bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Surface‐Micromachined Microfiltration Membranes for Efficient Isolation and Functional Immunophenotyping of Subpopulations of Immune Cells
Authors: Chen Weiqiang , Huang Nien‐Tsu , Oh Boram , Lam Raymond H. W. , Fan Rong , Cornell Timothy T. , Shanley Thomas P. , Kurabayashi Katsuo , Fu Jianping 
Published: January 2013

AbstractAn accurate measurement of the immune status in patients with immune system disorders is critical in evaluating the stage of diseases and tailoring drug treatments. The functional cellular immunity test is a promising method to establish the diagnosis of immune dysfunctions. The conventional functional cellular immunity test involves measurements of the capacity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells to produce pro‐inflammatory cytokines when stimulated ex vivo. However, this “bulk” assay measures the overall reactivity of a population of lymphocytes and monocytes, making it difficult to pinpoint the phenotype or real identity of the reactive immune cells involved. In this research, we develop a large surface micromachined poly‐dimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfiltration membrane (PMM) with high porosity, which is integrated in a microfluidic microfiltration platform. Using the PMM with functionalized microbeads conjugated with antibodies against specific cell surface proteins, we demonstrated rapid, efficient and high‐throughput on‐chip isolation, enrichment, and stimulation of subpopulations of immune cells from blood specimens. Furthermore, the PMM‐integrated microfiltration platform, coupled with a no‐wash homogeneous chemiluminescence assay (“AlphaLISA”), enables us to demonstrate rapid and sensitive on‐chip immunophenotyping assays for subpopulations of immune cells isolated directly from minute quantities of blood samples.
Changes in snow accumulation and ablation following the Las Conchas Forest Fire, New Mexico, USA
Authors: Harpold Adrian A. , Biederman Joel A. , Condon Katherine , Merino Manuel , Korgaonkar Yoganand , Nan Tongchao , Sloat Lindsey L. , Ross Morgan , Brooks Paul D. 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACTSeasonally, snow‐covered forests are a critical source of water in the Western United States and are subject to major disturbances, including fire, harvest, disease and insect‐caused mortality, that have relatively unknown effects on water availability. In this study, we investigated changes in winter season snow accumulation and ablation in a forest following the Las Conchas fire in the Jemez Mountains of New Mexico. We investigated two competing sets of processes that should determine the peak annual snowpack prior to snowmelt: (1) reduced interception by forest canopy results in greater new snow accumulation and (2) increased winter season ablation of the snowpack results in reduced peak snowpack volumes. These processes were evaluated with approximately 800 spatially distributed manual observations of new snow, 1500 manual observations of peak snowpack, and light detection and ranging‐derived snow depth, vegetation and terrain datasets collected prior to the fire. A single snowfall event yielded significantly larger snow depths in the post‐burn area versus the unburned area (p < 0.001), with 25% to 45% interception in the unburned area and near zero in the post‐burn area. Conversely, the peak snowpack depths were significantly larger in the unburned area compared with the post‐burn area (mean of 55 and 47 cm, respectively), despite nearly identical peak snowpacks prior to the fire (72 and 72 cm, respectively). The lack of strong vegetation controls led to less variability at peak snowpack in the post‐burn area and a shift towards topographically controlled variability, caused by differences in elevation and aspect, occurring at larger spatial scales. The unburned area had roughly 10% more water available for melt than the post‐burn area, with winter season ablation reducing snowpacks by nearly 50% prior to melt in the post‐burn area. The relative importance of shortwave radiation to the snowpack energy balance and sublimation suggests that the 10% reductions in peak snow water storage found in these north‐facing areas could be a conservative estimate for winter season ablation following fire. Further work is necessary to assess the role that topography plays in altering water partitioning following forest disturbance and the potential implications for ecological health and downstream water resources. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Combination of hollow‐fiber liquid‐phase microextraction and capillary electrophoresis for pioglitazone and its main metabolites determination in rat liver microsomal fraction
Authors: Calixto Leandro Augusto , Bonato Pierina Sueli 
Published: January 2013

