bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preparation and Performance Study of Sialon‐Si3N4‐SiC Composite Ceramics for Concentrated Solar Power
Authors: Xu Xiaohong , Lao Xinbin , Wu Jianfeng , Rao Zhenggang , Zhou Yang , He Dezhi , Liu Yi 
Published: December 2014

For lowering the sintering temperature of silicon carbide ceramics used for solar thermal energy storage technology, O'‐Sialon and silicon nitride were employed as composite phases to construct Sialon‐Si3N4‐SiC composite ceramics. The composite ceramics were synthesized using SiC, Si3N4, quartz, and different alumina sources as starting materials with noncontact graphite‐buried sintering method. Influences of alumina sources on the physical properties and thermal shock resistance of the composites were studied. The results revealed that the employment of O'‐Sialon and silicon nitride could decrease the sintering temperature greatly to 1540°C. The optimum formula G2 prepared from mullite as alumina source achieved the best performances: 66.7 MPa of bending strength, 10.0 W/(m·K) of thermal conductivity. The composition parameter x = 0.4 of O'‐Sialon decreased to 0.04 after 30 cycles thermal shock, and the bending strength increased with a rate of 11.0% due to the increase of O'‐Sialon grain size, and the optimization of microstructure caused by the transformation of O'‐Sialon grains and densification within the samples. The good thermal shock resistance makes the composites suitable for the use as thermal storage materials of concentrated solar power generation.
Basophils inhibit proliferation of CD4+T cells in autologous and allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reactions and limit disease activity in a murine model of graft versus host disease
Authors: Hermann Fabian J. , Rodriguez Gomez Manuel , Doser Kristina , Edinger Matthias , Hoffmann Petra , Schiechl Gabriela , Talke Yvonne , Göbel Nicole , Schmidbauer Kathrin , Syed Shahzad N. , Brühl Hilke , Mack Matthias 
Published: December 2014

SummaryBasophils are known to modulate the phenotype of CD4+ T cells and to enhance T helper type 2 responses in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we demonstrate that murine basophils inhibit proliferation of CD4+ T cells in autologous and allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reactions. The inhibition is independent of Fas and MHC class II, but dependent on activation of basophils with subsequent release of interleukin‐4 (IL‐4) and IL‐6. The inhibitory effect of basophils on T‐cell proliferation can be blocked with antibodies against IL‐4 and IL‐6 and is absent in IL‐4/IL‐6 double‐deficient mice. In addition, we show that basophils and IL‐4 have beneficial effects on disease activity in a murine model of acute graft‐versus‐host disease (GvHD). When basophils were depleted with the antibody MAR‐1 before induction of GvHD, weight loss, GvHD score, mortality and plasma tumour necrosis factor levels were increased while injection of IL‐4 improved GvHD. Basophil‐depleted mice with GvHD also have increased numbers of CD4+ T cells in the mesenteric lymph nodes. Our data show for the first time that basophils suppress autologous and allogeneic CD4+ T‐cell proliferation in an IL‐4‐dependent manner.
Metabolic requirements for neutrophil extracellular traps formation
Authors: Rodríguez‐Espinosa Oscar , Rojas‐Espinosa Oscar , Moreno‐Altamirano María Maximina Bertha , López‐Villegas Edgar Oliver , Sánchez‐García Francisco Javier 
Published: December 2014

