bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Atypical presentation of pseudoxanthoma elasticum with abdominal cutis laxa: Evidence for a spectrum of ectopic calcification disorders?
Authors: Vanakker Olivier M. , Leroy Bart P. , Schurgers Leon J. , Vermeer Cees , Coucke Paul J. , De Paepe Anne 
Published: September 2011

AbstractA patient is presented with severe cutis laxa of the abdomen. Molecular investigations, including sequencing of the fibulin‐5 and elastin gene, failed to endorse the diagnosis of inherited cutis laxa. Ultrasonographical discovery of renal calcifications during his general work‐up suggested a possible diagnosis of pseudo‐xanthoma elasticum (PXE). A discrete yellowish reticular pattern in the anterior neck region was detected upon careful clinical examination. Clinically, the patient presented characteristics of both classic PXE (retinopathy, renal calcifications) and the PXE‐like syndrome (cutis laxa beyond the flexural areas). Skin biopsy and ophthalmological examination confirmed the diagnosis of PXE. In addition, ultrastructural evaluation revealed calcium deposits in the periphery of elastic fibers, a typical observation in the PXE‐like syndrome. Immunohistochemical experiments and ELISA tests for various inhibitors of calcification displayed results which were partly reminiscent of both PXE and the PXE‐like syndrome. Molecular analysis revealed not only two ABCC6 mutations (related to PXE), but also a gain of function SNP in the GGCX gene, in which loss‐of‐function mutations cause the PXE‐like syndrome. We conclude that the patients phenotype and—to a further extent—the PXE‐like syndrome, are part of a spectrum of ectopic calcification disorders which are clinically and/or pathogenetically related to PXE. The molecular findings in this patient are however insufficient to explain the entire phenotype and suggest a role for multiple genetic factors in soft tissue mineralization. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Synthesis, spectral, and thermal characterization of photoreactive epoxy resin containing cycloalkanone moiety in the main chain
Authors: Devi R. , Murugavel S. C. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractDual functional epoxy resins were synthesized by solution polycondensation of 2,6‐bis(4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxy benzylidene)cyclohexanone and 2,5‐bis(4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxy benzylidene)cyclopentanone with epichlorohydrin. The synthesized epoxy resins were characterized systematically for their structure by UV, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), 1H NMR, and 13C NMR spectroscopic techniques. Thermal characterization of synthesized epoxy resins was carried out by thermogravimetric analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) under nitrogen atmosphere. The self extinguishing property of synthesized oligomers was studied by determining limiting oxygen index (LOI) values using Van Krevelen's equation. X‐ray analysis showed that the epoxy resins containing cyclopentanone have higher degree of crystallinity. The photoreactive property of the synthesized epoxy resins in solution and film states was investigated by UV–Vis spectroscopy. The photocross‐linking proceeds through the dimerization of olefinic chromophore present in the main chain of the oligomer via 2π + 2π cycloaddition reaction. The influence of photoacid generator on the rate of photocross‐linking of epoxy resin was studied by FTIR. UV irradiation of the epoxy resin in presence of photoacid generator produces aromatic sulfonium cation radicals and aromatic radicals which initiate the cationic ring‐opening polymerization of oxirane ring. The photoreactivity studies of the oligomers by FTIR and DSC indicated the presence of dual functionality in the synthesized epoxy resins. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Comparative metabolite analysis to understand lactate metabolism shift in Chinese hamster ovary cell culture process
Authors: Luo Jun , Vijayasankaran Natarajan , Autsen Jennifer , Santuray Rodell , Hudson Terry , Amanullah Ashraf , Li Feng 
Published: September 2011

