bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bioenergetic failure correlates with autophagy and apoptosis in rat liver following silver nanoparticle intraperitoneal administration
Authors: Lee Tzu-Ying , Liu Maw-Shung , Huang Li-Ju , Lue Sheng-I , Lin Lung-Chang , Kwan Aij-Lie , Yang Rei-Cheng 
Published: August 2013

Abstract

Background
Deposition and accumulation of silver nanoparticles (Ag-nps) in the liver have been shown to induce hepatotoxicity in animal studies. The hepatotoxicity may include oxidative stress, abnormalities in energy metabolism, and cell death. Studies have indicated that autophagy is an intracellular event involving balance of energy, nutrients, and turnover of subcellular organelles. The present study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that autophagy plays a role in mediating hepatotoxicity in animal after exposure to Ag-nps. Focus was placed on interrelationship between energy metabolism, autophagy, apoptosis and hepatic dysfunction.

Methods
Sprague Dawley rats were intraperitoneally injected with Ag-nps (10–30 nm in diameter) at concentration of 500 mg kg-1. All animals were sacrificed on days 1, 4, 7, 10 and 30 after exposure and blood and liver tissues were collected for further studies.

Results
Uptake of Ag-nps was quite prompt and not proportional to the blood Ag concentration. Declination of ATP (-64% in days 1) and autophagy (determined by LC3-II protein expression and morphological evaluation) increased and peaked on the first day. The ATP content remained at low level even though the autophagy has been activated. Apoptosis (based on caspase-3 protein expression and TUNEL-positive cells staining) began to rise sigmoidally at days 1 and 4, reached a peak level at day 7, and remained at the same levels during days 7–30 post exposure. Meanwhile, autophagy exhibited a gradual decrease from days 1–10 and the decrease at day 30 was statistically significant as compared to day 0 (sham group). Inflammatory reaction (histopathological evaluation) was found at day 10 and preceded to an advanced degree at day 30 when liver function was impaired.

Conclusions
These results indicate that following Ag-nps administration, autophagy was induced; however, failure to preserve autophagy compounded with energy reduction led to apoptosis and the eventual impairment of liver function. The study provides an in-vivo evidence of hepatotoxicity by continuous exposure of Ag-nps in rats.
Enhanced levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine in a serum of middle age patients with myelodysplastic syndrome
Authors: Štikarová Jana , Suttnar Jiří , Pimková Kristýna , Chrastinová-Mášová Leona , Čermák Jaroslav , Dyr Jan E 
Published: August 2013

Abstract
Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are hematological malignancies of unclear etiology where oxidative stress may contribute to the pathogenesis. Methylarginines, naturally occurring inhibitors of NO synthase, can increase superoxide generation from uncoupled NO synthase. We found significant increase in concentrations of asymmetric dimethylarginine (0.84 ± 0.32 μmol/L, p = 0.0022) and malondialdehyde (0.77 ± 0.11 μmol/L, p < 0.001) in sera of MDS patients vs controls (asymmetric dimethylarginine: 0.56 ± 0.16 μmol/L, malondialdehyde: 0.52 ± 0.07 μmol/L). On the contrary, nitrites concentrations were significantly decreased in MDS patients (1.71 ± 0.46 μmol/L, p = 0.0028) vs controls (2.16 ± 0.38 μmol/L). We suppose that the oxidative stress in MDS is enhanced due to methylated arginines influence on NO synthase activity impairment.
Residual rates of mortality in patients with severe sepsis: a fatality or a new challenge?
Authors: Asfar Pierre , Claessens Yann-Erick , Duranteau Jacques , Kipnis Eric , Leone Marc , Lévy Bruno , Mira Jean-Paul 
Published: August 2013

