bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Morphological and organoleptic nature of Ziziphus jujuba Mill.
Authors: Brindza Ján , Karmatovská Margita , Grygorieva Olga , Vietoris Vladimí­r , Kucelová Lucia , Erdélyová Gabriela 
Published: December 2011

Aim of the experiment was to determine morphological and sensory differences between selected Ziziphus jujube Mill. genotypes. For experimental study were used 19 seed grown genotypes planted in experimental garden of the Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra. In our laboratories were analysed quantitative and qualitative traits of matured fruits. In the collection of genotypes were identified by morphological analysis the average weight in range from 4.68 to 0.66 grams, length of 21.67 to 0.77 mm, and width of 16.97 to 0.67 mm. Mass weight ratio of fresh pulp to total fruit were determined in the range 57-79%. In the group of selected genotypes were identified significant differences in the pulp and pericarp pigmentation. With stones was determined the average weight in the range 0.90-0.24 g, length from 14.35-0.58 mm and width 8.32-0.34 mm. Significant differences has ben found in stones shape and color of analyzed genotypes as well. For the evaluation of sensory analysis was applied the 9 point scale. By sensory analysis were evaluated the dried fruit pulp samples of five genotypes (A, B, C, D, E) and 8 genotypes (AV, BV, CV,DV, EV, PV , GV, HV) samples of dried flesh for 60 minutes boiled in water and then extracted. Among the samples were identified significant differences in taste too. Gained experience and results can be used for expansion of jujube specific genotypes in Slovakia with primary orientation on organic agriculture and/or for other applications in practice as well.
Microbiological outcomes following mupirocin nasal washes for symptomatic, Staphylococcus aureus–positive chronic rhinosinusitis following endoscopic sinus surgery
Authors: Jervis‐Bardy Joshua , Wormald Peter‐John 
Published: December 2011

AbstractBackground:Persistent infection following endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a frustrating entity for the patient and rhinologist alike. Mupirocin nasal washes have been proposed as an efficacious treatment in such patients. Two small studies have reported excellent short‐term posttreatment outcomes; however, the long‐term microbiological outcomes following treatment are not known; likewise, the rate of mupirocin‐resistance following treatment has not been explored.Methods:This was a retrospective chart review of 61 patients with Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus)‐positive surgically‐recalcitrant CRS having undergone 0.05% mupirocin nasal rinse treatment, twice daily for 4 weeks. Specific outcomes reported included posttreatment culture results, time to first posttreatment S. aureus culture, and mupirocin‐sensitivity following treatment.Results:Of 57 patients meeting minimal posttreatment follow‐up criteria, 42 (73.7%) progressed to microbiological failure by subsequently cultured S. aureus. Mean time to first positive culture was 144 days. Of the 42 patients who progressed to microbiological relapse, full antibiotic sensitivity data was available for 41; of these, only 1 was found to subsequently harbor a mupirocin‐resistant strain of S. aureus, thus yielding a posttreatment resistance rate of 2.4%.Conclusion:Treatment with mupirocin nasal washes in S. aureus–positive, surgically recalcitrant CRS has a high microbiological failure rate, with 73.7% of patients subsequently re‐culturing S. aureus. Our current treatment regime of 0.05% nasal washes twice daily for 4 weeks is associated with a posttreatment resistance rate that is consistent with other studies of topical mupirocin use, suggesting that mupirocin washes are no more likely to induce resistance than nasal vestibule decolonization in the high‐risk medical or surgical patient. © 2011 ARS‐AAOA, LLC.
Surface modification and characterization of an H2/O2 plasma‐treated polypropylene membrane
Authors: Huang Chun , Tsai Ching‐Yuan , Juang Ruey‐Shin 
Published: December 2011

