bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Functional characterization of the PP2C phosphatase CaPtc2p in the human fungal pathogen Candida albicans
Authors: Feng Jinrong , Zhao Jingwen , Li Jing , Zhang Lilin , Jiang Linghuo 
Published: April 2010

AbstractType 2C protein phosphatases (PP2C) are monomeric enzymes and their activities require the presence of magnesium or manganese ion. There are seven PP2C‐like genes in Candida albicans. In this study, we demonstrate that CaPtc2p is a PP2C phosphatase. Surprisingly, in addition to the cytoplasmic localization, CaPtc2p is partially associated with mitochondria in yeast‐form and filamentous cells of C. albicans. Expression of CaPTC2 is developmentally regulated during the serum‐induced filamentation. Deletion of CaPTC2 renders C. albicans cells sensitive to SDS and azole antifungals, as well as the DNA methylation agent methylmethane sulphonate and the DNA synthesis inhibitor hydroxyurea. Therefore, CaPtc2p might fulfil multiple functions, including the regulation of mitochondrial physiology and checkpoint recovery from DNA damage in C. albicans cells. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparative Evaluation of Thoracoscopy Versus Thoracotomy in the Management of Lung Hydatid Disease
Authors: Mehta Ketan D. , Gundappa Rashmi , Contractor Rajiv , Sangani Viral , Pathak Ashit , Chawda Priti 
Published: April 2010

AbstractBackgroundLung hydatid disease is an endemic problem in Mediterranean countries, and the ideal surgical management for it is still debated. In this prospective study, we aimed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of thoracoscopy in patients with lung hydatid disease. We studied the advantages of thoracoscopic procedure over posterolateral thoracotomy.MethodsA total of 32 patients with an uncomplicated, unilateral lung hydatid cyst were subjected to surgical treatment over a period of 5 years. Of the 32 patients, 18 were treated with thoracotomy and 14 with thoracoscopy. Observations were made with regard to duration and ease of operation, complications, hospital stay, return to activity, and recurrence.ResultsThe mean operative duration in the thoracoscopy group was 95.21 min compared to 137.77 min in thoracotomy group (P < 0.0001). Postoperative analgesia requirement was less in the thoracoscopic group (mean 4.92 days) compared to that in the thoracotomy group (mean 13.94 days; P < 0.0001). The intercostal drain was removed earlier in the thoracoscopic group (mean 5 days) than in the thoracotomy group (mean 8.83 days; P < 0.0001). The postoperative hospital stay was 8.35 days (mean) in thoracoscopic group and 18.77 days in the thoracotomy group (P < 0.0001). The most serious morbidity was wound infection, with three cases (16.66%) in the thoracotomy group and one (7.11%) in the thoracoscopy group. There was no operative mortality and no recurrence during the follow‐up period.ConclusionsWe strongly recommend the use of thoracoscopy as a primary tool for the management of uncomplicated, unilateral lung hydatid disease. Thoracoscopy offers a great advantage over open thoracotomy in terms of very low morbidity.
Surgical Treatment of Giant Liver Hemangiomas: Enucleation with Continuous Occlusion of Hepatic Artery Proper and Intermittent Pringle Maneuver
Authors: Xia Feng , Lau Wan‐Yee , Qian Cheng , Wang Shuguang , Ma Kuansheng , Bie Ping 
Published: April 2010

