bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of reduced food intake on toxicokinetics of halogenated organic contaminants in herring gull (Larus argentatus) chicks
Authors: Routti Heli , Helgason Lisa Bjørnsdatter , Arukwe Augustine , Wolkers Hans , Heimstad Eldbjørg Sofie , Harju Mikael , Berg Vidar , Gabrielsen Geir Wing 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate how contaminant exposure and reduced food intake affect tissue distribution and biotransformation of halogenated organic contaminants (HOCs) in Arctic seabirds using herring gull (Larus argentatus) as a model species. Herring gull chicks were exposed for 44 d to cod liver oil containing a typical mixture of contaminants. Following exposure, food intake was reduced for a one-week period in a subgroup of the chicks. Polyclorinated biphenyls, organochlorine pesticides, and brominated flame retardants, as well as a wide range of hydroxy, methyl sulfone, and methoxy compounds were measured in liver, brain, and plasma samples. Additionally, phase I biotransformation enzyme activities and phase I and II messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression were investigated in the liver, brain, or both. Both contaminant exposure and reduced food intake had an increasing effect on the concentrations of HOCs and their metabolites. The HOC exposure and reduced food intake also led to increased 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylation (EROD) activity, whereas mRNA expression of the biotransformation enzymes increased only following the reduced food intake. Tissue distribution of HOCs and their metabolites was not affected by either contaminant exposure or reduced food intake. In conclusion, the results indicate that biotransformation capacity and formation of HOC metabolites increase during reduced food intake. This finding supports the hypothesis that reduced food intake increases the susceptibility of Arctic animals to the effects of lipophilic HOCs. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2013;32:156–164. © 2012 SETAC
Metal distribution in tissues of free-range chickens near a lead–zinc mine in Kabwe, Zambia
Authors: Yabe John , Nakayama Shouta M.M. , Ikenaka Yoshinori , Muzandu Kaampwe , Choongo Kennedy , Mainda Geoffrey , Kabeta Matthew , Ishizuka Mayumi , Umemura Takashi 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
Concentrations of Pb, Cd, and other metals in tissues of 17 free-range and 32 commercial broiler chickens from the Kabwe mining town in Zambia were determined. Mean concentrations of Pb and Cd exceeded maximum levels for human consumption in some organs including muscle (Pb only) in free-range chickens, in contrast to low levels in broiler chickens. Human consumers in Kabwe could be exposed to Pb and Cd in free-range chickens. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2013;32:189–192. © 2012 SETAC
INSOL Europe's Proposals on Groups of Companies (in Cross‐Border Insolvency): A Critical Appraisal
Authors: Mevorach Irit 
Published: October 2012

AbstractInternational bodies have started addressing the problem of cross‐border insolvency of corporate groups fairly recently. The United Nations Commission on International Trade Law has adopted a set of recommendations and the European Commission may tackle the matter in the near future, in the process of revising the European Insolvency Regulation (the ‘Regulation’). It is, therefore, timely to evaluate major proposals for the Regulation's amendment regarding groups, suggested by INSOL Europe. The paper critically evaluates the proposals regarding coordination of group cases and the concept of substantive consolidation. This evaluation takes account of both the variety of possible group structures and the goals the insolvency regime would aim to achieve. Copyright © 2012 INSOL International and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
No beneficial effect of intrathecal methylprednisolone acetate in postherpetic neuralgia patients
Authors: Rijsdijk M. , van Wijck A.J.M. , Meulenhoff P.C.W. , Kavelaars A. , van der Tweel I. , Kalkman C.J. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractBackgroundHigh efficacy of intrathecal methylprednisolone acetate (MPA) with lidocaine has been reported in a large patient group suffering from intractable postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). Because the treatment effect was never independently confirmed and there are ongoing safety concerns, intrathecal MPA did not become standard care for intractable PHN. We report the results of a replication trial assessing pain relief and spinal cytokine/chemokine levels in PHN patients.MethodsThe number of patients to be included was determined using sequential analysis to limit patient exposure to the invasive experimental treatment. Patients were randomized to the treatment group receiving MPA 60 mg + lidocaine 60 mg or control group receiving lidocaine 60 mg only. Four injections at 7‐day intervals were administered after cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collection to measure cytokine/chemokine levels. Visual analogue scores for pain and the square allodynic area were collected during follow‐up, with the primary end point set at 8 weeks follow‐up.ResultsIn total, 10 patients were included, of whom six were randomized to the treatment group. All six MPA‐treated patients experienced a pain increase at 8 weeks, versus one of four patients in the control group. The square allodynic area increased in four of six MPA‐treated patients versus one of four control patients. CSF interleukin‐8 levels remained stable in the control group, but increased significantly after the first intrathecal MPA injection. The trial was stopped because of safety concerns and futility.ConclusionConsidering the absence of clinical benefits and the potential risks of the treatment, intrathecal administration of MPA is not recommended.
