bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Immunoliposome-PCR: a generic ultrasensitive quantitative antigen detection system
Authors: He Junkun , Evers David L , O’Leary Timothy J , Mason Jeffrey T 
Published: December 2012

AbstractBackgroundThe accurate quantification of antigens at low concentrations over a wide dynamic range is needed for identifying biomarkers associated with disease and detecting protein interactions in high-throughput microarrays used in proteomics. Here we report the development of an ultrasensitive quantitative assay format called immunoliposome polymerase chain reaction (ILPCR) that fulfills these requirements. This method uses a liposome, with reporter DNA encapsulated inside and biotin-labeled polyethylene glycol (PEG) phospholipid conjugates incorporated into the outer surface of the liposome, as a detection reagent. The antigenic target is immobilized in the well of a microplate by a capture antibody and the liposome detection reagent is then coupled to a biotin-labeled second antibody through a NeutrAvidin bridge. The liposome is ruptured to release the reporter DNA, which serves as a surrogate to quantify the protein target using real-time PCR.ResultsA liposome detection reagent was prepared, which consisted of a population of liposomes ~120 nm in diameter with each liposome possessing ~800 accessible biotin receptors and ~220 encapsulated reporters. This liposome detection reagent was used in an assay to quantify the concentration of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in human serum. This ILPCR assay exhibited a linear dose–response curve from 10-10 M to 10-16 M CEA. Within this range the assay coefficient of variance was <6 % for repeatability and <2 % for reproducibility. The assay detection limit was 13 fg/mL, which is 1,500-times more sensitive than current clinical assays for CEA. An ILPCR assay to quantify HIV-1 p24 core protein in buffer was also developed.ConclusionsThe ILPCR assay has several advantages over other immuno-PCR methods. The reporter DNA and biotin-labeled PEG phospholipids spontaneously incorporate into the liposomes as they form, simplifying preparation of the detection reagent. Encapsulation of the reporter inside the liposomes allows nonspecific DNA in the assay medium to be degraded with DNase I prior to quantification of the encapsulated reporter by PCR, which reduces false-positive results and improves quantitative accuracy. The ability to encapsulate multiple reporters per liposome also helps overcome the effect of polymerase inhibitors present in biological specimens. Finally, the biotin-labeled liposome detection reagent can be coupled through a NeutrAvidin bridge to a multitude of biotin-labeled probes, making ILPCR a highly generic assay system.
Perceptual audio features for emotion detection
Authors: Sezgin Mehmet Cenk , Gunsel Bilge , Kurt Gunes Karabulut 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
In this article, we propose a new set of acoustic features for automatic emotion recognition from audio. The features are based on the perceptual quality metrics that are given in perceptual evaluation of audio quality known as ITU BS.1387 recommendation. Starting from the outer and middle ear models of the auditory system, we base our features on the masked perceptual loudness which defines relatively objective criteria for emotion detection. The features computed in critical bands based on the reference concept include the partial loudness of the emotional difference, emotional difference-to-perceptual mask ratio, measures of alterations of temporal envelopes, measures of harmonics of the emotional difference, the occurrence probability of emotional blocks, and perceptual bandwidth. A soft-majority voting decision rule that strengthens the conventional majority voting is proposed to assess the classifier outputs. Compared to the state-of-the-art systems including Munich Open-Source Emotion and Affect Recognition Toolkit, Hidden Markov Toolkit, and Generalized Discriminant Analysis, it is shown that the emotion recognition rates are improved between 7-16% for EMO-DB and 7-11% in VAM for "all" and "valence" tasks.
Biosorption of methyl blue onto tartaric acid modified wheat bran from aqueous solution
Authors: Yao Shuhua , Lai Hong , Shi Zhongliang 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
Tartaric acid modified wheat bran was utilized as adsorbent to remove methyl blue, a basic dye from aqueous solution. Batch experiments were carried out to study the effect of various experimental parameters such as initial solution pH, contact time, initial dye concentration and adsorbent dosage, on dye adsorption. The results showed that the modification of wheat bran by tartaric acid significantly improved its adsorption capacity, and made this material a suitable adsorbent to remove methyl blue. The adsorption capacity of modified wheat bran was about 1.6 times higher than that of unmodified one. The amount of methyl blue adsorbed was found to vary with initial solution pH, adsorbent dosage, contact time and initial methyl blue concentration. Kinetics study showed that the overall adsorption rate of methyl blue was illustrated by pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The applicability of the Langmuir and Freundlich models for the data was tested. Both models adequately described the experimental data of the biosorption of methyl blue. The maximum adsorption capacity for methyl blue calculated from Langmuir model was 25.18 mg/g. The study has shown the effectiveness of modified wheat bran in the removal of methyl blue, and that it can be considered as an attractive alternative to the more expensive technologies used in wastewater treatment.
Effects of phlebotomy-induced reduction of body iron stores on metabolic syndrome: results from a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Houschyar Khosrow S , Lüdtke Rainer , Dobos Gustav J , Kalus Ulrich , Broecker-Preuss Martina , Rampp Thomas , Brinkhaus Benno , Michalsen Andreas 
Published: December 2012

