bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fate of undifferentiated mouse embryonic stem cells within the rat heart: role of myocardial infarction and immune suppression
Authors: He Qing , Trindade Pedro T. , Stumm Michael , Li Jian , Zammaretti Prisca , Bettiol Esther , Dubois‐Dauphin Michel , Herrmann François , Kalangos Afksendyios , Morel Denis , Jaconi Marisa E. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractIt has recently been suggested that the infarcted rat heart microenvironment could direct pluripotent mouse embryonic stem cells to differentiate into cardiomyocytes through an in situ paracrine action. To investigate whether the heart can function as a cardiogenic niche and confer an immune privilege to embryonic stem cells, we assessed the cardiac differentiation potential of undifferentiated mouse embryonic stem cells (mESC) injected into normal, acutely or chronically infarcted rat hearts. We found that mESC survival depended on immunosuppression both in normal and infarcted hearts. However, upon Cyclosporin A treatment, both normal and infarcted rat hearts failed to induce selective cardiac differentiation of implanted mESC. Instead, teratomas developed in normal and infarcted rat hearts 1 week and 4 weeks (50% and 100%, respectively) after cell injection. Tight control of ESC commitment into a specific cardiac lineage is mandatory to avoid the risk of uncontrolled growth and tumourigenesis following transplantation of highly plastic cells into a diseased myocardium.
Neuronal mitochondrial amelioration by feeding acetyl‐L‐carnitine and lipoic acid to aged rats
Authors: Aliev Gjumrakch , Liu Jiankang , Shenk Justin C. , Fischbach Kathryn , Pacheco Gerardo J. , Chen Shu G. , Obrenovich Mark E. , Ward Walter F. , Richardson Arlan G. , Smith Mark A. , Gasimov Eldar , Perry George , Ames Bruce N. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractBrain function declines with age and is associated with diminishing mitochondrial integrity. The neuronal mitochondrial ultrastructural changes of young (4 months) and old (21 months) F344 rats supplemented with two mitochondrial metabolites, acetyl‐L‐carnitine (ALCAR, 0.2%[wt/vol] in the drinking water) and R‐α‐lipoic acid (LA, 0.1%[wt/wt] in the chow), were analysed using qualitative and quantitative electron microscopy techniques. Two independent morphologists blinded to sample identity examined and scored all electron micrographs. Mitochondria were examined in each micrograph, and each structure was scored according to the degree of injury. Controls displayed an age‐associated significant decrease in the number of intact mitochondria (P = 0.026) as well as an increase in mitochondria with broken cristae (P < 0.001) in the hippocampus as demonstrated by electron microscopic observations. Neuronal mitochondrial damage was associated with damage in vessel wall cells, especially vascular endothelial cells. Dietary supplementation of young and aged animals increased the proliferation of intact mitochondria and reduced the density of mitochondria associated with vacuoles and lipofuscin. Feeding old rats ALCAR and LA significantly reduced the number of severely damaged mitochondria (P = 0.02) and increased the number of intact mitochondria (P < 0.001) in the hippocampus. These results suggest that feeding ALCAR with LA may ameliorate age‐associated mitochondrial ultrastructural decay and are consistent with previous studies showing improved brain function.
