bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Smooth emergence in men undergoing nasal surgery: the effect site concentration of remifentanil for preventing cough after sevoflurane‐balanced anaesthesia
Authors: CHOI E. M. , PARK W‐K. , CHOI S‐H. , SOH S. , LEE J‐R. 
Published: January 2012

BackgroundSuppression of cough during emergence after nasal surgery is practical to avoid bleeding from the surgical site. Previously recommended effect‐site concentration of remifentanil for preventing cough during emergence is restricted to female patients undergoing thyroid surgery, so we evaluated effective effect‐site concentration of remifentanil for preventing cough during emergence for men undergoing nasal surgery.MethodsTwenty‐four American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I or II, between the ages of 18 and 60 years old, non‐smoker male patients undergoing nasal surgery were enrolled in this study. The effective effect‐site concentration for 50% of patients (EC50) and and that for 95% of patients (EC95) of remifentanil for preventing cough were determined by Dixon's up‐and‐down method and by isotonic regression method with a bootstrapping approach. Haemodynamic variables were compared in patients with cough and without cough during emergence.ResultsThe EC50 of remifentanil for preventing cough during emergence by Dixon's method was 2.17 ng/ml [standard deviation (SD) 0.38]. The estimated EC50 and EC95 of remifentanil using isotonic regression model with a bootstrapping approach were 2.35 ng/ml [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.89–2.66] and 2.94 ng/ml (95% CI 2.83–2.97), respectively. Mean arterial pressure and heart rate were significantly higher in patients with cough during emergence. Three out of 13 patients that received more than 2.5 ng/ml of remifentanil experienced a brief episode of bradypnea.ConclusionsThe EC95 of remifentanil for preventing cough in men after nasal surgery is 2.94 ng/ml. Remifentanil target‐controlled infusion with established effect‐site concentration could suppress cough in men during emergence from sevoflurane anaesthesia after nasal surgery, though reversible respiratory depression might arise at high effect‐site concentration of remifentanil.
Portfolio separation and the dynamics of bank interest rates
Authors: Dia Enzo , Giuliodori Massimo 
Published: January 2012

AbstractWe develop a dynamic model of the interest rates of a monopolistic bank, providing both intermediation and payment services. We obtain testable restrictions on portfolio separation from the dynamic terms of the reduced‐form solutions, and test the model using balance‐sheet data from large banks of 17 OECD countries, over the period 1988–2007. We find strong evidence against the portfolio separation hypothesis. In line with the predictions of the model, interest margins rise with higher market interest rates, lower revenues from fees, and higher industrial costs and loan loss provisions.
Understanding biological timing using mechanistic and black‐box models
Authors: Dalchau Neil 
Published: December 2011

SummaryThe use of mathematical modelling in understanding and dissecting physiological mechanisms in plants has seen many successes. Notably, studies of the component interactions of the Arabidopsis circadian clock have yielded multiple insights into the roles of specific regulators at the transcriptional and post‐transcriptional level. In this article, I review the use of mathematical techniques in dissecting the Arabidopsis clock mechanism, covering first the well‐established use of mechanistic models implemented as systems of nonlinear ordinary differential equations. In situations where mechanistic models are not appropriate, I describe how linear time‐invariant (LTI) systems, a type of black‐box model, can offer quantitative descriptions of biological systems that provide a systems‐level understanding without detailed descriptions of the underlying mechanism. A comparison of the two approaches is provided to exemplify when LTI systems modelling might offer advantages for interpreting biological measurements. In particular, formal analysis of large datasets with LTI systems can offer genome‐scale inferences, which is of timely relevance as novel experimental techniques are generating increasingly large quantities of data.
Consequences of warming up a hotspot: species range shifts within a centre of bee diversity
Authors: Kuhlmann Michael , Guo Danni , Veldtman Ruan , Donaldson John 
Published: January 2012

