bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Energy substrate efficiency during batch cultures of Geotrichum candidum
Authors: Aziza Majda , Adour Lydia , Amrane Abdeltif 
Published: February 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND: Metabolisation of carbon and nitrogen substrates is a key factor during the ripening process of white soft cheeses but has not previously been examined in terms of energy substrate efficiency. Such work could be useful to improve physiological knowledge concerning Geotrichum candidum, a yeast involved in the neutralisation of curd during ripening. Its behaviour was therefore examined during batch cultures on simple (glutamate) or complex (peptones) substrates as nitrogen and carbon sources and lactate as a second carbon source.RESULTS: In addition to their assimilation as carbon and nitrogen sources, G. candidum used peptides and amino acids as energy sources during growth in preference to lactate. Contrarily, during stationary state, lactate was preferred over peptides and amino acids for carbon dissimilation for energy supply, allowing the avoidance of ammonium production. Indeed, lactate dissimilation theoretically yields 15 adenosine triphosphates (ATPs), while only nine ATPs are theoretically yielded during the dissimilation of an amino acid such as glutamate.CONCLUSION: This behaviour can be considered as an energy‐saving response. Indeed, the use of peptides and amino acids as energy sources in addition to being used as carbon and nitrogen sources during G. candidum growth can be related to its deaminating activity and was in agreement with the better energy efficiency expected from utilisation of the same substrate as both carbon and energy source. Contrarily, the better efficiency of lactate dissimilation led to its use during stationary state instead of peptides and amino acids. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Management of hepatic metastasis of gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors
Authors: Landry Christine S. , Scoggins Charles R. , McMasters Kelly M. , Martin Robert C.G. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractBackgroundHepatic resection, radiofrequency ablation, intra‐arterial radiation therapy, and chemoembolization are all potential therapies in the treatment of metastatic carcinoid tumors of the liver. The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic factors in the management of hepatic metastases of gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors.MethodsWe reviewed our prospective database of 1084 hepato‐pancreatico‐biliary patients for patients with the diagnosis of metastatic carcinoid to the liver from 6/1998 to 9/2006.ResultsWe identified 54 patients, 21 men, 33 women, median age 59 years (range 37–86), median number of tumors 3 (range 1–27), and median size of hepatic metastasis of 4 cm (range 1–13). Hepatic resection was performed in 23 (43%) with 16 (70%) receiving additional hepatic directed therapy. Hepatic resection was found to have a statistically significant improved overall survival (P < 0.05) when compared to nonhepatic resection patients with an actuarial 5 years survival for surgical (75%) compared to nonsurgical (62%). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the use of tobacco was a significant factor in poor overall outcome (P = 0.005).ConclusionMultimodality therapy in the management of hepatic carcinoid metastasis can be done safely and effectively. We recommend the use of hepatic resection when feasible as this treatment most likely offers the best long‐term outcome. J. Surg. Oncol. 2008;97:253–258. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evaluation of separation in gradient elution ion chromatography by combining several retention models and objective functions
Authors: Bolanča Tomislav , Cerjan‐Stefanović Štefica , Luša Melita , Ukić Šime , Rogošić Marko 
Published: February 2008

AbstractIn this work, three different methods for modeling of gradient retention were combined with several optimization objective functions in order to find the most appropriate combination to be applied in ion chromatography method development. The system studied was a set of seven inorganic anions (fluoride, chloride, nitrite, sulfate, bromide, nitrate, and phosphate) with a KOH eluent. The retention modeling methods tested were multilayer perceptron artificial neural network (MLP‐ANN), radial‐basis function artificial neural network (RBF‐ANN), and retention model based on transfer of data from isocratic to gradient elution mode. It was shown that MLP retention model in combination with the objective function based on normalized retention difference product was the most adequate tool for optimization purposes.
GC‐MS method development and validation for anabolic steroids in feed samples
Authors: Muñiz‐Valencia Roberto , Ceballos‐Magaña Silvia G. , Gonzalo‐Lumbreras Raquel , Santos‐Montes Ana , Izquierdo‐Hornillos Roberto 
Published: February 2008

