bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neuroprotection conferred by post‐ischemia ethanol therapy in experimental stroke: an inhibitory effect on hyperglycolysis and NADPH oxidase activation
Authors: Kochanski Ryan , Peng Changya , Higashida Tetsuhiro , Geng Xiaokun , Hüttemann Maik , Guthikonda Murali , Ding Yuchuan 
Published: January 2013

AbstractEthanol provides neuroprotection following ischemia/reperfusion. This study assessed ethanol's effect on hyperglycolysis and NADPH oxidase (NOX) activation. Adult, male Sprague–Dawley rats were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 2 h. Three sets of experiments were conducted to determine ethanol's effect on (i) conferring neuroprotection by measuring infarct volume and neurological deficits 24 h post reperfusion; (ii) cerebral glucose metabolism and lactic acidosis by measuring brain and blood glucose concentrations and protein expression of glucose transporter 1 and 3 (GLUT1, GLUT3), phosphofructokinase (PFK), as well as lactic acidosis by measuring lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and lactate; and (iii) nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase (NOX) activation by detecting enzymatic activity and subunit expression at 3 h after reperfusion. When administered upon reperfusion, ethanol (1.5 g/kg) reduced infarct volume by 40% (p < 0.01) and neurological deficits by 48% at 24 h post reperfusion while reducing (p < 0.01) elevations in glycolytic protein expression and lactate levels during early reperfusion (3 h). Ethanol increased the reductions in cerebral glucose concentration at 3 h post reperfusion by 64% (p < 0.01) while enhancing (p < 0.01) post stroke blood glucose concentration, suggesting a reduced cellular glucose uptake and utilization. Ethanol decreased (p < 0.01) stroke‐induced NOX activation by reducing enzymatic activity and gp91phox expression by 45% and 38%, respectively. Post‐ischemia ethanol treatment exerts neuroprotection through attenuation of hyperglycolysis and associated NOX activation. Because of the lack of associated hypoglycemia and selectivity toward decreasing cerebral metabolism, further investigation of ethanol's use as a post‐stroke therapy, especially in the context of hyperglycemia, seems warranted.
Atlantic Hurricane Season of 2011*
Authors: Avila Lixion A. , Stewart Stacy R. 
Published: January 2013

Abstract
The 2011 Atlantic season was marked by above-average tropical cyclone activity with the formation of 19 tropical storms. Seven of the storms became hurricanes and four became major hurricanes (category 3 or higher on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale). The numbers of tropical storms and hurricanes were above the long-term averages of 12 named storms, 6 hurricanes, and 3 major hurricanes. Despite the high level of activity, Irene was the only hurricane to hit land in 2011, striking both the Bahamas and the United States. Other storms, however, affected the United States, eastern Canada, Central America, eastern Mexico, and the northeastern Caribbean Sea islands. The death toll from the 2011 Atlantic tropical cyclones is 80. National Hurricane Center mean official track forecast errors in 2011 were smaller than the previous 5-yr means at all forecast times except 120 h. In addition, the official track forecast errors set records for accuracy at the 24-, 36-, 48-, and 72-h forecast times. The mean intensity forecast errors in 2011 ranged from about 6 kt (~3 m s−1) at 12 h to about 17 kt (~9 m s−1) at 72 and 120 h. These errors were below the 5-yr means at all forecast times.
Molecular diversity and high virulence of Legionella pneumophilastrains isolated from biofilms developed within a warm spring of a thermal spa
Authors: Chaabna Zineddine , Forey Françoise , Reyrolle Monique , Jarraud Sophie , Atlan Danièle , Fontvieille Dominique , Gilbert Christophe 
Published: January 2013

Abstract

Background
Several cases of legionellosis have been diagnosed in the same French thermal spa in 1986, 1994 and 1997. L. pneumophila serogroup 1 (Lp1) strains have been isolated from several patients, but the source of contamination was not identified despite the presence of different Lp1 in water samples of the three natural springs feeding the spa at this period.

