bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
TLR2 AND TLR4 EXPRESSION ON BLOOD MONOCYTES AND GRANULOCYTES OF CARDIAC SURGICAL PATIENTS IS NOT AFFECTED BY THE USE OF CARDIOPULMONARY BYPASS
Authors: Krejsek Jan , Koláčková Martina , Manďák Jiří , Kuneš Pavel , Holubcová Zdeňka , Holmannová Drahomíra , AbuAttieh Mouhammed , Andrýs Ctirad 
Published: November 2014

Cardiac surgery is inseparably linked to the activation of innate immunity cells recognizing danger signals of both endogenous and exogenous origin via pattern recognition receptors such as TLR receptors. Therefore, we followed by flow cytometry TLR2 and TLR4 expression on blood monocytes and granulocytes of patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting using beating heart surgery (off-pump, n = 34), with use of standard cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), (on-pump, n = 30), and miniinvasive CPB (mini on-pump, n = 25), respectively, before, during surgery, and up to 7th postoperative day. TLR2 and TLR4 expression both on monocytes and granulocytes was significantly diminished already at the end of CPB being highly significantly decreased at the end of surgery in all patients’ groups. TLR2 and TLR4 expression reached preoperative value at the 1st postoperative day being significantly higher at the 3rd postoperative day. Using intracellular staining we found the peak of TLR2 and TLR4 expression inside of monocytes and granulocytes at the first postoperative day in a subgroup of on-pump patients. In conclusion, TLR2 and TLR4 expression is significantly modulated in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting as a part of adaptive homeostatic mechanisms induced by major surgery. The very surgical trauma is responsible for TLR2 and TLR4 modulation. Surprisingly, cardiopulmonary bypass itself was little contributing to the modulation of TLR2 and TLR4 expression.
“ELEPHANT TRUNK” AND ENDOVASCULAR STENTGRAFTING – A HYBRID APPROACH TO THE TREATMENT OF EXTENSIVE THORACIC AORTIC ANEURYSM
Authors: Holubec Tomáš , Raupach Jan , Dominik Jan , Vojáček Jan 
Published: November 2014

A hybrid approach to elephant trunk technique for treatment of thoracic aortic aneurysms combines a conventional surgical and endovascular therapy. Compared to surgery alone, there is a presumption that mortality and morbidity is reduced. We present a case report of a 42-year-old man with a giant aneurysm of the entire thoracic aorta, significant aortic and tricuspid regurgitation and ventricular septum defect. The patient underwent multiple consecutive operations and interventions having, among others, finally replaced the entire thoracic aorta with the use of the hybrid elephant trunk technique.
IMMUNOHISTOCHEMISTRY IN DIAGNOSIS OF EXTRANASOPHARYNGEAL ANGIOFIBROMA ORIGINATING FROM NASAL CAVITY: CASE PRESENTATION AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE
Authors: Perić Aleksandar , Sotirović Jelena , Cerović Snežana , Živić Ljubica 
Published: November 2014