Abstract
Phase III clinical trials on severe sepsis and septic shock published during the past decade have failed to reveal the superiority of any therapeutic intervention on mortality compared with evolving standards of care, with the exception of the Early-Goal Directed Therapy reported in 2001. This viewpoint paper presents an analysis of these studies in order to understand what lessons can be learned and proposes perspectives for future study designs. A total of 102 studies were selected among clinical trials published in the field of severe sepsis and septic shock from 2001 to 2013, based on the assessment of a therapeutic intervention and mortality as an outcome. Studies were further selected according to randomized, controlled trial (RCT) quality criteria and analysed according to reported data. Most (n = 61) were excluded because they did not comply with RCT quality criteria or did not report inclusion criteria or patient severity (n = 22). The 19 remaining studies were categorized into three groups depending on whether the intervention assessed led to better, worse, or equivalent outcomes. It appears that the mortality rate in the control arm, ranging from 17% to 61%, impacted the results, with a benefit reported in the studies with the highest rates. Both heterogeneous studied populations and uncontrolled diversity of care among participating centres probably contributed to discrepancies between studies assessing the same intervention. The new challenge to enhance the probability of decreasing mortality rates should include a more appropriate definition of sepsis based on more specific criteria involving biomarker use and accurate patient phenotypes.
Motivation in the age of genomics: why genetic findings of disease susceptibility might not motivate behavior change
Authors: Webster Tinsley HG , Beal Sarah J , Brothers Kyle B 
Published: August 2013

Abstract
There is a growing consensus that results generated through multiplex genetic tests, even those produced as a part of research, should be reported to providers and patients when they are considered “actionable,” that is, when they could be used to inform some potentially beneficial clinical action. However, there remains controversy over the precise criterion that should be used in identifying when a result meets this standard. In this paper, we seek to refine the concept of “actionability” by exploring one proposed use for genetic test results. We argue that genetic test results indicating that a patient is at risk for developing a chronic health condition should not be considered actionable if the only potential value of that result is to motivate patients to make changes in their health behaviors. Since the empirical research currently available on this question is equivocal, we explore relevant psychological theories of human motivation to demonstrate that current theory does not support the assumption that information about genetic risk will be motivating to most patients in their attempts to make changes in health behaviors.
The phenotype and genotype of rheumatoid arthritis in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Authors: Malemba JJ , Mbuyi-Muamba JM , Mukaya J , Bossuyt X , Emonds MP , Deiteren K , Westhovens R , Verschueren P 
Published: August 2013

Abstract
Introduction
Little is known about rheumatoid arthritis in the black, particularly in Congolese, populations. Our objective was to describe the phenotype and genotype of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Congolese.

Methods
All consecutive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients attending Kinshasa University Hospital in a three-year time period were included. Demographics, clinical features and tobacco consumption were noted. Disease Activity Score (DAS)-28 based on the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), anti-citrullinated peptide antibodies (CCP) antibodies and rheumatoid factor (RF) were determined. Radiographs were scored according to Sharp-van der Heijde. On a subset of patients and controls HLA-DRB1 typing was performed.

Results
A total of 114 females and 14 males aged 51.2 ± 14.9 were included. Mean duration of symptoms was four years. Moderate tobacco consumption was reported in a minority of patients. DAS-28 at first visit was >5.1 and HAQ ≥0.5 in all patients. X-rays showed joint erosions and/or joint space narrowing, mostly of a moderate grade in 55.8% of patients. Anti-CCP and/or RF were present in 48.6% of patients with available data (n = 72) and in 3.0% of controls (n = 67). Radiographic changes and nodules were more frequent in RF or anti-CCP positive patients. One copy of the shared epitope was found in 13 patients (35.1%) and 3 controls (12.5%). Two copies were found in one patient (2.7%) and in one control (4.2%).

Conclusion
Congolese patients with RA consult long after disease onset. Despite this delay, the majority presents without major damage and is RF, anti-CCP and SE negative. We put forward the hypothesis that besides different environmental factors there is probably also a particular genetic risk profile in Congolese patients, different from the HLA-DRB1 shared epitope.
On the use of a seismic sensor as a seismic source
Authors: Halliday David F. , Fawumi Taiwo , Robertsson Johan O. A. , Kragh Ed 
Published: August 2013