Results
Our strategy was to investigate L. pneumophila (Lp) strains from natural biofilms developed in a sulphur-rich warm spring of this contaminated site. Biofilm analysis revealed the presence of three Lp serogroups (Lp1, Lp10 and Lp12). Surprisingly, Lp10 and Lp12 were not reported in the previous described studies from water samples. Besides, the new seven Lp1 we isolated exhibit a high molecular diversity and have been differentiated in five classes according to their DNA genome patterns obtained by PFGE and mip sequences. It must be noted that these DNA patterns are original and unknown in databases. Interestingly, the 27 Lp environmental strains we isolated display a higher cytotoxicity and virulence towards the amoeba Acanthamoeba castellanii than those of known Lp1 epidemic strains.

Conclusion
The characteristics of Legionella pneumophila Lp1 strains isolated from the warm spring are in agreement with their presence in biofilms and their probable long-term persistence in this ecosystem.
A trial of patient-oriented problem-solving system for immunology teaching in China: a comparison with dialectic lectures
Authors: Zhang Zhiren , Liu Wei , Han Junfeng , Guo Sheng , Wu Yuzhang 
Published: January 2013

Abstract

Background
The most common teaching method used in China is lecturing, but recently, efforts have been widely undertaken to promote the transition from teacher-centered to student-centered education. The patient-oriented problem-solving (POPS) system is an innovative teaching-learning method that permits students to work in small groups to solve clinical problems, promotes self-learning, encourages clinical reasoning and develops long-lasting memory. To our best knowledge, however, POPS has never been applied in teaching immunology in China. The aim of this study was to develop POPS in teaching immunology and assess students’ and teachers’ perception to POPS.

Methods
321 second-year medical students were divided into two groups: I and II. Group I, comprising 110 students, was taught by POPS, and 16 immunology teachers witnessed the whole teaching process. Group II including the remaining 211 students was taught through traditional lectures. The results of the pre- and post-test of both groups were compared. Group I students and teachers then completed a self-structured feedback questionnaire for analysis before a discussion meeting attended only by the teachers was held.

Results
Significant improvement in the mean difference between the pre- and post-test scores of those in Groups I and II was seen, demonstrating the effectiveness of POPS teaching. Most students responded that POPS facilitates self-learning, helps them to understand topics and creates interest, and 88.12% of students favored POPS over simple lectures. Moreover, while they responded that POPS facilitated student learning better than lectures, teachers pointed out that limited teaching resources would make it difficult for wide POPS application in China.

Conclusions
While POPS can break up the monotony of dialectic lectures and serve as a better teaching method, it may not be feasible for the current educational environment in China. The main reason for this is the relative shortage of teaching resources such as space, library facilities and well-trained teachers.
Primary choriocarcinoma of the colon: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Jiang Lun , Wu Jing-Tao , Peng Xin 
Published: January 2013

Abstract
Choriocarcinoma usually arises in the uterus and gonads. Primary choriocarcinoma (PCC) in an extragenital organ is rare. When it occurs in the gastrointestinal tract, the stomach is the most common site. Only 12 cases of PCC of the colon have been reported in the world literature. Most cases were associated with adenocarcinoma. We report the case of a 36-year-old man with PCC of the colon and review the clinical characteristics of previously documented cases.
Interleukin-1β receptor expressed by modified vaccinia virus Ankara interferes with interleukin-1β activity produced in various virus-infected antigen-presenting cells
Authors: Zimmerling Stefan , Waibler Zoe , Resch Theresa , Sutter Gerd , Schwantes Astrid 
Published: January 2013

