bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Synthesis and optical limiting studies of Au-doped TiO2 nanoparticles
Authors: Rahulan K Mani , Ganesan S , Aruna P 
Published: May 2011

Abstract
A series of Au-doped TiO
2 nanoparticles with different Au concentrations were prepared by the sol–gel method using titanium (IV) isopropoxide and tetrachloroaurate (III) trihydrate as precursors. The framework substitution of Au in TiO
2 nanoparticles was established by x-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) techniques. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) image results confirmed the anatase phase and nanocrystalline nature of TiO
2–Au. The optical properties revealed an extended tailing of the absorption edge toward the visible region upon Au doping. The incorporation of Au in TiO
2 was also confirmed by fluorescence quenching. The increase in Au doping enhanced the ‘red-shift’ in the UV-Vis absorption spectra. The spectral and nonlinear optical properties were studied using fluence-dependent transmittance measurements in order to reveal the optical limiting mechanism. The nonlinear optical response and optical limiting effects of TiO
2–Au nanocomposites dispersed in ethylene glycol were studied at 532 nm using 5 ns Nd:YAG laser pulses. Effective three-photon absorption mechanisms play a major role for good optical limiting characteristics in these nanoparticles and it is seen that the optical nonlinearity enhances with lower threshold as the volume fraction of the Au concentration increased.
Genome-wide association studies pipeline (GWASpi): a desktop application for genome-wide SNP analysis and management
Authors: Muñiz-Fernandez Fernando , Carreño−Torres Angel , Morcillo-Suarez Carlos , Navarro Arcadi 
Published: May 2011

Abstract
Motivation: Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) based on single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays are the most widely used approach to detect loci associated to human traits. Due to the complexity of the methods and software packages available, each with its particular format requiring intricate management workflows, the analysis of GWAS usually confronts scientists with steep learning curves. Indeed, the wide variety of tools makes the parsing and manipulation of data the most time consuming and error prone part of a study. To help resolve these issues, we present GWASpi, a user-friendly, multiplatform, desktop-able application for the management and analysis of GWAS data, with a novel approach on database technologies to leverage the most out of commonly available desktop hardware. GWASpi aims to be a start-to-finish GWAS management application, from raw data to results, containing the most common analysis tools. As a result, GWASpi is easy to use and reduces in up to two orders of magnitude the time needed to perform the fundamental steps of a GWAS.
Availability: Freely available on the web at http://www.gwaspi.org. Implemented in Java, Apache-Derby and NetCDF-3, with all major operating systems supported.
Contact: gwaspi@upf.edu; arcadi.navarro@upf.edu
First Report of Turnip ringspot virus in Field Mustard (Brassica chinensis) in Taiwan
Authors: Chen Y.-K. , Chang Y.-S. , Bau H.-J. 
Published: May 2011

