bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Three‐dimensional ultrasound imaging and measurement of nasal bone length, prenasal thickness and frontomaxillary facial angle in normal second‐ and third‐trimester fetuses
Authors: Vos F. I. , De Jong‐Pleij E. A. P. , Ribbert L. S. M. , Tromp E. , Bilardo C. M. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractObjectivesTo assess the feasibility of nasal bone length (NBL), prenasal thickness (PT) and frontomaxillary facial (FMF) angle measurements performed on the same three‐dimensional (3D) multiplanar‐corrected profile view in healthy second‐ and third‐trimester fetuses, to create reference ranges and to review published measurement techniques.Methods3D volumes of 219 healthy second‐ and third‐trimester fetuses were retrospectively analyzed. The quality of images and measurability of the markers were assessed with 5‐point and 3‐point scoring systems, respectively. Measurements of NBL (with care to exclude the frontal bone), PT and FMF were obtained in the exact mid‐sagittal plane. Reference ranges were constructed based on measurements from images with high‐quality (4 or 5 points) and high measurability (2 or 3 points) scores and compared with those in the most relevant published literature.ResultsA high‐quality score was assigned to 111 images. Among these, a high measurability score was significantly more often achieved for NBL (98.2%) and PT (97.3%) than for the FMF angle (26.1%) (P < 0.001). Both NBL (NBL = − 6.927 + (0.83 × GA) − (0.01 × GA2)) and PT (PT = (0.212 × GA) − 0.873) (where GA = gestational age) showed growth with gestation, with less pronounced growth for NBL after 28 weeks. Our reference range for the NBL showed a systematically smaller length than those in other two‐dimensional (2D) ultrasound‐based publications. The FMF angle measurements that we obtained did not show a significant change with GA.ConclusionsNBL and PT are easily measured using 3D ultrasound whereas FMF angle measurement is more challenging. When it is measured in the exact mid‐sagittal plane and care is taken to exclude the frontal bone, measurements of the NBL are systematically smaller than those in previous 2D ultrasound‐based publications. Copyright © 2012 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthetic, Structural, and Spectroscopic Investigations of K3Nb8O21‐type Complex Oxides K3MTa7O21 (M = Ti, Zr)
Authors: Odynets Ievgen V. , Babaryk Artem A. , Baumer Vyacheslav N. , Slobodyanik Nikolay S. , Shiskin Oleg V. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractPotassium‐containing zirconium(IV)/titanium(IV) tantalum(V) oxides, K3TiTa7O21 (1) and K3ZrTa7O21 (2), of K3Nb8O21‐type of compounds are afforded from potassium‐molybdate flux. Both compounds crystallize in the hexagonal space group P63/mcm (no. 193) with a = 908.69(2), c = 1202.83(7) pm and c/a = 1.324 (Z = 2) for 1 and a = 913.30(3), c = 1219.21(6) pm and c/a = 1.335 (Z = 2) for 2, respectively. The Structural motif of [MTa7O21]3– (M = Ti4+ or Zr4+) consists of edge‐shared (M,Ta)6O24‐units that are similar to corner‐sharing Ta6O27 units of synthetic soro‐silicate K3Ta3Si2O13 and double borate K3Ta3B2O12. The solid state bandgap measurements revealed that calculated values (3.26 eV for K3TiTa7O21 and 3.14 eV for K3ZrTa7O21) are dependent on aperture of Ta–O–Ta bond angle as it was previously shown for perovskite‐type tantalate photocatalysts.
Comparison of the estimation capabilities of response surface methodology and artificial neural network for the optimization of recombinant lipase production by E. coli BL21
Authors: Nelofer Rubina , Ramanan Ramakrishnan Nagasundara , Rahman Raja Noor Zaliha Raja Abd , Basri Mahiran , Ariff Arbakariya B 
Published: August 2011