AbstractBackgroundMetabolic syndrome (METS) is an increasingly prevalent but poorly understood clinical condition characterized by insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and obesity. Increased oxidative stress catalyzed by accumulation of iron in excess of physiologic requirements has been implicated in the pathogenesis of METS, but the relationships between cause and effect remain uncertain. We tested the hypothesis that phlebotomy-induced reduction of body iron stores would alter the clinical presentation of METS, using a randomized trial.MethodsIn a randomized, controlled, single-blind clinical trial, 64 patients with METS were randomly assigned to iron reduction by phlebotomy (n = 33) or to a control group (n = 31), which was offered phlebotomy at the end of the study (waiting-list design). The iron-reduction patients had 300 ml of blood removed at entry and between 250 and 500 ml removed after 4 weeks, depending on ferritin levels at study entry. Primary outcomes were change in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and insulin sensitivity as measured by Homeostatic Model Assessment (HOMA) index after 6 weeks. Secondary outcomes included HbA1c, plasma glucose, blood lipids, and heart rate (HR).ResultsSBP decreased from 148.5 ± 12.3 mmHg to 130.5 ± 11.8 mmHg in the phlebotomy group, and from 144.7 ± 14.4 mmHg to 143.8 ± 11.9 mmHg in the control group (difference -16.6 mmHg; 95% CI -20.7 to -12.5;P< 0.001). No significant effect on HOMA index was seen. With regard to secondary outcomes, blood glucose, HbA1c, low-density lipoprotein/high-density lipoprotein ratio, and HR were significantly decreased by phlebotomy. Changes in BP and HOMA index correlated with ferritin reduction.ConclusionsIn patients with METS, phlebotomy, with consecutive reduction of body iron stores, lowered BP and resulted in improvements in markers of cardiovascular risk and glycemic control. Blood donation may have beneficial effects for blood donors with METS.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov:NCT01328210Please see related article:http://www.biomedcentral.com/1741-7015/10/53
Leptin differentially regulate STAT3 activation in ob/ob mouse adipose mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Zhou Zhou , Neupane Manish , Zhou Hui Ren , Wu Dayong , Chang Chia-Cheng , Moustaid-Moussa Naima , Claycombe Kate J 
Published: December 2012

Abstract

Background
Leptin-deficient ob/ob mice exhibit adipocyte hypertrophy and hyperplasia as well as elevated adipose tissue and systemic inflammation. Multipotent stem cells isolated from adult adipose tissue can differentiate into adipocytes ex vivo and thereby contribute toward increased adipocyte cell numbers, obesity, and inflamm ation. Currently, information is lacking regarding regulation of adipose stem cell numbers as well as leptin-induced inflammation and its signaling pathway in ob/ob mice.

Methods
Using leptin deficient ob/ob mice, we investigated whether leptin injection into ob/ob mice increases adipose stem cell numbers and adipose tissue inflammatory marker MCP-1 mRNA and secretion levels. We also determined leptin mediated signaling pathways in the adipose stem cells.

Results
We report here that adipose stem cell number is significantly increased following leptin injection in ob/ob mice and with treatment of isolated stem cells with leptin in vitro. Leptin also up-regulated MCP-1 secretion in a dose- and time-dependent manner. We further showed that increased MCP-1 mRNA levels were due to increased phosphorylation of Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3) Ser727 but not STAT3 Tyr705 phosphorylation, suggesting differential regulation of MCP-1 gene expression under basal and leptin-stimulated conditions in adipose stem cells.