AbstractA GC‐MS method for the determination of AAS used as growth promoting agents using SIM in piglet feed samples has been developed and validated, using testosterone as internal standard. The formation of volatile steroid derivatives was carried out by derivatization with N‐methyl‐N‐(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide. The optimum separation was achieved using a Zebron ZB‐5 column under a gradient temperature elution, allowing the separation of steroids in 18 min. The required sample treatment process was discussed. A leaching using ACN, saponification using a binary NaOH/MgCl2 solution, and LLE using ethyl acetate were finally selected. Method validation has been carried out according to the Commission Decision 2002/657/EC criteria established for quantitative confirmatory methods. The extraction efficiencies, CCα and CCβ for these compounds were in the ranges 78–98%, 10–21 and 18–35 μg/kg, respectively. The repeatability and the within‐laboratory reproducibility at 1, 1.5, and 2 CCβ concentration levels were smaller than 8.2, 7.5, and 5.8% and 12.2, 9.5, and 7.5%, respectively. Accuracy was in the 99–103% range. The robustness was evaluated using the Youden robustness test. The proposed method was applied to the analysis of steroids spiked in different kinds of animal feed samples with satisfactory results.
Simultaneous determination by UPLC–ESI‐MS of scoparone, capillarisin, rhein, and emodin in rat urine after oral administration of Yin Chen Hao Tang preparation
Authors: Lv Haitao , Sun Hui , Wang Xijun , Sun Wenjun , Jiao Guozheng , Zhou Dixin , Zhao Li , Cao Hongxin , Zhang Guangmei 
Published: February 2008

AbstractA simple, sensitive, and validated method was developed for simultaneous determination of scoparone, capillarisin, rhein, and emodin in rat urine by ultra‐performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization quadruple time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS). The urinary samples were analyzed on an Acquity UPLC BEH C18 1.7 μm 2.1×50 mm column. Scoparone, capillarisin, rhein, and emodin in rat urine were simultaneously analyzed with good separation. The lower limits of detection were 6.0, 9.0, 7.0, and 3.0 ng/mL, and the lower limits of quantification were 20.0, 33.0, 24.0, and 12.0 ng/mL for scoparone, capillarisin, rhein, and emodin, respectively. The intra‐ and inter‐day precisions (RSD) were less than 9%. The intra‐ and inter‐accuracies were found to be in the range of 94.14–104.54% for scoparone, 101.72–107.34% for capillarisin, 95.24–103.59% for rhein, and 101.32–107.82% for emodin at three concentration levels. The absolute recoveries for scoparone, capillarisin, rhein, and emodin were not less than 77.0%. The developed method has been applied to determine scoparone, capillarisin, rhein, and emodin in rat urine after oral administration of Yin Chen Hao Tang preparation, a traditional Chinese medicine formulation widely used in China for treatment of jaundice and liver disorders.
Cortical excitability in DYT‐11 positive myoclonus dystonia
Authors: Sabine Meunier  , George Lourenco  , Roze Emmanuel , Apartis Emmanuelle , Trocello Jean‐Marc , Marie Vidailhet  
Published: February 2008

AbstractMyoclonus‐dystonia (M‐D) is an autosomal dominant movement disorder caused by mutations in the ε‐sarcoglycan gene (DYT11). We explore pathophysiological characteristics of M‐D with the hypothesis that they may be different from those of sporadic or genetic dystonia. We compared five carriers of the DYT11 gene mutation and 10 healthy controls. Using transcranial magnetic stimulation, we measured parameters assessing cortical membrane excitability (active motor threshold, aMT) and synaptic activity (short interval, sICI) and afferent (AI) intracortical inhibitions and their interaction. aMT was significantly higher in the DYT11 gene carriers than in normal subjects. The others parameters (sICI, AI and their interaction) were not different between the two groups. In DYT11 gene carriers cortical membrane excitability was impaired while parameters assessing cortical synaptic activity were normal. Opposite results have been obtained in focal sporadic and generalized DYT1 dystonias. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society
Preparation and properties of superabsorbent containing starch and sodium humate
Authors: Hua Shuibo , Wang Aiqin 
Published: February 2008

