bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Thirty years of capillary electrophoresis in food analysis laboratories: Potential applications
Authors: Piñero Maria‐Ysabel , Bauza Roberto , Arce Lourdes 
Published: April 2011

AbstractCE has generated considerable interest in the research community since instruments were introduced by different trading companies in the 1990s. Nowadays, CE is popular due to its simplicity, speed, highly efficient separations and minimal solvent and reagent consumption; it can also be included as a useful technique in the nanotechnology field and it covers a wide range of specific applications in different fields (chemical, pharmaceutical, genetic, clinical, food and environmental). CE has been very well evaluated in research laboratories for several years, and different new approaches to improve sensitivity (one of the main drawbacks of CE) and robustness have been proposed. However, this technique is still not well accepted in routine laboratories for food analysis. Researching in data bases, it is easy to find several electrophoretic methods to determine different groups of analytes and sometimes they are compared in terms of sensitivity, selectivity, precision and applicability with other separation techniques. Although these papers frequently prove the potential of this methodology in spiked samples, it is not common to find a discussion of the well‐known complexity of the matrices to extract analytes from the sample and/or to study the interferences in the target analytes. Summarizing, the majority of CE scientific papers focus primarily on the effects upon the separation of the analytes while ignoring their behavior if these analytes are presented in real samples.
An easy preparative gel electrophoretic method for targeted depletion of hemoglobin in erythrocyte cytosolic samples
Authors: D'Amici Gian Maria , Rinalducci Sara , Zolla Lello 
Published: April 2011

AbstractHemoglobin (Hb) approximately constitutes 98% of the protein composition of a red blood cell (RBC), thus masking the remaining 2% which has still to be discovered completely due to the difficulty in its analysis. Here, we proposed a large‐scale native gel electrophoresis that effectively tackles this limitation through a novel sample preparation strategy able to concentrate low‐abundance species by removing Hb by means of electrophoretic instruments. Clear native PAGE was performed in a gel electrophoresis tube where the run was intermittently interrupted and different fractions were recovered in liquid phase into a collection chamber placed at the end of the tube. In this way, fractions containing multi‐protein complexes with different molecular weights were collected in the native form by a simple elution. Red fraction containing Hb multi‐protein complexes can be excluded from subsequent analyses, or rather be analyzed separately, reducing therefore the dynamic range of erythrocyte cytosolic protein concentrations and increasing the number of protein identifications. In particular, 838 protein spots in total were detected when fractions were analyzed by 2‐D IEF‐SDS‐PAGE. This depletion method is inexpensive, simple to perform, reproducible and makes it possible to process large amounts of sample (up to 150 mg), thus making it suitable for in‐depth proteome investigations. Furthermore, this strategy has the potential to be applied both to native and denatured proteomes of different biological samples.
Analysis of genomic instability in the offspring of fathers exposed to low doses of ionizing radiation
Authors: Aghajanyan Anna , Kuzmina Nina , Sipyagyna Alla , Baleva Larisa , Suskov Igor 
Published: April 2011

AbstractTransgenerational genomic instability was studied in nonirradiated children born from fathers who were irradiated with low doses of ionizing radiation while working as clean‐up workers at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant (liquidators) and nonirradiated mothers from nuclear families. Aberrant cell frequencies (ACFs), chromosomal type aberration frequencies, and chromatid break frequencies (CBFs) in the lymphocytes of fathers‐liquidators, and their children were significantly higher when compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Individual ACFs, aberration frequencies, and CBFs were independent of the time between irradiation of the father and conception of the child (1 month to 18 years). Chromosomes were categorized into seven groups (A through G). Analysis of aberrant chromosomes within these groups showed no differences in the average frequency of aberrant chromosomes between children and fathers‐liquidators. However, significant differences were observed in the average frequency of aberrant chromosomes in groups A, B, and C between children and mothers in the families of liquidators. These results suggest that low doses of radiation induce genomic instability in fathers. Moreover, low radiation doses might be responsible for individual peculiarities in transgenerational genomic instability in children (as a consequence of response to primary DNA damage). Thus, genomic instability may contribute to increased morbidity over the lifetime of these children. Environ. Mol. Mutagen., 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
MAP channel estimation with turbo processing for orthogonal space–time block coded MISO systems
Authors: Kammoun Ines , Siala Mohamed 
Published: April 2011

