bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fate of Phytic Acid in Producing Soy Protein Ingredients
Authors: Deak Nicolas A. , Johnson Lawrence A. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractPhytic acid (myo‐inositol hexaphosphate) is present in soybeans and soy protein products at 1–2% dry matter. Phytate causes poor absorption of essential electrolytes and minerals, and binds to proteins and co‐precipitates with isoelectric soy protein isolates. We determined how phytic acid partitioned during different procedures to prepare soy protein ingredients. Procedure and soybean variety significantly affected phytic acid content and recovery. High‐sucrose/low‐stachyose (HS/LS) soybeans contained significantly (P < 0.05) less phytate than did a typical variety of commodity soybeans (IA2020). In addition, phytate was more readily extracted from the commodity soybeans than from HS/LS soybeans. Among all procedures studied, ethanol‐washed soy protein concentrate had the highest phytate contents and yields in the protein products for both soybean varieties (~80 mg/g and 99%, respectively). When protein extraction was carried out at room temperature the protein products had significantly lower phytate yields (60–78%) than when extraction was at 60 °C (80–99%). The protein products obtained from normal soybeans had significantly higher phytate contents than the same products made from HS/LS soybeans. When fractionating soy proteins, the glycinin‐rich fraction contained significantly less phytate than the β‐conglycinin fraction except for the fractionation procedure performed at room temperature instead of 4 °C.
Zinc‐finger transcription factor Snail accelerates survival, migration and expression of matrix metalloproteinase‐2 in human bone mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Zha Yun‐hong , He Jie‐feng , Mei Yuan‐wu , Yin Tao , Mao Ling 
Published: March 2007

AbstractAlthough bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC) hold promise in gene therapy and tissue engineering, the inefficient migration and the low capability of subsequent survival of BMSC have largely restrained progress in these studies. Characteristics shared between stem cells and tumorigenic cells prompted us to investigate whether mechanisms of tumor progression contribute to stem cell migration. The transcription factor Snail which functions in epithelial‐mesenchymal transitions (EMT) is responsible for the acquisition of motile and invasive properties of tumor cells. It is not yet known whether Snail acts in the mechanisms of stem cell migration. Here it is shown that ectopic Snail expression increased the migration of BMSC in vitro by a mechanism dependent on the phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI‐3K) signaling pathway. Snail expression may contribute to the constitutive activation of signaling pathways of PI‐3K and MAPK and the related MMP‐2 secretion in BMSC. Furthermore, the stem cells expressing Snail were protected from the apoptosis triggered by serum deprivation. These results suggested the possibility for us to optimize the migration of BMSC toward infarcted tissues and their subsequent survival in the local microenvironment, by investigating mechanisms associated with the acquisition of invasiveness by tumor cells.
Analysis of aclarubicin‐induced cell death in human fibroblasts
Authors: Kania K. , Matławska‐Wąsowska K. , Osiecka R. , Jóźwiak Z. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractIn the present study we investigated the mode of cell death induced by aclarubicin (ACL) in trisomic (BB) and normal (S‐2) human fibroblasts. Cells were incubated with ACL for 2 h and then cultured in drug‐free medium for up to 96 h. Using fluorescence microscopy, agarose gel electrophoresis and comet assay we demonstrate that ACL induced time‐dependent morphological and biochemical changes in both cell types. The population of apoptotic cells, analysed by acridine orange and ethidium bromide nuclear staining reached its maximum at 24–48 h. Prolonged post‐treatment time progressively increased the level of necrotic cells. At 24–48 h time points we also observed a significant increase in caspase‐3 activity, oligonucleosomal DNA fragmentation and DNA strand breaks. Cotreatment of cells with the specific caspase‐3 inhibitor Ac‐DEVD‐CHO partly reduced the extent of apoptosis and necrosis and DNA degradation. In conclusion, trisomic and normal fibroblasts demonstrate similar response to aclarubicin treatment. Drug induced the apoptotic and necrotic pathway of cell death that was mediated by caspase‐3.
Non‐cardiovascular co‐morbidity in elderly patients with heart failure outnumbers cardiovascular co‐morbidity
Authors: van der Wel Mark C. , Jansen Rene W.M.M. , Bakx J. Carel , Bor Hans H.J. , OldeRikkert Marcel G.M. , van Weel Chris 
Published: March 2007

