bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Kinetics of glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)3β and phosphorylated GSK3β (Ser 9) expression in experimentally induced periapical lesions
Authors: Sun Z. , Wang L. , Peng B. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractAimTo investigate the kinetics of GSK3β and p‐GSK3β (Ser 9) expression in experimentally induced rat periapical lesions and to explore their possible functions in the pathogenesis of periapical lesions.MethodologyPeriapical lesions were established in Wistar rats by occlusal pulp exposure in mandibular first molar teeth. The animals were killed on days 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28. Micro‐computed tomographic, histological and enzyme histochemical analyses were performed to detect the progression of periapical lesions. Immunohistochemistry, double‐dye immunofluorescence and Western blot were performed to determine the expression of GSK3β and p‐GSK3β (Ser 9) in periapical tissues.ResultsFrom day 0 to day 28, the lesion volume and area gradually expanded, and the GSK3β‐positive cells gradually ascended. A few p‐GSK3β (Ser 9)‐positive cells and osteoclasts appeared on day 7 and then climaxed on day 14. The numbers then simultaneously decreased from day 21 to day 28. Western blot analysis revealed that p‐GSK3β (Ser 9) and GSK3β proteins were expressed at all time‐points. The positive cells and protein expression ratio of p‐GSK3β (Ser 9) against GSK3β increased from day 0 to day 14 and then decreased from day 14 to day 28. Finally, double‐dye immunofluorescence assay revealed that p‐GSK3β (Ser 9)‐positive and RANKL‐positive cells were co‐localized around periapical lesions on days 14 and 28.ConclusionsGSK3β and p‐GSK3β (Ser 9) can be observed and may be involved in alveolar bone resorption and inflammatory response in periapical lesions, as well as associated with periapical lesion pathogenesis.
Oestrogen up‐regulates interleukin‐21 production by CD4+T lymphocytes in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Lee Jennifer , Shin Eun‐Kyoung , Lee Seon‐Yeong , Her Yang‐Mi , Park Mi‐Kyung , Kwok Seung‐Ki , Ju Ji Hyeon , Park Kyung‐Su , Kim Ho‐Youn , Cho Mi‐La , Park Sung‐Hwan 
Published: February 2014

SummarySystemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease in which abnormal immune responses are mediated by tissue‐binding autoantibodies and immune complex deposition. Because most SLE patients are women of child‐bearing age, oestrogen has been suggested to play an important role in SLE pathogenesis. One proposed role is to induce B‐cell activation, culminating in increased autoantibody production. Interleukin‐21 (IL‐21) has been shown to be crucial in the differentiation of activated B cells into plasma cells. We therefore hypothesized that oestrogen up‐regulates IL‐21 production and induces subsequent B‐cell activation in SLE patients. Peripheral blood was obtained from 22 SLE patients and 16 healthy controls. Expression levels of IL‐21 and its receptor in serum, peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and CD4+ T cells were higher in SLE patients than in healthy controls. Exposure of CD4+ T cells from SLE patients to 17β‐oestradiol led to a dose‐ and time‐dependent increase in IL‐21 expression, which was abolished in the presence of mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) (MAPK kinase, p38, Jun N‐terminal kinase) inhibitors. B cells from healthy controls showed increased antibody production when they were co‐cultured with oestrogen‐treated CD4+ T cells from SLE patients. Treatment with IL‐21 antibody abrogated the increased antibody production of the co‐culture systems. This study revealed the association between oestrogen and IL‐21 in SLE patients. Oestrogen up‐regulates IL‐21 expression of CD4+ T cells via MAPK‐dependent pathways in SLE patients, which in turn induces increased antibody production by B cells.
Effectiveness of the 2010 and 2011 Southern Hemisphere trivalent inactivated influenza vaccines against hospitalization with influenza‐associated acute respiratory infection among Thai adults aged ≥50 years
Authors: Dawood Fatimah S. , Prapasiri Prabda , Areerat Peera , Ruayajin Asadang , Chittaganpitch Malinee , Muangchana Charung , Baggett Henry C. , Olsen Sonja J. 
Published: February 2014

