bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of simulated gastro‐duodenal digestion on the allergenic reactivity of beta‐lactoglobulin
Authors: Bossios Apostolos , Theodoropoulou Maria , Mondoulet Lucie , Rigby Neil M , Papadopoulos Nikolaos G , Bernard Hervé , Adel‐Patient Karine , Wal Jean‐Michel , Mills Clare EN , Papageorgiou Photini 
Published: August 2011

AbstractBackgroundCow's milk (CM) allergy affects about 2% of infants. The allergenicity of dietary proteins, including those from CM, has been related to their digestibility although the generality of the link and its causality remains to be demonstrated. In this study we use an in vitro digestion system, to investigate the digestibility of β‐lactoglobulin (blg) during gastrointestinal transit and to assess the impact of this process on blg allergenic reactivity in CM allergic children.MethodsBlg digesta were prepared using an in vitro digestion protocol simulating either gastric digestion alone or followed by duodenal digestion with or without phosphatidylcholine (PC). Biochemical analysis of blg digesta was performed by SDS‐PAGE and their concentration was measured by a sandwich ELISA. Assessment of their allergenic reactivity was done in vitro by EAST inhibition, specific basophil activation (basotest) and lymphocyte proliferation (PCNA‐flow cytometry) assays using sera and cells from patients allergic to blg and in vivo by skin prick testing (SPT) of these patients.ResultsBlg was only broken down to smaller peptides after gastro‐duodenal digestion although a sizeable amount of intact protein still remained. Digestion did not modify the IgE binding capacity of blg except for gastro‐duodenal digestion performed in the absence of PC. These results are consistent with the quantity of intact blg remaining in the digesta. Overall both gastric and gastroduodenal digestion enhanced activation of sensitized basophils and proliferation of sensitized lymphocytes by blg. However, there was a tendency towards reduction in mean diameter of SPT following digestion, the PC alone during phase 1 digestion causing a significant increase in mean diameter.ConclusionsDigestion did not reduce the allergenic reactivity of blg to a clinically insignificant extent, PC inhibiting digestion and thereby protecting blg allergenic reactivity. SPT reactivity was reduced compared to blg immunoreactivity in in vitro tests.
Coenzyme Q10 levels are low and may be associated with the inflammatory cascade in septic shock
Authors: Donnino Michael W , Cocchi Michael N , Salciccioli Justin D , Kim Daniel , Naini Ali B , Buettner Catherine , Akuthota Praveen 
Published: August 2011

Abstract
Introduction
Mitochondrial dysfunction is associated with increased mortality in septic shock. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a key cofactor in the mitochondrial respiratory chain, but whether CoQ10 is depleted in septic shock remains unknown. Moreover, statin therapy may decrease CoQ10 levels, but whether this occurs acutely remains unknown. We measured CoQ10 levels in septic shock patients enrolled in a randomized trial of simvastatin versus placebo.

Methods
We conducted a post hoc analysis of a prospective, randomized trial of simvastatin versus placebo in patients with septic shock (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT00676897). Adult patients with suspected or confirmed infection and the need for vasopressor support were included in the initial trial. For the current analysis, blood specimens were analyzed for plasma CoQ10 and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels. The relationship between CoQ10 levels and inflammatory and vascular endothelial biomarkers was assessed using either the Pearson or Spearman correlation coefficient.

Results
We analyzed 28 samples from 14 patients. CoQ10 levels were low, with a median of 0.49 (interquartile range 0.26 to 0.62) compared to levels in healthy control patients (CoQ10 = 0.95 μmol/L ± 0.29; P < 0.0001). Statin therapy had no effect on plasma CoQ10 levels over time (P = 0.13). There was a statistically significant relationship between plasma CoQ10 levels and levels of vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM) (r2 = 0.2; P = 0.008), TNF-α (r2 = 0.28; P = 0.004), IL-8 (r2 = 0.21; P = 0.015), IL-10 (r2 = 0.18; P = 0.025), E-selectin (r2 = 0.17; P = -0.03), IL-1ra (r2 = 0.21; P = 0.014), IL-6 (r2 = 0.17; P = 0.029) and IL-2 (r2 = 0.23; P = 0.009). After adjusting for LDL levels, there was a statistically significant inverse relationship between plasma CoQ10 levels and levels of VCAM (r2 = 0.24; P = 0.01) (Figure 3) and IL-10 (r2 = 0.24; P = 0.02).

