bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Radiofrequency Ablation for the Treatment of Autonomously Functioning Thyroid Nodules
Authors: Baek Jung Hwan , Moon Won‐Jin , Kim Yoon Suk , Lee Jeong Hyun , Lee Ducky 
Published: July 2009

AbstractBackgroundSome patients with autonomously functioning thyroid nodules (AFTN) are not suitable for surgery or radioiodine therapy. Therefore, minimally invasive alternative treatments, such as ethanol ablation or radiofrequency ablation (RFA), are necessary.MethodsThis study included nine patients (4 toxic and 5 pretoxic patients; male to female ratio = 1:8; mean age, 47 ± 17 (range, 25–71) years) who were not eligible for surgery or radioiodine therapy. All of the patients showed hot nodule with suppression of normal thyroid gland in 99mTc pertechnetate scintigraphy. RFA was performed using a 17‐ and 18‐gauge internally cooled electrode. Nodule volume, thyroid function, scintigraphy, symptom score (visual analogue scale, 0–10 cm), cosmetic grading score (4‐point scale), and complications were evaluated before treatment and at 1, 3, and 6 months follow‐up.ResultsMean volume of the index nodule was 14.98 ± 25.53 (range, 0.29–82.29) mL. After RFA it decreased at 1 month (12.01 ± 25.97 mL, p = 0.015), 3 months (7.27 ± 15.13 mL, p = 0.011), 6 months (8.27 ± 21.29 mL, p = 0.008), and the last month (7.57 ± 19.99 mL, p = 0.008). Initial mean T3, fT4, and TSH were 156.2 ± 42.1 ng/dL, 1.73 ± 0.40 ng/dL, and 0.052 ± 0.087 mU/mL, respectively. A significant improvement of mean T3, fT4, and TSH were observed at last follow‐up (T3: 116.8 ± 20.7 ng/dL, p = 0.015; fT4: 1.37 ± 0.26 ng/dL, p = 0.036; TSH: 1.454 ± 1.756 mU/mL, p = 0.012). After ablation, four patients became a cold or normal scan and five remained as a hot nodule. The mean symptom and cosmetic grading score was reduced from 2.4 ± 1.7 to 0.6 ± 0.7 (p = 0.011) and from 3.1 ± 1.2 to 1.4 ± 1.0 (p = 0.017), respectively. No major complications were encountered.ConclusionsRFA seems to be effective and safe for the treatment of AFTN.
Development of a High‐Density Assay for Long‐Chain Fatty Acyl‐CoA Elongases
Authors: Kitazawa Hidefumi , Miyamoto Yasuhisa , Shimamura Ken , Nagumo Akira , Tokita Shigeru 
Published: July 2009

