bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Production of bacteriocin by Leuconostoc mesenteroides 406 isolated from Mongolian fermented mare's milk, airag
Authors: WULIJIDELIGEN  , ASAHINA Takayuki , HARA Kazushi , ARAKAWA Kensuke , NAKANO Hiroyuki , MIYAMOTO Taku 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACTThe purification and characterization of a bacteriocin produced by Leuconostoc mesenteroides strain 406 that was isolated from traditional Mongolian fermented mare's milk, airag, were carried out. Leuconostoc mesenteroides strain 406 was identified on the basis of its morphological and biochemical characteristics and carbohydrate fermentation profile and by API 50 CH kit and 16S ribosomal DNA analyses. The neutral‐pH cell‐free supernatant of this bacterium inhibited the growth of several lactic acid bacteria and food spoilage and pathogenic organisms, including Listeria monocytogenes and Clostridium botulinum. The bacteriocin was heat‐stable and not sensitive to acid and alkaline conditions, but was sensitive to several proteolytic enzymes such as pepsin, pronase E, proteinase K, trypsin, and α‐chymotrypsin, but not catalase. Optimum bacteriocin production (4000 activity units/mL) was achieved when the strain was cultured at 25°C for 24–36 h in Man Rogosa Sharpe medium. The bacteriocin was partially purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation (80% saturation), dialysis (cut‐off MW: 1000), and gel filtration chromatography. Sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed that the bacteriocin had a molecular weight of approximately 3.3 kDa. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the isolation of a bacteriocin‐producing Leuconostoc strain from airag. An application to fermented milks would be desired.
Response to three essays on The Intellectual Culture of Puritan Women, 1558–1680 presented at Renaissance Society of America Convention, April 2010  Literature Compass Conference Cluster
Authors: Lake Peter 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThis article considers how hard it has proven to recover the ways in which puritan religion both enabled and contained the efforts of various early modern women to combine the fulfillment of their calling as Christians with the demands placed upon them by contemporary gender roles. The article then goes on to discuss how the three essays to which it responds successfully explore the subtly contradictory nature of the impact of puritanism on the literary, intellectual and spiritual activities of godly women in early modern England.
Glass Additive Influence on the Sintering Behaviors, Magnetic and Electric Properties of Bi–Zn Co‐Doped Co2Y Ferrites
Authors: Hsiang Hsing‐I , Mei Li‐Then , Hsi Chi‐Shiung , Wu Wei‐Cheng , Wu Jer‐Hao , Yen Fu‐Su 
Published: March 2012

The Bi2O3–B2O3–ZnO–SiO2 (BB35SZ) glass effects on the sintering behavior and magnetic properties of Bi–Zn co‐doped Co2Y ferrites were investigated in developing low‐temperature‐fired ferrites. The results indicate that BB35SZ glass can be used as a sintering aid to reduce the densification temperature of Co2Y ferrites from 1300°C to 900°C. The 2(Ba0.9Bi0.1O)·2(Zn0.4Co0.4Cu0.2O)·6(Fe1.97Zn0.03O3) ferrite with 4 wt% BB35SZ glass can be densified below 900°C, exhibiting an initial permeability of 3.4 and quality factor of 55. This process provides a promising candidate for multilayer chip magnetic devices for microwave applications.
Sintering and Crystallization of Phosphate Glasses by CO2‐Laser Irradiation on Hydroxyapatite Ceramics
Authors: Obata Akiko , Jones Julian D.C. , Shinya Akiyoshi , Kasuga Toshihiro 
Published: March 2012

Phosphate glasses in the 50CaO‐(50‐x) P2O5‐xTiO2‐1Al2O3 (x = 5–25 mol%) system were produced and irradiated with low energy density CO2 laser to melt and crystallize on a hydroxyapatite (HA) ceramic plate for dental filler applications. The laser with 10.6 μm of wavelength is easily absorbed by phosphate and hydroxy groups. The phosphate glasses containing ~15 mol% of titania strongly adhered to the HA plate surface through melting and sintering by the laser irradiation. The coatings after the laser irradiation contained crystalline phases. There was no significant changes in the morphology of the coating containing 15 mol% of TiO2 on the HA plate even after soaking in 0.1 mM HCl solution for 10 min. This coating was suspected to have good chemical durability. Powders of the glass or glass‐ceramic containing 15 mol% of TiO2 were soaked in distilled water to check their dissolution behavior over the long term. Dissolution from the glass‐ceramic was much slower than those from the glass at all points.
Time and Personal Identity in Nietzsche’s Theory of Eternal Recurrence
Authors: Jenkins Scott 
Published: March 2012