AbstractA metabolic shift from lactate production (LP) to net lactate consumption (LC) phenotype was observed in certain Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell lines during the implementation of a new chemically defined medium (CDM) formulation for antibody production. In addition, this metabolic shift typically leads to process performance improvements in cell growth, productivity, process robustness, and scalability. In our previous studies, a correlation between a key media component, copper, and this lactate metabolism shift was observed. To further investigate this phenomenon, two complementary studies were conducted. In the first study, a single cell line was cultivated in two media that only differed in their copper concentrations, yet were known to generate an LP or LC phenotype with that cell line. In the second study, two different cell lines, which were known to possess inherently different lactate metabolic characteristics, were cultivated in the same medium with a high level of copper; one cell line produced lactate throughout the duration of the culture, and the other consumed lactate after an initial period of LP. Cell pellet and supernatant samples from both studies were collected at regular time intervals, and their metabolite profiles were investigated. The primary finding from the metabolic analysis was that the cells in LP conditions exhibited a less efficient energy metabolism, with glucose primarily being converted into pyruvate, sorbitol, lactate, and other glycolytic intermediates. This decrease in energy efficiency may be due to an inability of pyruvate and acetyl‐CoA to progress into the TCA cycle. The lack of progression into the TCA cycle or overflow metabolism in the LP phenotype resulted in the inadequate supply of ATP for the cells. As a consequence, the glycolysis pathway remained the major source of ATP, which in turn, resulted in continuous LP throughout the culture. In addition, the accumulation of free fatty acids was observed; this was thought to be a result of phospholipid catabolism that was being used to supplement the energy produced through glycolysis in order to meet the needs of LP cells. A thorough review of the metabolic profiles indicated that the lactate metabolic shift could be related to the oxidative metabolic capacity of cells. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2012;109: 146–156. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Determination of the Effect of Aeration Rate on Composting of Vegetable–Fruit Wastes
Authors: Arslan E. Işıl , Ünlü Ayhan , Topal Murat 
Published: September 2011

AbstractIn this study, it was aimed to determine the effect of various aeration rates on composting to supply the optimum aeration rate for a successful and economic composting. For this aim, vegetable–fruit wastes (VFW) were composted at various aeration rates (0.37, 0.49, 0.62, 0.74, 0.86, and 0.99 L/min kg VS) and moisture, temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, C/N, and cellulose were investigated. Moistures of the reactor that had the highest aeration were generally lower than those of the others. Reactor that had the lowest aeration reached thermophilic phase earlier than the others and stayed more days. This situation was opposite for the reactor that had the highest aeration. pH variations with aeration rates were not significant. Although electrical conductivity did not differ significantly with aeration rates, at the beginning of the thermophilic phase it generally increased with the increase in aeration. The highest C/N reduction was observed in the reactor that had an aeration of 0.62 L/min kg VS. The final cellulose contents were close to each other. It could be said that aeration rates used were efficient on composting of VFW. Taking the C/N into account which is the parameter of the indicator of the stabilization in composting, it could be said that the optimum aeration rate for forced aerobic composting of VFW was 0.62 L/min kg VS.
Lactobacillus casei Zhang stimulates lipid metabolism in hypercholesterolemic rats by affecting gene expression in the liver
Authors: Zhong Zhi , Zhang Wenyi , Du Ruiting , Meng He , Zhang Heping 
Published: September 2011

AbstractIn this study, we show that administration of Lactobacillus casei Zhang evokes a significant reduction in the levels of cholesterol, triglycerides (TGs), and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) from the serum and liver of hypercholesterolemic rats. After administration of L. casei Zhang, there was 31.5 and 30.8% reduction in the levels of serum TG and LDL‐C. DNA microarray results revealed that 755 genes, mainly involved in biological regulation, and cellular and metabolic processes, were differentially expressed in the liver from rats treated with probiotic bacteria, wherein, 324 genes were up‐regulated and 431 were down‐regulated, respectively. In the up‐regulated group, we characterized genes including Acsl1, Hadh, Acaa2, Acads, and gcdH, which are involved in β‐oxidation of fatty acids and encodes enzymes catalyzing critical steps for CoA synthesis and dehydrogenation. It is possible that Lactobacillus could accelerate the fatty acid catabolism by enhancing β‐oxidation step, thus reducing the level of free fatty acid and TG in the serum and liver. Subsequently, it may trigger lipid homeostasis that converts TGs, which are the main storage form of fatty acids, into free fatty acids, and lower TG concentrations both in the serum and liver.Practical applications: Lactobacillus casei Zhang has the ability to reduce cholesterol level in the blood by stimulating gene expression related to lipid metabolism, particularly through β‐oxidation of fatty acids in liver, thereby, making it an effective candidate probiotic to treat hypercholesterolemia. The findings of this study should provide very useful information in understanding the molecular mechanism of the hypocholesterolemic effect of the strain in an animal model.
Local disruption of glial adenosine homeostasis in mice associates with focal electrographic seizures: A first step in epileptogenesis?
Authors: Li Tianfu , Lytle Nikki , Lan Jing‐Quan , Sandau Ursula S. , Boison Detlev 
Published: September 2011

