specific pathways in PH pathogenesis, including prostacyclin derivatives, endothelin‐receptor antagonists, and phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors, morbidity and mortality related to PH remain unacceptably high, indicating the need for novel therapeutic approaches. Consequently, therapeutic targets that simultaneously regulate multiple pathways involved in PH pathogenesis have gained attention. This review focuses on peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma (PPARΓ), a member of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily of ligand‐activated transcription factors. While the PPARγ receptor is best known as a master regulator of lipid and glucose metabolism, a growing body of literature demonstrates that activation of PPARγ exerts antiproliferative, antithrombotic, and vasodilatory effects on the vasculature, suggesting its potential efficacy as a PH therapeutic target.
Doppler‐Defined Pulmonary Hypertension in Medical Intensive Care Unit Patients: Retrospective Investigation of Risk Factors and Impact on Mortality
Authors: Stamm Jason A. , McVerry Bryan J. , Mathier Michael A. , Donahoe Michael P. , Saul Melissa I. , Gladwin Mark T. 
Published: July 2014

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is poorly characterized in the critically ill. No prior studies describe the burden of or outcomes associated with PH in a general medical intensive care unit population. We hypothesize that PH is an important comorbidity prevalent in the modern medical intensive care unit. We undertook a preliminary investigation to define the consequences of Doppler‐defined PH in the critically ill. A single‐center retrospective case–control study of medical intensive care patients admitted over a 1‐year period was conducted. Eligible patients had an echocardiogram within 4 days of admission. PH was defined to include both pulmonary arterial and venous hypertension and required a tricuspid regurgitant jet velocity ≥3 m/sec. Cases and controls were compared for comorbidities, illness severity, diagnoses, and mortality. Multivariable regression was performed to identify clinical features associated with PH and mortality. 299 (21% of admissions) patients had an eligible echocardiogram. Patients with PH (N=126) had a higher unadjusted mortality than did controls (N=173) (37% vs. 25%, P=0.04) and PH remained significantly associated with mortality after controlling for other clinical factors (HR=1.59, 95% CI=1.03‐2.44, P=0.036). Low ejection fraction (OR=2.21, 95% CI=1.19‐4.11, P=0.012) and pulmonary embolism (OR=4.28, 95% CI=1.59‐11.5, P=0.004) were independently associated with PH. Doppler‐defined PH is associated with mortality in the critically ill. Prospective studies are needed to define the prevalence of pulmonary venous hypertension versus pulmonary arterial hypertension, and the clinical consequences of each, in a general medical intensive care unit population.