AbstractWe established a convenient assay method for measuring elongation of very long chain fatty acids (ELOVLs) using a Unifilter‐96 GF/C plate. The Unifilter GF/C plate preferentially interacts with hydrophobic end products of ELOVLs (i.e., long chain fatty acid), with minimal malonyl‐CoA (C2 unit donor for fatty acid elongation) interaction. This new method results in the quick separation and detection of [14C] incorporated end products (e.g., [14C] palmitoyl‐CoA) from reaction mixtures containing excessive amounts of [14C] malonyl‐CoA. In the Unifilter‐96 GF/C plate assay, recombinantly expressed human ELOVLs (i.e., ELOVL1,‐2,‐3,‐5 and ‐6) displayed appreciable assay windows (>2‐fold vs. mock‐transfected control), enabling us to conduct comprehensive substrate profiling of ELOVLs. The substrate concentration profile of ELOVL6 in the Unifilter‐96 GF/C plate assay is consistent with that obtained from the conventional liquid extraction method, thus, supporting the reliability of the Unifilter‐96 GF/C plate assay. We then examined the substrate specificities of ELOVLs in a comprehensive fashion. As previously reported, ELOVL1, ‐3 and ‐6 preferably elongated the saturated fatty acyl‐CoAs while ELOVL2 and ELOVL5 preferentially elongated the polyunsaturated fatty acyl‐CoAs. This further confirms the Unifilter‐96 GF/C plate assay reliability. Taken together, our newly developed assay provides a convenient and comprehensive assay platform for ELOVLs, allowing investigators to conduct high density screening and characterization of ELOVLs chemical tools.
Foam Separation of Oil from Enzymatically Treated Wet‐Milled Corn Germ Dispersions
Authors: Dickey Leland C. , Kurantz Michael J. , Parris Nicholas , McAloon Andrew , Moreau Robert A. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractMore than 9 billion gallons of ethanol were produced in 2008, mostly from dry grind corn fermentation plants. These plants are a potential source of substantial amounts of corn oil, if an economical method of separating it can be developed. In this work, oil was separated from corn germ by aqueous enzymatic extraction (AEE). Batches of wet‐milled corn germ in water were preheated in a pressure cooker, ground in a colloid mill, and churned in a vertical column/mixing vessel system, after the addition of enzyme. Nitrogen gas was then bubbled through the column removing an overflowing foam fraction which was subsequently centrifuged to separate free oil. Using a newly commercialized enzyme complex it was found that 80% of the oil could be recovered using a w/w ratio of enzyme solution to germ of 1:80. The low dose and low price of the enzyme complex leads to a cost estimate of AEE of corn oil from germ, similar to the wet‐milled germ extracted, cost competitive with expelled oil (with the separation and drying of the foam protein), and feasible for commercialization in a dry grind plant retrofitted to separate germ.
Wild Brazilian Mustard (Brassica juncea L.) Seed Oil Methyl Esters as Biodiesel Fuel
Authors: Jham Gulab N. , Moser Bryan R. , Shah Shailesh N. , Holser Ronald A. , Dhingra Onkar D. , Vaughn Steven F. , Berhow Mark A. , Winkler‐Moser Jill K. , Isbell Terry A. , Holloway Ray K. , Walter Erin L. , Natalino Ricardo , Anderson Jason C. , Stelly David M. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractWild mustard (Brassica juncea L.) oil is evaluated as a feedstock for biodiesel production. Biodiesel was obtained in 94 wt.% yield by a standard transesterification procedure with methanol and sodium methoxide catalyst. Wild mustard oil had a high content of erucic (13(Z)‐docosenoic; 45.7 wt.%) acid, with linoleic (9(Z),12(Z)‐octadecadienoic; 14.2 wt.%) and linolenic (9(Z),12(Z),15(Z)‐octadecatrienoic; 13.0 wt.%) acids comprising most of the remaining fatty acid profile. The cetane number, kinematic viscosity, and oxidative stability (Rancimat method) of the methyl esters was 61.1, 5.33 mm2 s−1 (40 °C) and 4.8 h (110 °C), respectively. The cloud, pour and cold filter plugging points were 4, −21 and −3 °C, respectively. Other properties such as acid value, lubricity, free and total glycerol content, iodine value, Gardner color, specific gravity, as well as sulfur and phosphorous contents were also determined and are discussed in light of biodiesel standards ASTM D6751 and EN 14214. Also reported are the properties and composition of wild mustard oil, along with identification of wild mustard collected in Brazil as Brassica juncea L. (2n = 36) as opposed to the currently accepted Sinapis arvensis L. (2n = 18) classification. In summary, wild mustard oil appears to be an acceptable feedstock for biodiesel production.
Information management and behavior problems: Is concealing misbehavior necessarily a sign of trouble?
Authors: Laird Robert D. , Marrero Matthew D. 
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACTThis study sought to determine whether adolescents' strategic management of information about their misbehavior was associated with behavior problems and whether the associations were moderated by parental trust or adolescent authority beliefs. Data were provided by 218 mother‐adolescent dyads. Adolescents (49% female; M age = 12 years) reported their use of two disclosing (i.e., telling all, telling if asked) and three concealing (i.e., omitting details, secret keeping, lying) strategies following misbehavior. More disclosing and less concealing were associated with less depressed mood and with less antisocial and rule‐breaking behavior. Associations between strategy use and antisocial and rule‐breaking behavior were attenuated when parents reported high trust or adolescents reported strong authority beliefs. Greater use of concealing strategies following misbehavior is more likely to be a sign of trouble than a sign of emerging autonomy, but the negative effects of concealment are attenuated in some relational contexts.
Brief report: Text bullying and traditional bullying among New Zealand secondary school students
Authors: Marsh Louise , McGee Rob , Nada‐Raja Shyamala , Williams Sheila 
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACTThis descriptive study examined text and traditional bullying in New Zealand (NZ), and the relationship between text bullying and traditional bullying, and feeling unsafe at school. A self‐report online survey assessed the frequency of bullying among 1169 15 year old secondary students, for five categories of bullying: text messages, rumours, exclusion, teasing, and physical bullying. Results show that in the school year assessed 47% reported having been bullied sometimes or often and 37% reported bullying others; 11% reported being text bullied, while 7% reported text bullying others. Students involved in text bullying were significantly more likely to be involved in traditional forms of bullying and were less likely to feel safe at school.
Increased apoptosis and reduced neuronal and glial densities in the hippocampus due to nicotine and ethanol exposure in adolescent mice
Authors: Oliveira‐da‐Silva Andreia , Vieira Fernanda B. , Cristina‐Rodrigues Fabiana , Filgueiras Cláudio C. , Manhães Alex C. , Abreu‐Villaça Yael 
Published: July 2009