Angiofibromas are rare vascular tumors which originate predominantly in the nasopharynx and occur typically in male adolescents. Extranasopharyngeal sites such as nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses are less frequent. This review article was undertaken to evaluate the incidence, clinical features and management of extranasopharyngeal angiofibromas originating exclusivelly from nasal cavity structures. Our focus of interest was to evaluate the significance of immunohistochemical analysis in diagnosis of such extremely rare neoplasms. In the PubMed and Google Search, we found only 39 cases of nasal angifibroma, 27 males and 12 females from 1980 to 2012. The most prevalent site of origin was nasal septum, followed by inferior and middle turbinate. The commonest symptoms were nasal obstruction and epistaxis. Nasal angiofibromas are clinically distinct from nasopharyneal angiofibromas and can therefore be misdiagnosed. The differential diagnosis includes other vascular lesions, such as lobular capillary hemangioma and sinonasal-type hemangiopericytoma. Although immunohistochemistry is not necessary for differentiation between angiofibroma and capillary hemangioma, that diagnostic procedure may be helpful in distinction from sinonasal hemangiopericytoma. As an ilustration for immunohistochemical analysis, we presented a case of an elderly woman with tumor arising from the middle turbinate, diagnosed as angiofibroma. The staining was positive for CD34, CD31, factor VIII, vimentin and smooth muscle α-actin, and negative for desmin.
Gene Targeting RhoA Reveals Its Essential Role in Coordinating Mitochondrial Function and Thymocyte Development
Authors: Zhang Shuangmin , Konstantinidis Diamantis G. , Yang Jun-Qi , Mizukawa Benjamin , Kalim Khalid , Lang Richard A. , Kalfa Theodosia A. , Zheng Yi , Guo Fukun 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
Thymocyte development is regulated by complex signaling pathways. How these signaling cascades are coordinated remains elusive. RhoA of the Rho family small GTPases plays an important role in actin cytoskeleton organization, cell adhesion, migration, proliferation, and survival. Nonetheless, the physiological function of RhoA in thymocyte development is not clear. By characterizing a conditional gene targeting mouse model bearing T cell deletion of RhoA, we show that RhoA critically regulates thymocyte development by coordinating multiple developmental events. RhoA gene disruption caused a strong developmental block at the pre-TCR checkpoint and during positive selection. Ablation of RhoA led to reduced DNA synthesis in CD4−CD8−, CD4+CD8−, and CD4−CD8+ thymocytes but not in CD4+CD8+ thymocytes. Instead, RhoA-deficient CD4+CD8+ thymocytes showed an impaired mitosis. Furthermore, we found that abrogation of RhoA led to an increased apoptosis in all thymocyte subpopulations. Importantly, we show that the increased apoptosis was resulted from reduced pre-TCR expression and increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which may be because of an enhanced mitochondrial function, as manifested by increased oxidative phosphorylation, glycolysis, mitochondrial membrane potential, and mitochondrial biogenesis in RhoA-deficient thymocytes. Restoration of pre-TCR expression or treatment of RhoA-deficient mice with a ROS scavenger N-acetylcysteine partially restored thymocyte development. These results suggest that RhoA is required for thymocyte development and indicate, to our knowledge, for the first time that fine-tuning of ROS production by RhoA, through a delicate control of metabolic circuit, may contribute to thymopoiesis.
Lipocalin 2 Imparts Selective Pressure on Bacterial Growth in the Bladder and Is Elevated in Women with Urinary Tract Infection
Authors: Steigedal Magnus , Marstad Anne , Haug Markus , Damås Jan K. , Strong Roland K. , Roberts Pacita L. , Himpsl Stephanie D. , Stapleton Ann , Hooton Thomas M. , Mobley Harry L. T. , Hawn Thomas R. , Flo Trude H. 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
Competition for iron is a critical component of successful bacterial infections, but the underlying in vivo mechanisms are poorly understood. We have previously demonstrated that lipocalin 2 (LCN2) is an innate immunity protein that binds to bacterial siderophores and starves them for iron, thus representing a novel host defense mechanism to infection. In the present study we show that LCN2 is secreted by the urinary tract mucosa and protects against urinary tract infection (UTI). We found that LCN2 was expressed in the bladder, ureters, and kidneys of mice subject to UTI. LCN2 was protective with higher bacterial numbers retrieved from bladders of Lcn2-deficient mice than from wild-type mice infected with the LCN2-sensitive Escherichia coli strain H9049. Uropathogenic E. coli mutants in siderophore receptors for salmochelin, aerobactin, or yersiniabactin displayed reduced fitness in wild-type mice, but not in mice deficient of LCN2, demonstrating that LCN2 imparts a selective pressure on bacterial growth in the bladder. In a human cohort of women with recurrent E. coli UTIs, urine LCN2 levels were associated with UTI episodes and with levels of bacteriuria. The number of siderophore systems was associated with increasing bacteriuria during cystitis. Our data demonstrate that LCN2 is secreted by the urinary tract mucosa in response to uropathogenic E. coli challenge and acts in innate immune defenses as a colonization barrier that pathogens must overcome to establish infection.
Definition of the Cattle Killer Cell Ig–like Receptor Gene Family: Comparison with Aurochs and Human Counterparts
Authors: Sanderson Nicholas D. , Norman Paul J. , Guethlein Lisbeth A. , Ellis Shirley A. , Williams Christina , Breen Matthew , Park Steven D. E. , Magee David A. , Babrzadeh Farbod , Warry Andrew , Watson Mick , Bradley Daniel G. , MacHugh David E. , Parham Peter , Hammond John A. 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
Under selection pressure from pathogens, variable NK cell receptors that recognize polymorphic MHC class I evolved convergently in different species of placental mammal. Unexpectedly, diversified killer cell Ig–like receptors (KIRs) are shared by simian primates, including humans, and cattle, but not by other species. Whereas much is known of human KIR genetics and genomics, knowledge of cattle KIR is limited to nine cDNA sequences. To facilitate comparison of the cattle and human KIR gene families, we determined the genomic location, structure, and sequence of two cattle KIR haplotypes and defined KIR sequences of aurochs, the extinct wild ancestor of domestic cattle. Larger than its human counterpart, the cattle KIR locus evolved through successive duplications of a block containing ancestral KIR3DL and KIR3DX genes that existed before placental mammals. Comparison of two cattle KIR haplotypes and aurochs KIR show the KIR are polymorphic and the gene organization and content appear conserved. Of 18 genes, 8 are functional and 10 were inactivated by point mutation. Selective inactivation of KIR3DL and activating receptor genes leaves a functional cohort of one inhibitory KIR3DL, one activating KIR3DX, and six inhibitory KIR3DX. Functional KIR diversity evolved from KIR3DX in cattle and from KIR3DL in simian primates. Although independently evolved, cattle and human KIR gene families share important function-related properties, indicating that cattle KIR are NK cell receptors for cattle MHC class I. Combinations of KIR and MHC class I are the major genetic factors associated with human disease and merit investigation in cattle.
Contracts for the International Sale of Goods
Authors: Kruisinga S.A. 
Published: November 2014

