bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
New Strategy of Endothelial Protection in Cardiac Surgery: Use of Enhancer of Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase
Authors: Xue Hong‐Mei , He Guo‐Wei , Huang Jun‐Hao , Yang Qin 
Published: March 2010

AbstractBackgroundEndothelial dysfunction related to the loss of nitric oxide (NO) production remains an important issue in cardiac surgery. We examined the hypothesis that AVE3085, a novel compound that enhances eNOS transcription, may protect coronary endothelium against hypoxia‐reoxygenation (H‐R) injury during cardioplegic arrest and the possible mechanism by which this occurs.MethodsPorcine coronary small arteries (600–800‐μm diameter) were subjected to hypoxia (PO2 <5 mmHg) in St. Thomas cardioplegic (ST) solution with or without AVE3085 (10 μM) or L‐arginine (10 mM) at either 37 or 4°C for 60 min, followed by 30‐min reoxygenation. Bradykinin (−10 to −6.5 LogM)‐induced, endothelium‐dependent relaxation was studied in a myograph in U46619 precontraction before and after H‐R. Protein expressions of eNOS and phosphorylated eNOS at Ser‐1177 (p‐eNOSSer1177) were also determined.ResultsExposure to ST solution with H‐R at both 37 and 4°C markedly reduced bradykinin‐induced relaxation in coronary small arteries. Addition of AVE3085 in ST solution at 37°C preserved the vasorelaxant response to bradykinin (95.7 ± 2.1% vs. 69.2 ± 6.6%, p < 0.01), with the protective effect comparable to that of L‐arginine (96.1 ± 3.3% vs. 70.6 ± 8.7%, p < 0.05). eNOS and p‐eNOSSer1177 expressions in coronary endothelial cells were significantly increased by the addition of AVE3085 in ST solution during hypoxia (p < 0.05). Protection of endothelium‐dependent relaxation from H‐R by AVE3085 (70.3 ± 7.2% vs. 90.5 ± 2.4%, p < 0.05) also reached a level similar to that by L‐arginine (69.9 ± 9.0% vs. 94.7 ± 3.9%, p < 0.05) at 4°C.ConclusionsWe have demonstrated a new mechanism to protect coronary endothelium from H‐R injury by using eNOS enhancers. This may form a new strategy in the future development of cardioplegic/preservation solutions with direct targeting of eNOS expression in coronary vasculature.
Couples’ Attributions for Work Function Changes in Prodromal Huntington Disease
Authors: Downing Nancy R. , Williams Janet K. , Paulsen Jane S. 
Published: March 2010

AbstractPeople who have tested positive for the expanded Huntington disease (HD) gene who are not yet diagnosed (pre‐HD) and their companions report subtle changes in ability of people with pre‐HD to do their jobs. However, it is not known whether they attribute these changes to HD. Semi‐structured telephone interviews were analyzed from seven persons with pre‐HD at different estimated points from diagnosis and six companions. Data were analyzed using qualitative analysis methods. Participants made attributions related to health, work, and temperament. Only one participant attributed a change to HD. The process of forming attributions was demonstrated through symptom monitoring and comparison of participants with pre‐HD to others with and without HD. Participants also expressed uncertainty regarding how to make attributions. Attributions influence coping procedures, including whether to seek and accept medical treatment. In persons with prodromal HD the relationship between attributions and use of coping strategies for symptoms that interfere with job functioning is unknown.
Preparation of Fatty Acid Methyl Esters by Selective Methanolysis of Polar Glycerolipids
Authors: Ichihara Ken'ichi , Yamaguchi Chiaki , Araya Yumiko , Sakamoto Asami , Yoneda Kumiko 
Published: March 2010

AbstractKOH in aqueous methanol catalyzes selective methanolysis of polar glycerolipids with O‐ester‐linked acyl residues, while triacylglycerols and sterol esters are inert in the solution. Based on these findings, a convenient and reliable method was developed for the preparation of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) from polar glycerolipids in lipid mixtures without prior isolation. Methanolysis of polar glycerolipids was completed within 2.5 min by vortexing or 20 min by shaking with 0.7 M KOH/70% (v/v) methanol in the presence of hexane at 30 °C. The yields of FAMEs obtained by the present method were greater than 95%. The method was applied successfully to gas chromatographic analysis of the fatty acid compositions of polar glycerolipids in seed oil and blood. No obvious differences were found between the fatty acid compositions determined by the present method and those determined by conventional methods, including lipid extraction with chloroform/methanol followed by isolation of polar lipids by chromatography. The fatty acid composition of polar glycerolipids, including phospholipids, can be determined readily in many crude samples.
Parametric Study of Jatropha Seeds for Biodiesel Production by Reactive Extraction
Authors: Kaul Savita , Porwal Jyoti , Garg M. O. 
Published: March 2010