Crucifer crops (Brassica spp.) are important winter vegetables in Taiwan. Five viruses, including Turnip mosaic virus (TuMV), Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), Radish mosaic virus (RaMV), Beet western yellows virus (BWYV), and Cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV), have been detected in a range of domestic-grown crucifers during past decades (1). Field mustard plants (Brassica chinensis) showing mosaic in the leaves were collected in the ChiaYi area in December 2007. Spherical virus-like particles, approximately 30 nm in diameter, were readily observed in crude sap of symptomatic plants. Tests by ELISA failed to detect any of the aforementioned viruses. A spherical agent was isolated through mechanical inoculation onto Chenopodium quinoa, and a virus culture was established and inoculated mechanically back to the original host as well as other crucifers. Systemic mosaic appeared on inoculated B. campestris, B. chinensis, and B. juncea, whereas ringspots appeared on inoculated leaves of B. oleracea. Total RNA was extracted from symptomatic leaves and used for reverse transcription (RT)-PCR amplification using degenerate primers for comoviruses (2). Other successive fragments of RNAs 1 and 2 were amplified by specific or degenerate primers designed on the basis of sequences of published Turnip ringspot virus (TuRSV). The RNA 1 (GenBank Accession No. GU968732) and RNA 2 (No. GU968731) of the isolated virus consisted of 6,076 and 3,960 nucleotides, respectively. The number of nucleotides and the arrangement of open reading frames on both RNA 1 and RNA 2 were similar to those of comoviruses. Sequence analysis revealed that the nucleotide sequences of RNA 1 and RNA 2 shared 54.2 to 82.5% and 50.2 to 79.3% similarities, respectively, to those of comoviruses and were most similar to Turnip ringspot virus. The deduced peptides of large and small coat proteins (LCP and SCP) contain 375 amino acids (41.2 kDa) and 251 amino acids (28.5 kDa), respectively. The deduced amino acid sequences of RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), LCP, and SCP share 92.0 to 94.5%, 93.1 to 93.3% and 87.3 to 89.6% similarity, respectively, to those of published TuRSV isolates, i.e., -B (GenBank Accession No. GQ222382), -M12 (No. FJ516746), and -Toledo (No. FJ712027) indicating that the newly isolated virus from field mustard in Taiwan is an isolate of TuRSV, hence TuRSV-TW. Comparison of LCP and SCP between current TuRSV-TW and Radish mosaic virus (RaMV; GenBank Accession No. AB295644) showed 74% similarity, which is below the species demarcation level of 75% (3), indicating its discrimination from RaMV. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the occurrence of TuRSV in Taiwan and in the subtropics. References: (1) T. H. Chen et al. Plant Pathol. Bull. 9:39, 2000. (2) V. Maliogka et al. J. Phytopathol. 152:404, 2004. (3) K. Petrzik and I. Koloniuk. Virus Genes 40:290, 2010.
Interaction between the bHLH Transcription Factor FIT and ETHYLENE INSENSITIVE3/ETHYLENE INSENSITIVE3-LIKE1 Reveals Molecular Linkage between the Regulation of Iron Acquisition and Ethylene Signaling in Arabidopsis
Authors: Lingam Sivasenkar , Mohrbacher Julia , Brumbarova Tzvetina , Potuschak Thomas , Fink-Straube Claudia , Blondet Eddy , Genschik Pascal , Bauer Petra 
Published: May 2011

Abstract
Understanding the regulation of key genes involved in plant iron acquisition is of crucial importance for breeding of micronutrient-enriched crops. The basic helix-loop-helix protein FER-LIKE FE DEFICIENCY-INDUCED TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR (FIT), a central regulator of Fe acquisition in roots, is regulated by environmental cues and internal requirements for iron at the transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels. The plant stress hormone ethylene promotes iron acquisition, but the molecular basis for this remained unknown. Here, we demonstrate a direct molecular link between ethylene signaling and FIT. We identified ETHYLENE INSENSITIVE3 (EIN3) and ETHYLENE INSENSITIVE3-LIKE1 (EIL1) in a screen for direct FIT interaction partners and validated their physical interaction in planta. We demonstrate that the ein3 eil1 transcriptome was affected to a greater extent upon iron deficiency than normal iron compared with the wild type. Ethylene signaling by way of EIN3/EIL1 was required for full-level FIT accumulation. FIT levels were reduced upon application of aminoethoxyvinylglycine and in the ein3 eil1 background. MG132 could restore FIT levels. We propose that upon ethylene signaling, FIT is less susceptible to proteasomal degradation, presumably due to a physical interaction between FIT and EIN3/EIL1. Increased FIT abundance then leads to the high level of expression of genes required for Fe acquisition. This way, ethylene is one of the signals that triggers Fe deficiency responses at the transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels.
Allergic contact dermatitis caused by gum rosin and wood rosin in Tako‐no‐Suidashi ointment
Authors: TSURUTA Daisuke , SOWA Junko , TSURUTA Kyoko , ISHII Masamitsu , KOBAYASHI Hiromi 
Published: May 2011

