bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of gingipains and Porphyromonas gingivalis growth and biofilm formation by prenyl flavonoids
Authors: Kariu T. , Nakao R. , Ikeda T. , Nakashima K. , Potempa J. , Imamura T. 
Published: March 2016

Background and ObjectivePorphyromonas gingivalis is considered a major pathogen of chronic periodontitis, which also may be implicated with systemic diseases such as atherosclerosis. Secreted cysteine proteases, gingipains Rgp and Kgp, are essential for P. gingivalis virulence. Some polyphenols and flavonoids are known to inhibit gingipain activity and interfere with biofilm formation by P. gingivalis. Many bioactive compounds have been isolated from Epimedium species, but availability of these compounds on gingipains and P. gingivalis is still unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate natural products from medical plants to develop a new therapeutic agent against periodontal disease.Material and MethodsPrenylated flavonoids were isolated from Epimedium species plant using column chromatographies. The inhibitory effect of the prenylated flavonoids against protease activity of gingipains were examined using purified gingipains and fluorogenic substrates. Anti‐P. gingivalis activity was evaluated to analyze planktonic growth and biofilm formation in brain heart infusion medium in the presence of the prenylated flavonoids.ResultsWe isolated 17 prenylated flavonoids (Limonianin, Epimedokoreanin B, etc.) from Epimedium species. We found that some prenylated flavonoids inhibited gingipain activity in a non‐competitive manner with Ki values at μm order. The prenylated flavonoids also hindered growth and biofilm formation of P. gingivalis, in a manner independent of gingipain inhibition by the compounds.ConclusionThe results indicated an inhibitory effect of the prenylated flavonoids against P. gingivalis and would provide useful information for future development of periodontitis treatment that suppresses gingipains, P. gingivalis growth and biofilm formation.
Creation of an integrated outcome database for pediatric anesthesia
Authors: Cravero Joseph P. , Sriswasdi Patcharee , Lekowski Rebecca , Carpino Elizabeth , Blum Richard , Askins Nissa , Zurakowski David , Sinnott Sean 
Published: March 2016

SummaryOutcome analysis is essential to health care quality improvement efforts. Pediatric anesthesia faces unique challenges in analyzing outcomes. Anesthesia most often involves a one‐time point of care interaction where work flow precludes detailed feedback to care givers. In addition, pediatric outcome evaluations must take into account patients' age, development, and underlying illnesses when attempting to establish benchmarks. The deployment of electronic medical records, including preoperative, operative, and postoperative data, offers an opportunity for creating datasets large and inclusive enough to overcome these potential confounders. At our institution, perioperative data exist in five distinct environments. In this study, we describe a method to integrate these datasets into a single web‐based relational database that provides researchers and clinicians with regular anesthesia outcome data that can be reviewed on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. Because of its complexity, the project also entailed the creation of a ‘dashboard,’ allowing tracking of data trends and rapid feedback of measured metrics to promote and sustain improvements. We present the first use of such a database and dashboard for pediatric anesthesia professionals as well as successfully demonstrating its capabilities to perform as described above.
Bending the rules: a novel approach to placement and retrospective experience with the 5 French Arndt endobronchial blocker in children <2 years
Authors: Templeton T. Wesley , Downard Martina G. , Simpson Christopher R. , Zeller Kristen A. , Templeton Leah B. , Bryan Yvon F. 
Published: March 2016

