bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An upflow fixed-bed anaerobic–aerobic reactor for removal of organic matter and nitrogen from L-lysine plant wastewaterA paper submitted to the Journal of Environmental Engineering and Science.
Authors: Messias de Araújo Moacir , Zaiat Marcelo 
Published: June 2009

This paper reports on the design of a new reactor configuration — an upflow fixed-bed combined anaerobic–aerobic reactor — can operate as a single treatment unit for the removal of nitrogen (≈150 mg N/L) and organic matter (≈1300 mg COD/L) from Lysine plant wastewater. L-Lysine, an essential amino acid for animal nutrition, is produced by fermentation from natural raw materials of agricultural origin, thus generating wastewater with high contents of organic matter and nitrogen. The best operational condition of the reactor was obtained with a hydraulic retention time of 35 h (21 h in the anaerobic zone and 14 h in the aerobic zone) and a recycling ratio (R) of 3.5. In this condition, the COD, total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), and total nitrogen (TN) removal efficiencies were 97%, 96%, and 77%, respectively, with average effluent concentrations of 10 ± 36 mg COD/L, 2 ± 1 mg NH4+-N/L, 8 ± 3 mg Org-N/L, 1 ± 1 mg NH2–-N/L, and 26 ± 23 mg NH3–-N/L.
Earthquake time histories compatible with the 2005National building code of Canadauniform hazard spectrum
Authors: Atkinson Gail M. 
Published: June 2009

The seismic design provisions of the 2005 National building code of Canada (NBCC) (NRC 2005) describe earthquake ground motions for which structures are to be designed in terms of a uniform hazard spectrum (UHS) having a 2% chance of being exceeded in 50 years. The “target” UHS depends on location and site condition, where site condition is described by a classification scheme based on the time-averaged shear-wave velocity in the top 30 m of the deposit. For some applications, such as dynamic analysis by time history methods, it is useful to have time histories that represent the types of earthquake motions expected and match the target UHS from the NBCC over some prescribed period range. In this study, the stochastic finite-fault method is used to generate earthquake time histories that may be used to match the 2005 NBCC UHS for a range of Canadian sites. Records are provided for site classes A, C, D, and E. They are freely available at www.seismotoolbox.ca .
Democratic Elitism Reappraised
Authors: Higley John , Best Heinrich 
Published: June 2009

AbstractDuring the postwar decades following Joseph Schumpeter's seminal Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy, democratic elitism struck many as an apt and insightful description of how representative democracy works – even though convinced democrats detected an "elitist" thrust they found disturbing. But during the last several decades political elites and leaders have wielded more power and influence in Western democracies than Schumpeter and his early adherents acknowledged. If it is to retain relevance and utility, democratic elitism must incorporate the now more evident roles elites and leaders play.
Perception of Barriers to Self-care Management Among Diabetic Patients
Authors: Gazmararian Julie A. , Ziemer David C. , Barnes Catherine 
Published: June 2009

Purpose The purpose of this study was to explore individual, educational, and system barriers that limit low-income diabetes patients’ ability to achieve optimal diabetes self-management. Methods Economically disadvantaged patients with diabetes who used the Diabetes Clinic of Grady Health System in Atlanta, Georgia, participated in 3 focus group discussions. Results The discussions were held with mostly African Americans (n = 35) to explore barriers to achieving optimal diabetes self-management. Most participants were not married, approximately one-third had less than high school level reading skills, and 40% were not currently working. In terms of individual barriers, the emotional toll from the diagnosis of and lifestyle changes to treat diabetes was a recurrent theme, and included stress, frustration, social isolation, interpersonal conflicts, depression, and fear. Denial was often mentioned as the key factor that inhibited adherence to a healthy mode of living. The educational barriers were failure to recognize the risks and consequences of an asymptomatic condition. Many participants did not understand A1C. Finally, several system barriers were identified. The participants identified needed services, including follow-up and refresher courses, support group discussions, nutrition and medication education, availability of different education modalities, and expanded clinic hours. Conclusions The focus group discussions identified both barriers to diabetes management and opportunities for improving care for underserved patients with diabetes. The results are useful to improve the delivery of care and to develop quantitative studies to explore particular areas of interest. Based on these results, the current system needs to provide more support and education to patients with diabetes.
The 3-in-1 Procedure for Recurrent Dislocation of the Patella in Skeletally Immature Children and Adolescents
Authors: Oliva Francesco , Ronga Mario , Longo Umile Giuseppe , Testa Vittorino , Capasso Giovanni , Maffulli Nicola 
Published: June 2009