Contracts for the International Sale of Goods: Recent Developments at the International and European Level
In the globalizing economy, national borders seem to have disappeared. However, when determining which law will apply to a commercial transaction, the opposite seems true. In 1980, the UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (hereafter the CISG) was specifically drafted to apply to contracts for the international sale of goods. Recently, the European Commission also published a document containing provisions that can apply to contracts for the international sale of goods: the Proposal for a Regulation on a Common European Sales Law. This paper compares the scope of application of these legal regimes, it compares the regulation of standard terms in both regimes and addresses the provisions in the EU Regulation on jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters (Brussels I), which are of relevance for contracts for the international sale of goods which do not contain a valid dispute settlement clause.
Ionospherically reflected proton whistlers
Authors: Vavilov D. I. , Shklyar D. R. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractWe present experimental observations and detailed investigation of the variety of proton whistlers that includes transequatorial and ionospherically reflected proton whistlers. The latter have previously been indicated from numerical modeling of spectrograms. The study is based on six‐component ELF wave data from the Detection of Electro‐Magnetic Emissions Transmitted from Earthquake Regions (DEMETER) satellite which permits to obtain not only spectrograms displaying the power spectral density but also such wave properties as the polarization, wave normal angle, wave refractive index, and normalized parallel component of the Poynting vector. The explanation of various types of proton whistlers is based on the properties of ion cyclotron wave propagation in a multicomponent magnetoplasma, with special consideration of the effect of ion hybrid resonance reflection. Analysis of experimental data is supplemented by numerical modeling of spectrograms that reproduces the main features of experimental ones. As a self‐contained result, we provide conclusive experimental evidences that the region illuminated by a lightning stroke in the Earth‐ionosphere waveguide may spread over a distance of 4000 km in both hemispheres.
Integrated modeling framework to quantify the coastal protection services supplied by vegetation
Authors: Guannel Greg , Ruggiero Peter , Faries Joe , Arkema Katie , Pinsky Malin , Gelfenbaum Guy , Guerry Anne , Kim Choong‐Ki 
Published: November 2014