SummaryBackgroundOne‐lung ventilation (OLV) is frequently employed to improve surgical exposure during video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and thoracotomy in adults and children. Because of their small size, children under the age of 2 years are not candidates for some of the methods typically used for OLV in adults and older children, such as a double‐lumen endotracheal (DLT) tube or intraluminal use of a bronchial blocker. Due to this, the clinician is left with few options. One of the most robust approaches to OLV in infants and small children has been the extraluminal placement of a 5 French (5F) Arndt endobronchial blocker (AEB).AimThe aim of this retrospective study was to examine and describe our experience with placement and management of an extraluminal 5F AEB for thoracic surgery in children <2 years of age.MethodsWe retrospectively examined the anesthetic records for details of AEB placement, arterial blood gas (ABG) data, and intraoperative analgesic prescription in 15 children under the age of 2 years undergoing OLV with a 5F AEB for thoracic surgery at our institution from January 2010 through January 2016.ResultsWe were able to successfully achieve lung isolation in 14 of 15 patients using a 5F AEB that was bent 35–45° 1.5 cm proximal to the inflatable cuff. In 13 of 15 patients, we were able to place the AEB into final position with the aid of video‐assisted fiberoptic bronchoscopy. In two patients, fluoroscopy was required to place the 5F AEB into the left mainstem due to poor visualization of the carina and rapid desaturation during bronchoscopy. In one of these patients, even though the blocker appeared to be correctly placed by fluoroscopy, adequate lung isolation was not observed. Intraoperatively, we observed significant degrees of hypercarbia in most patients without oxygen desaturation. Analgesic regimens lacked consistency and varied among patients. Open thoracotomy procedures tended to receive more aggressive narcotic regimens than video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) procedures. Fourteen of 15 patients were extubated in the immediate postoperative period.ConclusionsOur technique of placing a 35–45° bend in the AEB, extraluminal placement, and observed manipulation with a video‐assisted flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope (FFB) within the trachea can be used to achieve consistent lung isolation in patients <2 undergoing thoracic surgery. When the use of a FFB proves unsuccessful, fluoroscopy can provide an alternative solution to successful placement. Significant respiratory derangements without long‐term sequelae will occur in a majority of these patients during OLV. Several different approaches to intraoperative analgesia did not impede extubation in the early postoperative period.
Understanding What Shapes a Polycentric Governance System
Authors: Berardo Ramiro , Lubell Mark 
Published: March 2016

AbstractRecent research has shown that communication networks involving governmental and nongovernmental actors self‐organize based on how risk is perceived. According to the “risk hypothesis,” actors embedded in governance systems in which there is widespread risk of defection tend to form bonding structures, whereas those in low‐risk systems form bridging structures. A parallel strand of research proposes to study complex governance systems composed of multiple actors and the decision‐making forums in which they interact. In this article, the authors couple these research threads and show how bonding and bridging structures form when stakeholders participate in three complex governance systems of varying institutional strength. Findings suggest that the prevalence of one type of structure over the other depends on contextual variables such as the stability of the institutions and the occurrence of environmental focusing events that demand quick policy responses.
HLA‐E polymorphism and soluble HLA‐E plasma levels in chronic hepatitis B patients
Authors: Zidi I. , Laaribi A. B. , Bortolotti D. , Belhadj M. , Mehri A. , Yahia H. B. , Babay W. , Chaouch H. , Zidi N. , Letaief A. , Yacoub S. , Boukadida J. , Di Luca D. , Hannachi N. , Rizzo R. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractChronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection occurs in association to a deregulation of immune system. Human leukocyte antigen E (HLA‐E) is an immune‐tolerant nonclassical HLA class I molecule that could be involved in HBV progression. To measure soluble (s) HLA‐E in patients with chronic HBV hepatitis (CHB). We tested the potential association of HLA‐E*01:01/01:03 A > G gene polymorphism to CHB. Our cohort consisted of 93 Tunisian CHB patients (stratified in CHB with high HBV DNA levels and CHB with low HBV DNA levels) and 245 healthy donors. Plasma sHLA‐E was determined using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Genotyping was performed using polymerase chain reaction sequence‐specific primer. No association between HLA‐E*01:01/01:03 A > G polymorphism and HBV DNA levels in CHB patients was found. G/G genotype is less frequent in CHB patients without significance. sHLA‐E is significantly enhanced in CHB patients compared with healthy controls (P = 0.0017). Stratification according to HBV DNA levels showed that CHB patients with low HBV DNA levels have higher sHLA‐E levels compared with CHB patients with high HBV DNA levels. CHB patients with G/G genotype have enhanced sHLA‐E levels compared with other genotypes (P = 0.037). This significant difference is maintained only for CHB women concerning G/G genotypes (P = 0.042). Finally, we reported enhanced sHLA‐E in CHB patients with advanced stages of fibrosis (P = 0.032). We demonstrate, for the first time, the association of sHLA‐E to CHB. Owing to the positive correlation of HLA‐E*01:01/01:03 A > G polymorphism and the association of sHLA‐E to advanced fibrosis stages, HLA‐E could be a powerful predictor for CHB progression. Further investigations will be required to substantiate HLA‐E role as a putative clinical biomarker of CHB.
Age decreases mitochondrial motility and increases mitochondrial size in vascular smooth muscle
Authors: Chalmers Susan , Saunter Christopher D. , Girkin John M. , McCarron John G. 
Published: March 2016