Conclusions
CoQ10 levels are significantly lower in septic shock patients than in healthy controls. CoQ10 is negatively associated with vascular endothelial markers and inflammatory molecules, though this association diminishes after adjusting for LDL levels.
Reducing the Erdős–Moser Equation 1 n + 2 n + ⋯ + kn = (k + 1) n Modulo k and k 2
Authors: Sondow Jonathan , MacMillan Kieren 
Published: August 2011

AbstractAn open conjecture of Erdős and Moser is that the only solution of the Diophantine equation in the title is the trivial solution 1 + 2 = 3. Reducing the equation modulo
Impact behaviour of thermoplastics — materials testing and simulationa
Authors: Michaeli Walter , Hopmann Christian , Heesel Barbara 
Published: August 2011

Abstract
The simulation of a part’s mechanical behaviour has become indispensable in the course of safe and precise part design. Using finite element (FE) analysis, the potential of a material can be utilised optimally, and thus, parts can be designed using minimal cost and materials. In addition, crash simulations of automotive components are constantly gaining higher importance due to tightened laws regarding the safety of passengers and pedestrians (European Transport Safety Council, http://www.etsc.eu/). Therefore, in terms of material- and load-suitable simulation, methods that enable precise prediction of the mechanical behaviour of short-fibre-reinforced thermoplastic parts under impact loading should be developed. An adequate approach for this purpose is integrative crash simulation, which will be described more thoroughly in the following. The required material data determination is discussed as well.
Synthesis and properties of random polysulfone/polyethersulfone copolymers as high-performance polymers
Authors: Zhang Yi-Nan , Zhang Shu-Ling , Yang Yan-Hua , Qin Hong-Yi , Jiang Dong 
Published: August 2011

Abstract
A series of random polysulfone/polyethersulfone (PSF/PES) copolymers were synthesized by the polycondensation of 4,4′-isopropylidenediphenol, 4,4′-dihydroxyldiphenylsulfone, and 4,4′-dichlorodiphenylsulfone in the presence of potassium carbonate. The resulting copolymers displayed similar solubility with PSF and PES. The glass transition temperature and the 5% weight loss temperature of these copolymers varied in the range of 199°C–299°C and 467°C–498°C, respectively, which showed excellent thermal stability. Moreover, the elongation at break of these copolymers was much higher than that of PES, whereas the tensile strength was a little lower.
Structures of 4-{3-(X-phenyl)perhydro-1,3-oxazolo[3,4-a]pyridin-1-yl}-2,8-bis(trifluoromethyl)quinolines (X = H, 2-O2N, 3-O2N and 4-O2N), derived from mefloquine
Authors: Gonçalves Raoni Raoni , Kaiser Carlos R. , de Souza Marcos V. N. , Wardell James L. , Wardell Solange M. S. V. , Howie R. Alan 
Published: August 2011

Abstract
The crystal structures of four 4-{3-(X-phenyl)perhydro-1,3-oxazolo[3,4-a]pyridin-1-yl}-2,8-bis(trifluoro-methyl)quinolines, (2: X = H, 2-O2N, 3-O2N and 4-O2N) are reported. Differences in the conformations of the molecules are illustrated by the angles between the best planes through the various ring moieties. There are no strong intermolecular interactions, such as O—H···O, present in any of the four compounds. Instead, present in each of the four compounds are different combinations of some of C—H···F, C—H···O(nitro), C—H···π, C—F···π, N—O···π and π···π-stacking interactions, which result in very different supramolecular arrangements.
Genome Evolution and Meiotic Maps by Massively Parallel DNA Sequencing: Spotted Gar, an Outgroup for the Teleost Genome Duplication
Authors: Amores Angel , Catchen Julian , Ferrara Allyse , Fontenot Quenton , Postlethwait John H 
Published: August 2011

