bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Group V Secretory Phospholipase A2 Is Involved in Macrophage Activation and Is Sufficient for Macrophage Effector Functions in Allergic Pulmonary Inflammation
Authors: Ohta Shin , Imamura Mitsuru , Xing Wei , Boyce Joshua A. , Balestrieri Barbara 
Published: May 2013

Abstract
We reported that Pla2g5-null mice lacking group V secretory phospholipase A2 (gV-sPLA2) showed reduced eosinophilic pulmonary inflammation and Th2 cytokine generation when challenged with an extract from house dust mite Dermatophagoides farinae, compared with wild-type (WT) controls. Adoptive transfer studies suggested that gV-sPLA2 in dendritic cells was necessary for sensitization of Pla2g5-null mice, but was not sufficient to induce the effector phase of pulmonary inflammation. In this study, we demonstrate that gV-sPLA2 is inducibly expressed in mouse and human macrophages (Mϕ) activated by IL-4 and is required for the acquisition of Mϕ effector functions that facilitate the effector phase of pulmonary inflammation. We demonstrate that gV-sPLA2 expression in Mϕ is sufficient for the development of pulmonary inflammation, even when inflammation is induced by intrapulmonary administration of IL-4. The concentrations of CCL22/CCL17 and effector T cell recruitment are severely impaired in Pla2g5-null mice. Intratracheal transfers of enriched CD68+ cells isolated from the lungs of D. farinae–challenged WT donor mice induce eosinophilia, chemokine production, and recruitment of T cells into the lungs of Pla2g5-null recipients previously sensitized by WT D. farinae–loaded dendritic cells. Our studies identified a unique function of gV-sPLA2 in activation of Mϕ and in their capacity to recruit T cells to amplify the effector phase of pulmonary inflammation.
STAT4-Dependent and -Independent Th2 Responses Correlate with Protective Immunity against Lung Infection with Pneumocystis murina
Authors: Myers Riley C. , Dunaway Chad W. , Nelson Michael P. , Trevor Jennifer L. , Morris Alison , Steele Chad 
Published: May 2013

Abstract
Although it is clear that the loss of CD4+ T cells is a predisposing factor for the development of Pneumocystis pneumonia, specific Th mechanisms mediating protection are not well understood. Th1, Th2, and Th17 responses have each been implicated in protective responses during infection. As STAT4 may promote Th1 and Th17 development, yet antagonize Th2 development, we investigated its role in Pneumocystis murina host defense. STAT4 was required for Th1 and, unexpectedly, Th2 responses in the lungs of C57BL/6 (BL/6) and BALB/c mice 14 d postchallenge, but only BALB/c Stat4−/− mice demonstrated susceptibility to P. murina lung infection. BL/6 Stat4−/−, but not BALB/c Stat4−/−, mice maintained an enhanced alternatively activated (M2) macrophage signature in the lungs, which we have previously reported to be associated with enhanced P. murina clearance. In addition, anti-P. murina class-switched Abs were increased in BL/6 Stat4−/− mice, but not BALB/c Stat4−/− mice. Supporting our experimental observations, plasma from HIV-infected individuals colonized with Pneumocystis jirovecii contained significantly lower levels of the Th2 cytokines IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 compared with HIV-infected individuals who were not colonized. Collectively, our data suggest that robust local and systemic Th2-mediated responses are critical for immunity to Pneumocystis.
Factors influencing successful implementation of the basic antenatal care approach in primary health care facilities in eThekwini district, KwaZulu-Natal
Authors: Ngxongo Thembelihle S.P. , Sibiya Maureen N. 
Published: May 2013

