bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
β‐glucan triggers spondylarthritis and Crohn's disease–like ileitis in SKG mice
Authors: Ruutu Merja , Thomas Gethin , Steck Roland , Degli‐Esposti Mariapia A. , Zinkernagel Martin S. , Alexander Kylie , Velasco Jared , Strutton Geoffrey , Tran Ai , Benham Helen , Rehaume Linda , Wilson Robert J. , Kikly Kristine , Davies Julian , Pettit Allison R. , Brown Matthew A. , McGuckin Michael A. , Thomas Ranjeny 
Published: February 2012

AbstractObjectiveThe spondylarthritides (SpA), including ankylosing spondylitis (AS), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), reactive arthritis, and arthritis associated with inflammatory bowel disease, cause chronic inflammation of the large peripheral and axial joints, eyes, skin, ileum, and colon. Genetic studies reveal common candidate genes for AS, PsA, and Crohn's disease, including IL23R, IL12B, STAT3, and CARD9, all of which are associated with interleukin‐23 (IL‐23) signaling downstream of the dectin 1 β‐glucan receptor. In autoimmune‐prone SKG mice with mutated ZAP‐70, which attenuates T cell receptor signaling and increases the autoreactivity of T cells in the peripheral repertoire, IL‐17–dependent inflammatory arthritis developed after dectin 1–mediated fungal infection. This study was undertaken to determine whether SKG mice injected with 1,3‐β‐glucan (curdlan) develop evidence of SpA, and the relationship of innate and adaptive autoimmunity to this process.MethodsSKG mice and control BALB/c mice were injected once with curdlan or mannan. Arthritis was scored weekly, and organs were assessed for pathologic features. Anti–IL‐23 monoclonal antibodies were injected into curdlan‐treated SKG mice. CD4+ T cells were transferred from curdlan‐treated mice to SCID mice, and sera were analyzed for autoantibodies.ResultsAfter systemic injection of curdlan, SKG mice developed enthesitis, wrist, ankle, and sacroiliac joint arthritis, dactylitis, plantar fasciitis, vertebral inflammation, ileitis resembling Crohn's disease, and unilateral uveitis. Mannan triggered spondylitis and arthritis. Arthritis and spondylitis were T cell– and IL‐23–dependent and were transferable to SCID recipients with CD4+ T cells. SpA was associated with collagen‐ and proteoglycan‐specific autoantibodies.ConclusionOur findings indicate that the SKG ZAP‐70W163C mutation predisposes BALB/c mice to SpA, resulting from innate and adaptive autoimmunity, after systemic β‐glucan or mannan exposure.
Association of noninvasively measured renal protein biomarkers with histologic features of lupus nephritis
Authors: Brunner Hermine I. , Bennett Michael R. , Mina Rina , Suzuki Michiko , Petri Michelle , Kiani Adnan N. , Pendl Joshua , Witte David , Ying Jun , Rovin Brad H. , Devarajan Prasad 
Published: February 2012

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the relationship of urinary biomarkers and established measures of renal function to histologic findings in lupus nephritis (LN), and to test whether certain combinations of the above‐mentioned laboratory measures are diagnostic for specific histologic features of LN.MethodsUrine samples from 76 patients were collected within 2 months of kidney biopsy and assayed for the urinary biomarkers lipocalin‐like prostaglandin D synthase (L‐PGDS), α1‐acid glycoprotein (AAG), transferrin (TF), ceruloplasmin (CP), neutrophil gelatinase–associated lipocalin (NGAL), and monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP‐1). Using nonparametric analyses, levels of urinary biomarkers and established markers of renal function were compared with histologic features seen in LN, i.e., mesangial expansion, capillary proliferation, crescent formation, necrosis, wire loops, fibrosis, tubular atrophy, and epimembranous deposits. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was calculated to predict LN activity, chronicity, or membranous LN.ResultsThere was a differential increase in levels of urinary biomarkers that formed a pattern reflective of specific histologic features seen in active LN. The combination of MCP‐1, AAG, and CP levels plus protein:creatinine ratio was excellent in predicting LN activity (AUC 0.85). NGAL together with creatinine clearance plus MCP‐1 was an excellent diagnostic test for LN chronicity (AUC 0.83), and the combination of MCP‐1, AAG, TF, and creatinine clearance plus C4 was a good diagnostic test for membranous LN (AUC 0.75).ConclusionSpecific urinary biomarkers are associated with specific tissue changes observed in conjunction with LN activity and chronicity. Especially in combination with select established markers of renal function, urinary biomarkers are well‐suited for use in noninvasive measurement of LN activity, LN chronicity, and the presence of membranous LN.
Patterns and predictors of change in outcome measures in clinical trials in scleroderma: An individual patient meta‐analysis of 629 subjects with diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis
Authors: Merkel P. A. , Silliman N. P. , Clements P. J. , Denton C. P. , Furst D. E. , Mayes M. D. , Pope J. E. , Polisson R. P. , Streisand J. B. , Seibold J. R. ,   Scleroderma Clinical Trials Consortium
Published: February 2012