Abstract
Genomic resources for hundreds of species of evolutionary, agricultural, economic, and medical importance are unavailable due to the expense of well-assembled genome sequences and difficulties with multigenerational studies. Teleost fish provide many models for human disease but possess anciently duplicated genomes that sometimes obfuscate connectivity. Genomic information representing a fish lineage that diverged before the teleost genome duplication (TGD) would provide an outgroup for exploring the mechanisms of evolution after whole-genome duplication. We exploited massively parallel DNA sequencing to develop meiotic maps with thrift and speed by genotyping F1 offspring of a single female and a single male spotted gar (Lepisosteus oculatus) collected directly from nature utilizing only polymorphisms existing in these two wild individuals. Using Stacks, software that automates the calling of genotypes from polymorphisms assayed by Illumina sequencing, we constructed a map containing 8406 markers. RNA-seq on two map-cross larvae provided a reference transcriptome that identified nearly 1000 mapped protein-coding markers and allowed genome-wide analysis of conserved synteny. Results showed that the gar lineage diverged from teleosts before the TGD and its genome is organized more similarly to that of humans than teleosts. Thus, spotted gar provides a critical link between medical models in teleost fish, to which gar is biologically similar, and humans, to which gar is genomically similar. Application of our F1 dense mapping strategy to species with no prior genome information promises to facilitate comparative genomics and provide a scaffold for ordering the numerous contigs arising from next generation genome sequencing.
Is Life Law-Like?
Authors: Weiss Kenneth M , Buchanan Anne V 
Published: August 2011

AbstractGenes are generally assumed to be primary biological causes of biological phenotypes and their evolution. In just over a century, a research agenda that has built on Mendel’s experiments and on Darwin’s theory of natural selection as a law of nature has had unprecedented scientific success in isolating and characterizing many aspects of genetic causation. We revel in these successes, and yet the story is not quite so simple. The complex cooperative nature of genetic architecture and its evolution include teasingly tractable components, but much remains elusive. The proliferation of data generated in our “omics” age raises the question of whether we even have (or need) a unified theory or “law” of life, or even clear standards of inference by which to answer the question. If not, this not only has implications for the widely promulgated belief that we will soon be able to predict phenotypes like disease risk from genes, but also speaks to the limitations in the underlying science itself. Much of life seems to be characterized by ad hoc, ephemeral, contextual probabilism without proper underlying distributions. To the extent that this is true, causal effects are not asymptotically predictable, and new ways of understanding life may be required.
Intestinal Parasite Screening in Internationally Adopted Children: Importance of Multiple Stool Specimens
Authors: Staat Mary Allen , Rice Marilyn , Donauer Stephanie , Mukkada Sheena , Holloway Michol , Cassedy Amy , Kelley Jennifer , Salisbury Shelia 
Published: August 2011

OBJECTIVE:Our goal was to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites in internationally adopted children, to examine factors associated with infection, and to determine if evaluating multiple stool specimens increases the yield of parasite identification.METHODS:We evaluated internationally adopted children with at least 1 stool specimen submitted for ova and parasite testing within 120 days after arrival to the United States. In children submitting 3 stool specimens, in which at least 1 specimen was positive for the pathogen studied, we examined whether multiple stool specimens increased the likelihood of pathogen identification.RESULTS:Of the 1042 children studied, 27% had at least 1 pathogen identified; with pathogen-specific prevalence of Giardia intestinalis (19%), Blastocystis hominis (10%), Dientamoeba fragilis (5%), Entamoeba histolytica (1%), Ascaris lumbricoides (1%), and Hymenolepsis species (1%). The lowest prevalence occurred in South Korean (0%), Guatemalan (9%), and Chinese (13%) children, and the highest prevalence occurred in Ethiopian (55%) and Ukrainian (74%) children. Increasing age was significantly associated with parasite identification, whereas malnutrition and gastrointestinal symptoms were not. Overall, the yield of 1 stool specimen was 79% with pathogen recovery significantly increasing for 2 (92%) and 3 (100%) specimens, respectively (P &lt; .0001). Pathogen identification also significantly increased with evaluation of additional stool specimens for children with and without gastrointestinal symptoms.CONCLUSIONS:We provide data for evidence-based guidelines for intestinal parasite screening in internationally adopted children. Gastrointestinal symptoms were not predictive of pathogen recovery, and multiple stool specimens increased pathogen identification in this high-risk group of children.
Health Behaviors and Infant Health Outcomes in Homeless Pregnant Women in the United States
Authors: Richards Rickelle , Merrill Ray M. , Baksh Laurie 
Published: August 2011

OBJECTIVE:
To describe selected demographics; maternal health behaviors before, during, and after pregnancy; and infant health outcomes among homeless women in the United States.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:
Analyses are based on Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System data from 31 participating states from 2000 to 2007 that were linked to birth certificate data, which contain demographic and medical information collected through the state's vital records system. Responses were then weighted to be representative of all women who gave birth in each state during that year. Assessment of these data takes into account the complex sampling designs employed by the states.

