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Kinds of In Terms modified by In Selected AbstractsMicrostructure and Mechanical Properties of New AlCoxCrFeMo0.5Ni High-Entropy AlloysADVANCED ENGINEERING MATERIALS, Issue 1-2 2010Chin-You Hsu Effects of Co content on microstructures and hot hardness of a new high-entropy alloy system, AlCoxCrFeMo0.5Ni (x,=,0.5 to 2.0) were investigated. As cobalt content increases, the microstructure changes from dendrite to polygrain type and the constituent phases change from BCC,+,, at x,=,0.5 to BCC,+,FCC,+,, at x,=,2.0. The alloy hardness varies from Hv 788 at x,=,0.5 to Hv 596 at x,=,2.0. This can be explained with the relative amount of hard , phase, medium hard BCC phase and soft FCC phase. All the AlCoxCrFeMo0.5Ni alloys possess higher hardness level than that of Ni-based superalloys In 718/In 718 H from room temperature to 1273,K. They obey the Westbrook equation presenting the normal heating behavior. Both alloys of x,=,0.5 and 1.0 exhibit a transition temperature higher than that of Co-based alloy T-800 by about 200,K. They also have a high hot hardness of Hv 347 at 1273,K, which is higher than those of In 718 and In718 H by Hv 220. The strengthening mechanism for their superiority is proposed. The AlCoxCrFeMo0.5Ni alloy system has great potential in high-temperature applications. [source] ChemInform Abstract: An N,N,-Dioxide/In(OTf)3 Catalyst for the Asymmetric Hetero-Diels,Alder Reaction Between Danishefsky,s Dienes and Aldehydes: Application in the Total Synthesis of Triketide.CHEMINFORM, Issue 24 2008Zhipeng Yu Abstract ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a "Full Text" option. The original article is trackable via the "References" option. [source] Transparent ohmic contacts to GaSb/In(Al)GaAsSb photovoltaic cellsPHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (A) APPLICATIONS AND MATERIALS SCIENCE, Issue 4 2007K. Golaszewska Abstract In this paper we present the results of study of thin oxide films: CdO, ZnO and RuSiO4 used as transparent ohmic contacts to GaSb/InGaAsSb/AlGaAsSb photodiodes. Thin oxide films with thickness of 50 nm were deposited by magnetron sputtering. CdO and RuSiO4 were formed in a reactive process in Ar,O2 atmosphere, from Cd and Ru1Si1 targets, respectively. ZnO films were deposited directly from ZnO target by rf sputtering. We have shown that application of CdO, ZnO and RuSiO4 transparent films instead of conventional metal-based contacts enables to improve of photodiode properties. As a result, GaSb/InGaAsSb/AlGaAsSb photodiodes with detectivity D * increased by factor of 2 and reduced by factor of 3 the series resistance were obtained. (© 2007 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Effects of neonatal novelty exposure on sexual behavior, fear, and stress-response in adult ratsDEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOBIOLOGY, Issue 3 2007Fernando Benetti Abstract Environmental stimuli in early life may result in permanent behavioral and physiological changes. Present study evaluated the effects of exposing pups to a novel environment on behaviors (open-field test and sexual behavior) and prolactin stress-responses in adult male rats. Half of a litter was daily removed outside (OUT) from the nest and stimulated by handling for 3 min, while the other half remained inside (IN) the nest and was also handled for the same period during the first 10 days postpartum. Maternal behavior after all the pups were returned to the nest was not different between IN and OUT littermates. In adulthood, OUT males showed increased general and central locomotion activity in the open-field test, reduced sexual behavior, and attenuated prolactin secretion in response to restraint stress compared with the IN littermates. The repeated exposition of rat pups to a novel environment is a causal factor for the long-lasting behavioral and endocrine changes. The premature exposition of the pup to unfamiliar environments decreases fear and stress-response, and also reduces sexual behavior. We suggest that the absence of the odor of the mother may be crucial to explain the effects detected in adulthood. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 49: 258,264, 2007. [source] SIR ALAN WALTERS' ROLE IN THE REVIVAL OF CURRENCY BOARDS1ECONOMIC AFFAIRS, Issue 2 2009John GreenwoodArticle first published online: 1 JUN 200 In a speech given in 2004, at a meeting held at the Institute of Economic Affairs in honour of Sir Alan Walters who died in 2009, John Greenwood explains Sir Alan's critical role in the creation of a currency board in Hong Kong in 1983. [source] Does the standard intravenous solution of fentanyl (50 µg/mL) administered intranasally have analgesic efficacy?EMERGENCY MEDICINE AUSTRALASIA, Issue 1 2010Dianne Crellin Abstract Background: Intranasal (IN) fentanyl provides rapid and powerful non-parenteral analgesia in the ED. A concentrated solution of fentanyl (300 µg/mL) has