bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
What Symptom Improvement Can Be Expected After Operation for Primary Hyperparathyroidism?
Authors: Caron Nadine R. , Pasieka Janice L. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractBackgroundThe only cure for primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) is operative resection of the parathyroid gland(s) responsible for the disease. The 1990 National Institute of Health’s (NIH) consensus development conference on asymptomatic pHPT and its subsequent workshop in 2001 established which clinical criteria warranted parathyroidectomy (PTx) versus observation. While there is no debate that these NIH criteria capture a group of patients likely to benefit from PTx, there is concern that these guidelines miss a significant percentage of pHPT patients who actually are symptomatic. Unfortunately, these additional symptoms are often subtle, nonspecific, not traditionally measured, frequently not assessed or considered in this patient population, and are usually attributed to other diagnoses or simply advanced age.MethodsAn evidence‐based literature review was performed assessing symptoms and clinical conditions associated with bone, neuropsychiatry, cognition, quality of life, and the neuromuscular system. The level of evidence and grade of recommendations were assigned to key studies to help determine recommendations regarding indications and potential benefits of parathyroidectomy (PTx).ResultsSymptoms ranging from decreased bone mineral density, increased fracture risk, neuropsychiatric symptoms and cognitive changes, lower quality of life, and neuromuscular symptoms were found to be associated with pHPT. The effects of PTx on these symptoms was addressed in a variety of studies that varied in quality.ConclusionAlthough there are few Level I randomized clinical trials addressing the benefit of PTx in patients with pHPT, there are supportive data to suggest that most patients with pHPT would benefit from operative cure.
Monitoring Charge Exchange in P3HT-Nanotube Composites Using Optical and Electrical Characterisation
Authors: Alexandrou Ioannis , Lioudakis Emmanouil , Delaportas Dimitrios , Zhao C. Z. , Othonos Andreas 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
Charge exchange at the bulk heterojunctions of composites made by mixing single wall nanotubes (SWNTs) and polymers show potential for use in optoelectronic devices such as solar cells and optical sensors. The density/total area of these heterojunctions is expected to increase with increasing SWNT concentration but the efficiency of solar cell peaks at low SWNT concentrations. Most researchers use current–voltage measurements to determine the evolution of the SWNT percolation network and optical absorption measurements to monitor the spectral response of the composites. However, these methods do not provide a detailed account of carrier transport at the concentrations of interest; i.e., near or below the percolation threshold. In this article, we show that capacitance–voltage (C–V) response of (metal)-(oxide)-(semiconducting composite) devices can be used to fill this gap in studying bulk heterojunctions. In an approach where we combine optical absorption methods withC–V measurements we can acquire a unified optoelectronic response from P3HT-SWNT composites. This methodology can become an important tool for optoelectronic device optimization.
Sol–Gel and Thermally Evaporated Nanostructured Thin ZnO Films for Photocatalytic Degradation of Trichlorophenol
Authors: Abdel Aal A. , Mahmoud Sawsan A. , Aboul-Gheit Ahmed K. 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
In the present work, thermal evaporation and sol–gel coating techniques were applied to fabricate nanostructured thin ZnO films. The phase structure and surface morphology of the obtained films were investigated by X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM), respectively. The topography and 2D profile of the thin ZnO films prepared by both techniques were studied by optical profiler. The results revealed that the thermally evaporated thin film has a comparatively smoother surface of hexagonal wurtzite structure with grain size 12 nm and 51 m2/g. On the other hand, sol–gel films exhibited rough surface with a strong preferred orientation of 25 nm grain size and 27 m2/g surface area. Following deposition process, the obtained films were applied for the photodegradation of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP) in water in presence of UV irradiation. The concentrations of TCP and its intermediates produced in the solution during the photodegradation were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) at defined irradiation times. Complete decay of TCP and its intermediates was observed after 60 min when the thermal evaporated photocatalyst was applied. However, by operating sol–gel catalyst, the concentration of intermediates initially increased and then remained constant with irradiation time. Although the degradation of TCP followed first-order kinetic for both catalysts, higher photocatalytic activity was exhibited by the thermally evaporated ZnO thin film in comparison with sol–gel one.
