bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characterization of a thermostable β-glucosidase from Aspergillus fumigatus Z5, and its functional expression in Pichia pastoris X33
Authors: Liu Dongyang , Zhang Ruifu , Yang Xingming , Zhang Zhenhua , Song Song , Miao Youzhi , Shen Qirong 
Published: February 2012

AbstractBackgroundRecently, the increased demand of energy has strongly stimulated the research on the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into reducing sugars for the subsequent production, and β-glucosidases have been the focus because of their important roles in a variety fundamental biological processes and the synthesis of useful β-glucosides. Although the β-glucosidases of different sources have been investigated, the amount of β-glucosidases are insufficient for effective conversion of cellulose. The goal of this work was to search for new resources of β-glucosidases, which was thermostable and with high catalytic efficiency.ResultsIn this study, a thermostable native β-glucosidase (nBgl3), which is secreted by the lignocellulose-decomposing fungusAspergillus fumigatusZ5, was purified to electrophoretic homogeneity. Internal sequences of nBgl3 were obtained by LC-MS/MS, and its encoding gene,bgl3, was cloned based on the peptide sequences obtained from the LC-MS/MS results.bgl3 contains an open reading frame (ORF) of 2622 bp and encodes a protein with a predicted molecular weight of 91.47 kDa; amino acid sequence analysis of the deduced protein indicated that nBgl3 is a member of the glycoside hydrolase family 3. A recombinant β-glucosidase (rBgl3) was obtained by the functional expression ofbgl3 inPichia pastorisX33. Several biochemical properties of purified nBgl3 and rBgl3 were determined - both enzymes showed optimal activity at pH 6.0 and 60°C, and they were stable for a pH range of 4-7 and a temperature range of 50 to 70°C. Of the substrates tested, nBgl3 and rBgl3 displayed the highest activity toward 4-Nitrophenyl-β-D-glucopyranoside (pNPG), with specific activities of 103.5 ± 7.1 and 101.7 ± 5.2 U mg-1, respectively. However, these enzymes were inactive toward carboxymethyl cellulose, lactose and xylan.ConclusionsAn native β-glucosidase nBgl3 was purified to electrophoretic homogeneity from the crude extract ofA. fumigatusZ5. The genebgl3 was cloned based on the internal sequences of nBgl3 obtained from the LC-MS/MS results, and the genebgl3was expressed inPichia pastorisX33. The results of various biochemical properties of two enzymes including specific activity, pH stability, thermostability, and kinetic properties (Km and Vmax) indicated that they had no significant differences.
Modeled nitrate levels in well water supplies and prevalence of abnormal thyroid conditions among the Old Order Amish in Pennsylvania
Authors: Aschebrook-Kilfoy Briseis , Heltshe Sonya L , Nuckols John R , Sabra Mona M , Shuldiner Alan R , Mitchell Braxton D , Airola Matt , Holford Theodore R , Zhang Yawei , Ward Mary H 
Published: February 2012

Abstract

Background
Nitrate is a widespread contaminant of drinking water supplies, especially in agricultural areas. Nitrate intake from drinking water and dietary sources can interfere with the uptake of iodide by the thyroid, thus potentially impacting thyroid function.

Methods
We assessed the relation of estimated nitrate levels in well water supplies with thyroid health in a cohort of 2,543 Old Order Amish residing in Lancaster, Chester, and Lebanon counties in Pennsylvania for whom thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were measured during 1995-2008. Nitrate measurement data (1976-2006) for 3,613 wells in the study area were obtained from the U.S. Geological Survey and we used these data to estimate concentrations at study participants' residences using a standard linear mixed effects model that included hydrogeological covariates and kriging of the wells' residuals. Nitrate levels estimated by the model ranged from 0.35 mg/L to 16.4 mg/L N-NO3
-, with a median value of 6.5 mg/L, which was used as the cutpoint to define high and low nitrate exposure. In a validation analysis of the model, we calculated that the sensitivity of the model was 67% and the specificity was 93%. TSH levels were used to define the following outcomes: clinical hyperthyroidism (n = 10), clinical hypothyroidism (n = 56), subclinical hyperthyroidism (n = 25), and subclinical hypothyroidism (n = 228).