been used in prior trials, yet many ED use the standard solution at a concentration of 50 µg/mL, which is widely available and of low cost. We set out to determine if this lower concentration of fentanyl is also efficacious. Methods: Prospective audit in children aged 5,18 years presenting with upper limb injuries. Patients received IN fentanyl (50 µg/mL) at 1.5 µg/kg. Patient assessed pain scores were collected 5, 10, 20, 30 and 60 min following IN fentanyl administration using a visual analogue scale or Bieri Faces , Revised scale. Parental scores were used if patients were unable to provide a score. Results: Of the 59 eligible patients, 36 were enrolled; median age was 6.8 years (range 5,15 years), and 89% (32/36) ultimately required fracture reduction. Median first dose of IN fentanyl was 1.4 µg/kg. Median pain scores dropped from 7 (interquartile range 5,10) pre-fentanyl to 5 (interquartile range 4,8) at 5 min and 2 (interquartile range 1,4) at 30 and 60 min. A total of 21 (58%) children did not require further analgesia in the ED. There were no adverse events. Conclusions: Standard i.v. concentration IN fentanyl (50 µg/mL) appears to have analgesic efficacy in children with upper limb injuries. [source] [Commentary] SMOKING CESSATION IN 10 SECONDS,A GENERAL PRACTITIONER'S VIEWADDICTION, Issue 2 2008MARTIN EDWARDS No abstract is available for this article. [source] [Commentary] SUPPORTING GPS IN THE PROVISION OF SMOKING CESSATION INTERVENTION,FROM RESEARCH TO DAILY ROUTINEADDICTION, Issue 2 2008CHRISTIAN MEYER No abstract is available for this article. [source] HAZARDS IN THE BOG,REAL AND IMAGINEDxsGEOGRAPHICAL REVIEW, Issue 3 2002DIANNE MEREDITH ABSTRACT. A rich body of geographical lore, much of it related to real or imaginary hazards, characterizes perceptions of bog landscapes. Bog bursts, will-o,-the-wisps, carnivorous plants, weird creatures, and perceptions of the "bottomless" bog all play a part in the folklore of the landscapes. Ambiguity about the features of bog landscapes is further heightened by the descriptive terminology employed by tale tellers, who present to us a world inhabited by meanings that go beyond the physical environment and touch on the primordial inner landscape. [source] Manipulation of herbage production by altering the pattern of applying nitrogen fertilizerGRASS & FORAGE SCIENCE, Issue 1 2008D. Hennessy Abstract The redistribution of herbage production during the growing season to synchronize herbage supply with feed demand by livestock by altering the application pattern of a range of nitrogen (N) fertilizer rates was studied. Application rates of N were 50, 150 and 250 kg N ha,1 per annum and patterns were with 0·60 of N fertilizer applied before June (treatment RN) and with only 0·20 of N fertilizer before June (treatment IN). Treatments were imposed in a cutting (simulated grazing) experiment (Experiment 1), which was conducted for 2 years and a grazing experiment (Experiment 2) which was conducted for 3 years. In both experiments, herbage production was reduced in April and May and increased in the June,October period on treatment IN relative to RN, but annual herbage production was not significantly affected except in the third year of Experiment 2, when treatment RN had significantly (P < 0·05) higher herbage production than treatment IN. Crude protein (CP) concentration of herbage was lower in April and May on treatment IN than treatment RN. However, CP concentration of herbage was rarely below 150 g kg,1 DM and so it is unlikely that livestock productivity would be compromised. On treatment IN, concentrations of CP in herbage were higher in the late summer than on treatment RN, which may increase livestock productivity during July and August when livestock productivity is often lower. Altering the strategy of application of N fertilizer did not affect in vitro dry matter digestibility of herbage. [source] Effect of cytofectins on the immune response of murine macrophages to mammalian DNAIMMUNOLOGY, Issue 2 2003Fu-Gang Zhu Summary DNA, depending on base sequence, can induce a wide range of immune responses. While bacterial DNA is stimulatory, mammalian DNA is inactive alone and can, moreover, inhibit the response to bacterial DNA. To determine whether the mode of cell entry affects the immune properties of mammalian DNA, we have investigated the effects of the cytofectin agents Fugene 6 (Roche Diagnostics Corp., Indianapolis, IN), Lipofectin and Lipofectamine (Life Technologies, Grand Island, NY) on the responses of murine macrophages to DNA from calf thymus and human placenta. Whereas calf thymus and human placenta DNA alone failed to stimulate J774 or RAW264·7 cell lines or bone marrow-derived macrophages, these DNAs in complexes with cytofectin agents stimulated macrophages to produce nitric oxide but not interleukin 12. Both single-stranded and double-stranded DNAs were active in the presence of cytofectins. Macrophage activation by