bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Numerical Method to Enhance the Performance of a Cam‐Type Electric Motor‐Driven Left Ventricular Assist Device
Authors: Huang Huan , Yang Ming , Lu Cunyue , Xu Liang , Zhuang Xiaoqi , Meng Fan 
Published: May 2013

AbstractPulsatile left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) driven by electric motors have been widely accepted as a treatment of heart failure. Performance enhancement with computer assistance for this kind of LVAD has seldom been reported. In this article, a numerical method is proposed to assist the design of a cam‐type pump. The method requires an integrated model of an LVAD system, consisting of a motor, a transmission mechanism, and a cardiovascular circulation. Performance indices, that is, outlet pressure, outlet flow, and pump efficiency, were used to select the best cam profile from six candidates. A prototype pump connected to a mock circulatory loop (MCL) was used to calibrate the friction coefficient of the cam groove and preliminarily evaluate modeling accuracy. In vitro experiments show that the mean outlet pressure and flow can be predicted with high accuracy by the model, and gross geometries of the measurements can also be reproduced. Simulation results demonstrate that as the total peripheral resistance (TPR) is fixed at 1.1 mm Hg.s/mL, the two‐cycle 2/3‐rise profile is the best. Compared with other profiles, the maximum increases of pressure and flow indices are 75 and 76%, respectively, and the maximum efficiency increase is over 51%. For different TPRs (0.5∼1.5 mm Hg.s/mL) and operation intervals (0.1∼0.4 s) in counterpulsation, the conclusion is also acceptable.
A New Device for Intraoperative Renal Blood Flow Measurement During Open‐Heart Surgery: An Experimental Study and the Clinical Pilot Study
Authors: Tirilomis Theodor , Popov Aron F. , Hanekop Gunnar G. , Braeuer Anselm , Quintel Michael , Schoendube Friedrich A. , Friedrich Martin G. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractRenal blood flow (RBF) may vary during cardiopulmonary bypass and low flow may cause insufficient blood supply of the kidney triggering renal failure postoperatively. Still, a valid intraoperative method of continuous RBF measurement is not available. A new catheter combining thermodilution and intravascular Doppler was developed, first calibrated in an in vitro model, and the catheter specific constant was determined. Then, application of the device was evaluated in a pilot study in an adult cardiovascular population. The data of the clinical pilot study revealed high correlation between the flow velocities detected by intravascular Doppler and the RBF measured by thermodilution (Pearson's correlation range: 0.78 to 0.97). In conclusion, the RBF can be measured excellently in real time using the new catheter, even under cardiopulmonary bypass.
Rectal temperature as an indicator for heat tolerance in chickens
Authors: Chen Xing Y. , Wei Pei P. , Xu Shen Y. , Geng Zhao Y. , Jiang Run S. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractHigh environmental temperature is perhaps the most important inhibiting factor to poultry production in hot regions. The objective of this study was to test adaptive responses of chickens to high ambient temperatures and identify suitable indicators for selection of heat‐tolerant individuals. Full‐sib or half‐sib Anak‐40 pullets (n = 55) with similar body weights were raised in a room with a temperature ranging from 24°C to 28°C, and relative humidity of 50% from 61 to 65 days of age. On day 66, the ambient temperature was increased within 60 min to 35 ± 1°C which was defined as the initial of heat stress (0 h). Rectal temperature (RT) was measured on each pullet at 0, 6, 18, 30, 42, 54 and 66 h. After 66 h the ambient temperature was increased within 30 min to 41 ± 1°C and survival time (HSST) as well as lethal rectal temperatures (LRT) were recorded for each individual. The gap between the RT and initial RT was calculated as ΔTn (ΔT6, ΔT18, ΔT30, ΔT42, ΔT54 and ΔT66), and the interval between LRT and initial RT as ΔTT, respectively. A negative correlation was found between HSST and ΔTn as well as ΔTT (rΔT18 = −0.28 and rΔTT = −0.31, respectively, P < 0.05; rΔT30 = −0.36, rΔT42 = −0.38, rΔT54 = −0.56, P < 0.01). Importantly, pullets with low ΔT18 showed a longer HSST (256.0 ± 208.4 min) than those with high ΔT18 (HSST = 123.7 ± 78.3 min). This observation suggested that the ΔT18 or early increment of RT under heat stress might be considered as a reliable indicator for evaluation of heat resistance in chickens.
Meningothelial cells as part of the central nervous system host defence
Authors: Li Jia , Fang Lei , Killer Hanspeter E. , Flammer Josef , Meyer Peter , Neutzner Albert 
Published: May 2013

