bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An appraisal of radiation therapy techniques for adjuvant and neoadjuvant therapy in gastric cancer
Authors: Wydmanski J , Mohanti BK 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTIn last few years, adjuvant post-operative radiotherapy and occasionally preoperative irradiation combined with chemotherapy are considered as effective practices to improve disease control and survival in gastric cancer. Yet, chemoradiotherapy result in severe toxicities and radiotherapy practice is a significant contributor. For a recommended median dose of 45 Gy to the treatment volume of stomach and surrounding lymphnode regions, considerable doses are likely to be delivered to liver, kidneys and spinal cord. Few literatures and texts state about the radiotherapy techniques, with recent emphasis on conformal (3-D CRT) or intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). However, these facilities are not uniformly available in most developing countries where stomach cancer is common. This is a report on practical aspects of radiotherapy techniques and planning which can be utilised as per available settings of a radiotherapy department.
The scholarly radiation therapist. Part two: developing an academic practice—the Princess Margaret Hospital experience
Authors: Bolderston Amanda , Harnett Nicole , Palmer Cathryne , Wenz Julie , Catton Pamela 
Published: May 2008

AbstractPart two of this two-part series presents the results of a departmental initiative implemented in 2003 at a large urban cancer centre, Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. This new model for radiation therapists was called Advanced Integrated Practice (AIP) and was developed, in part, to encourage and promote scholarship within radiation therapy. The AIP model incorporated integrated clinical specialty roles designed to blend exemplary clinical practice with focused academic activities. This paper discusses an evaluation of the AIP model undertaken to obtain a formal measure of how the model had evolved, how the radiation therapists and other stakeholders were responding to the new model, whether the initial outcomes were realized and to create plans for further development of the design. The evaluation utilized a mixture of traditional qualitative research methodologies such as focus groups, quantitative surveys and a variety of other available measurable outcomes. Outcomes from the model included increased opportunities for diverse roles that incorporated an element of academic practice and augmented career choice and scope for radiation therapists. In addition, academic output and research work also increased within the department. Lessons learned from the implementation and evaluation of the model are shared, and the authors offer some suggestions to increase scholarly activity within the profession.
The scholarly radiation therapist. Part one: charting the territory
Authors: Harnett Nicole , Palmer Cathryne , Bolderston Amanda , Wenz Julie , Catton Pamela 
Published: May 2008

AbstractAs radiation therapy practice evolves with advancing treatment and planning technologies, merging of imaging modalities, changing working models and the advancement to higher education, radiation therapists are frequently finding themselves on the frontline of translating new knowledge into practice. To a large degree, this growing involvement in self-directed original research, with associated dissemination of completed results, has led to an increasing number of therapists being encouraged to pursue an academic path in addition to a clinical career. In Canada, radiation therapists are being appointed as faculty to university departments for the first time. It is heartening that such opportunities are increasing; therapists are able to play a profound role in developing an evidence-based professional body of knowledge while at the same time being recognised for scholarly endeavours. However, despite these many positive steps, barriers and challenges to the development of a scholarly culture for radiation therapists still exist. Part one of this two-part series explores the history of the profession and the subsequent development of a scholarly culture.
A rare SAR11 fosmid clone confirming genetic variability in the ‘Candidatus Pelagibacter ubique’ genome
Authors: Gilbert Jack A , Mühling Martin , Joint Ian 
Published: May 2008

Abstract
A sequence analysis is described of a fosmid clone from a coastal marine metagenomic library that contains a 16S rRNA gene with high sequence similarity to that of the SAR11 bacterium ‘Candidatus Pelagibacter ubique’ HTCC1062. The sequence of the fosmid clone was 32 086 bp in length and contained 23 187 bp of the 48-kb hyper-variable region 2 (HVR2) present in the genome of ‘Cand. P. ubique’. However, half of the sequences within the HVR2 region of the fosmid clone show little sequence similarity to or have no representative homologues in the genome sequence of ‘Cand. P. ubique’ HTCC1062. Given their putative functions, the acquisition of these genes suggests that SAR11 could harbour more diverse phenotypes than represented by the 16S rRNA taxonomy. Variation in SAR11 genomes from different locations might explain why SAR11 is abundant in so many diverse marine provinces.