AbstractAstrogliosis and associated dysfunction of adenosine homeostasis are pathological hallmarks of the epileptic brain and thought to contribute to seizure generation in epilepsy. The authors hypothesized that astrogliosis—an early component of the epileptogenic cascade—might be linked to focal seizure onset. To isolate the contribution of astrogliosis to ictogenesis from other pathological events involved in epilepsy, the authors used a minimalistic model of epileptogenesis in mice, based on a focal onset status epilepticus triggered by intra‐amygdaloid injection of kainic acid. The authors demonstrate acute neuronal cell loss restricted to the injected amygdala and ipsilateral CA3, followed 3 weeks later by focal astrogliosis and overexpression of the adenosine‐metabolizing enzyme adenosine kinase (ADK). Using synchronous electroencephalographic recordings from multiple depth electrodes, the authors identify the KA‐injected amygdala and ipsilateral CA3 as two independent foci for the initiation of non‐synchronized electrographic subclinical seizures. Importantly, seizures remained focal and restricted to areas of ADK overexpression. However, after systemic application of a non‐convulsive dose of an adenosine A1‐receptor antagonist, seizures in amygdala and CA3 immediately synchronized and spread throughout the cortex, leading to convulsive seizures. This focal seizure phenotype remained stable over at least several weeks. We conclude that astrogliosis via disruption of adenosine homeostasis per se and in the absence of any other overt pathology, is associated with the emergence of spontaneous recurrent subclinical seizures, which remain stable over space and time. A secondary event, here mimicked by brain‐wide disruption of adenosine signaling, is likely required to turn pre‐existing subclinical seizures into a clinical seizure phenotype. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
AN AHP MODEL FOR CROP PLANNING WITHIN IRRIGATION COMMAND AREAS
Authors: Montazar Aliasghar , Gaffari Ahmad 
Published: September 2011

ABSTRACTCrop planning decisions are complex due to a number of constraints, the desire to secure crop diversification and the involvement of various affected parameters. In the present study, a multi‐criteria technique, an analytical hierarchy process (AHP), is considered a promising framework for selecting adequate cropping patterns in an irrigation command area. The approach is illustrated using data from the Varamin Irrigation Network in I.R. Iran. Ten attribute decisions are considered for ranking the type of crop in the cropping system. These criteria are assumed nine attributes for determination of the crop cultivation area. The results show that the AHP can synthesize various sets of criteria in the preferred elicitation of the type and the cultivated area. It is concluded that AHP can be used to aggregate preferences in order to obtain a group decision, improve understanding of the choice problem, accommodate multiple objectives and increase transparency and credibility in decision making by actively involving relevant criteria in the crop planning. Further research could include a useful extension of the methodology, which could be devised by using other multi‐objective methods and incorporating fuzzy set theory. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tumor detection from enhanced magnetic resonance imaging using fuzzy curvelet
Authors: Jaffar M. Arfan , Ain Quratul , Choi Tae Sun 
Published: September 2011