AbstractIn this paper, we investigate fast time‐varying channel estimation for two orthogonal space–time block‐coded systems with either two or three transmit antennas and with one receive antenna. We propose an iterative expectation–maximisation‐based maximuma posteriori(MAP) semi‐blind algorithm for the estimation of the discrete propagation channels seen from the transmit antennas. This algorithm requires a convenient representation of the channel using a discrete version of the Karhunen‐Loève expansion theorem. It incorporates the coded structure of each block in a turbo‐processing fashion and uses the MAP training‐based channel estimation algorithm for its optimum initialisation. The transmit antennas are assumed to be spatially correlated for the system with two transmit antennas and spatially uncorrelated for the three‐antenna system. The validity of the proposed algorithm is highlighted by simulation results. The performance of the proposed receivers, based on MAP channel estimation, for the two systems approaches that of the perfect channel state information receiver, even for very time selective fading channels. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Essential oil components as pheromones. A review.
Authors: Müller Marianne , Buchbauer Gerhard 
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACTStudies regarding pheromes consisting of essential oil components of various plants and released by insects and arachnids (pests) were compiled for this review. For example, verbenol and verbenone were found to be an essential part of the bark beetle's aggregation pheromone, released with the intent to round up its conspecifics. Concerning plant lice, aphids use (E)‐β‐farnesene as an alarm pheromone. Furthermore, nepetalactol and nepetalactone, two essential oil components of the cat mint (Lamiaceae), occur as an aphid‐released sex pheromone, emitted to induce mating behaviour. On the other hand, some bees imitate a linalool‐containing orchid odour as their sex pheromone and thus attract their mating partners. The sand fly, responsible for the American visceral leishmaniasis, uses derivatives of either α‐himachalene, germacrene D or cembrene as a sex pheromone. Studies about termites reveal a large amount of different presumable pheromone compounds that also appear as essential oil components, e.g. neocembrene as a part of the trail pheromone, (E,E)‐α‐farnesene as an alarm pheromone and other terpenes, such as for example γ‐cadinene as primer pheromone, enforcing the effect of the juvenile hormone and therefore determining about caste development. Concerning the pest insects, management strategies, conducted with pheromone traps, are presented or compared. Regarding arachnids, studies about spider pheromones are rare, whereas more information is available about mites, which release neral and geranial as an alarm pheromone. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characterization of aroma compounds in the peel extract of Jabara (Citrus jabara Hort. ex Tanaka)
Authors: Omori Hiroko , Nakahara Kazuaki , Umano Katsumi 
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACTVolatile compounds in the peel extract of Jabara (Citrus jabara Hort. ex Tanaka), a Japanese sour citrus, have been investigated using GC‐FID, GC‐MS and GC‐olfactometry. The peel extract was obtained by solvent‐assisted flavour evaporation after solvent extraction. The GC‐FID and GC‐MS analyses led to the identification of 49 compounds, including myrcene (46.8%), limonene (28.2%) and γ‐terpinene (15.5%) as major constituents. Interestingly, the level of myrcene was much higher than that of limonene known as the main volatile constituent in citrus peel. This specific composition indicated that Jabara was a rare species among citrus fruits. Application of aroma extract dilution analysis revealed 22 odour‐active compounds with the flavour dilution (FD) factor ranged from 8 to 16 384, and 19 of these compounds were identified. Myrcene, which showed the highest FD factor of 16 384, was regarded as the most character impact odorant in the Jabara peel extract. It should be noted that (3E,5Z)‐1,3,5‐undecatriene (FD = 512), (3E,5Z,8Z)‐1,3,5,8‐undecatetraene (FD = 256), 1,3,5,7‐undecatetraene (unknown stereochemistry, FD = 256) and (6Z,8E)‐6,8,10‐undecatrien‐3‐one (FD = 16) were detected as potent odorants with green and fruity aroma, despite their trace levels in the extract. In addition to these, 7‐methyl‐1,6‐octadien‐3‐one, having a metallic and mushroom‐like odour, was identified as a further key contributor to the aroma of Jabara peel extract. This novel odorant has been reported for the first time as a volatile constituent in a natural product. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tolerability of extended‐release quetiapine fumarate compared with immediate‐release quetiapine fumarate in older patients with Alzheimer's disease with symptoms of psychosis and/or agitation: a randomised, double‐blind, parallel‐group study
Authors: De Deyn Peter Paul , Eriksson Hans , Svensson Hanna ,   on behalf of the Study 115 investigators
Published: April 2011