AbstractBackground:Patients with heart failure often suffer from multiple co‐morbid conditions. However, until now only cardiovascular co‐morbidity has been well described.Aims:To understand heart failure in the context of multi‐morbidity, by describing the age and sex specific patterns of non‐cardiovascular co‐morbidity in elderly patients with heart failure in general practice.Methods:All patients aged 65 years and over, diagnosed with heart failure in four practices of the Nijmegen Academic Practice‐based Research Network (NPBRN) between January 1999 and December 2003 were selected, and the prevalence of 27 cardio‐ and non‐cardiovascular co‐morbidities determined.Results:Of the 269 patients identified (mean age 79 years; 57% women), 80.2% had four or more co‐morbidities. With increasing age, a significant increase in the prevalence of non‐cardiovascular conditions like visual and hearing impairments, osteoarthritis, dementia and urine incontinence; and a decrease in cardiovascular conditions like myocardial infarction and in women, hypertension, was observed. In patients aged 85 years and over, non‐cardiovascular disorders predominated over cardiovascular disorders.ConclusionsIn elderly patients with heart failure, the prevalence of non‐cardiovascular co‐morbidity is very high and exceeds the prevalence of cardiovascular conditions. Diseases such as dementia and osteoarthritis must be taken into account in the management of elderly patients with heart failure.
Genital tuberculosis in Indian infertility patients
Authors: Gupta N. , Sharma J.B. , Mittal S. , Singh N. , Misra R. , Kukreja M. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractObjectives: To analyze the clinical and laparoscopic features of 40 infertile women with genital tuberculosis. Materials and methods: This prospective clinical study was carried out at a tertiary care hospital from October 1, 2004, to August 30, 2006, with 150 infertile women in whom there was clinical suspicion of genital tuberculosis. All underwent diagnostic laparoscopy and biopsy for confirmation and other causes of infertility were excluded. Results: Among the 40 infertile women affected with genital tuberculosis there were cases of primary (n = 30) and secondary (n = 10) infertility; pelvic pain (n = 8); menorrhagia (n = 9); oligomenorrhea (n = 7); hypomenorrhea (n = 8); and primary (n = 2) and secondary (n = 2) amenorrhea. There were histories of pulmonary (n = 9) and abdominal tuberculosis (n = 6), ectopic pregnancy (n = 4), and antitubercular treatment (n = 10) in 10. There were cases of positive Mantoux test results (n = 2); endometrial aspiration showing tubercular endometritis (n = 10); positive acid‐fast bacillus culture results (n = 1); and positive polymerase chain reaction results (n = 9). Laparoscopic examination revealed abnormally dilated, tortuous, and blocked fallopian tubes (n = 13); peritubal and periovarian adhesions (n = 18); Fitz Hugh Curtis syndrome (n = 15); omental adhesions (n = 18); and bowel adhesions (n = 15). Hysteroscopy revealed flimsy intrauterine adhesions (n = 7). All patients were treated for tuberculosis and 13 were counseled for in‐vitro fertilization and embryo transfer or adoption. Conclusion: Genital tuberculosis is common in India and a combination of clinical and laparoscopic diagnoses, along with endometrial histopathologic studies, acid‐fast bacillus culture, and polymerase chain reaction assays provides the best available method for the diagnosis of genital tuberculosis in infertile women.
Reduction of maternal mortality: The need for voluntary blood donors
Authors: Cruz J.R. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractObjective: To explore the relationship between maternal mortality and availability of blood for transfusion at the country level in Latin American and Caribbean countries. Method: The association of blood availability with maternal mortality, expressed either as national maternal mortality ratio or proportion of maternal deaths due to hemorrhage, in selected Latin American and Caribbean countries was analyzed by non‐parametric methods. Result: An inverse correlation was found between blood availability and both maternal mortality ratio (p < 0.002) and proportion of deaths due to hemorrhage (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Limited availability of blood for transfusion in countries with high maternal mortality ratios may hinder comprehensive care of mothers. The results presented here underscore the need for the formation of voluntary blood donors in the pursuit of improved maternal health.
A novel model to study the biological effects of red wine at the molecular level
Authors: Canali Raffaella , Ambra Roberto , Stelitano Cecilia , Mattivi Fulvio , Scaccini Cristina , Virgili Fabio 
Published: March 2007

