bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
β1-adrenoceptor stimulation promotes LPS-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis through activating PKA and enhancing CaMKII and IκBα phosphorylation
Authors: Wang Yiyang , Wang Yuan , Yang Duomeng , Yu Xiaohui , Li Hongmei , Lv Xiuxiu , Lu Daxiang , Wang Huadong 
Published: February 2015

Abstract
Introduction
Caspase activation and cardiomyocyte apoptosis have been implicated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cardiac contractile dysfunction. We have recently demonstrated that β1-adrenoceptor (AR) activation by endogenous norepinephrine contributes to cardiomyocyte apoptosis in endotoxemic mice. Here, we further investigated the molecular mechanisms for the enhancing effect of β1-AR activation on LPS-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis.

Methods
The adult mouse ventricular myocytes were exposed to LPS, dobutamine, protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor or/and nifedipine, an L-type Ca2+ channel blocker. Male BALB/c mice were treated with LPS or/ and β1-AR antagonist, atenolol. Cardiomyocyte apoptosis was determined by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end-labeling (TUNEL) assay and apoptosis-associated molecules were detected.

Results
LPS induced apoptosis in adult mouse ventricular myocytes, dobutamine (DOB), a β1-AR agonist, promoted apoptosis, caspase-8, 9 and 3 activation and increased cytosolic Ca2+ concentration in LPS-challenged cardiomyocytes. DOB also up-regulated TNF-α expression, decreased Bcl-2 levels, promoted Bax translocation to mitochondria, mitochondrial membrane potential loss and cytochrome c release as well as IκBα, p38 MAPK, JNK and Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) phosphorylation in LPS-treated cardiomyocytes. PKA inhibitor abolished the effects of DOB on caspase-9 activation, Bcl-2 levels as well as JNK and p38 MAPK phosphorylation, but not on IκBα phosphorylation, TNF-α expression and caspase-8 activation in LPS-stimulated cardiomyocytes. Pretreatment with nifedipine not only significantly blocked the enhancing effects of DOB on LPS-induced elevation in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration and CaMKII phosphorylation in cardiomyocytes, but also partly reversed the effects of DOB on caspase-9 and caspase-3/7 activities in LPS-treated cardiomyocytes. Furthermore, atenolol suppressed TNF-α expression, JNK, p38 MAPK and CaMKII phosphorylation, increased Bcl-2 expression, and inhibited cytochrome c release and cardiomyocyte apoptosis in the myocardium of endotoxemic mice.

Conclusions
β1-AR activation promotes LPS-induced apoptosis through activating PKA, increasing CaMKII phosphorylation as well as enhancing IκBα phosphorylation and TNF-α expression in cardiomyocytes.
Existence of solutions for generalized vector quasi-equilibrium problems in abstract convex spaces with applications
Authors: Zhang Wei-bing , Shan Shu-qiang , Huang Nan-jing 
Published: February 2015

AbstractIn this paper, several kinds of generalized vector quasi-equilibrium problems are introduced and studied in abstract convex spaces. Using the properties of Γ-convex and $\mathfrak{KC}$
KC
-maps, some sufficient conditions are given to guarantee the existence of solutions in connection with these generalized vector quasi-equilibrium problems. As applications, some existence theorems of solutions for the generalized semi-infinite programs with vector quasi-equilibrium constraints are also given.
Analysis of land use and land cover spatial pattern based on Markov chains modelling
Authors: Mirkatouli Jafar , Hosseini Ali , Neshat Abdolhamid 
Published: February 2015

AbstractBackgroundPopulation growth and the expansion of cities together with an increase in environmental pollution from human activity create non-principled changes in vegetative cover and land use in forestland built-up areas and agricultural land and increase the exertion of non-principled land productivity methods.MethodsIn this study, the proximity to and the amount of agricultural and forestland were used in the analysis and modeling of the land use changes. The probability of the conversion of agricultural and forestland to built-up areas use was modeled using the Markov chain.ResultsThe results indicate that the southern part of Gorgan ranked first in likelihood of the land use/land cover (LULC) change. It is necessary to implement procedures to control the change of high-grade agricultural land and Naharkhoran forestland to built-up areas.ConclusionsIt is clear that without attention to planning for protective procedures, the trend toward changing agricultural and forestland to built-up areas will continue and have adverse effects on the regional environment.
Shape descriptors of the “never resting” microglia in three different acute brain injury models in mice
Authors: Zanier Elisa R , Fumagalli Stefano , Perego Carlo , Pischiutta Francesca , De Simoni Maria-Grazia 
Published: February 2015

Abstract

Background
The study of microglia and macrophage (M/M) morphology represents a key tool to understand the functional activation state and the pattern of distribution of these cells in acute brain injury. The identification of reliable quantitative morphological parameters is urgently needed to understand these cell roles in brain injury and to explore strategies aimed at therapeutically manipulating the inflammatory response.