RESULTS:
Four percent of women reported homelessness within 12 months before pregnancy, with the highest percentage in Illinois, followed by Oregon and Washington. Homeless women were younger, unmarried, uninsured, less educated, less likely to initiate and sustain breastfeeding, and had less prenatal care and well-visits. They were also more likely to be black, Hispanic, smoke cigarettes, be underweight or have class III obesity, and not take preconception multivitamins. Infants had lower birth weights, a longer hospital stay, and were more likely to receive neonatal intensive care.

CONCLUSIONS:
In this study we provide additional insight into homelessness in the perinatal period and provide information on ways to direct interventions aimed at improving the health of homeless mothers and infants. Additional research is needed to determine factors that influence pregnancy weight gain and infant feeding practices among homeless women and how this affects infant health.
Quality-Improvement Initiative Sustains Improvement in Pediatric Health Care Worker Hand Hygiene
Authors: Linam W. Matthew , Margolis Peter A. , Atherton Harry , Connelly Beverly L. 
Published: August 2011

OBJECTIVE:
To use quality-improvement (QI) methods to develop and test a multimodal intervention to improve hand-hygiene compliance among health care workers (HCWs) to &gt;90%.

METHODS:
We used a quasi-experimental staggered intervention that was conducted on 2 similar general pediatric units within a 475-bed tertiary children's hospital. Compliance was defined as acceptable hand hygiene both before and after contact with the patient or the patient's care environment. Measurement of HCW hand-hygiene compliance was performed by covert observations made during routine patient care. Twelve months of preintervention data were collected. QI methods were used to test and implement interventions sequentially in each unit. Interventions addressed leadership support, improving HCW knowledge, hand-hygiene supply availability, and HCW behavior.

RESULTS:
Interventions began on unit A on November 10, 2008. Similar interventions were later tested on unit B starting March 23, 2009. By April 1, 2009, compliance increased on unit A (from 65% to 91%) and unit B (from 74% to 92%). Improvement on each unit occurred only after the interventions were introduced. Identifying HCWs who failed to perform hand hygiene and offering alcohol-based hand rub to them before patient contact resulted in the greatest improvement. Improvements were sustained on both units for 18 months.

CONCLUSIONS:
Use of QI methods to implement a multimodal intervention resulted in sustained improvement in hand-hygiene compliance. Real-time individual performance feedback or other high-reliability human-factor interventions seem to be necessary to reach and sustain high levels of hand-hygiene compliance.
Urinary N-Terminal B-Type Natriuretic Peptide Predicts Severe Retinopathy of Prematurity
Authors: Czernik Christoph , Metze Boris , Müller Christian , Müller Bert , Bührer Christoph 
Published: August 2011

OBJECTIVE:
The goal of this study was to evaluate urinary N-terminal fragment of B-type natriuretic peptide concentrations, normalized to creatinine (UNBCR), to predict morbidities at discharge in preterm infants.

METHODS:
UNBCR were determined in urine collected on day of life (DOL) 2, 7, 14, and 28 in 136 preterm infants &lt;1500 g birth weight, 22 of whom developed bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), defined as oxygen supplementation at 36 weeks' gestational age) and 11 infants developed severe retinopathy (ROP), defined as stage 3 or stage ≥2 requiring surgery).

RESULTS:
UNBCR on DOL 7, 14, and 28 was elevated in infants who developed BPD or ROP compared with controls (P ≤ .001). On multiple regression analysis including birth weight and gestational age, ROP but not BPD remained independently associated with UNBCR on DOL 14 and 28. Areas under receiver operating characteristic curves for UNBCR on DOL 14 and 28 to predict ROP were 0.938 (0.027) and 0.954 (0.021), respectively. UNBCR DOL 14 and 28 thresholds exceeded by all infants with severe ROP (100% sensitivity, 100% negative predictive value) had a specificity of 66% and 85%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS:
UNBCR might hold promise to reduce unnecessary eye examinations by timely and accurate identification of infants at risk of severe ROP.
Pathophysiology-Based Treatment of Idiopathic Calcium Kidney Stones
Authors: Coe Fredric L. , Evan Andrew , Worcester Elaine 
Published: August 2011

