bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pattern of AST and ALT changes in Relation to Hemolysis in sickle cell Disease
Authors: Nsiah K. , Dzogbefia V.P. , Ansong D. , Akoto A. Osei , Boateng H. , Ocloo D. 
Published: April 2011

Background Elevated aminotransferase levels are commonly associated with compromised hepatic integrity from various insults. In sickle cell disease, aspartate transaminase (AST) is also released via intravascular hemolysis. This study was done to determine the pattern of changes in AST and alanine transaminase (ALT), in particular the AST:ALT ratio, and to relate these to the hemolytic state, which we consider to be more important than hepatic and cardiac dysfunction in some individuals with sickle cell disease. Methods Serum aminotransferase levels were measured in 330 subjects with sickle cell disease, as well as hemoglobin, reticulocytes, and lactate dehydrogenase. The AST:ALT ratio was designated as a hemolytic marker, and simple and multivariate regression analyses were carried out between this ratio and other hemolytic markers. Results Mean AST and ALT levels were 48.24 % 27.78 and 26.48 % 22.73 U/L, respectively. However, for 49 subjects without sickle cell disease, mean AST and ALT levels were the same, ie, 23.0 U/L. In the subjects with sickle cell disease, the increases in AST levels were far higher than for ALT, supporting its release via intravascular hemolysis. In 95.8% of the subjects with sickle cell disease, the AST:ALT ratio was > 1, but our results did not suggest overt malfunctioning of the liver and heart in the majority of subjects. Conclusion Regression analyses support the use of the AST:ALT ratio as a hemolytic marker, because it has an inverse association with the hemoglobin level. Whether in steady state or in crisis, provided hepatic and cardiac integrity has not been compromised, subjects with sickle cell disease would have higher AST levels due to the hemolytic nature of the condition. This is the first report highlighting the AST:ALT ratio in sickle cell disease.
Real‐time mocap dance recognition for an interactive dancing game
Authors: Deng Liqun , Leung Howard , Gu Naijie , Yang Yang 
Published: April 2011

AbstractIn this paper, we present an interactive dancing game based on motion capture technology. We address the problem of real‐time recognition of the user's live dance performance in order to determine the interactive motion to be rendered by a virtual dance partner. The real‐time recognition algorithm is based on a human body partition indexing scheme with flexible matching to determine the end of a move as well as to detect unwanted motion. We show that the system can recognize the live dance motions of users with good accuracy and render the interactive dance move of the virtual partner. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
3D soft tissue warping dynamics simulation based on force asynchronous diffusion model
Authors: Si Weixin , Yuan Zhiyong , Liao Xiangyun , Duan Zhaoliang , Ding Yihua , Zhao Jianhui 
Published: April 2011

AbstractSoft tissue warping is one of the key technologies of medical dynamics simulation, such as surgical simulation, image guided surgery. In this paper, we present a novel simulation method which is stable and fast like linear models for soft tissue warping simulation. This method performs on the irregular mesh models, and it is able to represent the visual properties of physical processes with low computational complexity using the Force Asynchronous Diffusion Model (FADM) proposed in this paper. It contains three parts: model preprocessing, collision detection and simulation model solution. In model preprocessing, we establish three models based on the triangular mesh: the geometrical model, the physical model and the transitional model. A two‐level collision detection algorithm is presented based on the three models. At every time step of the simulation model solution, to more accurately reflect the internal physical properties of the soft tissue, we divide the springs in physical model into three kinds: tissue springs, connection springs and virtual springs; and we propose the asynchronous regions and active regions to simplify the computing process according to the realistic physical warping. Experimental results show the FAMD can achieve good warping effects on speed and realism. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structure and Cytotoxic Activity of Enzymatic Hydrolysis Products of Secoiridoid Glucosides, Isoligustroside and Isooleuropein
Authors: Kikuchi Masafumi , Yaoita Yasunori , Mano Nariyasu , Kikuchi Masao 
Published: April 2011

