bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quantitative Assessment of Early Diabetic Retinopathy Using Fractal Analysis
Authors: Cheung Ning , Donaghue Kim C. , Liew Gerald , Rogers Sophie L. , Wang Jie Jin , Lim Shueh-Wen , Jenkins Alicia J. , Hsu Wynne , Lee Mong Li , Wong Tien Y. 
Published: October 2008

OBJECTIVE—Fractal analysis can quantify the geometric complexity of the retinal vascular branching pattern and may therefore offer a new method to quantify early diabetic microvascular damage. In this study, we examined the relationship between retinal fractal dimension and retinopathy in young individuals with type 1 diabetes.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—We conducted a cross-sectional study of 729 patients with type 1 diabetes (aged 12–20 years) who had seven-field stereoscopic retinal photographs taken of both eyes. From these photographs, retinopathy was graded according to the modified Airlie House classification, and fractal dimension was quantified using a computer-based program following a standardized protocol.
RESULTS—In this study, 137 patients (18.8%) had diabetic retinopathy signs; of these, 105 had mild retinopathy. Median (interquartile range) retinal fractal dimension was 1.46214 (1.45023–1.47217). After adjustment for age, sex, diabetes duration, A1C, blood pressure, and total cholesterol, increasing retinal vascular fractal dimension was significantly associated with increasing odds of retinopathy (odds ratio 3.92 [95% CI 2.02–7.61] for fourth versus first quartile of fractal dimension). In multivariate analysis, each 0.01 increase in retinal vascular fractal dimension was associated with a nearly 40% increased odds of retinopathy (1.37 [1.21–1.56]). This association remained after additional adjustment for retinal vascular caliber.
CONCLUSIONS—Greater retinal fractal dimension, representing increased geometric complexity of the retinal vasculature, is independently associated with early diabetic retinopathy signs in type 1 diabetes. Fractal analysis of fundus photographs may allow quantitative measurement of early diabetic microvascular damage.
International Tables of Glycemic Index and Glycemic Load Values: 2008
Authors: Atkinson Fiona S. , Foster-Powell Kaye , Brand-Miller Jennie C. 
Published: October 2008

OBJECTIVE—To systematically tabulate published and unpublished sources of reliable glycemic index (GI) values.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—A literature search identified 205 articles published between 1981 and 2007. Unpublished data were also included where the data quality could be verified. The data were separated into two lists: the first representing more precise data derived from testing healthy subjects and the second primarily from individuals with impaired glucose metabolism.
RESULTS—The tables, which are available in the online-only appendix, list the GI of over 2,480 individual food items. Dairy products, legumes, and fruits were found to have a low GI. Breads, breakfast cereals, and rice, including whole grain, were available in both high and low GI versions. The correlation coefficient for 20 staple foods tested in both healthy and diabetic subjects was r = 0.94 (P &lt; 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS—These tables improve the quality and quantity of GI data available for research and clinical practice.
Plasma Apolipoprotein CI and CIII Levels Are Associated With Increased Plasma Triglyceride Levels and Decreased Fat Mass in Men With the Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: van der Ham Rachel L.M. , Dehnavi Reza Alizadeh , Berbée Jimmy F.P. , Putter Hein , de Roos Albert , Romijn Johannes A. , Rensen Patrick C.N. , Tamsma Jouke T. 
Published: October 2008

OBJECTIVE—To determine whether, in accordance with observations in mouse models, high concentrations of the lipoprotein lipase inhibitors apolipoprotein (Apo) CI and ApoCIII are associated with increased triglyceride concentrations and decreased fat mass in men with the metabolic syndrome.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—Plasma ApoCI, ApoCIII, and triglyceride concentrations were measured in the postabsorptive state in 98 men with the metabolic syndrome. Subcutaneous and visceral fat areas were measured by 3T-magnetic resonance imaging.
RESULTS—Triglyceride concentrations were 49% higher, and the average visceral fat area was 26% lower (both P &lt; 0.001), in subjects with high ApoCI and ApoCIII compared with low ApoCI and ApoCIII. Subjects with either high ApoCI or ApoCIII had 16% (P &lt; 0.05) and 18% (P &lt; 0.01) decreased visceral fat area, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS—High concentrations of ApoCI and ApoCIII are associated with increased triglycerides and decreased visceral fat mass in men with the metabolic syndrome. These findings translate mouse studies into human pathophysiology.
Serum Adipocyte Fatty Acid–Binding Protein Levels Are Associated With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Type 2 Diabetic Patients
Authors: Hyun Koh Jang , Goo Shin Young , Min Nam Soo , Young Lee Mi , Hee Chung Choon , Yel Shin Jang 
Published: October 2008