AbstractAim  Bees are the most important pollinators of flowering plants and essential ecological keystone species contributing to the integrity of most terrestrial ecosystems. Here, we examine the potential impact of climate change on bees’ geographic range in a global biodiversity hotspot.Location  South Africa with a focus on the Cape Floristic Region (CFR) diversity hotspot.Methods Geographic ranges of 12 South African bee species representing dominant distribution types were studied, and the climate change impacts upon bees were examined with A2 and B2 climate scenarios of HadCM3 model, using MaxEnt for species distribution modelling.Results  The predicted levels of climate change‐induced impacts on species ranges varied from little shifts and range expansion of 5–50% for two species to substantial range contractions between 32% and 99% in another six species. Four species show considerable range shifts. Bees of the winter rainfall area in the west of South Africa generally have smaller range sizes than in the summer rainfall area and generally show eastward range contractions toward the dry interior. Bee species prevalent in summer rainfall regions show a tendency for a south‐easterly shift in geographic range.Main conclusions  The bee fauna of the CFR is identified as the most vulnerable to climate change due to the high level of endemism, the small range sizes and the island‐like isolation of the Mediterranean‐type climate region at the SW tip of Africa. For monitoring climate change impact on bees, we suggest to establish observatories in the coastal plains of the west coast that are predicted to be worst affected and areas where persistence of populations is most likely. Likely impacts of climate change on life history traits of bees (phenology, sociality, bee‐host plant synchronization) are discussed but require further investigation.
Fluoroquinolone Resistance in Helicobacter pylori: Role of Mutations at Position 87 and 91 of GyrA on the Level of Resistance and Identification of a Resistance Conferring Mutation in GyrB
Authors: Rimbara Emiko , Noguchi Norihisa , Kawai Takashi , Sasatsu Masanori 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBackground and Aims:  Fluoroquinolone‐containing regimens have been suggested as an alternate to standard triple therapy for the treatment of Helicobacter pylori infections. To determine the relationship between fluoroquinolone resistance and mutations of GyrA and GyrB in H. pylori, we exchanged the mutations at positions 87and 91 of GyrA among fluoroquinolone‐resistant clinical isolates. GyrB of a strain with no mutations in GyrA was also analyzed to identify mechanisms of resistance to norfloxacin.Materials & Methods:  Natural transformation was performed using the amplified fragment of the gyrA and gyrB gene as donor DNA. The amino acid sequences of GyrA and GyrB were determined by DNA sequencing of the gyrA and gyrB genes.Results:  Norfloxacin‐resistant strains which had mutations at position 87 and 91 became susceptible when the mutations were converted to the wild type. When the mutation from Asp to Asn at position 91 was exchanged to the mutation from Asn to Lys at position 87, the MIC to levofloxacin, gatifloxacin, and sitafloxacin increased. Norfloxacin‐resistant strain TS132 with no mutations in GyrA but had a mutation at position 463 in GyrB. Transformants obtained by natural transformation using gyrB DNA of TS132 had a mutation at position 463 of GyrB and revealed resistant to norfloxacin and levofloxacin.Conclusion:  Mutation from Asn to Lys at position 87 of GyrA confers higher resistance to levofloxacin and gatifloxacin than does mutation from Asp to Asn at position 91. We propose that mutation at position 463 in GyrB as a novel mechanism of fluoroquinolone resistance in H. pylori.
Periosteal‐derived cells for bone bioengineering: a promising candidate
Authors: Castro‐Silva Igor Iuco , Zambuzzi Willian Fernando , de Oliveira Castro Letícia , Granjeiro José Mauro 
Published: January 2012