Natural evidence for garnet-spinel transition (GST) in the Earth's mantle
Authors: Su BenXun 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThis study based on compiled world-wide garnet peridotite data confirms the GST in high P and T conditions, which was obtained from Al-free experimental system (MgO-Cr~2~O~3~-SiO~2~) by Klemme (2004). A new spinel-phase peridotite zone, garnet peridotite discontinuous zone, is defined, and another GST, although no experimental data, is principally and presumably proposed to exist. The garnet inclusion-bearing spinel harzburgite from Lashaine (Tanzania) provides the first evidence for the existence of ultra-high spinel zone and is explained as recrystallized minerals hosting the interacted residue of ancient oceanic lithosphere subducted into the great depth of more than 220km. These previously unexpected findings are generating great challenges to phase transition in extreme conditions and to our understanding of layered-structure of the Earth. In addition, coexistent five-phase peridotite is suggested to be naturally useful tool to constrain the GST.
Parental Perceptions of Overweight Counseling in Primary Care: The Roles of Race/ethnicity and Parent Overweight
Authors: Taveras Elsie M. , Gortmaker Steven L. , Mitchell Kathleen F. , Gillman Matthew W. 
Published: May 2008

Objective: To examine parental perceptions of primary care efforts aimed at childhood obesity preventionMethods and Procedures: We interviewed 446 parents of children, aged 2–12 years, with an age‐ and sex‐specific BMI ≥85th percentile; interviews occurred within 2 weeks of their child's primary care visit. We assessed parental ratings of the nutrition and physical activity advice received. Using children's clinical heights and weights and parents' self‐reported heights and weights, we classified children into three categories: BMI 85th–94th percentile without an overweight parent, BMI 85th–94th percentile with an overweight parent (adult BMI ≥25 kg/m2), and BMI ≥95th percentile.Results: In multivariate analyses, compared to parents of children with BMI ≥95th percentile, overweight parents with children whose BMI was 85th–94th percentile were more likely to report receiving too little advice on nutrition and physical activity (odds ratio (OR) 3.05; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.49, 6.25) and to rate as poor or fair the quality of advice they received (OR 2.23; 95% CI 1.18, 4.24). Independently, African‐American (OR 2.55; 95% CI 1.18, 5.51) and Hispanic/Latino (OR 2.78; 95% CI 1.27, 6.10) parents were more likely than white parents to rate as poor or fair the quality of advice they received.Discussion: Parental overweight is associated with low subjective ratings of overweight counseling in pediatric primary care. Our findings of poorer perceived quality among racial/ethnic minority parents need further investigation.
Caspase‐mediated Degradation of PPARγ Proteins in Adipocytes
Authors: He Fang , Doucet Julie A. , Stephens Jacqueline M. 
Published: May 2008

Objective: Peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ (PPARγ) is a transcription factor that plays an important role in adipocyte gene expression. Previous studies from our laboratory and others have shown that PPARγ can be ubiquitin modified and targeted to the proteasome for degradation in response to transcriptional activation. In this study, we determined whether other degradation pathways contributed to the tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα)–induced degradation of PPARγ proteins in 3T3‐L1 adipocytes.Methods and Procedures: In these studies, 3T3‐L1 cells were studied by performing subcellular fractionations and western blotting after various TNFα treatments. Whole tissue extracts from rat adipose tissue were also used to examine PPARγ degradation.Results: We observed that TNFα can induce a caspase‐mediated degradation of PPARγ proteins in the presence of cycloheximide. The caspase‐mediated degradation of both PPARγ1 and PPARγ2 resulted in the generation of a specific 44‐kd cleavage product. The specific cleavage product was unaffected by proteasome inhibitors, but was repressed by a general caspase inhibitor. Use of several specific caspase inhibitors revealed that caspase‐1 was activated following treatment with TNFα and cycloheximide (CH), and inhibition of caspase‐1 blocked the cleavage of PPARγ proteins in cultured adipocytes. In addition, a similar PPARγ degradation product was observed in rodent adipose tissue.Discussion: In summary, this is the first study to demonstrate that PPARγ levels can be modulated by caspase activity.