SummaryAs part of the innate immune response, neutrophils are at the forefront of defence against infection, resolution of inflammation and wound healing. They are the most abundant leucocytes in the peripheral blood, have a short lifespan and an estimated turnover of 1010 to 1011 cells per day. Neutrophils efficiently clear microbial infections by phagocytosis and by oxygen‐dependent and oxygen‐independent mechanisms. In 2004, a new neutrophil anti‐microbial mechanism was described, the release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) composed of DNA, histones and anti‐microbial peptides. Several microorganisms, bacterial products, as well as pharmacological stimuli such as PMA, were shown to induce NETs. Neutrophils contain relatively few mitochondria, and derive most of their energy from glycolysis. In this scenario we aimed to analyse some of the metabolic requirements for NET formation. Here it is shown that NETs formation is strictly dependent on glucose and to a lesser extent on glutamine, that Glut‐1, glucose uptake, and glycolysis rate increase upon PMA stimulation, and that NET formation is inhibited by the glycolysis inhibitor, 2‐deoxy‐glucose, and to a lesser extent by the ATP synthase inhibitor oligomycin. Moreover, when neutrophils were exposed to PMA in glucose‐free medium for 3 hr, they lost their characteristic polymorphic nuclei but did not release NETs. However, if glucose (but not pyruvate) was added at this time, NET release took place within minutes, suggesting that NET formation could be metabolically divided into two phases; the first, independent from exogenous glucose (chromatin decondensation) and, the second (NET release), strictly dependent on exogenous glucose and glycolysis.
Signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT‐1) plays a critical role in control of Trypanosoma cruzi infection
Authors: Kulkarni Manjusha M. , Varikuti Sanjay , Terrazas Cesar , Kimble Jennifer L. , Satoskar Abhay R. , McGwire Bradford S. 
Published: December 2014

SummaryThe control of Trypanosoma cruzi infection is related to interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) activation leading to intracellular clearance of parasites. The transcription factor signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT‐1) is a key mediator of IFN‐γ intracellular signalling and knockout of this protein leads to susceptibility to several intracellular microbes. To determine the role of STAT‐1 in host susceptibility to T. cruzi infection we compared the survival, parasite loads and balance of IFN‐γ and interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) responses between wild‐type and STAT‐1 knockout mice. We found that the lack of STAT‐1 resulted in a more robust infection, leading to higher levels of blood and tissue parasites and markedly reduced survival. In addition, infected STAT‐1 knockout mice had higher systemic levels of both IFN‐γ and IL‐10, suggesting that the absence of STAT‐1 leads to a disequilibrium of pro‐inflammatory and anti‐inflammatory cytokines. Analysis of spleen cells indicates that CD4, CD8 cells generate IFN‐γ and natural killer cells express IL‐13 in STAT‐1 knockout animals. The production of IL‐17 is particularly enhanced in the absence STAT‐1 expression but did not reduce mortality. Overall these results indicate that STAT‐1 is important for the control of T. cruzi infection in mice.
Long‐Term Arrhythmia Follow‐Up of Patients with Myotonic Dystrophy
Authors: BENHAYON DANIEL , LUGO RICARDO , PATEL RUTUKE , CARBALLEIRA LIDIA , ELMAN LAUREN , COOPER JOSHUA M. 
Published: December 2014

Arrhythmias in Myotonic Dystrophy PatientsBackgroundMyotonic dystrophy (MD) is the most common muscular dystrophy in adults and is associated with sudden death. Reported predictors of sudden death in this population include atrial tachyarrhythmias, a PR interval greater than 240 milliseconds, aberrant QRS conduction, and any degree of AV block.ObjectiveWe sought to report on the arrhythmic outcome of a cohort of patients with a new diagnosis of genetically proven MD.MethodsWe performed a retrospective review of 37 patients with genetically confirmed MD referred to our electrophysiology clinic for primary cardiac screening.ResultsThere were 25 patients with MD type 1 (MD1) and 12 patients with MD type 2 (MD2). Eight patients with MD1 (32%) had atrial fibrillation, compared to only one patient with MD2 (8.3%). Patients with MD1 were more likely to have evidence of conduction disease abnormalities (40% vs. 8.3%, P = ns) and had a higher all‐cause mortality (16% vs. 0%) than those with MD2.
Criteria for recommending ICD implantation were based on sudden death risk factors suggested by published literature. Eleven patients were offered an ICD, 2 refused and died within the next year. Of the 9 patients who received an ICD, 8 had MD1. Three patients received appropriate shocks, 2 for monomorphic VT, and one for polymorphic VT.ConclusionThe presence of AV conduction disturbance in MD patients is associated with a greater risk for ventricular arrhythmias. MD1 was more likely to be associated with cardiac arrhythmias than MD2. The incidence of ventricular arrhythmias among those who received a primary prevention ICD was 33% over 22 months, with 2 patients experiencing monomorphic VT and one experiencing polymorphic VT.
The Effect of ICD Programming on Inappropriate and Appropriate ICD Therapies in Ischemic and Nonischemic Cardiomyopathy: The MADIT‐RIT Trial
Authors: SEDLÁČEK KAMIL , RUWALD ANNE‐CHRISTINE , KUTYIFA VALENTINA , MCNITT SCOTT , THOMSEN POUL ERIK BLOCH , KLEIN HELMUT , STOCKBURGER MARTIN , WICHTERLE DAN , MERKELY BELA , DE LA CONCHA JOAQUIN FERNANDEZ , SWISSA MOSHE , ZAREBA WOJCIECH , MOSS ARTHUR J. , KAUTZNER JOSEF , RUWALD MARTIN H. ,   for the MADIT‐RIT Investigators
Published: December 2014