Pioglitazone (PGZ), a thiazolidinedione antidiabetic agent, is reported as a potent and selective activator of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ (PPAR γ). This drug has been widely prescribed for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes mellitus. In this regard, this manuscript presents, for the first time, an alternative electrophoretic method for PGZ and its main metabolites determination in rat liver microsomal fraction. The electrophoretic analyses were performed using an uncoated fused‐silica capillary of 50 μm id, 48 cm in total length and 40 cm in effective length, and 50 mmol/L sodium phosphate buffer solution (pH 2.5). All experiments were carried out under the normal mode. The capillary temperature was set at 35°C and a constant voltage of +30 kV was applied during the analyses. Samples were introduced into the capillary by hydrodynamic injection (50 mbar, 15 s) and detection was performed at 190 nm. The sample preparation procedure, based on hollow‐fiber liquid‐phase microextraction, was optimized using multifactorial experiments. Next, the following optimal condition was established: sample agitation at 1500 rpm, extraction for 15 min, 0.01 mol/L hydrochloric acid as acceptor phase, 1‐octanol as organic phase, and donor phase pH adjustment to 6.0. The method demonstrated LOQs of 200 ng/mL. Additionally, it was linear over the concentration range of 200–25 000 ng/mL for PGZ and 200–2000 ng/mL for the metabolites. Finally, the validated method was employed to study the in vitro metabolism of PGZ using rat liver microsomal fraction.
Hydrogen Peroxide Biosensor Based on Immobilization of Hemoglobin on Au@Ag Nanoparticles Modified Carbon Ionic Liquid Electrode
Authors: Ma Chun‐Yang , Liu Kun , Ma Chun‐Hua , Chu Dian‐Qing 
Published: January 2013

AbstractA hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) biosensor based on the combination of Au@Ag core‐shell nanoparticles with a hemoglobin‐chitosan‐1‐butyl‐3‐methyl‐imidazolium tetrafluoroborate (Hb‐CHIT‐BMIM×BF4) composite film was prepared. UV‐vis spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy confirmed a core‐shell nanostructure of Au@Ag nanoparticle was successfully obtained. Cyclic voltammetric results showed a pair of well‐defined redox peaks appeared with the formal potential (EO′) of ‐0.301 V (versus Ag/AgCl reference electrode) and the peak‐to‐peak separation (ΔEp) was 84 mV in 0.1 M phosphate buffer solutions. Due to the synergetic effect of Au@Ag core‐shell nanoparticles and Hb‐CHIT‐BMIM×BF4, the biosensor exhibited good electrocatalytic activity to the reduction of H2O2 in a linear range from 1.0 × 10−6 to 1.0 × 10−3 M with a detection limit of 4 × 10−7 M (S/N = 3). The apparent Michaelis‐Menten constant (KM) was estimated to be 4.4 × 10−4 M, showing its high affinity. Thus, the study proved that the combination of Au@Ag core‐shell nanoparticles and Hb‐CHIT‐BMIM×BF4 is able to open up new opportunities for the design of enzymatic biosensors.
Complexity and expressive power of second‐order extended Horn logic
Authors: Feng Shiguang , Zhao Xishun 
Published: January 2013

AbstractWe introduce SO‐HORNr which is a revised version of SO‐HORN and show that SO‐HORNr captures \documentclass{article}\usepackage{amssymb}\begin{document}\pagestyle{empty}$\mathsf {P}$\end{document} on ordered finite structures. We also introduce second‐order extended Horn logic SO‐EHORN and a superclass SO‐EHORNr of it. We show that both of them capture \documentclass{article}\usepackage{amssymb}\begin{document}\pagestyle{empty}$\mathsf {co}\mbox{-}\mathsf {NP}$\end{document} on ordered finite structures by proving that SO‐EHORN and SO‐EHORNr have the same expressive power when only consider ordered structures.
Effects of PFM rehabilitation on PFM function and morphology in older women
Authors: Madill Stéphanie J. , Pontbriand‐Drolet Stéphanie , Tang An , Dumoulin Chantale 
Published: January 2013