Methods
We used three different clinically relevant murine models of focal injury, namely, controlled cortical impact brain injury (traumatic brain injury (TBI)) and transient and permanent occlusion of middle cerebral artery (tMCAo and pMCAo, respectively). Twenty-four hours after injury, M/M cells were labeled by CD11b, and ×40 photomicrographs were acquired by unbiased sampling of the lesion core using a motorized stage microscope. Images were processed with Fiji software to obtain shape descriptors.

Results
We validated several parameters, including area, perimeter, Feret’s diameter (caliper), circularity, aspect ratio, and solidity, providing quantitative information on M/M morphology over wide tissue portions. We showed that the shape descriptors that best represent M/M ramification/elongation are area and perimeter, while circularity and solidity provide information on the ameboid shape. We also provide evidence of the involvement of different populations in local inflammatory events, with macrophages replacing microglia into the lesion core when reperfusion does not occur. Analysis of CD45high+ cell morphology, whose shape does not change, did not yield any difference, thus confirming the reliability of the approach.

Conclusions
We have defined specific morphological features that M/M acquire in response to different acute insults by applying a sensitive and readily applicable approach to cell morphological analysis in the brain tissue. Potential application of this method can be extended to all cell types able to change shape following activation, e.g., astrocytes, or to different disease states, including chronic pathologies.
An Empirical Study on the Intelligibility of English Spoken by Chinese University Students
Authors: Zhang Lingli 
Published: February 2015

AbstractThis paper reports an empirical study on the intelligibility of English spoken by Chinese University students, aiming to identify the factors that hamper intelligibility and suggest the pedagogical priorities in pronunciation teaching. The participants were 45 university sophomores, whose recorded data were transcribed and evaluated correspondingly by 45 educated listeners from 22 different countries. The results reveal that although the speakers’ English may have strong accents, it is intelligible to international listeners to a great extent. Phonological problems that hamper intelligibility are vowel length and quality, simplification of diphthongs, voiced and voiceless plosives, dental fricative, word ending nasals, consonant clusters as well as stress, rhythm and intonation.
A Review of Empirical Studies in L2 Dynamic Assessment
Authors: Li Qinghua , Li Di 
Published: February 2015

AbstractThe present paper reviews 25 studies conducted in the domain of L2 (second/foreign language) dynamic assessment (DA) in recent years. It begins with a survey of relevant research, then discusses some of the major findings and problems, and finishes with some suggestions for further research. The main findings of the review are as follows: (a) DA has the potential to promote L2 competence development; (b) both the interactionist approach and interventionist approach have attracted the interest of L2 researchers; (c) most studies have focused on small samples; (d) reading and grammatical knowledge have drawn the most attention; (e) group DA may be a potential method to advance L2 competence development in both the focused individual and the other members of the group; (f) computers might play a complementary role to humans acting as mediators; and (g) case study methodology has been the overwhelming choice for experimental design. Based on the available research, we suggest that additional studies are called for on the following issues: (a) L2 DA as an approach to measurement, (b) potential mediators, (c) validity issues of L2 DA, (d) the interface between DA and second language acquisition, and (e) the development of L2 classroom teachers.
A Study on Chinese Students’ Perceptual Learning Styles, Ideal L2 Self, and L2 Motivated L2 Behavior
Authors: Zhang Qianmei 
Published: February 2015