the DNA,cytofectin complexes was reduced by chloroquine, suggesting a role of endosomal acidification in activation. As shown by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy, the cytofectins caused an increase in the uptake of DNA into cells. Our findings indicate that macrophages vary in their response to DNA depending on uptake pathway, suggesting that activation by DNA reflects not only sequence but also context or intracellular location. [source] Downscaling temperature and precipitation: a comparison of regression-based methods and artificial neural networksINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLIMATOLOGY, Issue 7 2001J.T. Schoof Abstract A comparison of two statistical downscaling methods for daily maximum and minimum surface air temperature, total daily precipitation and total monthly precipitation at Indianapolis, IN, USA, is presented. The analysis is conducted for two seasons, the growing season and the non-growing season, defined based on variability of surface air temperature. The predictors used in the downscaling are indices of the synoptic scale circulation derived from rotated principal components analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis of variables extracted from an 18-year record from seven rawinsonde stations in the Midwest region of the United States. PCA yielded seven significant components for the growing season and five significant components for the non-growing season. These PCs explained 86% and 83% of the original rawinsonde data for the growing and non-growing seasons, respectively. Cluster analysis of the PC scores using the average linkage method resulted in eight growing season synoptic types and twelve non-growing synoptic types. The downscaling of temperature and precipitation is conducted using PC scores and cluster frequencies in regression models and artificial neural networks (ANNs). Regression models and ANNs yielded similar results, but the data for each regression model violated at least one of the assumptions of regression analysis. As expected, the accuracy of the downscaling models for temperature was superior to that for precipitation. The accuracy of all temperature models was improved by adding an autoregressive term, which also changed the relative importance of the dominant anomaly patterns as manifest in the PC scores. Application of the transfer functions to model daily maximum and minimum temperature data from an independent time series resulted in correlation coefficients of 0.34,0.89. In accord with previous studies, the precipitation models exhibited lesser predictive capabilities. The correlation coefficient for predicted versus observed daily precipitation totals was less than 0.5 for both seasons, while that for monthly total precipitation was below 0.65. The downscaling techniques are discussed in terms of model performance, comparison of techniques and possible model improvements. Copyright © 2001 Royal Meteorological Society [source] RELIGION IN THE MEDIA AGE Edited by Stewart M. HooverJOURNAL FOR THE SCIENTIFIC STUDY OF RELIGION, Issue 2 2007ROBERT B. HORWITZ No abstract is available for this article. [source] Evaluation of the Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics Vitros ECi Anti-HCV test: comparison with three other methodsJOURNAL OF CLINICAL LABORATORY ANALYSIS, Issue 3 2007Jeannette M. Watterson Abstract After observing a high incidence of low positive hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody screens by the Ortho-Clinical Vitros ECi test (Orthoclinical Diagnostics, Raritan, NJ), we compared results against those obtained using another chemiluminescent analyzer, as well as two U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved confirmatory methodologies. To ascertain the true anti-HCV status of samples deemed low-positive by the Ortho-Clinical Vitros ECi test, we tested samples using the ADVIA Centaur HCV screen test (Siemens Medical Solutions Diagnostics), the Chiron recombinant immunoblot assay (RIBA) test (Chiron Corp., Emeryville, CA), and the Roche COBAS Amplicor HCV qualitative test (Roche Diagnostics, Indianapolis, IN) in a series of studies. Of 94 specimens positive by Vitros ECi, 19% were observed to be negative by Centaur. A separate study of 91 samples with signal-to-cutoff (s/co) values less than 8.0 showed that all but one was negative for HCV ribonucleic acid (RNA). In comparison with RIBA, 100% (77) samples positive by the Vitros ECi test with s/co values less than 12.0 were negative or indeterminate by RIBA. A final study comparing all four methods side-by-side showed 63% disagreement by Centaur for Vitros ECi low-positive samples, 75% disagreement by RIBA, and 97% disagreement by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In conclusion, the Ortho-Clinical Vitros ECi Anti-HCV test yields a high rate of false-positive results in the low s/co range in our patient population. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 21:162,166, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Genetic Analysis of ele Mutants and Comparative Mapping of ele1 Locus in the Control of Organ Internal Asymmetry in Garden PeaJOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY, Issue 6 2010Xin Li Previous study has shown that during zygomorphic development in garden pea (Pisum sativum L.), the organ internal (IN) asymmetry of lateral and ventral petals was regulated by a genetic locus, SYMMETRIC PETAL 1 (SYP1), while the dorsoventral (DV) asymmetry was determined by two CYC - like TCP genes or the PsCYC genes, KEELED WINGS (K) and LOBED STANDARD 1 (LST1). In this study, two novel loci, ELEPHANT EAR-LIKE LEAF 1 (ELE1) and ELE2 were characterized. These mutants exhibit a similar defect of IN asymmetry as syp1 in lateral and ventral petals, but also display pleiotropic effects of enlarged organ size. Genetic analysis showed that ELE1 and ELE2 were involved in same genetic pathway and the enlarged size of petals but not compound leaves in ele2 was suppressed by introducing k and lst1, indicating that the enlargement of dorsal petal in ele2 requires the activities of K and LST1. An experimental framework of comparative genomic mapping approach was set up to map and clone LjELE1 locus in Lotus japonicus. Cloning the ELE1 gene will shed light on the underlying molecular mechanism during zygomorphic development and further provide the molecular basis for genetic improvement on legume crops. [source] Structural effects of amino acid variations between B and CRF02-AG HIV-1 integrasesJOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY, Issue 5 2008Isabelle Malet Abstract HIV-1 integrase is one of the three essential enzyme required for viral replication and has a great potential as a novel target for anti-HIV drugs. The sequence variability of the entire integrase (IN) was examined in HIV-1 subtype B and CRF02-AG antiretroviral naïve infected patients for the presence of naturally occurring polymorphisms IN gene sequences and protein structures from both subtypes were compared. The phylogenetic analysis showed a total concordance between the 3 pol gene sequences for patients identified as subtype B whereas 3% of patients identified as CRF02-AG showed a mixture of subtypes. The analysis of IN aa sequences showed that 13 positions (K/R14, V/I31, L/I101, T/V112, T/A124, T/A125, G/N134, I/V135, K/T136, V/I201, T/S206, L/I234, and S/G283) differed between subtypes B and CRF02-AG. As observed in the 3D model of the preintegration complex, these differences may impact the functional property of IN. The fact that most variations were grouped suggests that some of them are linked together through compensatory mechanisms. This comparison allowed us to identify several variations of amino acids in HIV-1 IN subtype CRF02-AG that could have a putative impact on anti-integrase sensitivity. In particular, the region formed by Thr125, Thr124, Val31 contains at least one residue, T125, which variation has been involved in eliciting resistance to the naphtyridine carboxamide L870,810 IN inhibitor. In conclusion, virological response to anti-integrase should be studied carefully, according to the subtype, in clinical trials. J. Med. Virol. 80:754,761, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Comparison of intranasal with targeted lymph node immunization using PR8-Flu ISCOM adjuvanted HIV antigens in macaquesJOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY, Issue 5 2007G. Koopman Abstract The rapidly spreading HIV epidemic requires a vaccine that elicits potent mucosal immunity to halt or slow transmission. Induction of these responses will depend on the use of appropriate adjuvants and targeting of the mucosal immune system. Previously, immune stimulating complexes (ISCOM) have shown great potency as adjuvant in the induction of mucosal responses in mice and systemic responses in non-human primates. In this study, HIV formulated in PR8-Flu ISCOM adjuvant was applied to immunize rhesus macaques against HIV; targeting the mucosa either via intranasal (IN) application or via targeted lymph node immunization (TLNI). While, strong systemic, HIV specific, cytokine, lymphoproliferative, and antibody responses were induced via the TLNI route, the IN application generated only low responses. Furthermore, all four animals immunized via TLNI developed vaginal IgA antibodies against gp120. In conclusion, in contrast to what has been demonstrated in mice, the IN application of PR8-Flu ISCOM did not induce strong immune responses in rhesus macaques unlike those immunized by the TLNI route. J. Med. Virol. 