Conclusions
Taken together, these studies demonstrate that leptin increases adipose stem cell number and differentially activates STAT3 protein resulting in up-regulation of MCP-1 gene expression. Further studies of mechanisms mediating adipose stem cell hyperplasia and leptin signaling in obesity are warranted and may help identify novel anti-obesity target strategies.
The superhealing MRL background improves muscular dystrophy
Authors: Heydemann Ahlke , Swaggart Kayleigh A , Kim Gene H , Holley-Cuthrell Jenan , Hadhazy Michele , McNally Elizabeth M 
Published: December 2012

Abstract

Background
Mice from the MRL or “superhealing” strain have enhanced repair after acute injury to the skin, cornea, and heart. We now tested an admixture of the MRL genome and found that it altered the course of muscle pathology and cardiac function in a chronic disease model of skeletal and cardiac muscle. Mice lacking γ-sarcoglycan (Sgcg), a dystrophin-associated protein, develop muscular dystrophy and cardiomyopathy similar to their human counterparts with limb girdle muscular dystrophy. With disruption of the dystrophin complex, the muscle plasma membrane becomes leaky and muscles develop increased fibrosis.

Methods
MRL/MpJ mice were bred with Sgcg mice, and cardiac function was measured. Muscles were assessed for fibrosis and membrane leak using measurements of hydroxyproline and Evans blue dye. Quantitative trait locus mapping was conducted using single nucleotide polymorphisms distinct between the two parental strains.

Results
Introduction of the MRL genome reduced fibrosis but did not alter membrane leak in skeletal muscle of the Sgcg model. The MRL genome was also associated with improved cardiac function with reversal of depressed fractional shortening and the left ventricular ejection fraction. We conducted a genome-wide analysis of genetic modifiers and found that a region on chromosome 2 was associated with cardiac, diaphragm muscle and abdominal muscle fibrosis.

Conclusions
These data are consistent with a model where the MRL genome acts in a dominant manner to suppress fibrosis in this chronic disease setting of heart and muscle disease.
Parasite-augmented mate choice and reduction in innate fear in rats infected byToxoplasma gondii
Authors: Vyas Ajai 
Published: December 2012

SummaryTypically, female rats demonstrate clear mate choice. Mate preference is driven by the evolutionary need to choose males with heritable parasite resistance and to prevent the transmission of contagious diseases during mating. Thus, females detect and avoid parasitized males. Over evolutionary time scales, parasite-free males plausibly evolve to advertise their status. This arrangement between males and females is obviously detrimental to parasites, especially for sexually transmitted parasites. Yet Toxoplasma gondii, a sexually transmitted parasite, gets around this obstacle by manipulating mate choice of uninfected females. Males infected with this parasite become more attractive to uninfected females. The ability of T. gondii to not only advantageously alter the behavior and physiology of its host but also secondarily alter the behavior of uninfected females presents a striking example of the ‘extended phenotype’ of parasites. Toxoplasma gondii also abolishes the innate fear response of rats to cat odor; this likely increases parasite transmission through the trophic route. It is plausible that these two manipulations are not two distinct phenotypes, but are rather part of a single pattern built around testosterone-mediated interplay between mate choice, parasitism and predation.
CINtec PLUS Immunocytochemistry as a Tool for the Cytologic Diagnosis of Glandular Lesions of the Cervix Uteri
Authors: Ravarino Alberto , Nemolato Sonia , Macciocu Elena , Fraschini Matteo , Senes Giancarlo , Faa Gavino , Negri Giovanni 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
Cytologic findings of glandular lesions of the cervix uteri are often difficult to evaluate. We studied the usefulness of CINtec PLUS p16/Ki-67 double stain (mtm laboratories, Heidelberg, Germany) for the diagnosis of glandular lesions. The study included 47 abnormal results on liquid-based cytologic tests with a subsequent histologic diagnosis of adenocarcinoma in situ or with early invasion, and 16 samples with negative results on follow-up. All samples were stained with CINtec PLUS p16/Ki-67 double stain. Of the neoplastic samples, 7 were excluded because of insufficient residual cellularity or loss of neoplastic cells. Of the samples that were adequate, 92.5% were stained with CINtec PLUS, whereas 7.5% were judged inconclusive. All inconclusive cases were at least 3 years old. Of the 16 negative samples, 15 (93.8%) stained negative and only 1 (6.2%) showed several positive clusters of cells. Our study shows that CINtec PLUS is a robust and useful tool for the diagnosis of glandular lesions of the cervix uteri.
Avoiding Serotonin Syndrome: The Nature of the Interaction Between Tramadol and Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
Authors: Nelson Elana M , Philbrick Ann M 
Published: December 2012

