bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Investigation of the vascular and pleiotropic effects of atorvastatin and pioglitazone in a population at high cardiovascular risk
Authors: Forst Thomas , Wilhelm Birgit , Pfützner Andreas , Fuchs Winfried , Lehmann Ute , Schaper Frank , Weber Matthias , Müller Jürgen , Konrad Thomas , Hanefeld Markolf 
Published: October 2008

We investigated the effect of atorvastatin monotherapy and combined treatment with atorvastatin and pioglitazone on intima-media thickness, vascular function and the cardiovascular risk profile. In all, 148 patients (76 male, 72 female; aged 61.4±6.5 years; body mass index [BMI] 29.2±4.1 kg/m2; mean±SD) with increased cardiovascular (CV) risk factors were randomised. Intima-media thickness (IMT), the augmentation index (Aix@75), the microvascular response to acetylcholine (LDF), lipid status, and plasma levels of intact proinsulin, adiponectin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), sCD40L, P-selectin, tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) and blood lipids were monitored over six months. Atorvastatin treatment, alone and in combination with pioglitazone, revealed a significant regression in IMT (0.923±0.013 to 0.874±0.012 mm and 0.921±0.015 to 0.882±0.015 mm; mean ± SEM; p<0.05 respectively) and Aix@75 (27.3±1.2 to 25.9±1.4; and 25.6±1.4 to 24.8±1.7%; p<0.05). The endothelial response to acetylcholine as measured by laser Doppler fluximetry (LDF) improved during combined treatment (373±57 to 576±153 AU; p<0.05). Addition of pioglitazone to atorvastatin resulted in significant further effects on high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), t-PA, P-selectin, adiponectin, triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (p<0.05 respectively). Atorvastatin significantly improved IMT and vascular elasticity. Co-administration of pioglitazone provided additional effects on endothelial function, lipid profile and laboratory markers of inflammation.
The Residual Risk Reduction Initiative: a call to action to reduce residual vascular risk in dyslipidaemic patients
Authors: Fruchart Jean-Charles , Sacks Frank M , Hermans Michel P , Assmann Gerd , Brown W Virgil , Ceska Richard , Chapman M John , Dodson Paul M , Fioretto Paola , Ginsberg Henry N , Kadowaki Takashi , Lablanche Jean-Marc , Marx Nikolaus , Plutzky Jorge , Reiner Zeljko , Rosenson Robert S , Staels Bart , Stock Jane K , Sy Rody , Wanner Christoph , Zambon Alberto , Zimmet Paul 
Published: October 2008

Despite current standards of care aimed at achieving targets for low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, blood pressure and glycaemia, dyslipidaemic patients remain at high residual risk of vascular events. Atherogenic dyslipidaemia, specifically elevated triglycerides and low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, often with elevated apolipoprotein B and non-HDL cholesterol, is common in patients with established cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity or metabolic syndrome and is associated with macrovascular and microvascular residual risk. The Residual Risk Reduction Initiative (R3I) was established to address this important issue. This position paper aims to highlight evidence that atherogenic dyslipidaemia contributes to residual macrovascular risk and microvascular complications despite current standards of care for dyslipidaemia and diabetes, and to recommend therapeutic intervention for reducing this, supported by evidence and expert consensus. Lifestyle modification is an important first step. Additionally, pharmacotherapy is often required. Adding niacin, a fibrate or omega-3 fatty acids to statin therapy improves achievement of all lipid risk factors. Outcomes studies are evaluating whether these strategies translate to greater clinical benefit than statin therapy alone. In conclusion, the R3i highlights the need to address with lifestyle and/or pharmacotherapy the high level of residual vascular risk among dyslipidaemic patients who are treated in accordance with current standards of care.
Design and Development of Pedal Pump for Low-Lift Irrigation
Authors: Islam M Serazul , Hossain M Zakaria , Khair M Abul 
Published: October 2008

A study was undertaken to design and construct a low-lift pedal pump for use in small irrigation project areas. For this purpose, different types of piston valves and check valves were constructed and tested at different suction heads in the laboratory to evaluate their performances. After several trials, Piston valve type-II and check valve type-III were found to be suitable. The average discharges of the pumps ranged from 93.27 to 53.27 litre per second were noted against heads of 0.60 to 2.0 m respectively, when piston valve type-II and check valve type-III were used. During pedal pump operation, less input power was needed and it can be operated by one adult man for a long time (more than 2 hours) continuously without being tired. Efficiency of the pump was 46.53 percent against a head of 1.65 m. The pedal pump can be constructed using local materials and skill. It would be suitable to irrigate small and fragmented land holdings, especially to pump water from a shallow depth (up to 2 m) to irrigate small plots like vegetables and seed beds with less physical effort. Key words: Pedal pump, discharge rate, power requirement, efficiency, piston valve and check valve. Â DOI = 10.3329/jard.v5i1.1468 J Agric Rural Dev 5(1&2), 116-126, June 2007
Physicochemical and microbiological study of “shmen”, a traditional butter made from camel milk in the Sahara (Algeria): isolation and identification of lactic acid bacteria and yeasts
Authors: Mourad Kacem , Nour-Eddine Karam 
Published: October 2008