Results
In women, high nitrate exposure was significantly associated with subclinical hypothyroidism (OR = 1.60; 95% CI: 1.11-2.32). Nitrate was not associated with subclinical thyroid disease in men or with clinical thyroid disease in men or women.

Conclusions
Although these data do not provide strong support for an association between nitrate in drinking water and thyroid health, our results do suggest that further exploration of this hypothesis is warranted using studies that incorporate individual measures of both dietary and drinking water nitrate intake.
Sorafenib for hepatocellular carcinoma patients beyond Milan criteria after orthotopic liver transplantation: a case control study
Authors: Teng Chieh-Lin , Hwang Wen-Li , Chen Yi-Ju , Chang Kuang-Hsi , Cheng Shao-Bin 
Published: February 2012

Abstract

Background
Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is one of the most effective treatments for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) within the Milan criteria. However, for patients beyond these criteria, the recurrence rate is higher and the prognosis is worse. Sorafenib is the only drug showing survival benefits in advanced HCC patients; however, its role in patients beyond the Milan criteria after OLT remains unclear and requires further investigation.

Methods
As a case-control study, we retrospectively analyzed 17 Chinese patients beyond Milan criteria undergoing OLT for HCC. These patients were stratified into adjuvant (n = 5), palliative (n = 6), and control groups (n = 6).

Results
Nine of 11 patients who received sorafenib after OLT needed dose reduction due to more than grade 2 side effects. The disease-free survival rates for patients with or without adjuvant sorafenib were 100% versus 37.5% (p = 0.034) at 6 months, 66.7% versus 9.4% (p = 0.026) at 12 months, and 66.7% versus 0.0% (p = 0.011) at 18 months, respectively. The overall survival rates for patients in palliative and control groups were 66.7% versus 40.0% (p = 0.248) at 6 months, 66.7% versus 40.0% (p = 0.248) at 12 months, and 50.0% versus 20.0% (p = 0.17) at 18 months, respectively. Patients in the adjuvant group had better overall survival rates than those in the palliative and control groups (p = 0.031) at 24-month follow-up.

Conclusions
Adjuvant sorafenib could possibly extend both disease-free and overall survival for HCC patients beyond Milan criteria after OLT.
Rapid detection of sacbrood virus (SBV) by one-step reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay
Authors: Jin-Long Yang , Rui Yang , Ke-Fei Shen , Xiang-Wei Peng , Tao Xiong , Zuo-Hua Liu 
Published: February 2012

Abstract

Background

Sacbrood virus (SBV) primarily infects honeybee broods, and in order to deal with the problem cost effective detection methods are required.

Findings
A one-step reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) assay was developed for the rapid identification of SBV. The data demonstrated that, in a simple water bath, SBV RNA could be detected as early as 20 min at 65°C, and a positive amplification reaction was visible to the naked eye due to a color change brought on by the addition of nucleic acid stain SYBR Green.

Conclusions
The current study presents a method for the rapid and simple detection of SBV by RT-LAMP with high sensitivity and analytic specificity.
A translation inhibitor identified in a Drosophila screen enhances the effect of ionizing radiation and taxol in mammalian models of cancer
Authors: Gladstone Mara , Frederick Barbara , Zheng Di , Edwards Anthony , Yoon Petros , Stickel Stefanie , DeLaney Tessie , Chan Daniel C. , Raben David , Su Tin Tin 
Published: February 2012

Summary
We described previously a screening protocol in Drosophila melanogaster that allows us to identify small molecules that increase the killing effect of ionizing radiation in vivo in a multicellular context. The ability of this screen to identify agents that enhance the effect of radiation in human cancer models has been validated in published proof-of-concept studies. Here we describe an agent, identified by screening through two National Cancer Institute (NCI) small molecule libraries in Drosophila, that increases the effect of radiation. This agent, Bouvardin (NSC 259968), inhibits the elongation step of protein synthesis. We find that Bouvardin enhances the killing effect of X-rays in both Drosophila larvae and in human cancer cells. More detailed analysis showed that Bouvardin also increases the effect of radiation in clonogenic assays and in human cancer xenografts in mice. Finally, we present data that Bouvardin can also increase the efficacy of taxol. Regulation of translation is important to cancer biology. Current therapies target every aspect of cancer cell proliferation from growth factor signaling to cell division, with the exception of translation elongation. Our identification of Bouvardin as an enhancer of radio- and chemo-therapeutic agents suggests that targeting this niche has the potential to improve existing cancer therapies.
Risk factors for chronic venous disease
Authors: Vlajinac H D , Radak Ð J , Marinković J M , Maksimović M Ž 
Published: February 2012