AbstractFriedrich Nietzsche’s theory of eternal recurrence is an essential part of his mature philosophy, but the theory’s metaphysical commitments and practical implications are both obscure. In this essay I consider only the metaphysical elements of the theory, with the aim of determining whether it is possible that we live our lives infinitely many times, as the theory maintains. I argue that the possibility of eternal recurrence turns on issues in personal identity and the metaphysics of time. As I proceed, I also consider the relation between Nietzsche’s theory of eternal recurrence and theories of recurrence found in the work of Heraclitus, the Pythagoreans, and the Stoics.
Isolation and initial characterization of a novel type of Baeyer–Villiger monooxygenase activity from a marine microorganism
Authors: Willetts Andrew , Joint Ian , Gilbert Jack A. , Trimble William , Mühling Martin 
Published: March 2012

SummaryA novel type of Baeyer–Villiger monooxygenase (BVMO) has been found in a marine strain of Stenotrophomonas maltophila strain PML168 that was isolated from a temperate intertidal zone. The enzyme is able to use NADH as the source of reducing power necessary to accept the atom of diatomic oxygen not incorporated into the oxyfunctionalized substrate. Growth studies have establish that the enzyme is inducible, appears to serve a catabolic role, and is specifically induced by one or more unidentified components of seawater as well as various anthropogenic xenobiotic compounds. A blast search of the primary sequence of the enzyme, recovered from the genomic sequence of the isolate, has placed this atypical BVMO in the context of the several hundred known members of the flavoprotein monooxygenase superfamily. A particular feature of this BVMO lies in its truncated C‐terminal domain, which results in a relatively small protein (357 amino acids; 38.4 kDa). In addition, metagenomic screening has been conducted on DNA recovered from an extensive range of marine environmental samples to gauge the relative abundance and distribution of similar enzymes within the global marine microbial community. Although low, abundance was detected in samples from many marine provinces, confirming the potential for biodiscovery in marine microorganisms.
Proteases, proteolysis and inflammatory molecules in the tears of people with keratoconus
Authors: Balasubramanian Sivaraman Arumugam , Mohan Sujatha , Pye David Cecil , Willcox Mark Duncan Perry 
Published: March 2012