AbstractThis study investigates Chinese elementary, middle, and high school students’ L2 perceptual learning styles, imagination, ideal L2 self, and motivated L2 behavior. A perceptual learning style and L2 learning motivation questionnaire was administered to 1,667 students from elementary to high school. Statistical results revealed that Chinese elementary, middle, and high school students were more in favor of a visual learning style in comparison to their auditory and kinesthetic learning styles. This visually oriented style was significantly correlated with their ideal L2 self and motivated L2 behavior. The sequential regression analysis results indicated that the ideal L2 self and visual learning style were the most meaningful predictors for Chinese students’ motivated L2 behavior. This study suggests that teachers need to help students create and maintain their ideal L2 self and facilitate their L2 learning motivation by providing more adequate visual teaching materials.
Fourier multipliers for weighted L2{L^{2}} spaces with Lévy–Khinchin–Schoenberg weights
Authors: Nikolski Nikolai K. , Verbitsky Igor E. 
Published: February 2015

Abstract
In this paper, we present a class of weight functions w on the circle

𝕋

{\mathbb{T}}

,
called Lévy–Khinchin–Schoenberg (LKS) weights, for which we are
able to completely characterize (in terms of a capacitary inequality) all
Fourier multipliers for the weighted space

L
2

⁢

(
𝕋
,
w
)

{L^{2}(\mathbb{T},w)}

. We show that the multiplier algebra is nontrivial if and only if

1
/
w

∈

L
1

⁢

(
𝕋
)

{1/w\in L^{1}(\mathbb{T})}

, and in this case multipliers satisfy the Spectral
Localization Property (no “hidden spectrum”). On the other hand, the Muckenhoupt

(

A
2

)

{(A_{2})}

condition responsible for the basis property
of exponentials

(

e

i
⁢
k
⁢
x

)

{(e^{ikx})}

is more or less independent of the Spectral
Localization Property and LKS
requirements. Some more complicated compositions of LKS weights are
considered as well.
Dynamic Transmission Performances of Alumina and Mullite Refractory Ceramics in Microwave High-Temperature Heating
Authors: Shang Xiaobiao , Chen Junruo , Peng Jinhui 
Published: February 2015

AbstractThis paper proposes an analytical approach to optimize the thickness of refractories for achieving maximum microwave power transmission in microwave heating based on the analysis of power transmission coefficient (PTC). The microwave PTCs of alumina (Al2O3) ceramics over the temperature range of 22–1,379°C at 2,450 MHz, mullite ceramics in the temperature range of 27–1,027°C at 2.45 GHz and 400–1,300°C at 915 MHz are studied. The results show that there are several transmission peaks in the PTC patterns. The transmission peak amplitude depends sensitively on the thickness of the refractory and the peak shifting towards a smaller thickness as the temperature of the refractory increases. We also show that high microwave transmission can only be achieved in a refractory with a small thickness corresponding to a slight transmission peak shift in the entire microwave heating (less than one eighth wavelength in the refractory).
Assessment of human cartilage glycoprotein 39 (YKL-40), preptin, and nitric oxide in adolescent patients with type 1 diabetes and its relation to cardiorenal affection
Authors: Abd El Dayem Soha M. , Battah Ahmed A. , El Shehaby Amal , Abd Allah Nagwa 
Published: February 2015

AbstractTo evaluate new biomarkers such as YKL-40, preptin, and nitric oxide (NO) in patients with diabetes and to assess its relation to cardiorenal injury.The study included 62 patients with type 1 diabetes and 30 healthy volunteers. Blood sample was taken for assessment of glycosylated hemoglobin, lipid profile, YKL-40, preptin, and NO. Also, urine sample was taken for analysis of albumin/creatinine ratio. Echocardiography was also done.NO was lower, whereas YKL-40, preptin, and albumin/creatinine ratio were significantly higher in patients with diabetes. NO had a significant negative correlation with LVEDD, LVESD, PWT, LV mass, YKL-40, preptin, and albumin/creatinine ratio. YKL-40 had a significant positive correlation with waist/height ratio, preptin and negative correlation with E/A ratio. Stepwise multiple regression revealed that E/A ratio is the only parameter related to YKL-40. On the contrary, NO and systolic blood pressure are related to preptin.A significant reduction of NO and elevation of YKL-40 and preptin was found in patients with diabetes. A decrease in NO is associated with diastolic dysfunction, LV hypertrophy, and renal impairment, whereas YKL-40 is associated with diastolic dysfunction. An increase in preptin level was associated with hypertension.
The Property Tax Exemption in Pennsylvania: The Saga Continues
Authors: Kearns Kevin 
Published: February 2015

