bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Enzymatic transesterification of palm stearin and olein blends to produce zero-trans margarine fat
Authors: Sellami Mohamed , Ghamgui Hanen , Frikha Fakher , Gargouri Youssef , Miled Nabil 
Published: August 2012

Abstract

Background
Food industries aim to replace trans fat in their products by formulations having equivalent functionality and economic viability. Enzymatic transesterification can be a technological option to produce trans free fats targeting commercial applications.

Results
Palm stearin and palm olein blends in different ratios were enzymatically transesterified in a solvent free system using a Rhizopus oryzae lipase immobilised onto CaCO3 to produce a suitable fat for margarine formulation. Slip melting points and triacylglycerols profiles were evaluated upon transesterification. Results indicated that all transesterified blends had lower slip melting points than their non transesterified counterparts. Furthermore, the triacylglycerols profile showed a decrease in the concentration of the high melting point triacylglycerols. The rheological analysis showed that margarine prepared with the transesterified blend showed a better spreadability than that of a control margarine prepared with non transesterified fat. Adding powder of dry bark orange to margarine preparation improved its colour and fairly affected its spreadability and rheological behaviour. The margarine prepared with transesterified fat displayed a rheological behaviour that was comparable to that of commercial sample.

Conclusions
This study is an ecofriendly approach to the utilization of relatively low value bioresources like palm stearin and palm olein for making margarine free of trans fatty acids that are now implicated as risk factor for heart diseases.
Effect of different freezing rates during cryopreservation of rat mesenchymal stem cells using combinations of hydroxyethyl starch and dimethylsulfoxide
Authors: Naaldijk Yahaira , Staude Marek , Fedorova Viktoriya , Stolzing Alexandra 
Published: August 2012

Abstract

Background
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are increasingly used as therapeutic agents as well as research tools in regenerative medicine. Development of technologies which allow storing and banking of MSC with minimal loss of cell viability, differentiation capacity, and function is required for clinical and research applications. Cryopreservation is the most effective way to preserve cells long term, but it involves potentially cytotoxic compounds and processing steps. Here, we investigate the effect of decreasing dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) concentrations in cryosolution by substituting with hydroxyethyl starch (HES) of different molecular weights using different freezing rates. Post-thaw viability, phenotype and osteogenic differentiation capacity of MSCs were analysed.

Results
The study confirms that, for rat MSC, cryopreservation effects need to be assessed some time after, rather than immediately after thawing. MSCs cryopreserved with HES maintain their characteristic cell surface marker expression as well as the osteogenic, adipogenic and chondrogenic differentiation potential. HES alone does not provide sufficient cryoprotection for rat MSCs, but provides good cryoprotection in combination with DMSO, permitting the DMSO content to be reduced to 5%. There are indications that such a combination would seem useful not just for the clinical disadvantages of DMSO but also based on a tendency for reduced osteogenic differentiation capacity of rat MSC cryopreserved with high DMSO concentration. HES molecular weight appears to play only a minor role in its capacity to act as a cryopreservation solution for MSC. The use of a ‘straight freeze’ protocol is no less effective in maintaining post-thaw viability of MSC compared to controlled rate freezing methods.

Conclusion
A 5% DMSO / 5% HES solution cryopreservation solution using a ‘straight freeze’ approach can be recommended for rat MSC.
Evaluation of dihydrofolate reductase and dihydropteroate synthetase genotypes that confer resistance to sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine in Plasmodium falciparum in Haiti
Authors: Carter Tamar E , Warner Megan , Mulligan Connie J , Existe Alexander , Victor Yves S , Memnon Gladys , Boncy Jacques , Oscar Roland , Fukuda Mark M , Okech Bernard A 
Published: August 2012

Abstract

Background
Malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum infects roughly 30,000 individuals in Haiti each year. Haiti has used chloroquine (CQ) as a first-line treatment for malaria for many years and as a result there are concerns that malaria parasites may develop resistance to CQ over time. Therefore it is important to prepare for alternative malaria treatment options should CQ resistance develop. In many other malaria-endemic regions, antifolates, particularly pyrimethamine (PYR) and sulphadoxine (SDX) treatment combination (SP), have been used as an alternative when CQ resistance has developed. This study evaluated mutations in the dihydrofolate reductase (dhfr) and dihydropteroate synthetase (dhps) genes that confer PYR and SDX resistance, respectively, in P. falciparum to provide baseline data in Haiti. This study is the first comprehensive study to examine PYR and SDX resistance genotypes in P. falciparum in Haiti.

