bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influence of Oxygen Substoichiometry on the Dielectric Properties of BaTiO3‐δ Nanoceramics Obtained by Spark Plasma Sintering
Authors: Voisin Christophe , Guillemet‐Fritsch Sophie , Dufour Pascal , Tenailleau Christophe , Han Hyuksu , Nino Juan C. 
Published: April 2013

Oxygen‐deficient BaTiO3‐δ nanoceramics were prepared by spark plasma sintering. Partially reduced raw nanopowders led to unusual dielectric properties. A short postsintering treatment was performed to reach a high εr/tan δ, which makes them attractive for industrial applications such as low‐frequency capacitors. Surprisingly, our ceramics also remained black even after annealing for 5 days at 850°C in air, indicating the presence of barriers against oxygen diffusion. This exceptional behavior in pure barium titanate was consistent with a core–shell structure made of semiconductive grains and insulating grain boundaries, due to the presence of Ti3+/Ti4+ and oxygen vacancies.
Effects of A‐Site Sm Substitution and Textured Structure on Electric Properties of CaBi2Nb2O9‐Based High‐Curie‐Temperature Ceramics
Authors: Chen Huanbei , Guo Xiangxin , Cui Zhonghui , Zhai Jiwei 
Published: April 2013

CaBi2Nb2O9 ceramic is a promising candidate for high‐temperature piezoelectric applications due to its high Curie temperature. However, extremely low piezoelectric properties hinder its application. A combination of Sm3+ donor doping and texturing was applied to address this problem. Piezoelectric coefficient, Tc, and resistivity of textured Ca0.95Sm0.05Bi2Nb2O9 ceramics (d33 = 23pC/N, Tc = 941°C, ρ = 4.1 × 105Ω cm at 600°C) were obviously higher than those of pure random CaBi2Nb2O9 ceramics (d33 = 6, Tc = 930°C, ρ=0.6 × 105Ω cm at 600°C). Furthermore, it had excellent resistance to depolarization property, with kp of about 5.9% until 600°C.
Evaluation of death pathway genes FAS and FASL polymorphisms in chronic HBV infection
Authors: Zamani A. G. , Barlas I. O. , Durakbasi‐Dursun G. , Ural O. , Erdal E. , Yildirim M. S. 
Published: April 2013

SummaryThis study was designed to determine the possible asssociation between selected FAS and FASLG polymorphisms and Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. FAS‐670 G/A, FAS‐1377 G/A, FASLG‐844 T/C and FASLG IVS2nt‐124 A/G polymorphisms were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP). A total of age and sex matched 108 controls and a hundred chronic HBV patients were recruited to conduct a case–control study. FAS‐670 polymorphism was associated with chronic HBV infection (P = 0.03) FAS‐1377 GG, GA and AA genotypes among the cases (90%, 5% and 5%, respectively) were significantly different from those among the controls (68%, 31.5% and 5.6%; P = 0.00). FASLG‐844 allele distribution was similar between the groups (P = 0.17) but TC genotype (67.3%) was frequent in chronic HBV patients, while CC genotype was found significantly higher (29.6%) in controls. No association between FASLG IVS2nt‐124 polymorphism and chronic HBV infection could be identified (P = 0.55). FAS‐670 polymorphism is associated with chronic HBV infection, while FASLG IVS2nt‐124 A/G polymorphism is not. The FAS‐1377G/A and FASLG‐844 T/C genotypes are likely to play a substantial role in HBV infection. Further studies evaluating polymorphisms in other genes related with apoptosis are needed to elucidate the role of genetic variation in HBV infection.
Community knowledge, behaviours and attitudes about the 2009 H1N1 Influenza pandemic: a systematic review
Authors: Tooher Rebecca , Collins Joanne E. , Street Jackie M. , Braunack‐Mayer Annette , Marshall Helen 
Published: April 2013