AbstractLow‐pressure plasma treatments in a 13.56 MHz RF glow discharge of Hydrogen (H2)/Oxygen (O2) gas mixture were used to introduce polar functional groups onto microporous polypropylene (PP) membrane surfaces to improve the hydrophilicity and surface modification. The change in hydrophilicity and surface free energy was monitored by static contact angle measurement. Significant increased surface energy of polypropylene membranes from the H2/O2 mixture gas plasma treatments was observed. The PP membrane surfaces became highly hydrophilic when exposed for only 5 s to the H2/O2 mixture gas plasma. Optical emission spectroscopy (OES) was used to examine the various chemical species of low pressure plasma processing. The chemical structure and surface morphological changes on the membrane surface were characterized by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). XPS analysis showed significantly higher surface concentrations of oxygen functional groups for H2/O2 mixture gas plasma‐modified PP membrane surfaces than the originally unmodified PP membrane surfaces. The experimental results revealed low pressure H2/O2 plasma processing is an effective method to improve the surface hydrophilicity of microporous PP membranes. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Effect of polyurethane molecular weight on the properties of polyurethane–poly(butyl methacrylate) hybrid latex prepared by miniemulsion polymerization
Authors: Tian Cun , Zhou Qing , Cao Li , Su Zhi‐qiang , Chen Xiao‐nong 
Published: December 2011

AbstractPolyurethane (PU) prepolymer was first prepared via introducing double bonds on‐to the PU chains, and then polyurethane–poly (butyl methacrylate) (PU–PBMA) hybrid latex was prepared via miniemulsion polymerization. Transmission electron microscopy, Differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), Fourier transform infrared, and dynamic mechanical analysis were adopted to characterize the hybrid latex and its coating film. Both the coating property and the miscibility of PU–PBMA emulsion have been greatly improved through introducing double bonds into PU prepolymer. With an increase in the molecule weight of PU (MPU), the increase in the particle size of PU–PBMA emulsion was observed plus decreases in the stability of the hybrid latex and conversion of methacrylate. Besides, as MPU increased, the final dried coating film of the hybrid latex showed decreased water resistance, weakened miscibility, and improved mechanical properties. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Semiparametric smoothing of discrete failure time data
Authors: Patil Prakash N. , Bagkavos Dimitrios 
Published: December 2011

AbstractAn estimator of the hazard rate function from discrete failure time data is obtained by semiparametric smoothing of the (nonsmooth) maximum likelihood estimator, which is achieved by repeated multiplication of a Markov chain transition‐type matrix. This matrix is constructed so as to have a given standard discrete parametric hazard rate model, termed the vehicle model, as its stationary hazard rate. As with the discrete density estimation case, the proposed estimator gives improved performance when the vehicle model is a good one and otherwise provides a nonparametric method comparable to the only purely nonparametric smoother discussed in the literature. The proposed semiparametric smoothing approach is then extended to hazard models with covariates and is illustrated by applications to simulated and real data sets.
Fabrication and evaluation of poly(epsilon‐caprolactone)/silk fibroin blend nanofibrous scaffold
Authors: Lim Jun Sik , Ki Chang Seok , Kim Jong Wook , Lee Kwang Gil , Kang Seok Woo , Kweon Hae Yong , Park Young Hwan 
Published: December 2011

AbstractIn this study we investigated the blend electrospinning of poly(ϵ‐caprolactone) (PCL) and silk fibroin (SF) to improve the biodegradability and biocompatibility of PCL‐based nanofibrous scaffolds. Optimal conditions to fabricate PCL/SF (50/50) blend nanofiber were established for electrospinning using formic acid as a cosolvent and three‐dimensional (3D) PCL/SF blend nanofibrous scaffolds were prepared by a modified electrospinning process using methanol coagulation bath. The physical properties of 2D PCL/SF blend nanofiber mats and 3D highly porous blend nanofibrous scaffolds were measured and compared. To evaluate cytocompatibility of the 3D blend scaffolds as compared to 3D PCL nanofibrous scaffold, normal human dermal fibroblasts were cultured. It is concluded that biodegradability and cytocompatibility could be improved for the 3D highly porous PCL/SF (50/50) blend nanofibrous scaffold prepared by blending PCL with SF in electrospinning. In addition to the blending of PCL and SF, the 3D structure and high porosity of electrospun nanofiber assemblies may also be important factors for enhancing the performance of scaffolds. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 97: 265–275, 2012.
Immobilization of organophosphohydrolase OpdA from Agrobacterium radiobacter by overproduction at the surface of polyester inclusions inside engineered Escherichia coli
Authors: Blatchford Paul A. , Scott Colin , French Nigel , Rehm Bernd H. A. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractOrganophosphorus pesticides (OP) are highly toxic and are widely used as insecticides. Bacterial organophosphohydrolases which hydrolyze a variety of OPs have been considered for the clean‐up of polluted environments. This study describes the engineering of Escherichia coli towards the overproduction of the organophosphohydrolase (OpdA) from Agrobacterium radiobacter at the surface of polyester inclusions. The OpdA was N‐terminally fused via a designed linker region to the C‐terminus of polyester inclusion‐forming enzyme PhaC of Ralstonia eutropha. The PhaC‐L‐OpdA fusion protein was overproduced by using the strong T7 promoter and when coexpressed with genes phaA (encoding β‐ketothiolase) and phaB (encoding acetoacetyl‐CoA reductase) from R. eutropha this led to formation of polyester inclusions abundantly displaying OpdA. These OpdA beads showed organophosphohydrolase activity of 1,840 U/g wet polyester beads or 4,412 U/g protein. Steady state kinetics revealed that when compared with free OpdA the kcat (s−1) of 139 of immobilized OpdA was reduced by about 16.5‐fold while the KM (M) of 2.5 × 10−4 was increased by 1.6‐fold. The immobilized OpdA showed increased temperature stability. Moreover, the stability of OpdA immobilized to polyester beads was assessed by incubating OpdA beads at 25°C for up to 11 days and no significant loss in enzyme activity was detected. The application performance of the OpdA beads with respect to hydrolysis of OPs in contaminated environments was demonstrated in wool scour spiked with fluorescent coumaphos. This study demonstrated a new strategy toward the efficient recombinant production of immobilized organophosphohydrolase, the OpdA, suitable for bioremediation applications. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2012; 109:1101–1108. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Resting cells of recombinant E. coli show high epoxidation yields on energy source and high sensitivity to product inhibition
Authors: Julsing Mattijs K. , Kuhn Daniel , Schmid Andreas , Bühler Bruno 
Published: December 2011