AbstractHydrolysis of isoligustroside (1) and isooleuropein (2), secoiridoid glucosides, in the presence of β‐glucosidase provided 2‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)methyl (2R,3S,4S)‐3‐formyl‐3,4‐dihydro‐4‐(2‐methoxy‐2‐oxoethyl)‐2‐methyl‐2H‐pyran‐5‐carboxylate (3) and 2‐(3,4‐dihydroxyphenyl)methyl (2R,3S,4S)‐3‐formyl‐3,4‐dihydro‐4‐(2‐methoxy‐2‐oxoethyl)‐2‐methyl‐2H‐pyran‐5‐carboxylate (4), respectively. The structures of 3 and 4 were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectral analyses, including 2D‐NMR experiments. Compounds 3 and 4 were found to be new rearrangement products of the aglycones of 1 and 2. The cytotoxic activities of 3 and 4 were evaluated using a disease‐oriented panel of 39 human cancer cell lines and showed moderate cytotoxic activity for 4, while 3 exhibited weaker activity compared to that of 4.
Visfatin in overweight/obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases: a meta‐analysis and systemic review
Authors: Chang Yu‐Hung , Chang Dao‐Ming , Lin Kun‐Cheng , Shin Shyi‐Jang , Lee Yau‐Jiunn 
Published: April 2011

AbstractThere are controversies regarding the association of visfatin with overweight/obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance (IR), metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease in published articles. A meta‐analysis was performed to identify the significance of visfatin in these diseases. We searched for relevant articles in Pubmed, Scopus and SCIE. A total of 1035 articles were surveyed and 46 articles were identified, with 14 reports reporting more than one of our investigated diseases. A total of 13 (n = 644), 19 (n = 2405), 20 (n = 2249), 5 (n = 527) and 5 (n = 851) articles/(participants) were included in each meta‐analysis regarding the association of visfatin and overweight/obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases, respectively. Plasma visfatin concentrations were increased in participants diagnosed with overweight/obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases, with pooled log odds ratios of 1.164 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.348 to 1.981, p = 0.005], 1.981 (95% CI: 1.377 to 2.584, p < 0.001), 1.094 (95% CI: 0.678 to 1.511, p < 0.001), and 2.902 (95% CI: 0.924 to 4.879, p < 0.005), respectively. The circulating visfatin level was positively associated with insulin resistance, with a Fisher's z of 0.089 (95% CI: 0.013 to 0.165, p = 0.022). No single study was found to affect the overall result of each analysis by sensitivity testing. No publication bias was found by the Egger test. Our study suggests that the use of visfatin may be promising for predicting obesity, diabetes status, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Photoemission study on natural oxidation of Cu3Au with synchrotron radiation
Authors: Souwa Makoto , Yamazaki Daichi , Okada Michio , Yoshigoe Akitaka , Teraoka Yuden , Kasai Toshio 
Published: April 2011

AbstractWe report the results of a study of the natural oxidation of Cu3Au(110) with high‐resolution X‐ray photoemission spectroscopy in conjunction with synchrotron radiation. The clean surface of Cu3Au(110) is terminated with 50% Au and 50% Cu atoms. After natural oxidation in the air, Cu atoms segregate on the surface and produce Cu‐oxide. As a result, Au atoms move into the bulk. Au atoms below the oxide reduce the diffusion of O atoms farther into bulk and limit the oxide thickness. The face dependence of natural oxidation indicates that the diffusion of Cu atoms also contributes to oxide formation. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 175(4): 43–47, 2011; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.21149
A ghost fluid Lattice Boltzmann method for complex geometries
Authors: Tiwari A. , Vanka S. P. 
Published: April 2011

SUMMARYA ghost fluid Lattice Boltzmann method (GF‐LBM) is developed in this study to represent complex boundaries in Lattice Boltzmann simulations of fluid flows. Velocity and density values at the ghost points are extrapolated from the fluid interior and domain boundary via obtaining image points along the boundary normal inside the fluid domain. A general bilinear interpolation algorithm is used to obtain values at image points which are then extrapolated to ghost nodes thus satisfying hydrodynamic boundary conditions. The method ensures no‐penetration and no‐slip conditions at the boundaries. Equilibrium distribution functions at the ghost points are computed using the extrapolated values of the hydrodynamic variables, while non‐equilibrium distribution functions are extrapolated from the interior nodes. The method developed is general, and is capable of prescribing Dirichlet as well as Neumann boundary conditions for pressure and velocity. Consistency and second‐order accuracy of the method are established by running three test problems including cylindrical Couette flow, flow between eccentric rotating cylinders and flow over a cylinder in a confined channel. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Functional development in the infant brain for auditory pitch processing
Authors: Homae Fumitaka , Watanabe Hama , Nakano Tamami , Taga Gentaro 
Published: April 2011