Background: In a move to alleviate the burden of consistently high maternal and perinatal mortality rates, the South African National Department of Health (DoH) introduced Basic Antenatal Care (BANC) in all Primary Health Care facilities that were providing antenatal care services. However, not all facilities in the eThekwini district have successfully implemented the approach. The aim of the study was to identify the factors that influence successful implementation of the BANC approach. Objectives: The objectives were to identify facilities that had successfully implemented the BANC approach and the factors that influenced successful implementation of the BANC approach, in order to make recommendations on these factors.Method: A descriptive quantitative design was used. Firstly, primary health care facilities that were successful in implementing the BANC approach were identified through a retrospective record auditing. A total of 27 facilities were identified, of which 18 facilities were included in the study. This was followed by data collection from 59 midwives in order to identify the factors that influenced successful implementation of the BANC approach. The data was analysed using version 19 of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences.Results: The positive factors that influenced successful implementation of the BANC approach included: the availability and accessibility of BANC services, policies, guidelines and protocol; various means of communication; a comprehensive package of and the integration of primary health care services; training and in-service education; human and material resources; the support and supervision offered to the midwives by the primary health care supervisors; supervisors’ understanding of the approach and the levels of experience of midwives involved in implementation of the BANC approach.Conclusion: The success that the facilities had achieved in implementing BANC approach was attributed to these positive factors.
Selective doxorubicin drug eluting beads chemoembolization of hypovascular hepatocellular carcinoma using cone beam computed tomography
Authors: Kalra Naveen , Mahajan Divyesh , Chawla Yogesh , Khandelwal N 
Published: May 2013

AbstractHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) of the liver is the third most common cause of cancer-related deaths in the world. Only one-third of patients with HCC are suitable candidates for hepatic resection. Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is performed in unresectable HCC. Drug-eluting beads (DEB) TACE is a modification of TACE, in which doxorubicin beads are used as embolizing material.These beads deliver the drug and embolize the vessels; however, it carries the risk of non-target embolization and it is difficult in cases with absent arterial blush on digital subtraction angiography (DSA). This is resolved using C-arm cone-beam computed tomography in the DSA suite. It identifies the tumor-feeding vessels, their area of supply, and differentiates between tumor and normal liver parenchyma. In addition, it is very useful in the embolization of hypovascular HCC. It helps and guides the radiologist in performing TACE effectively and also prevents non-target embolization of normal liver parenchyma.
Soft tissue attenuation in middle ear on HRCT: Pictorial review
Authors: Anbarasu Arangasamy , Chandrasekaran Kiruthika , Balakrishnan Sivasubramanian 
Published: May 2013

AbstractMiddle ear disease is a common clinical entity; imaging, especially High resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT), plays a crucial role in diagnosis and assessing the disease extent, helping to decide appropriate management. Temporal bone imaging is challenging and involves thorough understanding of the anatomy, especially in relation to HRCT imaging. Most of the middle ear pathologies appear as "soft tissue" on imaging. Careful analysis of the soft tissue on the HRCT is crucial in achieving the right diagnosis; clinical information is essential and the imaging findings need correlation with clinical presentation and otoscopic findings. The purpose of this pictorial essay is to enlist the pathologies that present as soft tissue in middle ear and to provide a structured and practical imaging approach that will serve as a guide for confident reporting in daily practice.
Pictorial essay: Salivary gland imaging
Authors: Rastogi Rajul , Bhargava Sumeet , Mallarajapatna Govindarajan Janardan , Singh Sudhir Kumar 
Published: May 2013

AbstractSalivary glands are the first organs of digestion secreting their digestive juices into the oral cavity. Parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands are the major paired salivary glands in the decreasing order of their size. In addition, multiple small minor salivary glands are noted randomly distributed in the upper aerodigestive tract, including paranasal sinuses and parapharyngeal spaces. The imaging is directed to the major salivary glands. Commonly used imaging methods include plain radiography and conventional sialography. Recently, high-resolution ultrasonography (HRUS) is being increasingly used for targeted salivary gland imaging. However, the advent of cross-sectional imaging techniques such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have revolutionized the imaging of salivary glands. This article illustrates the role of imaging in evaluating the variegated disease pattern of the major salivary glands.
Neural fibrolipoma in pharyngeal mucosal space: A rare occurrence
Authors: Kumar Nishith , Mittal M K , Sinha Mukul , Thukral B B 
Published: May 2013