OBJECTIVE—Adipocyte fatty acid–binding protein (A-FABP) is a major cytoplasmic protein in adipocytes and macrophages and is closely associated with metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and atherosclerosis. Here, we investigated whether A-FABP was associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in type 2 diabetes.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—We enrolled 181 type 2 diabetic patients. Clinical and biochemical metabolic parameters were measured. The severity of NAFLD was measured by ultrasound. A-FABP, adiponectin, and retinol-binding protein-4 (RBP-4) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
RESULTS—A-FABP levels, defined as more than a moderate degree of fatty liver compared with men, those without metabolic syndrome, and those without NAFLD, were higher in women, patients with metabolic syndrome, and patients with overt NAFLD, respectively. Adiponectin was decreased according to the severity of NAFLD, but RBP-4 showed no difference. Age- and sex-adjusted A-FABP showed positive correlations with BMI, waist-to-hip ratio, waist circumference, triglycerides, γ-glutamyltransferase, fasting insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), A1C, and C-reactive protein (CRP) but showed negative correlation with HDL cholesterol. The odds ratio (OR) for the risk of overt NAFLD with increasing levels of sex-specific A-FABP was significantly increased (OR 2.90 [95% CI 1.15–7.29] vs. 7.87 [3.20–19.38]). The OR in the highest tertile of A-FABP remained significant after adjustments for BMI, waist circumference, A1C, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, HOMA-IR, CRP, and hepatic enzymes.
CONCLUSIONS—Our study demonstrates that serum A-FABP is significantly associated with NAFLD in type 2 diabetes, independent of BMI, waist circumference, HOMA-IR, A1C, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, and CRP.
Influence of meteorological conditions on the concentration of NO2 and NOx in northwest Poland in relation to wind direction
Authors: Kalbarczyk Robert , Kalbarczyk Eliza 
Published: October 2008

Influence of meteorological conditions on the concentration of NO2 and NOx in northwest Poland in relation to wind direction
The aim of the work was to assess the temporal distribution of NO2 and NOx concentration in relation to wind direction and to determine the effect of major meteorological elements on the size of NO2 and NOx concentration in northwest Poland. In the area of the research, in the period from 1st May 2005 to 30th April 2007 the highest average concentration of NO2 and NOx, both during cold and warm half-years, occurred with southeasterly wind, and the lowest with south-westerly wind for NO2 and with north-easterly wind for NOx. The highest determination coefficients and, at the same time, the smallest estimation errors for multiple regression equations, describing the dependence of the concentration of NO2 and NOx from meteorological elements, were obtained with westerly wind in the cold half-year and with south-westerly wind in the warm half-year.
Brackish water ecosystem restoration based on integrated water system design
Authors: Kuijper Marijn , de Louw Perry 
Published: October 2008

Brackish water ecosystem restoration based on integrated water system design
Despite their current location within a primary agricultural area, most of the creek remnants in the Dutch clay polder areas have a high potential for recovery into healthy ecosystems. Like most areas in the Netherlands the clay polders are densely populated. Therefore multifunctional land use is encouraged and different types of land use coexist within small distances from each other. As a result water conflicts occur: agricultural land use requires deep groundwater levels and causes eutrophication by spreading nutrients into the water system, while existing ecosystems within and around the creek remnants need wetland conditions and low nutrient levels. Furthermore periods of high discharge cause flooding of arable land. Extreme measures like filling in ditches and increasing water levels are needed to achieve the water targets for wetlands around the creeks. On the other hand, the effects of these measures easily cause water logging in nearby agricultural areas. We introduce an integrated approach for the restoration of creek ecosystems. Both the complex interaction of groundwater, surface water and ecology and the limiting conditions imposed by adjacent agricultural land use, spatial developments and regulatory settings like the European Water Framework Directive are thereby taken into account. A highly integrated set of measures is proposed creating optimal conditions for both high agricultural production and flourishing creek ecosystems.
High temporal resolution monitoring in a wet grassland (Oxfordshire, UK) for estimation of evaporative loss
Authors: Mould David 
Published: October 2008