AbstractPurposeOver the last years so many efforts have been made in order to indentify natural sources of osteogenic cells for the success of bone bioengineering. Among them, periosteum tissue has emerged as an interesting candidate. Thus, we decided to evaluate the osteogenic potential of periosteal‐derived cells by describing a sequence of biological events since initial morphological changes to mineralization of extracellular matrix (ECM).MethodsPeriosteal‐derived cells were obtained from calvarial of adult rats. After the primary culture and expansion, the adherent cells were cultured at 7, 14, 21 and 28 days under a classical osteogenic culture medium in order to evaluate the differentiation of those cells in mature osteoblast. It was monitored by evaluating a time‐line of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity (biomarker of osteoblast differentiation) and afterwards nodules of mineralization (measured by von Kossa staining and calcium content).ResultsAnalysis from phase‐contrast microscopy revealed mainly morphological changes ranging since fibroblast‐shaped (7 days, semi‐confluent culture at exponential growth) to polyhedral‐shaped cells (14–28 days, confluent culture during differentiation process). ALP activity was linearly increased since 14–28 days while amount of protein remained unchanged. Interesting, our data from von Kossa staining reveled a highest incidence of mineralization nodules at 28 days.ConclusionTaken our results together, we can suggest that periosteal‐derived cells present an interesting potential to differentiate in mature osteoblast able to promote mineralization in vitro by incorporating to ECM circulating calcium from extracellular compartment. From our point of view, this source of osteogenic cells can be explored by bioengineers in order to advance therapeutic protocols able to solve bone degenerative lesions.
Analysis of proteins in human gingival crevicular fluid by mass spectrometry
Authors: Kido J. , Bando M. , Hiroshima Y. , Iwasaka H. , Yamada K. , Ohgami N. , Nambu T. , Kataoka M. , Yamamoto T. , Shinohara Y. , Sagawa I. , Nagata T. 
Published: January 2012

Kido J, Bando M, Hiroshima Y, Iwasaka H, Yamada K, Ohgami N, Nambu T, Kataoka M, Yamamoto T, Shinohara Y, Sagawa I, Nagata T. Analysis of proteins in human gingival crevicular fluid by mass spectrometry. J Periodont Res 2012; 47: 488–499. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/SBackground and Objective:  Gingival crevicular fluid is a bodily fluid transuded from periodontal tissues into the gingival crevice and periodontal pocket, and contains many species of components. Proteins in gingival crevicular fluid have been studied as markers for periodontal diseases. Mass spectrometric analysis is used for the analyses of proteins, lipids, saccharides and metals, and expected as an approach for disease diagnosis. For better analysis of the protein components in gingival crevicular fluid, we investigated proteins in gingival crevicular fluid samples from the healthy gingival crevice and periodontal pocket using mass spectrometry.Material and Methods:  Gingival crevicular fluid samples were collected from subjects who gave their informed consent and were periodontally healthy or had diseased pockets. These samples were electrophoretically separated, and each fraction on the gels was analysed by nano liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. Antimicrobial peptides detected in gingival crevicular fluid were confirmed by western blotting.Results:  One hundred and four proteins were detected in gingival crevicular fluid samples from both healthy sites and sites of periodontitis; 64 proteins were contained only in gingival crevicular fluid from healthy sites and 63 proteins were observed only in gingival crevicular fluid from periodontitis sites. These proteins were blood‐, cytoskeleton‐, immunity‐, inflammation‐ and lipid‐related proteins and enzymes. Some proteins, including ceruloplasmin, glycogen phosphorylase, glutathione S‐transferase, phosphoglycerate mutase, psoriasin, S100A11 and resistin, were identified for the first time in gingival crevicular fluid. Antimicrobial peptides, such as lactoferrin, α1‐antitrypsin, lipocalin, S100A7, S100A8, S100A9 and cathelicidin, were observed by mass spectrometry and western blotting.Conclusion:  Multiple protein components in gingival crevicular fluid were analysed at the same time using mass spectrometry, and this approach may be useful for the diagnosis of periodontal diseases.
EFFECT OF SUGAR LEVEL ON PHYSICOCHEMICAL, BIOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND PROTEOLYSIS PROPERTIES OF CANTONESE SAUSAGE DURING PROCESSING
Authors: QIU CHAOYING , SUN WEIZHENG , CUI CHUN , ZHAO MOUMING 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACTThe effects of sugar levels (3, 6, 9, 12%, w/w) on gross composition, the main physicochemical parameters, microbiology, protein composition and proteolytic change of water soluble protein (water soluble nitrogen [WSN]) of Cantonese sausage were evaluated. The sample with 12% sugar addition had low aw as well as pH values. During processing, sarcoplasmic and myofibrillar protein content decreased, while alkaline‐soluble fraction and nonprotein constituent (nonprotein nitrogen) content increased. Sugar exhibited stabilizing effect against denaturation of both sarcoplasmic and myofibrillar protein fractions. The water soluble protein with molecular weight of >10 and 3–5 kDa was the main fraction, and progressive decrease of peptide fractions of >10 kDa was observed during ripening process. Higher sugar levels showed protective effects against proteolysis of WSN and advantages on improving the textural characteristics. Samples with higher sugar levels had lower microbial counts in Cantonese sausage.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSCantonese sausage is a traditional Chinese meat product that is well accepted by consumers over the world. The aim of this article was to evaluate the effect of sugar level on changes in physicochemical and biochemical characteristics, including chemical composition, proteolysis, textural profile and microorganism of Cantonese sausage during processing. The results will be favor of process control of reduced sugar Cantonese sausage production that consumers can enjoy as part of an ongoing healthier diet and lifestyle.
The mutacins of Streptococcus mutans: regulation and ecology
Authors: Merritt J. , Qi F. 
Published: December 2011