Summary
Idiopathic calcium oxalate (CaOx) stone-formers (ICSFs) differ from patients who make idiopathic calcium phosphate (CaP) stones (IPSFs). ICSFs, but not IPSFs, form their stones as overgrowths on interstitial apatite plaque; the amount of plaque covering papillary surface is positively correlated with urine calcium excretion and inversely with urine volume. The amount of plaque predicts the number of recurrent stones. The initial crystal overgrowth on plaque is CaP, although the stone is mainly composed of CaOx, meaning that lowering supersaturation (SS) for CaOx and CaP is important for CaOx stone prevention. IPSFs, unlike ICSFs, have apatite crystal deposits in inner medullary collecting ducts, which are associated with interstitial scarring. ICSFs and IPSFs have idiopathic hypercalciuria, which is due to decreased tubule calcium reabsorption, but sites of abnormal reabsorption may differ. Decreased reabsorption in proximal tubules (PTs) delivers more calcium to the thick ascending limb (TAL), where increased calcium reabsorption can load the interstitium, leading to plaque formation. The site of abnormal reabsorption in IPSFs may be the TAL, where an associated defect in bicarbonate reabsorption could produce the higher urine pH characteristic of IPSFs. Preventive treatment with fluid intake, protein and sodium restriction, and thiazide will be effective in ICSFs and IPSFs by decreasing urine calcium concentration and CaOx and CaP SS and may also decrease plaque formation by increased PT calcium reabsorption. Citrate may be detrimental for IPSFs if urine pH rises greatly, increasing CaP SS. Future trials should examine the question of appropriate treatment for IPSFs.
Effect of Tooth Bleaching on Bond Strength of Enamel-Dentin Cavities Restored With Silorane- and Dimethacrylate-based Materials
Authors: Lima AF , Sasaki RT , Araújo LS , Gaglianone LA , Freitas MS , Aguiar FHB , Marchi GM 
Published: August 2011

Clinical Relevance
Prior bleaching treatment, with both low and high concentrations of bleaching agents, does not affect the push-out bond strength of dimethacrylate- and silorane-based materials to enamel-dentin cavities.
Levels of protein fractions in blood serum of periparturient goats
Authors: Janků Lenka , Pavlata Leoš , Mišurová Ľubica , Filípek Jaroslav , Pechová Alena , Dvořák Rudolf 
Published: August 2011

The aim of the study was to compare contents of individual protein fractions determined by electrophoresis in blood serum of healthy periparturient goats. Eight clinically healthy white shorthaired goats were examined. Blood samples of these goats were taken from v. jugularis three weeks and two weeks before the anticipated parturition, on the parturition day, 7 days after the parturition, and 28 days after the parturition. Individual protein fractions, albumins, α1-, α2-, β1-, β2- and γ-globulins were identified by electrophoretic analysis of blood serum. Percentage shares of individual protein fractions were converted from total protein values to g·l-1values. The results indicated that individual serum protein fractions in periparturient goats showed significant dynamics of change. There were no significant differences between samples taken before the parturition and on the parturition day (except for the increase of β2 from 2.5 ± 0.3 g·l-1observed 3 weeks before the parturition to 3.2 ± 0.4 g·l-1measured 2 weeks before the parturition, and the decrease of γG levels from 9.5 ± 2.6 g·l-1observed three weeks before the parturition to 8.1 ± 1.7 g·l-1found on the parturition day), yet most indicators measured after the parturition were significantly higher (p< 0.05) than on the parturition day (values in g·l-1observed on the parturition day versus values measured 28 days after the parturition: total protein 60.6 ± 4.3 vs. 71.3 ± 2.4, albumins 37.4 ± 2.9 vs. 42.7 ± 1.0, α2 3.4 ± 0.5 vs. 4.1 ± 0.8, β1 5.6 ± 0.5 vs. 6.3 ± 0.9, γG 8.1 ± 1.7 vs. 12.3 ± 1.9). The results bring new knowledge on the values of individual fractions of serum proteins in healthy goats, which is necessary for diagnostic interpretation of pathological findings in animals and also for experimental studies.