How can antipsychotics cause diabetes mellitus? Insights based on receptor-binding profiles, humoral factors and transporter proteins
Authors: Starrenburg F.C.J. , Bogers J.P.A.M. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractThe prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is becoming a serious public health problem. The use of atypical antipsychotics has been associated with disruption of the glucose metabolism and therefore with causing DM. The underlying mechanisms are unknown, but knowledge of the differences between the pharmacological features of various antipsychotics combined with their diabetogenic profile might help us to understand those mechanisms. This article describes how the binding of various essential receptors or transporters in essential body tissues, adipose tissue, pancreatic tissue and liver and skeletal muscle tissue can cause disruption of the glucose metabolism. With such knowledge in mind one can try to explain the differences between the diabetogenic propensities of various antipsychotics. It is well known that clozapine and olanzapine cause weight gain and DM, whereas aripiprazole and ziprasidone have much less disruptive clinical profiles. The most significant risk factor for adiposity seems to be strong blocking of histaminergic receptors. An agonistic activity on serotonergic-1a receptors, with a very low affinity for muscarinergic-3 receptors, might protect against the development of DM. More data will become available which may help to solve the puzzle.
Minimally invasive video‐assisted thyroidectomy: A retrospective study over two years of experience
Authors: Snissarenko Eugene P. , Kim Grace H. , Simental Alfred A. , Zwart Jon E. , Ransbarger Darron M. , Kim Paul D. 
Published: March 2009

ObjectiveThe minimally invasive video‐assisted thyroidectomy technique has slowly gained acceptance. Previous studies have reported advantages of better cosmetic results and faster postoperative recovery. We report preliminary results from our single assistant technique over the initial two years of inception at an academic training center.MethodsThis study consists of a retrospective chart review of 172 cases between May 2005 and September 2007. All cases started as video‐assisted thyroidectomy were included. Demographic, pre‐ and postoperative clinical data, imaging results, and hospital stay were collected.ResultsAcceptable data were available for 24 male and 148 female patients who underwent the video‐assisted procedure. Five cases were converted to the conventional thyroidectomy. Of the 172 cases, 60 total thyroidectomies and 112 hemithyroidectomies were performed, with 37 cases of malignancy. The average hospitalization was 1.43 days with mean incision length was 3.51 cm, mean surgical time of 91.37 minutes, and mean blood loss of 31 cc. Transient voice problems were noted in 10 patients.ConclusionWe found statistically improved operative times, hospital stay, and blood loss the first 2 years with a low rate of temporary complications. It appears that minimally invasive video‐assisted thyroidectomy is a safe and feasible option to standard thyroidectomy in selected patients.
A double‐blind randomized controlled trial of management of recurrent nosebleeds in children
Authors: Calder Nicholas , Kang Swee , Fraser Lyndsay , Kunanandam Tash , Montgomery Jennifer , Kubba Haytham 
Published: March 2009

BackgroundTo establish whether a treatment regimen of silver nitrate cautery and 4 weeks of antiseptic nasal cream is superior to antiseptic cream treatment alone in the management of pediatric epistaxis.Study DesignDouble‐blind randomized controlled trial.Subjects and MethodsChildren with epistaxis and visible anterior septal vessels were invited to participate. Patients were randomized to receive treatment or control. Treatment patients received silver nitrate cautery, followed by antiseptic cream for 4 weeks. Control patients received sham cautery followed by antiseptic cream for 4 weeks.ResultsA total of 109 patients were randomized and results were available for 93 (85%). Of those receiving cautery, 21 (45.7%) of 46 had no bleeding in the 4 weeks before follow‐up. Of those receiving only antiseptic cream 14 (29.8%) of 47 had no bleeding. (χ2 = 2.49; P = 0.114). More children in the active treatment group had an improvement in their symptoms compared with controls (42 of 46; 91.3%) in the treatment group vs 33 of 47 (70.2%) controls (χ2 = 6.626; P = 0.01; relative risk reduction = 71 percent, number needed to treat = 4.7).ConclusionWhen using subjective improvement in symptoms as the outcome measure, silver nitrate cautery with antiseptic cream twice daily for 4 weeks appears to give a small but statistically significant benefit when compared to antiseptic cream alone.