Microorganisms (aerobic bacteria, coliforms, lactic acid bacteria, psychrotrophs, lipolytic bacteria and yeasts) were isolated from 20 samples of shmen, a traditional clarified butter made from sour camel milk in the Algerian Sahara. The values of pH, titratable acidity, NaCl, total solid, moisture, and fat content ranged from : 3.11-4.97, 0.19-0.36%, 1.04-2.15%, 64.03-65.11%, 34.40-34.99%, and 49.90-56% respectively. A total of 181 isolates of lactic acid bacteria were identified as Lactobacillus plantarum (40 strains), Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus (35 strains), Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis biovar diacetylacti (22 strains), Lactococcus lactis ssp. cremoris (18 strains), Lactobacillus paracasei ssp. paracasei (10 strains), Leuconostoc pseudomesenteroides (9 strains) and Leuconostoc gelidum (12 strains) Enterococcus faecium (35 strains). Yeasts were isolated from all samples (55 isolates). Of these, 40 were identified as Saccharomyces cerevisiae and 15 isolates were identified as Saccharomyces sp.
Determination of the mineral compositions of some selected oil-bearing seeds and kernels using Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES)
Authors: Musa Özcan M. 
Published: October 2008

The aim of this paper was to establish the mineral contents of oil-bearing seeds and kernels such as peanut, turpentine, walnut, hazelnut, sesame, corn, poppy, almond, sunflower etc., using Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES). Significant differences in mineral composition were observed among crops. All seeds and kernels contained high amounts of Al, Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Na, P and Zn. B, Cr, Cu, Li, Ni, Sr, Ti while V contents of the crops were found to be very low. The levels of K and P of all crops in this study were found to be higher than those of other seeds and kernels. The results obtained from analyses of the crops showed that the mean levels of potassiumcontent ranged from 1701.08 mg/kg (corn) to 20895.8 mg/kg (soybean), the average content of phosphorus ranged from 3076.9 mg/kg (turpentine) to 12006,5 mg/kg to 2617.4 mg/kg (cotton seed), and Ca from 68.4 mg/kg (corn) to 13195.7 mg/kg (poppy seed). The results show that these values may be useful for the evaluation of dietary information. Particularly the obtained results provide evidence that soybean, pinestone and poppy seed are a good source of K, P and Ca, respectively. Whereas pinestone is a good source of zinc.
Oxidative quality of commercial fried nuts: evaluation of a surface and an internal lipid fraction
Authors: Marmesat S. , Velasco J. , Ruiz-Méndez M. V. , Dobarganes M. C. 
Published: October 2008

The oxidative quality of commercial fried nuts was evaluated by independent analyses of two lipid fractions, the surface oil, and the internal lipid fraction. The nuts studied were 6 samples of almonds, 10 samples of peanuts, 4 samples of sunflower seeds and 2 samples of cashew nuts. The oil content, peroxide value, polymer content, and fatty acid composition were analyzed. The results showed two lipid fractions with different oxidation status. Higher oxidation levels were normally found in the oil fraction more exposed to air, although considerably higher oxidation status in the internal oil was also detected in various samples. Oxidative quality was also evaluated in selected samples of each nut after 1 year of storage at room temperature, in the dark . Only the almonds and cashew nuts exhibited acceptable oxidative quality after storage. In addition, a study on the changes due to frying and the contribution of the frying oil to the lipids in the final product showed that the composition of the surface oil can be changed by the incorporation of substantial contents of the frying fat. Consequently, the frying fat may exert some effect on the oxidative quality and oxidative stability of the surface oil.
Microbiological study of naturally fermented Algerian green olives: isolation and identification of lactic acid bacteria and yeasts along with the effects of brine solutions obtained at the end of olive fermentation on Lactobacillus plantarum...
Authors: Mourad Kacem , Nour-Eddine Karam 
Published: October 2008