Handover from paramedics: Observations and emergency department clinician perceptions
Authors: Yong Guohao , Dent Andrew W , Weiland Tracey J 
Published: March 2008

AbstractObjectives:  1. To evaluate emergency clinician attitudes towards handover from prehospital paramedics.2. To determine the content and methods of paramedic handover delivery to emergency clinicians.Methods:  Exploratory study comprising questionnaire of emergency clinicians and observation of paramedic‐to‐emergency clinician handover with associated survey at an adult tertiary referral hospital with approximately 12 000 ambulance arrivals of 37 000 annual attendances.Results:  Emergency staff found handover from paramedics on patient conditions relevant, especially for altered consciousness (94%, 95% CI 83.5–98.6), trauma (90%, 95% CI 82.0–98.4) and chest pain (88%, 95% CI 79.0–97.0), but less so for behavioural disturbance (67%, 95% CI 53.7–79.5). A total of 621 handovers from 311 ambulance arrivals were observed. Most arrivals (81%, 95% CI 76.4–85.4) were not preceded by prehospital communication. Paramedics handed over twice 91% of the time (95% CI 88.2–94.4). Doctors received direct paramedic handover for 12% (95% CI 8.0–15.1) of ambulance arrivals, including 19 team handovers, whereas triage nurses took 97% (95% CI 95.6–99.2) and attending nurses, 91% (95% CI 87.5–93.9). Fifty per cent (95% CI 42.7–57.3) of emergency clinicians referred to ambulance sheets. Handover information was perceived to be useful and accurate in more than 80% of instances. Verbal handover occurred before ambulance sheet completion for 78% (95% CI 73.5–82.7).Conclusion:  Although there is satisfaction in paramedic handover, prehospital notification and emergency physician contact with paramedics is uncommon for low acuity patients, who constitute the majority of ambulance attendances and hospital admissions. Scope for improved direct doctor–paramedic communication exists.
Safety and effectiveness of high‐dose midazolam for severe behavioural disturbance in an emergency department with suspected psychostimulant‐affected patients
Authors: Spain David , Crilly Julia , Whyte Ian , Jenner Linda , Carr Vaughan , Baker Amanda 
Published: March 2008

AbstractObjectives:  To trial high‐dose midazolam sedation protocol for uncooperative patients with suspected psychostimulant‐induced behavioural disorders. End‐points were effectiveness and safety.Methods:  A prospective pilot study was undertaken with a convenience sample of adult, uncooperative patients with suspected psychostimulant‐induced severe behavioural disorders. The protocol was midazolam in 10 mg increments, i.m. or i.v., at 10 min intervals, up to four doses and titrated to an end‐point of rousable drowsiness.Results:  Sixty‐two patients were enrolled. Two‐thirds of the patients required only one dose of midazolam; 88% of the sample were sedated with two doses. Six and a half per cent of patients were not sedated after four doses. A Glasgow Coma Score of eight or less was prolonged in eight patients. Airway problems requiring an adjunct were present in four patients. Recent psychostimulant use was present in only 55% after full assessment.Conclusions:  High‐dose midazolam protocols cannot be supported as universally safe. High‐dose protocols for severe behavioural disturbance are not more effective, with failures occurring even after repeated dosing.
Hallucinogenic plants of abuse
Authors: Cunningham Nicola 
Published: March 2008

AbstractMan has used hallucinogenic plants and mushrooms for centuries. The characteristics of these plants that led to their incorporation into important ritualistic and spiritual traditions, however, have also resulted in their widespread propagation and abuse. Hallucinogenic plants have long been depicted as innocuous substances, yet their unpredictable nature makes intoxication potentially dangerous. In present‐day society, there is greater access to these drugs and a growing trend among the younger generations to experiment with these plants in a recreational fashion. Emergency physicians need to be aware of the potential sources of plant hallucinogens and the spectrum of toxic effects. A review of the more common hallucinogenic plants and fungi is discussed with reference to historical, pharmacological and clinical aspects of these intoxications.
Allometric models for non‐destructive leaf area estimation in coffee (Coffea arabica and Coffea canephora)
Authors: Antunes W.C. , Pompelli M.F. , Carretero D.M. , DaMatta F.M. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractWe aimed to evaluate the currently used allometric models, as well as to propose a reliable and accurate model using non‐destructive measurements of leaf length (L) and/or width (W), for estimating the area of leaves of eight field‐grown coffee cultivars. For model construction, a total of 1563 leaves were randomly selected from different levels of the tree canopies and encompassed the full spectrum of measurable leaf sizes (0.3–263 cm2) for each genotype. Power models better fit coffee leaf area (LA) than linear models. To validate the model, an independent data set of 388 leaves was used. We demonstrated that the currently used allometric models are biased, underestimating the area of a coffee leaf. We developed a single power model based on two leaf dimensions [LA = 0.6626 (LW)1.0116; standard errors: β0 = 0.0064, β1 = 0.0019; R2 = 0.996] with high precision and accuracy, random dispersion pattern of residuals and also unbiased, irrespective of cultivar and leaf size and shape. Even when the L (but not width) alone was used as the single leaf dimension, the power model developed still predicted with good accuracy the LA but at the expense of some loss of precision, as particularly found for 8% of the leaves sampled with length‐to‐width ratios below 2.0 or above 3.0.