AbstractStarch and sodium humate were utilized as raw material for synthesizing starch‐g‐poly(acrylic acid)/sodium humate (St‐g‐PAA/SH) superabsorbent by graft copolymerization reaction of starch (St) and acrylic acid (AA) in the presence of sodium humate (SH) in aqueous solution. The effect of weight ratio of AA to St, initial monomer concentration, neutralization degree of AA, amount of crosslinker, initiator and SH on water absorbency of the superabsorbent were studied. The swelling rate and swelling behavior in NaCl solution as well as reswelling ability of the superabsorbent were systematically investigated. The results showed that the superabsorbent synthesized under optimal conditions with SH content of 7.7 wt% and St content of 11.5 wt% exhibits water absorbency of 1100 g/g in distilled water and 86 g/g in 0.9 wt% NaCl solution, respectively. Introducing SH into the St‐g‐PAA polymeric network can improved the swelling rate and reswelling capability of the superabsorbent. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Physiological distribution of placental growth factor and soluble Flt‐1 in early pregnancy
Authors: Makrydimas George , Sotiriadis Alexandros , Savvidou Makrina D. , Spencer Kevin , Nicolaides Kypros H. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractObjectiveTo examine the distribution of placental growth factor (PlGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and soluble VEGF receptor‐1 (sFlt‐1) in maternal and embryonic fluid compartments in early pregnancy.MethodThe concentrations of PlGF, VEGF and sFlt‐1 were measured in coelomic fluid and maternal serum from 16 singleton pregnancies at 7.0–9.3 weeks. In six cases, amniotic fluid was also examined.ResultsThe median concentration of PlGF was 14.1 (range 8.9–27.6) pg/mL in maternal serum, 13.9 (range 9.5–31.4) pg/mL in coelomic fluid and 8.9 (range 3.9–15.3) pg/mL in amniotic fluid. The concentration of PlGF increased between 7.0 and 9.3 weeks in maternal serum (p = 0.001) and decreased in coelomic and amniotic fluid (p = 0.001). The median concentration of sFlt‐1 was 8561 (range 6724‐10 673) pg/mL in coelomic fluid, 523 (range 244–986) pg/mL in maternal serum, 30 (range 12–83) pg/mL in amniotic fluid (p = 0.0001), and it did not change significantly with gestation. VEGF was undetectable in most of the samples, and therefore, no further analysis was performed.ConclusionPlGF and sFlt‐1 are present in the maternal and fetal fluid compartments in very early pregnancy, and their distribution is consistent with their site of production and the local conditions of transport. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prenatal diagnosis of β‐thalassemia by chip‐based capillary electrophoresis
Authors: Hu Hua , Li Caixia , Xiong Qiang , Gao Huafang , Li Yan , Chang Qing , Liang Zhiqing 
Published: February 2008

AbstractObjectiveTo explore the potential of chip‐based capillary electrophoresis for rapid prenatal diagnosis of genetic diseases, we developed a prenatal diagnosis method for β‐thalassemia, one of the most common recessive inherited disorders.MethodDNA samples containing known mutations of β‐thalassemia were used to optimize multiplex allele‐specific PCR and chip‐based capillary electrophoresis was used to simultaneously detect Cy3‐labeled PCR products and Cy5‐labeled ladder. This system was validated by detecting 40 unknown cases, 4 of which were processed further for prenatal diagnosis.ResultsWe analyzed previously genotyped samples and unknown samples by this method and the results were concordant with those from reverse dot blot and direct sequencing. Prenatal diagnosis was carried out successfully and rapidly on 1 µL (1 ng/µL) sample in 4 pregnancy cases carrying potential β‐thalassemia risk.ConclusionThis chip‐based capillary electrophoresis detecting system could be used for prenatal diagnosis of β‐thalassemia and will facilitate the rapid and sensitive prenatal diagnosis of genetic disorder. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Maternal serum ADAM12s as a potential marker of trisomy 21 prior to 10 weeks of gestation
Authors: Spencer Kevin , Vereecken Annie , Cowans Nicholas J. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractBackgroundADAM12s (a disintegrin and metalloprotease) is a placenta‐derived glycoprotein that is involved in growth and differentiation and has been shown to be a potential first‐trimester and second‐trimester marker of trisomy 21 and other aneuploides. Maternal ADAM12s concentrations show a considerable temporal variation with gestational age and in the initial study levels were found to be significantly reduced in the early first trimester. Here we study the levels prior to 10 weeks of gestation to establish further the effectiveness or otherwise of ADAM12s as an early screening marker.Materials and MethodsSamples collected as part of routine first‐trimester screening were retrieved from storage. In total, ten samples from singleton pregnancies with trisomy 21 were identified and were collected between the 8th and 9th weeks of gestation—of these 80% had been identified by combined first‐trimester screening. A series of 62 gestational age‐matched samples from singleton pregnancies collected during the same period formed the control group. ADAM12s was measured by a new DELFIA assay incorporating two monoclonals (6E6 and 8F8). Results were expressed as multiples of the median (MoM).ResultsThe median MoM ADAM12s at a median gestation of 9.3 weeks was 0.61 which was significantly lower than in the controls (p = 0.011) when compared by the Mann–Whitney test. The corresponding median pregnancy associated plasma protein (PAPP‐A) was 0.30 and free beta‐human chorionic gonadotropin (β‐hCG) 2.02.ConclusionsCombining the data from this study and from the only other published study with data prior to 10 weeks suggests that ADAM12s may have the potential as an early screening marker for trisomy 21, but may not be as reduced as first thought. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Carrier frequency of autosomal‐recessive disorders in the Ashkenazi Jewish population: should the rationale for mutation choice for screening be reevaluated?
Authors: Fares Fuad , Badarneh Khader , Abosaleh Mohamed , Harari‐Shaham Amalia , Diukman Roni , David Miriam 
Published: February 2008