We investigated the use of seismic sensors as small seismic sources. A voltage signal is applied to a geophone that forces the mass within the geophone to move. The movement of the mass generates a seismic wavefield that was recorded with an array of geophones operating in the conventional sense. We observed higher-frequency (25 Hz and above) surface and body waves propagating from the geophone source at offsets of 10 s of meters. We further found that the surface waves emitted from geophone sources can be used to generate a surface-wave group velocity map. We discuss potential developments and future applications.
Locally contractible coset spaces
Authors: Antonyan Sergey , Dobrowolski Tadeusz 
Published: August 2013

Abstract
We prove that for any closed subgroup H of a locally compact
Hausdorff group G the following properties are mutually
equivalent:
(1) the coset space G/H is locally contractible,
(2) G/H is finite-dimensional and locally connected, (3) G/H is
a manifold. Assume that G is a locally compact group with
compact space of connected components. If the natural action of G
on a locally contractible coset space G/H is effective, then we
prove that G is a Lie group.
Differential contributions of the latch in Thermotoga maritima reverse gyrase to the binding of single-stranded DNA before and after ATP hydrolysis
Authors: del Toro Duany Yoandris , Ganguly Agneyo , Klostermeier Dagmar 
Published: August 2013

Abstract
Reverse gyrase catalyzes the ATP-dependent introduction of positive supercoils into DNA. Supercoiling requires the functional cooperation of its N-terminal helicase domain with the C-terminal topoisomerase domain. The helicase domain contains a superfamily 2 helicase core formed by two RecA domains, H1 and H2. We show here that a helicase domain lacking the latch, an insertion in H2, fails to close the cleft in the helicase core in response to nucleotide and DNA binding at the beginning of the catalytic cycle. In the presence of the pre-hydrolysis ATP analog ADP·BeFx, however, the closed conformer can still be formed in the absence of the latch. The helicase domain lacking the latch exhibits reduced DNA affinities. The energetic difference between the two nucleotide states involved in duplex separation is diminished, rationalizing the unwinding deficiency of reverse gyrase lacking the latch. The latch most strongly contributes to binding of single-stranded DNA in the post-hydrolysis state, before phosphate release. Our results are in line with contributions of the latch in determining the direction of strand passage, and in orienting the cleaved single-stranded DNA for re-ligation. At the same time, the latch may coordinate the re-ligation reaction with strand passage and with the nucleotide cycle.
Thermal and mechanical properties of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene/high-density polyethylene/polyethylene glycol blends
Authors: Ahmad Mazatusziha , Wahit Mat Uzir , Kadir Mohammed Rafiq Abdul , Dahlan Khairul Zaman Mohd , Jawaid Mohammad 
Published: August 2013

Abstract
Blends of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) with high-density polyethylene (HDPE) provide adequate mechanical properties for biomedical application. In this study, the mechanical and thermal properties of UHMWPE/HDPE blends with the addition of polyethylene glycol (PEG) prepared via single-screw extruder nanomixer were investigated. The UHMWPE/HDPE blends exhibit a gradual increase in strength, modulus, and impact strength over pure polymers, suggesting synergism in the polymer blends. The elastic and flexural modulus was increased at the expense of tensile, flexural, and impact strength for the blends containing PEG. The degradation temperature of UHMWPE was improved with the incorporation of HDPE due to good thermal stability of HDPE. HDPE improved the dispersibility of PEG in matrix, consequently reduced the surface area available for the kinetic effects, and reduced the degradation temperature. The morphology analysis confirmed the miscibility between UHMWPE and HDPE and the changes in polymer structure with the presence of PEG modify the thermal behavior of the blends. The mechanical properties of the blends that are underlying values for the design of implant material show the potential used as biomedical devices.
Effects of calcium stearate and metal hydroxide additions on the irradiated LDPE/EVA compound properties
Authors: Sabet Maziyar , Soleimani Hassan , Hassan Azman , Ratnam Chantara Thevy 
Published: August 2013