High temporal resolution monitoring in a wet grassland (Oxfordshire, UK) for estimation of evaporative loss
A strong diurnal regime in water levels (maximum range 10 cm) was discovered by pressure transducers programmed to measure water levels at high frequency. The wetland site is a restored wet grassland floodplain in a clay basin. These water table fluctuations are used to estimate evaporative loss from the soil profile assuming constant head recovery, and compared to actual evaporation measurements derived from eddy correlation-energy budget methods. The former performed well on dry days with a strong diurnal regime, and information gained from high temporal resolution monitoring improved hydrological understanding of the wetland considerably.
FEMWATER flow model of waste soil bank from lignite open pit mine
Authors: Wiencław Edward , Koda Eugeniusz , Marek Zbigniew , Kaczarewski Tadeusz 
Published: October 2008

FEMWATER flow model of waste soil bank from lignite open pit mine
The paper presents the example of numerical modelling of groundwater flow during dewatering of the TURÓW lignite open pit mine. The basis of numerical solution was the problem of groundwater flow described by Richard's equation, using 3-D finite elements method. The main purpose of the modelling carried out, taking into consideration this model, was the prediction of water logging of the waste soil bank and its surroundings. Modelling test results of the groundwater flow will be applied for extension of dewatering system and the design of monitoring system of potential threat of the waste soil bank stability, constructed in the close vicinity of lignite mine.
TheNrfHCytochromecQuinol Dehydrogenase
Authors: Rodrigues Maria Luisa , Pereira Inês AC , Archer Margarida 
Published: October 2008

AbstractNrfH is a membrane‐anchored tetraheme cytochromecthat oxidizes menaquinol and transfers electrons to the cytochromecnitrite reductase, NrfA. It belongs to a family of cytochromecquinol dehydogenases, known as theNapC/NirT family, which plays an important role in bacterial anaerobic respiration. Here, we describe the major structural and biochemical features of NrfH that has been isolated in the form of a native NrfHA complex from someProteobacteriaspecies. The notable heme coordination of NrfH, revealed uponDesulfovibrio vulgarisNrfHA structure determination, is discussed in light of primary structure analysis within the NrfH proteins and within the family of cytochromecquinol dehydogenases. Interestingly, NrfH shows a higher sequence variation than other members of the NapC/NirT family. The crystal structure of NrfHA bound to the HQNO inhibitor is also presented and analyzed together with inhibition studies.
Glutamate CarboxypeptidaseII
Authors: Mesters Jeroen R , Hilgenfeld Rolf 
Published: October 2008

AbstractGlutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCP II) is a homodimeric, dinuclear zinc carboxypeptidase that catalyzes the cleavage of two endogenous substrates carryingL‐glutamate at the C‐terminal P1′ position, namelyN‐acetyl‐L‐aspartyl‐α‐L‐glutamate (α‐NAAG) and folylpoly‐γ‐L‐glutamate (folylpolyglutamate). Former synonyms for GCP II, a type‐II membrane glycoprotein that belongs to the transferrin receptor family of proteins, include prostate‐specific membrane antigen (PSMA), folylpoly‐γ‐glutamate carboxypeptidase (FGCP), andN‐acetylated α‐linked acidic dipeptidase (NAALADase). GCP II predominantly occurs in nearly all types of glial cells and is drastically overproduced in endothelial cells of tumor‐associated neovasculature and in prostate cancer tissue. The particular role of PSMA, a folylpolyglutamate hydrolase, in prostate cancer is poorly understood. In the brain, GCP II catalyzes the cleavage of the abundant neuropeptide α‐NAAG that acts as an agonist for the metabotropic (i.e. G‐protein‐coupled) glutamate receptor‐3 (mGluR3), and as a mixed agonist/antagonist forN‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) receptors. The liberatedL‐glutamate acts as a downstream neurotransmitter that is excitotoxic at high concentrations, harming retina and brain. Accordingly, inhibitory compounds of GCP II have been shown to provide neuroprotection. In addition, they may prove useful, through the binding to PSMA, for the imaging and possible treatment of certain forms of cancer.
Nitrogenase: Recent Advances
Authors: Andrade Susana LA , Hu Yilin , Ribbe Markus W , Einsle Oliver 
Published: October 2008

