bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Regional UK TTP Registry: correlation with laboratory ADAMTS 13 analysis and clinical features
Authors: Scully Marie , Yarranton Helen , Liesner Ri , Cavenagh Jamie , Hunt Beverley , Benjamin Sylvia , Bevan David , Mackie Ian , Machin Samuel 
Published: July 2008

SummaryThrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is an acute, rare, life‐threatening disorder. This report presents the South East (SE) England registry for TTP, from April 2002 to December 2006, which included 176 patients and 236 acute episodes; 75% of patients were female and 25% were male, overall median age at presentation was 42 years. Mortality was 8·5%, most cases died before treatment was instigated. The main ethnic groups were Caucasian (64%) and Afro Caribbean (27%). Seventy‐seven percent of cases were idiopathic, 5% were congenital and the remaining cases had a defined precipitant. Neurological features were the most prevalent, but cardiac involvement accounted for 42% of presenting features. The overall median number of plasma exchanges (PEXs) to remission was 15; between April 2002 and December 2003, the median number of PEXs was 19 and it was 12 between January 2004 and December 2006 (P < 0·0001). In the latter period, adjuvant therapies were reduced, but Rituximab was increased. ADAMTS 13 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with a thrombospondin type 1 motif, member 13) activity was <10% in 74% and 95% of these cases had positive IgG antibodies to ADAMTS 13. Renal impairment and delayed normalisation of platelet count were the main differences between idiopathic and secondary TTP.
Interleukin‐10 protects against blood‐induced joint damage
Authors: Jansen Nathalie W. D. , Roosendaal Goris , Hooiveld Michel J. J. , Bijlsma Johannes W. J. , Van Roon Joël A. G. , Theobald Matthias , Lafeber Floris P. J. G. 
Published: July 2008

SummaryDespite prophylactic treatment, haemophilia patients suffer from spontaneous joint bleeds, which lead to severe joint damage. Also after joint trauma, an intra‐articular haemorrhage can add to joint damage over time. This study evaluated interleukin 10 (IL‐10) in the search for possible interventions to prevent or limit the damaging effects of joint bleeds. Human articular cartilage tissue explants were cultured in the presence or absence of 50% v/v blood (or its cellular components) for 4 d (the expected blood load in vivo after a joint haemorrhage), followed by a recovery period of 12 d. Pharmacological dosages of IL‐10 reached during treatment (1 or 10 ng/ml) were added. Additionally, cartilage and synovial tissue obtained from joints with end‐stage haemophilic arthropathy (HA) were cultured in the presence of IL‐10 (10 ng/ml). IL‐10 protected cartilage from the damaging effects of blood exposure, measured by its effects on proteoglycan turnover. In addition, IL‐10 beneficially influenced cartilage from patients with HA and reduced the production of the inflammatory cytokines IL‐1β and tumour necrosis factor‐α by haemophilic synovial tissue. Taken together, although effects were obtained in vitro, IL‐10 protects against blood‐induced joint damage and might be further evaluated as candidate in treatment of tissue damaging effects of joint haemorrhages.
Low‐grade fibromyxoid sarcoma is difficult to diagnose by fine needle aspiration cytology: a cytomorphological study of eight cases
Authors: Domanski H. A. , Mertens F. , Panagopoulos I. , Åkerman M. 
Published: July 2008