ICD Programming in Ischemic and Nonischemic CardiomyopathyIntroductionThe MADIT‐RIT trial demonstrated reduction of inappropriate and appropriate ICD therapies and mortality by high‐rate cut‐off and 60‐second‐delayed VT therapy ICD programming in patients with a primary prophylactic ICD indication. The aim of this analysis was to study effects of MADIT‐RIT ICD programming in patients with ischemic and nonischemic cardiomyopathy.Methods and ResultsFirst and total occurrences of both inappropriate and appropriate ICD therapies were analyzed by multivariate Cox models in 791 (53%) patients with ischemic and 707 (47%) patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy. Patients with ischemic and nonischemic cardiomyopathy had similar incidence of first inappropriate (9% and 11%, P = 0.21) and first appropriate ICD therapy (11.6% and 14.1%, P = 0.15). Patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy had higher mortality rate (6.1% vs. 3.3%, P = 0.01). MADIT‐RIT high‐rate cut‐off (arm B) and delayed VT therapy ICD programming (arm C) compared with conventional (arm A) ICD programming were associated with a significant risk reduction of first inappropriate and appropriate ICD therapy in patients with ischemic and nonischemic cardiomyopathy (HR range 0.11–0.34, P < 0.001 for all comparisons). Occurrence of total inappropriate and appropriate ICD therapies was significantly reduced by high‐rate cut‐off ICD programming and delayed VT therapy ICD programming in both ischemic and nonischemic cardiomyopathy patients.ConclusionHigh‐rate cut‐off and delayed VT therapy ICD programming are associated with significant reduction in first and total inappropriate and appropriate ICD therapy in patients with ischemic and nonischemic cardiomyopathy.
Relationship Between Contact Force Sensing Technology and Medium‐Term Outcome of Atrial Fibrillation Ablation: A Multicenter Study of 600 Patients
Authors: JARMAN JULIAN W.E. , PANIKKER SANDEEP , DAS MOLOY , WYNN GARETH J. , ULLAH WAQAS , KONTOGEORGIS ANDRIANOS , HALDAR SHOUVIK K. , PATEL PREYA J. , HUSSAIN WAJID , MARKIDES VIAS , GUPTA DHIRAJ , SCHILLING RICHARD J. , WONG TOM 
Published: December 2014