Background Recurrent patellar dislocations are common injuries in children and adolescents. The subjective and functional results of soft tissue surgical management in a population that was skeletally immature at the time of surgery have not been reported. Hypothesis The 3-in-1 procedure is an effective treatment for recurrent patellar dislocation in skeletally immature patients. Study Design Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods Twenty-five skeletally immature patients (age at operation, 13.5 ± 3.8 years) who were practicing sports and suffering from recurrent unilateral patellar dislocation were included in the study and followed until skeletal maturation. Clinical evaluation included the modified Cincinnati rating system and the Kujala score, anthropometry, plain radiography, and isokinetic dynamometry. Results The average follow-up was 3.8 years (range, 2.5-6 years). The mean modified Cincinnati score increased from 51.7 ± 12.6 preoperatively to 94.3 ± 10.8 (P < .02), while the mean Kujala scores increased from 52.4 ± 12.7 preoperatively to 93.8 ± 14.2 (P < .02). The Insall-Salvati index remained essentially unchanged, being 1.04 ± 0.2 preoperatively and 1.02 ± 0.3 at latest follow-up. Significant differences were found between the operated and the contralateral limb in the various isokinetic strength variables at all angular velocities measured at the latest follow-up (.05 < P < .0042). Conclusion The 3-in-1 procedure is a safe, reliable management option for recurrent patellar dislocation in skeletally immature patients. Side-to-side differences in isokinetic strength and in anthropometric indices persist despite subjective success of the procedure.
Incidence of Glenohumeral Instability in Collegiate Athletics
Authors: Owens Brett D. , Agel Julie , Mountcastle Sally B. , Cameron Kenneth L. , Nelson Bradley J. 
Published: June 2009

Background Glenohumeral instability is a common injury sustained by young athletes. Surprisingly, little is known regarding the incidence of glenohumeral instability in collegiate athletes or the relevant risk factors for injury. A better understanding of the populations most at risk may be used to develop preventive strategies. Hypothesis The incidence of glenohumeral instability in collegiate athletics is high, and it is affected by sex, sport, type of event, and mechanism of injury. Study Design Descriptive epidemiologic study. Methods The National Collegiate Athletic Association injury database was queried for all glenohumeral instability events occurring between the years 1989 and 2004. An analysis of the injuries was performed by sport, activity (competition versus practice), sex, type of event (primary versus recurrent), mechanism of injury, and time loss from athletic performance. Incidence rates and incidence rate ratios were calculated. Results A total of 4080 glenohumeral instability events were documented for an incidence rate of 0.12 injuries per 1000 athlete exposures. The sport with the greatest injury rate was men's spring football, with 0.40 injuries per 1000 athlete exposures. Overall, athletes sustained more glenohumeral instability events during games than practices (incidence rate ratio [IRR], 3.50; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.29-3.73). Male athletes sustained more injuries than did female athletes (IRR, 2.67; 95% CI, 2.43-2.93). Female athletes were more likely to sustain an instability event as the result of contact with an object (IRR, 2.43; 95% CI, 2.08-2.84), whereas male athletes were more likely to sustain an event from player contact (IRR, 2.74; 95% CI, 2.31-3.25). Time lost to sport (>10 days) occurred in 45% of glenohumeral instability events. Conclusion Glenohumeral instability is a relatively common injury sustained by collegiate athletes. More injuries occurred during competition and among male athletes.
A Biomechanical Comparison of Transosseous–Suture Anchor and Suture Bridge Rotator Cuff Repairs in Cadavers
Authors: Bisson Leslie J. , Manohar Leslie M. 
Published: June 2009

