bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The CCL2‐CCR2 system affects the progression and clearance of intracerebral hemorrhage
Authors: Yao Yao , Tsirka Stella E. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractIntracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) has been associated with inflammation and apoptosis. The CCL2‐CCR2 chemotactic system is one of the major signaling pathways that induce inflammation and apoptosis. However, its role on ICH has not been investigated. We subjected wild‐type, CCL2−/−, and CCR2−/− mice to collagenase‐induced ICH, and assessed histological and behavioral outcomes. Lack of CCL2 or CCR2 decreased the hematoma volume early after collagenase‐induced ICH but delayed its recovery. The hematoma size was accompanied by brain edema, neuronal death, and neurological scores. Although microglia activation/migration was attenuated in CCL2−/− or CCR2−/− mice 1 day after injury, more microglia were present at later time points, suggesting that alternative signaling pathways had been activated to recruit them. On the contrary, leukocyte and neutrophil infiltration were decreased in these mice, suggesting a tighter/recovered blood‐brain barrier. In addition, we also found that FL‐ and K104Stop‐CCL2 were able to restore the changes found in CCL2−/− mice, but K104A‐CCL2 failed to do so. These results suggest that plasmin‐mediated truncation of CCL2 may be an indispensable step to fully activate the chemokine in vivo. The data also indicate that CCL2‐CCR2 signaling pathway may be a molecular target for the treatment of ICH. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effect of graphite felt and activated carbon fiber felt on performance of freshwater sediment microbial fuel cell
Authors: Song Tian‐shun , Tan Wei‐min , Wu Xia‐yuan , Zhou Charles C. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractBACKGROUND: Sediment microbial fuel cells (SMFCs) could be used as power sources and one type of new technology for the removal of organic matters in sediments. Various types of materials have been used as electrodes. Nevertheless, there is still room to improve electrode materials and enhance their effect on the performance of SMFCs. In this work, performances of SMFCs with activated carbon fiber felt (ACFF) and with nitric acid‐treated ACFF were compared with graphite felt (GF) materials.RESULTS: The maximum power density of the SMFC with ACFF electrode was the highest (33.5 ± 1.5 mW m−2). Nitric acid‐treated GF electrode slightly increased the maximum power density of SMFC, while the nitric acid treated‐ACFF resulted in significant decline in the maximum power density of SMFC. The maximum power density further increased to 74.5 ± 7.5 mW m−2 in SMFC using GF cathode and ACFF anode.CONCLUSIONS: ACFF as anode can enhance the transport of electrons from the oxidation of organic matter in the sediment, while the output power was found to reduce in SMFC with ACFF cathode. Further efforts are needed to study the formation conditions of the biocathode and new electrode modification technology. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
PAH degradation and redox control in an electrode enhanced sediment cap
Authors: Yan Fei , Reible Danny D. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractCapping is typically used to control contaminant release from the underlying sediments. However, the presence of conventional sediment caps will often eliminate or slow natural degradation that might otherwise occur at the surface sediment. The objective of this study was to explore the potential of a novel reactive capping, an electrode enhanced cap for the remediation of PAH contaminated sediment. The study on electrode enhanced biodegradation of PAH in slurries showed that naphthalene concentration decreased from ∼1000 to ∼50 µg L−1, and phenanthrene decreased from ∼150 to ∼30 µg L−1 in the ElectroBioReactor within 4 days, and the copy numbers of PAH degrading genes increased by almost two orders of magnitude. In a cap microcosm, two carbon electrodes were placed within a sediment cap with an applied potential of 2 V. The anode was placed at the sediment–cap interface encouraging oxidizing conditions. Oxidation and reduction potential (ORP) profiles showed redox potential approximately 60–100 mV higher at the sediment–cap interface with the application of voltage than in controls. Vertical profiles of phenanthrene porewater concentration were obtained by PDMS‐coated fiber, and results showed that phenanthrene at depth 0–0.5 cm below the anode was degraded to ∼70% of the initial concentration within 10 weeks. PAH degrading genes showed an increase of approximately one order of magnitude at the same depth. The no power controls showed no degradation of PAH. These findings suggest that electrode enhanced capping can be used to control redox potential, provide microbial electron acceptors, and stimulate PAH degradation. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