AbstractBackgroundAshkenazi Jewish (AJ) population is at increased risk for several recessive inherited diseases. Therefore, carrier testing of AJ members is important in order to identify couples at risk of having offspring with an autosomal recessive disorder.MethodsIn the present study, a database containing the results of 28 410 genotyping assays was screened. Ten thousand seventy eight nonselected healthy members of the AJ population were tested for carrier status for the following diseases; Gaucher disease (GD), cystic fibrosis (CF), Familial dysautonomia (FD), Alpha 1 antitrypsin (A1AT), Mucolipidosis type 4 (ML4), Fanconi anemia type C (FAC), Canavan disease (CD), Neimann‐Pick type 4 (NP) and Bloom syndrome (BLM).ResultsThe results demonstrated that 635 members were carriers of one mutation and 30 members were found to be carriers of two mutations in the different genes related to the development of the above mentioned diseases. GD was found to have the highest carrier frequency (1:17) followed by CF (1:23), FD (1:29), A1AT (1:65), ML4 (1:67) and FAC (1:77). The carrier frequency of CD, NP and BLM was 1:82, 1:103 and 1:157, respectively.ConclusionsThe frequency of the disease‐causing mutations screened routinely among the AJ population indicated that there are rare mutations with very low frequencies. The screening policy of the disease‐causing mutations should be reevaluated and mutations with a high frequency should be screened, while rare mutations with a lower frequency may be tested in partners of carriers. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On the atomic level deformations in the auxetic zeolite natrolite
Authors: Gatt Ruben , Zammit Victor , Caruana Christian , Grima Joseph N. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractAuxetics (i.e. systems with negative Poisson's ratios) exhibit the unexpected feature of becoming fatter when stretched and narrower when compressed. A particular class of materials which has attracted significant attention in recent years in view of its potential for auxeticity is that of zeolites, in particular, the zeolite NAT where auxeticity has now been experimentally measured. Here we use molecular modelling to accurately reproduce through force‐field based simulations the experimentally measured negative Poisson's ratios in NAT. We also simulate and measure the atomic level deformations that result when NAT is mechanically deformed and use these to evaluate whether existing models can be used to explain the negative Poisson's ratios in natrolite. In particular we show that existing 2D models involving ‘rotating semi‐rigid quadrilaterals' can explain some aspects of the behaviour of NAT and make suggestions how such models can be improved so as to provide a better description of NAT in the auxetic (001) plane. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Retrievable Inferior Vena Cava Filters in High‐Risk Trauma and Surgical Patients: Factors Influencing Successful Removal
Authors: Hermsen Joshua L. , Ibele Anna R. , Faucher Lee D. , Nale Jennifer K. , Schurr Michael J. , Kudsk Kenneth A. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractBackgroundAn Inferior vena cava filter (IVCF) provides prophylaxis against pulmonary embolism in patients that cannot be anticoagulated. A removable IVCF (R‐IVCF) provides prophylaxis during a high‐risk period while potentially eliminating long‐term complications associated with a permanent IVCF. Factors influencing success of R‐IVCF removal are ill‐defined.MethodsThe study was a retrospective review of a prospectively maintained patient registry comprising patients who received an R‐IVCF (Bard RecoveryTM and G2TM) at an academic level 1 trauma center. The influence of time in vivo, filter design, and filter head position on computed abdominal tomographic (CAT) scan (touching caval wall vs. free) on removal success was examined.ResultsNinety‐two patients each received an R‐IVCF. Thirty‐nine patients underwent removal attempt and 30 R‐IVCFs were removed. Time in vivo did not affect removal success (success: 228 ± 104 days versus unsuccessful: 289 ± 158 days, p = 0.18). Filter design impacted filter head position (Recovery: 43% touching versus G2: 6% touching, p = 0.023). Position of the filter head influenced removal success (touching: 50% success versus free: 88% success, p = 0.021).ConclusionsPosition of the filter head is the key determinant of removal success. Specific device designs may impact filter head position as was the case with the two designs in this analysis. Time in vivo does not affect removal success.
Contributions of growth, stasis, and reproduction to fitness in brooding and broadcast spawning marine bivalves
Authors: Ripley Bonnie J. , Caswell Hal 
Published: February 2008