Background InformationMeningothelial cells (MECs) are the cellular components of the meninges protecting the brain and as such provide important barrier function for the central nervous system building the interface between neuronal tissue and the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). MECs were previously shown to be involved in the clearance of waste products from the CSF and in maintaining the optic nerve microenvironment. In addition, MECs are involved in immunological processes in the brain by secretion of pro‐inflammatory cytokines in response to various pathologically relevant stress conditions.ResultsIn this study, we analysed the uptake of latex beads as well as bacteria by human MECs using flow cytometric analyses. We found that MECs are highly active phagocytes able of ingesting large amounts of latex beads, as well as Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria. Phagocytic activity of MECs was sensitive to nocodazole and cytochalasin D treatment to a varying degree depending on particle composition. Interestingly, Gram‐positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus are more readily taken up compared with Gram‐negative Escherichia coli. In addition, pre‐treatment of MECs with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or phorbol‐12‐myristate‐13‐acetate (PMA) enhanced S. aureus uptake, whereas PMA but not LPS was effective in enhancing E. coli uptake.ConclusionsThus, MECs are highly active facultative phagocytes likely important for the maintenance of CSF homeostasis and host defence in the central nervous system especially against Gram‐positive bacteria.
Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis: review of literature and proposal of new diagnostic and classification criteria
Authors: Agarwal R. , Chakrabarti A. , Shah A. , Gupta D. , Meis J. F. , Guleria R. , Moss R. , Denning D. W. ,   ABPA complicating asthma ISHAM working group
Published: May 2013

SummaryAllergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is an immunological pulmonary disorder caused by hypersensitivity to Aspergillus fumigatus, manifesting with poorly controlled asthma, recurrent pulmonary infiltrates and bronchiectasis. There are estimated to be in excess of four million patients affected world‐wide. The importance of recognizing ABPA relates to the improvement of patient symptoms, and delay in development or prevention of bronchiectasis, one manifestation of permanent lung damage in ABPA. Environmental factors may not be the only pathogenetic factors because not all asthmatics develop ABPA despite being exposed to the same environment. Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis is probably a polygenic disorder, which does not remit completely once expressed, although long‐term remissions do occur. In a genetically predisposed individual, inhaled conidia of A. fumigatus germinate into hyphae with release of antigens that activate the innate and adaptive immune responses (Th2 CD4+ T cell responses) of the lung. The International Society for Human and Animal Mycology (ISHAM) has constituted a working group on ABPA complicating asthma (www.abpaworkinggroup.org), which convened an international conference to summarize the current state of knowledge, and formulate consensus‐based guidelines for diagnosis and therapy. New diagnosis and staging criteria for ABPA are proposed. Although a small number of randomized controlled trials have been conducted, long‐term management remains poorly studied. Primary therapy consists of oral corticosteroids to control exacerbations, itraconazole as a steroid‐sparing agent and optimized asthma therapy. Uncertainties surround the prevention and management of bronchiectasis, chronic pulmonary aspergillosis and aspergilloma as complications, concurrent rhinosinusitis and environmental control. There is need for new oral antifungal agents and immunomodulatory therapy.
Expanding functions of intracellular resident mono‐ADP‐ribosylation in cell physiology
Authors: Feijs Karla L. H. , Verheugd Patricia , Lüscher Bernhard 
Published: May 2013

Poly‐ADP‐ribosylation functions in diverse signaling pathways, such as Wnt signaling and DNA damage repair, where its role is relatively well characterized. Contrarily, mono‐ADP‐ribosylation by for example ARTD10/PARP10 is much less understood. Recent developments hint at the involvement of mono‐ADP‐ribosylation in transcriptional regulation, the unfolded protein response, DNA repair, insulin secretion and immunity. Additionally, macrodomain‐containing hydrolases, MacroD1, MacroD2 and C6orf130/TARG1, have been identified that make mono‐ADP‐ribosylation reversible. Complicating further progress is the lack of tools such as mono‐ADP‐ribose‐specific antibodies. The currently known functions of mono‐ADP‐ribosylation are summarized here, as well as the available tools such as mass spectrometry to study this modification in vitro and in cells.
Investigating the origins of nanostructural variations in differential ethnic hair types using X‐ray scattering techniques
Authors: Wade M. , Tucker I. , Cunningham P. , Skinner R. , Bell F. , Lyons T. , Patten K. , Gonzalez L. , Wess T. 
Published: May 2013