AbstractAimsThe purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a pelvic floor muscle (PFM) rehabilitation program on incontinence symptoms, PFM function, and morphology in older women with SUI.MethodsWomen 60 years old and older with at least weekly episodes of SUI were recruited. Participants were evaluated before and after a 12‐week group PFM rehabilitation intervention. The evaluations included 3‐day bladder diaries, symptom, and quality of life questionnaires, PFM function testing with dynamometry (force) and electromyography (activation) during seven tasks: rest, PFM maximum voluntary contraction (MVC), straining, rapid‐repeated PFM contractions, a 60 sec sustained PFM contraction, a single cough and three repeated coughs, and sagittal MRI recorded at rest, during PFM MVCs and during straining to assess PFM morphology.ResultsSeventeen women (68.9 ± 5.5 years) participated. Following the intervention the frequency of urine leakage decreased and disease‐specific quality of life improved significantly. PFM function improved significantly: the participants were able to perform more rapid‐repeated PFM contractions; they activated their PFMs sooner when coughing and they were better able to maintain a PFM contraction between repeated coughs. Pelvic organ support improved significantly: the anorectal angle was decreased and the urethrovescial junction was higher at rest, during contraction and while straining.ConclusionsThis study indicated that improvements in urine leakage were produced along with improvements in PFM co‐ordination (demonstrated by the increased number of rapid PFM contractions and the earlier PFM activation when coughing), motor‐control, pelvic organ support. Neurourol. Urodynam. 32:1086–1095, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Genetic haemochromatosis and sexual health in men
Authors: Rosenbaum Leah , Morgan Marsha Y. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractClinically overt genetic haemochromatosis is ten times more frequent in men than in women, but is often underdiagnosed because of the generalised and varied nature of the symptoms and slow onset. As sexual dysfunction is a common early sign, often occurring years before other manifestations of the disease, the authors suggest a case could be made for screening men who present to sexual health services. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons
Oligodendrogenesis from neural stem cells: Perspectives for remyelinating strategies
Authors: Grade Sofia , Bernardino Liliana , Malva João O. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractMobilization of remyelinating cells spontaneously occurs in the adult brain. These cellular resources are specially active after demyelinating episodes in early phases of multiple sclerosis (MS). Indeed, oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) actively proliferate, migrate to and repopulate the lesioned areas. Ultimately, efficient remyelination is accomplished when new oligodendrocytes reinvest nude neuronal axons, restoring the normal properties of impulse conduction. As the disease progresses this fundamental process fails. Multiple causes seem to contribute to such transient decline, including the failure of OPCs to differentiate and enwrap the vulnerable neuronal axons. Regenerative medicine for MS has been mainly centered on the recruitment of endogenous self‐repair mechanisms, or on transplantation approaches. The latter commonly involves grafting of neural precursor cells (NPCs) or neural stem cells (NSCs), with myelinogenic potential, in the injured areas. Both strategies require further understanding of the biology of oligodendrocyte differentiation and remyelination. Indeed, the success of transplantation largely depends on the pre‐commitment of transplanted NPCs or NSCs into oligodendroglial cell type, while the endogenous differentiation of OPCs needs to be boosted in chronic stages of the disease. Thus, much effort has been focused on finding molecular targets that drive oligodendrocytes commitment and development. The present review explores several aspects of remyelination that must be considered in the design of a cell‐based therapy for MS, and explores more deeply the challenge of fostering oligodendrogenesis. In this regard, we discuss herein a tool developed in our research group useful to search novel oligodendrogenic factors and to study oligodendrocyte differentiation in a time‐ and cost‐saving manner.
Successful catheter ablation of premature ventricular contractions originating from the anterior fascicle of the left bundle branch in a patient with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Sonoda Kazumasa , Okumura Yasuo , Watanabe Ichiro , Nagashima Koichi , Mano Hiroaki , Kofune Masayoshi , Kunimoto Satoshi , Ohkubo Kimie , Nakai Toshiko , Hirayama Atsushi 
Published: January 2013

AbstractA 73‐year‐old man with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy was referred for an electrophysiologic study and catheter ablation of premature ventricular contractions (PVCs)/nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT). The QRS morphology of the PVCs was right bundle branch block with an inferior axis. Transthoracic echocardiography showed left ventricular hypertrophy and a normal left ventricular ejection fraction without any obstruction in the left ventricle (LV). Intracardiac mapping showed that the earliest activation site of the PVCs was within the anterior portion of the basal LV, where a Purkinje potential preceded the QRS onset by 32 ms. Radiofrequency application at that site terminated the PVCs. The PVCs/NSVT did not recur during 10 months of follow‐up.
Unidirectional block on the mitral isthmus during radiofrequency application for perimitral atrial tachycardia
Authors: Yamashita Seigo , Yamane Teiichi , Matsuo Seiichiro , Ito Keiichi , Narui Ryohsuke , Hioki Mika , Tanigawa Shin‐ichi , Tokuda Michifumi , Inada Keiichi , Date Taro , Sugimoto Ken‐ichi , Yoshimura Michihiro 
Published: January 2013