79:474,482, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Phenotypic analysis of the sensitivity of HIV-1 to inhibitors of the reverse transcriptase, protease, and integrase using a self-inactivating virus vector systemJOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY, Issue 3 2001Gergely Jármy Abstract Conventional phenotypic analysis of resistance of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) to antiviral therapy is time-consuming and requires culture of infectious virus. Although phenotypic analyses may be desirable, rapid generation of test results and decentralized availability of the test system will be important to achieve utility in the clinical practice. This study describes the design of an alternative phenotypic resistance test using replication incompetent viral vectors. Chimeric HIV vectors containing a marker gene were generated. The env and most of the regulatory and accessory genes of HIV were removed. In addition, the 3,U3 region was deleted to obtain a self-inactivating construct. Cotransfection of the plasmid with a plasmid that provided the vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein resulted in the production of replication-incompetent virus vectors. Infection of susceptible cells with the vectors led to marker gene expression. Vector production in the presence of protease (PR) inhibitors, or infection in the presence of reverse transcriptase (RT) or integrase (IN) inhibitors reduced marker gene expression in a dose-dependent manner. Marker gene activity was preserved at higher drug levels if vectors contained RT and PR genes from resistant virus isolates. Sensitivity to nucleoside and non-nucleoside RT inhibitors, protease and integrase inhibitors could be determined in 10 working days. The phenotypic drug resistance test using replication-incompetent HIV vectors significantly speeds up drug resistance measurements and allows testing at reduced biosafety levels. This will make clinical use of phenotypic assessment of antiviral resistance more feasible. J. Med. Virol. 64:223,231, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] The Implementation of Intranasal Fentanyl for Children in a Mixed Adult and Pediatric Emergency Department Reduces Time to Analgesic AdministrationACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 2 2010Anna Holdgate MBBS, FACEM ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2010; 17:1,4 © 2010 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine Abstract Objectives:, The objective was to determine whether the introduction of intranasal (IN) fentanyl for children with acute pain would reduce the time to analgesic administration in a mixed adult and pediatric emergency department (ED). Methods:, A protocol for IN fentanyl (1.5 ,g/kg) for children age 1,15 years presenting with acute pain was introduced to the department. All children who received intravenous (IV) morphine in the 7 months prior to the introduction of the protocol and either IV morphine or IN fentanyl in the 7 months after the introduction of the protocol were identified from drug registers. Time to analgesic administration, time to see a doctor, and the ages of patients were compared between the periods before and after the introduction of IN fentanyl. Results:, Following implementation, 81 patients received IN fentanyl and 37 received IV morphine, compared to 63 patients receiving morphine in the previous 7 months. The median time to analgesic administration for IN fentanyl was significantly shorter than for morphine (32 minutes vs. 63 minutes, p = 0.001). Children receiving fentanyl were significantly younger than those receiving morphine (median = 8.5 years vs. 12 years, p < 0.001). Conclusions:, This study demonstrates that children treated with IN fentanyl received analgesic medication faster than those treated with IV morphine in a mixed ED. Younger children were more likely to receive opioid analgesia following the introduction of fentanyl. [source] 16S rRNA GENE HETEROGENEITY IN THE FILAMENTOUS MARINE CYANOBACTERIAL GENUS LYNGBYA,JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY, Issue 3 2010Niclas Engene The SSU (16S) rRNA gene was used to investigate the phylogeny of the cyanobacterial genus Lyngbya as well as examined for its capacity to discriminate between different marine species of Lyngbya. We show that Lyngbya forms a polyphyletic genus composed of a marine lineage and a halophilic/brackish/freshwater lineage. In addition, we found morphological and genetic evidence that Lyngbya spp. often grow in association with other microorganisms, in particular smaller filamentous cyanobacteria such as Oscillatoria, and propose that these associated microorganisms have led to extensive phylogenetic confusion in identification of Lyngbya spp. At the species level, the phylogenetic diversity obtained from the comparison of 16S rRNA genes exceeded morphological diversity in Lyngbya. However, the expectation that this improved phylogeny would be useful to species and subspecies identification was eliminated by the fact that phylogenetic species did not correlate in any respect with the species obtained from current taxonomic systems. In addition, phylogenetic identification was adversely affected by the presence of multiple gene