AbstractEffective medical image analysis is possible by the use of technique known as segmentation. Segmentation is a very challenging task because there is not any standard segmentation method is available for any medical application. In this article, we have proposed an automatic brain MR image segmentation method. Fast discrete curvelet transform and spatial fuzzy C‐mean algorithm is used for noise removal and segmentation of brain MR image. Fuzzy entropy has been used for calculating adaptive and optimal threshold to separate out the image segments. Our proposed system is exclusively based on the information contained by the image itself. No extra information and no human intervention are required in our proposed system. We have tested our proposed system on different T1, T2 and PD brain MR images. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Manganese‐enhanced MRI reveals multiple cellular and vascular layers in normal and degenerated retinas
Authors: Nair Govind , Pardue Machelle T. , Kim Moon , Duong Timothy Q. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractPurpose:To use manganese‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MEMRI) at 25 × 25 × 800 μm3 to image different retinal and vascular layers in the rat retinas.Materials and Methods:Manganese‐chloride was injected intraocularly in normal (n = 5) and Royal College of Surgeons (RCS, an model of photoreceptor degeneration) (n = 5) rats at postnatal day 90. MEMRI at 4.7 T was performed 24 hours later. MRI was repeated following intravenous Gd‐DTPA in the same animals to highlight the vasculatures. Layer assignment and thickness were compared to histology.Results:MEMRI 24 hours after intravitreal manganese‐chloride injection revealed seven bands of alternating hyper‐ and hypointensities, corresponding histologically to the ganglion cell layer, inner plexiform layer, inner nuclear layer, outer plexiform layer, outer nuclear layer, photoreceptor‐segment layer, and choroidal vascular layer. Intravenous Gd‐DTPA—which does not cross the blood–retinal barrier and the retinal pigment epithelium—further enhanced the two layers bounding the retina, corresponding to the retinal and choroidal vascular layers, but not the avascular outer nuclear layer and the photoreceptor‐segment layer. MEMRI of the RCS retinas revealed the loss of the outer plexiform layer, outer nuclear layer, and photoreceptor‐segment layer. Histological analysis corroborated the MRI laminar assignments and thicknesses.Conclusion:Lamina‐specific retinal structures neurodegenerative changes to structure in retinal diseases can be detected using MEMRI. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2011;. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Magnetic resonance imaging measurement reproducibility for calf muscle and adipose tissue volume
Authors: Commean Paul K. , Tuttle Lori J. , Hastings Mary K. , Strube Michael J. , Mueller Michael J. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractPurpose:To describe a new semiautomated method for segmenting and measuring the volume of the muscle, bone, and adipose (subcutaneous and intermuscular) tissue in calf muscle compartments using magnetic resonance (MR) images and determine the intrarater and interrater reproducibility of the measures.Materials and Methods:Proton‐density weighted MR images were acquired from the right calf of 21 subjects. Three raters segmented and measured the volumes of bones, adipose tissue, and five individual muscle compartments. Two raters repeated the segmentations. The intra‐ and interrater reproducibility of the measures (intraclass correlation coefficients; ICC) were determined using generalizability theory.Results:All ICC values were greater than 0.96. The average standard error of the mean (SEM) of all measures was 1.21 cm3 and none were greater than 2.3 cm3. Essentially all variation (≥97% for all measures) was due to subject differences, indicating low error in the measurements.Conclusion:The volumetric measurements for the bones, adipose tissue, and muscle in each of the compartments using MRI were highly reproducible. MRI can provide quantitative, reproducible volumetric measures of bone, adipose tissue, and individual muscle compartments in the calf. We believe these methods can be used to quantify specific muscle or adipose volumetric measures for other clinical or research purposes. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2011;. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Impact of partial volume effects on visceral adipose tissue quantification using MRI
Authors: Zhou Anqi , Murillo Horacio , Peng Qi 
Published: September 2011

AbstractPurpose:To quantitatively estimate the impact of partial volume effects on visceral adipose tissue (VAT) quantification using typical resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Materials and Methods:Nine normal or overweight subjects were scanned at central abdomen levels with a water‐saturated, balanced steady‐state free precession (b‐SSFP) sequence. The water‐saturation effectiveness was evaluated with region‐of‐interest analysis on fat, muscle, bowel, and noise areas. The number of full‐volume (FV) and partial‐volume (PV) fat pixels was estimated based on a gray‐level histogram model of water‐saturated images. Both FV and PV fat amounts were quantified.Results:High‐quality, fat‐only images were generated with the b‐SSFP imaging method. Fat SNR was 77.7 ± 25.6 and water‐saturation was effective, with the average fat‐to‐water signal intensity ratio = 20.7 ± 3.8. The average ratio of partial‐ to full‐volume fat amounts was 104.0%. The ratio was higher with lower body mass index (BMI) and PV fat amount only increased slightly when BMI increased.Conclusion:PV fat contributes a significant amount of fat to fat measurements on typical spatial resolution MRI on normal and overweight subjects. The relative PV fat contribution is markedly higher in slimmer patients. Inclusion of this portion of the adipose tissue will increase overall accuracy and decrease variability of VAT quantification using MRI. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2011;. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
On stackelberg pricing with computationally bounded customers
Authors: Briest Patrick , Gualà Luciano , Hoefer Martin , Ventre Carmine 
Published: September 2011

