bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association of ER‐Alpha Gene Polymorphism with Metabolic Phenotypes in Chinese Hans
Authors: Chen Yan , Jiang Xiao‐yan , Xu Li , Li Xia , Cao Fei‐fei , Li Lei , Lu Ming , Jin Li , Wang Xiao‐feng 
Published: July 2009

AbstractRecently, two polymorphisms (rs1884052 and rs3778099) of estrogen receptor α (ER‐alpha) gene were identified as being associated with primary quantitative bone mineral density (BMD) in a genome‐wide association (GWA) study in Framingham cohorts. In this study we aimed at investigating the association of rs1884052 and rs3778099, and another polymorphism (rs2234693) located at intron 1 of the ER‐alpha gene with BMD, body mass index (BMI), glucose, triglyceride, and total cholesterol (CHO) levels in Chinese Hans. We recruited 425 consecutive adult volunteers who had a physical examination in the Jinan Maternity and Child Care Hospital. We did not observe significant association of rs1884052 and rs3778099 with BMD, BMI, glucose, triglyceride, and total cholesterol (CHO) levels. For rs2234693, increased levels of BMD for hip, spine or whole‐body regions were consistently observed in TT/TC genotype carriers than in CC genotype carriers, although the board line significance diminished after adjusting for age and gender. However, significant association of rs2234693 with glucose and CHO levels were observed in our sample. Subjects with TC/CC genotypes were associated with an increased level of glucose (p = 0.013) and CHO (p = 0.032) levels than subjects with TT genotypes. In conclusion, we did not confirm the association of rs1884052 and rs3778099 with BMD originally discovered in a GWA study; however, we made novel discoveries that rs2234693 was associated with glucose and CHO levels in Chinese Hans.
Variations in Fatty Acids, Phospholipids and Sterols During the Seed Development of a High Oleic Sunflower Variety
Authors: Zlatanov M. D. , Angelova‐Romova M. J. , Antova G. A. , Dimitrova R. D. , Momchilova S. M. , Nikolova‐Damyanova Boryana M. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe changes in the content and composition of total fatty acids, phospholipids and sterol esters, and their fatty acids, and of free sterols and tocopherols in developing seeds of a selection of high oleic acid sunflower varieties grown in Bulgaria were examined over a period of 15th to 90th day after flowering by means of various chromatographic methods. Under the climatic and geographical conditions typical for the South‐East Balkans phospholipid, sterol‐, sterol ester‐ and tocopherol‐ species are formed practically completely in the first 15 days after flowering. Until the 90th day, only quantitative changes were detected to give a product with 65% oil content, 1% phospholipids, 0.3% total sterols and 0.09% tocopherols. Oleic acid is the main component in all acyl derivatives, reaching 85% of the total fatty acids while palmitic and stearic acid content is about 4% each. The product is a good quality HOSO with beneficial content of FA and good prospects as a salad and cooking oil.
Changes in maternal depression are associated with MST outcomes for adolescents with co‐occurring externalizing and internalizing problems
Authors: Grimbos Teresa , Granic Isabela 
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACTThe efficacy of Multisystemic therapy (MST) in treating adolescent aggression has been established, however, not all youth and their families benefit from MST. One reason for this treatment variability could be the failure to distinguish between different aggressive subtypes with different risk factors, developmental prognoses and treatment needs. We investigated whether changes in maternal depression over MST would lead to different outcomes for two aggressive subtypes: pure externalizers (EXT) and mixed externalizers/internalizers (MIXED). Forty‐two EXT and 27 MIXED youth and their families underwent MST for six months. Maternal depression, youth externalizing and internalizing behaviour were assessed before and after MST. Results showed a marginally greater change in externalizing for EXT youth. In addition, reductions in maternal depression were related to successful treatment outcomes for MIXED youth only. Our findings have implications for MST clinicians, namely the importance of reducing depressive symptoms in mothers of MIXED youth to improve their outcomes.
Outcome of inpatient opiate detoxification treatment in immigrants as compared to native Germans
Authors: Specka M. , Buchholz A. , Kuhlmann T. , Haasen C. , Scherbaum N. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractBackgroundImmigration is a factor with effects on the course of substance abuse and treatment response, however there is little consistent data regarding outcome of inpatient opiate detoxification treatment in immigrants as compared to native patients.MethodsPatient history and the success of current detoxification treatment were systematically documented in a multicenter study in Germany which included 10 psychiatric hospitals with specialized detoxification wards.ResultsOut of 893 patients, 240 (27%) had a migration history. We further analyzed the three main groups (German, n = 653; Turkish, n = 58; Russian origin, n = 103). There were significant differences between groups regarding sociodemographic data, drug history, treatment experience and success of current treatment. However, considering the younger age of patients with Russian origin, analysis of younger patients (< 31 years) detected only minor group differences. In multiple logistic regressions age and center showed statistically significant associations with all outcome variables (early dropout, achievement of drug-free urine screen, regular completion of detoxification treatment, and referral to further treatment), while (Russian) origin was associated only with premature termination of treatment.ConclusionYoung men were the main problem group regardless of origin. Significant center effects raise doubts regarding results from monocenter research.
Effect of body mass index on clinical manifestations in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Tamimi Waleed , Siddiqui Imran A. , Tamim Hani , AlEisa Nada , Adham Maysoon 
Published: July 2009