BackgroundInactivated influenza vaccine (IIV) effectiveness has been evaluated among older adults in high‐income countries, but data on IIV effectiveness in low‐ and middle‐income countries remain sparse. We conducted a test‐negative case–control analysis to estimate 2010 and 2011 trivalent IIV effectiveness against hospitalization with influenza‐associated acute respiratory infection (ARI) among persons aged ≥50 years in rural Thailand.MethodsDuring 2010–2011, active surveillance for ARI hospitalization was conducted in two provinces; patients were tested for influenza viruses by real‐time RT‐PCR. Vaccination status was obtained from vaccine registries. Case and control patients were patients with nasopharyngeal swabs positive and negative for influenza viruses, respectively. Vaccine effectiveness (VE) was estimated for the 6 months after vaccination began. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between case status and vaccination while adjusting for age, province, medical conditions, and time.ResultsDuring 2010–2011, there were 1545 patients with ARI, of whom 279 (18%) were influenza‐positive case patients and 1266 (82%) were influenza‐negative control patients. Of the 279 case patients, 247 (89%) had influenza A and 32 (11%) had influenza B. Fourteen of 279 (5%) case patients and 108 of 1266 (9%) control patients were vaccinated against influenza. The unadjusted IIV effectiveness against hospitalization with influenza‐associated ARI was 43% (95% CI: 0–68%); adjusted VE was 47% (95% CI: 5–71%).ConclusionThe 2010 and 2011 IIVs were moderately effective against hospitalization with influenza‐associated ARI among Thais aged ≥50 years, but IIV coverage was low. Additional efforts are warranted in Thailand to improve IIV uptake in this target group.
Respiratory viral infections among hospitalized adults: experience of a single tertiary healthcare hospital
Authors: Walker Ellie , Ison Michael G. 
Published: February 2014

BackgroundFollowing the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, there have been a large number of studies focusing on the epidemiology and outcomes of influenza A infection; however, there have been fewer studies focused on other respiratory viral infections.ObjectivesTo define the epidemiology and outcomes of non‐influenza respiratory viral infections in hospitalized adults.Patients/MethodsData on all patients ≥18 years of age with a positive molecular respiratory viral assay who were hospitalized at a single tertiary healthcare system in Chicago, IL, from retrospectively collected and analyzed.ResultsOver the study period, 503 of 46 024 (1·1%) admitted patients had a positive RVP result. Human rhinovirus was the most commonly detected virus followed by influenza A, human metapneumovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, and parainfluenza virus, adenovirus, and influenza B, respectively. Infection in immunocompromised patients was associated with a higher rate of progression to pneumonia and death.ConclusionsNon‐influenza respiratory viral infections are commonly detected among adults admitted to the hospital and can cause serious illness. The data can inform the prioritization of research into novel antiviral therapies for these infections.
Dielectric Relaxations and Phase Transition in Laser Crystals Gd2SiO5 and Yb‐Doped Gd2SiO5
Authors: Liu Lina , Wang Chunchang , Zhang Deming , Zhang Qinling , Ning Kaijie , Wang Jing , Sun Xiaohong 
Published: February 2014

The crystals Gd2SiO5 and Yb‐doped Gd2SiO5 were grown by Czochralski method successfully. Dielectric properties of the two crystals were investigated in the temperature range from 100 to 1100 K and the frequency range from 20 Hz to 10 MHz. Our results revealed that these crystals show intrinsic dielectric behavior in the temperature below room temperature, whereas in above room temperature, a relaxor‐like dielectric anomaly and a metal–insulator transition were observed. It was found that the relaxor‐like anomaly contains two dielectric relaxations. Impedance analysis showed that the low‐ and high‐temperature relaxations are dipolar‐ and Maxwell–Wagner‐type relaxation, respectively. The transition was found to be strongly related to oxygen vacancies, which leads to positive temperature coefficient of resistance and an abnormal dielectric behavior contrary to the conventional thermally activated behavior at temperatures near the transition temperature.
Plasticity‐Controlled Friction and Wear in Nanocrystalline SiC
Authors: Mishra Maneesh , Tangpatjaroen Chaiyapat , Szlufarska Izabela 
Published: February 2014

