bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A corrected symmetric SPH method to simulate viscoelastic free surface flows based on the PTT model
Authors: Ren Jinlian , Ouyang Jie , Jiang Tao , Li Qiang 
Published: January 2012

SUMMARYIn this work, a corrected symmetric and periodic density reinitialized SPH (CSPDR‐SPH) method is proposed and extended to simulate the viscoelastic free surface flows based on the Phan–Thien–Tanner model. The improvements mainly lie in deriving a corrected symmetric kernel gradient, and combining it with a periodic density reinitialization procedure. In addition, a simple artificial viscosity and a simple artificial stress form are adopted. Thus, the CSPDR‐SPH method has higher accuracy and better stability than the SPH method, and conserves both linear and angular momentums. The consistency and convergence of the CSPDR‐SPH method are justified by approximating a function in one and two dimensions. The merits of CSPDR‐SPH method are demonstrated by several benchmarks. The simple flow in a two‐dimensional channel is investigated to show the capability of the CSPDR‐SPH method to simulate the viscoelastic free surface flow. Then the CSPDR‐SPH method is extended to simulate the impacting drop problem. Numerical results show that the CSPDR‐SPH method can precisely capture the viscoelastic free surface. The Reynolds number, Weissenberg number and elongation parameter have remarkable effect on the flows. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Association of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease with a single nucleotide polymorphism on the gene encoding leptin receptor
Authors: Swellam Menha , Hamdy Nadia M. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractLeptin (Lep), a 16‐kDa polypeptide hormone, exerts its action through the leptin receptor (LepRb), a member of the class I cytokine receptor family. Both leptin and LepRb probably have been implicated in pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This study was designed to assess the role of soluble leptin and LepRb in NAFLD and to investigate whether leptin receptor gene (LepR) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP; ID rs6700896) influences NAFLD complicated with or without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Blood samples from 90 obese NAFLD cases and 30 lean controls of matched age and sex were recruited in the study. Among the NAFLD patients, 32 were T2DM. Plasma leptin and LepRb levels were measured by enzyme linked immunoassay (ELISA). Lipids profile, glucose metabolic parameters, and insulin concentration were measured for all participants. Body mass index (BMI) and insulin resistance (IR) were calculated as well. Genotyping was done using SNP (rs6700986) for LepR gene. Significant difference was reported between NAFLD with or without T2DM and control regarding biochemical markers and LepR genotype and allele frequencies. Mutant homozygous and heterozygous LepR genotype and mutant allele were significantly higher in mild–severe steatosis and in NAFLD with T2DM when compared with mild steatosis and those without T2DM. Frequencies of mutant LepR polymorphism were significantly associated with IR increment. Elevated leptin level seems to be a feature of steatosis, and it appears to increase as hepatocyte steatosis develops. Moreover, polymorphism of LepR gene contributes to the onset of NAFLD by regulating lipid metabolism and affecting insulin sensitivity. © 2011 IUBMB Life,, 2011.