BackgroundEffectiveness of pandemic plans and community compliance was extensively researched following the H1N1 pandemic. This systematic review examined community response studies to determine whether behavioural responses to the pandemic were related to level of knowledge about the pandemic, perceived severity of the pandemic and level of concern about the pandemic.MethodsLiterature databases were searched from March 2009 to August 2011 and included cross‐sectional or repeated population surveys undertaken during or following the H1N1 pandemic which reported on community response to the pandemic. Studies using population subgroups and other respiratory diseases were excluded, as were mathematical modelling and qualitative studies.ResultsNineteen unique studies were included. Fourteen reported pandemic knowledge, 14 reported levels of concern and risk perception and 18 reported pandemic behaviours. Awareness of the pandemic was high, and knowledge was moderate. Levels of concern and risk were low moderate and precautionary behavioural actions lower than intentions. The most commonly reported factors influencing adopting recommended behaviours were increased risk perception and older age, increased pandemic knowledge and being female.ConclusionsImportant implications for future pandemic planning were identified. A remarkable lack of intercountry variability in responses existed; however, differences between populations within a single country suggest one‐size‐fits‐all plans may be ineffective. Secondly, differences between reported precautionary intentions and preventive behaviours undertaken may be related to people's perceived risk of infection.
Pharmacokinetic Interaction Between Prasugrel and Ritonavir in Healthy Volunteers
Authors: Ancrenaz Virginie , Déglon Julien , Samer Caroline , Staub Christian , Dayer Pierre , Daali Youssef , Desmeules Jules 
Published: April 2013

AbstractThe new anti‐aggregating agent prasugrel is bioactivated by cytochromes P450 (CYP) 3A and 2B6. Ritonavir is a potent CYP3A inhibitor and was shown in vitro as a CYP2B6 inhibitor. The aim of this open‐label cross‐over study was to assess the effect of ritonavir on prasugrel active metabolite (prasugrel AM) pharmacokinetics in healthy volunteers. Ten healthy male volunteers received 10 mg prasugrel. After at least a week washout, they received 100 mg ritonavir, followed by 10 mg prasugrel 2 hr later. We used dried blood spot sampling method to monitor prasugrel AM pharmacokinetics (Cmax, t1/2, tmax, AUC0–6 hr) at 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 4 and 6 hr after prasugrel administration. A ‘cocktail’ approach was used to measure CYP2B6, 2C9, 2C19 and 3A activities. In the presence of ritonavir, prasugrel AM Cmax and AUC were decreased by 45% (mean ratio: 0.55, CI 90%: 0.40–0.7, p = 0.007) and 38% (mean ratio: 0.62, CI 90%: 0.54–0.7, p = 0.005), respectively, while t1/2 and tmax were not affected. Midazolam metabolic ratio (MR) dramatically decreased in presence of ritonavir (6.7 ± 2.6 versus 0.13 ± 0.07) reflecting an almost complete inhibition of CYP3A4, whereas omeprazole, flurbiprofen and bupropion MR were not affected. These data demonstrate that ritonavir is able to block prasugrel CYP3A4 bioactivation. This CYP‐mediated drug–drug interaction might lead to a significant reduction of prasugrel efficacy in HIV‐infected patients with acute coronary syndrome.
Fluoxetine Attenuates Chronic Methamphetamine‐induced Pulmonary Arterial Remodelling: Possible Involvement of Serotonin Transporter and Serotonin 1B Receptor
Authors: Liu Ming , Wang Yun , Wang Han‐ming , Bai Yang , Zhang Xin‐hua , Sun Ying‐xian , Wang Huai‐liang 
Published: April 2013

AbstractEpidemiological data have shown that methamphetamine (MA) abuse significantly increases the risk of developing pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). To investigate whether MA could induce PAH and its possible mechanism, rats were exposed daily to MA for 5 weeks in the absence or presence of fluoxetine. The results showed that the pulmonary arterial pressure was not significantly increased, but the pulmonary arterial remodelling was markedly developed in the MA exposure group. The protein expressions of the serotonin transporter (5‐HTT) and 5‐HT1B receptor were increased in the lungs and in the pulmonary arteries of MA‐treated rats. Fluoxetine attenuated the pulmonary arterial remodelling and down‐regulated the protein expression of 5‐HTT and 5‐HT1B receptor in pulmonary arteries of MA‐treated rats. These findings suggest that fluoxetine has a novel potential suppressive effect on the chronic MA‐induced pulmonary vascular remodelling and also suggest that 5‐HTT and 5‐HT1B receptor may be involved as part of its mechanism.
Apatite Chlorine Concentration Measurements by LA‐ICP‐MS
Authors: Chew David M. , Donelick Ray A. , Donelick Margaret B. , Kamber Balz S. , Stock Michael J. 
Published: April 2013