Raised CRP Levels in Obese Patients: Symptoms of Depression Have an Independent Positive Association
Authors: Dixon John B. , Hayden Melissa J. , Lambert Gavin W. , Dawood Tye , Anderson Margaret L. , Dixon Maureen E. , O'Brien Paul E. 
Published: May 2008

Background: Depression and obesity, the two common ailments of modern society, are associated with increased risk of coronary artery disease and raised C‐reactive protein (CRP) levels. Are the effects of depression and obesity related or do they influence CRP levels independently?Objective: In 493 consecutive patients presenting for obesity surgery, we explored the relationship between symptoms of depression and raised CRP levels after controlling for confounding factors.Methods and Procedures: Depression was measured using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Confounding variables were age, gender, BMI, waist and hip measures, smoking and alcohol habits, medications, biochemical measures of the metabolic syndrome, and indirect measures of insulin resistance. General linear regression sought variables independently associated with CRP levels.Results: These patients had a BMI range from 31 to 91 kg/m2, participants age ranged from 14 to 71 years, and 76% were women. The median CRP concentration was 7.7 mg/l (interquartile range: 3.9–14), 40% had an abnormally raised concentration (>10 mg/l). The mean BDI score was 17.0 ± 9.0, indicating symptoms of moderate depression. We found five independent factors associated with raised CRP levels. In order of strength of association, these were: higher BMI (β = 0.36, P < 0.001), female gender (β = −0.19, P < 0.001), estrogen therapy (β = 0.18, P < 0.001), higher BDI score (β = 0.11, P = 0.01), and insulin resistance index (β = 0.11, P = 0.01), and with a combined R 2 = 0.24, (P < 0.001).Discussion: In obese patients, symptoms of depression were associated with raised CRP levels after controlling for confounding variables. Obese women on estrogen therapy are at risk of high CRP levels.
LMNA mRNA Expression Is Altered in Human Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Miranda Merce , Chacón Matilde R. , Gutiérrez Cristina , Vilarrasa Nuria , Gómez Jose M. , Caubet Enric , Megía Ana , Vendrell Joan 
Published: May 2008

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze lamin A/C mRNA levels in abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue in two conditions—obesity and type 2 diabetes—that share common inflammatory and metabolic features, and to assess their relationship with selected inflammatory and adipogenic genes.Methods and Procedures: This is a cross‐sectional study involving 52 nondiabetic and 54 type 2 diabetes patients. Anthropometrical and analytical measurements (glycemic, lipidic, and inflammatory profiles) were performed, and mRNA expression was determined using real‐time PCR.Results: Lamin A and C isoforms are expressed differentially. Lamin A/C mRNA levels were increased in obese and in type 2 diabetes patients. We also observed a strong relationship between both isoforms (B = 2.218, P < 0.001) and among lamin C mRNA expression and adipogenic (sterol‐responsive element binding protein‐1 (SREBP1c)) and inflammatory (interleukin‐6 (IL‐6)) markers (B = 0.854, P = 0.001, and B = 0.557, P < 0.001, respectively).Discussion: These data suggest that lamin A/C may be involved in the adipocyte gene profile observed in obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Comparative Study of Activity and Heat Stability of Limit Dextrinase in 16 Barley Cultivars
Authors: Li Fen , Zhang Jun‐e , Liu Hong‐Mei , Tian Shu‐juan , Yang Xian‐Guang , Ma Ji‐Xian , Sun Meng‐Xiang 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTWe conducted a comprehensive study of 15 cultivars of Chinese barley and one cultivar of European barley to examine and compare the activity and heat stability of limit dextrinase (LD) among them. Our results revealed that the enzymatic activity of LD drops dramatically at incubation temperatures >65°C, indicating that 65°C is the point of incubation temperature sensitivity for this enzyme. Compared with the European barley cultivar Triumph, the levels of enzymatic activity and heat stability of LD in most Chinese barley cultivars included in this study were low, except for Jipi 2 and 92001, which were nearly equal to Triumph. We also found that the activity and heat stability of LD were strongly influenced by the genotype and growth environment of the cultivar, which suggests that genetic manipulation and optimal cultivation conditions may be useful in producing high‐quality barley for the brewing industry.