AbstractMetabolically active resting (i.e., nongrowing) bacterial cells have a high potential in cofactor‐dependent redox biotransformations. Where growing cells require carbon and energy for biomass production, resting cells can potentially exploit their metabolism more efficiently for redox biocatalysis allowing higher specific activities and product yields on energy source. Here, the potential of resting recombinant E. coli containing the styrene monooxygenase StyAB was investigated for enantioselective styrene epoxidation in a two‐liquid phase setup. Resting cells indeed showed twofold higher specific activities as compared to growing cells in a similar setup. However, product formation rates decreased steadily resulting in lower final product concentrations. The low intrinsic stability of the reductase component StyB was found to limit overall biocatalyst stability. Such limitation by enzyme stability was overcome by increasing intracellular StyB levels. Beyond that, product inhibition was identified as a limiting factor, whereas complete toxification of the bacterial cells, as it was observed with growing cells, and deactivation of the multicomponent enzyme system did not occur. The resting cell setup allowed high product yields on glucose of more than 5 mol mol, which makes the use of resting cells a promising approach for ecologically as well as economically sustainable oxygenase‐based whole‐cell biocatalysis. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2012; 109:1109–1119. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Experience and Management of Emotions on an Inpatient Setting for People with Anorexia Nervosa: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Pemberton Kathryn , Fox John R. E. 
Published: December 2011