Objective: To investigate the nature of the interaction between selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and tramadol to mitigate or avoid serotonin syndrome. Data Sources: PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts from January 1990 to August 2012 were searched. Key words used were tramadol, antidepressive agents, antidepressants, drug interactions, selective serotonin uptake inhibitors, and serotonin syndrome. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Only English-language studies were included. No randomized controlled trials were identified. Review articles, case reports, and 1 case series that identified the scope of interaction between tramadol and SSRIs were evaluated. Review articles evaluating the role of pharmacogenetics in the use of tramadol, SSRIs, and serotonin syndrome were also reviewed. Data Synthesis: Published documentation describing the interaction between tramadol and SSRIs and its relevance to serotonin syndrome is limited to a few case reports and 1 case series. While both tramadol and SSRIs increase the amount of serotonin in the brain, the interaction is much more complicated. Tramadol is metabolized through CYP2D6 enzymes and all SSRIs are inhibitors of these enzymes. Inhibitors of CYP2D6 can increase the concentration of tramadol in the blood and thus increase its effects on serotonin in the brain, contributing to the development of serotonin syndrome. CYP2D6 poor metabolizers are at a greater risk of serotonin syndrome and an inadequate analgesic effect. Conclusions: Coadministration of tramadol and SSRIs has caused serotonin syndrome. An attempt should be made to identify individuals who are poor metabolizers of CYP2D6 and avoid this combination in those patients. When SSRIs and tramadol must be used in combination, it is critical that patients be aware of the signs and symptoms of serotonin syndrome, should they occur.
Mineralogical Evolution of a Claystone After Reaction With Iron Under Thermal Gradient
Authors: Jodin-Caumon Marie-Camille , Mosser-Ruck Régine , Randi Aurélien , Pierron Olivier , Cathelineau Michel , Michau Nicolas 
Published: December 2012

AbstractThe design of the repository for high-level nuclear waste (HLW) in France consists of a multiple-barrier system including steel canisters in a clay host rock. The system will undergo temperature variations in time and space, the heat source being the HLW within the canisters. The effect of a thermal gradient in space on the Fe-claystone interaction was investigated here by applying a thermal gradient (150–300°C and 80–150°C) to a mix of claystone, Fe, and an aqueous chloride solution over periods of 3 and 6 months. Following the reaction, the starting clay minerals (mostly illite and mixed-layer illite-smectite) evolved toward chlorite, Fe-serpentine, Fe-saponite, mixed-layer chlorite-smectite, or mixed-layer serpentine-smectite as a function of temperature. Iron corrosion made the medium basic and reductive. Magnesium enrichment of clay minerals was observed in the hottest part of the experiment due to Mg migration under the thermal gradient. Reaction progress was enhanced at the lowest temperatures, compared to batch experiments.
Rietveld Refinement of Disordered Illite-Smectite Mixed-Layer Structures by a Recursive Algorithm. I: One-Dimensional Patterns
Authors: Ufer Kristian , Kleeberg Reinhard , Bergmann Jörg , Dohrmann Reiner 
Published: December 2012