Abstract
Response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural network (ANN) were used to optimize the effect of four independent variables, viz. glucose, sodium chloride (NaCl), temperature and induction time, on lipase production by a recombinant Escherichia coli BL21. The optimization and prediction capabilities of RSM and ANN were then compared. RSM predicted the dependent variable with a good coefficient of correlation determination (R2) and adjusted R2 values for the model. Although the R2 value showed a good fit, absolute average deviation (AAD) and root mean square error (RMSE) values did not support the accuracy of the model and this was due to the inferiority in predicting the values towards the edges of the design points. On the other hand, ANN-predicted values were closer to the observed values with better R2, adjusted R2, AAD and RMSE values and this was due to the capability of predicting the values throughout the selected range of the design points. Similar to RSM, ANN could also be used to rank the effect of variables. However, ANN could not predict the interactive effect between the variables as performed by RSM. The optimum levels for glucose, NaCl, temperature and induction time predicted by RSM are 32 g/L, 5 g/L, 32°C and 2.12 h, and those by ANN are 25 g/L, 3 g/L, 30°C and 2 h, respectively. The ANN-predicted optimal levels gave higher lipase activity (55.8 IU/mL) as compared to RSM-predicted levels (50.2 IU/mL) and the predicted lipase activity was also closer to the observed data at these levels, suggesting that ANN is a better optimization method than RSM for lipase production by the recombinant strain.
Synovial sarcoma in patients under 20 years of age: A multicenter study with a minimum follow-up of 10 years
Authors: Speth Bernhard M. , Krieg Andreas H. , Kaelin Andre , Exner G. Ulrich , Guillou Louis , von Hochstetter Arthur , Jundt Gernot , Hefti Fritz 
Published: August 2011

Purpose Synovial sarcoma (SS) is an aggressive soft-tissue tumor noted for late local recurrence and metastasis. This study investigates the long-term outcome of SS in patients of pediatric age and evaluates potential prognostic factors for SS. Methods We performed a retrospective review of 13 SS cases in patients younger than 20 years at the time of diagnosis who had a minimum follow-up of 10 years. The mean follow-up for living patients ( n = 8) was 20.1 years (12.1–27.6) and for nonsurvivors ( n = 5) 4.9 years (range: 2.6–9.3). Nine patients had unplanned excisions (69%), of which 6 (67%) were performed prior to their referral. Re-excisions were necessary in all 13 patients. The factors sex, tumor site, tumor size, tumor grade, histological subtype, fusion type, and type of treatment were evaluated for their prognostic value. Results Only 2 patients (15%) met the criteria of adequate tumor treatment. Overall, the 5- and 10-year survival rates were 77 and 61%, respectively. The mean time until a local recurrence ( n = 5) was 3.2 years (range: 0.7–10.2), while there was a mean time of 2.1 years until the occurrence of late metastases ( n = 5; range: 0.8–4.8). A high tumor grade and having a tumor in the trunk were adverse factors in terms of overall, local recurrence-free, and metastasis-free survival. Patients with wide resections or amputations had fewer local recurrences than patients with marginal or intralesional resections. Conclusion Inadequate primary excision of SS results in incomplete excision in the majority of cases. The tumor site, size, and histological grade should be considered when determining a risk-adapted treatment for SS, and wide surgical excision is the surgical intervention of choice. While local recurrence and late metastases appear to occur after a shorter time period in pediatric patients than in adults, in view of the tendency for late recurrence and metastasis with SS, follow-up should be at least 10 years.
An Arabidopsis Prenylated Rab Acceptor 1 Isoform, AtPRA1.B6, Displays Differential Inhibitory Effects on Anterograde Trafficking of Proteins at the Endoplasmic Reticulum
Authors: Lee Myoung Hui , Jung Chanjin , Lee Junho , Kim Soo Youn , Lee Yongjik , Hwang Inhwan 
Published: August 2011

