bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Physiological, Volatile, and SEM Surface Effects Resulting from Cutting and Dipping Treatments in Cantaloupe
Authors: Beaulieu John C. , Ingber Bruce F. , Lea Jeanne M. 
Published: August 2011

Abstract:  Previous research examined sanitation treatments on cut cantaloupe tissue to deliver germicidal and food safety effects. However, an apparent compromise between volatile loss and treatment/sampling efficacy appeared. Subsequently, a physiological and volatile reassessment of thinly sliced tissue against cubes was performed in cantaloupe tissue. Thin sliced cantaloupe L* decreased 27.5%, 40.5%, and 52.9% in 3, 2, and 1 mm thickness, respectively, compared with cut cubes after 3 d. Overall color (C) decreased in freshly prepared cubes (2.4%) and slices (14.4%) that were washed in cold water. Surface area per unit volume (SA: vol) in slices was 4.1 times greater than typical cubes, as reflected by substantial water loss (20.4%, 9.5%, and 6.7% in 1, 2 and 3‐mm slices, respectively) after 1 d at 5 °C. Rinsing cubes and thin‐slices with 5 °C deionized water resulted in roughly 15% soluble solids loss. SEM indicated 65.4% reduced cell size in 1‐d old thin slices, evidenced by excessive cell damage and desiccation compared with stored fresh‐cut cubes. In thin‐sliced tissue exposed 15 min to an open atmosphere (mimic sanitation treatments), total esters decreased 92.8% and 95.8%, respectively, after 1 and 3 d storage at 5 °C. Washing tissue provided a boundary layer that reduced short‐term ester losses in slices and cubes. Excessive cutting, sanitation treatment regimes, and storage can radically alter the desirable volatile profile of cut cantaloupe. Reduction of tissue size to maximize food‐safety sanitation efficacy or delivering items to a niche market will need substantial work to engineer equipment and develop protocols to insure that product quality and volatiles are not compromised.Practical Application:  We have demonstrated that cutting method and sampling protocol are critically important when using volatiles as a means by which to assess or interpret stress response and ascribe fresh‐cut quality. Reduction of tissue size to maximize food‐safety sanitation efficacy (for example, thin slices) will need substantial work to engineer equipment and design protocols to insure product quality and volatile profiles are not compromised.
Interactions between Hemoglobin and Cod Muscle Constituents following Treatment at Extreme pH Values
Authors: Vareltzis Patroklos , Adamopoulos Konstantinos G. , Hultin Herbert O. 
Published: August 2011

Abstract:  Acid and/or alkaline solubilization is a recent method developed to separate proteins from muscle foods with good functional properties. However, exposure of the muscle and its components to low pH values has been shown to promote lipid oxidation, limiting therefore the applications of this novel method. This research aimed primarily to study the physicochemical changes of the fish membranes brought about during acid or alkali solubilization processes. The effect on lipid oxidation and the possible role of the water soluble fraction of the muscle (press juice) as a potent antioxidant were also investigated. Model systems comprising minced cod muscle or cod microsomal suspensions were used. Results showed that acid or alkaline treatment (pH < 3.5 or pH > 10.5) of cod membranes significantly delayed lipid oxidation. Added triacylglycerols to washed cod system treated at low pH did not enhance hemoglobin‐mediated lipid oxidation. Decreased precipitation of hemoglobin was observed with the alkali‐treated membranes at all protein concentrations compared to the acid‐treated and the untreated membranes. Finally, the addition of press juice to washed cod muscle tissue or to the membrane model system, significantly delayed hemoglobin lipid oxidation.Practical Application:  The results of this study can be used to improve pH‐shifting technologies to avoid or decrease lipid oxidation problems. Also, the use of press‐juice from cod muscle as means of protecting the muscle against lipid oxidation is suggested.
Prevalence and incidence of ocular trauma in North China: the Beijing Eye Study
Authors: Wang Jin D. , Xu Liang , Wang Ya X. , You Qi S. , Zhang Jing S. , Jonas Jost B. 
Published: August 2011

