bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Measurement of Thyroglobulin by Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry in Serum and Plasma in the Presence of Antithyroglobulin Autoantibodies
Authors: Kushnir Mark M , Rockwood Alan L , Roberts William L , Abraham Dev , Hoofnagle Andrew N , Meikle A Wayne 
Published: February 2013

BACKGROUND
Measurement of serum thyroglobulin (Tg) is used to monitor patients after treatment for differentiated thyroid carcinoma (TC). Difficulty in using Tg as a biomarker of the recurrence of TC in many patients stems from the presence of endogenous anti-Tg autoantibodies (Tg-AAbs), which can interfere with immunoassays (IAs) and cause false-negative results.

METHODS
We enriched Tg from serum samples using rabbit polyclonal anti-Tg antiserum and protein precipitation. Unrelated proteins were partially depleted in the process. Enriched proteins were then denatured, reduced, and digested with trypsin after the addition of a winged internal standard peptide. A Tg-specific tryptic peptide was purified by immunoaffinity extraction and analyzed by 2-dimensional LC-MS/MS. Instrument cycle time was 6.5 min per sample.

RESULTS
The lower limit of quantification was 0.5 ng/mL (0.76 fmol/mL dimer). Total imprecision of triplicate measurements in serum samples over 5 days was &lt;10%. Comparison with a commercial IA using serum samples free of Tg-AAb (n = 73) showed Deming regression, IA = 1.00 * LC-MS/MS − 2.35, r = 0.982, standard error of the estimate (Sy|x) = 9.52. In a set of Tg-AAb–positive samples that tested negative for Tg using IA (n = 71), concentrations determined by LC-MS/MS were ≥0.5 ng/mL in 23% of samples (median 1.2, range 0.7–11 ng/mL).

CONCLUSIONS
The introduced method has acceptable performance characteristics for use in clinical diagnostic applications. The most substantial disagreement between methods was observed in Tg-AAb–positive samples with concentrations &lt;2 ng/mL (determined with LC-MS/MS). The affinity-assisted enrichment strategy used for Tg in this method should be applicable to other biomarkers that have endogenous autoantibodies.
BOOK REVIEWS
Authors: Casanova Julián , Macklin John , Twomey Lesley 
Published: February 2013

THE SPANISH HOLOCAUST. INQUISITION AND EXTERMINATION IN TWENTIETH-CENTURY SPAIN, PAUL PRESTON, 2012 London: Harper Press, 700 pp., ISBN 978-0-00-255634-7, (hbk) £30.00
RECONSTRUCTING SPAIN. CULTURAL HERITAGE AND MEMORY AFTER CIVIL WAR, DACIA VIEJO-ROSE (2011) Eastbourne and
Portland: Sussex Academic Press, 272 pp., ISBN 978-1-84519-435-2 (hbk), £65
A COMPANION TO CATALAN CULTURE. ED. DOMINIC KEOWN, COLECCIÓN TÁMESIS (2011) Serie A: Monografías, 293 (Woodbridge: Boydell & Brewer), ISBN-10: 1855662272, ix + 266 pp., £55
REVIEWS
Authors: Stansbie Adam , Savage Jonathan , Mackay Robert 
Published: February 2013

MUSICAL CREATIVITIES IN PRACTICE, PAMELA BURNARD (2012) Oxford: Oxford University Press, 336 pp., ISBN: 978-0-19-958394-2, p/bk. £39.99
TECHNOLOGY AND THE GENDERING OF MUSIC EDUCATION, VICTORIA ARMSTRONG (2011) Farnham: Ashgate, 168 pp., ISBN: 978-1-4094-1784-2, h/bk, £50
EVOLUTION
AND COLLABORATION: THE COMPOSITION, REHEARSAL AND PERFORMANCE OF FINNISSY’S SECOND STRING QUARTET, AMANDA BAYLEY AND MICHAEL CLARKE (2011) Lancaster: Palatine (DVD)
Ozone/H2O2 AOP pilot testing at a waterworks with dynamic raw water characteristics in Singapore
Authors: Wang Jenny , Ried Achim , Wieland Arne , Zhang Yaning , Chen Minghui , Xie Rongjing , Ang Wui Seng , Duarah Ankur , Pang Thomas , Zhang Lifeng , Lim Mong Hoo 
Published: February 2013