ObjectivesResearch has identified how people with anorexia nervosa (AN) have problematic relationships with their own emotions, which can impact recovery. The aim of this study was to understand factors that were important in the care and emotional management of people with eating disorders on an inpatient unit.DesignSemi‐structured interviews were conducted with eight participants with AN.MethodInterview transcripts were analysed using a qualitative approach that was based upon interpretative phenomenological analysis, but also incorporated a theoretical component.ResultsFrom the qualitative analysis, two overarching and related themes were developed: ‘difficulty with emotion’ and ‘predictability and care’. These were underpinned by a number of theoretical important constructs, such as ‘staff factors’, ‘understanding of emotion’, ‘validity of emotion’ and ‘looking for ideal care’.ConclusionResults suggested that the management strategies employed by some staff could serve to maintain eating disorders symptoms, whilst patient factors were also important as they had negative effect on staff's impact to care for this patient group. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.Key Practitioner MessageEmotions and emotional processing is problematic for people with anorexia nervosa.The expression of emotions within anorexia nervosa is difficult and it often leads to emotional expressions that are out of context.Staff teams need to be aware of the issue of expectations of care when looking after people with anorexia nervosa.
In vivo MRI and histopathological assessment of tumor microenvironment in luminal‐like and basal‐like breast cancer xenografts
Authors: Huuse Else M. , Moestue Siver A. , Lindholm Evita M. , Bathen Tone F. , Nalwoga Hawa , Krüger Kristi , Bofin Anna , Mælandsmo Gunhild M. , Akslen Lars A. , Engebraaten Olav , Gribbestad Ingrid S. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractPurpose:To explore tumor pathophysiology with special attention to the microenvironment in two molecular subtypes of human breast cancer using in vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and histopathology. The impact of tumor growth, size, and the influence of estradiol were also investigated.Materials and Methods:Two orthotopic and directly transplanted human breast cancer models representing luminal‐like and basal‐like molecular subtypes were characterized by dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI and diffusion‐weighted MRI. Ex vivo measurements of vascularization, hypoxia, mitoses, and the level of VEGF activations were associated with the calculated in vivo MRI parameters of the tumors.Results:The vascular permeability and perfusion (Ktrans) was significantly higher in basal‐like compared to luminal‐like tumors. These findings were confirmed by a 4‐fold higher proliferating microvessel density (pMVD) in basal‐like tumors, reflecting the difference in aggressiveness between the subtypes. No effect of tumor growth was observed during 6 days of growth in any of the models; however, large tumors had lower Ktrans, higher extracellular extravascular volume fraction (ve), and more hypoxia than medium‐sized tumors. Estradiol withdrawal induced increased Ktrans, ve, and tumor water diffusion (ADC) in luminal‐like tumors, corresponding to increased VEGFR2 activation, which is likely to cause increased tumor vessel permeability.Conclusion:These novel data confirm the potential of functional MRI methods to map histopathologically proven changes in breast tumor vasculature and microenvironment in vivo. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2012;35:1098‐1107. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Phase contrast MRI quantification of pulsatile volumes of brain arteries, veins, and cerebrospinal fluids compartments: Repeatability and physiological interactions
Authors: Wåhlin Anders , Ambarki Khalid , Hauksson Jón , Birgander Richard , Malm Jan , Eklund Anders 
Published: December 2011

AbstractPurpose:To study measurement repeatability and physiological determinants on measurement stability for phase contrast MRI (PC‐MRI) measurements of cyclic volume changes (ΔV) of brain arteries, veins, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) compartments.Materials and Methods:Total cerebral blood flow (tCBF), total internal jugular flow (tJBF) and spinal CSF flow at C2–C3 level and CSF in the aqueduct was measured using five repetitions in 20 healthy subjects. After subtracting net flow, waveforms were integrated to calculate ΔV of arterial, venous, and cerebrospinal fluid compartments. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to measure repeatability. Systematic errors were investigated by a series of phantom measurements.Results:For ΔV calculated from tCBF, tJBF and both CSF waveforms, the ICC was ≥0.85. ΔV from the tCBF waveform decreased linearly between repetitions (P = 0.012). Summed CSF and venous volume being shifted out from the cranium was correlated with ΔV calculated from the tCBF waveform (r = 0.75; P < 0.001). Systematic errors increased at resolutions <4 pixels per diameter.Conclusion:Repeatability of ΔV calculated from tCBF, tJBF, and CSF waveforms allows useful interpretations. The subject's time in the MR system and imaging resolution should be considered when interpreting volume changes. Summed CSF and venous volume changes was associated with arterial volume changes. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2012;35:1055‐1062. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cross‐sectional and In‐plane coronary vessel wall imaging using a local inversion prepulse and spiral read‐out: A comparison between 1.5 and 3 tesla
Authors: Peel Sarah A. , Hussain Tarique , Schaeffter Tobias , Greil Gerald F. , Lagemaat Miriam W. , Botnar Rene M. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractPurpose:To compare cross‐sectional and in‐plane coronary vessel wall imaging using a spiral readout at 1.5 and 3 Tesla (T).Materials and Methods:Free‐breathing coronary vessel wall imaging using a local inversion technique and spiral readout was implemented. Images were acquired in ten healthy adult subjects on a 3T clinical scanner using a 32‐element cardiac coil and repeated on a 1.5T clinical scanner using a 5‐element coil.Results:Cross‐sectional and in‐plane spiral vessel wall imaging was performed at both 1.5 and 3T. In cross‐sectional images, artifact scores were superior at 1.5T (P < 0.05) but no significant difference was found in image quality scores compared with 3T. Image quality (P < 0.01) and artifact scores (P < 0.01) were found to be superior for in‐plane images at 1.5T. Vessel wall sharpness in the in‐plane orientation was also found to be higher at 1.5T (P < 0.03).Conclusion:Although excellent in‐plane coronary vessel wall images can be acquired at 3T, the overall robustness may be affected by off‐resonance blurring due to increased B0 inhomogeneity compared with 1.5T. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2012;35:969–975. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Discrepancy of potential antiviral resistance mutation profiles within the HBV reverse transcriptase between nucleos(t)ide analogue‐untreated and ‐treated patients with chronic hepatitis B in a hospital in China
Authors: Li Xiao‐Guang , Liu Bao‐Ming , Xu Jie , Liu Xue‐En , Ding Hai , Li Tong 
Published: December 2011

