bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Plasma levels of advanced glycation endproducts are associated with type 1 diabetes and coronary artery calcification
Authors: van Eupen Marcelle GA , Schram Miranda T , Colhoun Helen M , Scheijen Jean LJM , Stehouwer Coen DA , Schalkwijk Casper G 
Published: October 2013

AbstractBackgroundAdvanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) may play a role in the development of coronary artery calcification (CAC) in type 1 diabetes (T1DM). We studied plasma AGEs in association with T1DM and CAC, and whether or not the latter association could be explained by low-grade inflammation (LGI) or endothelial dysfunction (ED).MethodsWe studied 165 individuals with and 169 without T1DM. CAC was quantified in a CAC score based on CT-scanning. Plasma levels of protein-bound pentosidine, Nϵ-(carboxymethyl)lysine (CML) and Nϵ-(carboxyethyl)lysine (CEL) were measured with HPLC/UPLC with fluorescence detection or tandem-mass spectrometry. Tetrahydropyrimidine (THP) was measured with ELISA, as were HsCRP, and sVCAM-1 and vWF, as markers for LGI and ED, respectively. Associations were analyzed with ANCOVA and adjusted for age, sex, BMI, waist-to-hip ratio, smoking, blood pressure, lipid profile, eGFR and T1DM.ResultsIndividuals with T1DM had higher plasma levels of pentosidine, CML and THP compared with controls; means (95% CI) were 0.69 (0.65-0.73) vs. 0.51 (0.48-0.54) nmol/mmol LYS, p < 0.001; 105 (102–107) vs. 93 (90–95) nmol/mmol LYS, p < 0.001; and 126 (118–134) vs. 113 (106–120) U/mL, p = 0.03, respectively. Levels of pentosidine were higher in individuals with T1DM with a moderate to high compared with a low CAC score, means (95% CI) were 0.81 (0.70-0.93) vs. 0.67 (0.63-0.71) nmol/mmol LYS, p = 0.03, respectively. This difference was not attenuated by adjustment for LGI or ED.ConclusionsWe found a positive association between pentosidine and CAC in T1DM. These results may indicate that AGEs are possibly involved in the development of CAC in individuals with T1DM.
Charge transport mechanisms and memory effects in amorphous TaN
x
thin films
Authors: Spyropoulos-Antonakakis Nikolaos , Sarantopoulou Evangelia , Drazic Goran , Kollia Zoe , Christofilos Dimitrios , Kourouklis Gerasimos , Palles Dimitrios , Cefalas Alkiviadis Constantinos 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
Amorphous semiconducting materials have unique electrical properties that may be beneficial in nanoelectronics, such as low leakage current, charge memory effects, and hysteresis functionality. However, electrical characteristics between different or neighboring regions in the same amorphous nanostructure may differ greatly. In this work, the bulk and surface local charge carrier transport properties of a-TaN
x
amorphous thin films deposited in two different substrates are investigated by conductive atomic force microscopy. The nitride films are grown either on Au (100) or Si [100] substrates by pulsed laser deposition at 157 nm in nitrogen environment. For the a-TaN
x
films deposited on Au, it is found that they display a negligible leakage current until a high bias voltage is reached. On the contrary, a much lower threshold voltage for the leakage current and a lower total resistance is observed for the a-TaN
x
film deposited on the Si substrate. Furthermore, I-V characteristics of the a-TaN
x
film deposited on Au show significant hysteresis effects for both polarities of bias voltage, while for the film deposited on Si hysteresis, effects appear only for positive bias voltage, suggesting that with the usage of the appropriate substrate, the a-TaN
x
nanodomains may have potential use as charge memory devices.
Glatiramer acetate treatment effects on gene expression in monocytes of multiple sclerosis patients
Authors: Thamilarasan Madhan , Hecker Michael , Goertsches Robert Hermann , Paap Brigitte Katrin , Schröder Ina , Koczan Dirk , Thiesen Hans-Jürgen , Zettl Uwe Klaus 
Published: October 2013

