bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genetic polymorphism of CCR2‐64I increased the susceptibility of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Yeh Chao‐Bin , Tsai Hsiu‐Ting , Chen Yi‐Chen , Kuo Wu‐Hsien , Chen Tzy‐Yen , Hsieh Yi‐Hsien , Chou Ming‐Chih , Yang Shun‐Fa 
Published: August 2010

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to investigate genetic impact of monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1) and its receptor chemokine receptor‐2 (CCR2) gene polymorphisms on the susceptibility and clinicopathological characteristics of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).MethodsA total of 446 subjects, including 344 healthy controls and 102 patients with HCC, were recruited in this study and subjected to PCR‐RFLP to estimate the impact of these two polymorphic variants on HCC.ResultsNo relationship between MCP‐1 −2518G/A gene polymorphism and HCC risk was found among our recruited HCC patients and healthy controls. However, there was a significantly increased risk (AOR = 1.91; 95% CI = 1.11–3.29) of having HCC among subjects with GA heterozygotes of CCR2 V64I after adjusting for other confoundings. There was no synergistic effect between gene polymorphism and environmental risk factors, including tobacco and alcohol consumptions, as well as clinicopathological parameters of HCC for MCP‐1 −2518G/A and CCR2 V64I genes, respectively.ConclusionsCCR2‐64I gene polymorphism is an important factor for the susceptibility of HCC but it might not influence the clinical pathological progression of HCC, and the contribution of CCR2‐64I gene polymorphism on the susceptibility of HCC could be not through the affection of liver injury‐related clinical pathological characteristics. J. Surg. Oncol. 2010;102:264–270. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
State vs. market in search of good governance: The case of Sri Lanka telecommunications industry reforms
Authors: Balasooriya Asoka , Alam Quamrul , Coghill Ken 
Published: August 2010

AbstractThis research investigates the relationship between the state and the market under independent regulation that accompanied telecommunications‐sector reforms in Sri Lanka. It assesses whether the telecommunications regulator has been functioning in line with market principles.Building on the findings of an exploratory study undertaken for a doctoral degree in 2006–07, the study finds that the regulator has been performing under a plethora of constraints: institutionally, politically, legally, and socially. Institutionally, the regulator is affected by its own internal problems, a lack of capability and capacity, and a complexity created by the other agencies. Politicians have become exceptionally powerful, affecting every function of the regulator. Legal provisions have proven inadequate. Socially, regulatory functions are affected, causing delays. It is important to highlight the fact that these are interconnected; one creates or influences another. The findings suggest that the environment in which the regulator operates affects the credibility and effectiveness of a regulatory framework. The authors, with their extensive expertise, argue that such blockages could be overcome through various measures proposed in the conclusion. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Assessment of Influence of Magnetic Forces on Aggregation of Zero-valent Iron Nanoparticles
Authors: Rosická Dana , Šembera Jan 
Published: August 2010