copies within individual Lyngbya colonies. Analysis of clonal Lyngbya cultures and multiple displacement amplified (MDA) single-cell genomes revealed that Lyngbya genomes contain two 16S rRNA gene copies, and that these typically are of variable sequence. Furthermore, intragenomic and interspecies 16S rRNA gene heterogeneity was approximately of the same magnitude. Hence, the intragenomic heterogeneity of the 16S rRNA gene overestimates the microdiversity of different strains and does not accurately reflect speciation within cyanobacteria, including the genus Lyngbya. [source] INTERACTIONS OF THE MIX-LINKED ,-(1,3)/,-(1,4)- d -XYLANS IN THE CELL WALLS OF PALMARIA PALMATA (RHODOPHYTA),JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY, Issue 1 2003Estelle Deniaud Algal cell wall mechanical properties, crucial for biological functions and commercial applications, rely on interactions in macromolecular assemblies. In an effort to better understand the interactions of the matrix-phase ,-(1,3)/(1,4)- d -xylan in the edible seaweed Palmaria palmata ((L.) O. Kuntze, Rhodophyta, Palmariales), sequential extractions by saline, alkaline, and chaotropic solutions were done. The chemical composition and structure and the physicochemical properties of the isolated xylan revealed that it was partly acidic, probably due to the presence of sulfate (up to 5%) and phosphate groups (up to 4%). Although such acidity suggested ionic interactions of xylan in the cell walls, the high yields of polysaccharide extracted by alkali and particularly by 8 M urea and 4.5 M guanidium thiocyanate demonstrated that it was mainly hydrogen bonded in the cell wall. H-bonds did not appear to be related to the mean proportions of ,-(1,3) and ,-(1,4)- d -xylose linkages because these did not differ between extracts of increasing alkalinity. However, the decreasing molar weight and intrinsic viscosity of extracts obtained by alkaline solution containing a reducing agent used to prevent polysaccharide degradation suggested the presence of an alkali-labile component in the xylan. These results are discussed with regard to the role of potential wall proteins as a means of control of these interactions. [source] EFFECTS OF INULIN AND BULKING AGENTS ON SOME PHYSICOCHEMICAL, TEXTURAL AND SENSORY PROPERTIES OF MILK CHOCOLATEJOURNAL OF TEXTURE STUDIES, Issue 5 2009HANNANEH FARZANMEHR ABSTRACT Chocolates are favorite foodstuffs with high sugar contents. Therefore, in the present study, the production of a low-sugar milk chocolate with prebiotic properties is evaluated. Various ratios of inulin (IN), polydextrose (PD) and maltodextrin (MD) along with sucralose (0.04% w/w) were used instead of sugar. Fifteen formulations were examined to determine some physicochemical, mechanical and sensory properties in order to find their optimum ratios. In general, formulations with high ratios of PD and MD were moister and softer than control. The lowest moisture content and highest hardness were observed for the moderate ratios. In addition, MD induced the least desirable sensorial effects, whereas PD and IN pronouncedly improved the overall acceptability. The optimum applicable range for IN, PD and MD were 14,32% and 71,84%, 7,26% and 67,77%, and 0,20% of sugar substitutes, respectively. Our findings on simultaneous fat and sugar reductions also indicated the possibility of fat cut up to 5% in comparison to previous fat content. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS In this paper, we have reported the influences of inulin (IN) as a prebiotic as well as polydextrose (PD) and maltodextrin (MD) as bulking agents on physicochemical, energy content, texture and sensory properties of milk chocolate using simplex lattice mixture design. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report in this field with very interesting results and practical applicability. Moreover, our findings showed that the use of aforementioned ingredients instead of sugar could lead to production of low-calorie milk chocolate without having the undesirable textural and physiological effects on the product and consumers. Moreover, the simplex lattice mixture design was found a very useful technique for finding optimum ratios of sugar replacers in formulation. [source] Ethanol Exposure Enhances Apoptosis Within the TestesALCOHOLISM, Issue 10 2000Qianlong Zhu Background: Chronic ethanol abuse causes testicular atrophy and male infertility in alcoholic men. It is well known that ethanol exposure disrupts the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, adversely affects the secretory function of Sertoli cells, and produces oxidative stress within the testes. It is still not clear what cellular mechanisms are responsible for the morphologic alteration of the testes that results in a reduction of testicular mass as a consequence of ethanol exposure. The hypothesis tested was that ethanol enhances apoptosis of testicular germ cells. Methods: In