AbstractBackgroundModified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) is a highly attenuated virus and a promising vaccine vector with potent immune stimulating properties. Deletion of the gene encoding the viral interleukin-1beta receptor (vIL-1βR) in MVA (MVAΔIL-1βR) was previously shown to enhance memory T cell function. Here, we investigated the influence of vIL-1βR on blocking interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) upon MVA infection in various antigen presenting cells of murine and human origin, and analyzed whether inflammasome function contributes to IL-1β production in different cell types.FindingsExtending previous studies, immunizing mice with low doses of MVAΔIL-1βR still showed enhanced memory CD8+T cell activation compared to MVA wild-type (MVAwt) immunization.In vitro, murine myeloid dendritic cells, and activated, but not naive primary macrophages were identified as potent producers of IL-1β upon infection with MVA. Importantly, free IL-1β was only detected in the absence of vIL-1βR. Moreover, MVAΔIL-1βR increased amounts of bioactive IL-1β compared to MVAwt after infection of human THP-1 cells, as detected using a reporter system that only responds to active and free IL-1β. The MVA-mediated induction of IL-1β was confirmed to depend on inflammasome function in human and murine cells, however in murine cells this apparently involves caspase-1-independent pathways.ConclusionsMVA lacking IL-1β blocking activity leads to increased concentrations of free IL-1β upon infection of murine and human antigen presenting cells; this is likely responsible for enhanced memory T cell activation upon MVAΔIL-1βR immunization of mice. Moreover, our results suggest that MVA-mediated IL-1β induction is a multifactorial process.
Survey of renewable chemicals produced from lignocellulosic biomass during ionic liquid pretreatment
Authors: Varanasi Patanjali , Singh Priyanka , Auer Manfred , Adams Paul D , Simmons Blake A , Singh Seema 
Published: January 2013

Abstract

Background
Lignin is often overlooked in the valorization of lignocellulosic biomass, but lignin-based materials and chemicals represent potential value-added products for biorefineries that could significantly improve the economics of a biorefinery. Fluctuating crude oil prices and changing fuel specifications are some of the driving factors to develop new technologies that could be used to convert polymeric lignin into low molecular weight lignin and or monomeric aromatic feedstocks to assist in the displacement of the current products associated with the conversion of a whole barrel of oil. We present an approach to produce these chemicals based on the selective breakdown of lignin during ionic liquid pretreatment.

Results
The lignin breakdown products generated are found to be dependent on the starting biomass, and significant levels were generated on dissolution at 160°C for 6 hrs. Guaiacol was produced on dissolution of biomass and technical lignins. Vanillin was produced on dissolution of kraft lignin and eucalytpus. Syringol and allyl guaiacol were the major products observed on dissolution of switchgrass and pine, respectively, whereas syringol and allyl syringol were obtained by dissolution of eucalyptus. Furthermore, it was observed that different lignin-derived products could be generated by tuning the process conditions.

Conclusions
We have developed an ionic liquid based process that depolymerizes lignin and converts the low molecular weight lignin fractions into a variety of renewable chemicals from biomass. The generated chemicals (phenols, guaiacols, syringols, eugenol, catechols), their oxidized products (vanillin, vanillic acid, syringaldehyde) and their easily derivatized hydrocarbons (benzene, toluene, xylene, styrene, biphenyls and cyclohexane) already have relatively high market value as commodity and specialty chemicals, green building materials, nylons, and resins.
Multilocus loss of DNA methylation in individuals with mutations in the histone H3 Lysine 4 Demethylase KDM5C
Authors: Grafodatskaya Daria , Chung Barian HY , Butcher Darci T , Turinsky Andrei L , Goodman Sarah J , Choufani Sana , Chen Yi-An , Lou Youliang , Zhao Chunhua , Rajendram Rageen , Abidi Fatima E , Skinner Cindy , Stavropoulos James , Bondy Carolyn A , Hamilton Jill , Wodak Shoshana , Scherer Stephen W , Schwartz Charles E , Weksberg Rosanna 
Published: January 2013

Abstract

Background
A number of neurodevelopmental syndromes are caused by mutations in genes encoding proteins that normally function in epigenetic regulation. Identification of epigenetic alterations occurring in these disorders could shed light on molecular pathways relevant to neurodevelopment.

Results
Using a genome-wide approach, we identified genes with significant loss of DNA methylation in blood of males with intellectual disability and mutations in the X-linked KDM5C gene, encoding a histone H3 lysine 4 demethylase, in comparison to age/sex matched controls. Loss of DNA methylation in such individuals is consistent with known interactions between DNA methylation and H3 lysine 4 methylation. Further, loss of DNA methylation at the promoters of the three top candidate genes FBXL5, SCMH1, CACYBP was not observed in more than 900 population controls. We also found that DNA methylation at these three genes in blood correlated with dosage of KDM5C and its Y-linked homologue KDM5D. In addition, parallel sex-specific DNA methylation profiles in brain samples from control males and females were observed at FBXL5 and CACYBP.