Key points
Age is proposed to be associated with altered structure and function of mitochondria; however, in fully‐differentiated cells, determining the structure of more than a few mitochondria at a time is challenging. In the present study, the structures of the entire mitochondrial complements of cells were resolved from a pixel‐by‐pixel covariance analysis of fluctuations in potentiometric fluorophore intensity during ‘flickers’ of mitochondrial membrane potential.
Mitochondria are larger in vascular myocytes from aged rats compared to those in younger adult rats.
A subpopulation of mitochondria in myocytes from aged, but not younger, animals is highly‐elongated.
Some mitochondria in myocytes from younger, but not aged, animals are highly‐motile.
Mitochondria that are motile are located more peripherally in the cell than non‐motile mitochondria.
AbstractMitochondrial function, motility and architecture are each central to cell function. Age‐associated mitochondrial dysfunction may contribute to vascular disease. However, mitochondrial changes in ageing remain ill‐defined because of the challenges of imaging in native cells. We determined the structure of mitochondria in live native cells, demarcating boundaries of individual organelles by inducing stochastic ‘flickers’ of membrane potential, recorded as fluctuations in potentiometric fluorophore intensity (flicker‐assisted localization microscopy; FaLM). In freshly‐isolated myocytes from rat cerebral resistance arteries, FaLM showed a range of mitochondrial X‐Y areas in both young adult (3 months; 0.05–6.58 μm2) and aged rats (18 months; 0.05–13.4 μm2). In cells from young animals, most mitochondria were small (mode area 0.051 μm2) compared to aged animals (0.710 μm2). Cells from older animals contained a subpopulation of highly‐elongated mitochondria (5.3% were >2 μm long, 4.2% had a length:width ratio >3) that was rare in younger animals (0.15% of mitochondria >2 μm long, 0.4% had length:width ratio >3). The extent of mitochondrial motility also varied. 1/811 mitochondria observed moved slightly (∼0.5 μm) in myocytes from older animals, whereas, in the younger animals, directed and Brownian‐like motility occurred regularly (215 of 1135 mitochondria moved within 10 min, up to distance of 12 μm). Mitochondria positioned closer to the cell periphery showed a greater tendency to move. In conclusion, cerebral vascular myocytes from young rats contained small, motile mitochondria. In aged rats, mitochondria were larger, immobile and could be highly‐elongated. These age‐associated alterations in mitochondrial behaviour may contribute to alterations in cell signalling, energy supply or the onset of proliferation.
Effect of aerobic fitness on capillary blood volume and diffusing membrane capacity responses to exercise
Authors: Tedjasaputra Vincent , Bouwsema Melissa M. , Stickland Michael K. 
Published: March 2016