Abstract.Purpose:  To investigate the expression of proteases, proteolytic activity and cytokines in the tear film of people with keratoconus.Methods:  Basal tears from people with keratoconus, from individuals who had undergone corneal collagen cross‐linking for the treatment of keratoconus, and from normal controls were collected using a capillary tube. Corneal curvature of each subject was mapped. The total protein in tears was estimated. Levels and activity of proteases in the tears were analysed using specific antibody arrays and activity assays.Results:  The total tear protein level was significantly reduced in keratoconus (4.1 ± 0.9 mg/ml) compared with normals (6.7 ± 1.4 mg/ml) (p < 0.0001) or subjects who had undergone corneal collagen cross‐linking (5.7 ± 2.3 mg/ml) (p < 0.005). Significantly (p < 0.05) increased tear expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) ‐1, ‐3, ‐7, ‐13, interleukins (IL) ‐4, ‐5, ‐6, ‐8 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF) ‐α, ‐β were evident in keratoconus. Tear IL‐6 was the only cytokine significantly (p < 0.05) increased in tears of keratoconus subjects compared with the collagen cross‐linked group. No significant difference in tear proteases were observed between the normal and the cross‐linked groups, although the expression of TNF‐α was significantly (p < 0.05) increased in the cross‐linked group compared with the controls. Elevated gelatinolytic (87.5 ± 33.6 versus 45.8 ± 24.6 FIU, p < 0.0001) and collagenolytic (6.1 ± 3.2 versus 3.6 ± 2.0 FIU, p < 0.05) activities were observed in tears from keratoconus compared with normal subjects. The activity of tear gelatinases (69.6 ± 22.2 FIU) and collagenases (5.7 ± 3.3 FIU) in the collagen cross‐linked group was not significantly different compared with either keratoconus or normals.Conclusion:  Tears of people with keratoconus had 1.9 times higher levels of proteolytic activity and over expression of several MMPs and cytokines compared with tears from controls. Further investigations are required to study the possible implications of these changes and whether they can be used to monitor disease progression or determine the success of corneal collagen cross‐linking.
Impact of nitrogen allocation on growth and photosynthesis of Miscanthus (Miscanthus × giganteus)
Authors: Wang Dan , Maughan Mathew W. , Sun Jindong , Feng Xiaohui , Miguez Fernando , Lee DoKyoung , Dietze Michael C. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractNitrogen (N) addition typically increases overall plant growth, but the nature of this response depends upon patterns of plant nitrogen allocation that vary throughout the growing season and depend upon canopy position. In this study seasonal variations in leaf traits were investigated across a canopy profile in Miscanthus (Miscanthus × giganteus) under two N treatments (0 and 224 kg ha−1) to determine whether the growth response of Miscanthus to N fertilization was related to the response of photosynthetic capacity and nitrogen allocation. Miscanthus yielded 24.1 Mg ha−1 in fertilized plots, a 40% increase compared to control plots. Photosynthetic properties, such as net photosynthesis (A), maximum rate of rubisco carboxylation (Vcmax), stomatal conductance (gs) and PSII efficiency (Fv'/Fm'), all decreased significantly from the top of the canopy to the bottom, but were not affected by N fertilization. N fertilization increased specific leaf area (SLA) and leaf area index (LAI). Leaf N concentration in different canopy layers was increased by N fertilization and the distribution of N concentration within canopy followed irradiance gradients. These results show that the positive effect of N fertilization on the yield of Miscanthus was unrelated to changes in photosynthetic rates but was achieved mainly by increased canopy leaf area. Vertical measurements through the canopy demonstrated that Miscanthus adapted to the light environment by adjusting leaf morphological and biochemical properties independent of nitrogen treatments. GPP estimated using big leaf and multilayer models varied considerably, suggesting a multilayer model in which Vcmax changes both through time and canopy layer could be adopted into agricultural models to more accurately predict biomass production in biomass crop ecosystems.
Long‐lasting potentiation of hippocampal synaptic transmission by direct cortical input is mediated via endocannabinoids
Authors: Xu Jian‐Yi , Zhang Jian , Chen Chu 
Published: March 2012

Key points
Hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons receive dual sensory inputs from the cortex directly through the perforant path (PP) and indirectly through the Schaffer collaterals (SC).
Direct cortical inputs to CA1 pyramidal neurons through the PP are important for synaptic plasticity and memory formation.
In this study, we show that long‐lasting potentiation of glutamatergic synaptic transmission at SC synapses by pairing of PP–SC inputs was suppressed by pharmacological and genetic inhibition of CB1 receptors.
Inhibition of the enzyme synthesizing the endocannabinoid 2‐arachidonoylglycerol (2‐AG) prevented the pairing‐induced potentiation, while inhibition of the enzyme hydrolysing 2‐AG facilitated the potentiation.
Our results indicate that 2‐AG functions as a signalling mediator tuning synaptic efficacy at the proximal synapses of hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons while direct and indirect cortical inputs to the same neurons are spatiotemporally primed, suggesting that endocannabinoids are involved in the information processing and storage in the hippocampus.
The conductance of red blood cells from sickle cell patients: ion selectivity and inhibitors
Authors: Ma Y.‐L. , Rees D. C. , Gibson J. S. , Ellory J. C. 
Published: March 2012

Key points
The high cation permeability in red blood cells (RBCs) from patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) is central to pathogenesis and includes a deoxygenation‐induced pathway termed Psickle.
Here whole‐cell patch clamp configuration was used to record from RBCs of SCD patients and showed a conductance reversibly induced upon deoxygenation, permeable to univalent (Na+, K+, Rb+) and divalent (Ca2+, Mg2+) cations, and sensitive to tarantula spider toxin GsMTx‐4, Mn2+ and o‐vanillin.
Divalent cation permeability is particularly important as entry of Ca2+ stimulates the Gardos channel whilst Mg2+ loss will stimulate KCl cotransport.
In oxygenated RBCs, the conductance was pH sensitive, increasing as pH fell from 7.4 to 6, but unaffected when pH was raised from 7.4 to 8.
Results show a conductance that shares many features with the Psickle flux pathway, and indicating its possible identity as a stretch‐activated channel with activation requiring sickle cell haemoglobin (HbS) polymerisation.
Regulation of ventral surface CO2/H+‐sensitive neurons by purinergic signalling
Authors: Wenker Ian C. , Sobrinho Cleyton R. , Takakura Ana C. , Moreira Thiago S. , Mulkey Daniel K. 
Published: March 2012