FATTY ACIDS AND MEAT CHARACTERISTICS OF DIFFERENT BIOLOGICAL TYPES OF BEEF CATTLE DEVELOPED UNDER A MANAGEMENT‐INTENSIVE GRAZING SYSTEM
Authors: THOMAS MICHELLE L. , BROWN A. HAYDEN , KELLOGG D. WAYNE , RULE DANIEL C. , BAUBLITS ROBERT TY , JOHNSON ZELPHA B. , ANSCHUTZ KAREN S. , MURRIETA CHARLES M. 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTBeef steers representing four biological types were evaluated for fatty acid profiles and meat characteristics in muscle tissue developed on grazed forages. Biological types included six large‐framed, late maturing, nine medium‐framed, late maturing, nine medium‐framed, intermediate maturing, and nine medium‐framed, early maturing steers.Longissimus dorsimuscles were removed and frozen after 7 days of dry aging. Tenderness and cook loss were similar between biological types. Significant differences (P < 0.05) in fatty acid profiles were found between biological types. The medium‐framed, early maturing animals scored highest (P < 0.05) in marbling, had the highest (P < 0.05) concentration of total n‐3 fatty acids, and had the lowest n–6/n–3 ratio at 1.03:1. All biological types had a mean n–6/n–3 ratio well below the recommended<4:1 for human cardiovascular health. Under this dietary management system, medium‐framed, early maturing beef steers should be considered for producing grass‐fed beef based on both carcass merit and fatty acid composition.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSBeef cattle that reach physiological maturity (i.e. puberty) earlier than their contemporaries should be selected for the production of grassfed beef if fully developed on forages. Those animals have the ability to deposit fat earlier than their later‐maturing contemporaries. Additionally, medium‐framed beef animals should be selected over larger‐framed animals as skeletal frame does not contribute to meat quality but requires more nutritional input for growth and maintenance. This ability to deposit fat exclusively on forage nutrients, without energy or protein supplementation, should be exploited when developing grassfed beef. Fat deposition, particularly intramuscularly (IM), contributes positively to meat quality. Fatty acids, especially the ratio of n‐6/n‐3, are optimized when beef animals have been fully developed on nutrient‐dense forages. Forages must be managed in such a way to capture those nutrients for animal intake and protect the plants for regrowth in a pasture setting.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND ACCEPTABILITY OF EXTRUDED AFRICAN BREADFRUIT‐BASED SNACKS
Authors: NWABUEZE TITUS U. , IWE MADUEBIBISI O. , AKOBUNDU ENOCH N.T. 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACT Five‐level combinations of African breadfruit, corn and soybean, in the ratios 40:5:55; 55:5:40; 70:5:25; 85:5:10 and 100:0:0%, respectively, were hydrated to 15, 18, 21, 24 and 27% and extruded into snacks at screw speeds of 100, 120, 140, 160 and 180 rpm. Physical characteristics of snacks from blends containing 15 and 18% moisture ranged from thin‐smooth to thin‐fine‐smooth pellets. Those containing 21 to 27% moisture were either thin‐smooth or thick‐smooth, fine‐smooth or rough strands. Feed moisture and feed composition were the most significant process variables influencing physical and sensory characteristics. The optimum process variable combination that had maximum influence on physical and sensory characteristics of snacks was the 70:5:25 feed ratio with 21% moisture and extruded at 140 rpm. This resulted in an overall acceptability score of 8.20 on a 9‐point hedonic scale. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSAfrican breadfruit is widely grown in the high rainforest parts of Nigeria and other African countries, where the seeds are traditionally consumed as porridge meal when cooked with ingredients or as snacks when roasted. There is therefore a need to adopt more efficient extrusion technologies to rapidly and efficiently transform African breadfruit and its blends with corn and soybean into acceptable snacks. Optimizing process variable conditions using response surface analysis to evaluate product physical characteristics and acceptability was the thrust of this study. It is expected to give direction toward a more scientific approach to scaling up operations in African breadfruit seed processing and utilization.