AbstractIt has been recently shown that nicotine and ethanol interact during adolescence affecting memory/learning and anxiety levels. Considering the role of the hippocampus in both anxiety and memory/learning, we investigated whether adolescent nicotine and/or ethanol administration elicit apoptotic cell death and whether this results in neuronal and/or glial density alterations in the following regions of the hippocampus: granular layer of the dentate gyrus (GrDG), molecular layer (Mol), CA1, CA2 and CA3. From the 30th to the 45th postnatal day, C57BL/6 male and female mice were exposed to nicotine free base (NIC) and/or ethanol (ETOH). Four groups were analyzed: (1) concomitant NIC (50 μg/ml in 2% saccharin to drink) and ETOH (25%, 2 g/kg i.p. injected every other day) exposure; (2) NIC exposure; (3) ETOH exposure; (4) vehicle. We evaluated cell degeneration (TUNEL assay), neuronal and glial densities (optical disector) and region thicknesses at the end of the period of exposure. Our results demonstrate that ETOH elicited an increase in TUNEL‐positive cells relative to the vehicle group in all hippocampal regions. NIC elicited less severe region‐dependent effects: the number of TUNEL‐positive cells was significantly increased in the Mol and CA1 when compared to the vehicle group. These results were paralleled by reductions in neuronal and glial cells densities, which indicate that both cell types are sensitive to the neurotoxic effects of these drugs. There were no effects on region thicknesses. On the other hand, concomitant NIC and ETOH reduced the adverse effects of the drugs when administered separately. This ability of nicotine and ethanol co‐exposure to lessen the adverse effects of nicotine and ethanol may contribute to adolescents co‐use and co‐abuse of tobacco and alcoholic beverages.
ON 𝒯-NONCOSINGULAR MODULES
Authors: TÜTÜNCÜ DERYA KESKIN , TRIBAK RACHID 
Published: July 2009

AbstractIn this paper we introduce 𝒯-noncosingular modules. Rings for which all right modules are𝒯-noncosingular are shown to be precisely those for which every simple right module is injective. Moreover, for any ring R we show that the right R-module R is 𝒯-noncosingular precisely when R has zero Jacobson radical. We also study the 𝒯-noncosingular condition in association with (strongly) FI-lifting modules.
QUASIMODULAR FORMS AND VECTOR BUNDLES
Authors: LEE MIN HO 
Published: July 2009

AbstractModular forms for a discrete subgroup Γ of SL(2,ℝ) can be identified with holomorphic sections of line bundles over the modular curve U corresponding to Γ, and quasimodular forms generalize modular forms. We construct vector bundles over U whose sections can be identified with quasimodular forms for Γ.
ON THE CONJECTURE OF JEŚMANOWICZ CONCERNING PYTHAGOREAN TRIPLES
Authors: MIYAZAKI TAKAFUMI 
Published: July 2009

AbstractLeta,b,cbe relatively prime positive integers such thata2+b2=c2withbeven. In 1956 Jeśmanowicz conjectured that the equationax+by=czhas no solution other than (x,y,z)=(2,2,2) in positive integers. Most of the known results of this conjecture were proved under the assumption that 4 exactly dividesb. The main results of this paper include the case where 8 dividesb. One of our results treats the case whereahas no prime factor congruent to 1 modulo 4, which can be regarded as a relevant analogue of results due to Deng and Cohen concerning the prime factors ofb. Furthermore, we examine parities of the three variablesx,y,z, and give new triplesa,b,csuch that the conjecture holds for the case wherebis divisible by 8. In particular, to prove our results, we shall show an important result which asserts that ifx,y,zare all even, thenx/2,y/2,z/2 are all odd. Our methods are based on elementary congruence and several strong results on generalized Fermat equations given by Darmon and Merel.
Carbon isotope stratigraphy across the Silurian–Devonian transition in Podolia, Ukraine: evidence for a global biogeochemical perturbation
Authors: MAŁKOWSKI K. , RACKI G. , DRYGANT D. , SZANIAWSKI H. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe carbon and oxygen isotope composition of marine carbonates (δ13C and δ18O, respectively) are studied in the fossiliferous, stratigraphically well-constrained and remarkably expanded successions of Podolia, SW Ukraine, spanning the Silurian–Devonian transition. Significant isotopic shifts are directly comparable to previously published global secular trends in well-preserved brachiopod calcite isotopic ratios from this region, and therefore may be taken as a reliable primary record of seawater δ13C changes. The sections reveal a major positive δ13C excursion, with an amplitude above 6 ‰, beginning in the upper Pridoli and reaching peak values as heavy as +4.2 ‰ in the lowermost Lochkovian. This turnover in carbon cycling is followed by a general trend toward more negative δ13C values in the upper Lochkovian. The Podolian isotopic signals provide strong support for the previously inferred global biogeochemical perturbation across the Silurian–Devonian transition, reflecting a complex combination of palaeogeographical, biogeochemical and evolutionary processes in the late Caledonian geodynamic setting, with a likely undervalued role of the expanding vegetation in vast near-coastal shallows and deltas.
Delayed head and neck complications of sulphur mustard poisoning in Iranian veterans
Authors: Zojaji R , Balali-Mood M , Mirzadeh M , Saffari A , Maleki M 
Published: July 2009