The effect of salinity on nitrite accumulation in a down‐flow hanging sponge reactor
Authors: Natori T. , Takemura Y. , Harada H. , Abe K. , Ohashi A. , Kimura M. , Yamaguchi T. , Okubo T. , Uemura S. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractBACKGROUND: In this study, the inductive effect of salinity on nitrite accumulation in a down‐flow hanging sponge (DHS) reactor, developed as a novel and cost‐effective wastewater treatment process, was evaluated by conducting a long‐term continuous experiment lasting more than 1400 days.RESULTS: The influent salinity was controlled by adding NaCl at concentrations ranging from 0 to 25 g Cl− L−1. The effluent nitrite increased with increases in salinity, i.e. the fraction of nitrite to total nitrogen in the effluent increased from 1.6% at 0 g Cl− L−1 to 87.6% at 25 g Cl− L−1. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis revealed that as salinity increased, the nitrifying bacterial community in the DHS changed markedly at the species level. In particular, the dominant nitrite‐oxidizing bacteria changed from Nitrospira‐sublineage I at 0 g Cl− L−1 to Nitrobacter spp. at 15 g Cl− L−1. At 25 g Cl− L−1, no nitrite‐oxidizing bacteria were detected.CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the DHS reactor is suitable for cost‐effective nitrite production processes and that salinity control using NaCl is an effective method for inducing nitrite accumulation. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Toxicity of three F‐substituent aromatics in anaerobic systems
Authors: Zhao Zhi‐Qing , Xu Li‐Li , Li Wen‐Bing , Wang Mei‐Zhen , Shen Xiao‐Li , Ma Gang‐Shuang , Shen Dong‐Sheng 
Published: March 2012

AbstractBACKGROUND: The commercial use of organofluorine compounds has dramatically increased over the past few years. However, little information has been reported on the potential toxicity of organofluorine compounds to anaerobic digestion processes. In this work, the effects of 4‐fluorophenol (p‐FP), 4‐fluorobenzoic acid (p‐FB) and 4‐fluoroaniline (p‐FA) on methanogenesis and biodegradability were evaluated using sucrose‐fed systems.RESULTS: The anaerobic biodegradation of three test compounds was not observed in the study. Adsorption of p‐FP, p‐FB and p‐FA to the sludge fitted the linear model well (r2 > 0.94). The partition coefficient Kd was 25 L kg−1 for p‐FP, 16 L kg−1 for p‐FB and 26 L kg−1 for p‐FA. Both methanogensis and hydrolysis acidification were inhibited in the presence of three test compounds. The half maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50s) of methanogenic activity were 339, 1390 and 1907 mg L−1 for p‐FP, p‐FB and p‐FA, respectively. A significant linear correlation (R2 = 0.99, P < 0.05) was obtained between the half maximal inhibitory concentrations and the most negative atomic charges of molecules (q−) of the three F‐substituent aromatics.CONCLUSIONS: Three F‐substituent aromatics had specific effects on methanogensis, hydrolysis acidification and syntrophic cooperation in anaerobic systems. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Synchrotron X‐ray microscopic computed tomography of the pump system of a female mosquito
Authors: Kim Bo Heum , Seo Eun Seok , Lim Jae Hong , Lee Sang Joon 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThe pumping organ of blood‐sucking female mosquitoes has a three‐dimensional (3D) structure. However, conventional two‐dimensional imaging methods are insufficient for visualizing the 3D structure in detail. Furthermore, their 3D imaging tasks are highly time consuming and sample preparation process requires elaborate skill. Among 3D imaging techniques, synchrotron X‐ray microscopic computed tomography (SR‐μCT) is especially suitable for small insects with opaque cuticles, such as mosquitoes. In this study, the 3D morphological structure of the pump system of a female mosquito was visualized using SR‐μCT. Expandable volume capacities of two pump chambers were measured for several mosquito samples of similar size. To verify the cross‐sectional images acquired by SR‐μCT, complementary paraffin‐sectioning data were compared. Microsc. Res. Tech. 75:1051–1058, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Predicting the health economic performance of new non‐fusion surgery in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis
Authors: Hummel J. Marjan , Boomkamp Inge S. M. , Steuten Lotte M. G. , Verkerke Bart G. J. , IJzerman Maarten J. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractAdolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) can lead to pain, impaired spinal function, and socio‐psychological problems. Conventional surgical treatment of severe forms of AIS fuses the vertebrae, thereby restricting spinal function and growth of the adolescents. Non‐fusion surgical treatment (NFS) is being proposed to prevent these drawbacks. To support the further development of NFS, this study aims to predict the health economic performance of the new NFS treatment and compare it with standard AIS treatment. A decision tree was constructed to compare NFS with bracing, possibly followed by posterior fusion surgery. The outcome measures were quality of life, complications, and costs. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), a technique for multi‐criteria decision analysis, supported an expert panel of biomedical engineers and orthopaedic surgeons to predict the missing NFS performance data in the decision tree. The decision tree analysis showed that NFS is the preferred form of treatment in patients prone to disease progression. The advantages are its positive effect on spinal function and the self‐esteem of the patient. Future clinical acceptance of NFS can be supported by reduced costs and an optimization of the prediction of progression. As more clinical evidence becomes available over time, these data can be added to the health economic model. © 2012 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 30:1453–1458, 2012
The scent of Mare Nostrum: medicinal and aromatic plants in Mediterranean soils
Authors: Carrubba Alessandra , Scalenghe Riccardo 
Published: March 2012

AbstractIn the Mediterranean area, the simultaneous occurrence of pedological, climatic and economic constraints often sets a limit on the profitability of agriculture, and farmers are forced to grow a reduced number of species, dealing with a secure—albeit low—market income. The introduction of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) inside the current farming systems could represent a useful means to meet the multifunctional role of agriculture: producing safe food, in respect of the environment, and contributing to the development of rural areas. The study of the relationships between MAPs and the soils in which they may be grown may have two approaches: (1) the evaluation of yield and qualitative response of MAPs to the variation of soil features; and (2) the study of selective recovery of certain elements (toxic and beneficial), and their subsequent release in herbal products. In many MAPs, significant variations of plant characteristics have been ascertained with varying soil traits, and the selective recovery and subsequent release in food of certain elements have been demonstrated. Hence, great attention must be paid to the choice of soil and cropping strategies, to obtain satisfactory yields of high quality and best‐priced products, respecting their safety and nutritional value. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Ultraviolet‐B light treatment increases antioxidant capacity of carrot products
Authors: Avena‐Bustillos Roberto J , Du Wen‐Xian , Woods Rachelle , Olson Donald , Breksa Andrew P , McHugh Tara H 
Published: March 2012

AbstractBACKGROUND: The effect of ultraviolet‐B (UV‐B) light as a postharvest treatment to enhance the antioxidant content of carrots and fresh‐cut carrot products was evaluated. Four levels of UV‐B dose ranging from 1.3 to 12 kJ m−2 were applied to whole, baby and various styles of cut carrots, and the changes in antioxidant capacity, total soluble phenolics and phenylalanine ammonia‐lyase (PAL, EC 4.3.1.24) activity were measured after a 3 day incubation period at 15 °C and 45% relative humidity.RESULTS: Both cutting style and dose level were factors in determining carrot responses to UV‐B treatment. Antioxidant capacity increased significantly (1.4–6.6‐fold). Total soluble phenolic results correlated directly with those of antioxidant capacity (R2 = 0.953), indicating that the enhancements achieved were due to an increase in phenolic content. High‐performance liquid chromatography analysis revealed that 5‐O‐caffeoylquinic acid (5‐CQA) was the primary phenolic responsible for this increase. Higher PAL activity was also observed in UV‐B‐treated samples, indicating that the increase in 5‐CQA was a biological response to UV‐B exposure.CONCLUSION: UV‐B treatment has the potential to increase the nutritional value of carrots and offers an exciting opportunity to increase consumer accessibility to dietary choices that are rich in antioxidants. Published 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chemical analysis and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory effect of anthocyanin‐rich red leaf tea (cv. Sunrouge)