Several food items of plant origin, and in particular red wine, have been reported to protect from cardiovascular disease (CVD) development, thanks to their polyphenol components. Polyphenols undergo complex metabolic transformation during digestion and intestinal absorption. Here we report a novel model to study the effects of complex food matrices, applied to red wine, on gene expression in cultured primary human endothelial cells that takes into account the polyphenol metabolic transformation. Red wine was administered to human volunteers acting as ‘bio-reactors’. Serum (RWS) obtained after 40 min was utilized to enrich endothelial cell culture media. The expression of specific genes involved in cell adhesion (vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM), intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM) and monocytes chemoattractant protein (MCP-1)) and fibrinolysis (tissue-plasminogen activator (t-PA), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-2 (PAI-2)) was considered as a molecular marker of cell function and related to the effects of RWS. The gene expression profile determined by RWS incubation was significantly different from that observed after the addition of red wine. Data obtained by this approach indicate the importance of taking into account the complex metabolic transformation of polyphenols that occurs during absorption when studying their effect on human health.
Ultrasound-guided, intraglandular injection of botulinum toxin A in children suffering from excessive salivation
Authors: Gerlinger I , Szalai G , Hollódy K , Németh A 
Published: March 2007

Background: The aim of this study was to describe the authors' minimally invasive procedure developed to significantly decrease excessive salivation in children suffering from chronic neurological diseases, using botulinum toxin A.Objective: Ultrasound-guided, intraglandular injection of botulinum toxin blocks the parasympathetic innervation of salivary glands, resulting in a temporary decrease in saliva production and improved quality of life, lasting about three to four months.Materials and methods: Prior to introducing the method into clinical practice, animal experiments were conducted in order to verify the lack of histological changes three months following botulinum toxin administration. Twenty-one children were included in the clinical study, with ages ranging from two and a half to 14 years.Results: The animal studies did not reveal any histological changes three months after botulinum toxin administration. Although botulinum toxin A proved to be ineffective in a single case, the majority of the other 20 patients responded well, with a highly significant reduction of their symptoms. The parents of 18 responder children requested repeated treatment with botulinum toxin A. However, two families refused to be further involved in the study, despite good results. The protein content of saliva, regulated by sympathetic innervation, was not affected by the treatment.Conclusion: This minimally invasive method, applied repeatedly three to four times a year, may be a viable alternative to surgical procedures such as submandibular duct relocation, duct ligature or nervus tympanicus neurectomy.
Optimising outcome assessment of voice interventions, I: reliability and validity of three self-reported scales
Authors: Webb A L , Carding P N , Deary I J , MacKenzie K , Steen I N , Wilson J A 
Published: March 2007

AbstractBackground:There is an increasing choice of voice outcome research tools, but good comparative data are lacking.Objective:To evaluate the reliability and validity of three voice-specific, self-reported scales.Design:Longitudinal, cohort comparison study.Setting:Two UK voice clinics: the Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, and the Glasgow Royal Infirmary.Participants:One hundred and eighty-one patients presenting with dysphonia.Main outcome measures:All patients completed the vocal performance questionnaire, the voice handicap index and the voice symptom scale. For comparison, each patient's voice was recorded and assessed perceptually using the grade–roughness–breathiness–aesthenia–strain scale. The reliability and validity of the three self-reported vocal performance measures were assessed in all subjects, while 50 completed the questionnaires again to assess repeatability.Results:The results of the 170 participants with completed data sets showed that all three questionnaires had high levels of internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.81–0.95) and repeatability (voice handicap index = 0.83; vocal performance questionnaire = 0.75; voice symptom scale = 0.63). Concurrent and criterion validity were also good, although, of the grade–roughness–breathiness–aesthenia–strain subscales, roughness was the least well correlated with the self-reported measures.Conclusion:The vocal performance questionnaire, the voice handicap index and the voice symptom scale are all reliable and valid instruments for measuring the patient-perceived impact of a voice disorder.
Auto-laydown robot for space solar module
Authors: Wu Yuexin , Zhao Hui , Fu Zhuang , Zhao Yanzheng , Li Peibo 
Published: March 2007