AbstractLittle is known about the discrepancy of the potential antiviral resistance mutation profiles within the hepatitis B virus (HBV) reverse transcriptase (RT) between nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA)‐untreated and ‐treated patients with chronic hepatitis B. Full‐length HBV RT sequences from 59 NA‐treated and 105 NA‐untreated Chinese patients were amplified and sequenced. Forty‐two potential NA resistance (NAr) mutation sites were screened within these 164 RT sequences. The NAr mutation prevalence and frequency in the NA‐treated group were significantly higher than those in the NA‐untreated one (P < 0.001, respectively). The classical primary drug resistance and secondary/compensatory mutations were only detected at seven sites (rtL80, rtI169, rtL180, rtA181, rtT184, rtM204, and rtN236) in NA‐treated patients. The non‐classical putative NAr and pre‐treatment mutations were observed at 22 sites (rtT38, rtN/S53, rtL82, rtL/I91, rtN/Y124, rtH126, rtT128, rtN/D134, rtN139, rtR153, rtV191, rtV207, rtS213, rtV214, rtE218, rtY/F221, rtV/I224, rtL229, rtI233, rtN/H238, rtR242, and rtS/C256) in both groups. Substitutions at seven non‐classical mutation sites were of interest due to either detection only in patients with virologic breakthrough (rtL82 and rtV214), or potential ties with HBV genotypes (rtV191 and rtL229), or coexistence with rtM204I/V (rtL229), or increased mutation trends after NA‐treatment (rtT128, rtV207, and rtN/H238). In conclusion, NA treatment not only constitutes a major selection factor for the primary and secondary/compensatory NAr mutations but also drives the changes of some of the putative NAr mutation sites, most of which are the genotype‐independent RT sites (rtL82, rtT128, rtV191, rtV207, rtV214, rtL229, and rtN/H238). Their antiviral resistance potential calls for further investigations. J. Med. Virol. 84:207–216, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Significance of HPV 16 and 18 viral load quantitation in women referred for colposcopy
Authors: Carcopino Xavier , Henry Mireille , Mancini Julien , Giusiano Sophie , Boubli Léon , Olive Daniel , Tamalet Catherine 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThe clinical utility of HPV 16 and 18 viral loads remains debated. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical significance of HPV 16 and 18 viral load and to determine a cut‐off for optimal prediction of grade 2 or higher cervical intraepithelial neoplasia among patients referred to colposcopy. A total of 186 cervico‐vaginal specimens harboring HPV 16 and/or 18 obtained at the time of colposcopy from patients without previous cervical neoplasia were tested for HPV 16 and 18 detection and quantitation using quantitative duplex real‐time PCR method. Grade 2 or higher cervical intraepithelial neoplasia was diagnosed in 87 (46.8%) cases. Only HPV 16 median viral load increased significantly with the lesion grade: 9.1 × 104 in normal cervix or grade 1 cervical intraepithelial lesion versus 4.0 × 106 copies per million cells in grade 2 or higher cervical intraepithelial lesion (P < 0.001). The highest predictive value for grade 2 or higher cervical intraepithelial lesion was observed with a HPV 16 viral load cut‐off of 3.0 × 106 copies per million cells (91% specificity, 58.2% sensitivity). Using this cut‐off, the highest predictive value of HPV 16 viral load was observed among those referred for previous low‐grade abnormal cervical cytology (96.4% specificity, 88% sensitivity). HPV 18 quantitation showed very poor predictive value. Specific attention should be given when performing colposcopic examination of women with an HPV 16 viral load higher than 3.0 × 106 copies per million cells, especially among those referred after a low‐grade abnormal cytology. J. Med. Virol. 84:306–313, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.