The microflora of naturally fermented green olives produced in Western Algeria was studied over 15, 60 and 90 day fermentation periods. Different microorganisms (aerobic bacteria, coliforms, staphylococci, lactic acid bacteria, lactobacilli, enterococci, yeasts, psychrotrophs and lipolytic bacteria) were recorded at 15 and 60 days of fermentation. After 90 days (pH 4.40) of fermentation, the lactic acid bacteria population became dominant and persisted together with yeasts throughout the fermentation period. The lactic acid bacteria isolated (343 isolates) were identified as L. casei, L. rhamnosus, L. paracasei, L. plantarum, L. lactis subsp. lactis, E. faecalis, E. faecium and E. durans. The dominant species was L. plantarum. Yeasts were isolated from all samples (32 isolates) and were identified as Saccharomyces cerevisiae or Candida parapsilosis. Also, in this study we reported that brine solutions obtained at the end of olive fermentation were able to stimulate the growth of several L. plantarum strains
Controllable Synthesis of Vertically Aligned p‐Type GaN Nanorod Arrays on n‐Type Si Substrates for Heterojunction Diodes
Authors: Tang Yong‐Bing , Bo Xiang‐Hui , Lee Chun‐Sing , Cong Hong‐Tao , Cheng Hui‐Ming , Chen Zhen‐Hua , Zhang Wen‐Jun , Bello Igor , Lee Shuit‐Tong 
Published: October 2008

AbstractA new catalyst seeding method is presented, in which aerosolized catalyst nanoparticles are continuously self‐assembled onto amine‐terminated silicon substrates in gas phase to realize controllable synthesis of vertically aligned Mg‐doped GaN nanorod arrays on n‐type Si (111) substrates. The diameter, areal density, and length of GaN nanorods can be controlled by adjusting the size of Au nanoparticles, flowing time of Au nanoparticles, and growth time, respectively. Based on the synthesis of p‐type GaN nanorods on n‐type Si substrates, p‐GaN nanorod/n‐Si heterojunction diodes are fabricated, which exhibit well‐defined rectifying behavior with a low turn‐on voltage of ∼1.0 V and a low leakage current even at a reverse bias up to 10 V. The controllable growth of GaN nanorod arrays and the realization of p‐type GaN nanorod/n‐type Si heterojunction diodes open up opportunities for low‐cost and high‐performance optoelectronic devices based on these nanostructured arrays.
Multiple Pass‐Band Optical Left‐Handed Metamaterials Based on Random Dendritic Cells
Authors: Liu Baoqi , Zhao Xiaopeng , Zhu Weiren , Luo Wei , Cheng Xiaochao 
Published: October 2008

AbstractLeft‐handed metamaterials (LHMs) composed of random dendritic cells demonstrate a multi‐band resonance and negative refractive index. A nano‐assembly approach is established to fabricate optical LHMs. Random nanostructures of silver dendritic cells are prepared and further fabricated into a sandwich‐like structure with a dielectric medium. The dentritic nano‐assembled configuration reveals a multi‐band resonance and a high intensity of the pass‐band at infrared frequencies, and can be facilely and cheaply prepared on a large‐scale of effective area.
High Surface Area ZnO Nanoparticles via a Novel Continuous Precipitation Route
Authors: Kaluza Stefan , Schröter Marie Katrin , Naumann d'Alnoncourt Raoul , Reinecke Thomas , Muhler Martin 
Published: October 2008

AbstractHigh surface area ZnO nanoparticles are synthesized by applying a novel continuous precipitation method using a micromixer coupled directly to a bench‐top spray dryer. The polycrystalline material is obtained by fast turbulent precipitation from aqueous zinc nitrate solutions with either sodium or potassium carbonate followed by immediate quenching of the aging due to the rapid water removal. Specific surface areas up to 98 m2 g−1 are obtained, depending on the precipitant and the sequence of unit operations applied after precipitation.
E proteins are required to activate germline transcription of the TCR Vβ8.2 gene
Authors: Jia Jingquan , Dai Meifang , Zhuang Yuan 
Published: October 2008

