bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Case Report of a Successful Monochorionic Diamniotic Twin Pregnancy in a Patient Affected by Sickle Cell Disease Treated With Erythrocytapheresis
Authors: Motta Serena , Perseghin Paolo , Consonni Sara , Regalia Anna L , Masera Nicoletta 
Published: February 2010

AbstractWe describe a monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancy in a 28‐year‐old woman with a severe form of sickle cell disease periodically treated with erythrocytapheresis (EA). During this high risk pregnancy, two sessions of EA were performed without complications, and pain control and fetal growth were optimal. Delivery was carried out by emergency cesarean section at 29+3 weeks' gestation due to initial fetal distress following twin‐to‐twin transfusion. There were no significant complications for the newborn twins and the post‐partum course was regular. The patient underwent a further EA 7 weeks after surgery. Close collaboration between obstetricians and hematologists with careful maternal‐fetal monitoring and prophylactic EA during pregnancy led to a favorable outcome despite a low maternal body weight, a twin pregnancy, and a severe form of sickle cell disease.
DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF A LOOP‐MEDIATED ISOTHERMAL AMPLIFICATION (LAMP) METHOD FOR DETECTING LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES IN RAW MILK
Authors: WANG DEGUO , HUO GUICHENG , REN DAXI , LI YONGGANG 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACT The performance of a Loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for detecting food‐borne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes was presented in this paper. Three pairs of primers were specially designed for recognizing eight distinct sequences of iap gene (P60 extracellular protein, invasion associated protein IAP). Time and temperature conditions for amplification of L. monocytogenes were optimized to be 40 min at 63C. Detection limit level for artificially contaminated raw milk samples by the LAMP assay was 186 cfu/mL corresponding to 8–10 cells per reaction tube, while the detection level by conventional PCR was 1.86 × 105 cfu/mL. Data on natural raw milk samples indicated that the LAMP method was highly specific and sensitive, giving 91.67% concordance with the ISO 10560 reference method for the samples without enrichment and 100% concordance after enrichment.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONThe LAMP method in this paper provided a powerful tool with the specificity, sensitivity and rapidity for detection of Listeria monocytogenes in raw milk.
FUNGI AND PATULIN IN APPLES AND THE ROLE OF PROCESSING ON PATULIN LEVELS IN JUICES: A STUDY ON NATURALLY CONTAMINATED APPLES
Authors: WELKE JULIANE ELISA , HOELTZ MICHELE , DOTTORI HORACIO ALBERTO , NOLL ISA BEATRIZ 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to determine the predominant fungal species, including toxigenic strains, patulin levels in apples used for juice production and in produced juices. The possibility of use of apple highly contaminated with patulin to produce juice with lower patulin levels than the limit permitted by Codex Alimentarius was also checked. Sixteen lots of apples and juices were analyzed. The most prevalent fungal population was Penicillium spp. (93%) followed by the Aspergillus spp. (3.5%) and the Rhizopus spp. (3.5%). The mycoflora of apples was composed mainly of species that produce patulin. P. expansum was identified as the most frequently isolated species (66%). Species able to produce patulin were P. expansum and P. griseofulvum. Patulin levels in apples from cold storage ranged from 254.6 to 653.4 µg/kg. Apple juice processing caused average reduction of 95% in patulin levels. Patulin levels ranged from 14.3 to 46.7 µg/L in apple juices. In all samples were found patulin levels lower than the limit of 50 µg/L considered acceptable by the Codex Alimentarius Commission.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSThis study was performed to define the mycoflora of apples and patulin levels in apples that were used for juice production. This approach is useful to evaluate the quality of apples and the effect of processing on patulin to determine if the toxin level can be managed through postharvest procedures. Besides, information about patulin levels in juices is important to contribute for establishing national regulation.
EFFECT OF DIFFERENT SANITIZING METHODS AND INCUBATION TIME AND TEMPERATURE ON INACTIVATION OF ESCHERICHIA COLI ON LETTUCE
Authors: ÖLMEZ H. 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACT The goal of this study was to compare the antimicrobial activities of different sanitizing treatments and to assess the effects of incubation time and temperature on the efficacy of ozone treatment against Escherıchıa coli attached to lettuce. Lettuce leaves were inoculated to contain a predetermined initial level of E. coli, held overnight at 4C, and treated with the following sanitizers: 100 ppm sodium hypochlorite; 0.25% citric acid plus 0.50% ascorbic acid; bubbling ozone; and 1.5 ppm ozone. The combination of citric acid and ascorbic acid dip for 2 min resulted in the least microbial reduction. Dipping into 1.5 ppm ozonated water proved to be less effective than bubbling ozone for 2 min. Moreover, treatment with bubbling ozone was found to be as effective as sodium hypochlorite solution. It was observed that, for short exposure times (2–5 min), the temperature (4–20C) of the washing water did not have a significant effect on the activity of ozone in terms of E. coli inactivation. Prior incubation time and temperature of inoculated lettuce leaves were shown to have a significant effect on the efficacy of the sanitizing treatment. Scanning electron microscopy images were used to visualize the E. coli populations on lettuce.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSThe effects of incubation time and incubation temperature on the efficacy of sanitizing treatments applied in artificially inoculated lettuce samples were evaluated using E. coli as the model microorganism. This study demonstrates the importance of the inoculation method applied in assessing the effectiveness of a sanitizing method. Moreover, the effect of ozone treatment in comparison with the sodium hypochlorite and organic acid treatments that are currently being used by the industry for the disinfection of fresh‐cut vegetables were evaluated.