Methods
DNA was extracted from dried blood spots and genotyped for PYR and SDX resistance mutations in P. falciparum using PCR and DNA sequencing methods. Sixty-one samples were genotyped for PYR resistance in codons 51, 59, 108 and 164 of the dhfr gene and 58 samples were genotyped for SDX resistance codons 436, 437, 540 of the dhps gene in P. falciparum.

Results
Thirty-three percent (20/61) of the samples carried a mutation at codon 108 (S108N) of the dhfr gene. No mutations in dhfr at codons 51, 59, 164 were observed in any of the samples. In addition, no mutations were observed in dhps at the three codons (436, 437, 540) examined. No significant difference was observed between samples collected in urban vs rural sites (Welch’s T-test p-value = 0.53 and permutations p-value = 0.59).

Conclusion
This study has shown the presence of the S108N mutation in P. falciparum that confers low-level PYR resistance in Haiti. However, the absence of SDX resistance mutations suggests that SP resistance may not be present in Haiti. These results have important implications for ongoing discussions on alternative malaria treatment options in Haiti.
The dual role of silver during silicon etching in HF solution
Authors: Abouda-Lachiheb Manel , Nafie Nesma , Bouaicha Mongi 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
It was reported that during silicon etching, silver was subjected to have a controversial role. Some researchers debate that silver protects silicon, and, at the same time, other ones confirm that silver catalyzes silicon underneath. In this paper, we give experimental results arguing the dual role that silver has during the formation of silicon nanostructures. We give a proof that the role of silver depends on the experimental details and the intrinsic properties of silver during its deposition on the silicon wafer. Through our investigations, we tracked the silver particles that indicated which mechanism is involved. Characterizations of the prepared samples were made using a scanning electron microscope.
Anti-inflammatory/anti-amyloidogenic effects of plasmalogens in lipopolysaccharide-induced neuroinflammation in adult mice
Authors: Ifuku Masataka , Katafuchi Toshihiko , Mawatari Shiro , Noda Mami , Miake Kiyotaka , Sugiyama Masaaki , Fujino Takehiko 
Published: August 2012

Abstract

Background
Neuroinflammation involves the activation of glial cells in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Plasmalogens (Pls) are glycerophospholipids constituting cellular membranes and play significant roles in membrane fluidity and cellular processes such as vesicular fusion and signal transduction.

Methods
In this study the preventive effects of Pls on systemic lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced neuroinflammation were investigated using immunohistochemistry, real-time PCR methods and analysis of brain glycerophospholipid levels in adult mice.

Results
Intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections of LPS (250 μg/kg) for seven days resulted in increases in the number of Iba-1-positive microglia and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-positive astrocytes in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus accompanied by the enhanced expression of IL-1β and TNF-α mRNAs. In addition, β-amyloid (Aβ3–16)-positive neurons appeared in the PFC and hippocampus of LPS-injected animals. The co-administration of Pls (i.p., 20 mg/kg) after daily LPS injections significantly attenuated both the activation of glial cells and the accumulation of Aβ proteins. Finally, the amount of Pls in the PFC and hippocampus decreased following the LPS injections and this reduction was suppressed by co-treatment with Pls.

Conclusions
These findings suggest that Pls have anti-neuroinflammatory and anti-amyloidogenic effects, thereby indicating the preventive or therapeutic application of Pls against AD.
Gathering “tea” – from necessity to connectedness with nature. Local knowledge about wild plant gathering in the Biosphere Reserve Grosses Walsertal (Austria)
Authors: Grasser Susanne , Schunko Christoph , Vogl Christian R 
Published: August 2012