AbstractAggregation of zero-valent nanoparticles in groundwater is influenced by several physical phenomena. The article shortly introduces preceding works in modeling of aggregation of small particles including influence of sedimentation, velocity profile of water, heat fluctuations, and surface electric charge. A brief description of inclusion of magnetic forces into the model of aggregation follows. Rate of influence of the magnetic forces on the aggregation depends on the magnitude of magnetization of the particles, radius of nanoparticles, size of the aggregates, and their concentration in the solution. Presented results show that the magnetic forces have significant influence on aggregation especially of the smallest iron particles.
Ethoxylation of Fatty Acids Fractions of Overused Vegetable Oils
Authors: El‐Shattory Youssef Aly , Abo El‐Wafa Ghada A. , Aly Saadia M. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractUnsaturated and saturated fatty acids fractions were separated from overused sunflower and olein oils, which are considered to be a waste, in order to use them in the preparation of valuable ethoxylated fatty derivatives with low cost of preparation. Fatty acid fractions were ethoxylated using ethylene oxide gas in the presence of 1% K2CO3 catalyst at 120 and 180 °C for 5, 6 and 7 h. Also fresh stearic acid and a fresh mixture of stearic acid:sunflower oil (1:1 wt/wt) were ethoxylated at 180 °C for 6 h for comparison. Results showed that effective fatty derivatives could be obtained from overused oils which may give an economic retrieval. Also, reaction conditions have different effects on the properties of the produced derivatives where the best results were obtained for samples prepared at 180 °C for 6 and 7 h. Ethoxylating the saturated fatty acids fraction of both overused oils especially olein oil gave better results than those of the unsaturated fraction, the ethoxylated fresh stearic acid and the ethoxylated fresh mixture of stearic acid:sunflower oil (1:1 wt/wt).
Screening for Potential Antimicrobial Activities of Some Cationic Uracil Biocides Against Wide‐Spreading Bacterial Strains
Authors: Negm Nabel A. , Aiad Ismail A. , Tawfik Salah M. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractEight novel uracil‐based cationic surfactants containing Schiff base species were synthesized and characterized using elemental analysis, FTIR, 1H‐NMR and 13C‐NMR spectroscopy. The surface activities of the synthesized Schiff bases and their cationic derivatives were determined based on interfacial tension measurements and partition coefficient values in water/octanol system. The synthesized Schiff bases and their cationic derivatives were evaluated as novel biocides against different bacteria and fungi strains. The results showed that the biocidal activity of the synthesized Schiff bases was considerably increased by quaternization. The influence of the cationic surfactants as biocides was increased by increasing the hydrophobic chain length and the presence of the methoxy groups. The biocidal activity was also increased by increasing the partition coefficient in water/octanol system. The structure and surface activity/biocidal activity of the different compounds were discussed.
Resolution of a Five‐Component Mixture of Quaternary Ammonium Surfactants on Silica Gel 60 F254 High Performance Thin Layer Chromatographic Plates
Authors: Bhawani Showkat A. , Sulaiman Othman , Khan Ziya A. , Hashim Rokiah , Ibrahim Mohamad N. M. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractThe mutual separation of a mixture of cetyltrimethyl ammonium chloride (CTAC), methyl trioctyl ammonium bromide (MTOB), dodecyltrimethyl ammonium chloride (DTAC), benzyltrimethyl ammonium chloride (BTAC) and tetrabutyl ammonium bromide (TBAB), was achieved on silica high performance thin layer chromatographic plates using dimethyl sulfoxide with aqueous sodium‐l‐tartrate dibasic dihydrate as the solvent system. The effect of concentration of sodium‐l‐tartrate dibasic dihydrate on the mobility of all the five quaternaries was examined. The limit of detection of CTAC, MTOB, DTAC, BTAC and TBAB was estimated as 0.6, 0.6, 0.3, 0.6 and 0.3 μg/zone, respectively. The method developed was utilized to identify these surfactants in different spiked water samples after their preliminary separation.
A High Legume Low Glycemic Index Diet Improves Serum Lipid Profiles in Men
Authors: Zhang Zhiying , Lanza Elaine , Kris‐Etherton Penny M. , Colburn Nancy H. , Bagshaw Deborah , Rovine Michael J. , Ulbrecht Jan S. , Bobe Gerd , Chapkin Robert S. , Hartman Terryl J. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractClinical studies have shown that fiber consumption facilitates weight loss and improves lipid profiles; however, the beneficial effects of high fermentable fiber low glycemic index (GI) diets under conditions of weight maintenance are unclear. In the Legume Inflammation Feeding Experiment, a randomized controlled cross‐over feeding study, 64 middle‐aged men who had undergone colonoscopies within the previous 2 years received both a healthy American (HA) diet (no legume consumption, fiber consumption = 9 g/1,000 kcal, and GI = 69) and a legume enriched (1.5 servings/1,000 kcal), high fiber (21 g/1,000 kcal), low GI (GI = 38) diet (LG) in random order. Diets were isocaloric and controlled for macronutrients including saturated fat; they were consumed each for 4 weeks with a 2–4 week break separating dietary treatments. Compared to the HA diet, the LG diet led to greater declines in both fasting serum total cholesterol (TC) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) (P < 0.001 and P < 0.01, respectively). Insulin‐resistant (IR) subjects had greater reductions in high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C; P < 0.01), and triglycerides (TAG)/HDL‐C (P = 0.02) after the LG diet, compared to the HA diet. Insulin‐sensitive (IS) subjects had greater reductions in TC (P < 0.001), LDL‐C (P < 0.01), TC/HDL‐C (P < 0.01), and LDL‐C/HDL‐C (P = 0.02) after the LG diet, compared to the HA diet. In conclusion, a high legume, high fiber, low GI diet improves serum lipid profiles in men, compared to a healthy American diet. However, IR individuals do not achieve the full benefits of the same diet on cardiovascular disease (CVD) lipid risk factors.
Early Re-Resection for T1 Transitional Cell Carcinoma of the Bladder—A Study of Current Practice in the South West of England
Authors: Aning Jonathan J. , Hotston Matthew , Pisipatti Saila , Davenport Kim , Goh Matthew , Walton Melanie , Waine Elizabeth , Cox Robert , McGrath John S. 
Published: August 2010