PREDICTING THE COMBINED EFFECT OF ZATARIA MULTIFLORA ESSENTIAL OIL, PH AND TEMPERATURE ON THE GROWTH OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS USING ARTIFICIAL NEURAL NETWORKS
Authors: RAOUFY MOHAMMAD REZA , GHARIBZADEH SHAHRIAR , RADMEHR BEHRAD , KHAKSAR RAMIN , HOSSEINI HEDAYAT 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACTZataria multiflora is a plant belonging to the Laminaceae family that grows in Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Although artificial neural network is a sophisticated novel method in predictive microbiology, no study has been fulfilled on Z. multiflora. Therefore, the present study is undertaken to predict the effects of Z. multiflora essential oil (EO), temperature and pH on the probability percentage of growth initiation of Staphylococcus aureus using artificial neural network. For validating the artificial neural network, we used test data which were not utilized for training. For determining the ability of artificial neural network, we obtained the Pearson's correlation between artificial neural network output and experimental log P% (r = 0.998 and P < 0.0001). In conclusion, taking into consideration the importance of S. aureus in food microbiology and the antimicrobial effects of the EOs which are commonly used for flavoring, the development of artificial neural network models are beneficial in order to predict the effects of Z. multiflora EO, temperature and pH on the probability percentage of growth initiation of S. aureus.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Staphylococcus aureus is an important pathogen in food safety. Staphylococcal food poisoning is widespread and quite frequent. It is also among the four most common causes of foodborne illnesses. One of the most important purposes of food safety is inhibition of this microorganism growth.Substitution of traditional food preservatives by natural ones is a growing interest in food safety. Essential oils are aromatic oily liquid obtained from plant material. Plant essential oils (EOs) have varying degrees of antimicrobial activity. On the other hand, predictive microbiology is an essential element of modern food microbiology and offers to provide a scientific foundation to meet the ongoing needs of food safety. Over the last few years, artificial neural networks have been proposed as nonlinear modeling techniques in predictive microbiology.
OCCURRENCE OF AFLATOXINS IN PISTACHIO NUTS IN ESFAHAN PROVINCE OF IRAN
Authors: POUR R. SARHANG , RASTI M. , ZIGHAMIAN H. , GARMAKHANI A. DARAEI 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACT Aflatoxins (AFs) are highly toxic and carcinogenic secondary fungal metabolites and have been detected in various food commodities including pistachio nuts. One hundred samples of pistachio nuts, purchased from retail shops and local markets in Esfahan province of Iran from September to November 2007, were analyzed for AFs content by immunoaffinity column (IAC) cleanup with liquid chromatography and fluorescence detection. Results showed that the frequency of total AFs (AFT), aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), aflatoxin B2, aflatoxin G1 and aflatoxin G2 in pistachio samples were 95, 95, 42, 64 and 28%, respectively. Thirty‐six and 29% of pistachio nuts exceeded the maximum tolerable limit (5 and 15 µg/kg) set for AFB1 and AFT by European Union regulations, respectively. The present paper is the first report on the natural occurrence of AFs in available pistachio nuts from retail shops in Esfahan province of Iran. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSThe goal of the Health and Hygienic Ministry of Iran is to increase public health and so they schedule programs such as Good Manufacturing Practice and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point to achieve this goal. Pistachio nut is one of the popular commodities that are consumed in high amounts during special periods (Norows holiday), and so, the exposure of this product increased. In this work, we determined the amount of aflatoxin contamination in Esfahan pistachio nuts samples that were gathered from retail shops and local markets by high‐performance liquid chromatography method. This work showed that keeping nuts under uncontrolled condition will lead to contamination. Our work showed the necessity of full consideration and permanent supervision of local markets. It is useful as a set‐up method for the determination of aflatoxin contamination in nuts and it can be used for other nuts and dried fruits sample.
The CAP and EU Enlargement: A Missed Opportunity  La PAC et l’élargissement de l’Union européenne : une opportunité manquée  Die GAP und die EU‐Erweiterung: Eine verpasste Gelegenheit
Authors: Hubbard Carmen , Gorton Matthew , Hubbard Lionel 
Published: February 2010