The comparison of histopathological characteristics of polyps in asthmatic and nonasthmatic patients
Authors: Ardehali Mojtaba Mohammadi , Amali Amin , Bakhshaee Mehdi , Madani Ziaodin , Amiri Mandana 
Published: March 2009

IntroductionConsidering the different clinical aspects of polyps in asthmatic and nonasthmatic patients, we aimed to explore their histopathological characteristics.Material and MethodsTwenty‐five asthmatic patients and 25 nonasthmatic patients with polypoid chronic rhinosinusitis (29 male, 21 female; mean age 41.3 ± 13.27; range 15‐78 years) were enrolled in the study to be compared on the basis of histopathological characteristics. They were compared according to the following seven light microscopic findings: basement membrane thickness, goblet cell hyperplasia, subepithelial edema, submucous gland formation, eosinophilic infiltration, lymphocytic infiltration, and polymorphonuclear infiltration.ResultsBasement membrane thickening, goblet cell hyperplasia, and eosinophilic and lymphocytic infiltration were more prominent in the asthmatic compared with the nonasthmatic group (P < 0.05), whereas polymorphonuclear infiltration was more prominent in nonasthmatics (P < 0.05). No statistically significant differences were found between the two groups with regard to submucosal gland hyperplasia or subepithelial edema.ConclusionAsthmatic patients present histopathological characteristics of a marked chronic inflammatory reaction, which might explain the negative effect on chronic rhinosinusitis outcome and the severity of the disease in this group.
The area centralis in the chicken retina contains efferent target amacrine cells
Authors: WELLER CYNTHIA , LINDSTROM SARAH H. , DE GRIP WILLEM J. , WILSON MARTIN 
Published: March 2009

AbstractThe retinas of birds receive a substantial efferent, or centrifugal, input from a midbrain nucleus. The function of this input is presently unclear, but previous work in the pigeon has shown that efferent input is excluded from the area centralis, suggesting that the functions of the area centralis and the efferent system are incompatible. Using an antibody specific to rods, we have identified the area centralis in another species, the chicken, and mapped the distribution of the unique amacrine cells that are the postsynaptic partners of efferent fibers. Efferent target amacrine cells are found within the chicken area centralis and their density is continuous across the border of the area centralis. In contrast to the pigeon retina then, we conclude that the chicken area centralis receives efferent input. We suggest that the difference between the two species is attributable to the presence of a fovea within the area centralis of the pigeon and its absence from that of the chicken.
Textile trade and trade credit in Spain, 1840–1913
Authors: Prat Marc 
Published: March 2009

AbstractTrade credit - the credit provided by suppliers to firms - can be seen as the second-best solution when financial development fails to keep pace with economic growth. This article analyses trade credit between Catalan cotton manufacturers and their clients in nineteenth-century Spain. Spanish historiography has suggested that trade credit had a detrimental effect on the profitability of the cotton firms. Based on an analysis of the archives of several firms, as well as judicial and notary sources, we present a more optimistic interpretation of the system. Manufacturers were, in fact, acting as their customers' bankers because they were in the best position to perform this function. They built up a good information structure, managed the credit risk efficiently and got positive returns from this activity.
4 Thematic roles, event structure, and argument encoding in semantically aligned languages
Authors: Arkadiev Peter M. 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
This chapter surveys the semantic motivations of ‘split’ case marking of intransitive subjects in several genetically unrelated languages in terms of Dowty's proto-role entailments. It is argued that it is not the overall balance of entailments but a single entailment grammaticalized in a given language which determines case marking.
12 The emergence of agentive systems in core argument marking
Authors: Mithun Marianne 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
It has been proposed that patterns of core argument categorization, sometimes termed ‘alignment’, are highly stable over time. Certain language families, however, show evidence of relatively recent shifts in these patterns. Agent/patient patterns in particular, which are considered rare, show strong areal concentrations in certain regions such as North America. This chapter examines situations that can trigger such shifts, mechanisms of diffusion, and the traces they can leave behind.