EFFECT OF PENTOSANASE ON DOUGH AND BREAD PROPERTIES PRODUCED BY DIFFERENT TYPES OF FLOURS
Authors: KOYUNCU ÖZKAN , BILGIÇLI NERMIN , ELGÜN ADEM , KARA MERYEM 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACT The effects of pentosanase at different doses (20, 60 and 100 ppm) on physical dough properties and bread quality were studied using three types of wheat flours. Flour A was a regular bread flour, flour B had a high hardness ratio and protein content, and flour C was prepared from the same blend of flour A but had a high extraction ratio. Regarding farinograph data, water absorption values of the high extraction (86%) flour C and high hardness (65%) blend flour B increased with introduction of pentosanase. Extensibility values of the flours increased moderately with pentosanase addition, while resistance and energy values decreased. The volume of breads made with flours C and B decreased upon addition of pentosanase. But loaf volume of breads prepared with regular bread flour A with 50% hardness and 76% extraction rate increased with high levels of pentosanase addition. In conclusion, flour A as a regular bread flour gave satisfactory results with pentosanase supplementations, whereas the harder‐blend (65%) and higher‐extraction‐rate (85%) flours from the same cultivars did not. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSPentosanase addition was more effective on soluble pentosans than on insoluble ones. Because of these effects, it enhanced the bread‐making properties of regular flour more effectively than those of the high‐extraction and harder‐blend flours of the same cultivars.
EFFECT OF NATURAL ANTIOXIDANTS ON OXIDATIVE STABILITY OF FROZEN, VACUUM‐PACKAGED BEEF AND PORK
Authors: ROJAS MARTHA C. , BREWER M. SUSAN 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACT The effect of grape seed extract (GS; 0.01 and 0.02%), oleoresin rosemary (0.02%) and water‐soluble oregano extract (0.02%) on the oxidative and color stability of raw beef and pork patties, vacuum packaged and stored frozen for 4 months, was determined. Fresh beef or pork lean and trim were ground, then mixed individually with fat (30%) from their respective species. Antioxidants, mixed with salt, were added. The patties were formed, vacuum packaged and stored at −18C. Lipid oxidation was assessed using thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and descriptive sensory evaluation. Color changes (instrumental and visual) and pH were determined immediately (time 0) and after 1, 2, 3 and 4 months. Based on the TBARS values, GS provided small degrees of protection against oxidation in both meat species. It did not alter (P < 0.05) the sensory perception of oxidation, redness, yellowness or color intensity.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSConsumer interest in food formulations containing “natural” ingredients has motivated the food industry to evaluate the effectiveness of naturally occurring components of food for functional purposes other than their commonly recognized ones. A variety of antioxidant compounds, mostly phenolic in nature, exist in plant materials. Grape seed extract (0.01–0.02%), rosemary and oregano can provide limited protection against lipid oxidation in higher fat meat products. However, higher levels may prove to be more efficacious than those used in this study.
Electrokinetic Migration of Permanganate Through Low‐Permeability Media
Authors: Reynolds David A. , Jones Edward H. , Gillen Mike , Yusoff Ismail , Thomas David G. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThis research was conducted to evaluate the combination of electromigration and potassium permanganate as a potential remediation method for low‐permeability media (e.g., soil and sediment) contaminated with dissolved and sorbed organic contaminants. The experimental procedure was composed of two stages: determination of migration rates of permanganate through homogeneous cores and a primarily qualitative analysis of migration in more heterogeneous, two‐dimensional scenarios. Results indicated that transport of permanganate through fine‐grained porous media and clays can be undertaken using electromigration, and electromigration rates were found to be at least 400% faster than diffusion alone. In addition, the use of an applied electric field in a flushing scenario was shown to result in almost 100% sweep efficiency of a domain consisting of clay blocks interspersed in a glass bead medium. The results of the study show that there is potential for this method to be able to deliver permanganate and other potential remedial agents to treat contaminated zones within heterogeneous and low‐permeability porous media through in situ chemical oxidation or other processes.