SummaryThe CAP and EU Enlargement: A Missed OpportunityAccession of Central and Eastern European countries failed to prompt a widespread review of agricultural and rural policy within the European Union. Despite the unprecedented scale and scope of the accession, the existing policy regime was preserved. Rather than fostering European integration through mutual adaptation, a process of emulation ensured that it was the task of acceding countries to adjust to the EU. Under the Common Agricultural Policy, the centrality of Pillar I and its main instrument, direct payments, remain intact. Even under Pillar II, farm‐centric measures dominate. This fosters a poor match between the CAP and the real rural development needs of the New Member States. Mitigation of the structural problems confronting rural areas in CEE is critical to meeting the challenge of effective EU integration. Insufficient reform prior to accession is likely to entrench, at least in the short to medium term, a farm‐centric CAP in CEE, delivering minimal benefits to those most in need, and hindering wider adjustment of EU agricultural and rural policy. That these issues have not been adequately addressed reflects a failure of the EU to adjust its outlook from being exclusively West European to pan‐European.
Differential age‐related changes in motor unit properties between elbow flexors and extensors
Authors: Dalton B. H. , Jakobi J. M. , Allman B. L. , Rice C. L. 
Published: February 2010

AbstractAim:  Healthy adult ageing of the human neuromuscular system is comprised of changes that include atrophy, weakness and slowed movements with reduced spinal motor neurone output expressed by lower motor unit discharge rates (MUDRs). The latter observation has been obtained mostly from hand and lower limb muscles. The purpose was to determine the extent to which elbow flexor and extensor contractile properties, and MUDRs in six old (83 ± 4 years) and six young (24 ± 1 years) men were affected by age, and whether any adaptations were similar for both muscle groups.Methods:  Maximal isometric voluntary contraction (MVC), voluntary activation, twitch contractile properties, force–frequency relationship and MUDRs from sub‐maximal to maximal intensities were assessed in the elbow flexors and extensors.Results:  Both flexor and extensor MVCs were significantly (P < 0.05) less (∼42% and ∼46% respectively) in the old than in the young. Contractile speeds and the force–frequency relationship did not show any age‐related differences (P > 0.05). For the elbow flexors contraction duration was ∼139 ms and for the extensors it was ∼127 ms for both age groups (P > 0.05). The mean MUDRs from 25% MVC to maximum were lower (∼10% to ∼36%) in the old than in the young (P < 0.01). These age‐related differences were larger for biceps (Cohen’s d = 8.25) than triceps (Cohen’s d = 4.79) brachii.Conclusion:  Thus, at least for proximal upper limb muscles, mean maximal MUDR reductions with healthy adult ageing are muscle specific and not strongly related to contractile speed.
Visual outcomes of treated periocular capillary haemangiomas in childhood: a 10‐year review
Authors: Gawley Sandra D. , Bingham Elizabeth A. , McGinnity Gerry 
Published: February 2010