Background:  Low‐grade fibromyxoid sarcoma (LGFMS) is an uncommon neoplasm with bland morphology and an indolent clinical course, although metastases may develop in approximately 5–10% of the cases. The diagnosis of LGFMS can be difficult to render from fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) alone because of morphological overlap with other spindle cell and myxoid lesions.Objective:  To determine cytological criteria for LGFMS by reviewing FNAC aspirates in eight cases and to compare the findings with those in subsequent histological sections.Methods:  FNAC slides were reviewed from eight patients with subsequently excised tumours diagnosed as LGFMS. Of these patients, six also had core needle biopsies (CNB). Cytogenetic and/or molecular analysis was carried on all tumours.Results:  The patients were six men and two women ranging in age from 26 to 78 years. Tumours arose in the deep soft tissues of the thigh (n = 5), shoulder girdle (n = 1) or upper arm (n = 1) and one in the subcutaneous tissue of the abdominal wall. Cytological features included clusters of bland spindle and round/polygonal cells embedded in a collagenous and myxoid matrix along with dissociated, uniform or slightly/moderately pleomorphic spindle cells, bare nuclei and fragments of collagen and myxoid tissue in varying proportions. Unequivocal sarcoma was diagnosed in two aspirates, but mitoses were absent in all cases. In three cases, the diagnosis was inconclusive with regard to benignity or malignancy, while three were erroneously diagnosed as benign spindle cell lesions. Although the diagnosis was suggested on three of six CNB, these presented similar diagnostic problems.Conclusions:  There were no cytomorphological findings in FNAC to allow for a clear cut separation of LGFMS from other spindle cell or myxoid lesions, but high‐grade sarcoma could be excluded. Surgical (incisional or excisional) biopsy or, alternatively, examination of RT‐PCR for the FUS/CREB3L or FUS/CREB3L1 fusion transcripts may be necessary to obtain a correct diagnosis.
Potential distribution ranges in Europe forAeolesthes sarta,Tetropium gracilicorneandXylotrechus altaicus, a CLIMEX analysis
Authors: Vanhanen H. , Veteli T. O. , Niemelä P. 
Published: July 2008

In this study, the potential distribution ranges for three different Asian Cerambycid beetles,Aeolesthes sarta(Solsky),Tetropium gracilicorne(Reitter) andXylotrechus altaicus(Gebler), were simulated using the climatic modeling program CLIMEX. This program calculates an ecoclimatic index based on the life cycle requirements of a species and thus represents the probability of a viable population existing at a certain location. Simulations show that all of the studied species have a potential distribution in Europe according to climatic factors. Also, potential hosts for these species grow in much of Europe, making the potential establishment of these species possible. Simulation with Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) climate change scenario A1B resulted in changes of 200 to 1100 km at the northern and southern edges of the distribution range for the studied species.
Potential distribution ranges in Europe for Ips hauseri, Ips subelongatus and Scolytus morawitzi, a CLIMEX analysis
Authors: Vanhanen H. , Veteli T. , Niemelä P. 
Published: July 2008