Stream Bottom Resistivity Tomography to Map Ground Water Discharge
Authors: Nyquist Jonathan E. , Freyer Paul A. , Toran Laura 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThis study investigates the effectiveness of direct current electrical resistivity as a tool for assessing ground water/surface water interactions within streams. This research has shown that patterns of ground water discharge can be mapped at the meter scale, which is important for understanding stream water quality and ecosystem function. Underwater electrical resistivity surveys along a 107‐m stream section within the Burd Run Watershed in South Central Pennsylvania identified three resistivity layers: a resistive (100 to 400 Ωm) surface layer corresponding to the streambed sediments, a conductive (20 to 100 Ωm) middle layer corresponding to residual clay sediments, and a resistive (100 to 450 Ωm) bottom layer corresponding to the carbonate bedrock. Tile probing to determine the depth to the bedrock and resistivity test box analysis of augered sediment samples confirmed these interpretations of the resistivity data. Ground water seeps occurred where the resistivity data showed that the residual clays were thinnest and bedrock was closest to the streambed. Plotting the difference in resistivity between two surveys, one conducted during low‐stage and the other during high‐stage stream conditions, showed changes in the conductivity of the pore fluids saturating the sediments. Under high‐stream stage conditions, the top layer showed increased resistivity values for sections with surface water infiltration but showed nearly constant resistivity in sections with ground water seeps. This was expressed as difference values less than 50 Ωm in the area of the seeps and greater than 50 Ωm change for the streambed sediments saturated by surface water. Thus, electrical resistivity aided in characterizing ground water discharge zones by detecting variations in subsurface resistivity under high‐ and low‐stream stage conditions as well as mapping subsurface heterogeneities that promote these exchanges.
Malebranche and Occasional Causes
Authors: Cunning David 
Published: March 2008

AbstractIn VI.ii.3 of The Search After Truth Malebranche offers an argument for the view that only God is a cause. Here I defend an interpretation of the argument according to which Malebranche is supposing (quite rightly) that if there is a necessary connection between a cause and its effect, then if creatures were real causes, God's volitions would not be sufficient to bring about their intended effects. I then consider the argument from constant creation that Malebranche offers in Dialogues on Metaphysics and on Religion. If Malebranche holds that God is literally creating things in their entirety at each and every moment, it is difficult to understand how his system could make room for finite substances, and it is difficult to understand how he can allow that finite minds are to be held accountable for what they do. Here I defend a weakened version of the doctrine of constant creation according to which God is constantly creating the modifications of things but is not constantly creating things in their entirety.
Form, Principle, Pattern, or Coherence? Li in Chinese Philosophy
Authors: Ziporyn Brook 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThis article provides an overview of controversies in the history of Chinese philosophy concerning the diversity of meanings of the term Li , as well as the comparative issues raised in various attempts by modern Chinese and Western interpreters to come to terms with this diversity of meanings. Revisiting the earliest pre‐philosophical uses of the term, an attempt is then made to synthesize the insights of previous interpreters and open up a new path for investigating its distinctive implications in classical Chinese thought, Chinese Buddhism, and Neo‐Confucianism.
A Priori Knowledge: Debates and Developments
Authors: Jenkins C. S. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThis paper takes a look at a variety of attempts to account for the apparent existence of a priori knowledge: knowledge that is independent of evidence from sense experience. The classic views can be helpfully classified in terms of three different responses they provide to a single key question. Recently Alan Gibbard and Hartry Field have made space for a fourth, ‘evaluativist’, response. I highlight a few difficulties faced by this new camp and indicate where I think a fifth camp can be set up. I conclude by discussing recent arguments due to John Hawthorne and Timothy Williamson to the effect that the a priori/a posteriori distinction is not (always) a helpful one to draw at all.