AbstractNeural fibrolipoma is a rare lesion presenting in early childhood, as a slow-growing fusiform swelling of a nerve, usually in the forearm or wrist (median nerve), associated with symptoms of compression neuropathy. There are only few case reports of neural fibrolipoma in neck and no such case has been reported in pharyngeal mucosal space.
Effects of shear stress and subcritical water on devulcanization of styrene–butadiene rubber based ground tire rubber in a twin‐screw extruder
Authors: Wang Xiaojun , Shi Changping , Zhang Ling , Zhang Yuncan 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACTThe devulcanization reaction of styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR) based ground tire rubber (GTR) in GTR/ethylene–propylene–diene monomer rubber (EPDM) blend was investigated through a compound‐induced reaction by increasing screw rotation speed and being in the presence of subcritical water. The effects of temperature, pressure, screw rotation speed, or promoting agents on the gel content, Mooney viscosity, and Fourier transform infrared spectra of the sol of the devulcanized blends (devulcanized ground tire rubber (DGTR)/EPDM) were measured, and the mechanical properties and microstructures of the revulcanized blend ((DGTR/EPDM)/SBR) were characterized. The results show that subcritical water as a swelling agent and reaction medium promotes the devulcanization reaction, increases the selectivity of the crosslink breakage, keeps the extrusion material from oxidative degradation, reduces the gel particle size of the devulcanized blends, and significantly improves the mechanical properties of the revulcanized SBR/(DGTR/EPDM) blends. In subcritical water, the suitable promoting agents (alkylphenol polysulfide 450, hydrogen peroxide H2O2, or 450/H2O2) accelerate the devulcanization reaction, keep the double bond content, and lead to further decrease of the gel content and Mooney viscosity of the devulcanized blends and further increase of the mechanical properties of the revulcanized SBR/(DGTR/EPDM) blends. Especially the compound promoting agent (450/H2O2) improves the selectivity of the crosslink breakage in devulcanization of SBR‐based GTR. When 450/H2O2 is added as a compound promoting agent at the best reaction condition in subcritical water (200°C, 1.6 MPa and 1000 rpm), the tensile strength and elongation at break of the revulcanized SBR/(DGTR/EPDM) blends reach to 85.4% and 201% of vulcanized SBR (24.0 MPa, 356%), respectively. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 1845–1854, 2013
Evaluation of 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium acetate based ionic liquid systems as a suitable solvent for collagen
Authors: Hu Yang , Liu Lan , Dan Weihua , Dan Nianhua , Gu Zhipeng 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACTCollagen, a prominent biopolymer, which is famous for its excellent biological activity, has been used extensively for tissue engineering applications. In this study, a novel solvent system for collagen was developed with an ionic liquid, 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium acetate ([EMIM][Ac]), solvent system. A series of sodium salts were introduced into this solvent system to enhance collagen's dissolution procedure. The results show that the solubility of collagen was significantly influenced by the temperature and sodium salts. The solubility reached up to approximately 11% in the [EMIM][Ac]/Na2HPO4 system at 45°C. However, the structure of the regenerated collagen (Col‐regenerated) may have been damaged. Hence, we focused on the structural integrity of the collagen regenerated from the [EMIM][Ac] solvent system by the methods of sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ultrasensitive differential scanning calorimetry, atomic force microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and circular dichroism because its signature biological and physicochemical properties were based on its structural integrity. Meanwhile, a possible dissolution mechanism was proposed. The results show that the triple‐helical structure of collagen regenerated from the [EMIM][Ac] solvent system below 35°C was retained to a large extent. The biocompatibility of Col‐regenerated was first characterized with a fibroblast adhesion and proliferation model. It showed that the Col‐regenerated had almost the same good biological activity as nature collagen, and this indicated the potential application of [EMIM][Ac] in tissue engineering. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 2245–2256, 2013
Quantification of conjugated metabolites of drugs in biological matrices after the hydrolysis with β‐glucuronidase and sufatase: a review of bio‐analytical methods
Authors: Ding Yue , Peng Ming , Zhang Tong , Tao Jian‐Sheng , Cai Zhen‐Zhen , Zhang Yong 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACTGlucuronidation and sulfation represent two major pathways in phase II drug metabolism in humans and other mammalian species. The great majority of drugs, for example, polyphenols, flavonoids and anthraquinones, could be transformed into sulfated and glucuronidated conjugates simultaneously and extensively in vivo. The pharmacological activities of drug conjugations are normally decreased compared with those of their free forms. However, some drug conjugates may either bear biological activities themselves or serve as excellent sources of biologically active compounds. As the bioactivities of drugs are thought to be relevant to the kinetics of their conjugates, it is essential to study the pharmacokinetic behaviors of the conjugates in more detail. Unfortunately, the free forms of drugs cannot be detected directly in most cases if their glucuronides and sulfates are the predominant forms in biological samples. Nevertheless, an initial enzymatic hydrolysis step using β‐glucuronidase and/or sulfatase is usually performed to convert the glucuronidated and/or sulfated conjugates to their free forms prior to the extraction, purification and other subsequent analysis steps in the literature. This review provides fundamental information on drug metabolism pathways, the bio‐analytical strategies for the quantification of various drug conjugates, and the applications of the analytical methods to pharmacokinetic studies. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chiral Hexa‐ and Nonamethylene‐Bridged Bis(L‐Leu‐oxalamide) Gelators: The First Oxalamide Gels Containing Aggregates with a Chiral Morphology
Authors: Vujičić Nataša Šijaković , Glasovac Zoran , Zweep Niek , van Esch Jan H. , Vinković Marijana , Popović Jasminka , Žinić Mladen 
Published: May 2013