Objective: To evaluate resection and re-resection practice in the South West region of England in patients with newly diagnosed T1 bladder cancer. Patients and methods: All patients diagnosed with T1 disease between 2005 and 2008 were identified. Patients with incomplete primary resections were excluded. Results: Of 344 patients identified, the primary resection specimen did not contain deep muscle in 110 (32%). In total, 76 patients (22%) underwent a planned re-resection within 8 weeks of their primary resection. In 225 patients, a routine check cystoscopy was performed at an interval of 3 months or greater. The remainder had no further cystoscopy. Residual disease was present in 38 (50%) patients undergoing early re-resection and 89 (40%) patients in the routine check cystoscopy group. Upstaging of tumours from T1 to T2 was demonstrated in 7% and 5% of patients within these respective groups. Grade of operating surgeon was not a predictor of adequacy of resection or tumour persistence/recurrence. Conclusions: Primary transurethral resection remains an area for improvement in contemporary practice. Early re-resection should be performed in patients with newly diagnosed T1 bladder cancer unless precluded by co-morbidity to ensure complete resection, accurate staging and facilitate risk stratification. Selective approaches to re-resection risk delayed treatment of significant residual disease.
Effects of raised‐intensity phonation on inflammatory mediator gene expression in normal rabbit vocal fold
Authors: Swanson Erik R. , Ohno Tsunehisa , Abdollahian Dave , Garrett C. Gaelyn , Rousseau Bernard 
Published: August 2010

OBJECTIVETo investigate the hypothesis that a transient episode of raised‐intensity phonation causes a significant increase in vocal fold inflammatory messenger RNA (mRNA) expression in vivo.STUDY DESIGNProspective animal study.SETTINGLaboratory.SUBJECTS AND METHODSTen New Zealand White breeder rabbits received 30 minutes of experimentally induced modal or raised‐intensity phonation, followed by a 30‐minute recovery period. A separate group of five rabbits served as sham controls. Real‐time polymerase chain reaction was performed to investigate the mRNA expression of interleukin 1β (IL‐1β), transforming growth factor β (TGFβ1), and cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2). Separate one‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests were used to investigate differences in gene expression across groups, with an appropriate alpha correction of 0.016 to control for type I error. Significant main effects were further examined using Fisher's least significant difference.RESULTSANOVA revealed that there were differences for IL‐1β, TGFβ1, and COX‐2 between sham control, modal phonation, and raised‐intensity phonation (P < 0.0001). Pairwise comparisons revealed that the expression of IL‐1β, COX‐2, and TGFβ1 increased significantly during raised‐intensity phonation, compared to modal phonation and sham control (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Results provided support for the hypothesis that a transient episode of raised‐intensity phonation causes a significant increase in vocal fold inflammatory mRNA expression. Future studies will investigate the signal transduction pathways and mechanisms regulating the vocal fold inflammatory response. The long‐term goal of these studies is to advance understanding of the molecular and cellular events underlying phonation‐related tissue alterations.
Was FLK North levels 1–2 a classic “living floor” of Oldowan hominins or a taphonomically complex palimpsest dominated by large carnivore feeding behavior?
Authors: Bunn H.T. , Mabulla A.Z.P. , Domínguez-Rodrigo M. , Ashley G.M. , Barba R. , Diez-Martín F. , Remer K. , Yravedra J. , Baquedano E. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractFrom excavation at FLK North levels 1–2 in 1960–1962, Mary Leakey reported approximately 1200 Oldowan artifacts and 3300 large mammal fossils as a hominin “living floor”. Preliminary taphonomic analysis by Bunn seemed supportive, based on the presence of some cut-marked bones, the concentration of several dozen bovid individuals, and the relative abundance of limbs and mandibles over other axial elements. Recent taphonomic analysis of Leakey's entire fossil assemblage by Domínguez-Rodrigo and Barba, however, documents a minor hominin role at the site, contrasted to the dominant role of carnivores. Felids brought prey animals; hyenas scavenged from abandoned felid meals. At different times, hominins butchered several bovids and discarded artifacts at this dynamic location. Since 2006, renewed excavations at FLK North and other sites by the Olduvai Paleoanthropology and Paleoecology Project (TOPPP) have expanded artifact and fossil samples and implemented new analytical approaches to clarify taphonomic histories of the Olduvai paleolandscape. At FLK North, > 1000 new large mammal fossils from levels 1 to 2 show minimal butchery evidence amid abundant evidence of carnivore gnawing/fracture, rodent gnawing, and sediment abrasion. To help guide future excavation and analyses, we have developed several alternative working hypotheses of site formation.
Late Quaternary glacial chronology on Nevado Illimani, Bolivia, and the implications for paleoclimatic reconstructions across the Andes
Authors: Smith Colby A. , Lowell Thomas V. , Owen Lewis A. , Caffee Marc W. 
Published: August 2010