AbstractBackgroundWild plant gathering is an essential element in livelihood strategies all over the world. However due to changing circumstances in Europe, the reason for gathering has altered from one of necessity in the past to a pleasurable activity today. Wild plant gathering has therefore also received renewed attention as a form of intangible cultural heritage expressing local preferences, habits and man’s relationship with nature.In the Biosphere Reserve Grosses Walsertal (Austria), local people’s knowledge of the gathering of wild plants and their perception of their own gathering activities are being documented. The focus of this paper is on the uses of herbal teas and the informal guidelines for gathering plants that have been issued by theBergtee(mountain tea) association.MethodsThirty-six free-list interviews were conducted with subsequent semi-structured interviews and three focus group meetings held with members of theBergteeassociation. Participatory observation (gathering and processing plants, mixing and marketing tea) also allowed for greater understanding of what had been reported.ResultsIn total, 140 different gathered plant species were listed by respondents. Herbal tea is the most frequently mentioned use. TheBergteeassociation, founded by a young man and two middle-aged women in the valley, is a good example of the link between biological and cultural diversity, with the aim of sharing the biosphere reserve’s natural treasures as well as local plant-related knowledge in the form of herbal tea products. The association’s informal guidelines for gathering reflect people’s attitude to nature: monetary income does not play a major role in gathering plants; instead people’s appreciation of the value of the nature around them is to the fore.ConclusionsGathering wild plants can be seen as an expression of people’s regional identity. The conscious appreciation of nature and related local knowledge is crucial for the sustainable conservation and use of the Biosphere Reserve’s resources.
Risk factors and outcomes for prolonged versus brief fever: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Seguin Philippe , Roquilly Antoine , Mimoz Olivier , Maguet Pascale Le , Asehnoune Karim , Biederman Sébastien , Carise Elsa , Malledant Yannick ,   the AtlanRea Group
Published: August 2012

Abstract
Introduction
Prolonged fever occurs with infectious and noninfectious diseases but is poorly studied in intensive care units. The aims of this prospective multicenter noninterventional study were to determine the incidence and etiologies of prolonged fever in critically ill patients and to compare outcomes for prolonged fever and short-lasting fever.

Methods
The study involved two periods of 2 months each, with 507 patients hospitalized ≥ 24 hours. Fever was defined by at least one episode of temperature ≥ 38.3°C, and prolonged fever, as lasting > 5 days. Backward stepwise logistic regression was performed to identify the independent factors associated with prolonged fever versus short-lasting fever.

Results
Prolonged or short-lasting fever occurred in 87 (17%) and 278 (55%) patients, respectively. Infectious and noninfectious causes were found in 54 (62%) and 27 (31%) of 87 patients, respectively; in six patients (7%), prolonged fever remained unexplained. The two most common sites of infection were ventilator-associated pneumonia (n = 25) and intraabdominal infection (n = 13). Noninfectious fever (n = 27) was neurogenic in 19 (70%) patients and mainly associated with cerebral injury (84%). Independent risk factors for prolonged fever were cerebral injury at admission (OR = 5.03; 95% CI, 2.51 to 10.06), severe sepsis (OR = 2.79; 95% CI, 1.35 to 5.79), number of infections (OR = 2.35; 95% CI, 1.43 to 3.86), and mechanical-ventilation duration (OR = 1.05; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.09). Older patients were less likely to develop prolonged fever. ICU mortality did not differ between the two groups.

Conclusions
Prolonged fever was common, mainly due to severe infections, particularly ventilator-associated pneumonia, and mixed infectious causes were frequent, warranting systematic and careful search for multiple causes. Neurogenic fever was also especially frequent.
Controlling Crystallization Structures in Thin Si Film for Improving Characteristics of MEMS Resonators
Authors: Kumagai Shinya , Murase Hiromu , Tomikawa Takashi , Ogawa Syohei , Yamashita Ichiro , Uraoka Yukiharu , Sasaki Minoru 
Published: August 2012

ABSTRACTAn approach to control the tensile stress and Q factor of thin Si film beams in MEMS resonators was investigated. Metal-induced lateral crystallization (MILC) using Ni nanoparticles that were synthesized within a cage-shaped protein, apoferritin, was applied to a thin morphous Si film for making a MEMS resonator with thin film beams. The MILC produced a thin polycrystalline Si (poly-Si) film with large crystallized domain (50-60 μm) with nearly the same crystalline orientation, whereas the poly-Si film obtained by conventional annealing (without MILC) consisted of small grains (less than 1 μm) with random orientation. The MEMS resonator with a beam made of poly-Si film by MILC was fabricated. The large domain size and the improved crystallinity increased the tensile stress, and resulted in 20% increase in Q factor in the resonant characteristics.
Vaught's Theorem on Axiomatizability by a Scheme
Authors: Visser Albert 
Published: August 2012