Key points
The retrotrapezoid nucleus (RTN) is an important site of chemoreception, i.e. the mechanism by which the brain regulates breathing in response to changes in tissue CO2/H+.
Mechanisms underlying RTN chemoreception appear to involve direct CO2/H+‐mediated neuronal activation and indirect neuronal activation by CO2‐evoked ATP release (i.e. purinergic signalling) from astrocytes.
Here, we show in vitro and in vivo that purinergic signalling in the RTN contributes to ∼30% of RTN chemoreception.
Purinergic drive in the RTN involves gap junction hemichannels but not P2Y1 receptors.
These results clearly indicate that purinergic signalling contributes to integrated output of the RTN during hypercapnia and thus is an important determinant of respiratory drive.
Effects of insertion speed and trocar stiffness on the accuracy of needle position for brachytherapy
Authors: McGill Carl S. , Schwartz Jonathon A. , Moore Jason Z. , McLaughlin Patrick W. , Shih Albert J. 
Published: March 2012

Purpose:In prostate brachytherapy, accurate positioning of the needle tip to place radioactive seeds at its target site is critical for successful radiation treatment. During the procedure, needle deflection leads to seed misplacement and suboptimal radiation dose to cancerous cells. In practice, radiation oncologists commonly use high‐speed hand needle insertion to minimize displacement of the prostate as well as the needle deflection. Effects of speed during needle insertion and stiffness of trocar (a solid rod inside the hollow cannula) on needle deflection are studied.Methods:Needle insertion experiments into phantom were performed using a 22 factorial design (2 parameters at 2 levels), with each condition having replicates. Analysis of the deflection data included calculating the average, standard deviation, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) to find significant single and two‐way interaction factors.Results:The stiffer tungsten carbide trocar is effective in reducing the average and standard deviation of needle deflection. The fast insertion speed together with the stiffer trocar generated the smallest average and standard deviation for needle deflection for almost all cases.Conclusions:The combination of stiff tungsten carbide trocar and fast needle insertion speed are important to decreasing needle deflection. The knowledge gained from this study can be used to improve the accuracy of needle insertion during brachytherapy procedures.
Kidney failure related to broad-spectrum antibiotics in critically ill patients: secondary end point results from a 1200 patient randomised trial
Authors: Jensen Jens-Ulrik Stæhr , Hein Lars , Lundgren Bettina , Bestle Morten Heiberg , Mohr Thomas , Andersen Mads Holmen , Thornberg Klaus Julius , Løken Jesper , Steensen Morten , Fox Zoë , Tousi Hamid , Søe-Jensen Peter , Lauritsen Anne Øberg , Strange Ditte Gry , Reiter Nanna , Thormar Katrin , Fjeldborg Paul Christian , Larsen Kim Michael , Drenck Niels-Erik , Johansen Maria Egede , Nielsen Lene Ryom , Østergaard Christian , Kjær Jesper , Grarup Jesper , Lundgren Jens D ,   The Procalcitonin And Survival Study (PASS) Group
Published: March 2012

ObjectivesTo explore whether a strategy of more intensive antibiotic therapy leads to emergence or prolongation of renal failure in intensive care patients.DesignSecondary analysis from a randomised antibiotic strategy trial (the Procalcitonin And Survival Study). The randomised arms were conserved from the primary trial for the main analysis.SettingNine mixed surgical/medical intensive care units across Denmark.Participants1200 adult intensive care patients, 18+ years, expected to stay +24 h. Exclusion criteria: bilirubin >40 mg/dl, triglycerides >1000 mg/dl, increased risk from blood sampling, pregnant/breast feeding and psychiatric patients.InterventionsPatients were randomised to guideline-based therapy (‘standard-exposure’ arm) or to guideline-based therapy supplemented with antibiotic escalation whenever procalcitonin increased on daily measurements (‘high-exposure’ arm).Main outcome measuresPrimary end point: estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 ml/min/1.73 m2. Secondary end points: (1) delta eGFR after starting/stopping a drug and (2) RIFLE criterionRisk‘R’,Injury‘I’ andFailure‘F’. Analysis was by intention to treat.Results28-day mortality was 31.8% and comparable (Jensenet al, Crit Care Med 2011). A total of 3672/7634 (48.1%) study days during follow-up in the high-exposure versus 3016/6949 (43.4%) in the ‘standard-exposure arm were spent with eGFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m2, p<0.001. In a multiple effects model, 3 piperacillin/tazobactam was identified as causing the lowest rate of renal recovery of all antibiotics used: 1.0 ml/min/1.73 m2/24 h while exposed to this drug (95% CI 0.7 to 1.3 ml/min/1.73 m2/24 h) vs meropenem: 2.9 ml/min/1.73 m2/24 h (2.5 to 3.3 ml/min/1.73 m2/24 h)); after discontinuing piperacillin/tazobactam, the renal recovery rate increased: 2.7 ml/min/1.73 m2/24 h (2.3 to 3.1 ml/min/1.73 m2/24 h)). eGFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m2in the two groups at entry and at last day of follow-up was 57% versus 55% and 41% versus 39%, respectively.ConclusionsPiperacillin/tazobactam was identified as a cause of delayed renal recovery in critically ill patients. This nephrotoxicity was not observed when using other beta-lactam antibiotics.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov identifier:NCT00271752.
Quality assurance in the endoscopy unit: the view of endoscopy personnel
Authors: de Jonge V , Kuipers Ernst J , van Leerdam Monique E 
Published: March 2012