Apatite incorporates variable and significant amounts of halogens (mainly F and Cl) in its crystal structure, which can be used to determine the initial F and Cl concentrations of magmas. The amount of chlorine in the apatite lattice also exerts an important compositional control on the degree of fission‐track annealing. Chlorine measurements in apatite have conventionally required electron probe microanalysis (EPMA). Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS) is increasingly used in apatite fission‐track dating to determine U concentrations and also in simultaneous U‐Pb dating and trace element measurements of apatite. Apatite Cl measurements by ICP‐MS would remove the need for EPMA but the high (12.97 eV) first ionisation potential makes analysis challenging. Apatite Cl data were acquired using two analytical set‐ups: a Resonetics M‐50 193 nm ArF Excimer laser coupled to an Agilent 7700× quadrupole ICP‐MS (using a 26 μm spot with an 8 Hz repetition rate) and a Photon Machines Analyte Excite 193 nm ArF Excimer laser coupled to a Thermo Scientific iCAP Qc (using a 30 μm spot with a 4 Hz repetition rate). Chlorine concentrations were determined by LA‐ICP‐MS (1140 analyses in total) for nineteen apatite occurrences, and there is a comprehensive EPMA Cl and F data set for 13 of the apatite samples. The apatite sample suite includes different compositions representative of the range likely to be encountered in natural apatites, along with extreme variants including two end‐member chlorapatites. Between twenty‐six and thirty‐nine isotopes were determined in each apatite sample corresponding to a typical analytical protocol for integrated apatite fission track (U and Cl contents) and U‐Pb dating, along with REE and trace element measurements. 35Cl backgrounds (present mainly in the argon gas) were ~ 45–65 kcps in the first set‐up and ~ 4 kcps in the second set‐up. 35Cl background‐corrected signals ranged from ~ 0 cps in end‐member fluorapatite to up to ~ 90 kcps in end‐member chlorapatite. Use of a collision cell in both analytical set‐ups decreased the low mass sensitivity by approximately an order of magnitude without improving the 35Cl signal‐to‐background ratio. A minor Ca isotope was used as the internal standard to correct for drift in instrument sensitivity and variations in ablation volume during sessions. The 35Cl/43Ca values for each apatite (10–20 analyses each) when plotted against the EPMA Cl concentrations yield excellently constrained calibration relationships, demonstrating the suitability of the analytical protocol and that routine apatite Cl measurements by ICP‐MS are achievable.
A qualitative review of migrant women's perceptions of their needs and experiences related to pregnancy and childbirth
Authors: Balaam Marie‐Clare , Akerjordet Kristin , Lyberg Anne , Kaiser Barbara , Schoening Eva , Fredriksen Anne‐Mari , Ensel Angelica , Gouni Olga , Severinsson Elisabeth 
Published: April 2013

AbstractAimA synthesis of the evidence of migrant women's perceptions of their needs and experiences in relation to pregnancy and childbirth.BackgroundDespite the fact that all European Union member states have ratified human rights‐based resolutions aimed at non‐discrimination, there is a relationship between social inequality and access to pre‐, intra‐, and postpartum care.DesignA qualitative systematic review of studies from European countries.Data sourcesA search was made for relevant articles published between January 1996–June 2010.Review methodsData were analysed by means of thematic synthesis.ResultsSixteen articles were selected, analysed, and synthesized. One overall theme; ‘Preserving one's integrity in the new country’ revealed two key aspects; ‘Struggling to find meaning’ and ‘Caring relationships’. ‘Struggling to find meaning’ comprised four sub‐themes; ‘Communication and connection’, ‘Striving to cope and manage’, ‘Struggling to achieve a safe pregnancy and childbirth’, and ‘Maintaining bodily integrity’. ‘Caring relationships’ was based on the following three sub‐themes: ‘Sources of strength’, ‘Organizational barriers to maternity care’, and ‘The nature and quality of caring relationships’.ConclusionThe results of this review demonstrate that migrant women are in a vulnerable situation when pregnant and giving birth and that their access to health services must be improved to better meet their needs. Research is required to develop continuity of care and improve integrated maternal care.
Dental follicle progenitor cells responses to Porphyromonas gingivalis LPS
Authors: Chatzivasileiou Kyriaki , Lux Cornelia A. , Steinhoff Gustav , Lang Hermann 
Published: April 2013