Abstract10Be terrestrial cosmogenic nuclide surface exposure ages from moraines on Nevado Illimani, Cordillera Real, Bolivia suggest that glaciers retreated from moraines during the periods 15.5–13.0 ka, 10.0–8.5 ka, and 3.5–2.0 ka. Late glacial moraines at Illimani are associated with an ELA depression of 400–600 m, which is consistent with other local reconstructions of late glacial ELAs in the Eastern Cordillera of the central Andes. A comparison of late glacial ELAs between the Eastern Cordillera and Western Cordillera indicates a marked change toward flattening of the east-to-west regional ELA gradient. This flattening is consistent with increased precipitation from the Pacific during the late glacial period.
Genomic and metabolomic patterns segregate with responses to calcium and vitamin D supplementation
Authors: Elnenaei Manal O. , Chandra Rama , Mangion Tina , Moniz Caje 
Published: August 2010

Inter-individual response differences to vitamin D and Ca supplementation may be under genetic control through vitamin D and oestrogen receptor genes, which may influence their absorption and/or metabolism. Metabolomic studies on blood and urine from subjects supplemented with Ca and vitamin D reveal different metabolic profiles that segregate with genotype. Genotyping was performed for oestrogen receptor 1 gene (ESR1) and vitamin D receptor gene (VDR) in fifty-six postmenopausal women. Thirty-six women were classified as low bone density as determined by a heel ultrasound scan and twenty women had normal bone density acting as ‘controls’. Those with low bone density (LBD) were supplemented with oral Ca and vitamin D and were classified according to whether they were ‘responders’ or ‘non-responders’ according to biochemical results before and after therapy compared to controls receiving no supplementation. Metabolomic studies on serum and urine were done for the three groups at 0 and 3 months of therapy using NMR spectroscopy with pattern recognition. The ‘non-responder’ group showed a higher frequency of polymorphisms in the ESR1 (codons 10 and 325) and VDR (Bsm1 and Taq1), compared with to the ‘responders’. The wild-type genotype for Fok1 was more frequent in those with LBD (70 %) compared with the control group (10 %). Distinctive patterns of metabolites were displayed by NMR studies at baseline and 3 months of post-treatment, segregating responders from non-responders and controls. Identification of potential ‘non-responders’ to vitamin D and Ca, before therapy, based on a genomic and/or metabolomic profile would allow targeted selection of optimal therapy on an individual basis.
Reduction of common cold symptoms by encapsulated juice powder concentrate of fruits and vegetables: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Roll Stephanie , Nocon Marc , Willich Stefan N. 
Published: August 2010