SummaryStreptococcus mutans is generally recognized as a causative agent of human dental caries. The production of mutacins (bacteriocins) by S. mutans is considered to be an important factor in the colonization and establishment of S. mutans in the dental biofilm. Two types of mutacins have been characterized: the lantibiotics and the non‐lantibiotics. The lantibiotics generally have a wider spectrum of activity than the non‐lantibiotics, which make them attractive targets for development into new antimicrobial modalities. The non‐lantibiotics are much more prevalent among strains of S. mutans and play a significant role in both community‐level and population‐level interactions in the dental biofilm. These interactions are directly mediated through the ComCDE two‐component system and the newly characterized LytTR Regulation Systems HdrRM and BrsRM. These systems coordinate natural competence development and mutacin production as a means to acquire transforming DNA either by killing closely related streptococcal species in the vicinity of S. mutans, or through an altruistic suicide mechanism among a subpopulation of competent cells within the S. mutans community. As more S. mutans strains are sequenced, it is anticipated that additional mutacins with novel functions will be discovered, which may yield further insights into the ecological role of mutacins within the oral biofilm.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Ventilation for Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Minnerup Jens , Ritter Martin Andreas , Wersching Heike , Kemmling André , Okegwo Angelika , Schmidt Antje , Schilling Matthias , Ringelstein E. Bernd , Schäbitz Wolf Rüdiger , Young Peter , Dziewas Rainer 
Published: December 2011

Background and Purpose—
Sleep-related breathing disorders occur frequently after stroke. We assessed the feasibility of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment initiated in the first night after stroke.

Methods—
In this open-label, parallel-group trial, 50 patients were randomly assigned to the CPAP therapy or to the control group. All patients underwent polysomnography in the fourth night. Intervention patients received CPAP therapy for 3 nights starting the first night after stroke onset and for an additional 4 nights when polysomnography revealed an apnea–hypopnea index >10/hour. The primary end point was feasibility defined as apnea–hypopnea index reduction under CPAP treatment, nursing workload, and CPAP adherence.

Results—

The apnea–hypopnea index under CPAP treatment was significantly reduced (32.2±25.3–9.8±6.6,
P
=0.0001). Nursing workload did not significantly differ between the CPAP (n=25) and the control group (n=25;
P
=0.741). Ten patients (40.0%) had excellent CPAP use, 14 patients (56.0%) had some use, and 1 patient (4.0%) had no use. There was a trend toward greater National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score improvement until Day 8 in patients on CPAP (2.00 versus 1.40,
P
=0.092) and a significantly greater National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score improvement in patients with excellent CPAP use when compared with control patients (2.30 versus 1.40,
P
=0.022).