AbstractThe purpose of the present study was to reduce the cost and increase the efficiency of biodiesel production by reactive extraction (in situ) of Jatropha seeds. Oil from the seeds was extracted and reacted in a single step. Experimental studies have been carried out to maximize the yield of biodiesel by varying the reaction parameters viz. seed size (<0.85 mm to >2.46 mm), seed/solvent ratio (w/w) (1:2.6–1:7.8) and catalyst concentration (0.05–0.1 M). Under the optimized conditions: seed size (>2.46 mm), seed/solvent ratio (w/w) (1:7.8), catalyst concentration (0.1 M) and reaction time 1 h, approximately 98% conversion to biodiesel was achieved meeting International (ASTM) as well as National (BIS) specifications. The results were supported by HPLC analysis.
d‐Serine administration provokes lipid oxidation and decreases the antioxidant defenses in rat striatum
Authors: Leipnitz Guilhian , da Silva Lucila de Bortoli , Fernandes Carolina Gonçalves , Seminotti Bianca , Amaral Alexandre Umpierrez , Dutra‐Filho Carlos Severo , Wajner Moacir 
Published: March 2010

AbstractThe present work investigated the effects of intrastriatal administration ofd‐serine on relevant parameters of oxidative stress in striatum of young rats.d‐Serine significantly induced lipid peroxidation, reflected by the significant increase of thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances, and significantly diminished the striatum antioxidant defenses, as verified by a decrease of the levels of reduced glutathione and total antioxidant status. Finally,d‐serine inhibited superoxide dismutase activity, without altering the activities of glutathione peroxidase and catalase. In contrast, thisd‐amino acid did not alter sulfhydryl oxidation, a measure of protein oxidative damage. The present data indicate thatd‐serinein vivoadministration induces lipid oxidative damage and decreases the antioxidant defenses in the striatum of young rats. Therefore, it is presumed that this oxidative stress may be a pathomechanism involved at least in part in the neurological damage found in patients affected by disorders in whichd‐serine metabolism is compromised, leading to altered concentrations of thisd‐amino acid.
Effects of fish oil and starch added to a diet containing sunflower-seed oil on dairy goat performance, milk fatty acid composition andin vivoΔ9-desaturation of [13C]vaccenic acid
Authors: Bernard Laurence , Mouriot Julien , Rouel Jacques , Glasser Frédéric , Capitan Pierre , Pujos-Guillot Estelle , Chardigny Jean-Michel , Chilliard Yves 
Published: March 2010

The potential benefits on human health have prompted an interest in developing nutritional strategies for specifically increasing rumenic acid (RA) in ruminant milk. The aims of the present study were to (i) compare two dietary treatments with lipid supplements on milk yield and composition, (ii) measure thein vivoΔ9-desaturation of vaccenic acid (VA) to RA using13C-labelled VA and (iii) determine the effect of the dietary treatments on this variable. Treatments were 90 g sunflower-seed oil (SO) per d or 60 g sunflower-seed oil and 30 g fish oil per d plus additional starch (SFO), in a grassland hay-based diet given to eight Alpine goats in a 2 × 2 cross-over design with 21 d experimental periods. Milk yield and composition were similar between treatments. Goats fed SFO had higher milk 6 : 0–16 : 0 concentration, lower milk ΣC18 concentrations and showed no effect on milk VA and RA, compared with SO. At the end of the experiment, intravenous injection of 1·5 g [13C]VA followed by measurements of milk lipid13C enrichment showed thatin vivo31·7 and 31·6 % of VA was Δ9-desaturated into milk RA in the caprine with the SO and SFO treatments, respectively. The expression of genes encoding for Δ9-desaturase (or stearoyl-CoA desaturase;SCD1,SCD5) in mammary tissues and four milk Δ9-desaturation ratios were similar between treatments. In conclusion, the present study provides the first estimates ofin vivoendogenous synthesis of RA (63–73 % of milk RA) from VA in goats, and shows no difference between the two lipid supplements compared.
Different digestion of caprine whey proteins by human and porcine gastrointestinal enzymes
Authors: Eriksen Ellen K. , Holm Halvor , Jensen Einar , Aaboe Ragnhild , Devold Tove G. , Jacobsen Morten , Vegarud Gerd E. 
Published: March 2010