AbstractObjective:Sulphur mustard is a chemical warfare agent which was used against Iranian combatants and civilians between 1983 and 1988. The purpose of this study was to document the delayed toxic effects of sulphur mustard in Iranian veterans, focussing on head and neck complications.Patients and methods:This was a two-year, prospective, descriptive study of 43 male Iranian veterans aged 34 to 48 years (mean 41.8 years) who were moderately disabled or worse due to sulphur mustard poisoning. Investigations were performed with consent, including haematological, biochemical and immunological tests, spirometry, chest X-ray, high resolution computed tomography of the lungs, and skin biopsies. Further investigations and interventions were performed as clinically indicated.Results:The most affected sites were the lungs (95 per cent), peripheral nerves (77 per cent), skin (73 per cent), eyes (68 per cent), and head and neck (16.2 per cent). Of seven patients with mostly head and neck complications, four had a skin disorder (hyperpigmentation in all four, an erythematous, papular rash in two, and dry skin in one). Two patients had thyroid cancer (undifferentiated thyroid carcinoma in one and papillary carcinoma of a thyroglossal cyst in the other, 12 and 14 years after sulphur mustard exposure, respectively). One patient had nasopharyngeal carcinoma, 12 years after sulphur mustard exposure.Conclusion:Carcinomas of the thyroid and nasopharynx in three patients with sulphur mustard exposure are reported for the first time.
Role of radiotherapy in adenoid cystic carcinoma of the head and neck
Authors: Iseli T A , Karnell L H , Graham S M , Funk G F , Buatti J M , Gupta A K , Robinson R A , Hoffman H T 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThis study retrospectively reviewed 183 cases of adenoid cystic carcinoma treated over 40 years. The local recurrence free survival rate was 68.2 per cent at five years and 40.8 per cent at 10 years. At 10 years, local recurrence free survival was significantly worse following radiotherapy alone (0 per cent), compared with surgery alone (41.8 per cent, p = 0.004) or combined with post-operative radiotherapy (43.5 per cent, p = 0.001). Neither tumour stage three or four, perineural invasion, solid subtype nor involved margins predicted local recurrence. Treatment with radiotherapy alone resulted in worse survival than surgery alone (p = 0.002) or combined with post-operative radiotherapy (p = 0.001). Survival rates following local recurrence (n = 34) were higher following surgery (p = 0.006) but not significantly improved following radiotherapy (p = 0.139). Chemotherapy for distant metastases did not prolong survival (p = 0.747) but did result in improved eating and aesthetics scores, while decreasing overall physical health. These results indicate that surgery is preferable for primary and recurrent adenoid cystic carcinoma of the head and neck. The incidence of local recurrence following surgery and postoperative radiotherapy was similar to surgery alone cases although the latter had less adverse prognostic features. Contemporary chemotherapy may benefit quality of life but not survival in patients with distant metastases due to adenoid cystic carcinoma of the head and neck.
Nurse-led triage of otolaryngology out-patient referrals: an acceptable alternative?
Authors: Hathorn I F , Barnes M L , Mountain R E 
Published: July 2009