Conclusions—
CPAP therapy initiated in the first night after stroke seems to be feasible and was not associated with neurological deterioration.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00151177.
Adiponectin and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in the Northern Manhattan Study
Authors: Gardener Hannah , Sjoberg Charlotte , Crisby Milita , Goldberg Ronald , Mendez Armando , Wright Clinton B. , Elkind Mitchell S.V. , Sacco Ralph L. , Rundek Tatjana 
Published: December 2011

Background and Purpose—
Adiponectin is an insulin-sensitizing plasma protein expressed in adipose tissue and suggested to play a role in atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Data are lacking on the relationship between adiponectin and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in ethnically heterogeneous populations. We examined the relationship between adiponectin and IMT, a marker of atherosclerosis, in a multiethnic cohort study of stroke risk factors.

Methods—
Participants were from the Northern Manhattan Study (N=1522, mean age 66±9 years, 60% female, 20% black, 18% white, 60% Hispanic). Adiponectin was measured from baseline plasma samples and IMT was assessed by high-resolution B-mode carotid ultrasound. Regression models were used to examine the association between adiponectin, assessed continuously and in quartiles, and IMT controlling for demographics and vascular risk factors.

Results—
The mean adiponectin level was 10.3±5.2 μg/mL (median, 9.2 μg/mL; range, 2.3–53.3 μg/mL), and the mean IMT was 0.91±0.08 mm. Adiponectin was inversely associated with IMT, even after controlling for demographics and vascular risk factors. Individuals in the first quartile of adiponectin had mean IMT that was on average 0.02 mm greater than those in the top quartile. The relationship between adiponectin and IMT appeared to be stronger among those with diabetes.

Conclusions—
Our findings suggest that low adiponectin is associated with increased IMT in a multiethnic cohort and support a protective role for adiponectin in atherosclerosis.
Analysis of expression sequence tags from a full-length-enriched cDNA library of developing sesame seeds (Sesamum indicum)
Authors: Ke Tao , Dong Caihua , Mao Han , Zhao Yingzhong , Chen Hong , Liu Hongyan , Dong Xuyan , Tong Chaobo , Liu Shengyi 
Published: December 2011

Abstract

Background
Sesame (Sesamum indicum) is one of the most important oilseed crops with high oil contents and rich nutrient value. However, genetic improvement efforts in sesame could not get benefit from molecular biology technology due to poor DNA and RNA sequence resources. In this study, we carried out a large scale of expressed sequence tags (ESTs) sequencing from developing sesame seeds and further conducted analysis on seed storage products-related genes.

Results
A normalized and full-length enriched cDNA library from 5 ~ 30 days old immature seeds was constructed and randomly sequenced, leading to generation of 41,248 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) which then formed 4,713 contigs and 27,708 singletons with 44.9% uniESTs being putative full-length open reading frames. Approximately 26,091 of all these uniESTs have significant matches to the counterparts in Nr database of GenBank, and 21,628 of them were assigned to one or more Gene ontology (GO) terms. Homologous genes involved in oil biosynthesis were identified including some conservative transcription factors regulating oil biosynthesis such as LEAFY COTYLEDON1 (LEC1), PICKLE (PKL), WRINKLED1 (WRI1) and majority of them were found for the first time in sesame seeds. One hundred and 17 ESTs were identified possibly involved in biosynthesis of sesame lignans, sesamin and sesamolin. In total, 9,347 putative functional genes from developing seeds were identified, which accounts for one third of total genes in the sesame genome. Further analysis of the uniESTs identified 1,949 non-redundant simple sequence repeats (SSRs).

Conclusions
This study has provided an overview of genes expressed during sesame seed development. This collection of sesame full-length cDNAs covered a wide variety of genes in seeds, in particular, candidate genes involved in biosynthesis of sesame oils and lignans. These EST sequences enriched with full length will contribute to comparative genomic studies on sesame and other oilseed plants and serve as an abundant information platform for functional marker development and functional gene study.