Authors: Maeda‐Yamamoto Mari , Saito Takeshi , Nesumi Atsushi , Tokuda Yoshiko , Ema Kaori , Honma Daiki , Ogino Akiko , Monobe Manami , Murakami Akira , Murakami Akira , Tachibana Hirofumi 
Published: March 2012

AbstractBACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of leaf order or crop season on anthocyanins and other chemicals in the anthocyanin‐rich tea cultivar ‘Sunrouge’ (Camellia sinensis x C. taliensis) by using high‐performance liquid chromatography, and to study the effect of ‘Sunrouge’ extract on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in human neuroblastoma SK‐N‐SH cells.RESULTS: The total anthocyanin content was higher in the third (3.09 mg g−1) than in the second (2.24 mg g−1) or first crop season (1.79 mg g−1). The amount of anthocyanins contained in the stem was high (1.61 mg g−1). In the third crop season, the concentrations of delphinidin‐3‐O‐β‐D‐(6‐(E)‐p‐coumaroyl)galactopyranoside (DCGa), cyanidin‐3‐O‐β‐D‐(6‐(E)‐p‐coumaroyl)galactopyranoside, delphinidin‐3‐O‐β‐D‐galactopyranoside, delphinidin‐3‐O‐β‐D‐(6‐O‐(Z)‐p‐coumaroyl)galactopyranoside, cyanidin‐3‐O‐β‐D‐galactoside, and delphinidin‐3‐O‐β‐D‐glucoside were 1.57 mg g−1, 0.52 mg g−1, 0.40 mg g−1, 0.22 mg g−1, 0.14 mg g−1, and 0.11 mg g−1, respectively. DCGa accounted for about 50% of the anthocyanins present. The suppressive effect of ‘Sunrouge’ water extract on AChE activity in human neuroblastoma SK‐N‐SH cells was the strongest among the three tea cultivars (‘Sunrouge’, ‘Yabukita’ and ‘Benifuuki’).CONCLUSION: These results suggested that ‘Sunrouge’ might protect humans from humans from AChE‐related diseases by suppressing AChE activity. To obtain sufficient amounts of anthocyanins, catechins and/or caffeine for a functional food material, ‘Sunrouge’ from the third crop season should be used. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Natural occurrence of aflatoxin B1 in sorghum grown in different geographical regions of India
Authors: Ratnavathi Chamarthy Venkata , Komala Vadabalija Venkata , Kumar Bathula Swaroop Vijay , Das Indra Kanta , Patil Jagannath Vishnu 
Published: March 2012

AbstractBACKGROUND: Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is an important coarse cereal crop grown for grain and fodder in the semi‐arid Tropics, mainly in Asian and African countries. In India sorghum is consumed as human food and poultry feed. Sorghum grain grown in the rainy season (kharif) is becoming severely affected by grain moulds, the major fungi involved being Aspergillus, Fusarium and Curvularia. If the extent of mould is severe, the grain is unsafe for consumption owing to contamination by mycotoxins.RESULTS: This paper presents a multi‐centre study conducted in sorghum to evaluate natural contamination of aflatoxin B1 in India. A total of 1606 grain sorghum samples were collected during the rainy (kharif) season across 4 years from seven states of India, representing different geographical regions of the country. Aflatoxin B1 contamination during 2007–08 was the highest (13.1%), followed by samples from the year 2004–05 (2.85%). The samples collected in years 2005–06 and 2006–07 showed contamination below 1%. The number of samples (35) showing aflatoxin B1 contamination above the safety limit was also highest during 2007–08 as compared to samples from the other years.CONCLUSION: This study, conducted for 4 years, showed that natural contamination of aflatoxin B1 in sorghum grown in India is within safety limits (20 µg kg−1) recommended by the Codex Alimentarius Committee and 73% of samples were positive for toxin. However, 0.75% (12) of total samples contained aflatoxin above the safety limit. The overall occurrence of toxin from Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan was below 5 µg kg−1. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Development of Star Polymers as Unimolecular Containers for Nanomaterials
Authors: Gao Haifeng 
Published: March 2012

AbstractStar polymers containing one central core surrounded by multiple radiating arms represent an intriguing type of globular platform to be used as unimolecular containers and reactors. The core domain can encapsulate guest “cargos”, whereas protective shell and chain ends can be functionalized with reactive groups and ligands. This Feature Article highlights the recent development on using core‐shell structured amphiphilic star polymers as unimolecular containers for applications in drug delivery, catalysis, and template of hybrid nanomaterials. As compared with dendrimers, star polymers enjoy advantages of facile synthesis, flexible compositions, and tunable sizes, which allow them being able to carry more and multiple “cargos” within one molecule.