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to assess the safety and tolerability of extended‐release quetiapine fumarate (quetiapine XR) compared with quetiapine immediate‐release (quetiapine IR) in older patients with Alzheimer's disease with symptoms of psychosis and/or agitation.MethodsThis was a 6‐week, double‐blind, double‐dummy, randomised study. Of the 109 patients screened, 100 were randomised to receive quetiapine XR (n = 68) or quetiapine IR (n = 32), at doses of 50 and 25 mg/day, respectively. Treatment was escalated to 100 mg/day by Day 4. At Day 8, a flexible‐dose (50‐300 mg/day) period began when dose adjustment was made at the investigator's discretion. The primary variable was incidence and type of adverse events (AEs). Secondary variables included efficacy and other safety assessments.ResultsMean daily doses were 143.6 and 142.0 mg in the quetiapine XR and quetiapine IR groups, respectively. Ninety patients completed the study; only one withdrew (in the quetiapine XR group) because of an AE. Laboratory evaluations identified severe neutropaenia (one patient), mild neutropaenia (three patients) and eosinophilia (five patients); however, these were not reported, as AEs and confounding factors, such as patient age, concomitant illness and medication, made it difficult to determine any relationship to quetiapine treatment. Numerical improvements from baseline were seen across both treatment groups in Neuropsychiatric Inventory frequency × severity total, Neuropsychiatric Inventory‐Nursing Home version, Cohen–Mansfield Agitation Inventory, Clinical Global Impression‐Severity of Illness and Clinical Global Impression‐Improvement scores.ConclusionQuetiapine XR dosed up to 300 mg/day was generally well tolerated, with a similar profile to that of quetiapine IR. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prevalence and correlates of depressive symptoms in Chinese older adults: a population‐based study
Authors: Yu Jing , Li Juan , Cuijpers Pim , Wu Shengtao , Wu Zhenyun 
Published: April 2011

ObjectiveIn China, the rapid socioeconomic transition and the consequential traditional culture change had significant influences on Chinese older‐adult depression. In the present study, the prevalence, the potential risk, and the protective factors of depression in the Chinese older population were investigated.MethodsA cross‐sectional survey was conducted with a nationwide representative Chinese sample of 4945 older adults; the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES‐D) was used as the measurement tool for depressive symptoms. Demographic and other self‐reported related factors were taken into consideration.ResultsThe prevalence of self‐reported depressive symptoms (CES‐D ≥ 16) in the total study population was 39.86% (pre‐old: 39.95%, young‐old: 39.84%, old‐old: 39.65%, oldest‐old: 45.19%); CES‐D score was significantly higher in the oldest‐old group than in the three younger groups. Furthermore, multiple regression analysis indicated that age itself was not an effective predictor for depressive symptoms, whereas family support and health status explained most of the variation.ConclusionsThe present study found a higher prevalence of depression in the Chinese older population compared with those reported two decades ago. Family support and health status were the most significant protective factors for depression in Chinese older adults. Traditional Chinese culture, which values family significantly and contributed to the previously reported lower prevalence rate, changed dramatically, which may explain the current higher prevalence. In addition to the deterioration of family support, the worsening of health status is another significant factor. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Discharge diagnosis and comorbidity profile in hospitalized older patients with dementia
Authors: Zuliani Giovanni , Galvani Matteo , Sioulis Fotini , Bonetti Francesco , Prandini Stefano , Boari Benedetta , Guerzoni Franco , Gallerani Massimo 
Published: April 2011

