bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Study of the Variation of Catalyst Loading in Cathode for SPEEK/CSMM Membrane in Direct Methanol Fuel Cell (DMFC)
Authors: Rosli S. E. , Mohd-Norddin M. N. A. , Jaafar J. , Sudirman R. 
Published: August 2014

Variation of anode catalyst loading for modified sulfonated poly (ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) with charged surface modifying macromolecules (cSMM) membrane was studied, in order to get the higher performance in DMFC. The best optimal anode catalyst loading was 4 mgcm-2 for 30% Pt/Ru based on our previous result for this application. The modified SPEEK/CSMM membrane was characterized to ensure of its better performance in term of water uptake and methanol permeability. In cathode side, the effect of 5% and 10% Pd/C in 2,4 and 6 mgcm-2 of catalyst loading has been investigated with a fuel cell assembly. The preparation method of catalyst ink and membrane electrode assembly (MEA) was based on Dr. Blade method and hot pressing by using catalyzed diffusion media (CDM) method. The air flowrates were varied from 25-1000ml min-1, while 1M methanol concentrations, 1 ml min-1 of methanol flowrate and 60°C operating temperature were kept constant. These parameters were tested on the performance of single cell DMFC with 4 cm2 electrodes.The optimization catalyst loading will enhance the DMFC performance. It was found, the best optimal cathode catalyst loading was 4 mgcm-2 for 10% Pd/C with 4 mgcm-2 for 30% Pt/Ru in anode side for this application.
Experimental Study on a Multi-stage Air Gap Membrane Distillation (AGMD) Unit
Authors: Bahar Rubina , Hawlader M. N. A. , Ng K. C. , Jiun Haw Yee 
Published: August 2014

Membrane distillation (MD) is a separation process that involves vapour transport through a hydrophobic membrane. The evaporation is caused by the partial pressure difference between a hot fluid and cold fluid/surface. In this study, an air gap MD (AGMD) process is utilized to produce freshwater from saline solution. A multi-stage AGMD unit with 0.45 mm pore size Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) membranes is built and experiments have been carried out with different operating variables including feed temperature, coolant temperature, air gap width and feed inlet concentration.A maximum of 12.9 kg/m2 of distillate flux was obtained per kWh energy input from the multi-stage MD unit while for a previously built single-stage MD unit, the highest water/power ratio obtained was only 2.3 kg /m2 kWh. This variation indicates that multistaging is necessary for efficeint energy use in MD system.
Numerical dimension and a Kawamata–Viehweg–Nadel-type vanishing theorem on compact Kähler manifolds
Authors: Cao Junyan 
Published: August 2014

AbstractLet $X$ be a compact Kähler manifold and let $(L,{\it\varphi})$ be a pseudo-effective line bundle on $X$. We first define a notion of numerical dimension for pseudo-effective line bundles with singular metrics, and then discuss the properties of this numerical dimension. Finally, we prove a very general Kawamata–Viehweg–Nadel-type vanishing theorem on an arbitrary compact Kähler manifold.
Viral Pathogen-Associated Molecular Patterns Regulate Blood-Brain Barrier Integrity via Competing Innate Cytokine Signals
Authors: Daniels Brian P. , Holman David W. , Cruz-Orengo Lillian , Jujjavarapu Harsha , Durrant Douglas M. , Klein Robyn S. 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACT

Pattern recognition receptor (PRR) detection of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), such as viral RNA, drives innate immune responses against West Nile virus (WNV), an emerging neurotropic pathogen. Here we demonstrate that WNV PAMPs orchestrate endothelial responses to WNV via competing innate immune cytokine signals at the blood-brain barrier (BBB), a multicellular interface with highly specialized brain endothelial cells that normally prevents pathogen entry. While Th1 cytokines increase the permeability of endothelial barriers, type I interferon (IFN) promoted and stabilized BBB function. Induction of innate cytokines by pattern recognition pathways directly regulated BBB permeability and tight junction formation via balanced activation of the small GTPases Rac1 and RhoA, which in turn regulated the transendothelial trafficking of WNV.
In vivo
, mice with attenuated type I IFN signaling or IFN induction (
Ifnar

−/−

Irf7

−/−

) exhibited enhanced BBB permeability and tight junction dysregulation after WNV infection. Together, these data provide new insight into host-pathogen interactions at the BBB during neurotropic viral infection.