Objective Chronic venous disease (CVD) is a common problem in developing and developed countries. Methods A cross-sectional study, conducted in two major towns in Serbia, comprised 3225 subjects over 18 years old, enrolled in the survey consecutively by general practitioners (GPs) within their normal framework. Diagnosis of CVD was made by GPs on the basis of symptoms and visual examination. Data on potential risk factors were collected by the use of a questionnaire. Results The prevalence of CVD was significantly higher in women (73.7%) than in men (70.1%), although severe forms of CVD were significantly more frequent in men. Risk factors for CVD were age, body mass index ≥25.00 kg/m2, family history of CVD, history of blood clots in veins and ever-smoking in both sexes, and menopause, increased number of child births and physical inactivity in women. Conclusion The results obtained suggest the possibility of CVD prevention by modification of some behavioural risk factors.
Abdominalis compartment-syndroma súlyos acut pancreatitisben – irodalmi áttekintés
Authors: Szentkereszty Zsolt , Csiszkó Adrienn 
Published: February 2012

AbsztraktA súlyos acut pancreatitist gyakran kíséri hasűri nyomásfokozódás és annak súlyos formája, az abdominalis compartment-syndroma, ezért a betegség kezelésekor gondolni kell a kialakulására. Mivel a betegség korai stádiumában végzett műtétek morbiditása és mortalitása magas, csak a konzervatív kezelés eredménytelensége esetén, de mielőbb el kell végezni a dekompressziós műtétet. A műtéti dekompresszióra általában median laparotomiát alkalmaznak, de a haránt laparotomia is hasonlóan eredményes. A subcutan linea alba vagy a kétoldali anterior rectus fasciotomia is jó eredménynyel végezhető, azonban ennek eredménytelensége esetén dekompressziós laparotomia javasolt. A nyitotthas-kezelés a gyakori szövődmények miatt nem ajánlott. Törekedni kell a hasfal mielőbbi végleges zárására.
Historical Development and Performance of Airborne Magnetic and Electromagnetic Systems for Mapping and Detection of Unexploded Ordnance
Authors: Doll William E. , Gamey T. Jeffrey , Bell David T. , Beard Les P. , Sheehan Jacob R. , Norton Jeannemarie , Holladay J. Scott , Lee James L. C. 
Published: February 2012