the experiments of chronic ethanol exposure, male Sprague Dawley® rats (Harlan Sprague Dawley, Inc., Indianapolis, IN) were fed Liber-Decarlie liquid diet for 9 weeks. In the experiments of acute ethanol exposure, a small volume of 20% ethanol solution was administered by intratesticular injection. Both 3,-end labeling of isolated testicular deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and labeling of apoptotic cells in situ by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine 5,-triphosphate nick end-labeling method were used to determine apoptosis rates within the testes. The expression of proteins involved in apoptosis was assessed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and by Western blotting. Results: The testes of rats that were fed an ethanol-containing liquid diet had more testicular DNA fragmentation than did those of animals that were fed an isocaloric control diet. Ethanol increased the number of apoptotic spermatogonia as well as spermatocytes. Direct intratesticular injections of ethanol solution enhanced testicular DNA fragmentation, suggesting an increase in apoptosis. Moreover, Fas ligand levels were increased within the testes of rats that were chronically fed ethanol. In vitro, ethanol treatment of cultured Sertoli cells enhanced the production of Fas ligand. In addition, testicular levels of p53 messenger ribonucleic acid were increased in rats that were chronically fed ethanol. Conclusions: All of these observations suggest that ethanol enhances testicular germ cell apoptosis. [source] Improving fatigue assessment in immune-mediated neuropathies: the modified Rasch-built fatigue severity scaleJOURNAL OF THE PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM, Issue 4 2009Sonja I. Van Nes Abstract Fatigue is a major disabling complaint in patients with immune-mediated neuropathies (IN). The 9-item fatigue severity scale (FSS) has been used to assess fatigue in these conditions, despite having limitations due to its classic ordinal construct. The aim was to improve fatigue assessment in IN through evaluation of the FSS using a modern clinimetric approach [Rasch unidimensional measurement model (RUMM2020)]. Included were 192 stable patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) or polyneuropathy associated with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUSP). The obtained FSS data were exposed to RUMM2020 model to investigate whether this scale would meet its expectations. Also, reliability and validity studies were performed. The original FSS did not meet the Rasch model expectations, primarily based on two misfitting items, one of these also showing bias towards the factor ,walking independent.' After removing these two items and collapsing the original 7-point Likert options to 4-point response categories for the remaining items, we succeeded in constructing a 7-item Rasch-built scale that fulfilled all requirements of unidimensionality, linearity, and rating scale model. Good reliability and validity were also obtained for the modified FSS scale. In conclusion, a 7-item linearly weighted Rasch-built modified FSS is presented for more proper assessment of fatigue in future studies in patients with immune-mediated neuropathies. [source] Accuracy of a new ultrafast rapid urease test to diagnose Helicobacter pylori infection in 1000 consecutive dyspeptic patientsALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 2 2010D. VAIRA Summary Background, Rapid diagnostic tools for Helicobacter pylori are important in endoscopy. Aims, To assess the accuracy of a new 5 min rapid urease test (UFT300, ABS Srl, Cernusco sul Naviglio, Milan, Italy) and to compare it with the 1 h Pyloritek (Serim Laboratories, Elkhart, IN, USA) and the 24 h CLO test (Kimberly-Clark Ballard Medical Products, Roswell, GA, USA). Method, Consecutive dyspeptic patients referred to our unit for endoscopy were prospectively studied. All patients underwent a 13C-urea-breath test, histology and the UFT300 (ABS Srl; Cernusco sul Naviglio, Milan, Italy). In a sub-set of patients (n = 375), two additional RUTs were performed. Patients were deemed infected if both 13C-UBT and histology were positive. RUTs were read at 1, 5, and 60 min. Results, Of 1000 enrolled patients 45.3% were infected with H. pylori. The sensitivity of the UFT 300 was 90.3%, 94.5% and 96.2% at 1, 5 and 60 min respectively (specificity 100%). The Pyloritek and the UFT were comparable, but the CLO test was not reliable at 5 and 60 min. Conclusion, The UFT 300 test is comparable to the Pyloritek test, but the CLO test is significantly less sensitive at early time points. Reading test results at 1 min may increase false negative results, thereby decreasing sensitivity. Aliment Pharmacol Ther,31, 331,338 [source] Photodynamic therapy of vulvar and vaginal condyloma and intraepithelial neoplasia using topically applied 5-aminolevulinic acid,LASERS IN SURGERY AND MEDICINE, Issue 4 2002Mathias