Hyperspectral imaging of mucosal surfaces in patients
Authors: Gerstner Andreas O. H. , Laffers Wiebke , Bootz Friedrich , Farkas Daniel L. , Martin Ron , Bendix Jörg , Thies Boris 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe aim of this study was to proof applicability of hyperspectral imaging for the analysis and classification of human mucosal surfaces in vivo. The larynx as a prototypical anatomically well‐defined surgical test area was analyzed by microlaryngoscopy with a polychromatic lightsource and a synchronous triggered monochromatic CCD‐camera. Image stacks (5 benign, 7 malignant tumors) were analyzed by established software (principal component analysis PCA, hyperspectral classification, spectral profiles). Hyperspectral image datacubes were analyzed and classified by conventional software. In PCA, images at 590–680 nm loaded most onto the first PC which typically contained 95% of the total information. Hyperspectral classification clustered the data highlighting altered mucosa. The spectral profiles clearly differed between the different groups. Hyperspectral imaging can be applied to mucosal surfaces. This approach opens the way to analyze spectral characteristics of histologically different lesions in order to build up a spectral library and to allow non‐touch optical biopsy. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Effect of coagulant‐flocculant reagents on aerobic granular biomass
Authors: Val del Río Ángeles , Morales Nicolás , Figueroa Mónica , Mosquera‐Corral Anuska , Campos José Luis , Méndez Ramón 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBACKGROUND: Technologies based on aerobic granular biomass are presented as a new alternative application to wastewater treatment due to its advantages in comparison with the conventional activated sludge processes. However, the properties of the aerobic granules can be influenced by the presence of residual amounts of coagulant‐flocculant reagents, frequently used as pre‐treatment before the biological process. In this work the effect of these compounds on aerobic granular biomass development was tested.RESULTS: The presence of coagulant‐flocculant reagents led to a worse biomass retention capacity with a lower VSS concentration compared with a control reactor (4.5 vs. 7.9 g VSS L−1) and with a higher SVI (70 vs. 40 mL [g TSS]−1) and diameter (5.0 vs. 2.3 mm). These reagents also caused a decrease in the maximum oxygen consumption rate, but the removal efficiencies of organic matter (90%) and nitrogen (60%) achieved were similar to those in the control reactor.CONCLUSION: The continuous presence of residual levels of coagulant‐flocculant reagents from the pre‐treatment unit negatively affected the formation process and the physical properties of the aerobic granules; however, the removal of organic matter and nitrogen were not affected. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Effects of genotype, soil type, year and fertilisation on sensory and morphological attributes of carrots (Daucus carota L.)
Authors: Seljåsen Randi , Lea Per , Torp Torfinn , Riley Hugh , Berentsen Erling , Thomsen Mette , Bengtsson Gunnar B 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of variety, soil type and fertilisation, and the interactions between these factors, on yield and quality traits of carrots.RESULTS: Optimum fertilisation levels for yield and quality of grade one roots were found to be between 80 and 160 kg ha−1 for nitrogen and between 0 and 120 kg ha−1 for potassium depending on soil type and precipitation. Carrots grown in peat soil had the highest score for sweetness and the lowest scores for negatively associated characteristics such as bitterness, earthy flavour, terpene flavour and firmness. Nitrate content and the amounts of splitted and forked roots were lowest on sandy soil. Variety significantly affected number of grade 1 roots, dry matter, nitrate content and most of the sensory attributes tested. Interactions between variety, soil type and nitrogen fertilisation were found for most of the tested quality characteristics.CONCLUSION: The investigations showed that year and variety had the highest impact on the carrot quality attributes studied, whereas soil type and fertilisation had less influence. Peat soil and moderate fertilisation with N and K gave optimal sensory quality while sand soil gave optimal quality as regards morphological characters like splitting and forking of roots as well as nitrate content. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Antioxidant, antimicrobial and anticancer activities of three Parmelia species