Wear resistance of ceramics can be improved by suppressing fracture, which can be accomplished either by decreasing the grain size or by reducing the size of the deformation zone. We have combined these two strategies with the goal of understanding the atomistic mechanisms underlying the plasticity‐controlled friction and wear in nanocrystalline (nc) silicon carbide (SiC). We have performed molecular dynamics simulations of nanoscale wear on nc‐SiC with 5 nm grain diameter with a nanoscale cutting tool. We find that grain‐boundary (GB) sliding is the primary deformation mechanism during wear and that it is accommodated by heterogeneous nucleation of partial dislocations, formation of voids at the triple junctions, and grain pull‐out. We estimate the stresses required for heterogeneous nucleation of partial dislocations at triple junctions and shear strength of GBs. Pile up in nc‐SiC consists of grains that were pulled out during deformation. We compare the wear response of nc‐SiC to single‐crystal (sc) SiC and show that scratch hardness of nc‐SiC is lower than that of sc‐SiC. Our results demonstrate that the higher scratch hardness in sc‐SiC originates from nucleation and motion of dislocations, whereas nc‐SiC is more pliable due to additional mechanism of deformation via GB sliding.
Microwave Dielectric Ceramics Li2MO4−TiO2 (M = Mo, W) with Low Sintering Temperatures
Authors: Guo Jing , Zhou Di , Zou Shen‐Li , Wang Hong , Pang Li‐Xia , Yao Xi 
Published: February 2014

In this work, novel series of (1 − x)Li2MO4–xTiO2 (M = Mo, W; x = 0.3, 0.4, 0.45, 0.5, 0.6) ceramics were developed for microwave dielectric application. They were prepared via the mixed‐oxide process and the phase composition, microstructures, sintering behaviors, and microwave dielectric properties were investigated. The X‐ray diffraction (XRD) pattern and scanning electron microscope analysis indicated that the Li2MO4 (M = Mo, W) did not react with rutile TiO2 and a stable two‐phase composite system Li2MO4–TiO2 (M = Mo, W) was formed. The XRD pattern of cofired ceramics revealed that some parts of Li2MoO4 phase and very small part of Li2WO4 phase react with Ag to form Ag2MoO4 phase and Ag2WO4 phase, respectively. At x = 0.45–0.5, temperature stable microwave dielectric materials with low sintering temperature (700°C–730°C) were obtained: εr = 10.6–11.0, Qf = 30 060–32 800 GHz, and temperature coefficient of resonant frequency ~0 ppm/°C.
A Novel Multifunctional Upconversion Phosphor: Yb3+/Er3+ Codoped La2S3
Authors: Yang Yanmin , Mi Chao , Jiao Fuyun , Su Xianyuan , Li Xiaodong , Liu Linlin , Zhang Jiao , Yu Fang , Liu Yanzhou , Mai Yaohua 
Published: February 2014

Yb3+/Er3+ codoped La2S3 upconversion (UC) phosphors have been synthesized using high‐temperature solid‐state method. Under 971‐nm excitation, the maximum luminescence power can reach 0.64 mW at the excitation power density of 16 W/cm2 and an absolute power yield of 0.36% was determined by an absolute method at the excitation power density of 3 W/cm2, and the quantum yield of La2S3:Yb3+, Er3+ (green ~0.18%, red ~0.03%, integration ~0.21) was comparable to that of NaYF4:Yb3+, Er3+ nanocrystals (integration ~0.005–0.30). Frequency upconverted emissions from two thermally coupled excited states of Er3+ were recorded in the temperature range 100–900 K. The maximum sensitivity of temperature sensing is 0.0075 K−1. As the excitation power density increases, the temperature of host materials rapidly rises and the top temperature can reach to 600 K. Given the intense UC emission, high sensitivity, as well as good photothermal stability, La2S3:Yb3+/Er3+ phosphor can become a promising composite material for photothermal ablation of cancer cells possessing the functions of temperature sensing and in vivo imaging.
Direct Coagulation Casting of Alumina Suspension from Calcium Citrate Assisted by pH Shift
Authors: Xu Jie , Zhang Yanxue , Qu Yanan , Qi Fei , Zhang Xiaoyan , Yang Jinlong 
Published: February 2014

Direct coagulation casting of alumina suspension via controlled release of high valence counter ions (DCC–HVCI) using calcium citrate as coagulating agent was reported. Hydrolysis of glycerol diacetate shifts the pH of suspension to weakly acidic region which helps to decompose calcium citrate and release calcium ions. The effect of concentration of glycerol diacetate and calcium citrate on the pH and viscosity of alumina suspension was investigated at 25°C and 60°C, respectively. The pH of suspensions with glycerol diacetate and calcium citrate decreases to 8.6 and 7.5 treated at 25°C and 60°C, respectively. It is indicated that high viscosity is achieved by adding 2 vol% glycerol diacetate and 0.5 wt% calcium citrate which is enough to coagulate the suspension. Green body with compressive strength of 1.0 MPa is obtained by treating the alumina suspension with 2 vol% glycerol diacetate and 0.5 wt% calcium citrate at 60°C for 1 h. The alumina ceramics sintered at 1550°C have homogeneous microstructure with relative density above 99.0%.
Topographical and Microstructural Property Evolution of Air Plasma‐Sprayed Zirconia Thermal Barrier Coatings
Authors: Sesso Mitchell L. , Berndt Christopher C. , Wong Yat C. 
Published: February 2014