Introduced bark and ambrosia beetles have become a worldwide problem for the forest industry as well as for recreational parks and nature reserves by directly damaging wood material and killing trees or by vectoring lethal tree diseases. In this study we used the climatic modeling program CLIMEX to simulate potential distribution ranges for three different Asian bark beetles, Ips hauseri (Reitter), Ips subelongatus (Motschulsky) and Scolytus morawitzi (Semenov) on the basis of their current distribution. The program calculates an ecoclimatic index based on the life cycle requirements of a species and thus represents the probability of a viable population existing at a certain location. Simulations show that all of the studied species have a potential distribution according to climatic factors. Also, potential hosts for these species grow in much of Europe, making the potential establishment of these species possible. Simulation with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) climate change scenario A1B resulted in changes of 200 to 900 km at the northern and southern edges of the distribution ranges for the studied species.
Simulation of the influence of poor soil drainage on grass‐based dairy production systems in Ireland
Authors: Fitzgerald J. B. , Brereton A. J. , Holden N. M. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractA dairy cow system simulator, Dairy_sim, designed for assessing the interaction of climate and management on dairy cow production, based on rotational grass grazing, was further developed by integrating a soil water model. The soil water model was based on the concept of soil water deficits, and influenced the growth of grass herbage in the simulator when there was an excess of water over field capacity and when water content in the soil was approaching wilting point. The soil water model was tested using baseline meteorological data (1961–1990) and then the system simulation was parameterized and tested for poorly drained soils using data from a research farm in the west of Ireland. After testing, the effects of regional differences in climate on system management on well‐ and poorly drained soils were compared. Down‐scaled Global Climate Model (GCM) data for the baseline years (1961–1990) were used for this purpose. These data resulted in slightly more favourable weather than that recorded. It was found that the simulator was capable of generating results in good agreement with published data for dairy production on poorly drained soils. The regional analysis showed dairy farms on well‐drained soils out‐performed their equivalents on poorly drained soils and, in general, were able to sustain higher stocking rates by 0·6–0·9 cows ha−1. Dry matter production was around 1·5–3 t ha−1 greater per annum on well‐drained soils compared to poorly drained soils. The simulator, Dairy_sim, also captured a large difference in the requirement for housing and forage between the well and poorly drained soils. The simulation model can now be used to evaluate interactions between soils, systems and weather, and is thus a more useful tool for developing practical advice and for evaluating the impacts of possible climate change.
Immunohistochemical localization of oncostatin M in epithelialized apical periodontitis lesions
Authors: Tsai C.‐H. , Huang F.‐M. , Chang Y.‐C. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractAim  To investigate the in situ location of oncostatin M (OSM) in epithelialized apical periodontitis lesions.Methodology  Thirty periapical lesions of pulpal origin were collected with informed consent from patients at the time of apical surgery. Tissue specimens were fixed with 10% buffered formalin overnight, dehydrated in an ascending series of graded alcohol, and embedded in paraffin. Five micron sections from formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded specimens were examined by immunohistochemistry. In addition, another section from each specimen was stained with haematoxylin and eosin to assess the presence of inflammatory infiltrates. Differences in OSM expression between tissue with low and high levels of inflammation were subsequently analyzed by Fisher’s exact test.Results  Based on histological examination of haematoxylin and eosin stained sections, all specimens revealed the morphology of epithelialized apical periodontitis lesions. The results from immunohistochemistry demonstrated that OSM stain was detected in the inflammatory infiltrates, epithelium, connective tissue, and endothelium. The OSM signal was mainly expressed in endothelial cells (100%) followed by inflammatory cells (93.33%), epithelial cells (53.33%), and fibroblasts (16.67%). In addition, OSM expression was significantly higher in epithelialized apical periodontitis with higher levels of inflammatory infiltrates (P < 0.001).Conclusions  Oncostatin M was found to be expressed in epithelialized apical periodontitis lesions and would form part of the cytokine network involved in the disease process of apical periodontitis.
Carbamazepine damage to rat spermatogenesis in different sexual developmental phases
Authors: De Oliva Samara Urban , Miraglia Sandra Maria 
Published: July 2008

SummaryCarbamazepine (CBZ) is a first‐line antiepileptic drug (AED), although it is also utilized for treatment of psychiatric disorders and neuropathic pain. The utilization of CBZ has been associated with damage to male reproduction including hormonal alterations, sexual dysfunction and reduction of sperm quality. Wide and long‐term use of CBZ has been a common schedule for children and adolescents, despite the fact it alters the testosterone level in adult rats and humans. In addition, hypothalamic‐pituitary‐gonadal (HPG) axis during pre‐puberty and puberty is more susceptible to toxic agents than in adult phase. The objective of this work was to evaluate the side effects of CBZ on the spermatogenic process of rats from pre‐puberty to puberty and sexual maturation. Damage on the seminiferous epithelium, testicular interstitial oedema, reductions of testosterone levels and an increase in oestradiol levels were observed in rats, which were CBZ‐treated since the weaning. The results suggest that CBZ, when administered from pre‐puberty, provokes specific side effects on rat testes, resulting in more severe damage in the adult phase.
Phenolic content and profiles of selected wild fruits of Zimbabwe: Ximenia caffra, Artobotrys brachypetalus and Syzygium cordatum
Authors: Ndhlala A. R. , Muchuweti M. , Mupure C. , Chitindingu K. , Murenje T. , Kasiyamhuru A. , Benhura M. A. 
Published: July 2008