AbstractPeriodontitis is a bacterially induced chronic inflammatory disease. Dental follicle progenitor cells (DFPCs) have been proposed as biological graft for periodontal regenerative therapies. The potential impact of bacterial toxins on DFPCs properties is still poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate whether DFPCs are able to sense and respond to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Porphyromonas gingivalis, a major periopathogenic bacterium. Specifically, we hypothesized that LPS could influence the migratory capacity and IL‐6 secretion of DFPCs. DFPCs properties were compared to bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), a well‐studied class of adult stem cells. The analysis by flow cytometry indicated that DFPCs, similar to BMSCs, expressed low levels of both toll‐like receptor (TLR) 2 and 4. The TLR4 mRNA expression was down‐regulated in response to LPS in both cell populations, while on protein level TLR4 was significantly up‐regulated on BMSCs. The TLR2 expression was not influenced by the LPS treatment in both DFPCs and BMSCs. The migratory efficacy of LPS‐treated DFPCs was evaluated by in vitro scratch wound assays and found to be significantly increased. Furthermore, we assayed the secretion of interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), a potent stimulator of cell migration. Interestingly, the levels of IL‐6 secretion of DFPCs and BMSCs remained unchanged after the LPS treatment. Taken together, these results suggest that DFPCs are able to sense and respond to P. gingivalis LPS. Our study provides new insights into understanding the physiological role of dental‐derived progenitor cells in sites of periodontal infection.
Nutritional intake according to injury extent in ulcerative colitis patients
Authors: Urbano A. P. S. , Sassaki L. Y. , Dorna M. S. , de Barros Leite Carvalhaes M. A. , Martini L. A. , Ferreira A. L. A. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractBackgroundUlcerative colitis (UC) is often associated with nutritional deficiency, which appears to contribute to the progression of UC severity. The present study aimed to evaluate nutritional status and dietary intake in UC remission patients.MethodsThe present study comprised a cross‐sectional study in which variables such as extent of disease (distal colitis, left‐sided colitis, pancolitis), remission period, sex and age were recorded. Extent of disease was assessed by the results of a colonoscopy and dietary intake was evaluated by using 3‐day, 24‐h recalls. A Kruskall–Wallis test was used to compare the intake of macro‐ and micronutrients among the three study groups. The analysis was complemented by the Mann–Whitney test. A logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictive factors of extent of disease (pancolitis versus left‐sided colitis versus distal colitis).ResultsThe median (range) age of the 59 patients was 49.0 (37.0–63.0) years and 53.3% were female. Twenty‐six (44.1%) patients had distal colitis, 11 (18.6%) patients had left‐sided colitis and 22 (37.3%) patients had pancolitis. A high probability of an inadequate intake of fibre (100%), fat soluble vitamins (>40% for vitamin A and >95% for vitamin E), vitamin C (>34%), calcium (>90%) and magnesium (>50%) was identified in the study group. Vitamin D intake (odds ratio = 0.60; 95% confidence interval = 0.39–0.94; P < 0.05) was significantly associated with increased intestinal damage.ConclusionsA large number of individuals showed an inadequate intake of nutrients. In addition, the consumption of vitamin D was significantly associated with extent of disease.
Agreement between photographic and clinical examinations in detecting developmental defects of enamel in infants
Authors: Chen Yao , Lee Wonik , Ferretti Gerald A. , Slayton Rebecca L. , Nelson Suchitra 
Published: April 2013

AbstractObjectivesThis study assesses the reliability of photographic method with clinical examinations in detecting developmental defects of enamel (DDE) in the anterior primary teeth of infants.MethodsThe study sample was a part of an ongoing longitudinal study to assess risk factors for early childhood caries, and consisted of 138 and 238 infants who had scheduled follow‐up visits at approximately 8 and 18‐20 months corrected age, respectively. The modified DDE Index was used to record enamel defects (opacity, hypoplasia, and all types of defects) on anterior primary teeth by trained dentist examiners. Photographs of the teeth were taken using a digital camera. Statistical analysis included Cohen's Kappa for reliability, and McNemar test and paired t‐test for comparison between photographic and clinical examinations.ResultsThe level of agreement between clinical and photographic methods was fair to moderate with Kappa values ranging from 0.252 to 0.514. The photographic examination detected significantly more DDE than the clinical examination regardless of age group and type of DDE. The intra‐ and inter‐examiner reliability of the photographic method was excellent with Kappa values ranging from 0.638 to 0.927.ConclusionsWithin the limitation of this study, the photographic method can be a sound approach for verifying the diagnosis of DDE.
Association between maternal education and diet of children at 9 months is partially explained by mothers' diet
Authors: Lioret Sandrine , Cameron Adrian J. , McNaughton Sarah A. , Crawford David , Spence Alison C. , Hesketh Kylie , Campbell Karen J. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractInfants of mothers of low educational background display consistently poorer outcomes, including suboptimal weaning diets. Less is known about the different causal pathways that relate maternal education to infants' diet. The present study aimed to test the hypothesis that the relationship between maternal education and infants' diet is mediated by mothers' diet. The analyses included 421 mother–infant pairs from the Melbourne Infant Feeding Activity and Nutrition Trial (InFANT) Program. Dietary intakes were collected from mothers when infants were aged 3 months, using a validated food frequency questionnaire relating to the past year, and in infants aged 9 months using 3 × 24‐h recalls. Principal component analysis was used to derive dietary pattern scores, based on frequencies of 55 food groups in mothers, and intakes of 23 food groups in infants. Associations were assessed with multivariable linear regression. We tested the product ‘ab’ to address the mediation hypothesis, where ‘a’ refers to the relationship between the predictor variable (education) and the mediator variable (mothers' diet), and ‘b’ refers to the association between the mediator variable and the outcome variable (infants' diet), controlling for the predictor variable. Maternal scores on the ‘Fruit and vegetables’ dietary pattern partially mediated the relationships between maternal education and two infant dietary patterns, namely ‘Balanced weaning diet’ [ab = 0.11; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.04; 0.18] and ‘Formula’ (ab = −0.08; 95%CI: −0.15; −0.02). These findings suggest that targeting pregnant mothers of low education level with the aim of improving their own diet may also promote better weaning diets in their infants.
Hybrid sensor kinase PA1611 in Pseudomonas aeruginosa regulates transitions between acute and chronic infection through direct interaction with RetS
Authors: Kong Weina , Chen Lin , Zhao Jieqiong , Shen Tuo , Surette Michael G. , Shen Lixin , Duan Kangmin 
Published: April 2013