AbstractPrenylated Rab acceptors (PRAs), members of the Ypt-interacting protein family of small membrane proteins, are thought to aid the targeting of prenylated Rabs to their respective endomembrane compartments. In plants, the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) PRA1 family contains 19 members that display varying degrees of sequence homology to animal PRA1 and localize to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and/or endosomes. However, the exact role of these proteins remains to be fully characterized. In this study, the effect of AtPRA1.B6, a member of the AtPRA1 family, on the anterograde trafficking of proteins targeted to various endomembrane compartments was investigated. High levels of AtPRA1.B6 resulted in differential inhibition of coat protein complex II vesicle-mediated anterograde trafficking. The trafficking of the vacuolar proteins sporamin:GFP (for green fluorescent protein) and AALP:GFP, the secretory protein invertase:GFP, and the plasma membrane proteins PMP:GFP and H+-ATPase:GFP was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner, while the trafficking of the Golgi-localized proteins ST:GFP and KAM1(ƊC):mRFP was not affected. Conversely, in RNA interference plants displaying lower levels of AtPRA1.B6 transcripts, the trafficking efficiency of sporamin:GFP and AALP:GFP to the vacuole was increased. Localization and N-glycan pattern analyses of cargo proteins revealed that AtPRA1.B6-mediated inhibition of anterograde trafficking occurs at the ER. In addition, AtPRA1.B6 levels were controlled by cellular processes, including 26S proteasome-mediated proteolysis. Based on these results, we propose that AtPRA1.B6 is a negative regulator of coat protein complex II vesicle-mediated anterograde trafficking for a subset of proteins at the ER.
A pilot study of scoliosis assessment using radiation free surface topography in children with GMFCS IV and V cerebral palsy
Authors: Sadani S. , Jones C. , Seal A. , Bhakta B. , Hall R. , Levesley M. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractBackground Prevalence of scoliosis in cerebral palsy (CP) parallels the extent of neurological impairment and causes significant morbidity. Monitoring is important but requires regular radiological investigation. Surface topography provides a non‐radiological approach to scoliosis monitoring.Aim To evaluate validity, reproducibility and feasibility of Quantec® scans to monitor scoliosis in children with severe CP.Methods Twenty non‐ambulant children with CP, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) grade IV/V had clinical, radiological and Quantec spinal assessment. The children were supported during scans using a seating system specifically designed for this study. Validity was assessed by comparing Quantec (Q) angle with gold standard (Cobb angle), reproducibility analysed using Bland–Altman plots and feasibility assessed using a questionnaire.Results Prevalence of scoliosis on radiological examination was 65%. Of these children, 85% had curves with Cobb angle less than 28°. Quantec scanning was feasible with appropriate postural support. Mean (and standard deviation) for differences between Cobb and Quantec (Q) angle were 0.02° (6.2°) and for Quantec inter‐observer variability were 0.5° (5.8°).Conclusions Quantec scanning was feasible, reproducible and had good validity when compared with Cobb angle in a supportive seating system. To consolidate these findings a further study needs to be undertaken with larger number of children with Cobb angles between 25° and 45°.
An epidemiological study of sleep quality in adolescents in South China: a school‐based study
Authors: Zhou H‐Q. , Shi W‐B. , Wang X‐F. , Yao M. , Cheng G‐Y. , Chen P‐Y. , Li D‐G. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractBackground  This study explored the prevalence of disturbed sleep and investigated its distribution characteristics and associated factors in adolescents in South China.Methods  Junior middle school and senior high school students (n= 1221) were recruited from schools in Shanghai, China. Students completed a questionnaire using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and factors associated with disturbed sleep.Results  The prevalence of a tendency towards poor sleep was 34.32% [95% confidence interval (CI): 31.66–36.98] with no significant difference between genders. This tendency increased with age, yielding a significant group effect (P < 0.01). In middle school and high school, the propensity towards poor sleep was 31.34% (95% CI: 28.29–34.39) and 42.22% (95% CI: 36.92–47.52) respectively. The factors associated with poor sleep were more television viewing during weekdays [odds ratio (OR): 1.56, CI: 1.36–1.71], more frequent computer/Internet use (OR: 1.25, CI: 1.08–1.39), earlier school starting time (OR: 1.12, CI: 1.07–1.28), and more time on homework during weekdays (OR: 1.78, CI: 1.51–1.98) and weekends (OR: 1.35, CI: 1.21–1.52)Conclusions  A tendency towards poor sleep is common in adolescents in South China and its incidence increases with age. The factors associated with this phenomenon indicate that poor sleep in adolescents could be improved, at least partly, by reducing the use of visual technologies and by changing school timetables.
Genetic variability in the IL1RN gene and the balance between interleukin (IL)-1 receptor agonist and IL-1β in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Barlo N P , van Moorsel C H M , Korthagen N M , Heron M , Rijkers G T , Ruven H J T , van den Bosch J M M , Grutters J C 
Published: August 2011

Summary
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease of unknown aetiology. Interleukin (IL)-1β plays an important role in inflammation and has been associated with fibrotic remodelling. We investigated the balance between IL-1β and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and serum as well as the influence of genetic variability in the IL1B and IL1RN gene on disease susceptibility and cytokine levels. In 77 IPF patients and 349 healthy controls, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the IL1RN and IL1B genes were determined. Serum and BALF IL-1Ra and IL-1β levels were measured using a multiplex suspension bead array system and were correlated with genotypes. Both in serum and BALF a significantly decreased IL-1Ra/IL-1β ratio was found in IPF patients compared to healthy controls. In the IL1RN gene, one SNP was associated with both the susceptibility to IPF and reduced IL-1Ra/IL-1β ratios in BALF. Our results show that genetic variability in the IL1RN gene may play a role in the pathogenesis of IPF and that this role may be more important than thought until recently. The imbalance between IL-1Ra and IL-1β might contribute to a proinflammatory and pro-fibrotic environment in their lungs.
The mode of reproductive‐derived Spink (serine protease inhibitor Kazal‐type) action in the modulation of mammalian sperm activity
Authors: Ou C.‐M. , Tang J.‐B. , Huang M.‐S. , Sudhakar Gandhi P. S. , Geetha S. , Li S.‐H. , Chen Y.‐H. 
Published: August 2011