Key points
Endurance trained athletes exhibit enhanced cardiovascular function compared to non‐athletes, although it is considered that exercise training does not enhance lung structure and function.
An increased pulmonary capillary blood volume at rest is associated with a higher .
In the present study, we compared the diffusion capacity, pulmonary capillary blood volume and diffusing membrane capacity responses to exercise in endurance‐trained males compared to non‐trained males.
Exercise diffusion capacity was greater in athletes, secondary to an increased membrane diffusing capacity, and not pulmonary capillary blood volume.
Endurance‐trained athletes appear to have differences within the pulmonary membrane that facilitate the increased O2 demand needed for high‐level exercise.
AbstractEndurance‐trained athletes exhibit enhanced cardiovascular function compared to non‐athletes, allthough it is generally accepted that exercise training does not enhance lung structure and function. Recent work has shown that an increased resting pulmonary capillary blood volume (VC) is associated with a higher maximum oxygen consumption (), although there have been no studies to date examining how aerobic fitness affects the VC response to exercise. Based on previous work, we hypothesized that endurance‐trained athletes will have greater VC compared to non‐athletes during cycling exercise. Fifteen endurance‐trained athletes (HI: 64.6 ± 1.8 ml kg−1 min−1) and 14 non‐endurance trained males (LO: 45.0 ± 1.2 ml kg−1 min−1) were matched for age and height. Haemoglobin‐corrected diffusion capacity (DLCO), VC and diffusing membrane capacity (DM) were determined using the Roughton and Forster () multiple fraction of inspired O2 (FIO2)‐DLCO method at baseline and during incremental cycle exercise up to 90% of peak O2 consumption. During exercise, both groups exhibited increases in DLCO, DM and VC with exercise intensity. Athletes had a greater DLCO and greater DM at 80 and 90% of compared to non‐athletes. However, VC was not different between groups during exercise. In contrast to our hypothesis, exercise VC was not greater in endurance‐trained subjects compared to controls; rather, the increased DLCO in athletes at peak exercise was secondary to an enhanced DM. These findings suggest that endurance‐trained athletes appear to have differences within the pulmonary membrane that facilitate the increased O2 demand needed for high‐level exercise.
Polytropic Change of State Calculations
Authors: Wettstein Hans E. 
Published: March 2016

Polytropic change of state calculations are used within many thermodynamic cycle analysis tasks for turbomachinery like gas turbines or compressors. The typical approach is using formulas, which are theoretically valid for ideal gas conditions only. But often gases are used, which do certainly not behave like ideal gases. This is motivation to check how and which polytropic change of state algorithms can be used for real gases or corresponding mixtures.
There is a vast experience on polytropic efficiencies achievable with existing turbomachinery. Manufacturers calibrate their performance analysis with real test results for compensating potential deviations from their analysis approach. But they normally do not disclose their approaches for the thermodynamic calculation and the corrections made based on their test results. But for investigations of new thermodynamic cycles before the stage of development with an available demonstrator a best possible prediction of the performance is desired.
In this paper the assumptions and formulas for calculating polytropic changes of state and polytropic efficiencies are gathered from literature. The most fundamental assumption is based on a constant dissipation rate during the polytropic change of state. It could be tracked back to Zeuner, Stodola and Dzung. A numerically convenient approximation is the “polytropic exponent approach”. It fulfills the first assumption for an ideal gas but it is only an approximation for real gases.
The temperature after a polytropic change of state is defined by its initial condition, the pressure ratio and the polytropic efficiency. Three different calculation algorithms are compared here: The recursive “constant dissipation rate algorithm” suggested by the author, the most used “ideal gas formula” and the “polytropic exponent formula” as the most used approximation for real gases. Numeric results for compression from 1bar to up to 100bar are shown for dry air, Argon, Neon, Nitrogen, Oxygen and CO2. The deviations of the different calculation approaches are considerable.
Power Efficiency Optimization of Vanadium Redox Batteries Based on Experimental Analysis of Electrolyte Flow Through Carbon Felt of Electrodes
Authors: Pozin A. , Averbukh M. , Sukoriansky S. 
Published: March 2016