SUMMARYThis paper discusses about auto-laydown robot (ALR), which is applied to performing the laydown process of a solar module on earth. The robot consists of an adhesive dispensing mechanism, an auto-laydown mechanism, a pneumatic system and a control system. The method of gripping solar cells is described based on pneumatic technology. Meanwhile, a new method of controlling adhesive thickness and area during dispensing is proposed in this paper. The robot realizes the automatic laydown process of solar modules and can control the laydown pressure effectively. Compared with the manual method, the robot could control the dispensing volume and the adhesive area between solar modules and panel substrates, by means of experiments. The novel ALR greatly improves the laydown quality of solar modules and meets the lightweight trend of solar cells development.
Avoiding manual removal of placenta: evaluation of intra‐umbilical injection of uterotonics using the Pipingas technique for management of adherent placenta
Authors: ROGERS M.S. , YUEN P.M. , WONG SHELL ,   LOCATION OF STUDY
Published: March 2007

AbstractBackground. Manual removal of placenta is performed in 1–3% of cases, and whilst a well established and relatively safe procedure, it is not without complications, which include infection, hemorrhage, uterine rupture, and occasional maternal death. Methods. A three‐arm randomized controlled trial of 50 IU Syntocinon (in 30 ml N saline) versus 800 mcg misoprostol (in 30 ml N saline) versus 30 ml N saline alone (control), injected into the placental bed via the umbilical vein using the Pipingas method. A group sequential research model (triangular test: PEST4) was adopted to minimize the sample size, as retained placenta is a relatively uncommon condition. Results. No significant difference in the rate of manual removal was observed between the control and Syntocinon groups. On triggering the automatic stopping rule for this arm of the trial all subsequent cases recruited were allocated to receive either Syntocinon or misoprostol. After a total of 54 cases a significant reduction in manual removal of placenta was observed in the misoprostol group, triggering the automatic stopping rule and terminating the trial. Conclusion. Misoprostol (800 mcg) dissolved in 30 ml N saline and administered by intraumbilical injection using the Pipingas technique significantly reduces the need for manual removal for retained adherent placenta, whereas Syntocinon has similar effectiveness to injection of N saline alone.
Pregnancy outcome in patients with previous uterine rupture
Authors: USTA IHAB M. , HAMDI MOHAMAD A. , ABU MUSA ANTOINE A. , NASSAR ANWAR H. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractBackground. To review the outcome of subsequent pregnancies in conservatively managed cases of uterine rupture. Methods. Charts of patients with full thickness uterine rupture in the past 25 years were reviewed and information on subsequent pregnancies was extracted from maternal and neonatal charts. Results. Thirty‐seven patients with uterine rupture were identified; the uterus was scarred in 62.2%. Ruptures were repaired in 26 (70.3%). Twelve patients subsequently conceived (24 pregnancies), with recurrence in 8/24 (33.3%) pregnancies or 5/12 (41.7%) patients. Patients with recurrence had a shorter median interval from previous rupture (2 versus 5 years), a higher incidence of previous longitudinal ruptures (60.0% versus 0.0%), and the median gestational age at the preceding rupture was lower without reaching statistical significance (34 versus 38 weeks; p = 0.209). Conclusions. Longitudinal ruptures and short intervals between rupture and subsequent pregnancy predispose to recurrence of uterine rupture.
Parental Bonding and Suicidality in Adulthood
Authors: Heider Dirk , Bernert Sebastian , Matschinger Herbert , Angermeyer Matthias C. ,   the ESEMeD/MHEDEA 2000 investigators, Heider Dirk , Bernert Sebastian , Matschinger Herbert , Angermeyer Matthias C. ,   the ESEMeD/MHEDEA 2000 investigators, Haro Josep M. , Alonso Jordi 
Published: March 2007