Conclusions
We have, for the first time, identified epigenetic alterations in patient samples carrying a mutation in a gene involved in the regulation of histone modifications. These data support the concept that DNA methylation and H3 lysine 4 methylation are functionally interdependent. The data provide new insights into the molecular pathogenesis of intellectual disability. Further, our data suggest that some DNA methylation marks identified in blood can serve as biomarkers of epigenetic status in the brain.
Immunohistochemical features of multifocal melanoacanthoma in the hard palate: a case report
Authors: das Chagas e Silva de Carvalho Luis Felipe , Farina Vitor Hugo , Cabral Luiz Antonio Guimarães , Brandão Adriana Aigotti Haberbeck , Coletta Ricardo Della , Almeida Janete Dias 
Published: January 2013

Abstract

Background
Melanoacanthoma (MA) has been described in the oral mucosa as a solitary lesion or, occasionally, as multiple lesions. MA mainly affects dark skinned patients and grows rapidly, showing a plane or slightly raised appearance and a brown to black color. The differential diagnosis includes oral nevi, amalgam tattoos, and melanomas. We report here the case of a 58-year-old black woman who presented multiple pigmented lesions on the hard palate.

Case presentation
Based on the differential diagnosis of melanoma, a punch biopsy (4 mm in diameter) was performed. The material was fixed in 10% formalin, embedded in paraffin, and stained with hematoxylin-eosin or submitted to immunohistochemical analysis. Immunohistochemistry using antibodies against protein S-100, melan-A, HMB-45, MCM-2, MCM-5, Ki-67 and geminin was performed. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed strong cytoplasmic immunoreactivity of dendritic melanocytes for proteinS-100, HMB-45 and melan-A.Positive staining for proliferative markers (MCM-2, MCM-5, Ki-67) was only observed in basal and suprabasal epithelial cells, confirming the reactive etiology of the lesion. The diagnosis was oral Melanoacanthoma (MA).

Conclusion
The patient has been followed up for 30 months and shows no clinical alterations. MA should be included in the differential diagnosis of pigmented lesions of the oral cavity.
Correlation of retention of lanthanide and actinide complexes with stability constants and their speciation
Authors: Datta Arpita , Sivaraman N. , Viswanathan K.S. , Ghosh Suddhasattwa , Srinivasan T. G. , Vasudeva Rao P. R. 
Published: January 2013

Abstract
The present study describes a correlation that is developed from retention of lanthanide and actinide complexes with the stability constant. In these studies, an ion-pairing reagent, camphor-10-sulphonic acid (CSA) was used as the modifier and organic acids such as α-hydroxy isobutyric acid (α-HIBA), mandelic acid, lactic acid and tartaric acid were used as complexing reagent for elution. From these studies, a correlation has been established between capacity factor of a metal ion, concentration of ion-pairing reagent and complexing agent with the stability constant of metal complex. Based on these studies, it has been shown that the stability constant of lanthanide and actinide complexes can be estimated using a single lanthanide calibrant. Validation of the method was carried out with the complexing agents such as α-HIBA and lactic acid.
It was also demonstrated that data from a single chromatogram can be used for estimation of stability constant at various ionic strengths. These studies also demonstrated that the method can be applied for estimation of stability constant of actinides with a ligand whose value is not reported yet, e.g., ligands of importance in the lanthanide–actinide separations, chelation therapy etc. The chromatographic separation method is fast and the estimation of stability constant can be done in a very short time, which is a significant advantage especially in dealing with radioactive elements. The stability constant data was used to derive speciation data of plutonium in different oxidation states as well as that of americium with α-HIBA. The elution behavior of actinides such as Pu and Am from reversed phase chromatographic technique could be explained based on these studies.
Absence of 232,230,228Th enhancement decay by ultrasound exposure
Authors: Aupiais Jean , Cousin V. , Nikitenko S.I. , Pflieger R. , Moisy Philippe 
Published: January 2013