IMPORTANCE
West Nile virus (WNV) is an emerging pathogen capable of infecting the central nervous system (CNS), causing fatal encephalitis. However, the mechanisms that control the ability of WNV to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and access the CNS are unclear. In this study, we show that detection of WNV by host tissues induces innate immune cytokine expression at the BBB, regulating BBB structure and function and impacting transendothelial trafficking of WNV. This regulatory effect is shown to happen rapidly following exposure to virus, to occur independently of viral replication within BBB cells, and to require the signaling of cytoskeletal regulatory Rho GTPases. These results provide new understanding of host-pathogen interactions at the BBB during viral encephalitis.
Dectin-1 Is Expressed in Human Lung and Mediates the Proinflammatory Immune Response to Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae
Authors: Heyl Kerstin A. , Klassert Tilman E. , Heinrich Annina , Müller Mario M. , Klaile Esther , Dienemann Hendrik , Grünewald Christiane , Bals Robert , Singer Bernhard B. , Slevogt Hortense 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACT

The C-type lectin receptor Dectin-1 is expressed mainly on myeloid cells mediating the immune response targeting respiratory pathogens such as
Aspergillus fumigatus
and
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
. The pulmonary epithelium serves as an important interface for interactions between these pathogens and the respiratory tract. Therefore, we analyzed the expression pattern of Dectin-1 in the human lung. Immunohistochemically stained human lung sections from 17 out of 19 individuals were positive for Dectin-1, which was expressed mainly apically on bronchial and alveolar epithelium. Our results showed no correlation with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or the smoking habits of the patients. Nontypeable
Haemophilus influenzae
(NTHI), an important bacterial pathogen of the respiratory tract with significant importance in COPD, has also been proposed to be recognized by Dectin-1, suggesting a possible impact on the NTHI-dependent immune response in human airways. Therefore, the involvement of Dectin-1 in NTHI-triggered cytokine responses was investigated in primary normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells and in the A549 cell line stably transfected with Dectin-1. The presence of Dectin-1 significantly increased cytokine release in response to NTHI in NHBE and A549 cells. In addition, phosphorylation of the Dectin-1 hem-immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (hemITAM) was essential for the Dectin-1-triggered response to NTHI in A549 cells. In conclusion, in human airways, epithelium-expressed Dectin-1 may play a significant role in generating an NTHI-mediated, proinflammatory immune response.

IMPORTANCE
In this study, we demonstrated, for the first time, the expression of Dectin-1 on human lung tissues and, in particular, pulmonary epithelium by making use of immunohistochemical staining. The epithelial lining of the human airways is an important interface for host-pathogen interactions. Therefore, our data suggest that epithelium-expressed Dectin-1 is of considerable importance for the interaction of the human airways with pathogens detected by this receptor, such as
A. fumigatus
and
M. tuberculosis
. Moreover, we further demonstrated that, in pulmonary epithelial cells, Dectin-1 enhances the proinflammatory immune response to NTHI. In COPD patients, NTHI is a major cause of respiratory tract infections and is associated with proinflammatory immune responses in the lower airways. Therefore, our data suggest that the functional interaction of Dectin-1 with NTHI in human airways may have an important impact on the pathogenesis of COPD.
The Influence of Repressor DNA Binding Site Architecture on Transcriptional Control
Authors: Park Dan M. , Kiley Patricia J. 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACT

How the architecture of DNA binding sites dictates the extent of repression of promoters is not well understood. Here, we addressed the importance of the number and information content of the three direct repeats (DRs) in the binding and repression of the
icdA
promoter by the phosphorylated form of the global
Escherichia coli
repressor ArcA (ArcA-P). We show that decreasing the information content of the two sites with the highest information (DR1 and DR2) eliminated ArcA binding to all three DRs and ArcA repression of
icdA
. Unexpectedly, we also found that DR3 occupancy functions principally in repression, since mutation of this low-information-content site both eliminated DNA binding to DR3 and significantly weakened
icdA
repression, despite the fact that binding to DR1 and DR2 was intact. In addition, increasing the information content of any one of the three DRs or addition of a fourth DR increased ArcA-dependent repression but perturbed signal-dependent regulation of repression. Thus, our data show that the information content and number of DR elements are critical architectural features for maintaining a balance between high-affinity binding and signal-dependent regulation of
icdA
promoter function in response to changes in ArcA-P levels. Optimization of such architectural features may be a common strategy to either dampen or enhance the sensitivity of DNA binding among the members of the large OmpR/PhoB family of regulators as well as other transcription factors.