The effects of process parameters on thermal barrier coating (TBC) formation and microstructural properties have been studied. Further understanding of the evolution of properties such as porosity and hardness is an important aspect in the design of efficient TBCs. Plasma‐sprayed yttria‐stabilized zirconia was coated onto mild steel substrates. The torch was held perpendicular to the substrate to form cone‐shaped deposits. Standoff distance (SOD) (80, 90, and 120 mm) and time (15, 30, and 60 s) were altered to investigate the microstructural property relationships of the coatings. Shape characteristics of the coatings were measured via a coordinate measuring machine, and surface roughness measurements were acquired using a 3D optical profiler. The deposition efficiency and coating roughness were affected by SOD and the evolving contour of the underlying surface. Hardness and porosity profiles were mapped to display the effect of process parameters. Dynamic parameters such as particle trajectory, evolving impact angle and dwell time affected changes in porosity, hardness, and density for each coating profile.
Historical biogeography of Aganope, Brachypterum and Derris (Fabaceae, tribe Millettieae): insights into the origins of Palaeotropical intercontinental disjunctions and general biogeographical patterns in Southeast Asia
Authors: Sirichamorn Yotsawate , Thomas Daniel C. , Adema Frits A. C. B. , van Welzen Peter C. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractAimThe historical biogeography of three Palaeotropical legume genera, Aganope, Brachypterum and Derris, was investigated with the aim of (1) evaluating competing hypotheses on the origins of Palaeotropical intercontinental disjunctions (PIDs), and (2) inferring spatio‐temporal diversification patterns in tropical Southeast Asia.LocationPalaeotropics.MethodsPlastid (trnL–F IGS, psbA–trnH IGS and trnK–matK ORF) and nuclear ribosomal (ITS/5.8S) DNA sequence data, covering the geographical distribution of all three genera, were analysed using an uncorrelated‐rates relaxed molecular clock model. Ancestral areas were reconstructed using a likelihood approach implementing the dispersal–extinction–cladogenesis model (Lagrange) and a Bayesian approach to dispersal–vicariance analysis (S‐DIVA).ResultsA wide ancestral distribution in Africa and Asia was inferred for the Aganope stem and crown groups, with a vicariance event between Africa and Asia in the early Miocene. The Southeast Asian mainland was inferred as the ancestral area for both the Brachypterum and the Derris crown groups. The reconstructions indicated numerous dispersal events westwards to India, and eastwards across Wallace's Line to New Guinea from the middle Miocene onwards. Two dispersal events from Asia to Africa, in the Miocene–Pliocene in Brachypterum and in the Pliocene–Pleistocene in Derris, were deduced.Main conclusionsThe PID in Aganope is likely to be the result of vicariance, caused by climatic deterioration subsequent to the Middle Miocene Climatic Optimum. The inferred PIDs in Brachypterum and Derris in the middle Miocene to Pliocene–Pleistocene are consistent with long‐distance dispersal. The biogeographical patterns of Brachypterum and Derris are similar to patterns identified in other Southeast Asian plant taxa, and highly congruent with geological events in Southeast Asia facilitating dispersal from the early Miocene onwards. Preadaptation to several environmental conditions and habitats including mangrove swamps, and high dispersal capabilities by hydrochory may explain the wide distributions of some species and frequent dispersal across oceanic water bodies separating western and eastern Malesia.
Eplerenone‐Mediated Regression of Electrical Activation Delays and Myocardial Fibrosis in Heart Failure
Authors: TANAKA‐ESPOSITO CHRISTINE , VARAHAN SUBHA , JEYARAJ DARWIN , LU YUAN , STAMBLER BRUCE S. 
Published: February 2014