AbstractNitrogenase catalyzes the reductive fixation of nitrogen from atmospheric N2for biological syntheses, and as such it constitutes the only enzyme known to be able to cleave the highly stable triple bond of the dinitrogen molecule. Structures are known of both component proteins of nitrogenase, the enzymatically active MoFe protein and its electron donor, the Fe protein. In spite of a wealth of biochemical and biophysical data on nitrogenase, the mechanistic details of its action remain poorly understood. This article provides an update on recent results in nitrogenase research, including the discovery of a central, light atom in the center of the FeMo cofactor, studies on substrate binding to the cofactor in mutant proteins, and novel aspects of complex formation between both component proteins. Particular emphasis is given to the significant progress made in understanding the biosynthesis of the complex metal clusters of the MoFe protein, the P‐cluster and the FeMo cofactor.
Particulate Methane Monooxygenase
Authors: Rosenzweig Amy C 
Published: October 2008

AbstractParticulate methane monooxygenase (pMMO) catalyzes the oxidation of methane to methanol in methanotrophic bacteria. The 300‐kDa pMMO enzyme is a trimeric integral membrane protein, comprising three copies each of three subunits: pmoB, pmoA, and pmoC. Purified pMMO contains both copper and iron, although some of the iron may be due to heme contamination. The copper stoichiometry ranges from 2 to 15 copper ions per 100‐kDa pMMO protomer, depending on the enzyme source. EPR spectra of whole cells, membrane‐bound, and purified pMMO consistently indicate the presence of type 2 Cu(II). According to XAS data, both Cu(I) and Cu(II) are present. EXAFS data reveal the presence of oxygen/nitrogen ligands and a short CuCu interaction at 2.5 Å that increases to 2.6 Å upon chemical reduction. Crystal structures of pMMO from two organisms have been reported. A soluble region consisting of six cupredoxin‐like β‐barrel structures is supported by 15 transmembrane helices. Three different metal centers have been detected crystallographically: a highly conserved dinuclear copper center, a nonconserved mononuclear copper center, and a site that can be occupied by zinc or copper. Although the identity of the pMMO active site remains unknown, some information regarding the mechanism has been obtained from substrate studies and computational work.
TheCorAMg2+Channel
Authors: Maguire Michael E 
Published: October 2008

AbstractThe CorA Mg2+channel is present in about 50% of bacteria and many archaea. Its ubiquitous eukaryotic homolog is Mrs2, the mitochondrial Mg2+channel. Physiologically, CorA mediates the influx of Mg2+down its electrochemical gradient. It can also mediate the influx of Ni2+and Co2+but only at concentrations that are toxic to the cell. A subclass of the CorA superfamily in the bacteria mediates the efflux of Zn2+. The sequence analysis of the CorA superfamily shows a complete lack of homology to any other protein. The crystal structure of CorA confirms its unique nature. CorA is a homopentamer shaped like a funnel with the stem of the funnel within the membrane. Each monomer has two transmembrane segments at the C terminus. All prokaryotic CorA proteins have the same basic structure. A 250–290 amino acid cytosolic N‐terminal domain is followed by transmembrane segment 1, which is followed by a nine amino acid periplasmic loop. This loop is followed by the transmembrane segment 2. Neither transmembrane segment contains any charged amino acids. The C‐terminal cytosolic tail of CorA is almost always six amino acids in length and contains three or four arginine and/or lysine residues. In the structures currently available, the Mg2+‐conducting pore is formed completely by transmembrane segment 1. The cytosolic domain is formed of a seven‐stranded antiparallel β sheet flanked on both sides by three α helices (α1–3β1–7α4–6). This domain is followed by the 100‐Å‐long α7helix, which forms most of the inner face of the funnel and transmembrane segment 1. In the cytosolic domain, a Mg2+cation is bound between an aspartate residue in the α7helix of one monomer and the α3helix of the adjacent monomer, giving five bound Mg2+cations per channel. These bound ions seem poised to act as ‘sensors’ of intracellular Mg2+, and their dissociation from the channel is proposed to allow the monomers to rotate apart, thus opening the channel.
Detectable Trends in Hydroclimatical Variables During the Twentieth Century
Authors: Kundzewicz Zbigniew W 
Published: October 2008