Authors: Kosanić Marijana M , Ranković Branislav R , Stanojković Tatjana P 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBACKGROUND: Lichens are symbiotic organisms consisting of algae and fungi. They are used for human and animal nutrition and in the production of colours, perfumes and alcohol. Lichens have also been used in traditional medicine to treat diseases such as jaundice, pulmonary, stomach and cranial diseases. In this study the acetone extracts of three lichens, Parmelia caperata, Parmelia sulcata and Parmelia saxatilis, were tested for their antioxidant, antimicrobial and anticancer potential.RESULTS: Of the lichens tested, P. saxatilis had the highest free radical‐scavenging activity (55.3% inhibition). Moreover, all tested extracts showed effective reducing power and superoxide anion radical scavenging. Strong relationships between total phenolic and flavonoid contents and antioxidant effects of the tested extracts were observed. The extract of P. sulcata was most active in terms of antimicrobial ability, with minimum inhibitory concentration values ranging from 0.78 to 12.5 mg L−1. All extracts were found to have strong anticancer activity, with IC50 values ranging from 9.55 to 22.95 µg mL−1.CONCLUSION: The present study showed that the tested lichen extracts exhibited strong antioxidant, antimicrobial and anticancer effects. This suggests that lichens may be used as possible natural antioxidant, antimicrobial and anticancer agents. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Overexpression of thrombospondin‐1 in stromal myofibroblasts is associated with tumor growth and nodal metastasis in gastric carcinoma
Authors: Lin Xian‐Dong , Chen Shu‐Qin , Qi Yuan‐Lin , Zhu Jin‐Wei , Tang Yang , Lin Jian‐Yin 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesThe roles of thrombospondin‐1 (THBS‐1) in tumor growth and metastasis are complicated and its function as a cancer inhibitor or promoter remains controversial. This clinical study investigated the functional roles of THBS‐1 in gastric carcinoma by examining the expression patterns of THBS‐1 protein and mRNA levels during gastric cancer development.MethodsEighty‐two gastric carcinomas were included in this study. THBS‐1, α‐smooth muscle actin, and CD34 proteins were localized by immunohistochemical staining, and the levels of THBS‐1 mRNA were quantified by real‐time polymerase chain reaction.ResultsTHBS‐1 mRNA expression in gastric carcinoma tissues was significantly higher than in adjacent non‐cancerous stomach tissues (P = 0.03). Tumor THBS‐1 mRNA expression level was significantly related to lymph node metastasis (P = 0.031), tumor size (P = 0.021) and patient age (P = 0.005). THBS‐1 protein was mainly located in stromal myofibroblasts, and was undetectable in tumor cells. Myofibroblasts may be mainly derived from stromal fibroblasts in gastric cancer. The abundance of myofibroblasts was positively correlated with tumor growth and nodal metastasis in gastric carcinoma (P = 0.03, P = 0.0008, respectively).ConclusionsThis clinical study revealed that overexpression of THBS‐1 in stromal myofibroblasts is associated with tumor growth and nodal metastasis in gastric carcinoma. THBS‐1 may activate latent transforming growth factor‐β1 to stimulate fibroblasts to differentiate into myofibroblasts, though further studies are needed to validate this hypothesis. These results suggest that THBS‐1 and myofibroblasts may serve as novel targets for strategies aimed at protection against and treatment of gastric carcinoma. J. Surg. Oncol. 2012; 106:94–100. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Retention prediction of a set of amino acids under gradient elution conditions in hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography
Authors: Gika Helen , Theodoridis Georgios , Mattivi Fulvio , Vrhovsek Urska , Pappa‐Louisi Adriani 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe analysis of amino acids presents significant challenges to contemporary analytical separations. The present paper investigates the possibility of retention prediction in hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC) gradient elution based on the analytical solution of the fundamental equation of the multilinear gradient elution derived for reversed‐phase systems. A simple linear dependence of the logarithm of the solute retention (ln k) upon the volume fraction of organic modifier (φ) in a binary aqueous‐organic mobile is adopted. Utility of the developed methodology was tested on the separation of a mixture of 21 amino acids carried out with 14 different gradient elution programs (from simple linear to multilinear and curved shaped) using ternary eluents in which a mixture of methanol and water (1:1, v/v) was the strong eluting member and acetonitrile was the weak solvent. Starting from at least two gradient runs, the prediction of solute retention obtained under all the rest gradients was excellent, even when curved gradient profiles were used. Development of such methodologies can be of great interest for a wide range of applications.