AbstractObjectives:To establish the safety and effectiveness of nurse-led triage of otolaryngology out-patient referrals.Method:One hundred consecutive general practitioner referrals were reviewed by two consultants, two specialist registrars, two foundation year two senior house officers and two otolaryngology nurses. One of the nurses had received triage training. All referrals were triaged as ‘urgent’, ‘soon’ or ‘routine’ by each rater.Results:The triage-trained nurse's results demonstrated good agreement with those of the senior consultant (80 per cent). This agreement was similar to that with the other consultant (77 per cent) and the specialist registrars (79 and 82 per cent). Weighted κ statistics (correcting for chance agreement) showed that the triage-trained nurse had the second closest agreement to the senior consultant (0.66). After the actual out-patient appointments, retrospective review of the patients' case notes revealed that none had been triaged inappropriately by the trained nurse, and no urgent cases had been missed.Conclusions:Triage of out-patient referrals by trained ENT nurses is safe and effective, and is an acceptable alternative to traditional consultant vetting of referrals.
The taxonomy of the genus Graphis sensu Staiger (Ascomycota: Ostropales: Graphidaceae)
Authors: LÜCKING Robert 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe species-level taxonomy of the genus Graphis sensu Staiger was revised using numerical taxonomy and cladistic techniques. In its current circumscription, Graphis includes more than 300 species and is characterized by lirellae with well-developed, carbonized labia usually concealing the disc and usually hyaline, I+ blue-violet, transversely septate to muriform ascospores. The study analyzed the importance of morphological, anatomical, and chemical characters for taxonomic purposes in the genus, both at species level and at the level of species groups and lineages. A phenotype-based cladistic analysis, combined with a novel method to estimate the degree of character state homoplasies prior to a cladogram, as well as a species ordination using non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMS), was performed to assess the delimitation of potentially natural groups within the genus. Contrary to previous views, the most important character complex characterizing potentially natural groups in the genus Graphis is lirellae morphology, whereas labia striation, excipulum carbonization, ascospore features, and secondary chemistry, vary greatly even in closely related species. Based on these findings, Wirth and Hale's concept of ‘sporomorphs’ is emended to generally characterize morphologically similar species that differ in a single character, such as labia striation (‘labiomorph’), excipulum carbonization (‘excipulomorph’), hymenium inspersion (‘inspersomorph’), ascospore size and septation (‘sporomorph’) and secondary chemistry (‘chemomorph’).
Trypanosoma irwini n. sp (Sarcomastigophora: Trypanosomatidae) from the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus)
Authors: McINNES L. M. , GILLETT A. , RYAN U. M. , AUSTEN J. , CAMPBELL R. S. F. , HANGER J. , REID S. A. 
Published: July 2009

SUMMARYThe morphology and genetic characterization of a new species of trypanosome infecting koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) are described. Morphological analysis of bloodstream forms and phylogenetic analysis at the 18S rDNA and gGAPDH loci demonstrated this trypanosome species to be genetically distinct and most similar to Trypanosoma bennetti, an avian trypanosome with a genetic distance of 0·9% at the 18S rDNA and 10·7% at the gGAPDH locus. The trypanosome was detected by 18S rDNA PCR in the blood samples of 26 out of 68 (38·2%) koalas studied. The aetiological role of trypanosomes in koala disease is currently poorly defined, although infection with these parasites has been associated with severe clinical signs in a number of koalas. Based on biological and genetic characterization data, this trypanosome species infecting koalas is proposed to be a new species Trypanosome irwini n. sp.
Effects of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+regulatory T cells on earlyPlasmodium yoelii17XL infection in BALB/c mice
Authors: CHEN GUANG , LIU JUN , WANG QING-HUI , WU YI , FENG HUI , ZHENG WEI , GUO SHENG-YU , LI DONG-MEI , WANG JI-CHUN , CAO YA-MING 
Published: July 2009

SUMMARYThe outcome ofPlasmodium yoelii17XL-infected BALB/c and DBA/2 mice, ranging from death to spontaneous cure, respectively, depends largely on the establishment of effective pro-inflammatory type 1 responses during the early stages of infection and associates with CD4+CD25+Foxp3+regulatory T cells (Tregs). Here, effects of Tregs were analysed on earlyP. yoelii17XL infection in BALB/c and DBA/2 mice.In vivodepletion of Tregs significantly reversed the inhibited establishment of effective pro-inflammatory type 1 responses in BALB/c mice, indicating that this cell population contributed to the suppression of T-cell function in malaria. Moreover, the proportion and absolute numbers of IL-10-secreting Tregs in BALB/c mice were significantly higher than that found in DBA/2 mice by intracytoplasmic staining, and IL-10 production was correlated with the Tregs population. In addition,in vivoTregs depletion decreased the production of IL-10 and the apoptosis of CD4+T cells. Consistently, IL-10R blockade also had the same effect as that of Tregs depletion inP. yoelii17XL-infected BALB/c mice. Our data demonstrate that Tregs perhaps have an important role in regulating pro-inflammatory type 1 responses in an IL-10-dependent manner and induce CD4+T cell apoptosis during the early stage ofP. yoelii17XL infection.