Objective: The short-term effect of an adverse parental child rearing style on suicidality in adolescence has been extensively discussed. Nevertheless, little is known about the long-term effect of adverse parental child rearing on lifetime suicidality in adulthood. So the present study aims to examine the relation between parental bonding on the one hand and suicidality in adulthood on the other. Method: We used data from 7740 respondents of the European Study of Epidemiology of Mental Disorders project, a cross-sectional household survey carried out in six European countries. The data were assessed with the World Mental Health Composite International Diagnostic Interview, a comprehensive, fully structured psychiatric diagnostic interview. Suicidality was categorized as follows: ‘no ideation’, ‘ideation’, ‘attempt’. Parental bonding was assessed by means of a three-factor (‘care’, ‘overprotection’, ‘authoritarianism’) short form of the Parental Bonding Instrument. Using a multinomial-logistic regression model to investigate the association between these two constructs, we also adjusted for mood disorders, anxiety disorders, alcohol abuse/dependence and possible country effects. Results: We found associations between low maternal and paternal care on the one hand and suicidality on the other. Country-specific differences proved negligible. Conclusions: Prevention programs can help better equip parents in their child-rearing role to create a more caring parenting environment. This can be a protective factor for suicidality in adulthood. Nevertheless, more efforts are necessary to better describe the paths that lead from child-rearing behaviour to suicidality in adulthood.
Mortality Associated with Incident Mental Health Disorders After Stroke
Authors: Almeida Osvaldo P. , Xiao Jianguo 
Published: March 2007

Objective: Sparse information is currently available about the incidence of the major psychiatric syndromes following a stroke and their long-term contribution to morbidity and mortality. This study was designed to determine: (1) the incidence of first ever mental health disorder in amongst stroke patients; (2) the 10-year mortality associated with incident post-stroke mental health disorders. Methods: Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: Entire Western Australian community. Participants: First-ever stroke in 1990. Subjects with a prior recorded history of any mental health disorder were excluded from the study. Main outcomes of interest: Incident mental health diagnoses and 10-year mortality. Results: 1,129 hospital stroke contacts were recorded in 1990, with 21 people dying on the same day of contact. Between 1990-2002 36.6% of the survivors received a mental health diagnosis (6.1 per 1,000 person-years): alcohol-related disorders (16.2%), dementia (12.1%), delirium (7.6%), psychotic disorders (6.7%), and depression (5.5%). Mental health disorder onset was usually within 6 months of the stroke. Patients with an incident psychotic disorder were twice as likely to die during the subsequent 10 years as post-stroke controls with no mental health disorder (risk ratio = 2.03, 95%CI = 1.39-2.95). Being a widow (HR = 1.61, 95%CI = 1.13-2.30) or having been born in ‘other countries’ as opposed to Australia (HR = 1.56, 95%CI = 1.15-2.11) was also associated with increased death hazard. Conclusions: Approximately 1 in 3 patients develop a mental health disorder after stroke, although incidence estimates are relatively low. Post-stroke psychosis is associated with greater 10-year mortality, but the mechanisms underlying such an association are yet to be determined.
Usefulness of different imaging modalities in the assessment of scapular fractures caused by blunt trauma
Authors: Tadros A. M. A. , Lunsjo K. , Czechowski J. , Corr P. , Abu-Zidan F. M. 
Published: March 2007

Purpose: To analyze the usefulness of chest and scapular trauma radiographs, axial computed tomography (CT), and two- and three-dimensional (2D and 3D) reconstruction CT in detecting fractures of the six anatomical regions of the scapula. Material and Methods: Forty-four patients, with a median age (range) of 34 (16–60) years, with scapular fractures caused by blunt trauma were prospectively collected between January 2003 and December 2005. Their chest and scapula radiographs, and axial, 2D, and 3D CTs were reviewed blindly and independently by two observers. Each modality was compared with a gold standard to determine its diagnostic usefulness. Our gold standard was consensus reached by all authors together examining all modalities at the same time. We also compared 3D CTs reconstructed from chest and scapula axial views. Results: Axial and 3D reconstruction tomographic studies were the only useful modalities in assessing fractures in all six anatomical scapular regions. Three-dimensional CTs reconstructed from chest and scapula axial views were equally sensitive and specific. Conclusion: CT scanning with 3D reconstructions is the most useful imaging modality to detect and define the extent of scapular injury, and this can be done as part of a chest trauma computed tomography protocol.