AbstractUnderstanding how the developing brain processes auditory information is a critical step toward the clarification of infants' perception of speech and music. We have reported that the infant brain perceives pitch information in speech sounds. Here, we used multichannel near‐infrared spectroscopy to examine whether the infant brain is sensitive to information of pitch changes in auditory sequences. Three types of auditory sequences with distinct temporal structures of pitch changes were presented to 3‐ and 6‐month‐old infants: a long condition of 12 successive tones constructing a chromatic scale (600 ms), a short condition of four successive tones constructing a chromatic scale (200 ms), and a random condition of random tone sequences (50 ms per tone). The difference among the conditions was only in the sequential order of the tones, which causes pitch changes between the successive tones. We found that the bilateral temporal regions of both ages of infants showed significant activation under the three conditions. The stimulus‐dependent activation was observed in the right temporoparietal region of the both infant groups; the 3‐ and 6‐month‐old infants showed the most prominent activation under the random and short conditions, respectively. Our findings indicate that the infant brain, which shows functional differentiation and lateralization in auditory‐related areas, is capable of responding to more than single tones of pitch information. These results suggest that the right temporoparietal region of the infants increases sensitivity to auditory sequences, which have temporal structures similar to those of syllables in speech sounds, in the course of development. Hum Brain Mapp, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
DHEAS induces short‐term potentiation via the activation of a metabotropic glutamate receptor in the rat hippocampus
Authors: Xu Yuxia , Tanaka Motoki , Chen Ling , Sokabe Masahiro 
Published: April 2011

AbstractThe neurosteroid dehydroepiandrosterone‐sulfate (DHEAS) is a positive modulator of synaptic transmission in mammalian brains; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. This report describes the acute effects of DHEAS on the synaptic transmission in the hippocampal dentate gyrus of rat brain slices. The application of DHEAS for 10 min augmented the optically recorded EPSP (op‐EPSP) in a dose dependent manner. The effect became visible at 1 nM and saturated at 100 nM. We focused on the effect of DHEAS at 100 nM, where the op‐EPSP amplitude was increased by 30%, and gradually decreased to the basal level in 30 min after wash out of the drug (short‐term potentiation by DHEAS; STPDHEAS). DHEAS did not alter the presynaptic properties including the presynaptic fiber volley (PSFV) and paired pulse facilitation (PPF), thus indicating that the acute DHEAS effect is of postsynaptic origin. The involvement of putative DHEAS targets, GABAA, NMDA, and σ1 receptors in STPDHEAS was also investigated; however, antagonists to these receptors only partially inhibited the acute effect of DHEAS. By contrast, STPDHEAS was totally inhibited by either the metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) antagonist MPEP (10 μM) or the ryanodine receptor (RyR) inhibitors (ryanodine and ruthenium red), but not by the mGluR1 antagonist LY367385 and the IP3R antagonist 2‐APB, suggesting that STPDHEAS is mediated by an mGluR5‐RyR cascade in postsynaptic neurons. Consistent with this finding, the selective agonist for mGluR5 CHPG nearly perfectly mimicked the DHEAS effect. This is the first demonstration of mGluR involvement in the DHEAS action in regard to hippocampal synaptic transmission. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Three New Cycloartane (=9,19‐Cyclolanostane) Glycosides from Cimicifuga foetida
Authors: Li Da‐Shan , Nian Yin , Sun Yun , Qiu Ming‐Hua 
Published: April 2011

AbstractThree new cycloartane glycosides, 24‐epicimigenol 3‐(α‐L‐arabinopyranoside) (1), (3β,16β)‐cycloartane‐3,16,22,24,25‐pentol 3‐(β‐D‐xylopyranoside) (2), and (3β,15α,16β)‐cycloartane‐3,15,16,24,25‐pentol 3‐(β‐D‐xylopyranoside) (3), together with five known compounds, including four cycloartane glycosides and bergenin, were isolated from the rhizomes of Cimicifuga foetida. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods.
Two Unusual Xanthones from the Bark of Garcinia xanthochymus
Authors: Chen Yu , Fan Hua , Yang Guang‐Zhong , Jiang Yan , Zhong Fang‐Fang , He Hong‐Wu 
Published: April 2011