IntroductionQuality of health services depend on the entire medical team. A supportive team culture and effective leadership is required for successful quality assurance (QA). The opinion of endoscopy personnel towards QA is unknown, while they have to collaborate in many quality projects.MethodsA survey was sent to all endoscopy nurses, assistants and managers. It focused on the implementation of a QA programme. Further, a team assessment was included, focusing on leadership and team functioning, using scores on 5-point Likert scales, with 1 being a very positive opinion, and 5 being a very negative opinion towards the item.Results294 persons completed the questionnaire (44%). 87% expressed a positive attitude towards a QA programme, and 54% thought that the implementation of a nationwide QA programme for endoscopy would be feasible. Positive effects of QA were expected on publicity (62%) and overall quality (70%). Most important QA aspects were aftercare (97%) and patient experiences (96%). Concerns were raised about the time investment (18%) and disclosure of results towards media (24%). Team assessment showed good scores on `team working' with a mean score of 1.97. Lower scores were given to the `wider organization' (3.00) and `team process' (2.42).ConclusionEndoscopy personnel have a positive attitude towards a QA programme. Besides, the team culture and its leadership are ready for the implementation of a QA programme. Efforts should be made to improve team processes and the relation with the wider organisation to ensure an optimal team culture, aimed at quality improvement.
Metaplastic breast cancer: clinicopathological features and its prognosis
Authors: Lee Hyewon , Jung So-Youn , Ro Jae Yun , Kwon Youngmee , Sohn Joo Hyuk , Park In Hae , Lee Keun Seok , Lee Seeyoun , Kim Seok Won , Kang Han Sung , Ko Kyoung Lan , Ro Jungsil 
Published: March 2012

AimsThe prognosis of metaplastic breast cancer (MBC) is reportedly worse than that of triple-negative invasive ductal carcinoma (TN-IDC), but the determinants of poor prognosis are not yet known.MethodsPatients from two Korean cancer centres were included in this study (67 MBC and 520 TN-IDC). Characteristics of the two disease groups, including clinical parameters, histological features, chemoresponsiveness, disease recurrence and survival estimates, were evaluated.ResultsMBC presented with larger tumours, more frequent distant metastasis and higher histological grade compared with TN-IDC (p<0.001). All but nine patients with MBC had triple-negative disease. Disease-free survival and overall survival (OS) of MBC were worse than TN-IDC (p<0.001). Multivariable analysis of disease-free survival revealed MBC type as an independent prognostic factor (HR 2.53; 95% CI 1.32 to 4.84) along with lymph node metastasis and implementation of breast conserving surgery. For OS, MBC type remained a significant prognostic factor (HR 2.56; 95% CI 1.18 to 5.54). Chemoresponsiveness of MBC and TN-IDC were similar in both neoadjuvant (p=1.000) and advanced disease settings (p=0.508). For a given MBC type, risk factors for disease recurrence included the presence of a squamous component (HR 4.0; 95% CI 1.46 to 10.99) and lymph node metastasis (HR 4.76; 95% CI 1.67 to 13.60); the risk factor for OS was initial distant metastasis (HR 10.77; 95% CI 2.59 to 44.76).ConclusionsMBC had worse survival outcomes compared with TN-IDC. Poor prognosis for MBC was likely caused by frequent recurrence with high initial stage and the unique biology of MBC itself.