SummaryThe reproductive‐derived serine protease inhibitor Kazal‐type (Spink) has been identified in seminal plasma, and Spink–spermatozoa binding has been illustrated in many mammalian species including human. We used mice as experimental animal to study the mode of Spink action in the modulation of mammalian sperm activity. A Spink3‐binding zone was cytochemically stained on the sperm head at apical hook separated from intact acrosome, whether the cells were capacitated or not. The Spink3–spermatozoa binding neither changed the population of cells in the uncapacitated, capacitated and acrosome‐reacted status nor affected the capacitation‐related protein phosphorylation and cell motility enhancement. Despite that, the Spink–spermatozoa interaction resulted in decreasing the intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) of the cell head and suppressing both the acrosome reaction induced by Ca+2 ionophore A23187 and the cell fertility. Furthermore, Spink3 seen on the head of spermatozoa in the uterine cavity after coitus could be removed by the trypsin‐like activity in the uterine fluid of oestrous females, and free Spink3 in the uterine cavity suppressed the protease activity. We integrated our data to shed light on the molecular mechanism of how Spink and its inhibiting protease are interplayed to modulate the activity of mammalian spermatozoa during their transit in the reproductive tract.
Detailed characterization of mechanical properties and molecular mobility within dry seed glasses: relevance to the physiology of dry biological systems
Authors: Ballesteros Daniel , Walters Christina 
Published: August 2011

SummarySlow movement of molecules in glassy matrices controls the kinetics of chemical and physical reactions in dry seeds. Variation in physiological activity among seeds suggests that there are differences in mobility among seed glasses. Testing this hypothesis is difficult because few tools are available to measure molecular mobility within dry seeds. Here, motional properties within dry pea cotyledons were assessed using dynamic mechanical analysis. The technique detected several molecular relaxations between −80 and +80°C and gave a more detailed description of water content–temperature effects on molecular motion than previously understood from studies of glass formation in seeds at glass transition (Tg). Diffusive movement is delimited by the α relaxation, which appears to be analogous to Tg. β and γ relaxations were also detected at temperatures lower than α relaxations, clearly demonstrating intramolecular motion within the glassy matrix of the pea cotyledon. Glass transitions, or the mechanical counterpart α relaxation, appear to be less relevant to seed aging during dry storage than previously thought. On the other hand, β relaxation occurs at temperature and moisture conditions typically used for seed storage and has established importance for physical aging of synthetic polymer glasses. Our data show that the nature and extent of molecular motion varies considerably with moisture and temperature, and that the hydrated conditions used for accelerated aging experiments and ultra‐dry conditions sometimes recommended for seed storage give greater molecular mobility than more standard seed storage practices. We believe characterization of molecular mobility is critical for evaluating how dry seeds respond to the environment and persist through time.
Fatty acid composition, oxidative stability and sensory quality of meat from broiler chicken fed autolysate from bacteria grown on natural gas
Authors: Øverland M. , Skrede A. 
Published: August 2011

SummaryBacterial autolysate, a down stream product of bacterial biomass grown on natural gas by mainly the methanotrophic bacteria Methylococcus capsulatus, was fed at 8% as is to broiler chickens from 1 to 35 days of age for studies of fatty acid composition, lipid oxidation and sensory quality of thigh meat stored frozen for 6 month at −18 °C or −80 °C. Lipid oxidation was measured by thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and volatile profile by dynamic headspace gas chromatography. Adding bacterial autolysate to diets did not affect the total content of saturated, monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fatty acids in thigh meat, but increased the levels of C14:0, C16:0, C18:0 and C16:1n‐7 and reduced the levels of C18:1n‐7, C18:2n‐6 and C18:3n‐3 fatty acids. Feeding of bacterial autolysate tended (p < 0.08) to reduce TBARS of meat samples. Contents of volatiles were generally low, but feeding of bacterial autolysate significantly reduced levels of butanal (p < 0.04) and tended to reduce levels of hexanal (p < 0.11), pentanal (p < 0.09), 1‐penten‐3‐ol (p < 0.08) and butanone (p < 0.08). Bacterial autolysate had no effects on sensory quality parameters of meat related to odour and flavour. To conclude, adding bacterial autolysate to diets did not affect the relative proportion of saturated, monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fatty acids, but reduced content of volatiles in frozen‐stored broiler meat. The reduced susceptibility to lipid oxidation in broiler meat may be related to antioxidant properties of the bacterial autolysate.
The effect of supplementation of clove and agrimony or clove and lemon balm on growth performance, antioxidant status and selected indices of lipid profile of broiler chickens
Authors: Petrovic V. , Marcincak S. , Popelka P. , Simkova J. , Martonova M. , Buleca J. , Marcincakova D. , Tuckova M. , Molnar L. , Kovac G. 
Published: August 2011