AbstractVegetation can protect communities by reducing nearshore wave height and altering sediment transport processes. However, quantitative approaches for evaluating the coastal protection services, or benefits, supplied by vegetation to people in a wide range of coastal environments are lacking. To begin to fill this knowledge gap, we propose an integrated modeling approach for quantifying how vegetation modifies nearshore processes—including the attenuation of wave height, mean and total water level—and reduces shoreline erosion during storms. We apply the model to idealized seagrass‐sand and mangrove‐mud cases, and illustrate its potential by quantifying how those habitats reduce water levels and sediment loss beyond what would be observed in the absence of vegetation. The integrated modeling approach provides an efficient way to quantify the coastal protection services supplied by vegetation and highlights specific research needs for improved representations of the ways in which vegetation modifies wave‐induced processes.
Numerical simulations of impact crater formation with dilatancy
Authors: Collins G. S. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractImpact‐induced fracturing creates porosity that is responsible for many aspects of the geophysical signature of an impact crater. This paper describes a simple model of dilatancy—the creation of porosity in a shearing geological material—and its implementation in the iSALE shock physics code. The model is used to investigate impact‐induced dilatancy during simple and complex crater formation on Earth. Simulations of simple crater formation produce porosity distributions consistent with observations. Dilatancy model parameters appropriate for low‐quality rock masses give the best agreement with observation; more strongly dilatant behavior would require substantial postimpact porosity reduction. The tendency for rock to dilate less when shearing under high pressure is an important property of the model. Pressure suppresses impact‐induced dilatancy: in the shock wave, at depth beneath the crater floor, and in the convergent subcrater flow that forms the central uplift. Consequently, subsurface porosity distribution is a strong function of crater size, which is reflected in the inferred gravity anomaly. The Bouguer gravity anomaly for simulated craters smaller than 25 km is a broad low with a magnitude proportional to the crater radius; larger craters exhibit a central gravity high within a suppressed gravity low. Lower crustal pressures on the Moon relative to Earth imply that impact‐induced dilatancy is more effective on the Moon than Earth for the same size impact in an initially nonporous target. This difference may be mitigated by the presence of porosity in the lunar crust.
Nanostructured piezoelectric polymers
Authors: Cauda Valentina , Canavese Giancarlo , Stassi Stefano 
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACTAmong the wide variety of piezoelectric materials available, polymers offer an interesting solution because of their high mechanical flexibility, easy processing, and conformable features; they maintain good ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties. The most prominent examples of these are poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and its copolymer, poly(vinylidene difluoride–trifluoroethylene) [P(VDF–TrFE)]. An attractive prospective consists of the preparation of nanostructured polymers. It has been shown that the dimensional confinement of such macromolecules down to the nanoscale can improve their piezoelectric properties because the tailoring of the chemical structure is performed at the molecular level. In this review, we show how nanostructured polymers can be obtained and discuss reports on the ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties of nanostructured PVDF and P(VDF–TrFE) materials. In particular, we show how dimensional confinement leads to piezoelectric nanostructures with relevant performances, with a focus on the macromolecular structural arrangement that enhances their behavior. Experimental results and applications are also reported to compare the performances of different nanostructuration processes and the polymer efficiencies as piezoelectric materials. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 41667.
Biocuration: A New Challenge for the Tunicate Community
Authors: Dauga Delphine 
Published: November 2014

SummaryBiocuration, the field of biology concerned with organizing, representing, checking, and making biological information accessible to both humans and computers, has become an essential part of biological and biomedical research. However, curation increasingly lags behind data generation in funding, development, and recognition. In this work, biocuration efforts accomplished by the community of laboratories working on Tunicata as well as challenges faced were described. Biocuration is essential for the future of scientific research, and that the experience gathered by tunicate community could prove extremely useful to other biologists' communities. genesis 53:132–142, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Further insights into the composition, source, and toxicity of PAHs in size-resolved particulate matter in a megacity in China
Authors: Shi Guo-Liang , Zhou Xiao-Yu , Jiang Su-Yang , Tian Ying-Ze , Liu Gui-Rong , Feng Yin-Chang , Chen Gang , Liang Yang-Ke-Xin 
Published: November 2014