AbstractA new xanthone derivative, garcinexanthone F (1), which was found to possess an α,β‐unsaturated γ‐lactone moiety, and a new bisxanthone, bigarcinenone B (2), with a terpene bridge providing the xanthonexanthone linkage, were isolated from the bark of Garcinia xanthochymus. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, especially 2D‐NMR techniques. The antioxidant assay in vitro showed that compounds 1 and 2 exhibited significant scavenging activities against 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical with IC50 values of 22.32 and 20.14 μM, and against HO. radical with IC50 values of 1.16 and 2.85 μM, respectively.
Secondary Metabolites from Magnolia kachirachirai
Authors: Chang Hsun‐Shuo , Cheng Ming‐Jen , Chen Ih‐Sheng 
Published: April 2011

AbstractInvestigation of the root bark of Magnolia kachirachirai led to the isolation of a new sesquiterpene, kachirachirain (1), and a new aporphine alkaloid, kachirachiranine (2), together with 20 known compounds, of which dimethyl 4,4′‐methylenebis(4,1‐phenylene)diurethane (3) was isolated for the first time from a natural source. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis.
Effect of environmental conditions on the retention behaviour of Pb(II) by hematite
Authors: Zhao Donglin , Chen Changlun , Sheng Guodong , Wang Xiangke 
Published: April 2011

AbstractBACKGROUND: The retention behaviour of Pb(II) by hematite was studied as a function of various environmental parameters such as contact time, pH, ionic strength, foreign ions, humic substances and temperature under ambient conditions.RESULTS: Pb(II) sorption on hematite was rapid and the sorption could be described by a pseudo‐second‐order model very well. The sorption of Pb(II) on hematite was strongly dependent on pH and ionic strength. The presence of humic substances enhanced the sorption of Pb(II) on hematite at low pH, but reduced Pb(II) sorption at high pH. The Langmuir model fitted the sorption isotherms of Pb(II) better than the Freundlich model at three different temperatures, 293.15, 313.15 and 333.15 K. The thermodynamic parameters (ΔH°,ΔS° and ΔG°) calculated from the temperature dependent sorption isotherms indicated that the sorption process of Pb(II) on hematite was endothermic and spontaneous.CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that hematite is a promising candidate for the treatment of heavy metal ions from large volume solution. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
The chick optic tectum developmental stages. A dynamic table based on temporal‐ and spatial‐dependent histogenetic changes: A structural, morphometric and immunocytochemical analysis
Authors: Rapacioli Melina , Celín Alejandra Rodríguez , Duarte Santiago , Ortalli Ana Laura , Di Napoli Jennifer , Teruel Luisa , Sánchez Viviana , Scicolone, Gabriel , Flores Vladimir 
Published: April 2011

AbstractDevelopment is often described as temporal sequences of developmental stages (DSs). When tables of DS are defined exclusively in the time domain they cannot discriminate histogenetic differences between different positions along a spatial reference axis. We introduce a table of DSs for the developing chick optic tectum (OT) based on time‐ and space‐dependent changes in quantitative morphometric parameters, qualitative histogenetic features and immunocytochemical pattern of several developmentally active molecules (Notch1, Hes5, NeuroD1, β‐III‐Tubulin, synaptotagmin‐I and neurofilament‐M). Seven DSs and four transitional stages were defined from ED2 to ED12, when the basic OT cortical organization is established, along a spatial developmental gradient axis extending between a zone of maximal and a zone of minimal development. The table of DSs reveals that DSs do not only progress as a function of time but also display a spatially organized propagation along the developmental gradient axis. The complex and dynamic character of the OT development is documented by the fact that several DSs are simultaneously present at any ED or any embryonic stage. The table of DSs allows interpreting how developmental cell behaviors are temporally and spatially organized and explains how different DSs appear as a function of both time and space. The table of DSs provides a reference system to characterize the OT corticogenesis and to reliably compare observations made in different specimens. J. Morphol. 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cranial ontogeny and sexual dimorphism in two new world monkeys: Alouatta caraya (Atelidae) and Cebus apella (Cebidae)
Authors: Flores David , Casinos Adrià 
Published: April 2011