Fibroblast growth factor control of cartilage homeostasis
Authors: Ellman M.B. , Yan D. , Ahmadinia K. , Chen D. , An H.S. , Im H.J. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractOsteoarthritis (OA) and degenerative disc disease (DDD) are similar diseases involving the breakdown of cartilage tissue, and a better understanding of the underlying biochemical processes involved in cartilage degeneration may allow for the development of novel biologic therapies aimed at slowing the disease process. Three members of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family, FGF‐2, FGF‐18, and FGF‐8, have been implicated as contributing factors in cartilage homeostasis. The role of FGF‐2 is controversial in both articular and intervertebral disc (IVD) cartilage as it has been associated with species‐ and age‐dependent anabolic or catabolic events. Recent evidence suggests that FGF‐2 selectively activates FGF receptor 1 (FGFR1) to exert catabolic effects in human articular chondrocytes and IVD tissue via upregulation of matrix‐degrading enzyme production, inhibition of extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation and proteoglycan synthesis, and clustering of cells characteristic of arthritic states. FGF‐18, on the other hand, most likely exerts anabolic effects in human articular chondrocytes by activating the FGFR3 pathway, inducing ECM formation and chondrogenic cell differentiation, and inhibiting cell proliferation. These changes result in dispersed chondrocytes or disc cells surrounded by abundant matrix. The role of FGF‐8 has recently been identified as a catabolic mediator in rat and rabbit articular cartilage, but its precise biological impact on human adult articular cartilage or IVD tissue remains unknown. The available evidence reveals the promise of FGF‐2/FGFR1 antagonists, FGF‐18/FGFR3 agonists, and FGF‐8 antagonists (i.e., anti‐FGF‐8 antibody) as potential therapies to prevent cartilage degeneration and/or promote cartilage regeneration and repair in the future. J. Cell. Biochem. 114: 735–742, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Evaluation of retrobulbar blood flow by color doppler ultrasonography after intravitreal ranibizumab injection in patients with neovascular age‐related macular degeneration
Authors: Bayezit Sakalar Yildirim , Senturk Senem , Yildirim Mine , Keklikci Ugur , Fuat Alakus Mehmet , Unlu Kaan 
Published: October 2012

AbstractPurpose.This study aimed to evaluate the changes in retrobulbar blood flow by using color Doppler sonography in patients who had undergone intravitreal ranibizumab injection for neovascular age‐related macular degeneration (AMD).Methods.The study comprised 37 AMD patients who had undergone intravitreal 0.5 mg ranibizumab injection. The ophthalmic artery, central retinal artery, and short lateral posterior ciliary artery of both eyes of patients were evaluated by color Doppler sonography. Peak systolic velocity, end‐diastolic velocity, and resistance index were calculated before injection, and after injection on day 7 and day 30. The pre‐ and postinjection values were compared using Wilcoxon signed rank test.Results.In a comparison with the preinjection values of peak systolic velocity, end‐diastolic velocity, and resistance index, the postinjection values at both day 7 and day 30 showed no statistically significant difference in ophthalmic artery, lateral posterior ciliary artery, and central retinal artery (p > 0.05). Similarly, for the same parameters, pre‐ and postinjection values in the uninjected fellow eye showed no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05).Conclusions.Intravitreal ranibizumab injection for neovascular AMD does not cause a significant change in the retrobulbar blood flow in either the injected eye or the fellow eye. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 2013
Adipose tissue MRI for quantitative measurement of central obesity
Authors: Poonawalla Aziz H. , Sjoberg Brett P. , Rehm Jennifer L. , Hernando Diego , Hines Catherine D. , Irarrazaval Pablo , Reeder Scott B. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractPurpose:To validate adipose tissue magnetic resonance imaging (atMRI) for rapid, quantitative volumetry of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and total adipose tissue (TAT).Materials and Methods:Data were acquired on normal adults and clinically overweight girls with Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval/parental consent using sagittal 6‐echo 3D‐spoiled gradient‐echo (SPGR) (26‐sec single‐breath‐hold) at 3T. Fat‐fraction images were reconstructed with quantitative corrections, permitting measurement of a physiologically based fat‐fraction threshold in normals to identify adipose tissue, for automated measurement of TAT, and semiautomated measurement of VAT. TAT accuracy was validated using oil phantoms and in vivo TAT/VAT measurements validated with manual segmentation. Group comparisons were performed between normals and overweight girls using TAT, VAT, VAT‐TAT‐ratio (VTR), body‐mass‐index (BMI), waist circumference, and waist‐hip‐ratio (WHR).Results:Oil phantom measurements were highly accurate (<3% error). The measured adipose fat‐fraction threshold was 96% ± 2%. VAT and TAT correlated strongly with manual segmentation (normals r2 ≥ 0.96, overweight girls r2 ≥ 0.99). VAT segmentation required 30 ± 11 minutes/subject (14 ± 5 sec/slice) using atMRI, versus 216 ± 73 minutes/subject (99 ± 31 sec/slice) manually. Group discrimination was significant using WHR (P < 0.001) and VTR (P = 0.004).Conclusion:The atMRI technique permits rapid, accurate measurements of TAT, VAT, and VTR. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2013;37:707–716. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