AbstractIn Stackelberg pricing a leader sets prices for items to maximize revenue from a follower purchasing a feasible subset of items. We consider computationally bounded followers who cannot optimize exactly over the range of all feasible subsets, but who apply publicly known algorithms to determine the items to purchase. This corresponds to general multidimensional pricing when customers cannot optimize their valuation functions efficiently but still aim to act rationally to the best of their ability. We consider two versions of this novel type of pricing problem. In the MIn‐KNAPSACK variant items are weighted objects and the follower seeks to purchase a min‐cost selection of objects of some bounded weight. When he uses a greedy 2‐approximation algorithm, we provide a polynomial‐time (2+ε) ‐approximation algorithm for the leader's revenue maximization problem based on so‐called near‐uniform price assignments. We also prove the problem to be strongly NP‐hard. In the SET‐COVER variant items are subsets of some ground set which the follower seeks to cover. When he uses a standard primal‐dual approach, we prove that exact revenue maximization is possible in polynomial time when elements have frequency 2 (VERTEX‐COVER variant). This stands in sharp contrast to APX‐hardness for the problem with elements of frequency 3. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, 2012
Depressed mothers as informants on child behavior: Methodological issues
Authors: Ordway Monica Roosa 
Published: September 2011

AbstractMothers with depressive symptoms more frequently report behavioral problems among their children than non‐depressed mothers leading to a debate regarding the accuracy of depressed mothers as informants of children's behavior. The purpose of this integrative review was to identify methodological challenges in research related to the debate. Data were extracted from 43 articles (6 theoretical, 36 research reports, and 1 instrument scoring manual). The analysis focused on the methodologies considered when using depressed mothers as informants. Nine key themes were identified and I concluded that researchers should incorporate multiple informants, identify the characteristics of maternal depression, and incorporate advanced statistical methodology. The use of a conceptual framework to understand informant discrepancies within child behavior evaluations is suggested for future research. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health 34:520–532, 2011
There is no way to identify patients who will harbor small volume, unilateral prostate cancer at final pathology. Implications for focal therapies
Authors: Briganti Alberto , Tutolo Manuela , Suardi Nazareno , Gallina Andrea , Abdollah Firas , Capitanio Umberto , Freschi Massimo , Bianchi Marco , Salonia Andrea , Colombo Renzo , Rigatti Patrizio , Montorsi Francesco 
Published: September 2011

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe aim of this study was to assess the clinical characteristics of the potentially ideal candidates for focal therapy, that is, patients with unilateral, small volume (namely, pT2a) prostate cancer (PCa) at radical prostatectomy (RP).MATERIALS AND METHODSWe evaluated 2,503 consecutive pT2 PCa patients treated with RP between 2002 and 2009 at a single center. Within this population, the clinical characteristics of patients with pT2a and pT2b/c disease were compared. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were fitted to assess clinical predictors of pT2a at RP.RESULTSOverall, 349 patients (14%) had pT2a PCa, while the remaining patients had either pT2b (n = 334; 15.5%) or pT2c disease (n = 1,820 patients; 84.5%). Patients with pT2a PCa had a significantly lower mean PSA value, lower mean percentage of positive biopsy cores and lower biopsy Gleason score distribution (all P ≤ 0.03). However, at multivariable analyses, only percentage of positive cores maintained an independent predictor status (P = 0.01). Even when considering only patients sharing all the most favorable PCa characteristics (namely, clinical stage T1, PSA ≤ 4, Gleason score ≤6 and percentage of positive cores ≤25%), the rate of pT2a disease was only 24%.CONCLUSIONSThe rate of small volume, unilateral PCa even among patients with extremely favourable PCa characteristics was remarkably low (roughly 25%). This suggests that: (1) Three quarters of the best candidates for focal therapy would ultimately show adverse pathological features; (2) At present, accurate identification of the ideal candidate for focal therapy is not possible with current clinical‐pathologic parameters. Prostate 72:925–930, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.