AbstractTako‐no‐Suidashi ointment (TSO) is an old Japanese over‐the‐counter drug, used for the drainage of infectious pustular disease, such as furuncles, carbuncles and infectious atheroma, although whether it works well or not is unknown. The ingredients of the TSO compound commonly include rapeseed oil, gum rosin, wood rosin, Japanese wax, paraffin, petrolatum, copper sulfate, Peru balsam, acetic acid, salicylic acid and trace amounts of Guinea green B. We report a case of contact dermatitis in a 38‐year‐old Japanese woman caused by TSO. The patient presented to our hospital with pruritic erythema on her left cheek. In order to remove a subcutaneous tumor, she had applied TSO 4 days prior to presentation. Clinical examination showed a well‐demarcated exudative erythematous macule with yellowish crusts and scales on her left cheek. Patch testing showed a positive reaction to TSO (++), gum rosin (++) and wood rosin (++) at 72 h. As TSO includes highly allergenic material, caution should be made in applying this topical therapy.
Reorganization of a deeply incised drainage: role of deformation, sedimentation and groundwater flow
Authors: Brocard Gilles , Teyssier Christian , Dunlap Walker James , Authemayou Christine , Simon‐Labric Thibaud , Cacao‐Chiquín Eric Noé , Gutiérrez‐Orrego Axel , Morán‐Ical Sergio 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACTDeeply incised drainage networks are thought to be robust and not easily modified, and are commonly used as passive markers of horizontal strain. Yet, reorganizations (rearrangements) appear in the geologic record. We provide field evidence of the reorganization of a Miocene drainage network in response to strike–slip and vertical displacements in Guatemala. The drainage was deeply incised into a 50‐km‐wide orogen located along the North America–Caribbean plate boundary. It rearranged twice, first during the Late Miocene in response to transpressional uplift along the Polochic fault, and again in the Quaternary in response to transtensional uplift along secondary faults. The pattern of reorganization resembles that produced by the tectonic defeat of rivers that cross growing tectonic structures. Compilation of remote sensing data, field mapping, sediment provenance study, grain‐size analysis and Ar40/Ar39 dating from paleovalleys and their fill reveals that the classic mechanisms of river diversion, such as river avulsion over bedrock, or capture driven by surface runoff, are not sufficient to produce the observed diversions. The sites of diversion coincide spatially with limestone belts and reactivated fault zones, suggesting that solution‐triggered or deformation‐triggered permeability have helped breaching of interfluves. The diversions are also related temporally and spatially to the accumulation of sediment fills in the valleys, upstream of the rising structures. We infer that the breaching of the interfluves was achieved by headward erosion along tributaries fed by groundwater flow tracking from the valleys soon to be captured. Fault zones and limestone belts provided the pathways, and the aquifers occupying the valley fills provided the head pressure that enhanced groundwater circulation. The defeat of rivers crossing the rising structures results essentially from the tectonically enhanced activation of groundwater flow between catchments.
Blocking the immunosuppressive axis with small interfering RNA targeting interleukin (IL)-10 receptor enhances dendritic cell-based vaccine potency
Authors: Kim J H , Kang T H , Noh K H , Bae H C , Ahn Y-H , Lee Y-H , Choi E Y , Chun K-H , Lee S-J , Kim T W 
Published: May 2011

SummaryImproving dendritic cell (DC) functions is highly promising for therapeutic intervention of diverse diseases, including cancer. Immunosuppressive cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-10 produced by DCs themselves (autocrine) and other regulatory immune cells (paracrine) down-regulate functional profiles of DCs through specific cell surface receptors such as IL-10R. Here, we tried to improve DC functions using small interfering RNA (siRNA) technology to block an IL-10R-mediated immunosuppressive axis. DCs modified with siRNA targeting against IL-10R or IL-10 (DC/siIL-10R or DC/siIL-10) led to up-regulation of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II, CD40 co-stimulatory molecule, and IL-12 proinflammatory cytokine after lipopolysacharide (LPS) stimulation compared to DC/siGFP. Notably, the LPS-induced functional profiles of DC/siIL-10R were strongly resistant to the addition of recombinant IL-10, which mimicked paracrine IL-10. In contrast, those of DC/siIL-10 were reversed by adding exogenous IL-10. Consistently, DC/siIL-10R generated more human papilloma virus (HPV) E7-specific CD8+ T cells and stronger anti-tumour effects against E7-expressing TC-1 tumour cells in vaccinated mice than DC/siGFP, as well as DC/siIL-10. Taken together, these results provide the groundwork for future clinical translation of siRNA-mediated strategy targeting IL-10R to enhance DC-based vaccine potency.
Processing of mungbean products and its nutritional and organoleptic evaluation
Authors: Raghuvanshi Rita Singh , Singh Shipra , Bisht Kavita , Singh D. P. 
Published: May 2011

SummaryFour mungbean products namely, whole fried namkeen, dehusked fried namkeen, roasted namkeen and salad were formulated using three different cultivars of mungbean viz. UPM 98‐1, Pant Mung‐5 and Pant Mung‐2 and the effect of different processing methods on texture and nutrient composition were studied. All the products were found to be acceptable by the panel. Salad was found to be the most acceptable product with overall acceptability of 8.31 out of 10 followed by dehusked fried namkeen (7.80), whole fried namkeen (7.61) and roasted namkeen (7.02). Moisture and protein content increased significantly after germination for 24 h. Fat content increased significantly for deep fried products. Total ash, crude fibre and mineral content decreased significantly after processing whereas in‐vitro iron bioavailability and in‐vitro protein digestibility increased significantly after processing. Texture analysis revealed that dehusked fried namkeen of Pant Mung‐5 and roasted namkeen of Pant Mung‐2 had maximum crispness and hardness, respectively, which are preferred attributes.
Evaluation of various salt levels and different dairy proteins in combination with microbial transglutaminase on the quality characteristics of restructured pork ham
Authors: Lee Hong C. , Chin Koo B. 
Published: May 2011