AbstractBackgroundThe present study was designed to investigate the efficacy and safety of continuous occlusion of the hepatic artery proper combined with intermittent use of the Pringle maneuver for reduction of blood loss during enucleation of giant liver hemangiomas.MethodsA retrospective study was performed on 115 patients who underwent enucleation of giant liver hemangiomas with or without continuous occlusion of the hepatic artery proper at a tertiary care university hospital. The characteristics of patients and perioperative parameters including intraoperative blood loss, the degree of ischemia–reperfusion injury, the incidence and severity of postoperative complications, and the length of hospital stay were summarized and compared in the two groups.ResultsSeventy‐three and 42 patients underwent enucleation of hepatic hemangiomas with and without continuous occlusion of the hepatic artery proper, respectively. The Pringle maneuver was routinely used in all patients in cycles of 15/5 min of clamp/unclamp times. Patient characteristics were comparable between the two groups. Intraoperative blood loss and blood transfusion in the continuous occlusion group were significantly lower than in the non‐occlusion group (P < 0.001 and P = 0.012, respectively). In a comparison of the two groups, there were no significant differences in the changes of the perioperative serum aspartate transaminase and total bilirubin levels (P = 0.086, P = 0.829, respectively), and in the postoperative hospital stay and surgical complications according to Clavien’s classification (P = 0.378, P = 0.227, respectively).ConclusionsContinuous occlusion of the hepatic artery proper when added to intermittent use of the Pringle maneuver significantly reduced intraoperative blood loss when compared with intermittent Pringle maneuver alone. Enucleation of giant hepatic hemangiomas using continuous occlusion of the hepatic artery proper in addition to intermittent application of the Pringle maneuver for up to 1 h was safe.
Laparoscopic Evaluation Shows Deficiencies in Memory Ring Deployment During Small Ventral Hernia Repair
Authors: Berrevoet Frederik , Van den Bossche Bert , de Baerdemaeker Luc , de Hemptinne Bernard 
Published: April 2010

AbstractBackgroundWith the introduction of a self‐expanding, memory‐containing, circular hernia patch, surgeons have been enthusiastic about its use to repair ventral hernias smaller than 3 cm in diameter. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency, reliability, and safety of the device laparoscopically with respect to adequate deployment of the patch.MethodsDuring 1 year all patients with small ventral hernias were treated with this memory‐containing patch and were inspected by laparoscopy. Just prior to insertion of the patch, remaining adhesions on top of the peritoneum were analyzed, as was the interference of the umbilical ligament. The final position of the patch was monitored, identifying the cupping phenomenon, exposure of the polypropylene to the viscera, and the amount of tension on the straps. All patients were followed for 2 years and postoperative complications and recurrence rate were monitored.ResultsTwenty‐eight patients were operated on for repair of a small ventral hernia with laparoscopic control. Adhesions, not digitally palpable, that interfered with adequate patch deployment were observed in more than 80% of the cases. After a median follow‐up of 25 months a 14.8% recurrence rate was observed.ConclusionsThe patch, consisting of both polypropylene and ePTFE, leads to unacceptable morbidity and a high rate of recurrences. By laparoscopic evaluation, these recurrences are probably based on a combination of material characteristics and unavoidable technical errors.
Comparative Study of Sterol Ester Synthesis using Thermomyces Lanuginosus Lipase in Stirred Tank and Packed‐Bed Bioreactors
Authors: Sengupta Avery , Pal Moumita , SilRoy Sumita , Ghosh Mahua 
Published: April 2010

AbstractA comparative study was done on the production of different sterol esters using a stirred tank batch reactor (STBR) and packed bed reactor (PBR) using Thermomyces lanuginosus (Lipozyme TLIM) enzyme, a commercially immobilized lipase. Different oils were used as the sources of particular fatty acids, e.g., fish oil for n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n‐3 PUFA), linseed oil for alpha linolenic acid (ALnA) and mustard oil for erucic acid. Reaction parameters, such as substrate molar ratio, reaction temperature and enzyme concentration, were standardized in the STBR and maintained in the PBR. To provide equal time of residence between the substrate and enzyme in both the reactors for the same amount of substrates, the substrate flow rate in the PBR was maintained at 0.27 ml/min. Thin layer chromatography was used to monitor the reaction, and column chromatography was used to determine the product yields. Fatty acid compositions of the esters were determined by gas chromatography. The study showed that the packed bed bioreactor was more efficient than the batch reactor in sterol‐ester synthesis with less migration of acyl groups.
The First Step in the Validation of a new Screen for Violence Risk in Acute Psychiatry: The Inpatient Context
Authors: Hartvig P. , Roaldset J.O. , Moger T.A. , Østberg B. , Bjørkly S. 
Published: April 2010