AbstractChiral amino acid‐ and amino alcohol‐oxalamides are well‐known as versatile and efficient gelators of various lipophilic and polar organic solvents and water. To further explore the capacity of the amino acid/oxalamide structural fragment as a gelation‐generating motif, the dioxalamide dimethyl esters 16Me and 19Me, and dicarboxylic acid 26OH/29OH derivatives containing flexible methylene bridges with odd (9; n=7) and even (6; n=4) numbers of methylene groups were prepared. Their self‐assembly motifs and gelation properties were studied by using a number of methods (FTIR, 1H NMR spectroscopy, CD, TEM, DSC, XRPD, molecular modeling, MMFF94, and DFT). In contrast to the previously studied chiral bis(amino acid or amino alcohol) oxalamide gelators, in which no chiral morphology was ever observed in the gels, the conformationally more flexible 16Me, 19Me, 26OH, and 29OH provide gelators that are capable of forming diverse aggregates of achiral and chiral morphologies, such as helical fibers, twisted tapes, nanotubules, straight fibers, and tapes, in some cases coexisting in the same gel sample. It is shown that the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)‐determined gelation enthalpies could not be correlated with gelator and solvent clogP values. Spectroscopic results show that intermolecular hydrogen‐bonding between the oxalamide units provides the major and self‐assembly directing intermolecular interaction in the aggregates. Molecular modeling studies reveal that molecular flexibility of gelators due to the presence of the polymethylene bridges gives three conformations (zz, p1, and p2) close in energy, which could form oxalamide hydrogen‐bonded layers. The aggregates of the p1 and p2 conformations tend to twist due to steric repulsion between neighboring iBu groups at chiral centers. The X‐ray powder diffraction (XRPD) results of 16Me and 19Me xerogels prove the formation of p1 and p2 gel aggregates, respectively. The latter results explain the formation of gel aggregates with chiral morphology and also the simultaneous presence of aggregates of diverse morphology in the same gel system.
Development of myenteric cholinergic neurons in ChAT‐Cre;R26R‐YFP mice
Authors: Hao Marlene M. , Bornstein Joel C. , Young Heather M. 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACTCholinergic neurons are the major excitatory neurons of the enteric nervous system (ENS), and include intrinsic sensory neurons, interneurons, and excitatory motor neurons. Cholinergic neurons have been detected in the embryonic ENS; however, the development of these neurons has been difficult to study as they are difficult to detect prior to birth using conventional immunohistochemistry. In this study we used ChAT‐Cre;R26R‐YFP mice to examine the development of cholinergic neurons in the gut of embryonic and postnatal mice. Cholinergic (YFP+) neurons were first detected at embryonic day (E)11.5, and the proportion of cholinergic neurons gradually increased during pre‐ and postnatal development. At birth, myenteric cholinergic neurons comprised less than half of their adult proportions in the small intestine (25% of myenteric neurons were YFP+ at P0 compared to 62% in adults). The earliest cholinergic neurons appear to mainly project anally. Projections into the presumptive circular muscle were first observed at E14.5. A subpopulation of cholinergic neurons coexpress calbindin through embryonic and postnatal development, but only a small proportion coexpressed neuronal nitric oxide synthase. Our study shows that cholinergic neurons in the ENS develop over a protracted period of time. J. Comp. Neurol. 521:3358–3370, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Incompleteness as a Link between Obsessive–Compulsive Personality Traits and Specific Symptom Dimensions of Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder
Authors: Ecker Willi , Kupfer Jochen , Gönner Sascha 
Published: May 2013