AbstractObjectiveTo determine whether there is a correlation between body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure or clinical features such as hirsutism in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).MethodIn this cross‐sectional study, 62 women with PCOS were allocated to one of 3 groups according to a BMI range defining normal weight, overweight, or obesity. Blood pressure, waist‐to‐hip ratio, Ferriman and Gallwey hirsutism score, and presence of acne were recorded for each participant and the means were compared among groups.ResultsThe overall mean age was 35.85 ± 5.03 years; BMI, 31.91 ± 6.40; systolic and diastolic blood pressure, 113.02 ± 16.10 mm Hg and 71.79 ± 10.04 mm Hg; waist‐to‐hip ratio, 0.82 ± 0.07; and hirsutism score, 3.63 ± 4.35. Acne was present in 24 participants. Of these, 8 (33.3%) were overweight and 13 (54.2%) obese. When groups were compared, a progressive and significant increase in systolic and diastolic blood pressure was observed from the normal weight to the obese group.ConclusionWe observed a significant and progressive correlation between BMI and both blood pressure and clinical features in women with PCOS.
Thermal antinociception after dexmedetomidine administration in cats: A comparison between intramuscular and oral transmucosal administration
Authors: Slingsby Louisa S. , Taylor Polly M. , Monroe Taylor 
Published: July 2009

Dexmedetomidine 40 μg/kg was administered either intramuscularly (IM) or oral transmucosally (OTM) to 12 cats in a randomised cross-over study. Thermal nociceptive thresholds and visual analogue scale (VAS) sedation scores were obtained before and at regular intervals up to 24 h after test drug administration. The summary measures of overall mean threshold, overall mean VAS sedation plus onset, offset and duration of analgesia were investigated using a univariate general linear model. There were no significant differences between treatment groups. Data are presented as mean±standard deviation: delta T mean increase over time (IM 6°C±3°C, OTM 6°C±2°C); overall mean VAS (IM 43±9 OTM 39±1); onset (IM 35±32 and OTM 30±40 min); offset (IM 96±56 and OTM 138±135 min); duration (IM 61±47 OTM 99±124 min). Dexmedetomidine is well absorbed through the oral mucosa in cats since OTM and IM administration of dexmedetomidine 40 μg/kg produced similar overall sedative and antinociceptive effects.
Low-Grade Alimentary Lymphoma: Clinicopathological Findings and Response to Treatment in 17 Cases
Authors: Lingard Amy E. , Briscoe Katherine , Beatty Julia A. , Moore Antony S. , Crowley Ann M. , Krockenberger Mark , Churcher Richard K. , Canfield Paul J. , Barrs Vanessa R. 
Published: July 2009