AbstractPattern of skull development and sexual dimorphism was studied in Cebus apella and Alouatta caraya using univariate, bivariate, and multivariate statistics. In both species, sexual dimorphism develops because the common growth trajectory in males extends and because of differences in growth rates between sexes. The expectation that the ontogenetic bases of adult dimorphism vary interspecifically is well substantiated by this study. A. caraya exhibits transitional dimorphism in its subadult stage, although the condylobasal length, zygomatic breadth, and rostrum length are strongly dimorphic in the final adult stage, being greater in males. Most cranial measurements in C. apella exhibit significant dimorphism in the adult stage, being strongly influenced by a faster rate of growth in males. Sexual dimorphism is also evidenced through sex differences in growth rates in several cranial measurements. These results also indicate that different ontogenetic mechanisms are acting in C. apella and A. caraya and reveal differences in the way through which neotropical primates attain adult sexual dimorphism. J. Morphol. 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nutrient status of apple leaves not affected by three years of irrigation using partial rootzone drying
Authors: Zegbe Jorge A. , Serna‐Pérez Alfonso , Antonio González‐Fuentes José 
Published: April 2011

AbstractPartial rootzone drying (PRD) is a water‐saving irrigation technology that may affect apple (Malus domestica Borkh cv. Golden Delicious/Malling7)‐tree nutrition if applied for an extended period. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that long‐term application of PRD causes seasonal changes in macro‐ and micronutrients of apple leaves. The irrigation treatments were: (1) commercial irrigation as control (CI) and (2) PRD. After 3 years of evaluation, PRD irrigation had saved about 3240 m3 of water per hectare. Leaf xylem water potential was slightly lower in the PRD treatment than in CI. The seasonal concentration of macro‐ and micronutrients was comparable between treatments, although significant differences were found at times. The macronutrient concentrations were within the normal range in PRD apple leaves. All micronutrient concentrations were slightly above the normal range except for Zn, which was slightly below the normal range. No physiological disorders associated with plant nutrition were observed on leaves or fruits. Therefore, data suggest that PRD did not alter apple‐tree nutrition during the 3‐year trial. Thus, PRD may be feasible for apple production in Central Mexico. However, further studies need to be conducted in those regions where groundwater is the main water source for irrigation and rain is negligible, particularly during the growing season.
Caffeine improves neuromuscular function during maximal dynamic exercise
Authors: Bazzucchi Ilenia , Felici Francesco , Montini Marco , Figura Francesco , Sacchetti Massimo 
Published: April 2011

AbstractIntroduction: In this study we tested the hypothesis that caffeine supplementation improves neuromuscular function, which has both nutritional and clinical relevance. Methods: Fourteen male subjects (mean ± SD: 23.8 ± 2.8 years) volunteered in a double‐blind, repeated‐measures study with placebo (PLA) or caffeine (CAFF) (6 mg kg−1). Maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVCs), evoked maximal twitch, and maximal isokinetic contractions during elbow flexion were assessed. Mechanical and electromyographic (EMG) signals from the biceps brachii muscle were recorded, and muscle fiber conduction velocity (CV) was calculated to evaluate changes in the muscle force–velocity relationship and muscle fiber recruitment. Results: The torque–angular velocity curve was enhanced after CAFF supplementation. This was supported by a concomitant increase of CV values (8.7% higher in CAFF). Conclusions: Caffeine improves muscle performance during short‐duration maximal dynamic contractions. The concomitant improvement of mean fiber CV supports the hypothesis of an effect of caffeine on motor unit recruitment. Muscle Nerve, 2011.
Strength and fatigue of lumbar extensor muscles in older adults
Authors: Ajit Singh Devinder Kaur , Bailey Martin , Lee Raymond 
Published: April 2011

AbstractIntroduction: Loss of lumbar extensor muscle strength and fatigue resistance may contribute to functional disability. Methods: Two groups of subjects were recruited: young (n = 26, 20–35 years of age) and old (n = 26, ≥65 years of age) adults. Lumbar extensor muscle strength was measured with a load cell, and electromyographic activities were recorded to study muscle fatigue at 60% of maximum voluntary contraction. Results: We found that the muscle moments generated by the extensor muscles decreased with age (P < 0.05). Aging was associated with a significant increase in the power of the lower frequency band (101–200 Hz) of the electromyographic signals (P < 0.05), but the spectral characteristics did not appear to change with sustained contraction (P > 0.05). Conclusions: The changes in strength and spectral properties of the electromyographic signals of lumbar extensor muscles may be related to age‐related alterations in muscle fiber composition and recruitment. These changes should be considered in clinical functional task evaluation. Muscle Nerve 44: 74–79, 2011