AbstractBackgroundGlatiramer acetate (GA) is a mixture of synthetic peptides used in the treatment of patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of GA therapy on the gene expression of monocytes.MethodsMonocytes were isolated from the peripheral blood of eight RRMS patients. The blood was obtained longitudinally before the start of GA therapy as well as after one day, one week, one month and two months. Gene expression was measured at the mRNA level by microarrays.ResultsMore than 400 genes were identified as up-regulated or down-regulated in the course of therapy, and we analyzed their biological functions and regulatory interactions. Many of those genes are known to regulate lymphocyte activation and proliferation, but only a subset of genes was repeatedly differentially expressed at different time points during treatment.ConclusionsOverall, the observed gene regulatory effects of GA on monocytes were modest and not stable over time. However, our study revealed several genes that are worthy of investigation in future studies on the molecular mechanisms of GA therapy.
Walking speed related joint kinetic alterations in trans-tibial amputees: impact of hydraulic 'ankle’ damping
Authors: De Asha Alan R , Munjal Ramesh , Kulkarni Jai , Buckley John G 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Background
Passive prosthetic devices are set up to provide optimal function at customary walking speed and thus may function less effectively at other speeds. This partly explains why joint kinetic adaptations become more apparent in lower-limb amputees when walking at speeds other than customary. The present study determined whether a trans-tibial prosthesis incorporating a dynamic-response foot that was attached to the shank via an articulating hydraulic device (hy A-F) lessened speed-related adaptations in joint kinetics compared to when the foot was attached via a rigid, non-articulating attachment (rig F).

Methods
Eight active unilateral trans-tibial amputees completed walking trials at their customary walking speed, and at speeds they deemed to be slow-comfortable and fast-comfortable whilst using each type of foot attachment. Moments and powers at the distal end of the prosthetic shank and at the intact joints of both limbs were compared between attachment conditions.

Results
There was no change in the amount of intact-limb ankle work across speed or attachment conditions. As speed level increased there was an increase on both limbs in the amount of hip and knee joint work done, and increases on the prosthetic side were greater when using the hy A-F. However, because all walking speed levels were higher when using the hy A-F, the intact-limb ankle and combined joints work per meter travelled were significantly lower; particularly so at the customary speed level. This was the case despite the hy A-F dissipating more energy during stance. In addition, the amount of eccentric work done per meter travelled became increased at the residual knee when using the hy A-F, with increases again greatest at customary speed.

Conclusions
Findings indicate that a trans-tibial prosthesis incorporating a dynamic-response foot reduced speed-related changes in compensatory intact-limb joint kinetics when the foot was attached via an articulating hydraulic device compared to rigid attachment. As differences between attachment conditions were greatest at customary speed, findings indicate a hydraulic ankle-foot device is most effectual at the speed it is set-up for.
Zerumbone, a tropical ginger sesquiterpene, ameliorates streptozotocin-induced diabetic nephropathy in rats by reducing the hyperglycemia-induced inflammatory response
Authors: Tzeng Thing-Fong , Liou Shorong-Shii , Chang Chia Ju , Liu I-Min 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Background
Zerumbone is one of the pungent constituents of Zingiber zerumbet (L) Smith (Zingiberaceae family). The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of zerumbone in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetic nephropathy (DN).

Methods
Diabetic rats were treated orally with zerumbone (20 or 40 mg/kg/day) for 8 weeks. Changes in renal function-related parameters in plasma and urine were analyzed at the end of the study. Kidneys were isolated for pathology histology, immunohistochemistry, and Western blot analyses.

Results
Diabetic rats exhibited renal dysfunction, as evidenced by reduced creatinine clearance, increased blood glucose, blood urea nitrogen and proteinuria, along with marked elevation in the ratio of kidney weight to body weight, that were reversed by zerumbone. Zerumbone treatment was found to markedly improve histological architecture in the diabetic kidney. Hyperglycemia induced p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase activation, leading to increased infiltration of macrophages and increased levels of interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α. All of the above abnormalities were reversed by zerumbone treatment, which also decreased the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, transforming growth factor-β1 and fibronectin in the diabetic kidneys.

Conclusions
The beneficial effect of zerumbone in rats with DN is at least in part through antihyperglycemia which was accompanied by inhibition of macrophage infiltration via reducing p38 mediated inflammatory response.
An Intra-tendonous ganglion cyst causing impingement between the anterior cruciate ligament and anterior root of the medial meniscus: a case report
Authors: Guolong Mei , Zhi Gao , Yong Hu 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Background
There are several reports of symptomatic ganglion cysts near the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), and lateral and medial meniscus, but symptomatic ganglia arising from the anterior horn of the medial meniscus to the ACL have not been reported. Here we report the arthroscopic resection of a ganglion cyst arising from the anterior horn of the medial meniscus with a meniscal tear to the ACL.