Extractability, Structure and Molecular Weight of β‐Glucan from Canadian Rye (Secale cereale L.) Whole Meal
Authors: Ragaee S. M. , Wood P. J. , Wang Q. , Tosh S. , Brummer Y. 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTOat and barley (1→3)(1→4)‐β‐d‐glucans (β‐glucan) are readily extracted by hot water but rye β‐glucan is resistant to such extraction. This poor extractability might be due to entrapment within a matrix of arabinoxylan (AX) cross‐linked through phenolic constituents. AX are the major nonstarch polysaccharides of the rye kernel. In this study, several approaches were compared in an effort to determine optimum conditions for extraction of high yields, high molecular weight (MW), and high purity of β‐glucan from Canadian rye whole meal. Variables investigated included sodium hydroxide concentrations, extraction time, sample prehydration, extraction under low temperature, and prior extraction of AX with barium hydroxide. There was a linear relationship between the strength of NaOH and amount of β‐glucan extracted and because MW was essentially the same up to 1.0N NaOH, this extraction agent, at room temperature for 90 min, was selected to isolate rye β‐glucan. The β‐glucan was then purified and structure and molecular weight distribution studied.
Role of Gluten in Flour Tortilla Staling
Authors: Alviola J. N. , Waniska R. D. , Rooney L. W. 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTEffects of protease and transglutaminase (TG) on dough and tortilla microstructures, shelf‐stability, and protein profile were determined to infer the role of gluten in tortilla staling. Control and enzyme‐treated tortillas were prepared using a standard bake test procedure and evaluated for three weeks. Confocal micrographs of control dough showed thin protein strands forming a continuous web‐like matrix. Protease‐treated dough had pieces of proteins in place of the continuous matrix, while TG‐treated dough had thicker protein strands that were heterogeneously distributed. Control tortillas had a well‐distributed continuous protein structure. Protease‐treated tortilla had a continuous structure despite being composed of hydrolyzed proteins in the dough, while the TG‐treated tortilla retained clumps of proteins. Both treatments resulted in shorter shelf‐stability of tortillas. An evenly distributed and moderately stronger gluten network is necessary for longer retention of tortilla flexibility. Solubility of protein fractions differed among treatments, but molecular weight distribution did not differentiate control and treated dough or tortillas. The proportion of each protein fraction appears to affect staling.
Effects of Transglutaminase on Rheology, Microstructure, and Baking Properties of Frozen Dough
Authors: Huang W. N. , Yuan Y. L. , Kim Y. S. , Chung O. K. 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTThe improving effects of transglutaminase (TGase) were investigated on the frozen dough system and its breadmaking quality. Rheological properties and microstructure of fresh and frozen doughs were measured using a Rapid Visco‐Analyser (RVA), dynamic rheometer, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The frozen doughs with three storage periods (1, 3, and 5 weeks at –18°C) were studied at three levels (0.5, 1.0, and 1.5%) of TGase. As the amount of TGase increased, hot pasting peak viscosity and final viscosity from the RVA decreased, but breakdown value increased. The TGase content showed a positive correlation with both storage modulus G′ (elastic modulus) and the loss modulus G″ (viscous modulus): G′ was higher than G″ at any given frequency. The SEM micrographs showed that TGase strengthened the gluten network of fresh, unfrozen dough. After five weeks of frozen storage at –18°C, the gluten structure in the control dough appeared less continuous, more disrupted, and separated from the starch granules, while the dough containing 0.5% TGase showed less fractured gluten network. Addition of TGase increased specific volume of bread significantly (P < 0.05) with softer bread texture. Even after the five weeks of frozen storage, bread volume from dough with 1.5% TGase was similar to that of the fresh control bread (P < 0.05). The improving effects of TGase on frozen dough were likely the result of the ability of TGase to polymerize proteins to stabilize the gluten structure embedded by starch granules in frozen doughs.