AbstractBackgroundInstruments for evaluating the risk of violence towards others have mostly been developed for assessment of risk for recidivism into violent crime in forensic psychiatry. In general psychiatry there is a considerable need for specialised, brief and structured assessment tools to inform risk decisions.MethodThe study aimed to validate a brief structured clinical risk assessment screen of inpatient violence (V-RISK-10), a 10-item structured clinical checklist with a good vignette-based interrater reliability (ICC=0.87). In this study it was used for risk assessment of a one-year sample of patients (N = 1.017) admitted to two acute psychiatric units. Risk assessments at admission were compared to prospective records of aggressive and violent acts during the hospital stay.ResultsResults showed a base rate for aggression of 9%. The predictive validity of the V-RISK-10 was estimated by Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC). It yielded an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.83, with sensitivity/specificity of 0.81/0.73 and corresponding positive and negative predictive values (PPV/NPV) of 0.24/0.97. The screen was easy-to-use and showed a short completion time.ConclusionDespite promising results further validation studies are required before the V-RISK-10 is adopted into routine clinical practise.
The role of frequency of experience with a product category and temporal orientation in self‐referent advertising
Authors: Dimofte Claudiu V. , Yalch Richard F. 
Published: April 2010

AbstractPrevious research conceptualized consumers' evaluations of self‐referent advertisements as discrete episodic processing instances requiring the ad‐hoc matching of ad and personal knowledge detail. The present research proposes that consumers with frequent (infrequent) experiences in a product category are primarily semantic (episodic) processors. Consequently, consumers with frequent experiences have an illusion of detail matching in retrospective self‐referencing resulting from schema‐driven memory intrusions induced by highly detailed ads. Alternatively, consumers with infrequent experiences exhibit intrusions in anticipatory self‐referencing due to imagination inflation prompted by these ads. Two experiments demonstrate how consumer knowledge‐based details interact with message details in retrospective and anticipatory self‐referencing situations to alter ad evaluations depending on the extent of prior experience.
In vitro analysis of radiation‐induced dermal wounds
Authors: Goessler Ulrich Reinhart , Bugert Peter , Kassner Stefan , Stern‐Straeter Jens , Bran Gregor , Sadick Haneen , Hörmann Karl , Riedel Frank 
Published: April 2010

ObjectiveTo investigate the pathophysiology of radiation‐induced wounds of the head and neck at a molecular level.Study DesignBasic science, prospective study.SettingThe study was conducted at the Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Ruprecht Karls‐University Heidelberg, Faculty of Medicine Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany.Subjects and MethodsKeratinocytes from chronic nonhealing ulcers in irradiated areas as well as from healthy skin areas in the same patients (n = 3) were harvested during surgical procedures and isolated in cell culture. First, a proliferation assay was performed. Gene expression was analyzed by microarray, protein expression by immunohistochemistry.ResultsKeratinocytes from radiogenic wounds showed a shift from the high molecular keratins 1 and 10 to the low molecular keratins 5 and 14 compared to normal control skin. Keratinocytes from nonhealing wounds showed a decreased expression of transforming growth factor alpha and beta 1, fibroblast growth factor 1 and 2, keratinocyte growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor, and hepatocyte growth factor. The matrix metalloproteinases 2, 12, and 13 showed increased expression in irradiated keratinocytes and fibroblasts.ConclusionOur data showed a change of keratinocytes to a less differentiated state due to radiation. Additionally, it seems that radiation‐induced dermal injuries often fail to heal because of decreased proliferation, impaired angiogenesis, and persistently high concentrations of matrix metalloproteinases.
High dietary intake of prebiotic inulin-type fructans in the prehistoric Chihuahuan Desert
Authors: Leach Jeff D. , Sobolik Kristin D. 
Published: April 2010

Archaeological evidence from dry cave deposits in the northern Chihuahuan Desert reveal intensive utilisation of desert plants that store prebiotic inulin-type fructans as the primary carbohydrate. In this semi-arid region limited rainfall and poor soil conditions prevented the adoption of agriculture and thus provides a unique glimpse into a pure hunter–forager economy spanning over 10 000 years. Ancient cooking features, stable carbon isotope analysis of human skeletons, and well-preserved coprolites and macrobotanical remains reveal a plant-based diet that included a dietary intake of about 135 g prebiotic inulin-type fructans per d by the average adult male hunter–forager. These data reveal that man is well adapted to daily intakes of prebiotics well above those currently consumed in the modern diet.
Response of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) to graded levels of methionine (total sulfur amino acids) in soya protein-based semi-purified diets
Authors: Tulli Francesca , Messina Maria , Calligaris Matteo , Tibaldi Emilio 
Published: April 2010