Case presentation
A 43-year-old female presented with a 10-year history of continuous aching pain in the right knee, but without any history of trauma. Clinical examination revealed right-sided knee pain in the medial joint line, exacerbated by end range flexion and extension, a −10°-100° active range of movement, and a −5°-110° passive range of movement。McMurray’s, patellar compression, and compression rotation tests were positive. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and arthroscopic examination revealed a cyst related to the ACL and medial meniscus. Histological examination confirmed the cyst to be a ganglion cyst.

Conclusions
We present a new type of ganglion cyst, this is the first reported case of an ganglion cyst impinged between the ACL and the medial meniscus. It is hoped that this study will provide a better understanding of the condition and lead to better diagnosis and treatment.
Use of the kidney injury molecule-1 as a biomarker for early detection of renal tubular dysfunction in a population chronically exposed to cadmium in the environment
Authors: Ruangyuttikarn Werawan , Panyamoon Amnart , Nambunmee Kowit , Honda Ryumon , Swaddiwudhipong Witaya , Nishijo Muneko 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
Cadmium (Cd) has been found as an environmental pollutant in Mae Sot district, Tak province, Thailand. Prolong exposure to high levels of Cd of the resident increases high risk of Cd toxicity especially to kidney which is the primary target of Cd. In order to investigate the early effect of Cd induced renal dysfunction, a kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), a novel biomarker of renal tubular dysfunction, was measured using an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The method was validated and used to quantify the KIM-1 concentrations in the urine of 700 subjects (260 men, 440 women) who lived in the Cd contaminated area. The KIM-1 concentrations were compared to the concentrations of two conventional renal tubular dysfunction biomarkers, N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) and β2-microglobulin (β2-MG). Urinary KIM-1 was correlated with urinary and blood Cd as well as NAG. After adjustment of age and smoking, urinary KIM-1 was correlated with blood Cd more than urinary NAG did. Clear dose response relationships of urinary KIM-1 with urinary Cd were shown in both men and women. These results indicate that the urinary KIM-1 might be more sensitive biomarker than urinary NAG and β2-MG for an early detection of renal tubular dysfunction. It is useful as a tool to detect renal effect of toxicity due to chronic Cd exposure at high level.
The progressive ankylosis gene product ANK regulates extracellular ATP levels in primary articular chondrocytes
Authors: Rosenthal Ann K , Gohr Claudia M , Mitton-Fitzgerald Elizabeth , Lutz Megan K , Dubyak George R , Ryan Lawrence M 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
Introduction
Extracellular ATP (eATP) is released by articular chondrocytes under physiological and pathological conditions. High eATP levels cause pathologic calcification, damage cartilage, and mediate pain. We recently showed that stable over-expression of the progressive ankylosis gene product, ANK, increased chondrocyte eATP levels, but the mechanisms of this effect remained unexplored. The purpose of this work was to further investigate mechanisms of eATP efflux in primary articular chondrocytes and to better define the role of ANK in this process.

Methods
We measured eATP levels using a bioluminescence-based assay in adult porcine articular chondrocyte media with or without a 10 minute exposure to hypotonic stress. siRNAs for known ATP membrane transporters and pharmacologic inhibitors of ATP egress pathways were used to identify participants involved in chondrocyte eATP release.

Results
eATP levels increased after exposure to hypotonic media in a calcium-dependent manner in monolayer and 3-dimensional agarose gel cultures (p < 0.001). A potent transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) agonist mimicked the effects of hypotonic media. ANK siRNA suppressed basal (p < 0.01) and hypotonically-stressed (p < 0.001) ATP levels. This effect was not mediated by altered extracellular pyrophosphate (ePPi) levels, and was mimicked by the ANK inhibitor, probenecid (p < 0.001). The P2X7/4 receptor inhibitor Brilliant Blue G also suppressed eATP efflux induced by hypotonic media (p < 0.001), while ivermectin, a P2X4 receptor stimulant, increased eATP levels (p < 0.001). Pharmacologic inhibitors of hemichannels, maxianion channels and other volume-sensitive eATP efflux pathways did not suppress eATP levels.