Wire grill brush bristle as an unusual foreign body: Report of two pediatric cases
Authors: Arganbright Jill M. , Bruegger Daniel E. , Sykes Kevin J. , Wei Julie L. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractWire grill brushes are commonly used for cleaning grill grates. Accidental ingestion of a wire bristle from a grill‐cleaning brush is a rarely reported foreign body, with only three prior case reports. Although scarce in the literature, we encountered two pediatric cases at the regional children's hospital within 1 year. By presenting these two cases, our goal was to raise awareness of this potentially hazardous foreign body. Additionally, we raise a consumer safety issue associated with the use of wire grill‐cleaning brushes as there are currently no ingestion hazard warnings on these products. Laryngoscope,, 2011
Selection of a Third‐Party Logistics Provider: Capturing the Interaction and Influence of Performance Metrics with the Analytical Network Process
Authors: Cooper Orrin , Tadikamalla Pandu , Shang Jennifer 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACTWhen a business decides to outsource its logistics operations to improve its performance, the organization will need to select a third‐party logistics provider (3PL) that shares common goals and satisfies service level requirements. In this paper, we identify a set of 3PL performance measures from the perspective of the supply chain and organize them into a time‐phased format, beginning with the post production stage and continuing through the delivery of the goods to the customer distribution center. The supply chain flow is presented as a Metrics Arrow. To integrate the performance metrics (PM) into one model, we propose an analytical network process (ANP) to capture all PM and to understand the interrelated influences among them. Additionally, to derive the weights for PM, the proposed ANP model offers managerial insight into the relative impact of each metric as well as warning signals or trigger points within the network of PM. The model provides a realistic framework to choose the 3PL that can help achieve the greatest improvements within the supply chain. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Detecting brown adipose tissue activity with BOLD MRI in mice
Authors: Khanna Arjun , Branca Rosa T. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe recent discovery of active brown adipose tissue (BAT) in adult humans and the correlation found between the activity of this tissue and resting metabolic rate strongly suggest that this tissue may be implicated in the development of obesity in humans, as it is in rodents. Despite the possible physiological role of this tissue in the onset of human obesity, few noninvasive imaging techniques to detect BAT activity in humans exist. The scope of this work is to investigate the possibility of detecting BAT activity using blood‐oxygen‐level‐dependent MRI. Our results show that the strong increase in oxygen consumption and consequent increase in blood deoxyhemoglobin levels following BAT activation lead to a well‐localized signal drop in BAT. This strongly suggests the possibility to use blood‐oxygen‐level‐dependent MRI for the noninvasive detection of BAT activity. Magn Reson Med, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Isolation and Quantitation of Ecologically Important Phloroglucinols and Other Compounds from Eucalyptus jensenii
Authors: Sidana Jasmeen , Foley William J. , Singh Inder Pal 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACTIntroductionEucalyptus jensenii has not been explored for its phytoconstituents except for its essential oil although a formylated phloroglucinol compound jensenone has been the focus of several ecological studies.Objectivei) To optimise the extraction conditions for preparative scale isolation of jensenone and other secondary metabolites from leaves. (ii) To develop an RP‐HPLC method for simultaneous determination of phloroglucinols and other compounds in Eucalyptus leaves.MethodologyJensenone and other compounds were isolated from acetone extract using VLC over TLC grade silica. HPLC quantitation of isolated compounds was undertaken on a C18‐column using acetonitrile–water (2% formic acid) gradient elution.ResultsExtraction conditions for isolation of jensenone were optimised and more than 99% pure jensenone was obtained in a yield of 2.1% from the dried leaves. Ten phloroglucinol compounds, including a new nuclear methylated phloroglucinol named 4‐O‐demethyl miniatone, and two triterpenoids were also isolated. A RP‐HPLC method was developed for simultaneous quantitation of phloroglucinols and other compounds in different extracts of E. jensenii leaves. A total of 19 compounds reported from different species of Eucalyptus was separated by this method.ConclusionThe method described for isolation of jensenone is a simple, rapid and low‐cost procedure amenable to the preparative scale. A new monomeric phloroglucinol compound was isolated and characterised from the acetone extract of E. jensenii leaves. The HPLC method developed can be applied successfully to different eucalypt matrices for precise and accurate determination of 19 secondary metabolites belonging to different chemical classes. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparison of end‐point continuum‐solvation methods for the calculation of protein–ligand binding free energies
Authors: Genheden Samuel , Ryde Ulf 