AbstractX-ray diffraction patterns of oriented mounts of clay minerals are often used in clay mineralogy for qualitative and quantitative purposes. Fequently occurring stacking defects, in particular, can be characterized by this technique. Modeling of these diffraction profiles has become an important tool in obtaining structural information about the nature of stacking order. Manual matching of calculated and observed patterns is time consuming and user dependent. Automatic refinement procedures are, therefore, desirable. An improved approach for the treatment of disordered layer structures within a Rietveld refinement is presented here. The recursive calculation of structure factors, similar to that of the simulation program DIFFaX, was introduced in the Rietveld code BGMN. Complete implementation is formulated within the interpreter language of the Rietveld code and is transparent as well as flexible. Such a method has opened the application of Rietveld refinement to patterns of oriented mounts where only basal reflections of stacking disordered structures were recorded. The DIFFaX code was used to simulate basal reflections of illite-smectite mixed layers (I-S) with different ratios of illitic and smectitic layers and with different degrees of long-range ordering (Reichweite). Rietveld refinements with these simulated patterns were used to evaluate the application of this new approach. Several I-S with different degrees of ordering were also chosen as tests for the refinement of basal reflections. The samples were prepared as standard airdried and ethylene glycol-solvated, oriented specimens. Realistic structural parameters were obtained for the composition and ordering of the I-S.
Multicenter Evaluation of [−2]Proprostate-Specific Antigen and the Prostate Health Index for Detecting Prostate Cancer
Authors: Stephan Carsten , Vincendeau Sébastien , Houlgatte Alain , Cammann Henning , Jung Klaus , Semjonow Axel 
Published: December 2012

BACKGROUND
Total prostate-specific antigen (tPSA) is flawed for prostate cancer (PCa) detection. [−2]proprostate-specific antigen (p2PSA), a molecular isoform of free PSA (fPSA), shows higher specificity compared with tPSA or percentage of free PSA (%fPSA). The prostate health index (Phi), a measure based on p2PSA and calculated as p2PSA/fPSA × √tPSA, was evaluated in a multicenter study for detecting PCa.

METHODS
A total of 1362 patients from 4 different study sites who had tPSA values of 1.6–8.0 μg/L (668 patients with PCa, 694 without PCa) underwent ≥10 core biopsies. Serum concentrations of tPSA, fPSA (both calibrated against a WHO reference material), and p2PSA were measured on Access2 or DxI800 analyzers (Beckman Coulter).

RESULTS
The percentage ratio of p2PSA to fPSA (%p2PSA) and Phi were significantly higher in all PCa subcohorts (positive initial or repeat biopsy result or negative digital rectal examination) (P &lt; 0.0001) compared with patients without PCa. Phi had the largest area under the ROC curve (AUC) (AUC = 0.74) and provided significantly better clinical performance for predicting PCa compared with %p2PSA (AUC = 0.72, P = 0.018), p2PSA (AUC = 0.63, P &lt; 0.0001), %fPSA (AUC = 0.61) or tPSA (AUC = 0.56). Significantly higher median values of Phi were observed for patients with a Gleason score ≥7 (Phi = 60) compared with a Gleason score &lt;7 (Phi = 53; P = 0.0018). The proportion of aggressive PCa (Gleason score ≥7) increased with the Phi score.

CONCLUSIONS
The results of this multicenter study show that Phi, compared with tPSA or %fPSA, demonstrated superior clinical performance in detecting PCa at tPSA 1.6–8.0 μg/L (i.e., approximately 2–10 μg/L in traditional calibration) and is better able to detect aggressive PCa.
Revisiting the Cultural Policy Moment: Queensland Cultural Policy from Goss to Bligh
Authors: Glover Stuart 
Published: December 2012

An account of cultural policy-making in Queensland since the election of the Goss Labor government in 1989 requires revisiting the rise and fall of what Stevenson (2000) has called the ‘cultural policy moment’ in Australia.This period, from the early 1990s to the early 2000s, was characterised by political and scholarly interest in the civic and symbolic utility of culture, and in the outcomes achieved through its management. The cultural policy moment was produced simultaneously within government, the cultural sector and the academy. Within government, it was characterised by a new and highly visible interest in managing culture and (through it) the citizenry (O'Regan 2002). Within the academy, the cultural policy project was raised by Tim Rowse in Arguing the Arts (1985) and developed by the Institute for Cultural Policy Studies at Griffith University through the work of Ian Hunter, Tony Bennett, Toby Miller, Colin Mercer, Jenny Craik, Tom O'Regan and Gay Hawkins in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Stuart Cunningham's Framing Culture (1992) focused existing debate within Australian cultural studies over the place of policy-based approaches within the discipline.