AbstractEach TCR Vβ gene is regulated by an individual Vβ promoter, which becomes active prior to V(D) J recombination and drives germline transcription. It has been shown that Vβ gene locus activation and recombination are dependent on the Vβ promoter. However, transcription factors that regulate Vβ germline transcription remain largely undefined. A major challenge in studying Vβ gene germline transcription is the quantitative assessment of relatively low‐level transcripts in T‐cell progenitors. Here we used the established Vβ8.2CD2 knock‐in mouse model to assess functions of E‐protein transcription factors in Vβ8.2 germline transcription. We show that E proteins are required for the activation but not the maintenance of the Vβ8.2 germline transcription during thymocyte development. The activation of Vβ8.2 germline transcription depends more on the E proteins encoded by the E2A gene than by the HEB gene. We further show that IL‐7 receptor (IL‐7R)‐mediated signals are essential for Vβ8.2 germline transcription. We provide evidence that IL‐7R expression is only partially controlled by E2A, suggesting a role for E2A in driving Vβ8.2 germline transcription independent of IL‐7R activation.
IL‐4 inhibits VLA‐4 expression on Tc1 cells resulting in poor tumor infiltration and reduced therapy benefit
Authors: Sasaki Kotaro , Pardee Angela D. , Okada Hideho , Storkus Walter J. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractWe and others have previously demonstrated that IL‐4‐dependent Tc2 are inferior to Tc1‐effector CD8+ T cells in regulating tumor progression in vivo. This functional disparity relates, in part, to the comparatively poor ability of Tc2 to migrate into diseased tissues. We now show that IL‐4 treatment of committed Tc1 cells promotes the selective loss in the expression of very‐late antigen (VLA)‐4, without impacting the Tc1 cytokine production profile, cytotoxic activity, or expression of alternate cell surface markers. Down‐regulation of VLA‐4 expression on Tc1 cells was unique to treatment with IL‐4 (i.e. Tc1IL‐4) and did not occur in the presence of the Type‐2 cytokine IL‐13 or the regulatory cytokines IL‐10 or TGF‐β. Notably, the inhibitory effects of IL‐4 on Tc1 expression of VLA‐4 could be blocked by the presence of IL‐12, but not IFN‐γ. Predictably, Tc1IL‐4 (but not Tc1 control) cells adhere poorly to plate‐bound VCAM‐1‐Fc fusion protein and fail to be co‐stimulated by VCAM‐1 in vitro. They were also markedly impaired in their ability to traffic into intracranial melanoma lesions after adoptive transfer, yielding inferior therapeutic benefit to tumor‐bearing mice. These results suggest a novel suppressive mechanism for IL‐4 that limits Tc1 efficacy via preventing their recruitment into tumors.
Cover Picture: Eur. J. Immunol. 10/08
Authors: Chen Li , Wei Xiao‐Qing , Evans Bronwen , Jiang Wenguo , Aeschlimann Daniel 
Published: October 2008

AbstractThe cover image depicts multi‐nucleated osteoclasts stained for tartrate‐resistant alkaline phosphatase (maroon colour) after in vitro differentiation from bone marrow myeloid cells. The image was taken from the article of Chen et al. (pp. 2845–2854), in which the authors demonstrate that the proinflammatory IL‐12 family cytokine, IL‐23, up‐regulates RANK expression in myeloid precursor cells and sensitizes cells for commitment to the osteoclast lineage.
Capillary electropherograms for restriction fragment length polymorphism of Helicobacter Pylori
Authors: Bair Ming‐Jong , Chen Chiu‐Lin , Chiang Cheng‐Kang , Huang Ming‐Feng , Hu Cho‐Chun , Chang Huan‐Tsung 
Published: October 2008

AbstractRapid identification of Helicobacter pylori strains is of importance for diagnosis and then treatment of duodenal and gastric ulcers. We developed a CE approach for the analysis of RFLP of the PCR products of urease (UreAB) gene and flagellin A (FlaA) gene fragments. Prior to CE analysis, the 2.4‐kbp UreAB and 1.5‐kbp FlaA PCR products were digested with the restriction enzymes HaeIII and HhaI, respectively. The DNA fragments were then separated by CE in conjunction with laser‐induced fluorescence detection using poly(ethylene oxide) in the presence of electroosmotic flow. The DNA fragments range in sizes 259–1831 bp and 12–827 bp for UreAB and FlaA restriction fragments, respectively. Of 27 samples, the CE approach provided five and ten different RFLP patterns of the HaeIII and HhaI digests. The RFLP of PCR products of the two genes allow great sensitivity of identification of H. pylori strains. When compared with slab gel electrophoresis, the present CE approach provides advantages of rapidity (within 6 min per run), simplicity, and automation. The preliminary results have shown great practicality of the CE approach for screening H. pylori strains.
Monolithic and packed particle materials for in‐line pre‐concentration in capillary electrophoresis for 4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxy‐methamphetamine and terbutaline
Authors: Chaisuwan Patcharin , Nacapricha Duangjai , Wilairat Prapin , Jiang Zhengjin , William Smith Norman 
Published: October 2008

AbstractIn‐line solid‐phase extraction (SPE) for capillary electrophoresis (CE) was investigated using a synthesized monolith and a commercial packing material. Terbutaline (TER) and 4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxy‐methamphetamine (HMMA) with benzyl alcohol as the electroosmotic flow marker were employed as model compounds. Two types of methacrylate‐based monoliths, namely methacrylic acid‐ethylene dimethacrylate and butylmethacrylate‐ethylene dimethacrylate were examined. Preliminary results indicated that a non‐aqueous separating medium is more suitable for these methacrylate monoliths than a purely aqueous medium (non‐reproducible elution). However, coupling of the methacrylic acid‐ethylene dimethacrylate with non‐aqueous capillary electrophoresis could not provide good precision for the three model compounds. A packed‐silica C18 SPE was also adopted by simply packing the C18 particles in situ in the separation capillary. Using an aqueous running buffer (10 mM phosphate buffer (PPB), pH 7), acceptable precision could be obtained with this type of SPE material. With a 10 min loading time and 20 min total analysis time, the pre‐concentration factors were 333 and 1000 for TER and HMMA, respectively. The %RSD were less than 4.5 and 0.3 for the peak areas and migration times, respectively, for both HMMA and TER (n=20).
Evaluation of antioxidative capability of the tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) skin constituents by capillary electrophoresis and high‐performance liquid chromatography
Authors: Helmja Kati , Vaher Merike , Püssa Tõnu , Raudsepp Piret , Kaljurand Mihkel 
Published: October 2008

AbstractIn the current study, phenolic compounds of the tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) skin extract were separated and their composition was determined by capillary electrophoresis and tandem high‐performance liquid chromatography diode array detection‐mass spectrometry (HPLC‐DAD‐MS/MS). Both the total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the extract were determined. The antioxidative capability of the extract was measured using a stable free radical 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl assay. The monitoring of the radical scavenging capability of specific phenolic compounds was carried out both by capillary electrophoresis and HPLC‐MS/MS.
A novel QSPR study of normalized migration time for drugs in capillary electrophoresis by new descriptors: Quantum chemical investigation
Authors: Riahi Siavash , Beheshti Abolghasem , Ganjali Mohammad Reza , Norouzi Parviz 
Published: October 2008

AbstractSome drugs' migration time (MT) has been studied employing quantitative structure–property relationship using new descriptors that are able to predict MT value with high accuracy. MT property modeling of the drugs was established as a function of the new theoretically derived descriptors applying multiple linear regressions and partial least‐squares regression. The genetic algorithm was used to select those variables that resulted in the best‐fitted models. To select a set of descriptors that are most relevant to MT, illustrating the affecting degree for the affinity of different descriptors, the linear models with 1–14 variables were constructed and were then investigated based on F‐value, squared regression coefficients of cross‐validated (Q2), adjusted R2 (R2adj) and standard error of estimate (S) statistical parameters. Finally, the best model with ten variables was selected. Statistical parameters of the test set, such as standard deviation error in test, were 0.559 and 0.616, while relative error of test was equal to 7.648 and 8.497% for multiple linear regressions and partial least‐squares models, respectively, confirming the good predictive ability of the model. Since the capillary lengths were not the same for the drugs in the data set, MT values were normalized based on a specific capillary before modeling, which is also one of the advantages of this method, enabling us to use the model for different capillary lengths.
Quantitative investigations on moving chelation boundary within a continuous EDTA‐based sample sweeping system in capillary electrophoresis
Authors: Fan Liuyin , Li Chenjia , Zhang Wei , Cao Chengxi , Zhou Pei , Deng Zixin 
Published: October 2008

AbstractRecently, the EDTA‐based sweeping of metal ion that combines chelate formation and in‐line sample pre‐concentration was advanced. However, the moving chelation boundary (MCB) existing in the sweeping system has not been investigated for the quantitative illumination of the mechanism of metal ion sweeping yet. In this paper, the model of MCB was developed from the EDTA‐based sweeping. The theoretical studies were performed for boundary movements and controllable sweeping of metal ion. The theoretical studies show that the sweeping system contains the MCB boundary and chelate boundary, and the difference between the MCB and chelate boundary velocities plays a key role in the stacking efficiency of metal ion. To demonstrate the validity of the theoretical conclusion, the experiments of continuous EDTA‐based sweeping were performed with CE and a home‐made apparatus of a large tube. The home‐made apparatus consisted of a glass tube used for the run of continuous EDTA‐based sweeping and two peristaltic pumps used for the supply of solution. The experimental results were in accordance with the theoretical conclusions above. The developed theory holds evident for significance for the mechanism of controllable stacking of metal ions in EDTA‐based sweeping system in CE.