Abstract.Purpose:  To report our experiences of treating periocular capillary haemangioma with particular emphasis on visual outcomes.Methods:  Patients who underwent treatment for periocular capillary haemangioma were identified, and a chart review was performed.Results:  There were seventeen patients in the study. The main indications for treatment were increased size of lesion with threat of amblyopia and partial or full pupil occlusion. Seven patients required more than one type of treatment. Fourteen patients had intralesional steroid treatment and six patients had oral steroids. Intralesional steroids gave variable results with minimal side‐effects, oral steroids were very effective but 4 out of 6 patients developed side‐effects. The average pretreatment astigmatism was 2.4D and post treatment this had reduced to 1.3D. Final visual outcomes were available for 15 patients, 13 had visual acuity of 6/7.5 or better, two were amblyopic with vision of 6/9‐2 and 6/18.Conclusion:  In this study, intralesional steroids were used for localized lesions and oral steroids for diffuse haemangiomas with orbital involvement. Treatment especially with oral steroids was found to halt the proliferative phase and assist early haemangioma regression reducing ocular sequelae.
Effect of hydroxyurea on the transfusion requirements in patients with severe HbE-β-thalassaemia: a genotypic and phenotypic study
Authors: Italia Khushnooma Y , Jijina Farah F , Merchant Rashid , Panjwani Sangeeta , Nadkarni Anita H , Sawant Pratibha M , Nair Sona B , Ghosh Kanjaksha , Colah Roshan B 
Published: February 2010

BackgroundHaemoglobin E (HbE)-β-thalassaemia has a very variable clinical presentation. The management of severe cases that are often transfusion dependent is similar to that of cases of β-thalassaemia major; however, this is often not possible in India because of its high cost and the lack of availability of safe blood at many places. Thus there was a need for a drug such as hydroxyurea, which is known to reduce the transfusion requirements of patients with thalassaemia intermedia. This study was undertaken to evaluate the response of Indian patients with HbE-β-thalassaemia to hydroxyurea.Materials and methods11 patients with HbE-β-thalassaemia receiving regular transfusion plus two less frequently transfused patients were selected for hydroxyurea therapy. Clinical and haematological evaluation was performed before and after treatment for 2 years. Molecular studies included β-globin genotype, β-globin gene haplotype, Xmn I polymorphism and α-genotyping.ResultsFour clinically severe patients became transfusion independent (responders) after hydroxyurea therapy, four patients showed a reduction in their transfusion requirements (partial responders), and three patients were non-responders. Responders showed a statistically significant increase in Hb, mean corpuscular volume, mean cell Hb, fetal Hb and F cells with a reduction in their transfusion requirements. A reduction in serum ferritin concentration was also seen in responders and non-responders.ConclusionsGenetic markers such as Xmn I polymorphism and α-gene deletions were not always beneficial for the response to hydroxyurea therapy. Thus many more markers and a larger cohort need to be studied to predict the response in these patients.
Quick-multiplex-consensus (QMC)-PCR followed by high-resolution melting: a simple and robust method for mutation detection in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue
Authors: Fadhil Wakkas , Ibrahem Salih , Seth Rashmi , Ilyas Mohammad 
Published: February 2010