Contact Force Sensing AF Ablation OutcomesIntroductionContact force sensing (CFS) technology improves acute pulmonary vein isolation durability; however, its impact on the clinical outcome of ablating atrial fibrillation (AF) is unknown.Methods and ResultsFirst time AF ablation procedures employing CFS from 4 centers were matched retrospectively to those without CFS in a 1:2 manner by type of AF. Freedom from atrial tachyarrhythmia was defined as the primary outcome measure, and fluoroscopy time the secondary outcome measure. Nineteen possible explanatory variables were tested in addition to CFS. A total of 600 AF ablation procedures (200 using CFS and 400 using non‐CFS catheters) performed between 2010 and 2012 (46% paroxysmal, 36% persistent, 18% long‐lasting persistent) were analyzed. The mean follow‐up duration was 11.4 ± 4.7 months—paroxysmal AF 11.2 ± 4.1 CFS versus 11.3 ± 3.9 non‐CFS (P = 0.745)—nonparoxysmal AF 10.4 ± 4.5 CFS versus 11.9 ± 5.4 non‐CFS (P = 0.015). The use of a CFS catheter independently predicted clinical success in ablating paroxysmal AF (HR 2.24 [95% CIs 1.29–3.90]; P = 0.004), but not nonparoxysmal AF (HR 0.73 [0.41–1.30]; P = 0.289) in a multivariate analysis that included follow‐up duration. Among all cases, the use of CFS catheters was associated with reduced fluoroscopy time in multivariate analysis (reduction by 7.7 [5.0–10.5] minutes; P < 0.001). Complication rates were similar in both groups.ConclusionsAt medium‐term follow‐up, CFS catheter technology is associated with significantly improved outcome of first time catheter ablation of paroxysmal AF, but not nonparoxysmal AF. Fluoroscopy time was lower when CFS technology was employed in all types of AF ablation procedures.
Frequency of Fractionated Ventricular Activation and Atrial/Ventricular Electrogram Amplitude Ratio at Successful Ablation Target of Accessory Pathways in Patients with Ebstein's Anomaly
Authors: GUO XIAO‐GANG , LIU XU , ZHOU GONG‐BU , MA JIAN , OUYANG FEIFAN , ZHANG SHU 
Published: December 2014

Accessory Pathway Target in Ebstein's AnomalyIntroductionKnowledge about local electrogram and atrial/ventricular electrogram amplitude ratio (A/V ratio) at the true atrioventricular ring for successful ablation of accessory pathways (APs) in patients with Ebstein's anomaly is limited.MethodsTwenty‐two adults with Ebstein's anomaly and APs were managed by 24 sessions of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA). A right atrial/ventricular angiogram with or without 3‐dimensional electroanatomic mapping was performed to delineate the true atrioventricular ring and atrialized right ventricle (ARV). Electrograms of successful targets were analyzed. For each right‐sided AP target, 2 AP targets matched by location and conduction property from normal hearts were selected as controls, and their A/V ratios were compared.ResultsIn 32 right‐sided APs of all 22 patients, local ventricular activation at successful site presented as normal electrogram in 14, fractionated ventricular electrogram (FVE) in 16, and double ventricular potentials in 2. The bipolar voltage of ARV was markedly lower than in normal hearts. The A/V ratio at the successful target was significantly higher in APs with FVE than in control (1.64 ± 1.34 vs. 0.47 ± 0.19, P < 0.01), and was similar in APs with normal ventricular electrogram and in the control (0.38 ± 0.15 vs. 0.46 ± 0.15, P = 0.1726). The A/V ratio at the successful target with double ventricular potentials (after surgical correction) was 0.30 ± 0.20. All APs were successfully ablated without complications.ConclusionsIn patients with Ebstein's anomaly, FVE was found in 50% of the successful targets of APs. High A/V ratio at successful sites with FVE and normal A/V ratio at targets with normal ventricular electrogram can facilitate target recognition and ablation.
Epidemiological cut‐off values for Flavobacterium psychrophilum MIC data generated by a standard test protocol
Authors: Smith P , Endris R , Kronvall G , Thomas V , Verner‐Jeffreys D , Wilhelm C , Dalsgaard I 
Published: December 2014