Conclusions
These findings implicate ANK and P2X7/4 receptors in chondrocyte eATP efflux. Understanding the mechanisms of eATP efflux may result in novel therapies for calcium crystal arthritis and osteoarthritis.
Aversive conditioning in honey bees (Apis mellifera anatolica): a comparison of drones and workers
Authors: Dinges Christopher W. , Avalos Arian , Abramson Charles I. , Craig David Philip Arthur , Austin Zoe M. , Varnon Christopher A. , Dal Fatima Nur , Giray Tugrul , Wells Harrington 
Published: October 2013

SUMMARYHoney bees provide a model system to elucidate the relationship between sociality and complex behaviors within the same species, as females (workers) are highly social and males (drones) are more solitary. We report on aversive learning studies in drone and worker honey bees (Apis mellifera anatolica) in escape, punishment and discriminative punishment situations. In all three experiments, a newly developed electric shock avoidance assay was used. The comparisons of expected and observed responses were performed with conventional statistical methods and a systematic randomization modeling approach called object oriented modeling. The escape experiment consisted of two measurements recorded in a master–yoked paradigm: frequency of response and latency to respond following administration of shock. Master individuals could terminate an unavoidable shock triggered by a decrementing 30 s timer by crossing the shuttlebox centerline following shock activation. Across all groups, there was large individual response variation. When assessing group response frequency and latency, master subjects performed better than yoked subjects for both workers and drones. In the punishment experiment, individuals were shocked upon entering the shock portion of a bilaterally wired shuttlebox. The shock portion was spatially static and unsignalled. Only workers effectively avoided the shock. The discriminative punishment experiment repeated the punishment experiment but included a counterbalanced blue and yellow background signal and the side of shock was manipulated. Drones correctly responded less than workers when shock was paired with blue. However, when shock was paired with yellow there was no observable difference between drones and workers.
Prognostic Significance of Metastasis-Related MicroRNAs in Early Breast Cancer Patients with a Long Follow-up
Authors: Markou Athina , Yousef George M , Stathopoulos Efstathios , Georgoulias Vassilis , Lianidou Evi 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Stability of microRNAs (miRNAs) in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues enables their reliable analysis in archived FFPE tissue samples, which are an invaluable source for the evaluation of novel biomarkers. Especially in breast cancer, for which late relapses occur in many cases, analysis of miRNAs in FFPE tissues holds great potential, because it can lead to the discovery of novel biomarkers suitable for future routine clinical diagnostics for breast cancer. We investigated the prognostic significance of 6 metastasis-related miRNAs that can critically regulate various stages of migration and invasion and play critical roles in the multistep metastatic process.

METHODS
We quantified the expression of 6 mature miRNAs (namely miR-21, miR-205, miR-10b, miR-210, miR-335, and let-7a) by reverse-transcription quantitative PCR in FFPE tissues of 84 patients with early breast cancer and a long follow-up and 13 cancer-free breast tissue FFPE samples that were used as the control group. We further correlated individual miRNA over- or underexpression with the disease-free interval (DFI) and overall survival (OS).

RESULTS
Univariate analysis revealed that both miR-21 and miR-205 were significantly associated with DFI and only miR-205 with OS. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that miR-205 and miR-21 were independent factors associated with early disease relapse, whereas only miR-205 overexpression was associated with OS.

CONCLUSIONS
Our results clearly indicate that deregulation of metastasis-associated miRNAs in primary tumors is associated with clinical outcome in patients with early breast cancer and can differentiate patients with higher risk in well-characterized subgroups.
CFL learners' productions of relative clauses with demonstratives: From theory to empirical research
Authors: Xu Yi 
Published: October 2013

AbstractRelative clauses (RCs), with their typological universality and structural complexity, have always been central to inquiries in generative linguistics and language acquisition. Although recent years witness a growing interest in psycholinguistic and acquisition research in Chinese RCs, few studies have attempted to make connections between psycholinguistic theories and Chinese as a second language learning and teaching. This paper tries to bridge the gap and uses an interdisciplinary approach to address the comparative difficulty of Chinese subject and object RCs in their interaction with demonstratives. Chinese L1 and L2 participants completed a written sentence completion task. More productions in a certain type of RC, when observed in both participant groups, were interpreted as evidence of structural preference, and differences between L1 and L2 patterns were analyzed as competence issues. It was found that both groups prefer subject RCs when the structure begins with a demonstrative, and this result corresponds to corpus studies of Chinese RCs as well as findings in previous acquisition research. At the same time, there was no asymmetry between the subject and object RCs produced when the demonstrative follows the RC. A multi-constraint model in which a “perspective” factor (MacWhinney 1977, 1982, MacWhinney and Pleh 1988) and a word order factor simultaneously contribute to production cost can explain the data. Meanwhile, L2 participants' errors were often related to neglecting the obligatory gap within the RC. Pedagogical implications were put forward.
Acquiring the pitch patterns of L2 Mandarin Chinese
Authors: Yang Chunsheng 
Published: October 2013