Condensed Tannins in Traditional Wet‐Cooked and Modern Extrusion‐Cooked Sorghum Porridges
Authors: Dlamini Nomusa R. , Dykes Linda , Rooney Lloyd W. , Waniska Ralph D. , Taylor John R. N. 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACTThe profile and quantities of condensed tannins (CT) in foods are affected by processing due to their highly reactive nature, which may affect their antioxidant activity and the nutritional value of the foods. The objective was to compare the quantity and profile of condensed tannins in traditional wet‐cooked and modern ready‐to‐eat extrusion‐cooked sorghum porridges. CT were analyzed using normal‐phase HPLC with fluorescence detection and their content was compared to CT and total phenols determined with standard colorimetric assays. Both the traditionally prepared and instant porridges had significantly reduced CT polymers (DP > 8), with retentions of 38 and 9%, respectively, of the CT present in the whole grain. Oligomer (DP 2–8) and monomer (DP 1) contents in traditional porridges were not significantly different from those of grain. In extruded porridges, the oligomers were reduced and the monomer content was increased. The extractable CT oligomers and monomers in the extrusion‐cooked sorghum porridges may be more biologically available because extrusion appears to increase their availability.
Relationships of Quality Characteristics with Size‐Exclusion HPLC Chromatogram of Protein Extract in Soft White Winter Wheats
Authors: Ohm J. B. , Ross A. S. , Peterson C. J. , Morris C. F. 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACTThis study investigated relationships between molecular weight distributions of unreduced grain proteins and grain, flour, and end‐use quality characteristics of soft white winter wheats grown in Oregon. Absorbance area and area percentage values of protein fractions separated by size‐exclusion HPLC (SE‐HPLC) showed significant correlations with quality characteristics, indicating associations of molecular weight distributions of proteins with quality characteristics. Specifically, high molecular weight polymeric protein fractions appeared to have a detrimental effect on soft wheat quality. This was shown by significant positive correlations with single kernel hardness index, and mixograph water absorption and tolerance, and negative correlations with break flour yield, cookie diameter, and cake volume. Higher proportions of soluble monomeric protein fraction eluted after the main gliadin peak, were associated with soft wheat quality due to negative associations with single kernel hardness index and mixograph water absorption and tolerance, and positive associations with break flour yield, cookie diameter, and cake volume. Calibration models were developed by the application of multivariate analyses to the SE‐HPLC data. These models explained >90% of the variation in mixograph water absorption and cookie diameter and thickness.
White Pan Bread and Sugar‐Snap Cookies Containing Wheat Starch Phosphate, A Cross‐Linked Resistant Starch
Authors: Lee Yeo Lee , Seib Paul A. 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACTPup‐loaf bread was made with 10, 30, and 50% substitution of flour with wheat starch phosphate, a cross‐linked resistant starch (XL‐RS4), while maintaining flour protein level at 11.0% (14% mb) by adding vital wheat gluten. Bread with 30% replacement of flour with laboratory‐prepared XL‐RS4 gave a specific volume of 5.9 cm3/g compared with 6.3 g/cm3 for negative control bread (no added wheat starch), and its crumb was 53% more firm than the control bread after 1 day at 25°C, but 13% more firm after 7 days. Total dietary fiber (TDF) in one‐day‐old bread made with commercial XL‐RS4 at 30% flour substitution increased 3–4% (db) in the control to 19.2% (db) in the test bread, while the sum of slowly digestible starch (SDS) plus resistant starch (RS), determined by a modified Englyst method, increased from 24.3 to 41.8% (db). The reference amount (50 g, as‐is) of that test bread would provide 5.5 g of dietary fiber with 10% fewer calories than control bread. Sugar‐snap cookies were made at 30 and 50% flour replacement with laboratory‐prepared XL‐RS4, potato starch, high‐amylose (70%) corn starch, and commercial heat‐moisture‐treated high‐amylose (70%) corn starch. The shape of cookies was affected by the added starches except for XL‐RS4. The reference amount (30 g, as‐is) of cookies made with commercial XL‐RS4 at 30% flour replacement contained 4.3 g (db) TDF and 3.4 g (db) RS, whereas the negative control contained 0.4 g TDF and 0.6 g RS. The retention of TDF in the baked foods containing added XL‐RS4 was calculated to be >80% for bread and 100% for cookies, while the retention of RS was 35–54% for bread and 106–113% for cookies.