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate the principal discharge diagnosis and related comorbidity in hospitalized older patients affected by dementia.MethodsData from 51,838 consecutive computerized discharge records of the St. Anna University Hospital (Ferrara, Italy) were analyzed. Records included only subjects aged ≥60 years. Number of admissions, length of stay in hospital, primary and secondary discharge diagnosis (by ICD‐9‐CM code), number of procedures, and possible death were evaluated.ResultsDemented patients represented 8.6% of the sample (4466 individuals) and were older and more likely to be female patients compared with controls (47,372 individuals); they were characterized by higher number of admissions to hospital, instrumental clinical investigations, secondary diagnoses, and mortality rate. Among the primary diagnoses, a higher prevalence of cerebrovascular disease, pneumonia, and hip fracture was observed in demented patients. Furthermore, pulmonary embolism, renal failure, septicemia, and urinary infections were frequently reported in demented patients, but not in controls. As regards secondary diagnoses, dementia was associated with an increased risk of delirium, muscular atrophy and immobilization, dehydration, cystitis, and pressure ulcers, whereas the risk for other conditions, including cancer, was reduced.ConclusionsAmong older patients, dementia was associated with higher rate of admissions to hospital and mortality. Discharge diagnoses were sensibly different according to the presence of dementia; in particular, a greater load and a different kind of comorbidity were observed in demented patients. On the whole, our data suggest that the adequate management of demented outpatients might help to reduce hospitalization. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Association of saliva 3‐methoxy‐4‐hydroxyphenylglycol levels and a later depressive state in older subjects living in a rural community: 3‐year follow‐up study
Authors: Watanabe Itaru , Li Guang‐Ying , Imamura Yoshiomi , Nabeta Hiromi , Kunitake Yutaka , Ishii Hironobu , Haraguchi Masanori , Kojima Naoki , Yamada Shigeto 
Published: April 2011

ObjectiveThe aim of the study was to examine the association of saliva levels of 3‐methoxy‐4‐hydroxyphenylglycol (sMHPG) with a later depressive state in older people living in a rural community.MethodsBaseline sMHPG levels were measured in 214 older subjects followed by completion of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) from 2004 to 2006 (time A). The same cohort underwent BDI again from 2007 to 2009 (time B).ResultsOne hundred forty‐four subjects (44 men, 100 women) were reassessed by the BDI. Baseline sMHPG levels in men with a BDI score of ≤9 at time A and a BDI score of ≥10 at time B were significantly higher than those in men with a BDI score of ≤9 at times A and B. In men, there was a significant correlation between baseline sMHPG levels and BDI score at time B (r = 0.40, p = 0.007) but not at time A (r = 0.29, p = 0.06). This association was not significant in women.ConclusionThese data indicate that high sMHPG levels at time A could be associated with a later depressive state in older men living in a community. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Student award winner in the undergraduate's degree category for the society for biomaterials 35th annual meeting, Orlando, Florida, April 13–16, 2011
Authors: Marquardt Laura , Willits Rebecca Kuntz 
Published: April 2011