Over the past fifteen years, notable progress has been made in the performance of airborne geophysical systems for mapping and detection of unexploded ordnance in terrestrial and shallow marine environments. For magnetometer systems, the most significant improvements include development of boom-mounted platforms, and implementation of higher sample rates, denser magnetometer arrays, and vertical gradient configurations. Nine magnetometer-based systems are described and their performance summarized. In prototype analyses and recent U.S. Department of Defense Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP) assessments using new production systems, the best performance has been achieved with a vertical gradient configuration. As effective as magnetometer systems have proven to be at many sites, they are inadequate at sites where basalts and other ferrous geologic formations or soils produce anomalies that approach or exceed those of target ordnance items. Additionally, magnetometer systems are ineffective where detection of non-ferrous ordnance items is of primary concern. We discuss the development of airborne time-domain electromagnetic systems over the past ten years. Overall, improvements in airborne geophysical systems have led to more consistent detection of smaller ordnance. These trends should continue as additional technological advances are made.
Comparative Analysis of Optimal Oil Production Strategy Using Royalty & Tax and Production Sharing Petroleum Fiscal Models
Authors: Gaspar Ravagnani A. T. , Costa Lima G. A. , Barreto C. E. , Munerato F. P. , Schiozer D. J. 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
After recent discoveries of large oil reserves in pre-salt areas of Brazil, the government has proposed a change in the current fiscal regime from Royalty & Tax to Production Sharing Contracts. The government wishes to implement the production sharing system to earn higher revenues, believing that this is the best policy to improve State gains to be transferred to society. In this new environment and focusing on the oil production strategy selection process, it is required to know if: 1) the production strategies are the same or different for both models 2) the same technical-economic indicators are suitable to be used to select the optimal production strategy in both systems. Nowadays, there is no clear convergence of points of view to answer these issues, although some debates among professionals and government are taking place. The aim of this paper is to present a comparative analysis of the optimum exploitation strategy for both fiscal models, regarding number of injection and production wells and, their allocation in the reservoir. This objective is accomplished following a production-strategy optimization that combines manual and automatic procedures to maximize the company NPV accounting for the assumption of a known behavior of oil prices. Sensitivity analyses of government take to oil price and cost recovery limits are carried out. The results show that the choice of the optimal-production strategy to maximize NPV depends on the fiscal regime. In addition, the government take is reduced with the increase of oil prices. For any oil price, the government take in the production sharing contract system is higher than in R&T, so that it is one of the reasons why it is more interesting from the government's point of view. Besides, the increase of cost recovery limit implies in a reduction of the government take up to a stable value.
A Practical Method of Achieving Good Well Production Allocations from Well Test Data in the Prudhoe Bay Field
Authors: Chadwick Kenneth F. 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
A curve fitting technique has been developed for use in the West Operating Area of the Prudhoe Bay Field Unit that allows the operators to make daily well allocations for accounting purposes to an accuracy of better than +0/−5%.
The data required to allow the use of this curve fitting technique are obtained from a series of three well tests run at different production rates.
In order to maintain the above allocation accuracy, quality control criteria were evolved in order to determine the acceptability of well tests for this purpose.
Detailed Reservoir Delineation by Interactive Seismic Stratigraphic Extrapolation
Authors: Poggiagliolmi E. 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
The application of the seismic reflection method to detect stratigraphic changes away from well locations is beginning to gain acceptance among Reservoir Engineers. Unfortunately one of the limitations of this method is the inherent low resolution of seismic data as compared to well log data. Several approaches have been proposed to produce well log-like or pseudo log traces from seismic reflection data. Although there is no improvement in the resolution, the pseudo log traces provide a more convenient way of visually corelating well data to seismic data.
A new stratigraphic extrapolation method designed to overcome some of the drawbacks of low resolution is presented. This method consists of relating a model trace (initially derived from well information) to an actual seismic trace by varying the parameters of the model trace within well defined constraints until best match is achieved between them. Extrapolation of the stratigraphy away from the well is performed from trace to trace, the starting model for each trace being determined either from the final model for the previous trace or from an independently postulated model. An interactive computer program is employed for this purpose which allows the incorporation of additional information to the initial model. In this way the final stratigraphic model of the reservoir is the one which best matches the seismic data.
Several examples showing the application of the method will be discussed.
Physician Prescribing Patterns of Innovative Antidepressants in the United States: The Case of MDD Patients 1993–2007
Authors: Lin Hsien-Chang , Erickson Steven R. , Balkrishnan Rajesh 
Published: February 2012

Objective: Innovative antidepressants such as SSRIs and SNRIs have been widely adopted. However, the differences in their adoption across patients' and physicians' characteristics, geographic regions, and insurance status need to be further explored. This study was trying to disentangle the patterns of physician antidepressant prescribing and medication choice for major depressive disorder treatment. Method: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted using the 1993–2007 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey database. A multinomial logistic regression with the Heckman two-step selection procedure was applied to capture the two-step nature of physician prescription decision making. Results: The weighted logistic regression indicated that patients' race/ethnicity and primary source of payment for services, physician ownership status, and physicians' practice regions were associated with differential likelihood of physician' antidepressant prescribing. Non-Hispanic white patients were more likely to be prescribed antidepressants compared to Hispanic patients (OR=1.52, 95% CI 1.24–1.87). Physicians' choice on antidepressant varied across with patient age and health insurance status. Compared to private insurance, patients who were primarily covered by Medicare were less likely to be prescribed only SSRIs/SNRIs or other newer antidepressants (RRRs=0.42 and 0.39; 95% CIs 0.21–0.83 and 0.18–0.84, respectively). Conclusions: We observed strong associations between sociological factors and physicians' antidepressant prescribing patterns. Possible health disparities and gaps between optimal and suboptimal healthcare for patient mental health caused by systematic differences in sociological factors need to be mitigated. We need policy makers to design effective policy interventions to improve physician practice guidelines adherence to eliminate possible variations among physician practices.
Simultaneous Pancreas Kidney Transplant versus Other Kidney Transplant Options in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Wiseman Alexander C. , Gralla Jane 
Published: February 2012