In response to the national water strategies and pursuing to close the urban water loop with minimum concern, a proactive approach needs to be considered for future drinking water treatment process in Singapore. Ozone or ozone based advanced oxidation process (AOP) followed by granular activated carbon (GAC) can be one of the best available and cost-effective processes in implementing the national water strategies.
Xylem Water Solutions and PUB jointly started a two-year ozone based AOP pilot study at a Waterworks in Singapore. The objective of the project is to study the effectiveness of ozone based AOP on the removal of taste and odour compounds and various emerging organic contaminants. In this paper, the first year results with six selected contaminants show that it is promising to employ ozone based AOP to remove the concerned organic contaminants.
The new method of fabrication of submicron structures by optical lithography with mask shifting and mask rotation
Authors: Indykiewicz Kornelia , Hajłasz Marcin , Paszkiewicz Bogdan 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
This paper presents the methods of fabricating narrow parallel submicrometric stripes in silicon dioxide and a resist layer. The experiments were conducted by two techniques: double patterning lithography and double exposure lithography. In addition to the above mentioned processes, mask translation was applied. For all conducted experiments, chrome masks and a 405 nm line of the high pressure mercury lamp of an MA-56 Mask Aligner System were used. The main aim of the performed tests was to establish the utility and the possible applications of the methods used.
Heterogeneity of neural crest-derived melanocytes
Authors: Cichorek Miroslawa , Wachulska Malgorzata , Stasiewicz Aneta 
Published: February 2013

AbstractThe majority of melanocytes originate from the neural crest cells (NCC) that migrate, spread on the whole embryo’s body to form elements of the nervous system and skeleton, endocrinal glands, muscles and melanocytes. Human melanocytes differentiate mainly from the cranial and trunk NCC. Although melanocyte development has traditionally been associated with the dorsally migrating trunk NCC, there is evidence that a part of melanocytes arise from cells migrating ventrally. The ventral NCC differentiate into neurons and glia of the ganglia or Schwann cells. It has been suggested that the precursors for Schwann cells differentiate into melanocytes. As melanoblasts travel through the dermis, they multiply, follow the process of differentiation and invade the forming human fetal epidermis up to third month. After birth, melanocytes lose the ability to proliferate, except the hair melanocytes that renew during the hair cycle. The localization of neural crest-derived melanocytes in non-cutaneous places e.g. eye (the choroid and stroma of the iris and the ciliary body), ear (cells of the vestibular organ, cochlear stria vascularis), meninges of the brain, heart seems to indicate that repertoire of melanocyte functions is much wider than we expected e.g. the protection of tissues from potentially harmful factors (e.g. free radicals, binding toxins), storage ions, and anti-inflammatory action.
The role of adipose derived stem cells, smooth muscle cells and low intensity laser irradiation (LILI) in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine
Authors: Mvula Bernard , Abrahamse Heidi 
Published: February 2013

AbstractTissue engineering and regenerative medicine has become the treatment of choice for several degenerative diseases. It involves the repairing or replacing of diseased or damaged cells or tissues. Stem cells have a key role to play in this multidisciplinary science because of their capacity to differentiate into several lineages. Adipose derived stem cells (ADSCs) are adult mesenchymal stem cells that are easily harvested and have the capacity to differentiate into cartilage, bone, smooth muscle, fat, liver and nerve cells. ADSCs have been found to differentiate into smooth muscle cells which play major roles in diseases such as asthma, hypertension, cancer and arteriosclerosis. Low Intensity Laser Irradiation (LILI), which involves the application of monochromatic light, has been found to increase viability, proliferation and differentiation in several types of cells including ADSCs. This review discusses the role of ADSCs, smooth muscle cells and LILI in the science of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
EEG Feature Selection for BCI Based on Motor Imaginary Task
Authors: Rejer Izabela 
Published: February 2013

AbstractThe greatest problem met when a Brain Computer Interface (BCI) based on electroencephalographic (EEG) signals is to be created is a huge dimensionality of EEG feature space and at the same time very limited number of possible observations. The first is a result of a huge amount of data which can be recorded during the single trial, the latter - the result of individuality of EEG signals, which can significantly differ in different frequency bands determined for different subjects. These two reasons force the brain researches to reduce the huge EEG feature space to only some features, those which allow to build a BCI of a satisfactory accuracy. The paper presents the comparison of two methods of feature selection - blind source separation (BSS) method and method using interpretable features. The comparison was carried out with the data set recorded during EEG session with a subject whose task was to imagine movements of right and left hand.
Influence of the User Importance Measure on the Group Evolution Discovery
Authors: Saganowski Stanisław , Bródka Piotr , Kazienko Przemysław 
Published: February 2013