Low-grade alimentary lymphoma (LGAL) was diagnosed by histological and immunohistochemical evaluation of full-thickness biopsies from multiple regions of the gastrointestinal tract collected during exploratory laparotomy in 17 cats. The most common clinical signs were weight loss ( n=17) and vomiting and/or diarrhoea ( n=15). Clinical signs were chronic in 11 cases. Abdominal palpation was abnormal in 12 cats, including diffuse intestinal thickening ( n=8), an abdominal mass due to mesenteric lymph node enlargement ( n=5) and a focal mural intestinal mass ( n=1). The most common ultrasonographic finding was normal or increased intestinal wall thickness with preservation of layering. Ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspirates of mesenteric lymph nodes ( n=9) were incorrectly identified as benign lymphoid hyperplasia in eight cats, in which the histological diagnosis from biopsies was lymphoma. There was neoplastic infiltration of more than one anatomic region of the gastrointestinal tract in 16/17 cats. The jejunum (15/15 cats) and ileum (13/14 cats), followed by the duodenum (10/12 cats), were the most frequently affected sites. Twelve cats were treated with oral prednisolone and high-dose pulse chlorambucil, two with a modified Madison–Wisconsin multiagent protocol and three with a combination of both protocols. Thirteen of the 17 cats (76%) had complete clinical remission with a median remission time of 18.9 months. Cats that achieved complete remission had significantly longer median survival times (19.3 months) than cats that did not achieve complete remission ( n=4) (4.1 months; P=0.019). The prognosis for cats with LGAL treated with oral prednisolone in combination with high-dose pulse chlorambucil is good to excellent.
Evaluation of the performance of normal elderly in a limb praxis protocol: Influence of age, gender, and education
Authors: RODRIGUES CAVALCANTE KARLA , CARAMELLI PAULO 
Published: July 2009

AbstractLimb praxis can be influenced by age, gender, and education. The present study investigated the influence of these variables on gesture production by healthy elderly subjects. We evaluated 96 individuals divided into two age groups (60–74 and 75–88 years). Each group contained 48 men and 48 women and was subdivided into four groups according to education: illiterates and 1–3, 4–7, and 8 or more years of education. Individuals were requested to carry out tasks on verbal command and imitation. There were no differences between the performance of men and women, while older individuals performed worse than their younger counterparts. Regarding educational level, three major groups emerged: illiterates, individuals with 1–7 years of education, and those with 8 or more years of education. In conclusion, age and education significantly influenced the performance of individuals in limb praxis tests. (JINS, 2009, 15, 618–622.)
Modulation of medial temporal lobe activity in epilepsy patients with hippocampal sclerosis during verbal working memory
Authors: CAMPO PABLO , MAESTÚ FERNANDO , GARCÍA-MORALES IRENE , GIL-NAGEL ANTONIO , STRANGE BRYAN , MORALES MANUEL , ORTIZ TOMÁS 
Published: July 2009

AbstractIt has been traditionally assumed that medial temporal lobe (MTL) is not required for working memory (WM). However, animal lesion and electrophysiological studies and human neuropsychological and neuroimaging studies have provided increasing evidences of a critical involvement of MTL in WM. Based on previous findings, the central aim of this study was to investigate the contribution of the MTL to verbal WM encoding. Here, we used magnetoencephalography (MEG) to compare the patterns of MTL activation of 9 epilepsy patients suffering from left hippocampal sclerosis with those of 10 healthy matched controls while they performed a verbal WM task. MEG recordings allow detailed tracking of the time course of MTL activation. We observed impaired WM performance associated with changes in the dynamics of MTL activity in epilepsy patients. Specifically, whereas patients showed decreased activity in damaged MTL, activity in the contralateral MTL was enhanced, an effect that became significant in the 600- to 700-ms interval after stimulus presentation. These findings strongly support the crucial contribution of MTL to verbal WM encoding and provide compelling evidence for the proposal that MTL contributes to both episodic memory and WM. Whether this pattern is signaling reorganization or a normal use of a damaged structure is discussed. (JINS, 2009, 15, 536–546.)
Perception of strong-meter and weak-meter rhythms in children with spina bifida meningomyelocele
Authors: HOPYAN TALAR , SCHELLENBERG E. GLENN , DENNIS MAUREEN 
Published: July 2009