Abstract.Purpose:  To determine the prevalence and incidence of ocular trauma and proportion of trauma‐related visual impairment in the population of Greater Beijing.Methods:  The population‐based Beijing Eye Study included 4439 subjects in 2001, of whom 3251 subjects returned for follow‐up examination in 2006 (response rate: 73.3%). The subjects underwent a comprehensive ocular evaluation. Prospective information on ocular trauma and type of treatment was recorded with questionnaires in face‐to‐face interviews.Results:  A history of ocular trauma was reported by 72 (1.6 ± 0.2%) subjects (age‐standardized prevalence: 1.7 ± 0.01%). Prevalence of ocular trauma history was associated with male gender (p = 0.02), rural residence (p = 0.04) and alcohol consumption (p = 0.01). Trauma as underlying cause for visual impairment (best‐corrected visual acuity <20/60 and ≥20/400) was found in 4 (6.6%) eyes and as underlying cause for blindness (best‐corrected visual acuity <20/400) in three eyes (4.2%). In the survey of 2006, 116 (3.6 ± 0.3%) participants had a self‐reported history of ocular trauma, which was associated with male gender (p = 0.002), low income (p = 0.01) and alcohol consumption (p = 0.016). The 5‐year incidence of ocular trauma was 2.6 ± 0.3%, which was associated with male gender (p = 0.02), younger age (p = 0.037) and lower income (p = 0.009).Conclusions:  In the adult population of Greater Beijing with an age of 40+ years, the prevalence of ocular trauma was 1.6 ± 0.2% and was associated with male gender, rural residence and alcohol consumption. The age‐standardized ocular trauma prevalence of 1.7 ± 0.01% was comparable with figures from Caucasian populations. The 5‐year incidence of ocular trauma of 2.6 ± 0.3% was associated with male gender, younger age and lower income.
Association between oxytocin receptor gene polymorphisms and autistic traits as measured by the Autism‐Spectrum Quotient in a non‐clinical Japanese population
Authors: Kawamura Yoshiya , Liu Xiaoxi , Shimada Takafumi , Otowa Takeshi , Kakiuchi Chihiro , Akiyama Tsuyoshi , Umekage Tadashi , Sasaki Tsukasa 
Published: August 2011

AbstractIntroductionOxytocin is known to facilitate human behavior and social cognition related to autism. Subclinical autistic traits are continuously distributed in the general population. The aim of this study was to explore the association between oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) polymorphisms and autistic traits.MethodsParticipants consisted of 440 healthy Japanese (272 males and 168 females; mean age 40.9 ± 9.7 years). Participants completed the Japanese version of the Autism‐Spectrum Quotient (AQ) and donated a whole blood sample. Fifteen OXTR single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped using TaqMan or by direct sequencing. Single SNP linear regression analysis, permuted 10,000 times, and haplotype linear regression analysis, were conducted for the AQ and its subscale scores.ResultsThree SNPs – rs2268490, rs2301261, and rs1042778 – were excluded from analysis, as the genotype distributions of rs2268490 were not in Hardy‐Weinberg equilibrium, and there were less than 10 minor homozygous participants for rs2301261 and rs1042778. This resulted in 12 SNPs being tested. rs62243370, rs62243369, rs2254298, and rs2268491 were associated with attention switching subscale in females by the single SNP analysis. However, after performing Bonferroni corrections, statistical significances were eliminated. The attention switching subscale was associated with a specific haplotype, comprising rs62243370, rs62243369, rs13316193, rs2254298, rs2268493, and rs2268491 (GGTGTC, corrected P = 0.0016) in females.DiscussionThe present study demonstrated a significant association between a specific OXTR haplotype and the autistic trait of “strong focus of attention” as measured by the AQ in a non‐clinical female Japanese sample.
Recent advances in drug treatment for Alzheimer's dementia
Authors: Loi Samantha , Chiu Edmond 
Published: August 2011