AbstractOne of the most interesting topics in social network science are social groups, i.e. their extraction, dynamics and evolution. One year ago the method for group evolution discovery (GED) was introduced. The GED method during extraction process takes into account both the group members quality and quantity. The quality is reflected by user importance measure. In this paper the influence of different user importance measures on the results of the GED method is examined and presented. The results indicate that using global measures like social position (page rank) allows to achieve more precise results than using local measures like degree centrality or no measure at all.
Detection of Surfactant Proteins A, B, C, and D in Human Nasal Mucosa and Their Regulation in Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Polyps
Authors: Schicht Martin , Knipping Stephan , Hirt Roman , Beileke Stephanie , Sel Saadettin , Paulsen Friedrich , Bräuer Lars 
Published: February 2013

Backround The nasal mucosa is characterized by a multirow high prismatic ciliated epithelium representing the first barrier of the immune defense system against microbial and other environmental pathogenic influences. A number of nonspecific defense mechanisms, including the presence of lactoferrin, peroxidases, proteases, interferons, and lysozymes in nasal secretions, act to counter inflammatory processes. The surfactant proteins (SPs) known from the lungs are important components of the innate immune system. They also influence the rheology of fluids and reduce the surface tension of gas–fluid interphases. The objective of this study was to investigate the protein expression of all four SPs. A specific aim was detection and characterization of SP-C, which had previously not been confirmed in human nasal mucosa. Methods The expression of mRNA for SP-A, -B, -C and -D was investigated using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction on samples of both healthy nasal mucosa and nasal mucosa altered by inflammatory processes (allergic rhinitis and chronic rhinosinusitis). The distribution of all four proteins was determined with monoclonal antibodies using Western blot analysis as well as immunohistochemical methods. Results The results show that all four SPs, including SP-C not detected before this, are nasal mucosa components. A shift was also observed in the expression behavior of the SP-A, -B, and -D in nasal mucosa with inflammatory changes. Conclusion Based on these results, SPs appear to have an important function in immunologic and rheological process of the nasal mucosa and support the prospective therapeutic use of liposomal nasal sprays.
The Development of Allergic Rhinitis in Children Previously Diagnosed as Nonallergic Rhinitis
Authors: Veskitkul Jittima , Vichyanond Pakit , Visitsunthorn Nualanong , Jirapongsananuruk Orathai 
Published: February 2013

Background Nonallergic rhinitis (NAR) is characterized by nasal symptoms similar to allergic rhinitis (AR) without an IgE-mediated immune response. Limited data are available on the natural history of NAR in its progression toward AR, particularly in children. This study evaluates the development of AR in children who were previously diagnosed with NAR. Methods Children with the diagnosis of NAR during the period of 2005–2007 were reevaluated in 2010. Nasal symptoms, disease severity, comorbidities, rescue medication scores (RMSs), and skin-prick test to aeroallergens were assessed. Results We recruited 175 children with an early diagnosis of NAR. The median age was 5.7 years, 62.9% were boys and 45.7% had family history of atopy. At reevaluation, 41% of children with previously diagnosed NAR developed sensitization to aeroallergens and were reclassified as having AR. The most frequent aeroallergen sensitization was Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (59.7%), followed by Dermatophagoides farinae (54.2%) and American cockroach (38.9%). Children who developed AR had more nasal/eye symptoms, higher severity, and RMSs than children who did not develop AR. The predictors of developing AR were persistent nasal symptoms (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 8.9; 95% CI, 3.2–24.6), nasal itching (adjusted OR, 3.4; 95% CI, 1.2–9.5), triggered by house dust (adjusted OR, 4.3; 95% CI, 1.6 –11.9) and animal danders (adjusted OR, 15.8; 95% CI, 3.3–76.1), and family history of atopy (adjusted OR, 6.0; 95% CI, 2.3–15.9). Conclusion Children with NAR who had family history of atopy, persistent nasal symptoms, and symptoms triggered by aeroallergens should be reevaluated periodically for the development of AR. This study was part of the clinical trial NCT01068808 registered in www.clinicaltrials.gov .
Serum Eosinophil Cationic Protein Level in Chinese Subjects with Nonallergic and Local Allergic Rhinitis and its Relation to the Severity of Disease
Authors: Cheng Ke-Jia , Xu Ying-Ying , Liu Hong-Yan , Wang Shen-Qing 
Published: February 2013