SynopsisObjectiveHuman hair is a major determinant of visual ethnic differentiation. Although hair types are celebrated as part of our ethnic diversity, the approach to hair care has made the assumption that hair types are structurally and chemically similar. Although this is clearly not the case at the macroscopic level, the intervention of many hair treatments is at the nanoscopic and molecular levels. The purpose of the work presented here is to identify the main nanoscopic and molecular hierarchical differences across five different ethnic hair types from hair fibres taken exclusively from the scalp. These are Afro (subdivided into elastic ‘rubber’ and softer non‐elastic ‘soft’), Chinese, European and Mullato (mixed race).MethodsSmall angle X‐Ray scattering (SAXS) is a technique capable of resolving nanostructural variations in complex materials. Individual hair fibres from different ethnic hair types were used to investigate structural features found in common and also specific to each type. Simultaneous wide angle X‐Ray scattering (WAXS) was used to analyse the submolecular level structure of the fibrous keratin present. The data sets from both techniques were analysed with principal component analysis (PCA) to identify underlying variables.ResultsPrincipal component analysis of both SAXS and WAXS data was shown to discriminate the scattering signal between different hair types. The X‐ray scattering results show a common underlying keratin intermediate filament (KIF) structure. However, distinct differences were observed in the preferential orientation and intensity signal from the lipid component of the hair. In addition, differences were observed in the intensity distribution of the very low‐angle sample‐dependent diffuse scatter surrounding the ‘beamstop.’ConclusionThe results indicate that the fibrous keratin scaffold remains consistent between ethnic hair types. The hierarchies made by these may be modulated by variation in the content of keratin‐associated proteins (KAPs) and lipids that alter the interfacial structures and lead to macroscopic differences in hair morphology.
Microstructural Evolution During Vacuum Sintering of Yttrium Aluminum Garnet Transparent Ceramics: Toward the Origin of Residual Porosity Affecting the Transparency
Authors: Boulesteix Rémy , Maître Alexandre , Chrétien Lucie , Rabinovitch Yoël , Sallé Christian 
Published: May 2013

Controlling residual amount of defects in transparent ceramics is a major challenge for laser applications. This study was focused on microstructural evolution of Nd:YAG ceramics during their reactive solid‐state sintering which was correlated to their optical transmittance. From microstructural observations, the microstructural maps and grain size‐density and grain size‐pore size sintering trajectories of Nd:YAG ceramics were established as a function of silica content. For densities higher than 99.7%, the occurrence of intragranular porosity was correlated to a critical pore radius of 0.16 μm. Silica appears to favor the formation of intragranular porosity which was attributed to the increasing of the grain growth rate compared with the densification one. An analytical model was established by coupling the analytical laws derived from sintering trajectories and the classical theory of light diffusion, allowing to correlate the microstructural features of transparent Nd:YAG ceramics to their optical properties.
Low‐Temperature Spark Plasma Sintering of Pure Nano WC Powder
Authors: Grasso Salvatore , Poetschke Johannes , Richter Volkmar , Maizza Giovanni , Sakka Yoshio , Reece Michael J. 
Published: May 2013

For the first time we have demonstrated the densification of high‐purity nanostructured (davg ≈ 60 nm) tungsten carbide by High Pressure Spark Plasma Sintering (HPSPS) in the unusually low temperature range of 1200°C–1400°C. The high‐pressure sintering (i.e., 300 MPa) produced dense material at a temperature as low as 1400°C. In comparison with more conventional sintering techniques, such as SPS (80 MPa) or hot isostatic pressing, HPSPS lowered the temperature required for full densification by 400°C–500°C. High Pressure Spark Plasma Sintering, even in absence of any sintering aid or grain growth inhibitor, retained a very fine microstructure resulting in a significant improvement in both hardness (2721 HV10) and fracture toughness (7.2 MPa m1/2).
Comparison of the lipid properties of healthy and pansteatitis‐affected African sharptooth catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell), and the role of diet in pansteatitis outbreaks in the Olifants River in the Kruger National Park, South Africa
Authors: Huchzermeyer K D A , Osthoff G , Hugo A , Govender D 
Published: May 2013