This paper examines the contribution of incompleteness/‘not just right experiences’ (NJREs) to an understanding of the relationship between obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) and obsessive–compulsive personality traits (OCPTs). It investigates the association of specific OCD symptom dimensions with OCPTs, conceptualized as continuous phenomena that are also observable below the diagnostic threshold. As empirical findings and clinical observation suggest that incompleteness feelings/NJREs may play a significant affective and motivational role for certain OCD subtypes, but also for patients with accentuated OCPTs, we hypothesized that OCPTs are selectively linked with incompleteness‐associated OCD symptom dimensions (ordering, checking, hoarding and counting). Moreover, we assumed that this selective relationship cannot be demonstrated any more after statistical control of incompleteness, whereas it is preserved after statistical control of anxiety, depression, pathological worry and harm avoidance. Results from a study with a large clinical sample (n = 185) partially support these hypotheses and suggest that NJREs may be an important connecting link between specific OCD symptom dimensions, in particular ordering and checking, and accentuated OCPTs. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.Key Practitioner MessageObsessive–compulsive personality traits (OCPTs) are positively related to obsessive–compulsive disorder symptom dimensions (ordering, checking, hoarding and counting) hypothesized or found to be associated with incompleteness/‘not just right experiences’ (NJREs), but not to washing and obsessions.This positive relationship, which is strongest for ordering and checking, is eliminated when NJREs are statistically controlled.Ordering, checking and accentuated OCPTs may share NJREs as a common affective‐motivational underpinning.Dysfunctional behaviour patterns of people with accentuated OCPTs or obsessive–compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) may be viewed as efforts to avoid or reduce subjectively intolerable NJREs.On the basis of such a conceptualization of OCPD as an emotional disorder, a novel treatment approach for OCPD focusing on habituation to NJREs could be developed.
The First Example of the Two‐Electron Reduction of a Phosphaalkyne – Synthesis and Structural Characterisation of the Diuranium(IV) Pentalene Complex [(U{η5‐C5Me5}{η8‐C8H4(SiiPr3‐1,4)2})2(μ‐η2:η1‐tBuCP)]
Authors: Tsoureas Nikolaos , Kilpatrick Alexander F. R. , Summerscales Owen T. , Nixon John F. , Cloke F. Geoffrey N. , Hitchcock Peter B 
Published: May 2013

AbstractThe facile two‐electron reduction of the phosphaalkyne tBuC≡P by the UIII cyclopentadienyl–pentalene mixed‐sandwich complex [U(η5‐C5Me5){η8‐C8H4(SiiPr3)2}] is reported. A single‐crystal X‐ray structural analysis of the diuranium(IV) product [(U{η5‐C5Me5}{η8‐C8H4(SiiPr3)2})2(μ‐tBuCP)] shows that it contains a slightly unsymmetrical, bridging μ‐η2:η1‐ligated phosphaalkene dianion.
Synthesis and Structural Studies of α/β‐Peptides Derived from Fused Furano‐pyran­ β‐Amino Acid and L‐Ala
Authors: Sharma Gangavaram V. M. , Sridhar Tailor , Reddy Pothula Purushotham , Kunwar Ajit C. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractNew fused cis‐ and trans‐furano‐pyran β‐amino acids were synthesized. The cis‐monomer was utilized for the synthesis of α/β‐peptides (tetra‐, penta‐, hexa‐ and hepta‐mers), to understand its impact on helix formation. Conformational analysis of the peptides with a “β‐α‐β” sequence at the C‐terminus showed the presence of a left‐handed 9/11‐helix in which the nine‐membered H‐bond motif is found to be weak and contributes only a small amount of electrostatic interaction to helix stabilization. Peptides with an “α‐β‐α” sequence at the C‐terminus revealed the presence of a left‐handed 9/11‐helix involving the central residues and display a clear 12‐membered turn at the C‐terminus. In both the cases, the 9/11‐helix was stabilized by a seven‐membered H‐bond at the N‐terminus.