Background Nonallergic rhinitis (NAR) is a common disease, and local allergic rhinitis (LAR) is a newly described entity that is called “entopy” in recent years. However, the etiology and incidence of NAR and LAR are uncertain. This study evaluates the incidence of LAR in Chinese subjects and serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) levels in patients with NAR and LAR and its relationship with symptom scores. Methods Positive skin-prick tests (SPT), nasal allergen provocation testing (NAPT) to Dermatophagoides farinae (DF), serum Phadiatop tests, and symptom score evaluations were performed in 147 patients with nonatopic persistent rhinitis. LAR was diagnosed by positive NAPT to DF results. The serum ECP level was measured using the UniCAP100 automated system by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Pharmacia Diagnostics, Uppsala, Sweden). Results Twelve patients were diagnosed with LAR, and 135 patients were diagnosed with NAR. There was no statistical difference of the visual analog scale scores between the two groups. Serum ECP was significantly increased in the patients with NAR. Serum ECP in the LAR group showed no difference compared with the NAR group or the controls. In the NAR group, nasal obstruction, rhinorrhea, and total scores had close and statistically significant relationships with serum ECP level. Conclusion The present study provides the first evidence that LAR exists in Chinese subjects. This study also suggests that eosinophils and ECP take part in the pathogenesis of NAR. A local examination for ECP and specific IgE in nasal lavage fluid or secretions in patients with LAR should be performed in a future study.
Impact of Mitomycin C on the mRNA Expression Signatures of Immunological Biomarkers in Eosinophilic Nasal Polyposis
Authors: de Castro Mirian Cabral Moreira , Rocha-Silva Fabiana , Gomes Luciana Inácia , Zauli Danielle Alves Gomes , Mourão Marina de Moraes , de Castro Mariana Moreira , Guimarães Roberto Eustáquio Santos , Teixeira-Carvalho Andrea , Martins-Filho Olindo Assis 
Published: February 2013

Background The topical application of mitomycin C has been evaluated as a complementary therapy for eosinophilic nasal polyposis (ENP). However, the mechanism underlying the additional benefits of mitomycin C for the control of eosinophilic inflammation and prevention of posttherapeutic relapse remains to be elucidated. In this work, the aim was to characterize the gene expression profile by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) of proinflammatory and regulatory biomarkers that are typically associated with ENP and to assess the impact of the topical application of mitomycin C on the nasal mucosal tissue immunologic milieu after ENP surgery. Methods We have selected 20 patients with ENP that were recommended to undergo surgical intervention. Normal mucosal tissue was obtained from healthy nasal mucosa from six patients with absence of eosinophilic infiltration. To test the effect of mitomycin C, one side of the maxillary sinus mucosa was selected for topical application of this drug and the other received no further treatment and acted as the control. The genes interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-5, IL-10, IL-13, chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 5 (CCL5), CCL24, colony-stimulating factor 2 (CSF2), transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFB1), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), and beta actin (ACTB) were selected for gene expression analysis by qPCR. Results The data showed higher expression of proinflammatory biomarkers and lower levels of regulatory TGFB1 transcripts in ENP mucosal tissue. Surgery with topical application of mitomycin C induced a prominent transcriptional down-regulation of the immunologic biomarkers, CCL24, TNF-alpha, CSF2, and IL-5, in ENP mucosal tissue. Additionally, this treatment restored the levels of chemokines and cytokines to those observed in the nasal mucosal tissue of control subjects, except for TGFB1, which remained below the reference pattern. Moreover, CSF2 was identified as a putative biomarker with significant predictive value for complementary prophylactic purposes after surgery in ENP patients. Conclusion After the characterization of the expression signatures of immunologic biomarkers in ENP, we observed that the topical use of mitomycin C is important for the reestablishment of the immunologic microenvironment of a normal expression profile of biomarkers involved in ENP mucosal tissue.
Talking about Teaching 2012
Authors: Restivo Maria Teresa , Rasteiro Maria Da Graça , Cardoso Alberto 
Published: February 2013