Abstract
The effects of the addition different fillers, such as calcium stearate (CS), aluminum trihydrate (ATH), and magnesium hydroxide (MH), on the properties of low-density polyethylene/ethylene vinyl acetate (LDPE/EVA) compounds were studied. It was determined that the adhesion forces among MH and LDPE/EVA compounds were stronger than those among analogue compounds containing ATH in each irradiated sample. The gel content (GC) values of irradiated compounds containing ATH were higher than those of the analogue MH compounds, and CS addition enhanced the GC values of all compounds in each irradiated sample. The density values of compounds with MH content were higher than those of analogue compounds containing ATH in each irradiated sample. It was shown that all pristine compounds whose density was compared with irradiated samples had maximum values. Addition of CS and enhancing irradiation to polymer compounds reduced the density values. Compounds with high CS contents and were highly irradiated showed high tensile strength (TS) values. The TS values of compounds containing ATH were lower than those of analogue compounds containing MH in each irradiated sample. ATH or MH addition to polymer matrices reduced the elongation at break (EB) values in each irradiated sample. The EB values of compounds containing ATH were higher than those of compounds containing MH in each irradiation range. CS addition improved polymer chain flexibility and enhanced the compounds’ EB values with irradiation.
Effects of additives on the improved growth rate and morphology of Chemical Bath Deposited Zn(S,O,OH) buffer layer for Cu(In,Ga)Se2- based solar cells
Authors: Hildebrandt Thibaud , Loones Nicolas , Schneider Nathanaelle , Bouttemy Muriel , Vigneron Jackie , Etcheberry Arnaud , Lincot Daniel , Naghavi Negar 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACTZn(S,O,OH) Chemical Bath Deposited (CBD) remains one of the most studied Cd-free buffer layer for replacing the CBD-CdS buffer layer in a Cu(In,Ga)Se2-based (CIGSe) solar cells and has already demonstrated its potential to lead to high-efficiencies. However, in order to further increase the deposition rate of the Zn(S,O,OH) layer during the CBD, the inclusion of additives can be a reasonable strategy, as long as the efficiencies of solar cells are maintained. The aim of this work is to understand the effect of the introduction of additives such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), H2O2+ethanolamine (C2H7NO) and H2O2+tri-sodium citrate (Na3C6H5O7) during CBD on the deposition mechanism, the growth rate and the quality of the buffer layer. It has been shown that the combined use of H2O2 and citrate in the bath formulation allows the deposition of Zn(S,O,OH) via a mix of “ion-by-ion” and “cluster-by-cluster” mechanisms that have good properties as buffer layers leading to high efficiency solar cells.
Accuracy of laser-scanned models compared to plaster models and cone-beam computed tomography
Authors: Kim Jooseong , Heo Giseon , Lagravère Manuel O. 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACT

Objective:
To compare the accuracy of measurements obtained from the three-dimensional (3D) laser scans to those taken from the cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans and those obtained from plaster models.

Materials and Methods:
Eighteen different measurements, encompassing mesiodistal width of teeth and both maxillary and mandibular arch length and width, were selected using various landmarks. CBCT scans and plaster models were prepared from 60 patients. Plaster models were scanned using the Ortho Insight 3D laser scanner, and the selected landmarks were measured using its software. CBCT scans were imported and analyzed using the Avizo software, and the 26 landmarks corresponding to the selected measurements were located and recorded. The plaster models were also measured using a digital caliper. Descriptive statistics and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were used to analyze the data.

Results:
The ICC result showed that the values obtained by the three different methods were highly correlated in all measurements, all having correlations &gt;0.808. When checking the differences between values and methods, the largest mean difference found was 0.59 mm ± 0.38 mm.

Conclusions:
In conclusion, plaster models, CBCT models, and laser-scanned models are three different diagnostic records, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The present results showed that the laser-scanned models are highly accurate to plaster models and CBCT scans. This gives general clinicians an alternative to take into consideration the advantages of laser-scanned models over plaster models and CBCT reconstructions.
Finite mixture models with fixed weights applied to growth data
Authors: Molas Marek , Lesaffre Emmanuel 
Published: August 2013