Summary

Background and objectives
Current organ allocation policy prioritizes placement of kidneys (with pancreas) to patients listed for simultaneous pancreas–kidney transplantation (SPK). Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) may undergo SPK, but it is unknown whether these patients enjoy a survival advantage with SPK versus deceased-donor kidney transplantation alone (DDKA) or living-donor kidney transplantation alone (LDKA).

Design, setting, participants, & measurements
Using the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients database, patients with T2DM, age 18–59 years, body mass index 18–30 kg/m2, who underwent SPK, DDKA, or LDKA from 2000 through 2008 were identified. Five-year patient and kidney graft survival rates were compared, and multivariable analysis was performed to determine donor, recipient, and transplant factors influencing these outcomes.

Results
Of 6416 patients identified, 4005, 1987, and 424 underwent DDKA, LDKA, and SPK, respectively. On unadjusted analysis, patient and kidney graft survival rates were superior for LDKA versus SPK, whereas patient but not graft survival was higher for SPK versus DDKA. On multivariable analysis, survival advantage for SPK versus DDKA was related not to pancreas transplantation but younger donor and recipient ages in the SPK cohort.

Conclusions
Good outcomes can occur with SPK in selected patients with T2DM, but no patient or graft survival advantage is provided by added pancreas transplantation compared with DDKA; outcomes were superior with LDKA. These results support cautious use of SPK in T2DM when LDKA is not an option, with close oversight of the effect of kidney (with pancreas) allocation priority over other transplant candidates.
Academic Interventional Nephrology
Authors: Roy-Chaudhury Prabir , Yevzlin Alexander , Bonventre Joseph V. , Agarwal Anil , Almehmi Ammar , Besarab Anatole , Dwyer Amy , Hentschel Dirk M. , Kraus Michael , Maya Ivan , Pflederer Timothy , Schon Donald , Wu Steven , Work Jack 
Published: February 2012

Summary
Dialysis vascular access dysfunction is currently a huge clinical problem. We believe that comprehensive academic-based dialysis vascular access programs that go all the way from basic and translational science investigation to clinical research to a dedicated curriculum and opportunities in vascular access for nephrologists in training are essential for improving dialysis vascular access care. This paper reviews the fundamental concepts and requirements for us to move toward this vision.
Impact of a Patient Education Program on Disparities in Kidney Transplant Evaluation
Authors: Patzer Rachel E. , Perryman Jennie P. , Pastan Stephen , Amaral Sandra , Gazmararian Julie A. , Klein Mitch , Kutner Nancy , McClellan William M. 
Published: February 2012

Summary

Background and objectives
In 2007, the Emory Transplant Center (ETC) kidney transplant program implemented a required educational session for ESRD patients referred for renal transplant evaluation to increase patient awareness and decrease loss to follow-up. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association of the ETC education program on completion of the transplant evaluation process.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements
Incident, adult ESRD patients referred from 2005 to 2008 were included. Patient data were abstracted from medical records and linked with data from the United States Renal Data System. Evaluation completion was compared by pre- and posteducational intervention groups in binomial regression models accounting for temporal confounding.

Results
A total of 1126 adult ESRD patients were examined in two transplant evaluation eras (75% pre- and 25% postintervention). One-year evaluation completion was higher in the post- versus preintervention group (80.4% versus 44.7%, P<0.0001). In adjusted analyses controlling for time trends, the adjusted probability of evaluation completion at 1 year was higher among the intervention versus nonintervention group (risk ratio=1.38, 95% confidence interval=1.12–1.71). The effect of the intervention was stronger among black patients and those patients living in poor neighborhoods (likelihood ratio test for interaction, P<0.05).

Conclusions
Standardizing transplant education may help reduce some of the racial and socioeconomic disparities observed in kidney transplantation.