SummaryPseudomonas aeruginosa causes serious acute and chronic infections in humans. Major differences exist in disease pathogenesis, clinical treatment and outcomes between acute and chronic infections. P. aeruginosa acute infection characteristically involves the type III secretion systems (T3SS) while chronic infection is often associated with the formation of biofilms, a major cause of difficulties to eradicate chronic infections. The choice between acute and chronic infection or the switch between them by P. aeruginosa is controlled by regulatory pathways that control major virulence factors and genes associated with biofilm formation. In this study, we characterized a hybrid sensor kinase PA1611 that controls the expression of genes associated with acute and chronic infections in P. aeruginosa PAO1. Expression of PA1611 completely repressed T3SS and swarming motility while it promoted biofilm formation. The protein PA1611 regulates two small RNAs (sRNAs), rsmY and rsmZ which in turn control RsmA. Independent of phosphate relay, PA1611 interacts directly with RetS in vivo. The positive effect of RetS on factors associated with acute infection could presumably be restrained by PA1611 when chronic infection conditions are present. This RetS–PA1611 interaction, together with the known RetS–GacS interaction, may control disease progression and the lifestyle choice of P. aeruginosa.
Genetic regulation of glucoraphanin accumulation in Beneforté® broccoli
Authors: Traka Maria H , Saha Shikha , Huseby Stine , Kopriva Stanislav , Walley Peter G , Barker Guy C , Moore Jonathan , Mero Gene , van den Bosch Frans , Constant Howard , Kelly Leo , Schepers Hans , Boddupalli Sekhar , Mithen Richard F 
Published: April 2013

Summary

Diets rich in broccoli (Brassica oleracea var italica) have been associated with maintenance of cardiovascular health and reduction in risk of cancer. These health benefits have been attributed to glucoraphanin that specifically accumulates in broccoli. The development of broccoli with enhanced concentrations of glucoraphanin may deliver greater health benefits.

Three high‐glucoraphanin F1 broccoli hybrids were developed in independent programmes through genome introgression from the wild species Brassica villosa. Glucoraphanin and other metabolites were quantified in experimental field trials. Global SNP analyses quantified the differential extent of B. villosa introgression

The high‐glucoraphanin broccoli hybrids contained 2.5–3 times the glucoraphanin content of standard hybrids due to enhanced sulphate assimilation and modifications in sulphur partitioning between sulphur‐containing metabolites. All of the high‐glucoraphanin hybrids possessed an introgressed B. villosa segment which contained a B. villosa Myb28 allele. Myb28 expression was increased in all of the high‐glucoraphanin hybrids. Two high‐glucoraphanin hybrids have been commercialised as Beneforté® broccoli.

The study illustrates the translation of research on glucosinolate genetics from Arabidopsis to broccoli, the use of wild Brassica species to develop cultivars with potential consumer benefits, and the development of cultivars with contrasting concentrations of glucoraphanin for use in blinded human intervention studies.