Published: January 2012

AbstractWe have compared the predictions of ligand‐binding affinities from several methods based on end‐point molecular dynamics simulations and continuum solvation, that is, methods related to MM/PBSA (molecular mechanics combined with Poisson–Boltzmann and surface area solvation). Two continuum‐solvation models were considered, viz., the Poisson–Boltzmann (PB) and generalised Born (GB) approaches. The nonelectrostatic energies were also obtained in two different ways, viz., either from the sum of the bonded, van der Waals, nonpolar solvation energies, and entropy terms (as in MM/PBSA), or from the scaled protein–ligand van der Waals interaction energy (as in the linear interaction energy approach, LIE). Three different approaches to calculate electrostatic energies were tested, viz., the sum of electrostatic interaction energies and polar solvation energies, obtained either from a single simulation of the complex or from three independent simulations of the complex, the free protein, and the free ligand, or the linear‐response approximation (LRA). Moreover, we investigated the effect of scaling the electrostatic interactions by an effective internal dielectric constant of the protein (ϵint). All these methods were tested on the binding of seven biotin analogues to avidin and nine 3‐amidinobenzyl‐1H‐indole‐2‐carboxamide inhibitors to factor Xa. For avidin, the best results were obtained with a combination of the LIE nonelectrostatic energies with the MM+GB electrostatic energies from a single simulation, using ϵint = 4. For fXa, standard MM/GBSA, based on one simulation and using ϵint = 4–10 gave the best result. The optimum internal dielectric constant seems to be slightly higher with PB than with GB solvation. © Proteins 2012; © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Thermodynamic stability, unfolding kinetics, and aggregation of the N‐terminal actin‐binding domains of utrophin and dystrophin
Authors: Singh Surinder M. , Molas Justine F. , Kongari Narsimulu , Bandi Swati , Armstrong Geoffrey S. , Winder Steve J. , Mallela Krishna M. G. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractMuscular dystrophy (MD) is the most common genetic lethal disorder in children. Mutations in dystrophin trigger the most common form of MD, Duchenne, and its allelic variant Becker MD. Utrophin is the closest homologue and has been shown to compensate for the loss of dystrophin in human disease animal models. However, the structural and functional similarities and differences between utrophin and dystrophin are less understood. Both proteins interact with actin through their N‐terminal actin‐binding domain (N‐ABD). In this study, we examined the thermodynamic stability and aggregation of utrophin N‐ABD and compared with that of dystrophin. Our results show that utrophin N‐ABD has spectroscopic properties similar to dystrophin N‐ABD. However, utrophin N‐ABD has decreased denaturant and thermal stability, unfolds faster, and is correspondingly more susceptible to proteolysis, which might account for its decreased in vivo half‐life compared to dystrophin. In addition, utrophin N‐ABD aggregates to a lesser extent compared with dystrophin N‐ABD, contrary to the general behavior of proteins in which decreased stability enhances protein aggregation. Despite these differences in stability and aggregation, both proteins exhibit deleterious effects of mutations. When utrophin N‐ABD mutations analogous in position to the dystrophin disease‐causing mutations were generated, they behaved similarly to dystrophin mutants in terms of decreased stability and the formation of cross‐β aggregates, indicating a possible role for utrophin mutations in disease mechanisms. Proteins 2012; © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Designing the ideal habitat for entomopathogen use in nursery production
Authors: Nielsen Anne L , Lewis Edwin E 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBACKGROUND: Greenhouse and nursery producers use entomopathogens (nematodes and fungi) to control soil pests. Although it is known that the physical and chemical properties of mineral soil significantly impact upon soil pathogens, the influence of soilless media used for plant production on entomopathogen performance is poorly understood.RESULTS: Survival and foraging distance were differently affected by sand:peat, bark and sawdust media for entomopathogenic nematodes, but not for the immobile fungus Metarhizium anisopliae. Redwood sawdust medium consistently had a negative impact upon entomopathogenic nematodes. Dividing media into individual components supported the hypothesis that redwood sawdust reduced foraging and infection abilities of S. riobrave and H. bacteriophora. Physically altering the components by adding sand significantly improved foraging and infection success for S. riobrave in media not optimum for foraging.CONCLUSION: This study is the first to highlight the importance of selecting the appropriate soilless media and pathogen species combinations to increase efficacy of biological control. H. bacteriophora was able to find hosts in a wider diversity of medium components than S. riobrave, although both nematode species performed well in peat moss and recycled plant material. These results suggest that peat moss, recycled plant material and hardwood bark are components amenable to EPN biological control programs. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry