bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Enhanced Selenium Content in Sweet Basil (Ocimum Basilicum L.) by Foliar Fertilization
Authors: Hawrylak-Nowak Barbara 
Published: January 2009

Enhanced Selenium Content in Sweet Basil (Ocimum Basilicum L.) by Foliar Fertilization
Selenium has been recognized as an essential trace element for animals and humans. Although it has not been confirmed to be an essential micronutrient in plant tissues, plants play a unique role in recycling and delivering selenium from the soil to food chain. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of foliar application of different selenium concentrations (1-50 mg Se·dm-3) on the growth, content of chloroplast pigments, anthocyanins, total phenolic compounds and selenium, as well as lipid peroxidation in sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) seedlings. The total selenium concentration in the shoots increased with increasing selenium supplementation. It has been found that the level of selenium fertilization had no significant effect on the content of chloroplast pigments, but it increased the synthesis of anthocyanin and phenolic compounds. MDA (malonodialdehyde) content in sweet basil leaves decreased with increasing selenium treatments. The obtained results suggest that it is possible to enhance selenium content in sweet basil plants by foliar fertilization, making it a rich source of dietary selenium and useful as a raw material for enriched food products.
Pathogenicity of Selected Soil-Borne Fungi for Seedlings of Root Chicory (Cichorium intybus L. var. sativum Bisch.)
Authors: Patkowska Elżbieta , Konopiński Mirosław 
Published: January 2009

Pathogenicity of Selected Soil-Borne Fungi for Seedlings of Root Chicory (Cichorium intybus L. var. sativum Bisch.)
The study involved seedlings of Cichorium intybus var. sativum cv. ‘Polanowicka’ and fungi (Alternaria alternata, Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium culmorum, Fusarium oxysporum, Pythium irregulare, Rhizoctonia solani and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) colonizing the soil environment in the field cultivation of that plant. Pathogenicity tests carried out in a phytotron showed that pre-emergence damping-off of chicory seeds, and thus no germination, was caused mainly by S. sclerotiorum, P. irregulare and A. alternata. The most harmful for the seedlings of root chicory proved to be P. irregulare, A. alternata, R. solani and F. oxysporum, while the least harmful were B. cinerea and F. culmorum. The growth of the affected plants was arrested and well-defined necrotic lesions appeared on their roots.
Invertebrate and fish environmental preferences as the key factor for lowland riverbed biodiversity
Authors: Oglęcki Paweł 
Published: January 2009

Invertebrate and fish environmental preferences as the key factor for lowland riverbed biodiversity
Invertebrate and fish environmental preferences as the key factor for lowland riverbed biodiversity. Detailed biological surveys were carried out on four small and medium lowland rivers (regulated and close-to-nature ones). The typical, repeatable types of microhabitats of peculiar parameters were singled out and the relationships between the microhabitat types and animal taxa were studied. The paper presents the results of such analyses and points out the fact that some microhabitats (irrespective of the fact of river regulation or not) are especially important for the riverbed biodiversity and ecological stability.
Splenic Mass and its Relation to Age Sex and Height of the Individual in Bangladeshi Peoples
Authors: Khalil Mohsin , Chowdhury Md Ashraful Islam , Rahman Habibur , Mannan Sabina , Sultana Seheli Zannat , Rahman Mahbubur , Ahamed M Shibbir , Sultana Zinat Rezina 
Published: January 2009

The aim of this study was to establish the standard weight of the normal spleen in Bangladeshi people. One hundred and twenty human cadavers of which eighty seven male and thirty three female were dissected to remove spleen with associated structures. Collected specimens were tagged with specific identification number, and divided into five groups according to age, sex and height of the individual. Gross and fine dissections were carried out after fixing the specimen in 10% formal saline solution. Weight of the spleen was measured by analytical balance and expressed in gram and findings of the study were compared with the findings of national and global studies. This cross sectional descriptive study was carried out in the Department of Anatomy of Mymensingh Medical College, Mymensingh. In this study maximum mean weight of spleen was 86.35 gram in male and 85.33 gram in female in 31 - 45 years age group. Minimum mean weight of spleen was 47.37 gram in male and 38.83 gram in female up to 15 years age group. The weight of spleen increases with age of the individual. Mean weight of spleen in male was 73.43 gram, which was higher than the mean weight of female spleen (59.17 gram). According to height of individual the mean weight of spleen was maximum 84.32 gram in 165.01 to 180 cm height group and minimum in 54.87 gram in up to 120 cm height group which indicate that weight of the spleen increases with height of the individual. In conclusion, the weight of the spleen depends on the age, sex and body height of the individual. Key Words: Spleen, Weight, Age, Height Â Â Â doi: 10.3329/jbsp.v3i0.1802 J Bangladesh Soc Physiol.2008 Dec;(3):71-78.
Study on Oxidative Metabolic Changes to Differentiate Exudative from Transudative Pleural Effusions
Authors: Reddy V Narsimha , Kumar V Anil , Srinivas M , Reddy V Narayana 
Published: January 2009

The purpose of this present study was to differentiate transudates and exudates in pleural effusions. Oxidative stress has been associated with various respiratory disorders. Ninety patients of pleural effusions of diverse etiologies were participated in this study. Subjects underwent diagnostic thoracentesis and standard biochemical parameters (total protein, lactate dehydrogenase, glucose, MDA levels) were measured in pleural fluid and serum. MDA, total protein, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), glucose levels in plural fluid were higher in exudates compared to transudates (p < 0.001). Total protein pleural fluid/ total protein serum ratio, LDH pleural fluid/LDH serum ratio and MDA pleural fluid/MDA serum ratio were raised in exudates compared to transudates (p < 0.001). The present study showed that oxidative stress was more in exudates compared to transudates, probably due to the production of reactive oxygen species and it may serve as a marker for differentiation between transudates and exudates in clinical practice. Key Words: Exudates, Melondialdehyde, Oxidative Stress, Pleural Effusion, Transudates Â Â doi:10.3329/sjps.v1i1.1806 S. J. Pharm. Sci. 1(1&2): 38-43
Cytotoxicity and Antioxidant Activity of Extractives from <i>Mirabilis jalapa</i>
Authors: Rumzhum Nowshin N , Rahman M Mostafizur , Islam M Shahidul , Chowdhury Sadia A , Sultana Rebeka , Parvin Most. Nazma 
Published: January 2009

The petroleum ether, chloroform and methanol crude extracts of the two different plant parts (leaves and bark) of Mirabilis jalapa (Nyctaginaceae) were screened for cytotoxicity by brine shrimp lethality bioassay and the crude methanol extract of the bark was screened for antioxidant activity using the 1, 1-diphenyl-2- picrylhydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay. The petroleum ether extract of the bark showed significant cytotoxic activity with the LC50 value 8.12 Î¼g/ml compared to vincristine sulphate (LC50 0.33 Î¼g/ml). On the other hand, the methanol crude extract of the bark showed mild antioxidant activity with the IC50 value 598.02 Î¼g/ml compared to ascorbic acid (IC50 70.985 Î¼g/ml). Above results suggest moderate cytotoxic and antioxidant activity of the extract. Key Words: Mirabilis jalapa, Nyctaginaceae, Cytotoxicity, DPPH, Antioxidant. Â Â Â Â doi:10.3329/sjps.v1i1.1814 S. J. Pharm. Sci. 1(1&2): 85-88
Balancing product and process sustainability against business profitability: sustainability as a competitive strategy in the property development process
Authors: Bryson John R. , Lombardi Rachel 
Published: January 2009

AbstractThis paper explores the activities of two UK‐based property development companies that have integrated sustainability into their business models as a source of competitive advantage in response to an evolving public sector sustainability agenda. These companies have combined different individual competencies and developed new routines and business practices that provide them with distinctiveness in the marketplace. These new routines represent entrepreneurial behaviour constructed around the identification of profitable market niches based on values derived from incorporating sustainability into private sector business models. This incorporation requires the development of a framework for balancing sustainability and related value systems against more mainstream concerns with maximizing profitability. This paper identifies this framework and explores the ways in which these firms have developed a discursive formation of profit and value that is used to balance the tensions that exist in a business model formulated around balancing a double bottom line. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Teaching applications of the new computer‐aided modelling technologies in the recovery and diffusion of the industrial heritage
Authors: Suárez Javier , Rojas‐Sola José Ignacio , Rubio Ramón , Martín Santiago , Morán Samuel 
Published: January 2009

AbstractThis paper describes the technical development of a 3D computer simulation model as a reconstruction of a fulling mill. Details of the fulling mill and its operation are presented, and innovative technical developments to accurately convert existing data (technical drawings, CAD models, etc) into a 3D model are described. Preliminary evaluation of the usefulness of the model as an aid to support the undergraduate teaching module are also presented. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 17: 455–466, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com); DOI 10.1002/cae.20227
Relation between liver progenitor cell expansion and extracellular matrix deposition in a CDE-induced murine model of chronic liver injury #
Authors: Van Hul Noémi K. M. , Abarca-Quinones Jorge , Sempoux Christine , Horsmans Yves , Leclercq Isabelle A. 
Published: January 2009

Abstract
In chronic liver injury, liver progenitor cells (LPCs) proliferate in the periportal area, migrate inside the lobule, and undergo further differentiation. This process is associated with extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling. We analyzed LPC expansion and matrix accumulation in a choline-deficient, ethionine-supplemented (CDE) model of LPC proliferation. After day 3, CDE induced collagen deposits in the periportal area. Expansion of LPCs as assessed by increased number of cytokeratin 19 (CK19)-positive cells was first observed at day 7, while ECM accumulated 10 times more than in controls. Thereafter, LPCs and ECM increased in parallel. Furthermore, ECM not only accumulates prior to the increase in number of LPCs, but is also found in front of LPCs along the porto-venous gradient of lobular invasion. Double immunostaining revealed that LPCs are embedded in ECM at all times. Moreover, LPCs infiltrating the liver parenchyma are chaperoned by α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)–positive cells. Gene expression analyses confirmed these observations. The expression of CK19, α-fetoprotein, E-cadherin, and CD49f messenger RNA (mRNA), largely overexpressed by LPCs, significantly increased between day 7 and day 10. By contrast, at day 3 there was a rapid burst in the expression of components of the ECM, collagen I and laminin, as well as in α-SMA and connective tissue growth factor expression. Conclusion: Our data demonstrate that, in a CDE model, ECM deposition and activation of matrix-producing cells occurred as an initial phase, prior to LPC expansion, and in front of LPCs along the porto-veinous gradient of lobular invasion. Those observations may reveal a fundamental role for the established hepatic microenvironment or niche during the process of activation and differentiation of liver progenitor cells. (Hepatology 2009.)
Optimization and analysis of nickel adsorption on microwave irradiated rice husk using response surface methodology (RSM)
Authors: Pillai Magesh Ganesa , Regupathi I. , Kalavathy M. Helen , Murugesan T. , Miranda Lima Rose 
Published: January 2009

AbstractBACKGROUND: The removal of heavy metals using adsorption techniques with low cost biosorbents is being extensively investigated. The improved adsorption is essentially due to the pores present in the adsorbent. One way of improving the porosity of the material is by irradiation of the precursor using microwaves. In the present study, the adsorption characteristics of nickel onto microwave‐irradiated rice husks were studied and the process variables were optimized through response surface methodology (RSM).RESULT: The adsorption of nickel onto microwave‐irradiated rice husk (MIRH) was found to be better than that of the raw rice husk (RRH). The kinetics of the adsorption of Ni(II) from aqueous solution onto MIRH was found to follow a pseudo‐second‐order model. Thermodynamic parameters such as standard Gibbs free energy (ΔG°), standard enthalpy (ΔH°), and standard entropy (ΔS°) were also evaluated. The thermodynamics of Ni(II) adsorption onto MIRH indicates that it is spontaneous and endothermic in nature. The response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to optimize the design parameters for the present process.CONCLUSION: Microwave‐irradiated rice husk was found to be a suitable adsorbent for the removal of nickel(II) ions from aqueous solutions. The adsorption capacity of the rice husk was found to be 1.17 mg g−1. The optimized parameters for the current process were found as follows: adsorbent loading 2.8 g (100 mL)−1; Initial adsorbate concentration 6 mg L−1; adsorption time 210 min.; and adsorption temperature 35 °C. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Factors affecting the acquisition and transfer of novel attribute relationships to new product categories
Authors: Shapiro Stewart , Spence Mark T. , Gregan‐Paxton Jennifer 
Published: January 2009

AbstractThis article investigates two factors posited to affect consumers' ability to learn a novel attribute relationship (e.g., “no pesticides → USDA organic symbol”) and apply this recently acquired knowledge when making judgments in a new product category. The first factor concerns the nature of the attribute encoding process and, in particular, whether it allows for comparison of examples. The second factor focuses on the relationship between the learning and transfer domains, and examines the influence of perceptual similarity (manipulated two ways: similarity in the elements comprising the attribute relationships, and similarity between the base and target domains) on the transfer process. Study 1 revealed a significant improvement in inter‐domain transfer when a relationship was learned in a multiple‐domain/multiple‐attribute learning environment over a single‐domain/single‐attribute environment. When attribute and domain diversity were examined separately (Study 2), it was found that attribute, but not domain, diversity produced the greatest improvements in transfer. Study 3 showed that the benefits of adding a perceptual similarity cue were most apparent when the transfer conditions were neither too easy (within domain and within attribute) nor too difficult (inter‐domain and inter‐attribute). © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Pharmaceutical metabolite profiling using quadrupole/ion mobility spectrometry/time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry
Authors: Chan Eric C. Y. , New Lee Sun , Yap Chun Wei , Goh Lin Tang 
Published: January 2009

AbstractThe use of hybrid quadrupole ion mobility spectrometry time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (Q/IMS/TOFMS) in the metabolite profiling of leflunomide (LEF) and acetaminophen (APAP) is presented. The IMS drift times (Td) of the drugs and their metabolites were determined in the IMS/TOFMS experiments and correlated with their exact monoisotopic masses and other in silico generated structural properties, such as connolly molecular area (CMA), connolly solvent‐excluded volume (CSEV), principal moments of inertia along the X, Y and Z Cartesian coordinates (MI‐X, MI‐Y and MI‐Z), inverse mobility and collision cross‐section (CCS). The correlation of Td with these parameters is presented and discussed. IMS/TOF tandem mass spectrometry experiments (MS2 and MS3) were successfully performed on the N‐acetyl‐p‐benzoquinoneimine glutathione (NAPQI‐GSH) adduct derived from the in vitro microsomal metabolism of APAP. As comparison, similar experiments were also performed using hybrid triple quadrupole linear ion trap mass spectrometry (QTRAPMS) and quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (QTOFMS). The abilities to resolve the product ions of the metabolite within the drift tube and fragment the ion mobility resolved product ions in the transfer travelling wave‐enabled stacked ring ion guide (TWIG) demonstrated the potential applicability of the Q/IMS/TOFMS technique in pharmaceutical metabolite profiling. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Assessing the impact of England's National Health Service R&D Health Technology Assessment program using the “payback” approach
Authors: Raftery James , Hanney Stephen , Green Colin , Buxton Martin 
Published: January 2009

Objectives:This study assesses the impact of the English National Health Service (NHS) Health Technology Assessment (HTA) program using the “payback” framework.Methods:A survey of lead investigators of all research projects funded by the HTA program 1993–2003 supplemented by more detailed case studies of sixteen projects.Results:Of 204 eligible projects, replies were received from 133 or 65 percent. The mean number of peer-reviewed publications per project was 2.9. Seventy-three percent of projects claimed to have had had an impact on policy and 42 percent on behavior. Technology Assessment Reports for the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) had fewer than average publications but greater impact on policy. Half of all projects went on to secure further funding. The case studies confirmed the survey findings and indicated factors associated with impact.Conclusions:The HTA program performed relatively well in terms of “payback.” Facilitating factors included the program's emphasis on topics that matter to the NHS, rigorous methods and the existence of “policy customers” such as NICE.
Use of surrogate outcomes in cost-effectiveness models: A review of United Kingdom health technology assessment reports
Authors: Elston Julian , Taylor Rod S. 
Published: January 2009

Objectives:The aim of this study was to explore the use of surrogate outcomes—a substitute outcome that predicts final patient-related outcomes—in cost-effectiveness models (CEM) within health technology assessment (HTA) reports and provide guidance for their future use.Methods:Our sampling frame was all UK HTA Program monograph series reports published in 2005 and 2006. Reports were included if they addressed a treatment effectiveness/efficacy question and included a CEM based on a surrogate outcome. The two authors independently applied inclusion and exclusion criteria, and the following data was extracted from included reports: source of surrogate outcome, level of evidence for validation of the surrogate outcomes, methods used in report to quantify link between surrogate outcome and final outcome, and consideration of the uncertainty associated with using surrogate outcomes in the results or conclusions of report.Results:Of 100 HTA reports, 35 complied with the inclusion criteria. Of these, four (11 percent) reports included a CEM based on a surrogate outcome. All four reports sourced treatment-related changes in surrogate outcome through a systematic review of the literature. One provided Level 1 surrogate evidence (randomized controlled trial data showing a strong association between the change in surrogate outcome and change final outcome); two reported Level 2 evidence (observational study data); and one provided Level 3 evidence (disease natural/ history data). The transparency of quantification and exploration of uncertainty of the surrogate and final outcome relationship varied considerably across all four reports.Conclusions:Recommendations are made for the use of surrogate outcomes in future HTA reports.
Pegylated and non-pegylated interferon-alfa and ribavirin for the treatment of mild chronic hepatitis C: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Hartwell Debbie , Shepherd Jonathan 
Published: January 2009

Objectives:Traditionally, patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection have not received treatment until their infection reaches the moderate to severe stage. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the clinical effectiveness of pegylated (PEG) and non-pegylated interferon (IFN) alfa and ribavirin (RBV) for the treatment of adults with histologically mild HCV.Methods:We performed a sensitive search of fourteen electronic bibliographic databases for literature that met criteria defined in a research protocol. Two reviewers independently selected studies, extracted data and assessed methodological quality.Results:Ten randomized, controlled trials (RCTs) were included. Treatment with PEG + RBV combination therapy resulted in significantly higher sustained virological response (SVR) rates than treatment with IFN + RBV combination therapy. Treatment for 48 weeks with PEG + RBV was significantly more effective than the same treatment for 24 weeks. Significantly higher SVR rates were seen with IFN + RBV compared with either IFN monotherapy or no treatment. In the meta-analysis (four IFN trials), the relative risk of not experiencing an SVR was 0.59 (95 percent CI, 0.51 – 0.69) and was statistically significant (p&lt; .00001). SVRs were higher for patients with genotype non-1 compared with genotype 1 for both PEG + RBV and IFN + RBV treatments.Conclusions:Patients with histologically mild HCV can be successfully treated with both PEG and IFN combination therapy, and response rates are broadly comparable with those achieved in patients with advanced disease. Treating patients in the early milder stages of HCV is, therefore, a clinically effective option.