Abstract
The twentieth century was a period of considerable climatic and nonclimatic change. The atmospheric concentration of greenhouse gases increased significantly, due to increased burning of fossil fuels and land‐use changes that reduce carbon sequestration. The long carbon dioxide record from Mauna Loa illustrates the man‐caused enhancement of the “greenhouse effect”, which resulted in an increase in global temperature of 0.74 °C over the last 100 years. In the Northern Hemisphere, the temperature increase during the twentieth century is likely to have been greater than for any other century in the last 1000 years. This has affected hydrological processes. Patterns of precipitation change are more spatially and temporally variable, but some regional regularities can be detected. The river runoff process, which is the most important for freshwater management, has not shown general, nor coherent, changes globally, because river runoff is an integrator of many climatic and nonclimatic factors. In a number of places, nonclimatic drivers can be demonstrated to have had a considerable influence on hydrological records.
Groundwater Monitoring Strategies
Authors: van Geer Frans C , Bierkens Marc FP , Broers Hans Peter 
Published: October 2008

AbstractMonitoring of groundwater pressure heads and groundwater quality is an integral part of water management. This article focuses on strategies of spatial and temporal distribution of data collection. Other aspects of monitoring such as well construction, measurement equipment, and database management are not discussed. In order to design, optimize, and evaluate monitoring systems, many approaches are in use. Although it is impossible to complete, we attempt to provide an overview of approaches to the design of groundwater monitoring strategies. Rather than giving extensive mathematical descriptions, we discuss design approaches from a practical point of view: each design approach is introduced through a case study where attention is paid to the link between monitoring objective and monitoring network design.
Catchment Classification and Services—Toward a New Paradigm for Catchment Hydrology Driven by Societal Needs
Authors: Wagener Thorsten , Sivapalan Murugesu , McGlynn Brian 
Published: October 2008

Abstract
Hydrologists do not yet possess a generally accepted catchment classification system. This article presents a review of work done so far, and discusses a general framework for a catchment classification system considering variability in relevant characteristics, increasing human impacts on catchments, and the assumption that our climate is changing. We stress that any classification system should explicitly account for uncertainty and have predictive power, rather than just being descriptive. We also propose an extension to catchment classification with the inclusion of catchment services and disservices, which would explicitly link hydrology to current and future societal issues. We discuss a framework that describes catchment climate and form and maps these on catchment function (include partition, storage and release of water, energy and matter). Climate, form, and function can be described using indices, distributions, or even conceptual models; and uncertainty needs to be preserved in individual descriptors as well as in their mapping onto each other. Descriptors of catchment function are discussed as signatures of catchment behavior, which in turn are related to catchment services and disservices. This mapping ultimately provides predictive skill by constraining the expected function at ungauged locations, even under potential nonstationarity, through knowledge of form and/or climate. Establishing this framework would provide an organizing principle, create a common language, guide modeling and measurement efforts, provide constraints on predictions in ungauged basins, and allow estimates of environmental change impacts.
Overview of Receptor Interactions of Agonists and Antagonists
Authors: Kenakin Terry 
Published: October 2008

AbstractHistorically, the earliest methods used to quantitatively measure the fundamental properties of drugs (namely affinity and efficacy) employed isolated tissues, and it is in this realm that the null methods used to define “receptor pharmacology” were described. This unit describes these methods and their use to specifically classify agonists (through potency ratios and determination of relative affinities and efficacies) and antagonists (through analysis of surmountable and insurmountable antagonism) to yield estimates of potency. Different drugs can yield different behaviors in various tissues, so this unit is centered on a flow diagram to indicate the type of analysis appropriate for the behavior observed. For example, some agonists may be full agonists in some tissues and partial agonists in others, while some antagonists may demonstrate surmountable simple competitive antagonism in some tissues and insurmountable non‐competitive antagonism in others. Methods exist for determination of affinity and efficacy for all of these behaviors, and these are delineated in this unit.Curr. Protoc. Pharmacol. 42:4.1.1‐4.1.24. © 2008 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.