The objective of the present study was twofold: first to compare the degradation patterns of caprine whey proteins digested with either human digestive juices (gastric or duodenal) or commercial porcine enzymes (pepsin or pancreatic enzymes) and second to observe the effect of gastric pH on digestion. Anin vitrotwo-step assay was performed at 37°C to simulate digestion in the stomach (pH 2, 4 or 6) and the duodenum (pH 8). The whey proteins were degraded more efficiently by porcine pepsin than by human gastric juice at all pH values. Irrespective of the enzyme source, gastric digestion at pH 2 followed by duodenal digestion resulted in the most efficient degradation. Lactoferrin, serum albumin and the Ig heavy chains were highly degraded with less than 6 % remaining after digestion. About 15, 56 and 50 % Ig light chains, β-lactoglobulin (β-LG) and α-lactalbumin remained intact, respectively, when digested with porcine enzymes compared with 25, 74 and 81 % with human digestive juices. For comparison, purified bovine β-LG was digested and the peptide profiles obtained were compared with those of the caprine β-LG in the digested whey. The bovine β-LG seemed to be more extensively cleaved than the caprine β-LG in the whey. Commercial enzymes appear to digest whey proteins more efficiently compared with human digestive juices when used at similar enzyme activities. This could lead to conflicting results when comparing humanin vivoprotein digestion with digestion using purified enzymes of non-human species. Consequently the use of human digestive juices might be preferred.
Chemical cues from the coffee berry borer influence the locomotory behaviour of its bethylid parasitoids
Authors: Chiu-Alvarado P. , Valle-Mora J. , Rojas J.C. 
Published: March 2010

AbstractCephalonomia stephanoderisandProrops nasutaare two bethylid wasps released into several Latin American countries for classical biological control of coffee berry borer,Hypothenemus hampei, the most serious insect pest of coffee worldwide. Recent studies on the host location behaviour of these parasitoids have shown that females of both species are attracted to volatile compounds released by immature stages and dust and frass ofH. hampei. In this study, we investigated the role of the contact chemicals present in dust and frass ofH. hampeion the behaviour ofP. nasutaandC. stephanoderisfemales. Parasitoids remained longer on patches treated with methanol extracts than on acetone and hexane extracts. Females spent more time on the patch treated with the methanol extract of dust and frass than on the patches treated with the methanol extract of dry coffee and methanol control. The concentration of the methanol extracts from dust and frass influenced the locomotory activity of parasitoids of both species. The time that females spent in the patch tended to increase as the concentration of the methanol extracts increased. A further experiment aimed to identify other behavioural descriptors and gain a deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying the response of parasitoids to methanol extracts was performed. Females of both species spent more time, covered more distance, turned more (per unit time and per unit distance), and decreased their speed when they contacted patches treated with methanol extracts in comparison to patches treated with methanol control.
The Miocene–Pliocene hiatus in the southern North Sea Basin (northern Belgium) revealed by dinoflagellate cysts
Authors: LOUWYE STEPHEN , DE SCHEPPER STIJN 
Published: March 2010

AbstractA palynological analysis with marine palynomorphs (dinoflagellate cysts, acritarchs, green algae) and terrestrial palynomorphs (pollen and spores) of the Kasterlee and Poederlee formations provides new insights in the depositional history at the southern border of the North Sea basin (northern Belgium) around the Miocene–Pliocene transition. Dinoflagellate cyst stratigraphy constrains the age of the Kasterlee Formation in the Oud-Turnhout borehole between 7.5 and 5.32 Ma. The upper boundary of the formation can be correlated with sequence boundary Me2 at 5.73 Ma of Hardenbol and co-workers, which further constrains its age to the time interval 7.5–5.73 Ma. The palynomorph assemblages reflect a near-coast depositional environment. Where present, the Kasterlee Formation thus terminates the Miocene series in northern Belgium. The overall shallow nature of the latest Miocene deposits is related to a sea-level lowering caused by the onset of globally cooling conditions. For the first time, palynology is applied to estimate the age of the Poederlee Formation, suggesting it was deposited during the Mid-Pliocene warm period. Dinoflagellate cysts and sequence stratigraphy together constrain the age of the unit between 3.21 and 2.76 Ma, and possibly even between 3.21 and 3.15 Ma. The Poederlee Formation was deposited in neritic environments, which shoaled in the upper part of the unit as a consequence of the decreasing availability of accommodation space. We demonstrate that the magnitude of the hiatus between the Miocene and Pliocene series varies strongly at the southern boundary of the North Sea Basin, and lasts in the Antwerp areac. 3.2 million years andc. 2.52 million years in the Campine area.
DECOMPOSITIONS OF COUNTABLE LINEAR TRANSFORMATIONS
Authors: CHEN HUANYIN 
Published: March 2010