Eplerenone Reverses Electrical Delays and FibrosisIntroductionMineralocorticoid receptor (MR) antagonism reduces sudden cardiac death in heart failure, but the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. Concurrent treatment with an MR antagonist during rapid ventricular pacing (RVP) prevents development of adverse ventricular electrophysiological remodeling, interstitial fibrosis, inflammatory cytokine gene activation, and ventricular tachyarrhythmia inducibility without diminishing the extent of systolic dysfunction. We hypothesized that attenuating preexistent inflammatory pathways and myocardial fibrosis with eplerenone after systolic heart failure is established by rapid pacing can reduce electrical activation delays and arrhythmia vulnerability.Methods and ResultsDogs subjected to RVP for 8 weeks in the absence or presence of eplerenone treatment during the final 4 weeks of pacing were assessed by echocardiography, electrophysiology study, ventricular fibrosis measurements, and inflammatory cytokine mRNA expression analysis. Eplerenone reversed preexistent ventricular activation delays, interstitial fibrosis, inflammatory cytokine (interleukin‐6, tumor necrosis factor‐α) gene overexpression, and arrhythmia vulnerability in ventricular paced dogs with heart failure. Eplerenone failed to improve left ventricular systolic dysfunction or chamber enlargement. A correlation between severity of fibrosis and ventricular arrhythmia inducibility was found.ConclusionsMR antagonism regresses rapid pacing‐induced electrical delays, inflammatory cytokine gene activation, and fibrosis in heart failure. Ventricular arrhythmia vulnerability in heart failure is correlated with extent of fibrosis and electrical activation delays during premature excitation.
The roles of αV integrins in lens EMT and posterior capsular opacification
Authors: Mamuya Fahmy A. , Wang Yan , Roop Victoria H. , Scheiblin David A. , Zajac Jocelyn C. , Duncan Melinda K. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractPosterior capsular opacification (PCO) is the major complication arising after cataract treatment. PCO occurs when the lens epithelial cells remaining following surgery (LCs) undergo a wound healing response producing a mixture of α‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA)‐expressing myofibroblasts and lens fibre cells, which impair vision. Prior investigations have proposed that integrins play a central role in PCO and we found that, in a mouse fibre cell removal model of cataract surgery, expression of αV integrin and its interacting β‐subunits β1, β5, β6, β8 are up‐regulated concomitant with α‐SMA in LCs following surgery. To test the hypothesis that αV integrins are functionally important in PCO pathogenesis, we created mice lacking the αV integrin subunit in all lens cells. Adult lenses lacking αV integrins are transparent and show no apparent morphological abnormalities when compared with control lenses. However, following surgical fibre cell removal, the LCs in control eyes increased cell proliferation, and up‐regulated the expression of α‐SMA, β1‐integrin, fibronectin, tenascin‐C and transforming growth factor beta (TGF‐β)–induced protein within 48 hrs, while LCs lacking αV integrins exhibited much less cell proliferation and little to no up‐regulation of any of the fibrotic markers tested. This effect appears to result from the known roles of αV integrins in latent TGF‐β activation as αV integrin null lenses do not exhibit detectable SMAD‐3 phosphorylation after surgery, while this occurs robustly in control lenses, consistent with the known roles for TGF‐β in fibrotic PCO. These data suggest that therapeutics antagonizing αV integrin function could be used to prevent fibrotic PCO following cataract surgery.
Male mealworm beetles increase resting metabolic rate under terminal investment
Authors: Krams I. A. , Krama T. , Moore F. R. , Kivleniece I. , Kuusik A. , Freeberg T. M. , Mänd R. , Rantala M. J. , Daukšte J. , Mänd M. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractHarmful parasite infestation can cause energetically costly behavioural and immunological responses, with the potential to reduce host fitness and survival. It has been hypothesized that the energetic costs of infection cause resting metabolic rate (RMR) to increase. Furthermore, under terminal investment theory, individuals exposed to pathogens should allocate resources to current reproduction when life expectancy is reduced, instead of concentrating resources on an immune defence. In this study, we activated the immune system of Tenebrio molitor males via insertion of nylon monofilament, conducted female preference tests to estimate attractiveness of male odours and assessed RMR and mortality. We found that attractiveness of males coincided with significant down‐regulation of their encapsulation response against a parasite‐like intruder. Activation of the immune system increased RMR only in males with heightened odour attractiveness and that later suffered higher mortality rates. The results suggest a link between high RMR and mortality and support terminal investment theory in T. molitor.