The dietary methionine (Met) and total sulfur amino acid (TSAA) requirements of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) (initial body weight 13·4 (sd0·2) g) were estimated in a 12-week dose–response experiment. Seven isonitrogenous (7·6 % DM) and isoenergetic (gross energy, 21·2 MJ/kg DM) diets, based on soya protein and crystallinel-amino acids containing graded levels ofl-Met (1·6–16·2 g/kg) at a constant cysteine (4 g/kg) level and a fish meal-based diet, were fed each to triplicate groups of fifty fish kept in 250 litre tanks in a thermoregulated (23 ± 0·5°C) seawater system. The Met and TSAA-deficient diet resulted in higher mortality, impaired feed intake and growth relative to the other treatments (P < 0·01). No signs of lens opacity due to limiting Met intake were observed and no feed intake or growth depression occurred at the highest level of dietary TSAA. Met and TSAA requirements for optimal N deposition or weight gain as fitted with the broken-line model resulted in estimated values of 8·0 and 12·0 g/kg diet (for example, 1·8 and 2·7 % dietary protein) and 9·1 and 13·1 g/kg diet (for example, 2·0 and 3·0 % dietary protein), respectively. Plasma levels of Met, homocysteine and cysteine increased in response to excess dietary TSAA, corroborating requirement estimates from growth data. N gain resulted in a linear function of TSAA consumption at marginal Met (TSAA) intake. The TSAA intake needed to maintain N balance resulted in a value of 20·0 mg TSAA/kg average body weight0·75per d, which represents 23 % of the total (maintenance+accretion) requirement.
Temporal reproducibility of taurine measurements in frozen serum of healthy postmenopausal women
Authors: Wójcik Oktawia P. , Koenig Karen L. , Zeleniuch-Jacquotte Anne , Costa Max , Chen Yu 
Published: April 2010

Animal studies and small clinical trials have shown that taurine (2-aminoethanesulphonic acid), a sulphur-containing molecule mainly obtained from the diet in human subjects, has a variety of biological actions that are related to atherosclerosis and cardiovascular functions. However, epidemiological studies of taurine and CHD risk are lacking. We evaluated whether a single measurement of serum taurine could serve as an estimate for long-term serum levels. Serum taurine was measured using HPLC in three annual samples from thirty postmenopausal women selected from the New York University Women's Health Study. Overall, serum taurine values ranged from 62·8 to 245·3 nmol/ml, with a mean of 140 nmol/ml. The intraclass correlation coefficient of a single measurement of serum taurine was 0·48 (95 % CI 0·26, 0·68), which can be improved to 0·65 by using the mean of two annual measurements. The CV was 7 %. These results indicate that the mean of two or more annual measurements of serum taurine is a sufficiently reliable measure of long-term serum levels that can be used in epidemiological studies.
Contribution to the study of the reproductive cycle of the wide-eyed flounder Bothus podas podas in the Gulf of Gabès (Tunisia)
Authors: Abid S. , Ouannes-Ghorbel A. , Jarboui O. , Bouain A. 
Published: April 2010

The wide-eyed flounder Bothus podas podas is a small fish that belongs to the Bothidae family. This species is a demersal fish inhabiting sandy and muddy bottoms where it lives buried in the sand. In the Gulf of Gabès (Tunisia), B. podas podas is an uncommon fish caught in small quantities by trawlers, between depths of 20 and 50 m. There are very few complete studies of the biology of this fish in the Mediterranean Sea. Even in Tunisia, the biology of B. podas podas is unknown. In addition, it has been noticed that during the last few years, despite having weak commercial value, this fish has attracted the fishermen's attention of the region after the observed reduction in the flat fish stocks, particularly the Egyptian sole Solea aegyptiaca. The aim of this work was to study the reproduction of B. podas podas and determine the sex-ratio, the sexual cycle, the spawning period and the first sexual maturity. The data for this work was collected during the period of May 2004 until September 2005. In general, this study shows that the proportion of sexes is in favour of females and permits us to analyse the sex-ratio variations according to the size and age of the fish. It also seems that males grow faster than females. The monthly following of the gonad somatic index (GSI), the liver somatic index (LSI) and the condition factor (K) enabled us to determine that the period of maturation occurs from May to August, to define the spawning period from August to November and to deduce that B. podas podas uses the lipid reserves accumulated in the liver to develop its gonads. Concerning the first sexual maturity it was noted that the main size related to 25%, 50% and 75% of matured individuals were respectively for males: 19.68 cm, 21 cm and 22.34 cm and for females: 18.87 cm, 20.4 cm and 21.93 cm. The coefficients of the logistic function were for males: a = 0.827, b = 17.38 and for females: a = 0.718, b = 14.65.
Social Determinants of Health for Older Women in Canada: Does Rural–Urban Residency Matter?
Authors: Wanless Deanna , Mitchell Barbara A. , Wister Andrew V. 
Published: April 2010