R2* estimation using “in‐phase” echoes in the presence of fat: The effects of complex spectrum of fat
Authors: Hernando Diego , Kühn Jens‐Peter , Mensel Birger , Völzke Henry , Puls Ralf , Hosten Norbert , Reeder Scott B. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractPurpose:To investigate R2* mapping robustness in the presence of fat using in‐phase echoes, without and with spectral modeling of fat (single‐peak and multipeak models, respectively), using varying numbers of echoes.Materials and Methods:Data from 88 volunteers (men/women: 52/36, ages: 55.4 ± 12.2) were randomly chosen according to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) liver fat‐fraction (%), and classified into six fat‐fraction groups (1: 20 cases, 0%–<10%; 2: 20 cases, 10%–<20%; 3: 20 cases, 20%–<30%; 4: 20 cases, 30%–<40%; 5: 8 cases >40% liver fat; 6: subcutaneous fat from all cases). R2* maps obtained from five in‐phase echoes (echo times: 4.8–23.8 msec) were retrospectively reconstructed using single‐peak and multipeak fat modeling. R2* maps were also calculated using different numbers (2–5) of echoes.Results:Multipeak fat corrected R2* mapping is feasible from in‐phase echoes, with noise performance comparable to single‐peak R2* when using ≥4 echoes. Single‐peak R2* showed poor robustness to varying echo time combinations in the presence of fat, where using few echoes resulted in large errors. These errors can be reduced using more echoes, or fully corrected using multipeak fat modeling. The mean R2* increased significantly with increasing fat‐fraction when using single‐peak R2* for any TE combination (P < 0.001), but did not vary when using multipeak R2* for any TE combination (P ≥ 0.158).Conclusion:R2* mapping uncorrected for spectral complexity of fat contains protocol and fat‐dependent errors (lack of robustness) in tissues with high fat content. Accounting for complex fat spectrum improves robustness and accuracy of signal fitting, with modest noise performance loss. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2013;37:717–726. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
MR enterography findings in abdominopelvic extraintestinal complications of Crohn's disease
Authors: Mazziotti Silvio , Blandino Alfredo , Scribano Emanuele , Gaeta Michele , Mileto Achille , Fries Walter , Bombaci Francesco , Ascenti Giorgio 
Published: October 2012

AbstractMR of the small bowel is a useful technique for the evaluation of both intraluminal and extraluminal pathologic involvement of the small bowel in patients with Crohn's disease. Crohn's disease is associated with a range of extraintestinal complications that sometimes may be the initial presenting symptoms. Some of these extraintestinal complications may not correlate with disease activity, but in general, they tend to follow the clinical course of disease and may have a high impact on life quality, morbidity, and even mortality in these patients. Our purpose is to describe some abdominopelvic extraintestinal complications of Crohn's disease, such as hepatopancreatobiliary, genitourinary, musculoskeletal, peritoneal, and lymph‐nodal, detectable at MR enterography. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2013;37:1055–1063. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Improving spatial temperature estimates by resort to time autoregressive processes
Authors: Joly Daniel , Cardot Hervé , Schaumberger Andreas 
Published: October 2012

AbstractTemperature estimation methods usually involve regression followed by kriging of residuals (residual kriging). Despite the performance of such models, there is invariably a residual which is not necessarily unpredictable because it may still be correlated in time. We set out to analyse such residuals through resort to autoregressive processes. It is shown that the optimal period varies depending on whether it is identified by functions of the form resd = f(resd−1, resd−2, …, resd−p) or by partial correlations. Autoregressive processes significantly improve estimates, which are evaluated by cross‐validations. Finally, the two following points are discussed: (1) the assumptions of the autoregressive model on the residuals (the assumptions of linearity, stationarity of space and time are verified empirically) and (2) the identification of the days for which the introduction of this model is really interesting.