SummaryThe phenolic compound content and profiles of three wild fruits found in Zimbabwe were tentatively identified using the traditional colorimetric methods and high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The fruits assayed were: Ximenia caffra, Artobotrys brachypetalus and Syzygium cordatum. Ximenia caffra fruit peels contained the highest amounts of total phenolics amounting to 1205 μg g−1 in fresh weight, flavonols amounting to 27 μg g−1 and phenolic acids on HPLC tentative identification showed higher concentrations compared with the profiles of the other fruits. Syzygium cordatum fruit peels contained the least amounts of phenolics amounting to 20 μg g−1, flavonols amounting to 8 μg g−1 and phenolic acids’ HPLC profiles showed low concentrations. Comparing the peels and pulps of all the fruits, we detected more total phenolics in the peels of X. caffra as high as 1205 μg g−1 and the pulps had 228 μg g−1, more flavonols and phenolic acids while the peels of S. cordatum fruits contained the least with a total phenolic acid content of 20 μg g−1, and had more flavonols in the pulps than the peels, 11 μg g−1 and 8 μg g−1, respectively. Ximenia caffra contained 1.2% and about 1% dry weight condensed tannins in peels and pulps, respectively. In S. cordatum we detected 0.2% and 0.3% dry weight condensed tannins in the peels and pulps, respectively.
Effect of fermentation on the antioxidant activity of red beans (Phaseolus radiatus L. var. Aurea) ethanolic extract
Authors: Chou Su‐Tze , Chao Wen‐Wan , Chung Yun‐Chin 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe antioxidant activities of 50% ethanol extracts from red bean non‐fermented and fermented by Bacillus subtilis or Aspergillus oryzae were determined using Sprague–Dawley rats as a testing model. Oral administration of all the extracts decreased the malondialdehyde (MDA) level in the liver but not in the brain tissue. Bacillus subtilis fermented extract increased the levels of ascorbic acid, α‐tocopherol and glutathione (GSH) and the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the liver tissue, while it increased only the ascorbic acid level in the brain tissue. Aspergillus oryzae fermented extract increased the levels of GSH and the SOD activity in the liver tissue, and it also increased GSH and ascorbic acid in the brain tissue. In general, the extracts from fermented red bean were more effective than the non‐fermented extract in raising the antioxidant levels in the liver tissue.
A newly isolated strain Pediococcus parvulus from Xuanwei ham, a traditional Chinese fermented meat product
Authors: Li Pinglan , Shen Qingwu , Liu Ziyu , Fu Peng , Zhou Wei 
Published: July 2008

SummaryA comparative study on technological suitability for fermented dry sausages of Pediococcus parvulus, a newly isolated strain from Xuanwei ham, a traditional Chinese fermented meat product, was carried out. One type of fermented dry sausage was produced with P. parvulus and the other without starter culture, using the same formulation and technological conditions. Thus, the evolutions of microbiological and physicochemical parameters during ripening, as well as colour, texture and sensory quality of end products, were measured and assessed. The results indicated that P. parvulus had an inhibitory effect on non‐lactic acid bacteria, especially Enterobacteriaceae. It was thought that the use of P. parvulus could enhance the hygienic quality of fermented sausages, which could mainly be attributed to its acidification of fermented sausages. Differences in colour parameters, with higher value in lightness (L*) and lower in redness (a*), were also found (P < 0.05). The most significant differences were observed in texture, informing the influence of P. parvulus on texture profile analysis characteristics of fermented sausages (P < 0.05). However, the evolutions of total nitrogen, fat and ash were the same. That meant the starter had no effects on these parameters during ripening of sausages. Free amino acid analysis showed that P. parvulus might have some proteolytic activity and more intense odour detected by our sensory judges. Our panelists also gave a higher score to the sausage with starter in terms of overall acceptability, indicating their preference of this product to the control. For all these results, we concluded that the newly isolated strain P. parvulus was a good starter for the production of fermented sausages.
Review of mechanisms, conditions, and factors involved in the oil uptake phenomenon during the deep‐fat frying process
Authors: Ziaiifar Aman Mohammad , Achir Nawel , Courtois Francis , Trezzani Isabelle , Trystram Gilles 
Published: July 2008

SummaryDeep‐fat frying is a rapid and low cost process widely used to prepare tasty food. During this cooking process, oil is used both as the heating medium and as an ingredient producing calorific products. Nutrition has become a major health issue, especially in developed countries where increasing obesity is a problem, particularly among children. Many food research projects involving snack food industries therefore attempt to understand oil uptake during the frying process in order to control and reduce the fat content of fried products without deteriorating their desirable organoleptic characteristics. The main objectives of this paper are to review the literature on the frying process and more precisely the mechanisms and parameters involved in the oil uptake phenomenon. Both products and processes will be considered and their influence via experimental results will be discussed.
Effect of temperature and initial moisture content on sorption isotherms of banana dried by tunnel drier
Authors: Yan Zhengyong , Sousa‐Gallagher Maria J. , Oliveira Fernanda A. R. 
Published: July 2008