IMPORTANCE
In
Escherichia coli
, the response regulator ArcA maintains homeostasis of redox carriers under O
2
-limiting conditions through a comprehensive repression of carbon oxidation pathways that require aerobic respiration to recycle redox carriers. Although a binding site architecture comprised of a variable number of sequence recognition elements has been identified within the promoter regions of ArcA-repressed operons, it is unclear how this variable architecture dictates transcriptional regulation. By dissecting the role of multiple sequence elements within the
icdA
promoter, we provide insight into the design principles that allow ArcA to repress transcription within diverse promoter contexts. Our data suggest that the arrangement of recognition elements is tailored to achieve sufficient repression of a given promoter while maintaining appropriate signal-dependent regulation of repression, providing insight into how diverse binding site architectures link changes in O
2
with the fine-tuning of carbon oxidation pathway levels.
Socioeconomic inequality in salt intake in Britain 10 years after a national salt reduction programme
Authors: Ji Chen , Cappuccio Francesco P 
Published: August 2014

ObjectivesThe impact of the national salt reduction programme in the UK on social inequalities is unknown. We examined spatial and socioeconomic variations in salt intake in the 2008–2011 British National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) and compared them with those before the programme in 2000–2001.SettingCross-sectional survey in Great Britain.Participants1027 Caucasian males and females, aged 19–64 years.Primary outcome measuresParticipants’ dietary sodium intake measured with a 4-day food diary. Bayesian geo-additive models used to assess spatial and socioeconomic patterns of sodium intake accounting for sociodemographic, anthropometric and behavioural confounders.ResultsDietary sodium intake varied significantly across socioeconomic groups, even when adjusting for geographical variations. There was higher dietary sodium intake in people with the lowest educational attainment (coefficient: 0.252 (90% credible intervals 0.003, 0.486)) and in low levels of occupation (coefficient: 0.109 (−0.069, 0.288)). Those with no qualification had, on average, a 5.7% (0.1%, 11.1%) higher dietary sodium intake than the reference group. Compared to 2000-2001 the gradient of dietary sodium intake from south to north was attenuated after adjustments for confounders. Estimated dietary sodium consumption from food sources (not accounting for discretionary sources) was reduced by 366 mg of sodium (∼0.9 g of salt) per day during the 10-year period, likely the effect of national salt reduction initiatives.ConclusionsSocial inequalities in salt intake have not seen a reduction following the national salt reduction programme and still explain more than 5% of salt intake between more and less affluent groups. Understanding the socioeconomic pattern of salt intake is crucial to reduce inequalities. Efforts are needed to minimise the gap between socioeconomic groups for an equitable delivery of cardiovascular prevention.
The Existence of Positive Solutions for Boundary Value Problem of Nonlinear Fractional Differential Equations
Authors: Chen Yanli , Li Yongxiang 
Published: August 2014