AbstractWe present the case of a patient who developed regular, narrow QRS tachycardia after ablation for long‐standing persistent atrial fibrillation. During the electrophysiological study, this tachycardia was diagnosed as macroreentrant atrial tachycardia circulating around the mitral annulus. Catheter ablation was performed to treat the tachycardia by targeting the linear region between the annulus and the left inferior pulmonary vein. Although linear radiofrequency application along the mitral isthmus (MI) line resulted in the termination of this tachycardia, a unidirectional conduction block was observed through the MI. Bidirectional conduction block was subsequently achieved by delivering supplemental radiofrequency energies at the gap on the MI.
Mood instability and functional recovery in bipolar disorders
Authors: Strejilevich S. A. , Martino D. J. , Murru A. , Teitelbaum J. , Fassi G. , Marengo E. , Igoa A. , Colom F. 
Published: January 2013

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to identify psychopathological factors associated with long‐term functional outcome in euthymic bipolar disorder patients and to test new measures of mood instability and symptoms intensity.MethodFifty‐five patients with more than 12 months of follow‐up were included. In addition to traditional clinical variables, the time spent ill was documented using a modified life‐charting technique based on NIHM life‐charting method. New measures, Mood Instability Factor, and Mood Intensity Factor were defined and assessed. Functioning Assessment Short Test (FAST) was used to assess disability.ResultsThe follow‐up period was 3.00 ± 1.51 years. Weeks with subsyndromal depressive symptoms (β = 0.133, t = 2.556, P = 0.014), weeks with mild manic symptoms (β = 1.441, t = 3.10, P = 0.003), and the Mood Instability Factor (β = 0.105, t = 3.593, P = 0.001) contributed to approximately 46% of the FAST total score variance.ConclusionNew methodologies including subsyndromal symptoms and mood instability parameters might contribute to understand the worse long‐term functional outcome that affects a considerable percentage of BD patients even after episode remission. Concerns about therapeutic approaches are discussed.
12 minute consultation: an evidence‐based approach to the management of a child with speech and language delay
Authors: Lawrence R. , Bateman N. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractBackgroundSpeech and language delay is a common developmental disorder. Persistent delay may lead to adverse effects on literacy, educational achievement and psychosocial development. Affected children are commonly referred to the otolaryngologist; hence, a structured management approach is required to facilitate diagnosis and allow for early intervention and improved outcomes.MethodsA literature search was performed on 05 November 2012 using the MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane databases with the search terms paediatric, children, speech, language, delay, disorder, investigation and management. Relevant references from selected articles were reviewed after reading the abstract.ResultsSpeech and language delay may be primary, meaning there is no associated comorbidity to account for the delay, or secondary, where it can be attributed to another condition or syndrome. Secondary causes include hearing loss and syndromes such as Down syndrome amongst many others. Speech and language therapy has been shown to be effective for primary disorders. If the delay is found to be secondary in nature, onward referral to an appropriate healthcare professional is required.ConclusionsThe outpatient consultation for a child with speech and language delay should consist of a structured history and examination with the aim of identifying whether the delay is primary or secondary in nature. Relevant targeted investigations should lead to a correct diagnosis of the delay and enable appropriate treatment. This often requires a multidisciplinary approach and always requires full cooperation from the child's parents.
Assessment of cardiometabolic risk and prevalence of meeting treatment guidelines among patients with type 2 diabetes stratified according to their use of insulin and/or other diabetic medications: results from INSPIRE ME IAA
Authors: Smith J. , Nazare J.‐A. , Borel A.‐L. , Aschner P. , Barter P. J. , Van Gaal L. , Matsuzawa Y. , Kadowaki T. , Ross R. , Brulle‐Wohlhueter C. , Alméras N. , Haffner S. M. , Balkau B. , Després J.‐P. 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACTAimVisceral adipose tissue (VAT) and liver fat (LF) are strongly associated with type 2 diabetes. It is not known, however, how diabetes treatment and/or risk factor management modulates the association between VAT, LF and diabetes. The aim was to determine the level of VAT and LF in patients with type 2 diabetes according to their treatment status and achievement of the American Diabetes Association's (ADA) diabetes management goals.MethodsWe performed a cross‐sectional analysis of the baseline data of the International Study of the Prediction of Intra‐Abdominal Adiposity and its Relationship with Cardiometabolic risk/Intra‐Abdominal Adiposity (INSPIRE ME IAA), a 3‐year prospective cardiometabolic imaging study conducted in 29 countries. Patients (n = 3991) were divided into four groups: (i) those without type 2 diabetes (noT2D n = 1003 men, n = 1027 women); (ii) those with type 2 diabetes but not treated with diabetes medications (T2Dnomeds n = 248 men, n = 198 women); (iii) those with type 2 diabetes and treated with diabetes medications but not yet using insulin (T2Dmeds‐ins n = 591 men, n = 484 women) and (iv) those with type 2 diabetes and treated with insulin (T2Dmeds+ins n = 233 men, n = 207 women). Abdominal and liver adiposity were measured by computed tomography.ResultsFewer patients with high VAT or LF achieved the ADA's goals for high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C) or triglycerides compared to patients with low VAT or LF. Visceral adiposity (p = 0.02 men, p = 0.003 women) and LF (p = 0.0002 men, p = 0.0004 women) increased among patients who met fewer of the ADA treatment criteria, regardless of type 2 diabetes treatment.ConclusionResidual cardiometabolic risk exists among patients with type 2 diabetes characterized by elevated VAT and LF.
Effect of human skin explants on the neurite growth of the PC12 cell line
Authors: Lebonvallet Nicolas , Pennec Jean‐Pierre , Le Gall Christelle , Pereira Ulysse , Boulais Nicholas , Cheret Jeremy , Jeanmaire Christine , Danoux Louis , Pauly Gilles , Misery Laurent 
Published: January 2013