Consumers’ Reactions to a Celebrity Endorser Scandal
Authors: Fong Candy P. S. , Wyer Robert S. 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACTThis research examined the impact of a widely publicized celebrity scandal on consumers’ attitudes toward the involved celebrities and the products they endorsed. Special attention is placed on the interplay between consumers’ perceptions of the celebrities’ responsibilities for the events that occurred, their affective reactions to both the events and the celebrities, and their consequent reactions to the products that the celebrities endorsed. The use of a real celebrity scandal permitted the effects of several variables to be identified that are normally not taken into account, including individuals’ a priori liking for the celebrities, perceptions of the scandal's impact on both the involved celebrities and the society, individuals’ own involvement in scandal‐related activities. These and other effects were evaluated using structural equation modeling. Two parallel analyses, one for each celebrity, fit the model well and provided insight into the processes that potentially mediate the effects of a celebrity scandal on product evaluations.
Preparation and characterization of chitosan/montmorillonite‐K10 nanocomposites films for food packaging applications
Authors: Kasirga Yasemin , Oral Ayhan , Caner Cengiz 
Published: October 2012

AbstractChitosan (CS)/montmorillonite‐K10 (MMTK‐10) clay composite films with different amounts of the clay MMTK‐10 (0.5, 1, 2.5, and 5%) were prepared using a solution‐casting method, and their properties were determined. The objective of this study is to prepare CS/clay nanocomposites and then to investigate the effects of clay content on mechanical, barrier, and thermal properties of these nanocomposites. The prepared films were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction analysis, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Barrier properties (oxygen and water permeability), mechanical properties (tensile strength and elongation), and thermal behaviors (thermogravimetric analysis) were investigated and compared. The water vapor and gas permeability values of the composite films decreased significantly with increasing filler concentration. Tensile strength of the composites increased significantly with the addition of clay, and elongation at break decreased with increasing clay concentration. The tensile strength of nanocomposites is up to 34.82 MPa for 5 wt% clay content, and the tensile modulus shows a 74.63% higher value than that of neat CS. The resulting films had an opaque appearance, which depended on the amount of MMTK‐10 added. The oxygen permeability decreased with the increase in MMTK‐10. The minimum oxygen permeability (1.54 cm3/m2 day atm) was recorded for film with 5% MMTK‐10. The water permeability of the composite films decreased significantly between 13 and 22% when clay was added. The dispersed clay improves the thermal stability and enhances the hardness and elastic modulus of the matrix systematically with the increased loading of clay. POLYM. COMPOS., 33:1874–1882, 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers
Polymer structure and morphology of low density polyethylene filled with silica nanoparticles
Authors: Olmos Dania , Rodríguez‐Gutiérrez Eugenio , González‐Benito Javier 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThe effect of silica nanoparticles on structure and morphology of low density polyethylene (LDPE) was investigated. To prepare the nanocomposites, SiO2 nanoparticles were dispersed in a LDPE with cryogenic high‐energy ball milling (HEBM). Films of these nanocomposites with different loads (0%, 1.8%, 2.3%, 3.3%, 7.9%, 16.5% wt/wt) were obtained by hot pressing. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to study the nonisothermal melting and crystallization of the films. The morphological characterization was done by atomic force microscopy (AFM). To determine the most representative periodical spacing associated to the LDPE crystallites, a new approach based on the first moment of the frequency distribution obtained from the fast Fourier transform of the AFM phase contrast images was used. Ultracryomicrotomed surfaces of the nanocomposites revealed an efficient dispersion of the nanoparticles throughout the polymer bulk. Although HEBM promotes the formation of the metastable monoclinic phase in the LDPE, nanocomposites in the form of films did not show important differences in their thermal and morphological characteristics, suggesting that there are not high interactions between the polar nanoparticles and the nonpolar polymer and that thermal treatment is enough to eliminate the specific microstructure induced by HEBM. POLYM. COMPOS., 33:2009–2021, 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers
Improvements in the Separation Capabilities of Sequential Injection Chromatography: Determination of Intracellular Dissolved Free Amino Acid Profiles in Three Taxonomic Groups of Microalgae
Authors: Rigobello‐Masini Marilda , Masini Jorge C. 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACTIntroductionDissolved free amino acids (DFAA) in intracellular extracts of marine microalgae can be determined by sequential injection chromatography (SIC). This technique uses portable, low‐cost instrumentation but its applications have been limited to short monolithic columns because of components not resistant to high pressures.ObjectiveTo develop a SIC method for determination of DFAA by exploring an instrument modified to handle pressures of 1000 psi.MethodThe method was based on pre‐column derivatisation of the amino acids with o‐phthalaldehyde and 2‐mercaptoethanol in borate buffer (pH 9.4), separation and fluorimetric detection (λexcitation = 340 and λemission = 450 nm). Separation was achieved by stepwise gradient elution using six mobile phases. The first elution step used a mobile phase composed of methanol:tetrahydrofuran:10 mm phosphate buffer (pH 7.2) at a volumetric ratio of 8:1:91. Additional elution steps used mobile phases containing methanol and 10 mM phosphate buffer at ratios of 17.5:82.5, 25:75, 35:65, 50:50 and 65:35.ResultsNineteen chromatographic peaks were observed in a mixture of 20 amino acids. The only complete co‐elution was between tryptophan and methionine. Detection limits varied from 0.10 µm for isoleucine to 1.5 µm for lysine. Recoveries from spiked extracts were between 84 and 131%.ConclusionResolutions of the amino acid pairs glutamine and histidine, valine and phenylalanine, and isoleucine and leucine were 1.5, 0.75 and 1.3, respectively. The proposed method found different profiles of DFAA among the three species of algae, suggesting its adequacy for metabolic studies. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Metabolome Classification of Brassica napus L. Organs via UPLC–QTOF–PDA–MS and Their Anti‐oxidant Potential
Authors: Farag Mohamed A. , Sharaf Eldin Mohamed G. , Kassem Hanaa , Abou el Fetouh Mohamed 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACTIntroductionBrassica napus L. is a crop widely grown for its oil production and other nutritional components in the seed. In addition to the seed, other organs contain a wide range of phenolic metabolites although they have not been investigated to the same extent as in seeds.ObjectiveTo define and compare the phytochemical composition of B. napus L. organs, namely the root, stem, leaf, inflorescence and seeds.MethodNon‐targeted metabolomic analysis via UPLC–QTOF–MS was utilised in order to localise compounds belonging to various chemical classes (i.e. oxygenated fatty acids, flavonols, phenolic acids and sinapoyl choline derivatives).ResultsThe vast majority of identified metabolites were flavonol glycosides that accumulated in most of the plant organs. Whereas other classes were detected predominantly in specific organs, i.e. sinapoyl cholines were present uniquely in seeds. Furthermore, variation in the accumulation pattern of metabolites from the same class was observed, particularly in the case of quercetin, kaempferol and isorhamnetin flavonols. Anti‐oxidant activity, based on 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhdrazyl analysis was observed for all extracts, and correlated to some extent with total flavonoid content.ConclusionThis study provides the most complete map for polyphenol composition in B. napus L. organs. By describing the metabolites profile in B. napus L., this study provides the basis for future investigations of seeds for potential health and/or medicinal use. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.