Background Several biomechanical studies comparing open and arthroscopic rotator cuff repair methods have shown inferior performance of arthroscopic repairs. Suture anchor–augmented transosseous repairs and suture bridge repairs have shown superior biomechanical performance when compared with other methods, but these 2 repair methods have not been directly compared. Hypothesis There will be no difference in the biomechanical performance of the transosseous–suture anchor and suture bridge techniques. Study Design Controlled laboratory study. Methods Eight paired cadaveric shoulder specimens (16 specimens) had creation followed by repair of a complete tear of the supraspinatus, with the first member of each pair undergoing repair by a transosseous–suture anchor technique and the second member undergoing repair by the suture bridge technique. Specimens were then cycled from 10 to 180 N for 200 cycles, followed by testing to failure at 33 mm/s. Elongation was measured during cyclic testing, and failure load and stiffness were obtained during load-to-failure testing. Failure method was recorded. Results There was no significant difference between transosseous–suture anchor repairs and suture bridge repairs for elongation (4.0 ± 1.60 mm vs 3.5 ± 1.1 mm, P = .31), failure load (408 ± 93 N vs 419 ± 62 N, P = .70), or stiffness (58 ± 10 N/mm vs 58 ± 14 N/mm, P = .94). The most common mode of failure with each method was suture cutting through tendon. Conclusion The suture bridge repair exhibited similar biomechanical performance during cyclic and load-to-failure testing as a transosseous–suture anchor repair, which historically has been performed in open or mini-open fashion. Clinical Relevance Arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs can be performed that are as strong as open or mini-open repairs.
Cognitive dysfunction in primary progressive multiple sclerosis: a neuropsychological and MRI study
Authors: Ukkonen M , Vahvelainen T , Hämäläinen P , Dastidar P , Elovaara I 
Published: June 2009

Although cognitive dysfunction is known to occur in multiple sclerosis (MS), only few studies have reported cognitive performance in patients with primary progressive MS (PPMS). To find out the pattern of cognitive performance in PPMS, 28 PPMS patients underwent an extensive battery of neuropsychological tests. The results were compared to those of healthy controls ( n = 20) and patients with secondary progressive MS (SPMS, n = 28). Furthermore, the results of neuropsychological tests in PPMS were correlated to magnetic resonance imaging findings. Our study showed that the PPMS patients have deficits in several cognitive domains when compared to age-matched and education-matched controls, but the cognitive impairment in the PPMS and SPMS patients appeared to be similar. Cognitive deficits in PPMS patients correlated with diffuse brain lesion, T1- and T2-lesion load, but no correlations were found with atrophy.
Quantitative assessment of brain iron by R2* relaxometry in patients with clinically isolated syndrome and relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis
Authors: Khalil M , Enzinger C , Langkammer C , Tscherner M , Wallner-Blazek M , Jehna M , Ropele S , Fuchs S , Fazekas F 
Published: June 2009

Background Increased iron deposition has been implicated in the pathophysiology of multiple sclerosis (MS), based on visual analysis of signal reduction on T2-weighted images. R2* relaxometry allows to assess brain iron accumulation quantitatively. Objective To investigate regional brain iron deposition in patients with a clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) or relapsing–remitting MS (RRMS) and its associations with demographical, clinical, and conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) parameters. Methods We studied 69 patients (CIS, n = 32; RRMS, n = 37) with 3T MRI and analyzed regional R2* relaxation rates and their correlations with age, disease duration, disability, T2 lesion load, and normalized brain volumes. Results Basal ganglia R2* relaxation rates increased in parallel with age ( r = 0.3–0.6; P < 0.01) and were significantly higher in RRMS than in CIS ( P < 0.05). Using multivariate linear regression analysis, the rate of putaminal iron deposition was independently predicted by the patients’ age, disease duration, and gray matter atrophy. Conclusions Quantitative assessment by R2* relaxometry suggests increased iron deposition in the basal ganglia of MS patients, which is associated with disease duration and brain atrophy. This technique together with long-term follow-up thus appears suited to clarify whether regional iron accumulation contributes to MS morbidity or merely reflects an epiphenomenon.
Sensitivity of conventional memory tests in multiple sclerosis: comparing the Rao Brief Repeatable Neuropsychological Battery and the Minimal Assessment of Cognitive Function in MS
Authors: Strober L , Englert J , Munschauer F , Weinstock-Guttman B , Rao S , Benedict RHB 
Published: June 2009