AbstractPansteatitis has been identified in wild populations of sharptooth catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell), and Nile crocodiles, Crocodylus niloticus Laurenti, inhabiting the same waters in the Olifants River Gorge in the Kruger National Park, South Africa. Mesenteric and pectoral fat tissue was investigated microscopically and by fatty acid analysis in healthy and pansteatitis‐affected catfish from both captive and wild populations. Variation in fatty acid composition between pectoral and mesenteric fat was noted. Composition of mesenteric fat differed between fish from various localities as a result of differences in diet. Pansteatitis in the captive population, resulting from ingestion of high amounts of dietary oxidized fat, reflected higher levels of unsaturated fatty acids within the mesenteric fat. Mesenteric fat of pansteatitis‐affected wild catfish was characterized by an increase in moisture content, a decrease in fat content and a decrease in stearic and linoleic acids. The n‐3 to n‐6 fatty acid ratio of mesenteric fat was higher in pansteatitis‐affected wild catfish than in healthy catfish from the same locality, reflecting higher polyunsaturated fat intake by pansteatitis‐affected fish. The possible role of alien, invasive, phytoplankton‐feeding silver carp, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix (Valenciennes), in the aetiology of pansteatitis in both catfish and crocodiles in the Olifants Gorge is discussed.
Liver melanomacrophage centres as indicators of Atlantic bluefin tuna, Thunnus thynnus L. well‐being
Authors: Passantino L , Santamaria N , Zupa R , Pousis C , Garofalo R , Cianciotta A , Jirillo E , Acone F , Corriero A 
Published: May 2013

AbstractMelanomacrophage centres (MMCs), located in different organs of non‐mammalian vertebrates, play a role in the destruction, detoxification or recycling of endogenous and exogenous materials. Cytochrome P450 monoxygenase 1A (CYP1A) is involved in xenobiotics biotransformation, and its liver expression is considered as a biomarker for detecting exposure to environmental pollutants. Atlantic bluefin tuna (ABFT), Thunnus thynnus L., liver samples were collected from: wild animals caught in the eastern Atlantic; juveniles reared in the central Adriatic; juveniles reared in the northern Adriatic; adults reared in the western Mediterranean. The samples were processed for basic histology, histochemistry and for CYP1A immunodetection. An unexpected high density of MMCs, containing ferric iron and lipofuscin–ceroids, was detected in the juveniles sampled in the northern Adriatic Sea. These individuals showed also a strong anti‐CYP1A immunopositivity in hepatocytes and in the epithelium of bile ducts. This study supports the utility of MMCs as biomarkers of fish ‘health status’ and gives concern for a potential contaminant accumulation in ABFT.
A new cultivation‐independent tool for fast and reliable detection ofMycobacterium marinum
Authors: Slany M 
Published: May 2013