The Portuguese Society for Engineering Education (SPEE) was publically launched in 2010.
Its start-up initiatives and consolidation process were complemented with the simultaneous establishment of SPEE international links.
In 2010-11 international workshops were run with the support of University of Porto (UPorto) and FEUP. Later on, in 2011, SPEE joined the International Society for Engineering Education (IGIP) and together both societies organized the SPEE-IGIP Flash Moment within the 1st World Engineering Education Flash Week.
SPEE has participated in other initiatives, such as CISTI 2011 (Chaves, Portugal), ICECE 2011 (Guimarães, Portugal), Educa Berlin 2011 (collaborating with the IGIP and SEFI workshop â??The Role of Pedagogy in Online Engineering Educationâ?), and has also organized Special Tracks in CLME 2011 (Maputo, Mozambique) and in the 41st International Conference of IGIP (Villach, Austria). Here, SPEE organized a Special Track entitled â??Talking about Teaching 2012 (TaTâ??12)â?.
In the Special Track Session TaTâ??12 within IGIP2012, SPEE intended to contribute to promote the discussion on Engineering Education (EE) by providing an opportunity for debating and sharing approaches, developments and experiences, in line with the mission of both SPEE and IGIP.
â??Talking about Teachingâ? is the name of a thought-provoking column of Susan Zvacek, from Fort Hays State University, in the SPEE Newsletter and it was planned to give continuity to her reflections and to potentiate them within TaTâ??12 and in future TaTâ??xx.
The proposed topics were concerned not only with resources in EE and with the constant demand on the use of technology, but also with the effectiveness of knowledge in order to guaranty simultaneously the spirit of engineering leadership in society and the lifelong learning capability. They also included the perspective of EE oriented for STEM teachers and students, as well as the sharing of resources with developing countries.
The TaTâ??12 Special Track has been organized in 3 sessions. Each session had an invited speaker, regular presentations and a final group discussion on all its topics. Susan Zvacek engaged all the participants with the topic â??Visualizing Understanding with Concept Mapsâ? which motivated some interactivity. James Uhomoibhi discussed â??Collaboration and Resource Sharing in Engineering Educationâ?, stressing the importance of the interaction with developing countries and Teresa Larkin spoke about â??Authentic Assessment using a Research Conference Formatâ?, showing how complementary and more effective methods can be used to supplement traditional paper and pencil examinations.
Nucleotide-Binding Oligomerization Domain 2 Signaling Promotes Hyperresponsive Macrophages and Colitis in IL-10–Deficient Mice
Authors: Jamontt Joanna , Petit Stephanie , Clark Natalie , Parkinson Scott J. , Smith Philip 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
IL-10 contributes to the maintenance of intestinal homeostasis via the regulation of inflammatory responses to enteric bacteria. Loss of IL-10 signaling results in spontaneous colitis in mice and early onset enterocolitis in humans. Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD) 2 is an intracellular receptor of bacterial peptidoglycan products, and, although NOD2 mutations are associated with Crohn’s disease, the precise role of NOD2 in the development of intestinal inflammation remains undefined. To determine the role of NOD2 in the development of colitis on the clinically relevant genetic background of IL-10–deficient signaling, we generated mice lacking IL-10 and NOD2 (IL-10−/−NOD2−/−). Loss of NOD2 in IL-10−/− mice resulted in significant amelioration of chronic colitis, indicating that NOD2 signaling promotes the development of intestinal inflammation in IL-10−/− mice. Contrary to previous reports investigating immune function in NOD2−/− mice, T cell proliferative capacity and IL-2 production were not impaired, and immune polarization toward type 1 immunity was not affected. However, loss of NOD2 in IL-10–deficient macrophages reduced IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-12p40 production in response to bacterial stimulation. Further analysis of the intrinsic macrophage response before the onset of inflammation revealed that, in the absence of IL-10, synergistic signaling between various TLRs and NOD2 resulted in hyperresponsive, proinflammatory macrophages, thus providing the appropriate immune environment for the development of colitis. Data presented in this study demonstrate that NOD2 signaling contributes to intestinal inflammation that arises through loss of IL-10 and provides mechanistic insight into the development of colitis in inflammatory bowel disease patients with impaired IL-10 signaling.