Dietary supplements have been suggested in the prevention of the common cold, but previous investigations have been inconsistent. The present study was designed to determine the preventive effect of a dietary supplement from fruits and vegetables on common cold symptoms. In a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, healthcare professionals (mainly nursing staff aged 18–65 years) from a university hospital in Berlin, Germany, were randomised to four capsules of dietary supplement (Juice Plus+®) or matching placebo daily for 8 months, including a 2-month run-in period. The number of days with moderate or severe common cold symptoms within 6 months (primary outcome) was assessed by diary self-reports. We determined means and 95 % CI, and differences between the two groups were analysed by ANOVA. A total of 529 subjects were included into the primary analysis (Juice Plus+®: 263, placebo: 266). The mean age of the participants was 39·9 (sd 10·3) years, and 80 % of the participants were female. The mean number of days with moderate or severe common cold symptoms was 7·6 (95 % CI 6·5, 8·8) in the Juice Plus+® group and 9·5 (8·4, 10·6) in the placebo group (P = 0·023). The mean number of total days with any common cold symptoms was similar in the Juice Plus+® and in the placebo groups (29·4 (25·8, 33·0) v. 30·7 (27·1, 34·3), P = 0·616). Intake of a dietary supplement from fruits and vegetables was associated with a 20 % reduction of moderate or severe common cold symptom days in healthcare professionals particularly exposed to patient contact.
Winter wheat yield response to climate variability in Denmark
Authors: KRISTENSEN K. , SCHELDE K. , OLESEN J. E. 
Published: August 2010

SUMMARYData on grain yield from field trials on winter wheat under conventional farming, harvested between 1992 and 2008, were combined with daily weather data available for 44 grids covering Denmark. Nine agroclimatic indices were calculated and used for describing the relation between weather data and grain yield. These indices were calculated as average temperature, radiation and precipitation during winter (1 October–31 March), spring (1 April–15 June) and summer (16 June–31 July), and they were included as linear and quadratic covariates in a mixed regression model. The model also included an effect of year to describe the change in yield caused by unrecorded variables such as management changes. The final model included all effects that were significant for at least one of the two soil types (sandy and loamy soils). Seven of the nine agroclimatic indices were included in the final model that was used to predict the wheat grain yield under five climate scenarios (a baseline for 1985 and two climate change projections for 2020 and 2040) for two soil types and two locations in Denmark.The agroclimatic index for summer temperature showed the strongest effect causing lower yields with increasing temperature, whereas yield increased with increasing radiation during summer and spring. Winter precipitation and spring temperature did not affect grain yield significantly. Grain yield responded non-linearly to mean winter temperature with the highest yield at 4·4°C and lower yields both below and above this inflection point.The application of the model predicted that the average yield would decrease under projected climate change. The average decrease varied between 0·1 and 0·8 t/ha (comparable to a relative reduction of 1·6–12.3%) depending on the climate projection, location and soil type. On average, the grain yield decreased by about 0·25 t/ha (c. 3.6%) from 1985 to 2020 and by about 0·55 t/ha (c. 8·0%) from 1985 to 2040. The predicted yield decrease depended on climate projection and was larger for wheat grown in West Zealand than in Central Jutland and in most cases also larger for loamy soils than for sandy soils.The inter-annual variation in grain yield varied greatly between climate projections. The coefficient of variation (CV) varied between 0·16 and 0·46 and was smallest for wheat grown on loamy soils in Central Jutland in the baseline climate and largest for winter wheat grown under one of the 2040 climate projections. The increase in CV is not so much an effect of increased climatic variability under the climate change projections, but more an effect of increased winter temperature, where more extreme winter temperatures (lower or higher than the inflection point at 4·4°C) increased the effect of winter temperatures.
How to model planning and scheduling problems using constraint networks on timelines
Authors: Verfaillie Gérard , Pralet Cédric , Lemaître Michel 
Published: August 2010

AbstractThe CNT framework (Constraint Network on Timelines) has been designed to model discrete event dynamic systems and the properties one knows, one wants to verify, or one wants to enforce on them. In this article, after a reminder about the CNT framework, we show its modeling power and its ability to support various modeling styles, coming from the planning, scheduling, and constraint programming communities. We do that by producing and comparing various models of two mission management problems in the aerospace domain: management of a team of unmanned air vehicles and of an Earth observing satellite.