Background Cognitive impairment is common in multiple sclerosis (MS) affecting roughly 45–60% of patients. Because memory deficits have significant impact on employment, caregiver burden, and social functioning, neuropsychological (NP) assessment is often recommended. Two widely used and validated NP batteries for MS are the Rao Brief Repeatable Neuropsychological Battery (BRNB) and the Minimal Assessment of Cognitive Function in MS (MACFIMS). Although similar, these batteries differ in the specific auditory/verbal and visual/spatial memory tests employed. The relative sensitivity of these memory tests is unknown. Methods The BRNB and MACFIMS have considerable overlap but different memory tests: the former includes the Selective Reminding Test (SRT) and the 10/36 Spatial Recall Test (10/36) and the latter the California Verbal Learning Test, Second Edition (CVLT2) and Brief Visuospatial Memory Test, Revised (BVMTR). In 65 patients with MS and 46 demographically matched controls, we compared the sensitivity of these tests, and secondarily their respective batteries. Results The BRNB and MACFIMS were comparable in their overall sensitivity to disease status. Although the BVMTR showed greater discriminative validity than the 10/36, the CVLT2 and SRT were comparable in sensitivity. The SDMT was the most sensitive NP test across both batteries. Conclusions We conclude that the BRNB and MACFIMS have comparable sensitivity among patients with MS. The sensitivity of the auditory/verbal memory tests from these batteries is similar, but the BVMTR appears to be more sensitive than the 10/36. Clinical implications are discussed.
Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF)–secreting cellular immunotherapy in combination with autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) as postremission therapy for acute myeloid leukemia (AML)
Authors: Borrello Ivan M. , Levitsky Hyam I. , Stock Wendy , Sher Dorie , Qin Lu , DeAngelo Daniel J. , Alyea Edwin P. , Stone Richard M. , Damon Lloyd E. , Linker Charles A. , Maslyar Daniel J. , Hege Kristen M. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractPreclinical models have demonstrated the efficacy of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor-secreting cancer immunotherapies (GVAX platform) accompanied by immunotherapy-primed lymphocytes after autologous stem cell transplantation in hematologic malignancies. We conducted a phase 2 study of this combination in adult patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Immunotherapy consisted of autologous leukemia cells admixed with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor-secreting K562 cells. “Primed” lymphocytes were collected after a single pretransplantation dose of immunotherapy and reinfused with the stem cell graft. Fifty-four subjects were enrolled; 46 (85%) achieved a complete remission, and 28 (52%) received the pretransplantation immunotherapy. For all patients who achieved complete remission, the 3-year relapse-free survival (RFS) rate was 47.4% and overall survival was 57.4%. For the 28 immunotherapy-treated patients, the RFS and overall survival rates were 61.8% and 73.4%, respectively. Posttreatment induction of delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions to autologous leukemia cells was associated with longer 3-year RFS rate (100% vs 48%). Minimal residual disease was monitored by quantitative analysis of Wilms tumor-1 (WT1), a leukemia-associated gene. A decrease in WT1 transcripts in blood was noted in 69% of patients after the first immunotherapy dose and was also associated with longer 3-year RFS (61% vs 0%). In conclusion, immunotherapy in combination with primed lymphocytes and autologous stem cell transplantation shows encouraging signals of potential activity in acute myeloid leukemia (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00116467).
Computational analysis of the interaction between transcription factors and the predicted secreted proteome of the yeast Kluyveromyces lactis
Authors: Brustolini Otávio JB , Fietto Luciano G , Cruz Cosme D , Passos Flávia ML 
Published: June 2009

Abstract

Background
Protein secretion is a cell translocation process of major biological and technological significance. The secretion and downstream processing of proteins by recombinant cells is of great commercial interest. The yeast Kluyveromyces lactis is considered a promising host for heterologous protein production. Because yeasts naturally do not secrete as many proteins as filamentous fungi, they can produce secreted recombinant proteins with few contaminants in the medium. An ideal system to address the secretion of a desired protein could be exploited among the native proteins in certain physiological conditions. By applying algorithms to the completed K. lactis genome sequence, such a system could be selected. To this end, we predicted protein subcellular locations and correlated the resulting extracellular secretome with the transcription factors that modulate the cellular response to a particular environmental stimulus.