K. Fehr MD Abstract Background and Objectives To determine the feasibility of photodynamic therapy (PDT) of vulvar and vaginal condyloma and intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN, VAIN) and to compare PDT results with conventional treatments. Study Design/Materials and Methods Thirty-eight patients with vulvar or vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) grade II/III (n,=,22) or condyloma (n,=,16) had 10% 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA)-gel applied topically. After 2,4 hours, 80,125 J/cm2 laser light at a wavelength of 635 nm was applied. PDT was compared to conventional treatments for condyloma (CO2 laser evaporation) and for VIN III (laser evaporation, surgical excision). Results The complete clearance rate for condyloma treated by PDT was 66% and the rate for IN was 57% (as determined by biopsy). Of the neoplasia patients, none with hyperkeratotic VIN (n,=,4) responded, and only one of four with increased pigmentation cleared. No scarring occurred, and postoperative discomfort lasted 4.9,±,3.4 days. Reduced disease-free survival (DFS) was associated with multifocal VIN (P,=,0.02, OR 2.17, 95% CI 1.15,4.08), but DFS did not vary with treatment mode. Conclusions Although PDT is not equally efficacious for all subgroups, PDT for condyloma and intraepithelial neoplasia appears to be as effective as conventional treatments, but with shorter healing time and excellent cosmetic results. Lasers Surg. Med. 30:273,279, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] On the shape of the fringe of various types of random treesMATHEMATICAL METHODS IN THE APPLIED SCIENCES, Issue 10 2009Michael Drmota Abstract We analyze a fringe tree parameter w in a variety of settings, utilizing a variety of methods from the analysis of algorithms and data structures. Given a tree t and one of its leaves a, the w(t,,a) parameter denotes the number of internal nodes in the subtree rooted at a's father. The closely related w,(t,,a) parameter denotes the number of leaves, excluding a, in the subtree rooted at a's father. We define the cumulative w parameter as W(t) = ,aw(t,,a), i.e. as the sum of w(t,,a) over all leaves a of t. The w parameter not only plays an important rôle in the analysis of the Lempel,Ziv '77 data compression algorithm, but it is captivating from a combinatorial viewpoint too. In this report, we determine the asymptotic behavior of the w and W parameters on a variety of types of trees. In particular, we analyze simply generated trees, recursive trees, binary search trees, digital search trees, tries and Patricia tries. The final section of this report briefly summarizes and improves the previously known results about the w, parameter's behavior on tries and suffix trees, originally published in one author's thesis (see Analysis of the multiplicity matching parameter in suffix trees. Ph.D. Thesis, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, U.S.A., May 2005; Discrete Math. Theoret. Comput. Sci. 2005; AD:307,322; IEEE Trans. Inform. Theory 2007; 53:1799,1813). This survey of new results about the w parameter is very instructive since a variety of different combinatorial methods are used in tandem to carry out the analysis. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] HIV-1 integrase inhibitors: 2005,2006 updateMEDICINAL RESEARCH REVIEWS, Issue 1 2008Raveendra Dayam Abstract HIV-1 integrase (IN) catalyzes the integration of proviral DNA into the host genome, an essential step for viral replication. Inhibition of IN catalytic activity provides an attractive strategy for antiretroviral drug design. Currently two IN inhibitors, MK-0518 and GS-9137, are in advanced stages of human clinical trials. The IN inhibitors in clinical evaluation demonstrate excellent antiretroviral efficacy alone or in combination regimens as compared to previously used clinical antiretroviral agents in naive and treatment-experienced HIV-1 infected patients. However, the emergence of viral strains resistant to clinically studied IN inhibitors and the dynamic nature of the HIV-1 genome demand a continued effort toward the discovery of novel inhibitors to keep a therapeutic advantage over the virus. Continued efforts in the field have resulted in the discovery of compounds from diverse chemical classes. In this review, we provide a comprehensive report of all IN inhibitors discovered in the years 2005 and 2006. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Med Res Rev, 28, No. 1, 118,154, 2008 [source] III. WHAT DISTINGUISHES WOMEN WHO WORK FULL-TIME, PART-TIME, OR NOT AT ALL IN THE 1st YEAR?MONOGRAPHS OF THE SOCIETY FOR RESEARCH IN CHILD DEVELOPMENT, Issue 2 2010Article first published online: 19 JUL 2010 First page of article [source] INTERACTIONS BETWEEN THE RAS, ADVANCED GLYCATION AND NF-kB IN THE DIABETIC KIDNEY: INTERVENTIONAL STUDIESNEPHROLOGY, Issue 1 2002Josephine M Forbes [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||