Narciclasine as well as other Amaryllidaceae Isocarbostyrils are Promising GTP‐ase Targeting Agents against Brain Cancers
Authors: Van Goietsenoven Gwendoline , Mathieu Véronique , Lefranc Florence , Kornienko Alexander , Evidente Antonio , Kiss Robert 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThe anticancer activity of Amaryllidaceae isocarbostyrils is well documented. At pharmacological concentrations, that is, approximately 1 μM in vitro and approximately 10 mg/kg in vivo, narciclasine displays marked proapoptotic and cytotoxic activity, as does pancratistatin, and significant in vivo anticancer effects in various experimental models, but it is also associated with severe toxic side effects. At physiological doses, that is, approximately 50 nM in vitro and approximately 1 mg/kg in vivo, narciclasine is not cytotoxic but cytostatic and displays marked anticancer activity in vivo in experimental models of brain cancer (including gliomas and brain metastases), but it is not associated with toxic side effects. The cytostatic activity of narciclasine involves the impairment of actin cytoskeleton organization by targeting GTPases, including RhoA and the elongation factor eEF1A. We have demonstrated that chronic treatments of narciclasine (1 mg/kg) significantly increased the survival of immunodeficient mice orthotopically xenografted with highly invasive human glioblastomas and apoptosis‐resistant brain metastases, including melanoma‐ and non‐small‐cell‐lung cancer‐ (NSCLC) related brain metastases. Thus, narciclasine is a potentially promising agent for the treatment of primary brain cancers and various brain metastases. To date, efforts to develop synthetic analogs with anticancer properties superior to those of narciclasine have failed; thus, research efforts are now focused on narciclasine prodrugs.
Overactive bladder symptoms and voiding dysfunction in neurologically normal women
Authors: Espuña‐Pons Montserrat , Cardozo Linda , Chapple Christopher , Sievert Karl‐Dietrich , van Kerrebroeck Phillip , Kirby Michael G. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractAimsTo understand mechanisms underlying overactive bladder (OAB) and voiding dysfunction (VD) in neurologically normal women.MethodsReview of MEDLINE from (1982) to (2011) using defined search terms, and manual analysis. Only articles published in English were included.ResultsOne in five women report moderate to severe lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Whilst VD is more common in men, women report a higher rate of storage symptoms or post‐micturition symptoms. Post‐void residual (PVR) volume measurements are vital in the assessment of women with LUTS and patients with VD without stress incontinence (SUI) are likely to have an elevated PVR (82%). Bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) also causes VD in women and can be alleviated by surgery or alpha‐blocker therapy, although OAB symptoms typically remain. Surgical repair for SUI can result in temporary VD in the minority of patients, highlighting the complex interplay that is emerging in the urethral bladder functioning complex in women.ConclusionsWomen with impaired bladder emptying present with a wide range of LUTS, and PVR measurement is essential for diagnosis. OAB and VD can clearly coexist and accurate diagnosis of underlying pathophysiology is required. Recommendations for clinical practice and research are provided including: investigation of VD in women with OAB; evaluation of PVR values to determine appropriate therapy and identification of BOO. There is clearly a need for further research into the impact of alpha‐blockers in women with VD as well as an evaluation of PVR changes in women with OAB before and after antimuscarinic therapy. Neurourol. Urodynam. 31:422–428, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cardiac biometry and function in euploid fetuses with intracardiac echogenic foci
Authors: Facio María C. , Hervías‐Vivancos Blas , Broullón José Román , Avila José , Fajardo‐Expósito María A. , Bartha José L. 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo compare cardiac biometry and function between fetuses with and without intracardiac echogenic foci (ICEF).MethodsOne hundred and fifty‐two fetuses with ICEF were compared with 104 controls. Diastolic ventricular transverse diameters, systolic aortic and pulmonary diameters and interventricular septum were measured. Doppler measurements included pulmonary artery and aortic maximum systolic velocities, time to peak, velocity time integral and atrioventricular E/A ratios.ResultsOnly A wave in the mitral valve was slightly but significantly higher in the ICEF group (0.45 ± 0.07 m/s vs 0.43 ± 0.08 m/s, p = 0.03), but mitral E/A ratio was similar in both groups (0.61 ± 0.06 vs 0.60 ± 0.07, p = 0.22). There were no statistically significant differences in the rest of the studied variables between the two groups.ConclusionFetuses with ICEF do not have relevant abnormalities in either cardiac biometry or function. We suggest the presence of an isolated ICEF should not be an indication for fetal echocardiography as long as fetal morphology scan had been performed and revealed no other findings. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.