BackgroundMutation detection in tumours will become increasingly important in pathological diagnosis as ‘predictive’ mutations are identified. A cheap and reliable test that works on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue is required.MethodsThe quick-multiplex-consensus (QMC)-PCR protocol was developed to be used with high-resolution melting (HRM) analysis. The assay was compared with Sanger sequencing. Robustness of the assay was tested in DNA from FFPE tissue.ResultsQMC-PCR with HRM could detect a minimum of 2.5% of mutant alleles (compared with 20% detectable for Sanger sequencing). Ten mutation hotspots inKRAS,BRAF,PIK3CAandCDC4were screened in 29 cell lines with 100% sensitivity and specificity. Forty-three FFPE colorectal tumours were sequenced for hotspots inKRASandPIK3CAand then screened by QMC-PCR. There was 100% sensitivity, although, of 21 mutations detected by QMC-PCR, 16 were confirmed by sequencing (71% specificity, positive predictive value 76%). All 43 samples were then screened for mutations in all 10 hotspots. Of 430 tests, 43 (10%) showed aberrant melting and 36 were confirmed mutant (positive predictive value 84%). As our technique is more sensitive than direct sequencing, the remaining seven tests are probably sequencing false-negatives. Precision tests showed that there was little intra-assay and interassay variation.ConclusionsQMC-PCR with HRM is a simple, robust and inexpensive technique which had greater sensitivity than Sanger sequencing. It allows multiple mutation hotspots to be rapidly screened and is thus highly suited to mutation detection in DNA derived from FFPE tissues.
Precipitation Response to the Gulf Stream in an Atmospheric GCM*
Authors: Kuwano-Yoshida Akira , Minobe Shoshiro , Xie Shang-Ping 
Published: February 2010

Abstract
The precipitation response to sea surface temperature (SST) gradients associated with the Gulf Stream is investigated using an atmospheric general circulation model. Forced by observed SST, the model simulates a narrow band of precipitation, surface convergence, and evaporation that closely follows the Gulf Stream, much like satellite observations. Such a Gulf Stream rainband disappears in the model when the SST front is removed by horizontally smoothing SST. The analysis herein shows that it is convective precipitation that is sensitive to SST gradients. The Gulf Stream anchors a convective rainband by creating surface wind convergence and intensifying surface evaporation on the warmer flank. Deep convection develops near the Gulf Stream in summer when the atmosphere is conditionally unstable. As a result, a narrow band of upward velocity develops above the Gulf Stream throughout the troposphere in summer, while it is limited to the lower troposphere in other seasons.
On the Path of the Gulf Stream and the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation
Authors: Joyce Terrence M. , Zhang Rong 
Published: February 2010

Abstract
The Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) simulated in various ocean-only and coupled atmosphere–ocean numerical models often varies in time because of either forced or internal variability. The path of the Gulf Stream (GS) is one diagnostic variable that seems to be sensitive to the amplitude of the AMOC, yet previous modeling studies show a diametrically opposed relationship between the two variables. In this note this issue is revisited, bringing together ocean observations and comparisons with the GFDL Climate Model version 2.1 (CM2.1), both of which suggest a more southerly (northerly) GS path when the AMOC is relatively strong (weak). Also shown are some examples of possible diagnostics to compare various models and observations on the relationship between shifts in GS path and changes in AMOC strength in future studies.
The Impact of Stratospheric Model Configuration on Planetary-Scale Waves in Northern Hemisphere Winter
Authors: Shaw Tiffany A. , Perlwitz Judith 
Published: February 2010

Abstract
The impact of stratospheric model configuration on modeled planetary-scale waves in Northern Hemisphere winter is examined using the Canadian Middle Atmosphere Model (CMAM). The CMAM configurations include a high-lid (0.001 hPa) and a low-lid (10 hPa) configuration, which were each run with and without conservation of parameterized gravity wave momentum flux. The planetary wave structure, vertical propagation, and the basic state are found to be in good agreement with reanalysis data for the high-lid conservative configuration with the exception of the downward-propagating wave 1 signal. When the lid is lowered and momentum is conserved, the wave characteristics and basic state are not significantly altered, with the exception of the downward-propagating wave 1 signal, which is damped by the act of conservation. When momentum is not conserved, however, the wave amplitude increases significantly near the lid, and there is a large increase in both the upward- and downward-propagating wave 1 signals and a significant increase in the strength of the basic state. The impact of conserving parameterized gravity wave momentum flux is found to be much larger than that of the model lid height. The changes to the planetary waves and basic state significantly impact the stratosphere–troposphere coupling in the different configurations. In the low-lid configuration, there is an increase in wave-reflection-type coupling over zonal-mean-type coupling, a reduction in stratospheric sudden warming events, and an increase in the northern annular mode time scale. Conserving gravity wave momentum flux in the low-lid configuration significantly reduces these biases.