We consider the existence of positive solutions for the nonlinear fractional differential equations boundary value problem-D0+αu(t)=f(t,u(t)),   0<t<1,  u(0)=u'(0)=u'(1)=0,where2<α≤3is a real number,D0+αis the Riemann-Liouville fractional derivative of orderα, andfis a given continuous function. Our analysis relies on the fixed point index theory in cones.
Circulating Mitochondrial DNA Level, a Noninvasive Biomarker for the Early Detection of Gastric Cancer
Authors: Fernandes Julien , Michel Valérie , Camorlinga-Ponce Margarita , Gomez Alejandro , Maldonado Carmen , De Reuse Hilde , Torres Javier , Touati Eliette 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
Background: Gastric cancer represents a major health burden worldwide and is often diagnosed at an advanced stage. Biomarkers for screening and prevention of gastric cancer are missing. Changes in peripheral blood mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) have emerged as a potential preventive/diagnosis biomarker for cancer risk. We aimed to determine whether peripheral leukocytes mtDNA levels are associated with stages of the gastric carcinogenesis cascade.
Methods: We measured mtDNA by quantitative real-time PCR assay in peripheral leukocytes of 28 patients with non-atrophic gastritis (NAG), 74 patients with gastric cancer, and 48 matched asymptomatic controls. In parallel, the serologic level of IL8 was determined.
Results: Mean mtDNA level was higher in patients with gastric cancer (P = 0.0095) than in controls, with values &gt;8.46 significantly associated with gastric cancer (OR, 3.93). Three ranges of mtDNA values were identified: interval I, &lt;2.0; interval II, 2.0–20; and interval III, &gt;20. Interval I included mainly NAG cases, and few gastric cancer samples and interval III corresponded almost exclusively to patients with gastric cancer. All controls fell in interval II, together with some NAG and gastric cancer cases. IL8 levels were significantly higher in patients with gastric cancer (P &lt; 0.05), with levels &gt;50 pg/mL observed exclusively in patients with gastric cancer, allowing to distinguish them within interval II. We validated mtDNA results in a second cohort of patients, confirming that mtDNA was significantly higher in gastric cancer than in patients with preneoplasia.
Conclusions: Circulating levels of mtDNA and IL8 constitute a potential biomarker for the early detection of gastric cancer.
Impact: Our findings lead us to propose a new noninvasive method to detect patients with gastric cancer risk. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 23(11); 2430–8. ©2014 AACR.
Prediagnostic Circulating Anti-Müllerian Hormone Concentrations Are Not Associated with Prostate Cancer Risk
Authors: Sklavos Martha M. , Zhou Cindy Ke , Pinto Ligia A. , Cook Michael B. 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
Despite considerable research, the pathogenesis of prostate cancer remains poorly understood. Meanwhile, PSA testing has shifted prostate cancer case populations for study to include a greater proportion of asymptomatic and indolent disease. Thus, efforts to identify prostate cancer biomarkers—particularly for aggressive disease—are required to elucidate pathogenesis and aid screening efficacy. Current evidence suggests that decreased circulating concentrations of the testis-derived, TGFβ family peptide hormone—anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH)—may be associated with prostate cancer pathogenesis. To test this hypothesis, we measured AMH concentrations in prediagnostic (cohort baseline) sera using the Beckman Coulter AMH Gen II ELISA in 1,000 cases and 1,000 controls nested within the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial. Controls were frequency matched to cases on age at entry, enrollment year, and years of follow-up. Unconditional logistic regression models, adjusted for age at randomization, were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). We found that prediagnostic serologic AMH concentrations were not significantly associated with total (ORQ4 vs. Q1 = 1.15; 95% CI, 0.89–1.48; Ptrend = 0.13), aggressive (ORQ4 vs. Q1 = 1.14; 95% CI, 0.80–1.63; Ptrend = 0.51), or nonaggressive (ORQ4 vs. Q1 = 1.22; 95% CI, 0.91–1.63; Ptrend = 0.07) prostate cancer risks. Different definitions of aggressive disease did not meaningfully alter these results. Despite in vitro studies linking AMH to prostate cancer, this first analysis of prediagnostic, circulating AMH concentrations in men provides no evidence for an association with prostate cancer risk. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 23(11); 2597–602. ©2014 AACR.
Telomere Length and Mortality Following a Diagnosis of Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Kotsopoulos Joanne , Prescott Jennifer , De Vivo Immaculata , Fan Isabel , Mclaughlin John , Rosen Barry , Risch Harvey , Sun Ping , Narod Steven A. 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
Background: Telomeres are essential for the maintenance of chromosomal integrity. Telomere shortening leads to genomic instability, which is hypothesized to play a role in cancer development and prognosis. No studies to date have evaluated the prognostic significance of telomere length for ovarian cancer.
Methods: We examined whether relative telomere length in peripheral blood leukocytes was associated with survival following a diagnosis of ovarian cancer. We analyzed data from a large population-based study of incident ovarian cancer conducted in Ontario between 1995 and 2004. Telomere length was measured using the quantitative PCR–based relative telomere length assay and vital status was determined by computerized record linkage and by chart review (n = 1,042). Proportional hazard models were used to estimate ovarian cancer–specific survival HRs and 95% confidence intervals (CI) associated with quartiles of telomere length z score.
Results: We found no significant relationship between telomere length and ovarian cancer–specific mortality (P log-rank test = 0.55). Compared with women in the lowest quartile of telomere length z score, the HR for women in the highest three quartiles of telomere length z score combined was 0.88 (95% CI, 0.77–1.10). The corresponding estimates for serous and nonserous tumors were 0.68 (95% CI, 0.66–1.13) and 1.13 (95% CI, 0.71–1.79), respectively.
Conclusions: Our data provide preliminary evidence that telomere length likely does not predict outcome after a diagnosis of ovarian cancer.
Impact: This represents the first study to suggest no prognostic role of telomere length for ovarian cancer. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 23(11); 2603–6. ©2014 AACR.
Lipid Screening in Children and Adolescents in Community Practice: 2007 to 2010
Authors: Margolis Karen L. , Greenspan Louise C. , Trower Nicole K. , Daley Matthew F. , Daniels Stephen R. , Lo Joan C. , Kharbanda Elyse O. , Sinaiko Alan R. , Magid David J. , Parker Emily D. , Chandra Malini , Tavel Heather M. , O’Connor Patrick J. 
Published: August 2014