SummarySorption isotherms of intermediate moisture content (IMC) products are essential to predict shelf‐life of packaged moisture‐sensitive product by modelling moisture uptake during storage and distribution. The effect of temperature and initial moisture content (MC) of IMC banana on the relationship between MC and water activity were investigated. Raw bananas were dried in a tunnel dryer at 2% relative humidity (RH), 70 °C, and a 3.2 ± 0.2 m s–1 air velocity. Drying procedure was carried out a number of times until various IMC levels were obtained (5%, 14%, 22% and 33% db for banana). Sorption isotherms of bananas were determined at 10, 20, 30 and 40 °C. The initial MC of IMC banana had no significant effect on the relationship between MC and water activity according to statistical analysis. All the sorption curves were found to be Type II. BET, GAB, modified GAB, Oswin, Halsey and modified Freundlich models were fitted to the data and it was found that the best results were obtained with a modified Freundlich equation. A secondary modified Freundlich model was built accounting for the effect of aw and temperature on the sample MC.
Optimisation of baking parameters of chapati with respect to vitamin B1 and B2 retention and quality
Authors: Yadav Deep Narayan , Patki Prakash Eakanathrao , Mahesh Chitrashekarachar , Sharma Gopal Kumar , Bawa Amrindar Singh 
Published: July 2008

SummaryVitamin losses during processing of cereal grains and their food products play an important role in human vitamin intake. Therefore, experiments were conducted to optimise the baking parameters for chapati, a flat unleavened, hot‐plate‐baked product of Asian diet. In the experiments, whole‐wheat flour (100% extraction rate) was used for the preparation of chapaties. Central composite rotatable design with three independent variables (thickness of dough sheet, time as well as temperature of baking) at five levels and nine dependent variables, i.e. vitamin B1 and B2 content, textural properties and overall acceptability scores, were used to conduct the experiments. The ranges for three independent variables were: thickness, 2.5–4.5 mm; time, 2.0–3.0 min; and temperature, 200–240 °C. Thickness of the dough sheet had a significant (P ≤ 0.05) positive effect on vitamin retention, while the temperature had greater negative effect as compared with the time of baking. Based on compromise optimisation, optimum conditions for baking of chapati, especially with respect to vitamin retention were: thickness of dough sheet 3.2 mm, time of baking 2.1 min and baking temperature 216.3 °C.
Pain management: a review of organisation models with integrated processes for the management of pain in adult cancer patients
Authors: Brink‐Huis Anita , Achterberg Theo van , Schoonhoven Lisette 
Published: July 2008

Aims and objectives.  This paper reports a review of the literature conducted to identify organisation models in cancer pain management that contain integrated care processes and describe their effectiveness.Background.  Pain is experienced by 30–50% of cancer patients receiving treatment and by 70–90% of those with advanced disease. Efforts to improve pain management have been made through the development and dissemination of clinical guidelines. Early improvements in pain management were focussed on just one or two single processes such as pain assessment and patient education. Little is known about organisational models with multiple integrated processes throughout the course of the disease trajectory and concerning all stages of the care process.Design.  Systematic review.Method.  The review involved a systematic search of the literature, published between 1986–2006. Subject‐specific keywords used to describe patients, disease, pain management interventions and integrated care processes, relevant for this review were selected using the thesaurus of the databases.Conclusion.  Institutional models, clinical pathways and consultation services are three alternative models for the integration of care processes in cancer pain management. A clinical pathway is a comprehensive institutionalisation model, whereas a pain consultation service is a ‘stand‐alone’ model that can be integrated in a clinical pathway. Positive patient and process outcomes have been described for all three models, although the level of evidence is generally low. Evaluation of the quality of pain management must involve standardised measurements of both patient and process outcomes.Relevance to clinical practice.  We recommend the development of policies for referrals to a pain consultation service. These policies can be integrated within a clinical pathway. To evaluate the effectiveness of pain management models standardised outcome measures are needed.