SummaryThe study investigated the effects of diet supplementation with 1% clove flower buds powder combined with either 0.2% lemon balm extract or 0.2% agrimony extract (each of the two pulverized extracts supplied through drinking water) on body weight of broilers, total feed intake, feed conversion ratio and the carcass yield, activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD, EC 1.15.1.1) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px, EC 1.11.1.9) in blood, concentration of sulfhydryl (−SH) groups, malondialdehyde (MDA), vitamin A and E, low‐density lipoproteins in the blood plasma, serum cholesterol, total lipids, triglycerides and high‐density lipoproteins in broiler chickens at 42 days of age. On the day of hatching, 120 male and female broilers of Cobb 500 were randomly divided into three groups. The control group (1st group) of broilers received a basal diet (BD) without any feed and water additive. Both experimental groups of chicks were fed BD enriched with clove (Syzygium aromaticum L.) powder at a dose of 10 g/kg DM for 42 days. Moreover, either lemon balm (Mellisa officinalis L.) extract or agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria L.) extract diluted with drinking water (2:1000) was given to broilers in the 2nd and 3rd group respectively. The results indicated that feeding the diets enriched with selected herbal supplements failed to affect the growth performance of broiler chickens at 42 days of age. In addition, this supplementation had no influence on the activities of SOD and GSH‐Px, concentration of vitamin A and selected lipid metabolism indices. On the other hand, we observed beneficial effects on some indices of the antioxidant status (increased concentration of −SH groups and vitamin E, decreased concentration of MDA) in the blood of broilers in both experimental groups in comparison with the control group of chickens (p < 0.05). Furthermore, a slightly better antioxidant capacity was found in the blood of broilers supplied the combination of clove and lemon balm compared to clove and agrimony (vitamin E, 11.26 ± 0.73 vs. 9.73 ± 0.64 μmol/L, p < 0.05 respectively). It could be concluded that supplementation of the diet with clove flower buds powder combined with lemon balm extract or agrimony extract dissolved in drinking water has a potential to increase the antioxidant status but fails to influence either the growth performance or the selected lipid metabolism indices of broilers at the age of 42 days.
Carry‐over effects of body condition in the early pregnant ewe on peri‐partum adipose tissue metabolism
Authors: Álvarez‐Rodríguez J. , Estopañan G. , Sanz A. , Dervishi E. , Govoni N. , Tamanini C. , Joy M. 
Published: August 2011

SummaryThis study evaluated the carry‐over effects of ewe body reserves during early pregnancy on peri‐partum adipose tissue metabolism. Forty‐nine multiparous ewes were divided in three categories according to their body condition score (BCS) at day 30 of pregnancy (BCS < 3, 2.5–2.75; BCS = 3; BCS > 3, 3.25–3.5). Live‐weight (LW) and BCS gains from 1st to 4th month of pregnancy were greater in ewes with BCS < 3 and 3 than in >3 animals. In contrast, in the last month of pregnancy, there was BCS decrease in all groups, although LW continued increasing. There were no differences in LW or BCS across ewe categories during this period. Peripheral leptin levels throughout the three last weeks of pregnancy were greater in ewes with BCS > 3 than in the rest, but this difference did not persist after lambing. Plasma metabolites related to energy metabolism, milk yield and lamb growth were not affected by ewe BCS in early pregnancy. Long‐chain saturated milk fatty acids (FA) (C16–C24) were greater in ewes with lowest BCS (<3 and 3). Ewes with greater BCS showed greater monounsaturated and lowest polyunsaturated milk FA content. Ewe post‐mating body reserves affect both pre‐partum leptinaemia and post‐partum milk polyunsaturated fatty acids content, but it had little effect on lamb performance.