Abstract

Concentrations of particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than 10 μm (PM10) and PM with an aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 μm (PM2.5), and 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were measured. The average concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 reached 209.75 μg/m3 and 141.87 μg/m3, respectively, and those of ΣPAHs were 41.46 ng/m3 for PM10 and 36.77 ng/m3 for PM2.5. The mass ratio concentrations were 219.23 μg/g and 311.01 μg/g in PM10 and PM2.5, respectively. Three sources and their contributions for PAHs were obtained. For individual input mode, diesel exhaust contributed 46.77% (PM10) and 41.12% (PM2.5) for mass concentration and 48.69% (PM10) and 39.47% (PM2.5) for mass ratio concentration; gasoline exhaust contributed 31.02% (PM10) and 39.47% (PM2.5) for mass concentration and 28.95% (PM10) and 36.46% (PM2.5) for mass ratio concentration; and coal combustion contributed 22.22% (PM10) and 19.41% (PM2.5) for mass concentration and 22.36% (PM10) and 15.89% (PM2.5) for mass ratio concentration. For combined input mode, the same source categories were obtained. Source contributions to PM10 and PM2.5 were diesel exhaust (40.70% and 36.64%, respectively, for mass concentration; 49.19% and 38.47%, respectively, for mass ratio concentration), gasoline exhaust (35.09% and 38.47%, respectively, for mass concentration; 32.50% and 33.43%, respectively, for mass ratio concentration), and coal combustion (24.21% and 24.89%, respectively, for mass concentration; 18.31% and18.17%, respectively, for mass ratio concentration). Source risk assessment showed that vehicle emission was a significant contributor. The findings can help elucidate sources of PAHs and provide evidence supporting further applications of the Unmix model and additional studies about PAHs. Environ Toxicol Chem 2015;34:480–487. © 2014 SETAC
A cache of tulas from the Boulia district, western Queensland
Authors: Hiscock Peter 
Published: November 2014

AbstractThe excavation and analysis of fifty stone artefacts found in a prehistoric pit on Mucklandama Creek, in western Queensland is described. These artefacts provide information on the manufacture, of tulas and on the differentiation of unused and exhausted tulas. It is argued that the feature recovered from Mucklandama Creek is a cache of unused tulas destined for barter. A radiocarbon date demonstrates that the cache is less than 1000 years old. A review of data from other parts of Australia reveals that similar caches are a recent phenomenon. It is suggested that the appearance of such caches may be related to an intensification of trade and settlement restructuring in the late Holocene.
The influence of economic behaviour and environment upon robusticity of the post‐cranial skeleton: a comparison of Australian Aborigines and other populations
Authors: Collier Stephen 
Published: November 2014

AbstractThe robusticity of the post cranial skeleton of Murray Valley Aborigines is compared to that of five other populations. This is done to clarify disagreements in the literature on the skeletal robusticity of Aborigines relative to other groups, particularly European Australians. It is concluded that rather than being more robust, the Aboriginal sample is far more gracile than the comparative samples. Economic behaviour, genetic effects and climate are examined as factors that affect skeletal robusticity. It is concluded that while all these factors have an effect, economic behaviour is important in determining robusticity differences between populations. The Murray Valley lifestyle evidently imposed comparatively little muscular and skeletal stress upon the Aboriginal population.
An Ancestral Polynesian occupation site at To'aga, Ofu Island, American Samoa
Authors: Kirch Patrick V. , Hunt Terry L. , Nagaoka Lisa , Tyler Jason 
Published: November 2014

AbstractExcavations in a deeply stratified coastal site at To'aga, Ofu Island, in the Manu'a group of American Samoa, yielded evidence of human occupation spanning the entire Samoan cultural sequence. The earliest deposits, dated to 3700–3300 BP, may represent a Lapita Period occupation, although the present sample is very limited. An Ancestral Polynesian phase, dated from 2500–1900 BP, is well attested, with abundant Polynesian Plainware ceramics, simple one‐piece fishhooks, and other artifacts and associated faunal materials. Aceramic deposits, dated after 1900 BP, are also present. A model for the geomorphological evolution of the site, incorporating sea level change and the effects of human impact on the landscape, is presented.
A broken Juin knife from Yandan Creek: some implications
Authors: Knight James 
Published: November 2014

AbstractA Juin knife was reworked and discarded at Yandan Creek. The reworking sequence is reconstructed and described. A review of information concerning Juin knives suggests that their function within Aboriginal society was social or ritual rather than economic. It is suggested that the stoneworker at Yandan either lacked skill in the technique of backing or intentionally destroyed the knife, probably the latter.
A functional analysis of Pleistocene bone tools from two sites in Southwest Tasmania
Authors: Webb C. , Allen J. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractBone artefacts from two Pleistocene sites in southern Tasmania were examined microscopically for traces of use and/or manufacture, and a range of functions was ascribed. Through the careful examination of the bone assemblages from both sites several new categories of ‘non‐formal’ tools were recognised, with four 'types' described according to morphological characteristics. It was found that the ascribed functions were in general agreement with these types.