Summary To model cross-sectional growth data the LMS method is widely applied. In this method the distribution is summarized by three parameters: the Box-Cox power that converts outcome to normality (L); the median (M); and the coeficient of variation (S).Here, we propose an alternative approach based on fitting finite mixture models with several components which may perform better than the LMS method in case the data show an unusual distribution. Further, we explore fixing the weights of the mixture components in contrast to the standard approach where weights are estimated. Having fixed weights improves the speed of computation and the stability of the solution. In addition, fixing the weights provides almost as good a fit as when the weights are estimated. Our methodology combines Gaussian mixture modelling and spline smoothing. The estimation of the parameters is based on the joint modelling of mean and dispersion.We illustrate the methodology on the Fourth Dutch Growth Study, which is a cross-sectional study that contains information on the growth of 7303 boys as a function of age. This information is used to construct centile curves, so-called growth curves, which describe the distribution of height as a smooth function of age. Further, we analyse simulated data showing a bimodal structure at some time point.In its full generality, this approach permits the replacement of the Gaussian components by any parametric density. Further, different components of the mixture can have a diferent probabilistic (multivariate) structure, allowing for censoring and truncation.
A Global Approach to the Comparison of Clustering Results
Authors: Silva Osvaldo , Bacelar-Nicolau Helena , Nicolau Fernando C. 
Published: August 2013

Summary The discovery of knowledge in the case of Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) depends on many factors, such as the clustering algorithms applied and the strategies developed in the initial stage of Cluster Analysis. We present a global approach for evaluating the quality of clustering results and making a comparison among different clustering algorithms using the relevant information available (e.g. the stability, isolation and homogeneity of the clusters). In addition, we present a visual method to facilitate evaluation of the quality of the partitions, allowing identification of the similarities and differences between partitions, as well as the behaviour of the elements in the partitions. We illustrate our approach using a complex and heterogeneous dataset (real horse data) taken from the literature. We apply HCA based on the generalized affinity coefficient (similarity coefficient) to the case of complex data (symbolic data), combined with 26 (classic and probabilistic) clustering algorithms. Finally, we discuss the obtained results and the contribution of this approach to gaining better knowledge of the structure of data.
Intra-annual climate variability and malaria transmission in Nigeria
Authors: Ayanlade Ayansina , Olugbade Adeoye Nathaniel , Babatimehin Oyekanmi 
Published: August 2013

Abstract
This study develops an integrated innovation for malaria early warning systems (MEWS), based on vulnerability monitoring, seasonal climate variability data, and epidemiologic surveillance. The main aim of the study is to examine the relationship between intra-annual climate variability and malaria transmission in Nigeria. For this study, climatic conditions considered suitable for the development of the malaria parasite and its transmission through the mosquito stage of its life cycle are temperatures within the range from 18°C to 32°C. Below 18°C the parasite development decreases significantly, while above 32°C the survival of the mosquito is compromised. Relative humidity greater than 60% is also considered a requirement for the mosquito to survive long enough for the parasite to develop sufficiently to be transmitted to its human host stage. The research findings show that seasonality of climate greatly influences the seasonality of malaria transmission. Specifically, rainfall plays an important role in the distribution and maintenance of breeding sites for the mosquito vector. Rainfall and surface water is required for the egg laying and larval stages of the mosquito life cycle and monthly rainfall above 80 mm is considered a requirement. Also, it is temperature that regulates the development rate of both the mosquito larvae and the malaria parasite (Plasmodium species) within the mosquito host. Relative humidity and temperature play an important role in the survival and longevity of the mosquito vector. This study is in conformity with the findings of the IPCC (2001) that malaria is caused by four distinct species of the Plasmodium parasite, transmitted by mosquitoes of the genus Anopheles, which are most abundant in tropical/subtropical regions, although they are also found in limited numbers in temperate climates.
Staff qualification and the quality of tourism-related services in the Nitra region
Authors: Grenčíková Adriana , Vojtovič Sergej , Gullerová Monika 
Published: August 2013

Abstract
The study attempts to justify the importance of the human potential quality, one of the key factors for the development of tourism industry. Moreover, the study attempts to establish a correlation between the human potential quality and the quality of tourism-related services. Next, the study emphasizes that not only geography-related factors, such as natural, historical and cultural sights, climatic and weather conditions getting the attention and interest by tourists, are vital for tourism industry. The human potential quality, including training, qualification and expertise, is important as well. Therefore, the study analyses the human potential quality in tourism industry, and assesses its impact on the service quality related to accommodation, catering, transport, organization and provision of sports, cultural and sightseeing events.