AbstractLet V be a countably generated right vector space over a division ring D. If D ≇ ℤ/2ℤ, ℤ/3ℤ, then for any γ ∈ EndD(V), there exists α ∈ AutD(V) such that γ+α, γ−α−1 ∈ AutD(V). This gives a generalization of [D. Zelinsky, Proc. Amer. Math. Soc. 5 (1954), 627–630, Theorem].
Task space control of mobile manipulators
Authors: Galicki Mirosław 
Published: March 2010

SUMMARYThis study offers the solution of the end-effector trajectory tracking problem subject to state constraints, suitably transformed into control-dependent ones, for mobile manipulators. Based on the Lyapunov stability theory, a class of controllers fulfilling the above constraints and generating the mobile manipulator trajectory with (instantaneous) minimal energy, is proposed. The problem of manipulability enforcement is solved here based on an exterior penalty function approach which results in continuous mobile manipulator controls even near boundaries of state constraints. The numerical simulation results carried out for a mobile manipulator consisting of a non-holonomic unicycle and a holonomic manipulator of two revolute kinematic pairs, operating in a two-dimensional task space, illustrate the performance of the proposed controllers.
Modeling the contribution of phonotactic cues to the problem of word segmentation
Authors: BLANCHARD DANIEL , HEINZ JEFFREY , GOLINKOFF ROBERTA 
Published: March 2010

ABSTRACTHow do infants find the words in the speech stream? Computational models help us understand this feat by revealing the advantages and disadvantages of different strategies that infants might use. Here, we outline a computational model of word segmentation that aims both to incorporate cues proposed by language acquisition researchers and to establish the contributions different cues can make to word segmentation. We present experimental results from modified versions of Venkataraman's (2001) segmentation model that examine the utility of: (1) language-universal phonotactic cues; (2) language-specific phonotactic cues which must be learned while segmenting utterances; and (3) their combination. We show that the language-specific cue improves segmentation performance overall, but the language-universal phonotactic cue does not, and that their combination results in the most improvement. Not only does this suggest that language-specific constraints can be learned simultaneously with speech segmentation, but it is also consistent with experimental research that shows that there are multiple phonotactic cues helpful to segmentation (e.g. Mattys, Jusczyk, Luce & Morgan, 1999; Mattys & Jusczyk, 2001). This result also compares favorably to other segmentation models (e.g. Brent, 1999; Fleck, 2008; Goldwater, 2007; Johnson & Goldwater, 2009; Venkataraman, 2001) and has implications for how infants learn to segment.
Words in puddles of sound: modelling psycholinguistic effects in speech segmentation
Authors: MONAGHAN PADRAIC , CHRISTIANSEN MORTEN H. 
Published: March 2010

ABSTRACTThere are numerous models of how speech segmentation may proceed in infants acquiring their first language. We present a framework for considering the relative merits and limitations of these various approaches. We then present a model of speech segmentation that aims to reveal important sources of information for speech segmentation, and to capture psycholinguistic constraints on children's language perception. The model constructs a lexicon based on information about utterance boundaries and deduces phonotactic constraints from the discovered lexicon. Compared to other models of speech segmentation, our model performs well in terms of accuracy, computational tractability and the number of components of the model. Finally, our model also reflects the psycholinguistic effects of language learning, in terms of the early advantage for segmentation provided by the child's name, and by revealing the overlap in usefulness of information for segmentation and for grammatical categorization of the language.
Segmenting words from natural speech: subsegmental variation in segmental cues
Authors: RYTTING C. ANTON , BREW CHRIS , FOSLER-LUSSIER ERIC 
Published: March 2010