Background—
Integrated guidelines on cardiovascular health and risk reduction in children issued in 2011 newly recommended universal screening for dyslipidemia in children at 9 to 11 years and 17 to 21 years.

Methods and Results—
We determined the frequency and results of lipid testing in 301 080 children and adolescents aged 3 to 19 enrolled in 3 large US health systems in 2007 to 2010 before the 2011 guidelines were issued. Overall, 9.8% of the study population was tested for lipids. The proportion tested varied by body mass index percentile (5.9% of normal weight, 10.8% of overweight, and 26.9% of obese children) and age (8.9% of 9- to 11-year olds and 24.3% of 17- to 19-year olds). In normal weight individuals, 2.8% of 9- to 11-year olds and 22.0% of 17- to 19-year olds were tested. In multivariable models, age and body mass index category remained strongly associated with lipid testing. Sex, race, ethnicity, and blood pressure were weakly associated with testing. Abnormal lipid levels were found in 8.6% for total cholesterol, 22.5% for high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, 12.0% for non–high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, 8.0% for low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and 21% for triglycerides (age, 10–19 years). There was a strong and graded association of abnormal lipid levels with body mass index, particularly for high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and triglycerides (2- to 6-fold higher odds ratio in obese when compared with that in normal weight children).

Conclusions—
Lipid screening was uncommon in 9- to 11-year olds and was performed in a minority of 17- to 19-year olds during 2007 to 2010. These data serve as a benchmark for assessing change in practice patterns after the new recommendations for pediatric lipid screening and management.
ST–Segment-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients Randomized to a Pharmaco-Invasive Strategy or Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: Sinnaeve Peter R. , Armstrong Paul W. , Gershlick Anthony H. , Goldstein Patrick , Wilcox Robert , Lambert Yves , Danays Thierry , Soulat Louis , Halvorsen Sigrun , Ortiz Fernando Rosell , Vandenberghe Katleen , Regelin Anne , Bluhmki Erich , Bogaerts Kris , Van de Werf Frans 
Published: August 2014

Background—
In the Strategic Reperfusion Early After Myocardial Infarction (STREAM) trial, a pharmaco-invasive (PI) strategy was compared with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) in ST—segment-elevation myocardial infarction patients presenting within 3 hours after symptom onset but unable to undergo pPCI within 1 hour. At 30 days, the PI approach was associated with a nominally but nonstatistically significant lower incidence of the composite primary end point of death, shock, congestive heart failure, and reinfarction when compared with pPCI. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of these strategies on 1-year mortality.

Methods and Results—

Vital status at 1 year was available in 936 of 944 (99.2%) and 941 of 948 (99.3%) patients in the PI and pPCI arm, respectively. At 1 year, all-cause mortality rates (6.7% versus 5.9%) were similar for PI and pPCI-treated patients (
P
=0.49; risk ratio, 1.13; 95% confidence interval, 0.79–1.62). Cardiac mortality rates were similar as well (4.0% versus 4.1%,
P
=0.93; risk ratio, 0.98; 95% confidence interval, 0.62–1.54). Overall, only 34 patients died between day 30 and 1 year, 20 in the PI arm and 14 in the pPCI arm, of whom 20 died of noncardiac reasons (13 in the PI and 7 in the pPCI arm). There was no significant difference in 1-year all-cause mortality between the 2 groups among the prespecified key subgroups.

Conclusions—
At 1 year, mortality rates in the PI and pPCI arms were similar in ST—segment-elevation myocardial infarction patients presenting within 3 hours after symptom onset and unable to undergo pPCI within 1 hour.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00623623.