RÉSUMÉCette étude a fourni une analyse exploratoire des principaux déterminants sociaux de la santé des femmes âgées canadiennes, en se concentrant sur les différences entre la résidence dans régions rurals et urbaines, étant donné que le statut socio-économique (SES) et le capital social ont été démontrés diffèrent selon la résidence rurale-urbaine. Une analyse secondaire a été effectuée en utilisant l’Enquête de la santé communautaire canadienne, 2000/2001. Une analyse comparative de régression logistique a inopinément révélé que les variables de statut socio-économique et capital social étaient plus fortement associés à la santé des femmes plus âgées urbaines qu’avec leurs homologues rurales. Les associations entre les mesures de revenu de ménage et l’état de santé, de l’insécurité alimentaire et d’appartenance au communauté n’ont pas été pris en charge, pour la plupart, parmi les femmes rurales, mais ont été pris en charge pour leurs homologues urbains. Les conclusions concernant les applications du modèle social-déterminants-de-santé sont discutées pour expliquer les motifs de santé parmi les femmes âgées urbaines et rurales.
Confirmatory Analysis of the Bradburn Affect Balance Scale and its Relationship with Morale in Older Canadian Adults
Authors: Helmes Edward , Goffin Richard D. , Chrisjohn Roland D. 
Published: April 2010

RÉSUMÉLa mesure des constructions psychologiques dépend des définitions objectives et des relations démontrées entre les items, les échelles et les théories pertinentes. Dans cette étude nous avons examiné ces relations pour la mesure de l’émotion telle que reflétée par l’«Affect Balance Scale» de Bradburn . Les résultats des analyses confirmatoires des données de 187 adultes canadiens âgés (âge moyen: 69.7) montrent qu’une structure bidimensionnelle rend mieux compte des données que le modèle unidimensionnel bipolaire suggéré par la clé de correction originale. Les deux dimensions, cependant, ont montré des modèles parallèles de corrélations avec deux mesures du« morale » et une mesure de la désirabilité sociale, mais ces modèles différaient du score d’ABS unidimensionnel classique. Les résultats suggèrent que l’«Affect Balance Scale» de Bradburn devrait être utilisée prudemment et qu’il faut rendre le score de deux dimensions faciles à distinguer.
Investigating novelty–outcome relationships in engineering design
Authors: Srinivasan V. , Chakrabarti Amaresh 
Published: April 2010

AbstractDesign creativity involves developing novel and useful solutions to design problems. The research in this article is an attempt to understand how novelty of a design resulting from a design process is related to the kind of outcomes, described here as constructs, involved in the design process. A model of causality, the SAPPhIRE model, is used as the basis of the analysis. The analysis is based on previous research that shows that designing involves development and exploration of the seven basic constructs of the SAPPhIRE model that constitute the causal connection between the various levels of abstraction at which a design can be described. The constructs are state change, action, parts, phenomenon, input, organs, and effect. The following two questions are asked. Is there a relationship between novelty and the constructs? If there is a relationship, what is the degree of this relationship? A hypothesis is developed to answer the questions: an increase in the number and variety of ideas explored while designing should enhance the variety of concept space, leading to an increase in the novelty of the concept space. Eight existing observational studies of designing sessions are used to empirically validate the hypothesis. Each designing session involves an individual designer, experienced or novice, solving a design problem by producing concepts and following a think-aloud protocol. The results indicate dependence of novelty of concept space on variety of concept space and dependence of variety of concept space on variety of idea space, thereby validating the hypothesis. The results also reveal a strong correlation between novelty and the constructs; correlation value decreases as the abstraction level of the constructs reduces, signifying the importance of using constructs at higher abstraction levels for enhancing novelty.