Morphological, Physical, and Chemical Properties of Grain and Flour from Chalky Rice Mutants
Authors: Ashida Kanae , Iida Shuichi , Yasui Takeshi 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACTMorphological, physical, and chemical properties of grain and flour of 20 chalky rice mutants were compared with those of a translucent parental cultivar, Koshihikari. Compound starch granules were loosely packed and single starch granules were observed in chalky parts of mutant endosperm. Chalky mutant lines were classified into milky‐white and white‐core lines based on the degree of endosperm chalkiness. Physical and chemical characteristics also suggest a division of chalky mutant lines into two groups, consistent with the classification made based on morphological characteristics. Milky‐white mutant lines showed significantly lower grain weight, decreased starch content, and lower grain hardness than white‐core mutants and Koshihikari. Rice flour prepared from milky‐white mutants by dry milling showed less starch damage and finer mean particle size than white‐core mutants and the parent. These results indicated that a loosely packed structure in chalky endosperm was responsible for fragile grain and that it yielded fine flour with lower damaged starch contents. Decreased starch contents of chalky mutant lines correlated to lower RVA viscosities. Milky‐white mutant lines were expected to be useful to produce fine flour, which undergoes less starch damage during dry milling processing.
Uridine-Ribohydrolase Is a Key Regulator in the Uridine Degradation Pathway of Arabidopsis
Authors: Jung Benjamin , Flörchinger Martin , Kunz Hans-Henning , Traub Michaela , Wartenberg Ruth , Jeblick Wolfgang , Neuhaus H. Ekkehard , Möhlmann Torsten 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
Nucleoside degradation and salvage are important metabolic pathways but hardly understood in plants. Recent work on human pathogenic protozoans like Leishmania and Trypanosoma substantiates an essential function of nucleosidase activity. Plant nucleosidases are related to those from protozoans and connect the pathways of nucleoside degradation and salvage. Here, we describe the cloning of such an enzyme from Arabidopsis thaliana, Uridine-Ribohydrolase 1 (URH1) and the characterization by complementation of a yeast mutant. Furthermore, URH1 was synthesized as a recombinant protein in Escherichia coli. The pure recombinant protein exhibited highest hydrolase activity for uridine, followed by inosine and adenosine, the corresponding K m values were 0.8, 1.4, and 0.7 mM, respectively. In addition, URH1 was able to cleave the cytokinin derivative isopentenyladenine-riboside. Promoter β-glucuronidase fusion studies revealed that URH1 is mainly transcribed in the vascular cells of roots and in root tips, guard cells, and pollen. Mutants expressing the Arabidopsis enzyme or the homolog from rice (Oryza sativa) exhibit resistance toward toxic fluorouridine, fluorouracil, and fluoroorotic acid, providing clear evidence for a pivotal function of URH1 as regulative in pyrimidine degradation. Moreover, mutants with increased and decreased nucleosidase activity are delayed in germination, indicating that this enzyme activity must be well balanced in the early phase of plant development.
A functional genomics approach to evaluate candidate genes located in a QTL interval for milk production traits on BTA6
Authors: Sheehy P. A. , Riley L. G. , Raadsma H. W. , Williamson P. , Wynn P. C. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryThe potential genetic and economic advantage of marker‐assisted selection for enhanced production in dairy cattle has provided an impetus to conduct numerous genome scans in order to identify associations between DNA markers and future productive potential. One area of focus has been a quantitative trait locus on bovine chromosome 6 (BTA6) found to be associated with milk yield, milk protein and fat percentage, which has been subsequently fine‐mapped to six positional candidate genes. Subsequent investigations have yet to resolve which of the potential positional candidate genes is responsible for the observed associations with productive performance. In this study, we analysed candidate gene expression and the effects of gene knockdown on expression of β‐ and κ‐casein mRNA in a small interfering RNA transfected bovine in vitro mammosphere model. From our expression studies in vivo, we observed that four of the six candidates (ABCG2, SPP1, PKD2 and LAP3) exhibited differential expression in bovine mammary tissue over the lactation cycle, but in vitro functional studies indicate that inhibition of only one gene, SPP1, had a significant impact on milk protein gene expression. These data suggest that the gene product of SPP1 (also known as osteopontin) has a significant role in the modulation of milk protein gene expression. While these findings do not exclude other positional candidates from influencing lactation, they support the hypothesis that the gene product of SPP1 is a significant lactational regulatory molecule.