SummaryThe objective of this study was to evaluate the quality characteristics of restructured pork hams (RH) manufactured with various salt levels (0.5%, 1.0%, and 1.5%) and different dairy proteins (sodium caseinate, SC and whey protein isolate, WPI; 1.0%) in combination with microbial transglutaminase (MTGase; 0.3%). Reduced‐salt (0.5% and 1.0%) RH resulted in reductions of moisture contents (%), textural springiness, cooking yield and most sensory preferences (P < 0.05). When dairy proteins in combination with MTGase were incorporated into the manufacture of RH, SC with MTGase was shown to reduce cooking loss (CL, %) and to increase the textural springiness and chewiness of RH, whereas WPI with MTGase increased textural springiness and chewiness, as well as the shear value of RH (P < 0.05). On the contrary, MTGase with dairy proteins improved the sensory preferences of reduced‐salt (1.0%) RH to give it similar sensory properties to those of the regular‐salt (1.5%) RH controls (CTL) (P > 0.05). The findings of this study demonstrated that the combination of 1.0% dairy proteins and 0.3% MTGase could affect improvements in the functional, textural and sensory properties of reduced‐salt (1.0%) RH.
Commitment to health: a predictor of dietary change
Authors: Kelly Cynthia W 
Published: May 2011

Aims and objectives.  To determine the predictive validity of three behavioural variables on changes in diet: commitment to health (commitment), confidence in ability to change dietary behaviours (confidence) and belief about the importance of changing dietary behaviours (importance).Background.  Literature supports the Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change as a framework for understanding dietary behaviour change. Less certain are behavioural variables associated with stage movement for action to maintenance stage for dietary behaviour change. This research considered three variables: self‐efficacy (‘confidence’), decisional balance scale (‘importance’) and ‘commitment’. Published literature supports the importance of each of these behavioural variables, but not their predictive abilities.Design.  A cross‐sectional survey was used for 499 manufacturing workers from multiple work‐sites.Methods.  Subjects’ dietary health behaviours were measured by determining how long they consistently ate a low‐fat diet, with analysis of variance addressing the stages‐of‐change model: precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance.Results.  Commitment best predicted change from action to maintenance stage (p < 0·05). Importance (p < 0·05) was somewhat significant, but confidence (p > 0·05) was not.Conclusions.  Commitment was the best predictor of dietary change, from the action to the maintenance stage of change.Relevance to clinical practice.  Clinicians working with patients in the action stage of dietary change can use a stage‐based approach and should evaluate commitment to health as part of an overall assessment. Those with high‐level commitment will successfully change from action to maintenance with minimal professional assistance. Those with middle‐level commitment risk relapse to a pre‐action stage will benefit most from professional intervention. Those in the lower level of commitment are most likely to revert to a pre‐action stage of change and may be not be ready for dietary change.
Using multiple data sources to answer patient safety‐related research questions in hospital inpatient settings: a discursive paper using inpatient falls as an example
Authors: Tzeng Huey‐Ming 
Published: May 2011