AbstractThis case study briefly traces the evolution and current status of Pennsylvania’s property tax exemption debate. Over the past 30 years court cases and legislative initiatives in Pennsylvania have resulted in dramatic swings of power back and forth between nonprofits and their host taxing jurisdictions, generating confusion and growing acrimony among key stakeholders. As of this writing, a proposed Constitutional Amendment is working its way through the Pennsylvania General Assembly. The amendment seeks to give the legislature, not the courts, exclusive jurisdiction to define what constitutes a purely public charity. The case study concludes with some thoughts on overarching principles that should be considered in the debate.
Assessing exposure of young children to common endocrine-disrupting chemicals in the home environment: a review and commentary of the questionnaire-based approach
Authors: English Karin , Healy Bridget , Jagals Paul , Sly Peter D. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractAlthough infants and young children are particularly vulnerable to endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC) exposure, there is an absence of comprehensive exposure data for this age group. As young children spend the majority of their time indoors, improved methods of exposure assessment are needed to characterise the health risks from exposures in the home environment. Biologic assessment, which has been considered the gold standard for exposure assessment in recent years, is difficult to conduct in young children. Questionnaires are an alternative and indirect method of predicting exposure, which may overcome some of the limitations of direct exposure assessment.The feasibility of using a questionnaire-based approach to predict exposure of young children to EDCs in the home has yet to be comprehensively reviewed. Moreover, there is no one questionnaire that has been validated for predicting the exposure of infants to common EDCs in the home.The aim of this review is to discuss the use and validation of the questionnaire-based approach to predict exposure of children to chemicals from three common classes of EDCs in the home, namely, plasticisers, flame retardants, and insecticides. We discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the questionnaire-based approach as well as the important pathways of exposure in the home environment, by which to guide the design and validation of future exposure questionnaires.The findings from our review indicate that the questionnaire-based approach is a valuable tool in the prediction of exposure to persistent organic pollutants, as well as to toxicants that have consistent patterns of exposure. With improvements to the design and validation process, the questionnaire-based approach may also prove to be a reliable instrument in predicting exposure to EDCs with short-half lives, including bisphenol A, phthalates, and pyrethroid and organophosphate insecticides.
Microbiological composition of untreated water during different weather conditions
Authors: Bešić Adna , Obradović Zarema , Pašalić Arzija , Žilić Amar 
Published: February 2015

Introduction: Water can support the growth of different microorganisms which may result in contamination. Therefore, the microbiological examination is required for testing the hygienic probity of water. In the study of microbial composition of untreated, natural spring and mineral water differences in the presence and number of bacteria during the two periods, winter and summer, are detectable.Methods: In our study, we analyzed and compared the following parameters, specified in the Rulebook: total bacteria and total aerobic bacteria (ml/22 and 37°C), total Coliform bacteria and Coliforms of fecalorigin (MPN/100ml), fecal streptococci as Streptococcus faecalis (MPN/100ml), Proteus spp (MPN/100ml), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MPN/100 ml) Sulphoreducing Clostridia (cfu / ml). The paper is a retrospective study in which we processed data related to the period of 2005-2009 year. While working, we used the descriptive-analytical comparative statistical treatment.Results: The obtained results show statistically significant differences in the microbial composition of untreated water in the two observed periods,Conclusions: Findings were consequence of different weather conditions in these periods, which imply a number of other variable factors.
Efficiency of combined treatment and conventional physical treatment in bilateral knee arthrosis
Authors: Bojičić Samir , Avdić Dijana , Katana Bakir , Jaganjac Amila , Mačak Hadžiomerović Amra 
Published: February 2015