AbstractThe increasing ageing population and subsequent increase in dementia means that the need for finding appropriate treatments has become more important. Current treatments are limited and only provide some symptomatic improvements in patients. This article reviews the recent drug advances in treatment for Alzheimer's disease which have been of varying success. It appears that a combination of these will be required.
Endobronchial ultrasound‐guided transbronchial needle aspiration in patients with superior vena cava obstruction
Authors: Medford Andrew R.L. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractLung cancer is commonly encountered by community and hospital services and patients may present with early signs of superior vena cava obstruction (SVCO). SVCO requires prompt but minimally invasive investigation to avoid bleeding and for prompt treatment. Endobronchial ultrasound‐guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS‐TBNA) provides respiratory physicians with a less invasive technique to sample mediastinal lymph nodes at bronchoscopy, avoiding the need for general anesthesia and mediastinoscopy, and allowing real‐time imaging and sampling of the nodes. It is therefore safer than conventional bronchoscopic techniques of sampling the nodes (transbronchial needle aspiration), reducing the risk of bleeding. If neck ultrasound biopsy is unhelpful in SVCO, then EBUS‐TBNA should be considered as the best initial option, reserving mediastinoscopy for a last resort. A clinical case is described here to demonstrate the use of EBUS‐TBNA in SVCO. EBUS‐TBNA is a safe and effective mediastinal sampling tool in patients with SVCO and should be considered before mediastinoscopy or conventional TBNA in this setting. This study adds shoes there should be more emphasis on the use of EBUS‐TBNA in the diagnosis of mediastinal disorders in settings where higher bleeding is anticipated, including SVCO.
Risk factors and symptoms associated with xerostomia: a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Villa A , Abati S 
Published: August 2011

AbstractBackground:  The aim of this study was to examine the symptoms and risk factors associated with self‐reported xerostomia.Methods:  Data were collected from 601 self‐administered questionnaires among dental clinic attendees. Logistic regression models to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were used to investigate the association for exposures of interest, such as socio‐demographic characteristics, self‐reported symptoms, oral hygiene habits and xerostomia.Results:  Participants reported having dry mouth in 19.6% of cases. Xerostomia was associated with a significant increase in the odds of having dry lips, throat, eye, skin and nose. Patients with self‐reported xerostomia were three times more likely to drink water to swallow food than were patients without xerstomia. Older individuals were significantly more likely to report dry mouth, and the prevalence of xerostomia increased with advancing age. The prevalence of xerostomia in patients taking one or more drugs was significantly higher compared to medication‐free patients, and increased with increasing numbers of medications used. Finally, individuals with a nervous or mental disorder, or who wore removable dentures were five times more likely to develop xerostomia than patients without disorder or dentures.Conclusions:  Dentists should be familiar with the symptoms of xerostomia and be prepared to take an active role in the diagnosis, management and treatment of the oral complications.
Temporomandibular joint surgery: what does it mean to the dental practitioner?
Authors: Dimitroulis G 
Published: August 2011

AbstractA poor appreciation of the role of surgery in the management of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) may result in some patients being denied access to appropriate care. While surgery is often considered as an option of last resort, there are instances where surgery is the definitive and sometimes the only treatment option. The aim of this paper was to review the role of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) surgery and its place in the treatment armamentarium of temporomandibular disorders. Indications, rationale for surgery, risks vs. benefits are discussed and complemented with examples of clinical cases treated by the author. All dental practitioners should be aware of the benefits of TMJ surgery so that patients do not suffer unnecessarily from ongoing non‐surgical treatments that ultimately prove to be ineffective in the management of their condition.
National Discourses on Women's Empowerment in Bangladesh: Continuities and Change
Authors: Nazneen Sohela , Hossain Naomi , Sultan Maheen 
Published: August 2011