AbstractIn his 1967 paper Vaught used an ingenious argument to show that every recursively enumerable first order theory that directly interprets the weak system VS of set theory is axiomatizable by a scheme. In this paper we establish a strengthening of Vaught's theorem by weakening the hypothesis of direct interpretability of VS to direct interpretability of the finitely axiomatized fragment VS2of VS. This improvement significantly increases the scope of the original result, since VS is essentially undecidable, but VS2has decidable extensions. We also explore the ramifications of our work on finite axiomatizability of schemes in the presence of suitable comprehension principles.
Three-dimensional evaluation of facial asymmetry in association with unilateral functional crossbite in the primary, early, and late mixed dentition phases
Authors: Primozic Jasmina , Perinetti Giuseppe , Richmond Stephen , Ovsenik Maja 
Published: August 2012

ABSTRACT

Objective:
To assess the degree of facial asymmetry associated with subjects with unilateral functional crossbite (CB) in the primary, early/intermediate, and late mixed dentition phases in comparison with a group of subjects without CB.

Subjects and Methods:
A group of 234 white subjects, 78 with CB (42 girls and 36 boys) and 156 without CB (73 girls and 83 boys), aged 3.9–11.9, grouped according to the dentition phase, were included. Three-dimensional laser scans of the subjects' faces were used to assess facial asymmetry. For each part of the face two-way multivariate analysis of covariance was performed to assess differences among the subjects, and an independent sample t-test was used to assess the significance of the differences between data sets.

Results:
Within all dentition phases, the subjects with CB had statistically significantly greater facial asymmetry of the whole face than the subjects without CB, with the greatest values in the lower part of the face (P &lt; .05). In the middle part of the face a significant difference was observed in the mixed dentition phases.