Introduction: Degenerative joint disease, which is standardized in Europe by the name of arthrosis or osteoarthrosis, while in the Anglo-Saxon literature is in use for a long time by the name of osteoarthritis (OA) although this is not a classical inflammation,is the most common joint disease in general and the most common cause of functional damage of the musculoskeletal system. Recently, the term osteoarthritisappears more frequently in domestic literature. Arthroses are degenerative joint diseases with progressive character, also one of the most frequent diseases in orthopedics. The disease fi rst affects the articular cartilage, then the bony edges of the articular surfaces, and then the articular lining.Methods: Retrospective analysis and evaluation of data of treated patients, with the "Praxis" physical treatment during the period of time from 2000 to the end of 2010 on a sample of 79 patients,valorized the efficacy of Praxis treatment. The correlation of these results, with valorisation of the efficacy of standard physical treatment in clinics D.Z. " Novi Grad " on a sample of 81 patients, during the period of time from 2000 to the end of 2010, a statistical analysis was performed for comparing the effi cacy of the two methods.Results: There is a functional difference after therapy of bilateral gonarthrosis in clinics D.Z. "Novi Grad" and "Praxis" with statistical reliability.Conclusion: A combined approach in the treatment of knee arthrosis has a wider range of treatment procedures, comprehensively approaches to the problem and gives better results, so we can say that this method has priority compared to the standard approach to the knee arthrosis treatment.
Evaluation of Salivary Procalcitonin Levels in Different Periodontal Diseases
Authors: Hendek Meltem Karsiyaka , Erdemir Ebru Olgun , Kisa Ucler 
Published: February 2015

Background: The present study aims to investigate the levels of salivary procalcitonin (ProCT) in patients with different periodontal diseases.Methods: Seventy‐two non‐smokers are included in this study: 21 individuals with chronic periodontitis (CP), 14 individuals with generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAgP), 18 individuals with gingivitis (G), and 19 periodontally healthy (H) participants. Clinical periodontal parameters, including probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), plaque index, and gingival index (GI), were assessed in all participants. Saliva samples were collected and examined for evaluating ProCT levels.Results: It was found that the median (interquartile range) salivary ProCT level was lowest in the H group: 0.00 (0.09) ng/mL; followed by the G group: 0.09 (0.11) ng/mL; the CP group: 0.15 (0.29) ng/mL; and highest in the GAgP group 0.28 (0.68) ng/mL. These differences were statistically significant between the H group and the other groups (P <0.05). There were positive correlations between the mean salivary ProCT level and GI, CAL, and PD.Conclusion: According to the present results, ProCT might play a role during periodontal inflammation, and an elevated salivary ProCT level is suggested as a potential biomarker for periodontal diseases.
Novel Coating of Surgical Suture Confers Antimicrobial Activity Against Porphyromonas gingivalis and Enterococcus faecalis
Authors: Meghil Mohamed M. , Rueggeberg Frederick , El‐Awady Ahmed , Miles Brodie , Tay Franklin , Pashley David , Cutler Christopher W. 
Published: February 2015

Background: The oral cavity is colonized by >109 bacteria, many of which can increase heart disease risk when seeded into the bloodstream. Most dentoalveolar surgeries require the use of surgical sutures. Suture placement and removal can increase the risk of postoperative infection and bacteremia. The aim of this study is to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of a novel quaternary ammonium compound, K21, when coated on different suture materials.Methods: The periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis and the endodontic species Enterococcus faecalis were grown to early log phase and inoculated on enriched Brucella blood agar, on which were placed identical lengths of surgical suture (chromic gut, polyester suture, silk, and nylon suture) and control unwaxed dental floss impregnated with K21 at 5%, 10%, 20%, and 25% volume/volume in ethanol vehicle. Controls included the following: 1) sutures treated with vehicle; 2) untreated sutures; and 3) unwaxed floss. Zones of inhibition in millimeters were measured at five randomized sites per suture/floss for each concentration and material used. Mean ± SD of zones of inhibition were calculated, and analysis of variance (P <0.05) was used to determine whether differences were statistically significant.Results: The results indicate that K21‐coated suture at concentrations ranging from 5% to 25%, depending on the type of suture, have antimicrobial activity for P. gingivalis and E. faecalis. Nylon suture coated with K21 at 5%, 10%, 20%, and 25% resulted in zones ranging from 3 to 11 mm. Polyester suture was more effective at lower K21 concentrations with 5% (P = 0.0031), 10% (P = 0.0011), and 20% (P = 0.0002), yielding 7.5, 8.3, and 10.5 mm zones of inhibition. K21‐coated silk suture yielded significant zones of inhibition at 25% (P <0.0001), whereas chromic gut was effective at K21 concentrations of 5% (P = 0.0081) and 25% (P <0.0001).Conclusion: It is concluded that K21‐coated surgical sutures have antimicrobial activity for bacterial species of direct relevance to postoperative infection and bacteremia.