Aim and objectives.  This education‐focused paper presents a discussion of possible data sources used in patient safety issues specific to fall reduction in hospital inpatient care settings.Background.  Although hospitals and clinicians in the USA have been implored to improve care and reduce events that harm patients (falls), studies to date have failed to clearly address the facility system‐level factors for falls. Making meaningful approaches to modify risk factors is clearly overdue.Design.  Discursive paper.Method.  Possible data sources for answering patient fall‐related research questions in hospital settings are categorised as: (1) archived hospital data, (2) surveys of patients/families/clinicians, (3) interviews and focus groups of patients/families/clinicians, (4) publicly available data sets and (5) published legal cases. The complexities of research in fall prevention are illustrated using the conceptual models. Examples were included to illustrate the use of these data sources.Discussion.  Data‐related issues include: (1) unit of analysis, (2) computer data processing capabilities, (3) merging data sets from different sources and (4) data abstraction, aggregation and data analytic techniques.Conclusions.  The trend to use multiple data sources to answer research questions is gradually emerging. To demonstrate effective fall prevention efforts across hospitals, publicly available data sets can be reliable sources for analyses to inform policymakers about meaningful fall prevention programmes that result in positive outcomes.Relevance to clinical practice.  Challenges to develop and evaluate any interventions to eliminate risk factors for falls often relate to selecting feasible interventions and whether staff members accept the interventions and adhere to adopting the intervention. Using multiple data sources with time factors to cross‐validate the sufficiency of nurses’ knowledge with their practice patterns may be more productive. This need further supports the importance of this paper about possible data sources used in the research on patient safety specific to fall reduction for adults in hospital inpatient care settings.
Tumour‐loaded α‐type 1‐polarized Dendritic Cells from Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia Produce a Superior NK‐, NKT‐ and CD8+ T Cell‐attracting Chemokine Profile
Authors: Gustafsson Karin , Junevik Katarina , Werlenius Olle , Holmgren Sandra , Karlsson‐Parra Alex , Andersson Per‐Ola 
Published: May 2011

AbstractTumour‐loaded dendritic cells (DCs) from patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) matured using an α‐type 1‐polarized DC cocktail (IL‐1β/TNF‐α/IFN‐α/IFN‐γ/poly‐I:C;αDC1) were recently shown to induce more functional CD8+ T cells against autologous tumour cells in vitro than DCs matured with the ‘standard’ cocktail (IL‐1β/TNF‐α/IL‐6/PGE2;PGE2DCs). However, the ability of vaccine DCs to induce a type 1‐polarized immune response in vivo probably relies on additional features, including their ability to induce a CXCR3‐dependent recruitment of NK cells into vaccine‐draining lymph nodes. Moreover, their guiding of rare tumour‐specific CD8+ T cells to sites of DC–CD4+ T cell interactions by secretion of CCL3 and CCL4 is needed. We therefore analysed the chemokine profile and the lymphocyte‐attracting ability in vitro of monocyte‐derived PGE2DCs and αDC1s from patients with CLL. αDC1s produced much higher levels of CXCR3 ligands (CXCL9/CXCL10/CXCL11) than PGE2DCs. Functional studies further demonstrated that αDC1s were superior recruiters of both NK and NKT cells. Moreover, αDC1s produced higher levels of CCL3/CCL4 upon CD40 ligation. These findings suggest that functional αDC1s, derived from patients with CLL, produce a desirable NK‐, NKT‐ and CD8+ T cell‐attracting chemokine profile which may favour a guided and Th1‐deviated priming of CD8+ T cells, supporting the idea that αDC1‐based vaccines have a higher immunotherapeutic potential than PGE2DCs.
Tuberculosis treatment default among HIV‐TB co‐infected patients in urban Uganda
Authors: Elbireer Sawsan , Guwatudde David , Mudiope Peter , Nabbuye‐Sekandi Juliet , Manabe Yukari C. 
Published: May 2011

SummaryObjective  To identify health facility and patient‐specific factors associated with TB treatment default in HIV‐infected patients, in a TB clinic on the campus of Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala, Uganda.Methods  Unmatched case–control study between March and May 2009. Cases were TB patients known to have defaulted on their anti‐TB treatment, defined as a TB patient who had documented discontinuation of TB medication for two or more consecutive months due to reasons other than physician’s advice and who did not access care at another facility. Controls were TB patients who completed 8 months of anti‐TB treatment without interruption of two or more months. Data on health facility‐specific factors and individual characteristics were collected using semi‐structured questionnaires.Results  Factors associated with defaulting from TB treatment were: distance from home to clinic (OR 2.22; 1.21–4.06); long waiting time at the clinic (OR 4.18; 2.18–8.02); poor drug availability (OR 4.75; 2.29–9.84); conduct of staff (OR 2.72; 1.02–7.25); lack of opportunity to express feelings (OR 3.47; 1.67–7.21). Other patient‐related factors were lack of health education, i.e. not being aware of the duration of treatment or the risk of discontinuing it (OR 5.31; 1.94–14.57); not knowing that TB can be cured (OR 44.11; 13.66–142.41); length of TB treatment (OR 10.77; 5.18–22.41), and side effects of treatment OR 5.53 (2.25–13.61).Conclusions  Defaulting is influenced by health systems, staff factors, and patient misinformation. Health education on TB directed at patients combined with staff sensitization could help to improve adherence to TB treatment.