AbstractNeurodevelopmental disorders such as spina bifida meningomyelocele (SBM) are often associated with dysrhythmic movement. We studied rhythm discrimination in 21 children with SBM and in 21 age-matched controls, with the research question being whether both groups showed a strong-meter advantage whereby rhythm discrimination is better for rhythms with a strong-meter, in which onsets of longer intervals occurred on the beat, than those with a weak-meter, in which onsets of longer intervals occurred off the beat. Compared to controls, the SBM group was less able to discriminate strong-meter rhythms, although they performed comparably in discriminating weak-meter rhythms. The attenuated strong-meter advantage in children with SBM shows that their rhythm deficits occur at the level of both perception and action, and may represent a central processing disruption of the brain mechanisms for rhythm. (JINS, 2009,15, 521–528.)
Photon-Assisted Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy and Ultrafast Imaging
Authors: Howie Archie 
Published: July 2009

AbstractA variety of ways is described in which photons can be used not only for ultrafast electron microscopy but also to enormously widen the energy range of spatially-resolved electron spectroscopy. Periodic chains of femtosecond laser pulses are a particularly important and accurately timed source for single-shot imaging and diffraction as well as for several forms of pump-probe microscopy at even higher spatial resolution and sub-picosecond timing. Many exciting new fields are opened up for study by these developments. Ultrafast, single shot diffraction with intense pulses of X-rays supplemented by phase retrieval techniques may eventually offer a challenging alternative and purely photon-based route to dynamic imaging at high spatial resolution.
The Evolution of Ultrafast Electron Microscope Instrumentation
Authors: Reed B.W. , Armstrong M.R. , Browning N.D. , Campbell G.H. , Evans J.E. , LaGrange T. , Masiel D.J. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractExtrapolating from a brief survey of the literature, we outline a vision for the future development of time-resolved electron probe instruments that could offer levels of performance and flexibility that push the limits of physical possibility. This includes a discussion of the electron beam parameters (brightness and emittance) that limit performance, the identification of a dimensionless invariant figure of merit for pulsed electron guns (the number of electrons per lateral coherence area, per pulse), and calculations of how this figure of merit determines the trade-off of spatial against temporal resolution for different imaging modes. Modern photonics' ability to control its fundamental particles at the quantum level, while enjoying extreme flexibility and a very large variety of operating modes, is held up as an example and a goal. We argue that this goal may be approached by combining ideas already in the literature, suggesting the need for large-scale collaborative development of next-generation time-resolved instruments.
Ultracold Electron Source for Single-Shot, Ultrafast Electron Diffraction
Authors: van der Geer S.B. , de Loos M.J. , Vredenbregt E.J.D. , Luiten O.J. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractUltrafast electron diffraction (UED) enables studies of structural dynamics at atomic length and timescales, i.e., 0.1 nm and 0.1 ps, in single-shot mode. At present UED experiments are based on femtosecond laser photoemission from solid state cathodes. These photoemission sources perform excellently, but are not sufficiently bright for single-shot studies of, for example, biomolecular samples. We propose a new type of electron source, based on near-threshold photoionization of a laser-cooled and trapped atomic gas. The electron temperature of these sources can be as low as 10 K, implying an increase in brightness by orders of magnitude. We investigate a setup consisting of an ultracold electron source and standard radio-frequency acceleration techniques by GPT tracking simulations. The simulations use realistic fields and include all pairwise Coulomb interactions. We show that in this setup 120 keV, 0.1 pC electron bunches can be produced with a longitudinal emittance sufficiently small for enabling sub-100 fs bunch lengths at 1% relative energy spread. A transverse root-mean-square normalized emittance of εx = 10 nm is obtained, significantly better than from photoemission sources. Correlations in transverse phase-space indicate that the transverse emittance can be improved even further, enabling single-shot studies of biomolecular samples.
Zinc Mapping and Density Imaging of Rabbit Pancreas Endocrine Tissue Sections Using Nuclear Microscopy
Authors: Ynsa M.D. , Ren M.Q. , Rajendran R. , Sidhapuriwala J.N. , van Kan J.A. , Bhatia M. , Watt F. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractNuclear microscopy is a suite of techniques based on a focused beam of MeV protons. These techniques have the unique ability to image density and structural variations in relatively thick tissue sections, map trace elements at the cellular level to the microgram per gram (dry weight) level, and extract quantitative information on these elements. The trace elemental studies can be carried out on unstained freeze-dried tissue sections, thereby minimizing any problems of contamination or redistribution of elements during conventional staining and fixing procedures. The pancreas is a gland with different specialized cells and a complex hormonal activity where trace elements play an important role. For example, zinc has an active role in insulin production, and calcium ions participate in the stimulation and secretion process of insulin. Using nuclear microscopy with a spatial resolution of 1 μm, we have located, using zinc mapping, the islets of Langerhans in freeze-dried normal rabbit tissue sections. The islets of Langerhans contain β-cells responsible for insulin production. Subsequent quantitative analyses have indicated elevations in most elements within the islets of Langerhans, and significantly so for the concentrations of Zn [3,300 compared to 90 μg/g (dry weight)] and Ca [1,100 compared to 390 μg/g (dry weight)].
Nuclear Microscopy: A Novel Technique for Quantitative Imaging of Gadolinium Distribution within Tissue Sections
Authors: Rajendran Reshmi , Ronald John A. , Ye Tao , Minqin Ren , Chen John W. , Weissleder Ralph , Rutt Brian K. , Halliwell Barry , Watt Frank 
Published: July 2009