Effects of Sorghum Type and Milling Process on the Sensory Characteristics of Sorghum Porridge
Authors: Kebakile Martin M. , Rooney Lloyd W. , de Kock Henriette L. , Taylor John R. N. 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTImprovement in the technology of sorghum grain milling for food use requires an in‐depth understanding of how grain type and milling process affect the sensory characteristics of the food product. In Africa and parts of India, the product is generally porridge. Porridges prepared from meals produced by milling 12 sorghum types using hand‐pounding, roller milling, and abrasive decortication followed by hammer milling were subjected to descriptive sensory analysis and data were analyzed by principal component analysis. Milling process had more effect than sorghum type on porridge sensory characteristics. Porridges from roller‐milled sorghum were generally darker, had more specks, were more astringent, and had enhanced branny aroma. Porridges from hand‐pounded meals were more stiff and coarse but had rancid off‐flavor and humus odor. Porridges obtained with abrasive decortication and hammer milling were lighter in color, had enhanced cereal aroma, and were moderately more intense in most other attributes. Sorghums with pigmented pericarps and soft endosperms generally produced dark, specky, and astringent porridges with branny aroma, while light‐colored hard grains produced light‐colored porridges with enhanced cereal flavor and aroma. For high‐quality sorghum porridge, abrasive decortication and hammer milling were the best milling processes in addition to using light‐colored hard grain.
Effects of Steeping Temperatures and Periods of Waxy Rice on Expansion Properties of Gangjung (a traditional Korean oil‐puffed rice snack)
Authors: Kim Haeng Ran , Kim Kyung Mi , Lee Hye‐Seong , Kim Kwang Ok 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTThis study was conducted to investigate the effect of steeping conditions of waxy rice, temperatures (15, 25, and 35°C) and time periods (1, 11, and 21 days) on the expansion ratio of gangjung (a traditional Korean oil‐puffed rice snack). Physicochemical properties of waxy rice flour steeped under various conditions and expansion properties of gangjung made of the steeped waxy rice flour were investigated, and multiple regression analyses were applied between those properties to identify major physicochemical factors that optimally predict the expansion ratio of gangjung. As steeping temperature and time periods of waxy rice changed from the lowest to the highest, the expansion ratio of gangjung markedly increased (from 1,022 to 2,533%). Yet, the expansion ratio of the waxy rice sample steeped for 11–21 days at 35°C was not significantly different from the sample steeped for 21 days at 25°C, indicating that the lengthy steeping process for gangjung making can be shortened by increasing the steeping temperature. Physicochemical properties include moisture (γ = 0.85), protein (γ = –0.91), ash (γ = –0.84), potassium (γ = –0.89), magnesium (γ = –0.88), phosphorous (γ = –0.91), peak viscosity (γ = 0.77), and breakdown (γ = 0.94) of steeped waxy rice flour. These properties were highly correlated with expansion ratio (P < 0.01). Multiple regression analysis showed that the expansion ratio of gangjung was predicted successfully by the phosphorous content and breakdown value of steeped waxy rice flour.
Relationship of Ethanol Yield to Agronomic and Seed Quality Characteristics of Small Grains
Authors: Lacerenza J. A. , Martin J. M. , Talbert L. E. , Lanning S. P. , Giroux M. J. 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTProduction of fuel ethanol hinges on the availability of carbohydrate sources, with corn being the crop of choice in most areas. However, in some climatic regions, it is not feasible to grow adequate volumes of corn so other starch sources must be utilized. Here we examined various small grain crops commonly grown in the Northern Great Plains for suitability for ethanol production. Four cultivars each of the hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) classes hard red spring (HRS), hard white spring (HWS), soft white spring (SWS), along with durum wheat (Triticum durum L.), and four spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivars were grown in replicated plots in two environments in 2006. Agronomic and seed quality traits, along with starch content and ethanol yield over a period of 72 hr were measured on all cultivars. Agronomic yield was highest for the barley cultivars and lowest for HRS and HWS. Seed size was greatest for the durum and barley cultivars. The SWS group had the lowest protein content and the highest starch content. Starch content was highly correlated with final ethanol yield and the SWS group was highest in absolute ethanol yield. However, ethanol yield per hectare was highest for barley, with SWS ranking second, while the HRS and HWS groups had the lowest ethanol yields per hectare. The results indicate that selection for small grain ethanol yield should focus primarily upon agronomic yield at the expense of protein content. Traditional selection for high HRS and HWS milling and baking quality is not consistent with maximal ethanol yield per hectare.