AbstractThis study examines the acquisition of utterance-level pitch patterns in Mandarin Chinese by American second language (L2) learners. It is an exploratory study with the goal of identifying the utterance-level prosody in L2 Mandarin Chinese. The focus of this study is not on the pitch patterns of individual learners but those of subject groups. The analysis shows that the pitch patterns between two syntactic structures for the same tone sequence vary with the tone sequence and the subject group. The biggest difference between first language (L1) and L2 Mandarin Chinese lies in the frequency of target undershoot in L2 speech. The infrequent tone target undershoot in L2 speech, especially among the intermediate learners, was attributed to the incomplete acquisition of L2 prosody. It was argued that the infrequent tone target undershoot may render L2 speech more staccato or robot-like, which contributes to the perception of a foreign accent in L2 Mandarin Chinese.
从形容词看现代汉语词类系统的主要特征
Authors: 陈 刚 
Published: October 2013

提要跨语言的调查表明，和其他主要词类相比形容词的词类问题最为复杂。现代汉语形容词词类身份尚存较大争议。本文以名、动、形、副为词类研究框架，认为现代汉语的形容词是个柔性程度很高的词类，它与其他主要词类之间存在两种包含关系，即词类包含和功能包含，这些都为解释形容词的句法功能提供新的启示。此外，从名、动、形的重叠能力来看，汉语首先区分的是大名词和状词，而且这两者都具有指称性，因此汉语中体词和谓词的区别并不显得那么重要。
从修纳语音高看汉语声调偏误
Authors: Mushangwe Herbert 
Published: October 2013

提要本文通过实验对汉语与修纳语ߙ(Shona)ߙ的声调（音高）进行了对比分析，旨在为以修纳语为母语的汉语学习者及教师提供参考。对修纳语音高进行声学实验，结果发现，虽然汉语和修纳语的调类看起来有相似之处，但在调值上是不同的。本文还分析了以修纳语为母语者的声调偏误问题，并在此基础上简要地提出了汉语教学中应该重视的问题。我们认为，教师可以通过一些修纳语的词作为参照给学生解释汉语和修纳语的声调异同，从而使学生意识到自己的声调偏误及其出现的原因。除此之外，本文还建议，在汉语教学中可以使用praat软件为学生提供声调发音的图片，让学生通过图片上的调形直观地感觉到他们的与声调有关的发音问题。
Performance and Life Assessment of Reformer Tubes in Petrochemical Industries
Authors: Raj A. , Goswami B. , Kumar S.B. , Krishna G. , Roy N. , Ray A.K. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractHigh temperature mechanical properties of service exposed reformer tubes are compared and revalidated with those of virgin material for the sake of health assessment studies. Technical interpretations of creep and stress rupture (accelerated creep) data usually are in close proximity in absence of defects. Results of extrapolation of accelerated creep data were optimized. This review article is aimed at studying life prediction methodology of reformer tubes operating at high temperature and aggressive chemical environment, in response to the designed time frame for preventing failures and accidents, even before stipulated design time schedules in some cases.
Security analysis of linearly filtered NLFSRs
Authors: Orumiehchiha Mohammad Ali , Pieprzyk Josef , Steinfeld Ron , Bartlett Harry 
Published: October 2013

Abstract.
Non-linear feedback shift register (NLFSR) ciphers are cryptographic tools of choice of the
industry especially for mobile communication. Their attractive feature is a high efficiency when
implemented in hardware or software. However, the main problem of NLFSR ciphers
is that their security is still not well investigated.
The paper makes a progress in the study of the security of NLFSR ciphers.
In particular, we show a distinguishing attack on linearly filtered NLFSR (or LF-NLFSR) ciphers.
We extend the attack to a linear combination of
LF-NLFSRs.
We investigate the security of a modified version of the Grain stream cipher
and show its vulnerability to both
key recovery and distinguishing attacks.