AbstractAll clinically-approved and many novel gadolinium (Gd)-based contrast agents used to enhance signal intensity in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are optically silent. To verify MRI results, a “gold standard” that can map and quantify Gd down to the parts per million (ppm) levels is required. Nuclear microscopy is a relatively new technique that has this capability and is composed of a combination of three ion beam techniques: scanning transmission ion microscopy, Rutherford backscattering spectrometry, and particle induced X-ray emission used in conjunction with a high energy proton microprobe. In this proof-of-concept study, we show that in diseased aortic vessel walls obtained at 2 and 4 h after intravenous injection of the myeloperoxidase-senstitive MRI agent, bis-5-hydroxytryptamide-diethylenetriamine-pentaacetate gadolinium, there was a time-dependant Gd clearance (2 h = 18.86 ppm, 4 h = 8.65 ppm). As expected, the control animal, injected with the clinically-approved conventional agent diethylenetriamine-pentaacetate gadolinium and sacrificed 1 week after injection, revealed no significant residual Gd in the tissue. Similar to known in vivo Gd pharmacokinetics, we found that Gd concentration dropped by a factor of 2 in vessel wall tissue in 1.64 h. Further high-resolution studies revealed that Gd was relatively uniformly distributed, consistent with random agent diffusion. We conclude that nuclear microscopy is potentially very useful for validation studies involving Gd-based magnetic resonance contrast agents.
Executive Leadership and Fiscal Discipline: Explaining Political Entrepreneurship in Cases of Japan
Authors: FUJIMURA NAOFUMI 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThis article discusses the effects of executive leadership on fiscal policies and performance. I propose that executive leadership, as a political entrepreneur who provides collective goods for organization, has incentives to maintain fiscal discipline so that he or she can stay in office by developing his or her party's reputation and leading party legislators to electoral success. This article argues that executive leadership with stronger public support is more likely to restrain fiscal expenditure and maintain fiscal discipline. I demonstrate this argument by showing that the prime minister who receives higher public support is more likely to restrain fiscal expenditure in Japan.
Biodiversity of date palms ( Phoenix dactylifera L.) in Sudan: chemical, morphological and DNA polymorphisms of selected cultivars
Authors: Elshibli Sakina , Korpelainen Helena 
Published: July 2009

Date palm fruits of 15 cultivars were collected at harvest (Tamr stage) from the Nori Horticultural Orchard in the Northern State of Sudan for morphological and chemical characterization. Morphological and DNA polymorphisms of the mother trees were also investigated. Significant (P &lt; 0.001) differentiation of cultivars in relation to tree height, and number and length of pinnae and spines was observed. Fruit weight, flesh weight and fruit and seed sizes expressed a wide range of diversity among cultivars. Significant differences were also observed among cultivars for all tested sugars (P &lt; 0.001). Titratable acidity was found to be a characteristic feature of almost every cultivar. The results of DNA genotyping indicated high genetic diversity among cultivars with Nei's genetic distances ranging from 0.693 to 3.496, and expected and observed heterozygosity equalling 0.837 and 0.950, respectively. This study highlights the diversity of date palms in Sudan, as represented by apparent morphological characters, chemical composition of fruits as well as DNA polymorphism. The employment of different techniques for data analyses gave conclusive ideas on some interrelationships among a large set of characters; the knowledge of such relationships can be utilized for screening date palm cultivars for possible descriptors.