Results
To explore the potential Kluyveromyces lactis extracellular secretome, four computational prediction algorithms were applied to 5076 predicted K. lactis proteins from the genome database. SignalP v3 identified 418 proteins with N-terminal signal peptides. From these 418 proteins, the Phobius algorithm predicted that 176 proteins have no transmembrane domains, and the big-PI Predictor identified 150 proteins as having no glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) modification sites. WoLF PSORT predicted that the K. lactis secretome consists of 109 putative proteins, excluding subcellular targeting. The transcription regulators of the putative extracellular proteins were investigated by searching for DNA binding sites in their putative promoters. The conditions to favor expression were obtained by searching Gene Ontology terms and using graph theory.

Conclusion
A public database of K. lactis secreted proteins and their transcription factors are presented. It consists of 109 ORFs and 23 transcription factors. A graph created from this database shows 134 nodes and 884 edges, suggesting a vast number of relationships to be validated experimentally. Most of the transcription factors are related to responses to stress such as drug, acid and heat resistance, as well as nitrogen limitation, and may be useful for inducing maximal expression of potential extracellular proteins.
Rodent-specific alternative exons are more frequent in rapidly evolving genes and in paralogs
Authors: Nurtdinov Ramil N , Mironov Andrey A , Gelfand Mikhail S 
Published: June 2009

Abstract

Background
Alternative splicing is an important mechanism for generating functional and evolutionary diversity of proteins in eukaryotes. Here, we studied the frequency and functionality of recently gained, rodent-specific alternative exons.

Results
We projected the data about alternative splicing of mouse genes to the rat, human, and dog genomes, and identified exons conserved in the rat genome, but missing in more distant genomes. We estimated the frequency of rodent-specific exons while controlling for possible residual conservation of spurious exons. The frequency of rodent-specific exons is higher among predominantly skipped exons and exons disrupting the reading frame. Separation of all genes by the rate of sequence evolution and by gene families has demonstrated that rodent-specific cassette exons are more frequent in rapidly evolving genes and in rodent-specific paralogs.

Conclusion
Thus we demonstrated that recently gained exons tend to occur in fast-evolving genes, and their inclusion rate tends to be lower than that of older exons. This agrees with the theory that gain of alternative exons is one of the major mechanisms of gene evolution.
Selection and evaluation of reference genes for improved interrogation of microbial transcriptomes: case study with the extremophile Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans
Authors: Nieto Pamela A , Covarrubias Paulo C , Jedlicki Eugenia , Holmes David S , Quatrini Raquel 
Published: June 2009

Abstract

Background
Normalization is a prerequisite for accurate real time PCR (qPCR) expression analysis and for the validation of microarray profiling data in microbial systems. The choice and use of reference genes that are stably expressed across samples, experimental conditions and designs is a key consideration for the accurate interpretation of gene expression data.

Results
Here, we evaluate a carefully selected set of reference genes derived from previous microarray-based transcriptional profiling experiments performed on Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans and identify a set of genes with minimal variability under five different experimental conditions that are frequently used in Acidithiobacilli research. Suitability of these and other previously reported reference genes to monitor the expression of four selected target genes from A. ferrooxidans grown with different energy sources was investigated. Utilization of reference genes map, rpoC, alaS and era results in improved interpretation of gene expression profiles in A. ferrooxidans.

Conclusion
This investigation provides a validated set of reference genes for studying A. ferrooxidans gene expression under typical biological conditions and an initial point of departure for exploring new experimental setups in this microorganism and eventually in other closely related Acidithiobacilli. The information could also be of value for future transcriptomic experiments in other bacterial systems.