ABSTRACTMost computational models of word segmentation are trained and tested on transcripts of speech, rather than the speech itself, and assume that speech is converted into a sequence of symbols prior to word segmentation. We present a way of representing speech corpora that avoids this assumption, and preserves acoustic variation present in speech. We use this new representation to re-evaluate a key computational model of word segmentation. One finding is that high levels of phonetic variability degrade the model's performance. While robustness to phonetic variability may be intrinsically valuable, this finding needs to be complemented by parallel studies of the actual abilities of children to segment phonetically variable speech.
Diarrhoea morbidity and mortality in older children, adolescents, and adults
Authors: WALKER C. L. FISCHER , BLACK R. E. 
Published: March 2010

SUMMARYDiarrhoea is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality yet diarrhoea specific incidence and mortality rates for older children, adolescents, and adults have not been systematically calculated for many countries. We conducted a systematic literature review to generate regional incidence rates by age and to summarize diarrhoea specific mortality rates for regions of the world with inadequate vital registration data. Diarrhoea morbidity rates range from 29·9 episodes/100 person-years for adults in the South East Asian region to 88·4 episodes/100 person-years in older children in the Eastern Mediterranean region and have remained unchanged in the last 30 years. Diarrhoea mortality rates decline as the child ages and remain relatively constant during adulthood. These data are critical for improving estimates worldwide and further highlight the need for improved diarrhoea specific morbidity and mortality data in these age groups.
Abnormalities of the major intrathoracic arteries in Turner syndrome as revealed by magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Mortensen Kristian Havmand , Hjerrild Britta Eilersen , Andersen Niels Holmark , Sørensen Keld Ejvind , Hørlyck Arne , Pedersen Erik Morre , Lundorf Erik , Christiansen Jens Sandahl , Gravholt Claus Højbjerg 
Published: March 2010

AbstractBackgroundEctatic aortopathy and arterial abnormalities cause excess morbidity and mortality in Turner syndrome, where a state of vasculopathy seemingly extends into the major head and neck branch arteries.ObjectiveWe investigated the prevalence of abnormalities of the major intrathoracic arteries, their interaction with arterial dimensions, and their association with karyotype.DesignMagnetic resonance imaging scans determined the arterial abnormalities as well as head and neck branch artery and aortic dimensions in 99 adult women with Turner syndrome compared with 33 healthy female controls. Echocardiography determined aortic valve morphology.ResultsIn Turner syndrome, the relative risk of any congenital abnormality was 7.7 (p = 0.003) and 6.7 of ascending aortic dilation (p = 0.02). A bovine aortic arch was seen in both Turner syndrome and controls. Other abnormalities were only encountered in Turner syndrome: elongated transverse aortic arch (47%), bicuspid aortic valve (27%), aortic coarctation (13%), aberrant right subclavian artery (8%), and aortic arch hypoplasia (2%). The innominate and left common carotid arteries were enlarged in Turner syndrome (p < 0.001). Significant associations were first, bicuspid aortic valve with aortic coarctation, elongated transverse aortic arch, and ascending aortic dilation; second, aortic coarctation with elongated aortic arch and descending aortic dilation; third, 45,X with aortic coarctation, elongated transverse aortic arch and ascending aortic dilation; and fourth, branch artery dilation with bicuspid aortic valve, aortic coarctation, elongated transverse aortic arch and 45,X.ConclusionAn increased risk of arterial abnormalities, aortic dilation, and enlargement of the branch arteries was found in Turner syndrome without distinct patterns of co-segregation.
Non-compacted myocardium and foetal left isomerism as a hydrops’ aetiology
Authors: Rocha Ilda J. G. , Nogueira Rosete M. A. N. , Carriço Ana L. C. 
Published: March 2010

AbstractWe present a case report of a pregnant woman with increased risk for trisomy 21 at first-trimester screening, assessed by ultrasonography, that was sent to our hospital. Amniocentesis was performed at 14 weeks and 2 days to obtain foetal karyotype that was normal (46,XX). At 19 weeks and 1 day, foetal hydrops associated with cardiac malformation was detected by routine scan. Foetal echocardiogram revealed a complete auriculoventricular septal defect, non-compacted myocardium, and a bradycardia of 70–90 beats per minute, which lead to the suspicion of left isomerism. Foetal death occurred at 20 weeks and 3 days. Autopsy was consistent with the prenatal diagnosis.