SummaryAs Bangladesh turns 40, improvements in women's wellbeing and increased agency are claimed to be some of the most significant gains in the post‐independence era. Various economic and social development indicators show that in the last 20 years, Bangladesh, a poor, Muslim‐majority country in the classic patriarchal belt, has made substantial progress in increasing women's access to education and healthcare (including increasing life‐expectancy), and in improving women's participation in the labour force. The actors implementing such programmes and policies and claiming to promote women's empowerment are numerous, and they occupy a significant position within national political traditions and development discourses. In the 1970s and 1980s development ideas around women's empowerment in Bangladesh were influenced by an overtly instrumentalist logic within the international donor sphere. This led to the women's empowerment agenda being perceived as a donor driven project, which overlooks how domestic actors such as political parties, women's organisations and national NGOs have influenced thinking and action around it.This paper explores how these perceptions and narratives around women's empowerment have evolved in Bangladesh from 2000 to date. It studies the concepts of women's empowerment in public discourse and reviews the meanings and uses of the term by selected women's organisations, donor agencies, political parties and development NGOs. By reviewing the publicly available documents of these organisations, the paper analyses the multiple discourses on women's empowerment, showing the different concepts associated with it and how notions such as power, domains and processes of empowerment are understood by these actors. It also highlights how these different discourses have influenced each other and where they have diverged, with an emphasis on what these divergences mean in terms of advancing women's interests in Bangladesh.
Linkage Specificity and Role of Properdin in Activation of the Alternative Complement Pathway by Fungal Glycans
Authors: Agarwal Sarika , Specht Charles A. , Huang Haibin , Ostroff Gary R. , Ram Sanjay , Rice Peter A. , Levitz Stuart M. 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACTFungal cell walls are predominantly composed of glucans, mannans, and chitin. Recognition of these glycans by the innate immune system is a critical component of host defenses against the mycoses. Complement, an important arm of innate immunity, plays a significant role in fungal pathogenesis, especially the alternative pathway (AP). Here we determine that the glycan monosaccharide composition and glycosidic linkages affect AP activation and C3 deposition. Furthermore, properdin, a positive regulator of the AP, contributes to these functions. AP activation by glycan particles that varied in composition and linkage was measured by C3a generation in serum treated with 10 mM EGTA and 10 mM Mg2+(Mg-EGTA-treated serum) (AP specific; properdin functional) or Mg-EGTA-treated serum that lacked functional properdin. Particles that contained either β1→3 or β1→6 glucans or both generated large and similar amounts of C3a when the AP was intact. Blocking properdin function resulted in 5- to 10-fold-less C3a production by particulate β1→3 glucans. However, particulate β1→6 glucans generated C3a via the AP only in the presence of intact properdin. Interestingly, zymosan and glucan-mannan particles (GMP), which contain both β-glucans and mannans, also required properdin to generate C3a. The β1→4 glycans chitin and chitosan minimally activated C3 even when properdin was functional. Finally, properdin binding to glucan particles (GP) and zymosan in serum required active C3. Properdin colocalized with bound C3, suggesting that in the presence of serum, properdin bound indirectly to glycans through C3 convertases. These findings provide a better understanding of how properdin facilitates AP activation by fungi through interaction with the cell wall components.IMPORTANCEInvasive fungal infections have increased in incidence with the widespread use of immunosuppressive therapy and invasive procedures. Activation of the complement system contributes to innate immunity against fungi by generating chemoattractants that recruit white blood cells and by coating the pathogen with complement fragments that “mark” them for phagocytosis. The fungal cell wall activates complement in an antibody-independent manner through the alternative pathway (AP). Properdin is a positive regulator of the AP. This study elucidates how the specificity of cell wall glycan linkages affects AP activation and the role properdin plays in this process. Particulate β1→3 glucans activated the AP even in the absence of properdin, while β1→6 glucans required properdin for AP activation. In contrast, the β1→4 glycans chitin and chitosan failed to activate the AP. These findings enhance our mechanistic understanding of how fungi activate complement and have implications for the use of glycans in biomedical applications.
The Novel Chemical Entity YTR107 Inhibits Recruitment of Nucleophosmin to Sites of DNA Damage, Suppressing Repair of DNA Double-Strand Breaks and Enhancing Radiosensitization
Authors: Sekhar Konjeti R. , Reddy Yerramreddy Thirupathi , Reddy Penthala Narsimha , Crooks Peter A. , Venkateswaran Amudhan , McDonald William Hayes , Geng Ling , Sasi Soumya , Van Der Waal Robert P. , Roti Joseph L. Roti , Salleng Kenneth J. , Rachakonda Girish , Freeman Michael L. 
Published: August 2011