AbstractReproductive modes in marine invertebrates can be generally grouped into two types: those brooding larvae and those broadcast‐spawning gametes into the water. We asked if these different life‐history strategies differ based on how contribution to fitness is partitioned between growth, stasis, and reproduction. To investigate this question, we used published demographic data on ten diverse species of marine bivalves. We parameterized simple matrix‐population models and calculated the sums of elasticities to growth, stasis, and reproduction parameters and plotted the results on triangular axes. We also assessed whether contribution patterns were correlated with reproductive mode and tropical, temperate, or polar environments. We found that some of the broadcast spawners fell in the region of the plot with high elasticities for stasis and that some of the brooders fell in the region of the plot with higher growth and reproduction elasticities than stasis ones. However, instead of a sharp dichotomy, we found a continuum in contributions of stasis parameters with long‐lived brooders and short‐lived broadcast spawners in the same region of the plot. There was no clear pattern of reproductive mode associated with any particular environment, but we think these preliminary results are intriguing and that further work on comparative demography of marine invertebrates is warranted.
The effect ofCercidium praecoxandProsopis laevigataon vertical distribution of soil free‐living nematode communities in the Tehuacán Desert, Mexico
Authors: Pen‐Mouratov Stanislav , Rodriguez‐Zaragoza Salvador , Steinberger Yosef 
Published: February 2008

AbstractVegetation cover is known to act as an abiotic mediator influencing the structure of soil fauna communities in arid and semi‐arid ecosystems. The aim of the current research was to determine the spatial dispersion of the soil free‐living nematode community under the canopy ofCercidium praecoxandProsopis laevigataduring the rainy season. These shrubs are the dominant plant associations in the western part of the Tehuacán‐Cuicatlán Valley in Mexico. Soil samples were taken from each 10‐cm depth between 0 and 50 cm in August 2004. Our results demonstrated that the abundance and structure of the soil free‐living nematode communities in the study area were strongly dependent on plant effects, specified by limited factors such as soil moisture and organic matter availability. The greatest degree of abundance of soil‐free‐living nematodes (88%) was found in the upper (0–10 cm) soil layer. Plant parasites were the most abundant trophic group under the two plants (58 and 36% underParkinsonia(Cercidium) praecoxandProsopis laevigata, respectively), whereas omnivore‐predators were the most dominant (96%) in inter‐plant spaces. The fungivore/bacterivore (F/B) ratio was found to be the most useful tool of the ecological indices tested in the present study, reflecting the vertical distribution of the free‐living nematode communities beneath different plant species in the different soil layers. The soil free‐living nematode communities and their vertical distribution were found to be affected by plant ecophysiological adaptation, soil moisture, and the interaction between them.