AbstractWithin a 3D environment, the chemical and mechanical properties of a scaffold can significantly influence nerve behavior. How these properties influence with nerve cells is important for optimizing neurite extension within a scaffold. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of low concentration poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) with added laminin on 3D growth of dissociated dorsal root ganglia. Because of its high affinity for neurite adhesion and ability to promote extension, laminin was conjugated to the PEG chain, as well as mixed in the gel, at various concentrations to provide chemical cues. Gel stiffness, as determined by G*, significantly decreased with decreasing PEG concentration and with increasing laminin conjugate. Extension within the gels increased as the concentration of laminin increased with no difference between how laminin was presented (mixed or conjugated) to the cells. For example, in 3% PEG, extension increased from 92.29 ± 5.27 μm to 146.35 ± 13.12 μm as laminin conjugate concentration increased from plain to 100 μg/ml. Results indicated that the chemical properties of the scaffold influenced neurite growth more than the mechanical properties as laminin concentration had a greater impact on growth than the stiffness of the gel over the range studied. Neurite length as a function of scaffold stiffness and adhesion properties was also characterized and demonstrated a positive linear relationship between rate of neurite extension and laminin concentration. This study further demonstrates the importance of characterizing interactions between cell behavior and the chemical and mechanical environment. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A:, 2011.
Poly(DL‐lactic acid) film surface modification with heparin for improving hemocompatibility of blood‐contacting bioresorbable devices
Authors: Sharkawi Tahmer , Darcos Vincent , Vert Michel 
Published: April 2011

AbstractThis work describes a simple method to immobilize heparin by covalent bonding to the surface of poly(lactic acid) film with the aim of showing improved hemocompatibility. Carboxyl groups present in heparin molecules were activated by reaction with N‐hydroxy‐succinimide and allowed to react with free amino groups created at the surface of poly(DL‐lactic acid) films by controlled aminolysis. Contact angle measurements and XPS analysis confirmed the binding. Quantification was determined by radioactivity using heparin labeled with tritium. The surface exhibited anti factor Xa activity, thus confirming the presence of bounded heparin that kept some biological activity. Finally platelets adhesion showed less platelet adhesion on heparin modified films as well as preserved morphology. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A:, 2011.
Synthesis, characterizations and biocompatibility of alternating block polyurethanes based on P3/4HB and PPG‐PEG‐PPG
Authors: Li Guangyao , Li Ping , Qiu Handi , Li Dandan , Su Min , Xu Kaitian 
Published: April 2011

AbstractBlock copolymers with exactly controlled structures, that is, alternating block polyurethanes based on poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐4‐hydroxybutrate) (P3/4HB‐diol) and poly (propylene glycol)‐poly(ethylene glycol)‐poly(propylene glycol) (PPG‐PEG‐PPG) were synthesized by solution polymerization via specifically selective coupling reaction between terminal hydroxyl P3/4HB segment and isocyanate group end‐capped PPG‐PEG‐PPG segment, using 1,6‐hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) as end‐capped agent. The chemical structure, molecular weight and distribution were systematically characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum (1H NMR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The thermal property was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis. The hydrophilicity was studied by static contact angle of H2O and CH2I2. DSC revealed that the PU3/4HB‐alt‐PPG‐PEG‐PPG exhibited a distinct change from amorphous to 30% crystallinity degree, Tg from –25 to –50°C, Tm from 110 to 145°C. The polyurethanes were more hydrophilic (water contact angle centers around 80°) than the raw PHA materials. The platelet adhesion assay showed that the obtained polyurethanes had a lower platelet adhesion than the raw materials and the amount of platelet adhesion could be controlled by varying the segmental length of P3/4HB‐diol. This could be explained by the inclusion of PPG‐PEG‐PPG between the P3/4HB segments, improving the hemocompatibility of P3/4HB. The cell culture assay revealed that the obtained polyurethanes were cell inert and unfavorable for the attachment of mouse fibroblast cell line L929 and rabbit blood vessel smooth muscle cells (RaSMCs). This suggests that these polyurethanes would be promising candidates as hemocompatibility and tissue‐inert materials. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A:, 2011.