Abstract
We report on our attempt to reproduce the 228Th decay enhancement under the effect of power ultrasound claimed recently in the literature. The evolution of natural thorium isotopic composition (232Th, 230Th, and 228Th) in various aqueous solutions submitted to 20 kHz power ultrasound (0.18 W mL−1, 20 ºC, Ar). The radioactivities of the three isotopes of thorium (232Th, 230Th and 228Th) were followed by α liquid scintillation counting technique. No change was detected during ultrasonic irradiation. Our results demonstrate that under the studied conditions the rate of Th isotopes radioactive decay is not modified under the effect of ultrasound on aqueous solutions of thorium salts.
Benzoquinone-Hydroquinone Couple for Flow Battery
Authors: Nawar Saraf , Huskinson Brian , Aziz Michael 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACTAt present, there is an ongoing search for approaches toward the storage of energy from intermittent renewable sources like wind and solar. Flow batteries have gained attention due to their potential viability for inexpensive storage of large amounts of energy. While the quinone/hydroquinone redox couple is a widely studied redox pair, its application in energy storage has not been widely explored. Because of its high reversibility, low toxicity, and low component costs, we propose the quinone/hydroquinone redox couple as a viable candidate for use in a grid-scale storage device. We have performed single-electrode tests on several quinone/hydroquinone redox couples, achieving current densities exceeding 500 mA/cm2, which is acceptable for use in energy applications. We fabricated a full cell using para-benzoquinone at the positive electrode against a commercial fuel cell hydrogen electrode separated by a Nafion membrane. We evaluated its performance in galvanic mode, where it reached current densities as high as 150 mA/cm2. The results from these studies indicate that the quinone/hydroquinone redox couple is a promising candidate for use in redox flow batteries.
Ab-initio Calculations to Model Anomalous Fluorine Behavior
Authors: Diebel Milan , Dunham Scott T. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractImplanted fluorine has been observed to behave unusually in silicon, manifesting apparent uphill diflusion [1]. We are further motivated to understand the behavior of implanted fluorine in silicon by experiments which suggest that fluorine reduces boron diflusion [2, 3, 4, 5] and enhances boron activation in shallow junctions [2, 3]. In order to investigate fluorine behavior, we calculated the energy of fluorine defect structures in the framework of density functional theory (DFT). Besides identifying the ground-state con.guration of a single fluorine atom in silicon, a set of energetically favorable fluorine defect structures were found. The latter strongly suggests a distinct fluorine diflusion mechanism, which was implemented in a continuum diflusion simulation and compared to experimental data.
Large-Scale Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Interstitial Defect Diffusion in Silicon
Authors: Richie David A. , Kim Jeongnim , Hennig Richard , Hazzard Kaden , Barr Steve , Wilkins John W. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractThe simulation of defect dynamics and evolution is a technologicaly relevant challenge for computational materials science. The diffusion of small defects in silicon unfolds as a sequence of structural transitions. The relative infrequency of transition events requires simulation over extremely long time scales. We simulate the diffusion of small interstitial clusters (I1, I2, I3) for a range of temperatures using large-scale molecular dynamics (MD) simulations with a realistic tight-binding potential. A total of 0.25 μ sec of simulation time is accumulated for the study. A novel real-time multiresolution analysis (RTMRA) technique extracts stable structures directly from the dynamics without structural relaxation. The discovered structures are relaxed to confirm their stability.
Novel Methods of Identifying Hydrocarbon Bearing Formation with Low Resistivity Contrast from Conventional Logs in Tight Sandstone Reservoirs of North Ordos Basin
Authors: Deng Jiang-Min , Liu Xiao-Peng , He Kui , Hu Xiao-Xin 
Published: January 2013

Abstract
It’s difficult in identifying hydrocarbon bearing formation from conventional logs in tight sandstone reservoirs due to the low resistivity contrast caused by the complicated pore structure and high water saturation in north Ordos basin. The experiment of relative permeability illustrates that the water saturation of the target Chang 6 Formation mentioned in this study reach to 58%. To identify hydrocarbon bearing formations from water saturated layers, a method, which is the minimal resistivity method is introduced. To obtain the minimal resistivity of hydrocarbon bearing reservoir, two novel methods, which are formation simulation and rock resistivity experiments, are proposed in this paper. The results shows that the minimal resistivity of hydrocarbon bearing layer in Chang 6 Formation is 40Ω.m. Field examples shows that the proposed methods are effective in obtaining the minimal resistivity and identifying hydrocarbon bearing formations with high water saturation, they can be extended widely in other tight sandstone reservoirs.