AbstractEpidemiological cut‐off values were developed for application to antibiotic susceptibility data for Flavobacterium psychrophilum generated by standard CLSI test protocols. The MIC values for ten antibiotic agents against Flavobacterium psychrophilum were determined in two laboratories. For five antibiotics, the data sets were of sufficient quality and quantity to allow the setting of valid epidemiological cut‐off values. For these agents, the cut‐off values, calculated by the application of the statistically based normalized resistance interpretation method, were ≤16 mg L−1 for erythromycin, ≤2 mg L−1 for florfenicol, ≤0.025 mg L−1 for oxolinic acid (OXO), ≤0.125 mg L−1 for oxytetracycline and ≤20 (1/19) mg L−1 for trimethoprim/sulphamethoxazole. For ampicillin and amoxicillin, the majority of putative wild‐type observations were ‘off scale’, and therefore, statistically valid cut‐off values could not be calculated. For ormetoprim/sulphadimethoxine, the data were excessively diverse and a valid cut‐off could not be determined. For flumequine, the putative wild‐type data were extremely skewed, and for enrofloxacin, there was inadequate separation in the MIC values for putative wild‐type and non‐wild‐type strains. It is argued that the adoption of OXO as a class representative for the quinolone group would be a valid method of determining susceptibilities to these agents.
MicroRNA‐181c negatively regulates the inflammatory response in oxygen‐glucose‐deprived microglia by targeting Toll‐like receptor 4
Authors: Zhang Li , Li Ya‐Jian , Wu Xun‐Yi , Hong Zhen , Wei Wen‐Shi 
Published: December 2014

AbstractCerebral hypoxia/ischemia rapidly induces inflammation in the brain, which is characterized by microglial activation and the release of inflammatory cytokines. We have previously demonstrated that miR‐181c can directly regulate tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α production post‐transcriptionally. Here, we determined that hypoxia up‐regulated TLR4 expression but down‐regulated miR‐181c expression in primary microglia. We also demonstrated that miR‐181c suppresses TLR4 by directly binding its 3′‐untranslated region. In addition, miR‐181c inhibited NF‐κB activation and the downstream production of proinflammatory mediators, such as TNF‐α, IL‐1β, and iNOS. Knocking down TLR4 in microglia significantly decreased TLR4 expression and inhibited NF‐κB activation and the downstream production of proinflammatory mediators, whereas ectopic TLR4 expression significantly abrogated the suppressed inflammatory response induced by miR‐181c. Therefore, our study identified an important role for the miR‐181c‐TLR4 pathway in hypoxic microglial activation and neuroinflammation. This pathway could represent a potential therapeutic target for cerebral hypoxic diseases associated with microglial activation and the inflammatory response.
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Cerebral hypoxia/ischemia induces microglial activation and the release of inflammatory cytokines. We found that hypoxia down‐regulated miR‐181c in primary microglia. In addition, miR‐181c inhibited TLR4 expression through binding to its 3′UTR, thus inhibiting NF‐kB activation and the production of downstream proinflammatory mediators. Therefore, the miR‐181c‐TLR4 pathway may be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of cerebral hypoxic diseases.
The role of affective commitment and future work self salience in the abusive supervision–job performance relationship
Authors: Yu Kun , Lin Weipeng , Wang Lei , Ma Jingjing , Wei Wenqi , Wang Haifeng , Guo Wencai , Shi Jing 
Published: December 2014