The Vanadium Redox Flow Battery (VRB) represents a significant opportunity for future Energy Storage Systems (ESS), which will be the crucial element in Renewable Power Plants. Main expectations of VRB relate to its prolonged service life, high-energy efficiency, outstanding dynamic response and flexible controllability during charge/discharge processes. The typical cell of VRB consists of two compartments (positive and negative) divided by a proton exchange membrane (PEM). The carbon electrodes in each compartment provide the electrochemical reduction-oxidation reactions in electrolyte. Carbon felt material as a rule is chosen for electrodes development due to its ability to provide intensive electrochemical reaction owing enlarged external surface and thus a sufficient current (power). The electrolyte on the base of sulfuric acid includes two pairs of vanadium ions with valences: (2+, 3+) in the negative compartment and (4+, 5+) in the positive one. The main volume of electrolyte is stored in two separate tanks and is pumped through both cell’s compartments. There are two main reasons for electrolyte pumping. The first one is the restricted solubility of active vanadium species in sulfuric acid that leads to have an enlarged amount of electrolyte volume, which may be located outside of the cells only. The second reason is the need to decrease concentration polarization effects on the electrode surface. Electric current creates the layer of inactive ions on the electrode surface that increases internal electrical resistance, reduces electromotive force and the battery power. Electrolyte circulation eliminates the effect of polarization but causes hydrodynamic losses. They may be diminished by the optimization of electrolyte flow rate based on correct description of hydrodynamic properties of a carbon felt and on accurate depiction of battery electrical losses.
The present research proposes a novel approach to optimization of electrolyte pumping with the purpose to obtain maximum VRB efficiency.
Highlights of Fuel Cell Modeling From a Lattice Boltzmann Method Point of View
Authors: Espinoza Mayken , Sundén Bengt , Andersson Martin 
Published: March 2016

Relative simplicity of use, no pollutions and high-efficiency are some of the advantages that will make fuel cells one of the best devices for getting electrical energy in the near future. Micro- and mesoscale modeling of fuel cells gives an important perspective about their efficiency and behavior during the energy conversion process. Due to the high cost of carrying out laboratory experiments related to different materials at the micro- and mesoscales, modeling and simulation of the different elements of the fuel cells are a useful approach and a point of departure for the experimental validation.
This paper describes fuel cell modeling starting with the fundamentals, including physical and chemical characteristics of fuel cells, moving to the current state of the study of modeling based on the Lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM). The principal characteristics and elements of the fuel cells are presented in general as well as the main differences between the Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC) and Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC). Fuel cells have several parts that are modeled on the micro- and mesoscale level. These parts, conditions and governing equations for different transport phenomena are displayed in this manuscript. A detailed description of the main issues, advantages and recent advances related to Lattice Boltzmann Method as a method for modeling several physical processes that take place within fuel cells are presented.
Kisameet Clay Isolated from the Central Coast of British Columbia, Canada, Demonstrates Broad-Spectrum Antimicrobial Activity
Authors: Zhanel George G. , Karlowsky James A. 
Published: March 2016

ABSTRACT

Clay minerals are naturally occurring layered phyllosilicates which consist of fine particles and possess antimicrobial activity. In a recent article, Behroozian et al. obtained Kisameet clay (KC) from Kisameet, from the central coast of British Columbia, Canada, northwest of Vancouver and assessed its antimicrobial activity versus 16 selected ESKAPE pathogens (
Enterococcus faecium
,
Staphylococcus aureus
,
Klebsiella pneumoniae
,
Acinetobacter baumannii
,
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
, and
Enterobacter
spp.) possessing a variety of different resistance profiles [S. Behroozian, S. L. Svensson, and J. Davies, mBio 7(1):e01842-15, 2016, http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/mBio.01842-15]. KC demonstrated complete bacterial eradication of
Klebsiella pneumoniae
,
Acinetobacter baumannii
,
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
, and
Staphylococcus aureus
within 24 h. For
Enterobacter
spp., the organisms were eradicated with 1% KC within 5 h, while for
Enterococcus faecium
, it took 48 h to kill all organisms. Although many questions need to be answered, these exciting findings highlight the importance of testing natural substances/products from around the globe to assess whether they possess antimicrobial activity and potential for usage as topical, oral, or systemic agents for the treatment of multidrug-resistant pathogens.