AbstractTheMycobacterium marinumgroup (MMG) is a class of mycobacteria that includesM. marinum, the cause of chronic systemic infections in fish. This species occasionally causes granulomatous skin lesions in humans. Other members ofMMGare mycolactone‐producing mycobacteria (MPM;M. ulcerans,M. shottsiiandM. pseudoshottsii). The cultivation‐independent approach presented in this study brings a fast and reliable alternative to classically used cultivation methods. The developed triplexerp/IS2404qPCRassay is based on a primary species‐specificerpdetection, which allows enumeration ofMMGin analysed samples, and secondaryIS2404detection is suitable for the differentiation ofM. marinumfromMPM. The detection ofM. marinumin clinical specimens and in artificially contaminated tissue samples has proven its applicability for diagnostic purposes.
Zinc absorption in Brazilian subjects fed a healthy meal
Authors: Ribeiro M. A. , Cominetti C. , Kakazu M. H. , Sarkis J. E. S. , Dainty J. , Fox T. E. , Cozzolino S. M. F. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractBackgroundThe high amounts of phytic acid present in diets from developing countries are considered as important inhibitors of zinc (Zn) absorption. The present study aimed to assess the fractional absorption of Zn from a meal containing common Brazilian foods using the stable isotope technique.MethodsTwelve men, aged 19–42 years, were fed a healthy experimental diet comprising lettuce, tomato, French fries, steak with onions, rice, beans, papaya, orange, pineapple, and passion fruit juice. Each subject received one intravenous dose of enriched 70Zn, and the lunch was extrinsically labelled with enriched 67Zn. Urinary 67Zn and 70Zn enrichments were assessed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.ResultsThe labelled meal phytate : Zn molar ratio was very divergent with respect to chemically determined and calculated data. Subjects presented a normal Zn nutritional status before and after the study. The mean Zn absorption from the labelled meal was 30% (range 11–47%).ConclusionsAccording to the World Health Organization parameters, the results denote a moderate/high Zn bioavailability in the evaluated meal, with a variability in the absorption percentage that is similar to other studies. The data show that a typical Brazilian meal, with an adequate energy amount and a balanced macronutrient distribution, presents a Zn bioavailability in accordance with the worldwide recommended standard.
PrPC regulates epidermal growth factor receptor function and cell shape dynamics in Neuro2a cells
Authors: Llorens Franc , Carulla Patricia , Villa Ana , Torres Juan M. , Fortes Puri , Ferrer Isidre , del Río José A. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractThe prion protein (PrP) plays a key role in prion disease pathogenesis. Although the misfolded and pathologic variant of this protein (PrPSC) has been studied in depth, the physiological role of PrPC remains elusive and controversial. PrPC is a cell‐surface glycoprotein involved in multiple cellular functions at the plasma membrane, where it interacts with a myriad of partners and regulates several intracellular signal transduction cascades. However, little is known about the gene expression changes modulated by PrPC in animals and in cellular models. In this article, we present PrPC‐dependent gene expression signature in N2a cells and its implication in the most overrepresented functions: cell cycle, cell growth and proliferation, and maintenance of cell shape. PrPC over‐expression enhances cell proliferation and cell cycle re‐entrance after serum stimulation, while PrPC silencing slows down cell cycle progression. In addition, MAP kinase and protein kinase B (AKT) pathway activation are under the regulation of PrPC in asynchronous cells and following mitogenic stimulation. These effects are due in part to the modulation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) by PrPC in the plasma membrane, where the two proteins interact in a multimeric complex. We also describe how PrPC over‐expression modulates filopodia formation by Rho GTPase regulation mainly in an AKT‐Cdc42‐N‐WASP‐dependent pathway.
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In this study, we analyzed the PrPC‐dependent gene expression signature of neuroblastoma (N2a) cells after transient acute up‐regulation and down‐regulation of PrPC. We demonstrate that PrPC plays roles in proliferation and neuritogenesis through modulation of EGFR activity. This approach will give new insights into the molecular mechanisms by which PrPC regulates key cellular functions in cell physiology.
Effect of dietary supplementation of prebiotics and probiotics on intestinal microarchitecture in broilers reared under cyclic heat stress
Authors: Ashraf S. , Zaneb H. , Yousaf M. S. , Ijaz A. , Sohail M. U. , Muti S. , Usman M. M. , Ijaz S. , Rehman H. 
Published: May 2013

SummaryThis study was designed to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation of prebiotics, mannanoligosaccharides (MOS) and/or probiotics (LBP) on intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) count, goblet cells (GC) count and differentiation and intestinal micro‐architecture in broilers reared under cyclic heat stress. Day‐old broilers (n = 250) were randomly divided into five groups. Fifty birds were reared within the thermoneutral zone (TNZ). Remaining birds were subjected to cyclic heat stress from day 21 to 42 (35° C, 75% RH, 8 h/d). The birds were fed corn‐soy‐based basal diet or the same diet supplemented with 0.5% MOS (HS‐MOS), or 0.1% LBP (HS‐LBP), or their combination (HS‐SYN). The birds were slaughtered on day 42. Tissue samples were collected from mid‐duodenum, jejunum and ileum, and stained with haematoxylin and eosin or combined Alcian blue and PAS technique. All differences were considered significant at p < 0.05. The IEL count increased in all intestinal segments of the HS group compared with the TNZ group and decreased in all supplemented groups compared with the HS group. Compared with the TNZ, heat stress reduced villus height, crypt depth and surface area in duodenum and ileum, and increased crypt depth in ileum. Villus width decreased in duodenum and jejunum compared with the TNZ group. Supplementation of LBP, MOS and SYN reversed all these changes in duodenum, while only increased villus height and surface area in ileum. In jejunum, the villus height and surface area increased with HS‐LBP, and crypt depth increased with HS‐MOS. The number of GC containing acid mucins (duodenum and ileum) and mixed mucins (ileum) were increased in the HS compared with the TNZ. Supplementation of MOS, LBP and SYN maintained the enhanced activity of goblet cells. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of MOS and/or LBP may be helpful in alleviating some of the detrimental effects of heat stress on microstructure of the broiler gut.