Abstract
Purpose: Radiation therapy continues to be an important therapeutic strategy for providing definitive local/regional control of human cancer. However, oncogenes that harbor driver mutations and/or amplifications can compromise therapeutic efficacy. Thus, there is a need for novel approaches that enhance the DNA damage produced by ionizing radiation.
Experimental Design: A forward chemical genetic approach coupled with cell-based phenotypic screening of several tumor cell lines was used to identify a novel chemical entity (NCE) that functioned as a radiation sensitizer. Proteomics, comet assays, confocal microscopy, and immunoblotting were used to identify the biological target.
Results: The screening process identified a 5-((N-benzyl-1H-indol-3-yl)-methylene)pyrimidine-2,4,6(1H,3H,5H)trione as an NCE that radiosensitized cancer cells expressing amplified and/or mutated RAS, ErbB, PIK3CA, and/or BRAF oncogenes. Affinity-based solid-phase resin capture followed by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry identified the chaperone nucleophosmin (NPM) as the NCE target. SiRNA suppression of NPM abrogated radiosensitization by the NCE. Confocal microscopy showed that the NCE inhibited NPM shuttling to radiation-induced DNA damage repair foci, and the analysis of comet assays indicated a diminished rate of DNA double-strand break repair.
Conclusion: These data support the hypothesis that inhibition of DNA repair due to inhibition of NPM shuttling increases the efficacy of DNA-damaging therapeutic strategies. Clin Cancer Res; 17(20); 6490–9. ©2011 AACR.
Antitumoral Effects of Calcitriol in Basal Cell Carcinomas Involve Inhibition of Hedgehog Signaling and Induction of Vitamin D Receptor Signaling and Differentiation
Authors: Uhmann Anja , Niemann Hannah , Lammering Bérénice , Henkel Cornelia , Heß Ina , Nitzki Frauke , Fritsch Anne , Prüfer Nicole , Rosenberger Albert , Dullin Christian , Schraepler Anke , Reifenberger Julia , Schweyer Stefan , Pietsch Torsten , Strutz Frank , Schulz-Schaeffer Walter , Hahn Heidi 
Published: August 2011

Abstract
Activation of the Hedgehog (Hh)-signaling pathway due to deficiency in the Hh receptor Patched1 (Ptch) is the pivotal defect leading to formation of basal cell carcinoma (BCC). Recent reports provided evidence of Ptch-dependent secretion of vitamin D3-related compound, which functions as an endogenous inhibitor of Hh signaling by repressing the activity of the signal transduction partner of Ptch, Smoothened (Smo). This suggests that Ptch-deficient tumor cells are devoid of this substance, which in turn results in activation of Hh-signaling. Here, we show that the application of the physiologically active form of vitamin D3, calcitriol, inhibits proliferation and growth of BCC of Ptch mutant mice in vitro and in vivo. This is accompanied by the activation of the vitamin D receptor (Vdr) and induction of BCC differentiation. In addition, calcitriol inhibits Hh signaling at the level of Smo in a Vdr-independent manner. The concomitant antiproliferative effects on BCC growth are stronger than those of the Hh-specific inhibitor cyclopamine, even though the latter more efficiently inhibits Hh signaling. Taken together, we show that exogenous supply of calcitriol controls the activity of 2 independent pathways, Hh and Vdr signaling, which are relevant to tumorigenesis and tumor treatment. These data suggest that calcitriol could be a therapeutic option in the treatment of BCC, the most common tumor in humans. Mol Cancer Ther; 10(11); 2179–88. ©2011 AACR.
Influence of Age on Perioperative Complications Among Patients Undergoing Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators for Primary Prevention in the United States
Authors: Tsai Vivian , Goldstein Mary K. , Hsia Henry H. , Wang Yongfei , Curtis Jeptha , Heidenreich Paul A. 
Published: August 2011

Background—
The majority of current implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) recipients are significantly older than those in the ICD trials. Data on periprocedural complications among the elderly are insufficient. We evaluated the influence of age on perioperative complications among primary prevention ICD recipients in the United States.

Methods and Results—
Using the National Cardiovascular Data's ICD Registry, we identified 150 264 primary prevention patients who received ICDs from January 2006 to December 2008. The primary end point was any adverse event or in-hospital mortality. Secondary end points included major adverse events, minor adverse events, and length of stay. Of 150 264 patients, 61% (n=91 863) were 65 years and older. A higher proportion of patients ≥65 years had diabetes, congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation, renal disease, and coronary artery disease. Approximately 3.4% of the entire cohort had any complication, including death, after ICD implant. Any adverse event or death occurred in 2.8% of patients under 65 years old; 3.1% of 65- to 69-year-olds; 3.5% of 70- to 74-year-olds; 3.9% of 75- to 79-year-olds, 4.5% of 80- to 84-year-olds; and 4.5% of patients 85 years and older. After adjustment for clinical covariates, multivariate analysis found an increased odds of any adverse event or death among 75- to 79-year-olds (1.14 [95% confidence interval, 1.03 to 1.25], 80-to 84-year-olds (1.22 [95% confidence interval, 1.10 to 1.36], and patients 85 years and older (1.15 [95% confidence interval, 1.01 to 1.32], compared with patients under 65 years old.

Conclusions—
Older patients had a modestly increased—but acceptably safe—risk of periprocedural complications and in-hospital mortality, driven mostly by increased comorbidity.