Drawing upon the identity‐based perspective, the current research focused on the role of affective commitment and future work self salience (FWSS) in the relationship between abusive supervision and job performance. We expected that affective commitment, which represents the organization‐based identities of employees, would mediate the relationship between abusive supervision and job performance. Furthermore, we predicted that employees’FWSS, which represents the ease of construction and clarity of an individual's hoped‐for work‐based identity, would amplify the indirect effect of abusive supervision on job performance via affective commitment. Specifically,FWSSwas expected to play an amplifying role in the abusive supervision–affective commitment path. Based on a sample of 480 salespersons, the results of a 3‐wave study revealed that affective commitment mediated the abusive supervision–sales performance relationship. Moreover, the indirect effect of abusive supervision on sales performance via affective commitment was stronger for employees with higherFWSS. Specifically, the deleterious effect of abusive supervision on affective commitment was amplified byFWSS. This was the case even when emotional exhaustion and leader–member exchange were incorporated as competing mediators. Implications of our findings and future directions are discussed.Practitioner pointsOrganizations should pay greater attention to employees with higherFWSSbecause they are more vulnerable to abusive supervision in terms of their decreased affective commitment and performance.To maintain affective commitment and job performance of employees with higherFWSS, organizations should train leaders to reduce or eliminate abusive behaviours, especially for those leading teams with a majority of high‐FWSSemployees.
Diagnostic opportunities for evaluation of the exposure of dairy cows to the mycotoxins deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEN): reliability of blood plasma, bile and follicular fluid as indicators
Authors: Winkler J. , Kersten S. , Meyer U. , Stinshoff H. , Locher L. , Rehage J. , Wrenzycki C. , Engelhardt U. H. , Dänicke S. 
Published: December 2014

SummaryTo investigate the usefulness of follicular fluid (FF) in relation to blood plasma and bile as indicators of exposure of dairy cows to ZEN, DON and their metabolites, a dose–response study was performed with 30 dairy cows. The cows, 10 in each group (named CON; FUS‐50, FUS‐100), received a diet with three different concentrations of Fusarium toxin‐contaminated maize. Thereby, the following dietary concentration were reached: CON (0.02 mg ZEN and 0.07 mg DON, per kg dry matter, DM), FUS‐50 (0.33 mg ZEN and 2.62 mg DON, per kg DM) and FUS‐100 (0.66 mg ZEN and 5.24 mg DON, per kg DM). ZEN, DON and de‐epoxy‐DON (de‐DON) were detected in FF. Based on the linear regression between toxin concentration in plasma and FF, it seems that about 50 % (m = 0.5) of ZEN present in plasma is present in FF while an increase of 1 ng/ml DON or de‐DON in plasma is paralleled by an increase of 1.5 ng/ml DON or 1.1 ng/ml de‐DON in FF. ZEN, DON and their metabolites, except zearalenone (ZAN), were also detected in bile. Contrary to DON and de‐DON, ZEN and its metabolites were accumulated in bile so that the concentration of ZEN and metabolites was much higher than for DON and de‐DON. The main compound was β‐zearalenol (β‐ZEL). The biliary ZEN, α‐zearalenol (α‐ZEL) and β‐ZEL concentration correlated linearly with each other with an uncertainty of <15 % (r2 ≥ 0.86), whereas the ratio between ZEN: α‐ZEL: β‐ZEL was about 1.5:1:11. With the help of established linear relationship between toxin intake and toxin concentration, bile could be used as diagnostic indicator to assess the exposure of cows.
Porphyromonas gingivalis and related bacteria: from colonial pigmentation to the type IX secretion system and gliding motility
Authors: Nakayama K. 
Published: December 2014

Porphyromonas gingivalis is a gram‐negative, non‐motile, anaerobic bacterium implicated as a major pathogen in periodontal disease. P. gingivalis grows as black‐pigmented colonies on blood agar, and many bacteriologists have shown interest in this property. Studies of colonial pigmentation have revealed a number of important findings, including an association with the highly active extracellular and surface proteinases called gingipains that are found in P. gingivalis. The Por secretion system, a novel type IX secretion system (T9SS), has been implicated in gingipain secretion in studies using non‐pigmented mutants. In addition, many potent virulence proteins, including the metallocarboxypeptidase CPG70, 35 kDa hemin‐binding protein HBP35, peptidylarginine deiminase PAD and Lys‐specific serine endopeptidase PepK, are secreted through the T9SS. These findings have not been limited to P. gingivalis but have been extended to other bacteria belonging to the phylum Bacteroidetes. Many Bacteroidetes species possess the T9SS, which is associated with gliding motility for some of these bacteria.