Conclusions:
Children with unilateral functional CB exhibited a greater facial asymmetry than children without this malocclusion in all the dentition phases herein investigated. The greatest differences were seen for the lower part of the face. Further, facial asymmetry in the middle part of the face became clinically relevant in combination with the transition from primary to mixed dentition phase.
A Liquid Chromatography Method for Determination of Selected Amino Acids, Coenzymes, Growth Regulators, and Vitamins from Cicer arietinum (L.) and Solanum lycopersicum (L.)
Authors: Meher Hari Charan , Gajbhiye Vijay T , Singh Ghanendra 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
A bottleneck in crosstalk and QC research has been the quantification of diverse chemotypes in small amounts of tissue. An LC-UV method for estimating 28 selected metabolites of the regulatory network underlying growth, development, maintenance, vital functions, defense reactions, and food quality is reported. The method was based on binary gradient resolutions of the analytes in an RP C18 column. The mobile phase comprised solvent A [water + 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid (TFA)] and B (acetonitrile + 0.085% TFA at a flow rate of 1 mL/min. Twenty-three metabolites (selected amino acids, coenzymes, growth regulators, phenolic antioxidant, and water-soluble vitamins) were detected at 254 nm, and four fat-soluble vitamins at 280 nm. Jasmonic acid was quantified at 210 nm. The RSDs of peak area and retention time for each metabolite were &lt;5.8%. The calibration graphs were linear with R2 values ranging from 0.98 to 0.99. The LODs (μg/mL) were about 0.01–1.0 for 23 metabolites quantified at 254 nm, 0.1–0.2 for fat-soluble vitamins, and 0.1 for jasmonic acid. The recoveries ranged from 80 to 105%, with RSDs of 2.8 to 11.2%. The method has been satisfactorily applied for determination of 28 metabolites from Cicer arietinum (L.) and Solanum lycopersicum (L.). It could be an alternative and competitive method of choice that can cheaply and easily perform routine analysis for food quality and targeted metabolomics of chickpea and tomato in response to stressors.
Quantitation of Transdermal Tadalafil in Human Skin by Reversed-Phase High-Performance Liquid Chromatography
Authors: Mehanna Mohammed H , Motawaa Abdel M , Samaha Magda W 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
A reliable and sensitive HPLC method was developed for the quantitation of tadalafil transdermal permeation through human skin. An RP column with UV detection at 290 nm was used for chromatographic separation at ambient temperature. The mobile phase was acetonitrile–water containing 20 mM pH 7 phosphate buffer (35/65, v/v) with a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The LOQ achieved was 1 ng/mL, and the calibration curve showed good linearity over the concentration range of 5–2000 ng/mL for tadalafil, with a determination coefficient (R2) of 0.998. The RSD values of intraday and interday analyses were all within 7%. Parameters of validation proved the precision of the method; this validated method was applied for the determination of tadalafil in transdermal permeation and drug deposition in human skin studies.
Development and Validation of a Liquid Chromatographic/Tandem Mass Spectrometric Method for Determination of Chlortetracycline, Oxytetracycline, Tetracycline, and Doxycycline in Animal Feeds
Authors: Guo Liang , Chen Yiqiang , Zhang Liying , Yang Wenjun , He Pingli 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
A selective and accurate LC/MS/MS method for the simultaneous determination of chlortetracycline (CTC), oxytetracycline (OTC), tetracycline (TC), and doxycycline (DC) in animal feeds was developed. Samples were extracted with Na2EDTA-McIlvaine buffer and further purified with Oasis HLB SPE columns. The purified extract was separated on an Xbridge C18 column and detected by LC/MS/MS with positive electrospray ionization in the multiple reaction monitoring mode. This method provided average recoveries of 80.9 to 119.5%, with CVs of 1.7 to 9.8% in the range of 0.5 to 50 mg/kg CTC, OTC, TC, and DC in feeds, except the average recovery of CTC was 76.0%, with a CV of 14.6% in pig feed spiked with 0.5 mg/kg CTC. The linear ranges for the four TCs determined by LC/MS/MS ranged from 0.005 to 2.5 μg/mL with a linear correlation coefficient (R2) &gt;0.99. The LOD and LOQ for CTC, OTC, TC, and DC in pig and poultry feeds ranged from 0.003 to 0.02 and 0.01 to 0.05 μg/g, respectively. The method was successfully applied for the analysis of 30 real feed samples, and no illegal use was detected.
A Method for the Routine Determination of Methylmercury in Marine Tissue by GC Isotope Dilution-ICP-MS
Authors: Valdersnes Stig , Maage Amund , Fliegel Daniel , Julshamn Kåre 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
Currently, there is no legal limit for methyl mercury (MeHg) in food; thus, no standardized method for the determination of MeHg in seafood exists within the European jurisdiction. In anticipation of a future legislative limit an inductively coupled plasma isotope dilution mass spectrometry (GC-ICP-ID-MS) method was developed in collaboration with the European Standardization Organization (CEN). The method comprises spiking the tissue sample with Me201Hg, followed by decomposition with tetramethylammonium hydroxide, pH adjustment and derivatization with sodium tetraethylborate, and finally organic extraction of the derivatized MeHg in a hexane phase. Subsequently, the sample is analyzed via GC-ICP-MS and the result calculated using the ID equation. The working range of the method was 0.0005–1.321 mg/kg MeHg in marine tissue, with an internal reproducibility (RSD) of 12–1%. The method was validated based on statistical measures, such as the z-scores, using the commercially available reference materials from National Institute of Standards and Technology Standard Reference Material (NIST SRM) 1566b, NIST SRM 2977 and National Research Council of Canada (NRCC) TORT 2, NRCC, DORM 3, NRCC DOLT 4, and European Reference Material (ERM) CE 464. Z-scores for all standard reference materials, except for NIST SRM 1566b, were better than |1.5|. The wide range of marine tissues used during the validation ensures that the method will be applicable for measuring of MeHg in seafood matrixes of all kinds.
High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Quantification of Principal Antioxidants in Black seed (Nigella sativa L.) Phytopharmaceuticals
Authors: Hadad Ghada M , Abdel Salam Randa A , Soliman Rabab M , Mesbah Mostafa K 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
A new, simple, sensitive, rapid, and accurate isocratic RP-HPLC method was developed and validated for simultaneous analysis of the principal antioxidants of Nigella sativa, i.e., thymoquinone (TQ), carvacrol (CR), and its isomer thymol (THY), in different phytopharmaceuticals. The mobile phase was water–methanol (40 + 60, v/v) at a flow rate of 1.5 mL/min. Quantification was achieved with UV detection at 254 nm, based on peak area. The method was validated for linearity, accuracy, precision, selectivity, and robustness. The proposed method is stability-indicating for determination of TQ in the presence of its degradants. The LOD and LOQ (μg/mL) were, respectively, 0.006 and 0.021 for TQ, 0.002 and 0.006 for CR, and 0.027 and 0.090 for THY. The mean recoveries measured at three concentrations were higher than 99%, with RSD &lt;2%. This analytical method is suitable for quality control of the marker substances in this widely used natural protective and curative remedy.