AbstractThe skin is a densely innervated organ. After a traumatic injury, such as an amputation, burn or skin graft, nerve growth and the recovery of sensitivity take a long time and are often incomplete. The roles played by growth factors and the process of neuronal growth are crucial. We developed an in vitro model of human skin explants co‐cultured with a rat pheochromocytoma cell line differentiated in neuron in presence of nerve growth factor (NGF). This model allowed the study of the influence of skin explants on nerve cells and nerve fibre growth, probably through mediators produced by the explant, in a simplified manner. The neurite length of differentiated PC12 cells co‐cultured with skin explants increased after 6 days. These observations demonstrated the influence of trophic factors produced by skin explants on PC12 cells.
The Moral Argument for the Existence of God and Immortality
Authors: Fremstedal Roe 
Published: January 2013

AbstractThis essay tries to show that there exist several passages where Kierkegaard (and his pseudonyms) sketches an argument for the existence of God and immortality that is remarkably similar to Kant's so‐called moral argument for the existence of God and immortality. In particular, Kierkegaard appears to follow Kant's moral argument both when it comes to the form and content of the argument as well as some of its terminology. The essay concludes that several passages in Kierkegaard overlap significantly with Kant's moral argument, although Kierkegaard ultimately favors revealed faith over natural theology in general and Kant's moral faith in particular. Whereas Kant uses the moral argument to postulate the existence of God and immortality, Kierkegaard mainly uses it as a reductio ad absurdum of non‐religious thinking.
Wolterstorff on Love and Justice
Authors: Clair Joseph 
Published: January 2013

AbstractIn Justice in Love, Nicholas Wolterstorff argues for a unique ethical orientation called “care‐agapism.” He offers it as an alternative to theories of benevolence‐agapism found in Christian ethics on the one hand and to the philosophical orientations of egoism, utilitarianism, and eudaimonism on the other. The purported uniqueness and superiority of his theory lies in its ability to account for the conceptual compatibility of love and justice while also positively incorporating self‐love. Yet in attempting to articulate a “bestowed worth” account of human dignity—in which dignity is given by divine love and respected in acts of justice—Wolterstorff leans on an unstable characterization of how love and the good are conceptually interwoven. As a result, his reader cannot be sure about the theoretical superiority of care‐agapism. Moreover, Wolterstorff's attempt to value self‐love and at the same time reject eudaimonism depends on a dubious interpretation of Augustine carried over from Justice: Rights and Wrongs, which itself further depends on a mischaracterization of the possible varieties of eudaimonism. This mistake is unfortunate because, on a closer reading of Augustine, one finds an agapistic account of eudaimonism that could have significantly helped Wolterstorff's overall account of the complementary relation of love and justice.