AbstractObjectiveTo examine the range and responsiveness to change of clinical outcome measures and study predictors of clinical response in patients with diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc) in the context of clinical trials.MethodsData were combined from 629 patients with dcSSc who participated in 7 multicenter clinical therapeutic trials. Trials used common outcome measures: modified Rodnan skin thickness score (MRSS), Health Assessment Questionnaire disability index (HAQ DI), patient's global assessment of disease activity, pulmonary function tests (forced vital capacity, diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide), hand span, and oral aperture.ResultsThe combined database included 629 patients (82% women, mean ± SD age 46.5 ± 11.8 years, mean ± SD disease duration 19.4 ± 15.9 months). Outcomes tended to improve during trials for patients with more severe disease at study entry and to worsen for patients with less severe disease at entry. Disease duration was mildly negatively predictive of change in MRSS at 6 months (r = –0.27, P < 0.001), and substantial bidirectional variation in change in MRSS and HAQ DI score was seen across the spectrum of disease duration. Sixty‐three percent of patients with “early” disease (disease duration <18 months) had a decline in MRSS, and 37% had an increase in MRSS. Eighty‐one percent of patients with “late” disease (disease duration ≥18 months) had a decline in MRSS, and 19% had an increase in MRSS. Multivariate mixed models did not demonstrate that any baseline variables were strongly predictive of subsequent outcome.ConclusionAmong patients with dcSSc enrolled in clinical trials, standard outcome measures tend to improve in those with more severe disease at study entry and to worsen in those with less severe disease at entry. Overall, the MRSS improves during trials, while HAQ DI scores and lung function are mostly static. None of these variables, including disease duration, reliably identifies groups of subjects whose MRSS will predictably increase or decrease in the course of a clinical trial. These findings have important implications for clinical trial design in scleroderma.
Growth of Indium Oxide Nanowalls on Patterned Conducting Substrates: Towards Direct Fabrication of Gas Sensors
Authors: Chen Changlong , Wei Yuling , Sun Guoxin , Shao Baiqi 
Published: February 2012

AbstractNanowall materials are ideal two‐dimensional structures with high surface‐to‐volume ratios and open edge geometries. We first report on the growth and characterization of indium oxide nanowalls on transparent and conducting indium tin oxide substrates. The nanosheets that compose the nanowalls are single‐crystalline and are approximately 8 nm in thickness. The density and the lateral dimensions of the nanosheets on the substrate can be controlled by the growth time. Adopting a bridgework‐like strategy, we directly construct indium oxide nanowall gas sensors on the patterned indium tin oxide substrates. The pattern lines on the substrates are etched using transparent plastic adhesive tape as shadow mask, which is both simple and cheap in comparison with the conventional photolithography technique. The sensors exhibit fast response/recovery behavior and good reproducibility to NO2 gas under mild testing conditions, such as room temperature, ambient pressure, dry air background, and 1.5 V dc bias, and can achieve a detection limit as low as 50 ppb. We propose an assumption that the gas adsorption is composed of deep adsorption and probe adsorption to explain the interesting gas‐sensing behavior of the indium oxide nanowalls. We suggest that the work reported herein, including the facile growth of indium oxide nanowalls, the bridgework‐like strategy to directly construct electronic devices, and the high gas‐sensing performance of the indium oxide nanowalls sensors, is a significant step towards the real applications of novel semiconductor nanostructures.
Electrospun composite scaffolds containing poly(octanediol‐co‐citrate) for cardiac tissue engineering
Authors: Prabhakaran Molamma P. , Nair A. Sreekumaran , Kai Dan , Ramakrishna Seeram 
Published: February 2012

AbstractA biocompatible and elastomeric nanofibrous scaffold is electrospun from a blend of poly(1,8‐octanediol‐co‐citrate) [POC] and poly(L‐lactic acid) ‐co‐poly‐(3‐caprolactone) [PLCL] for application as a bioengineered patch for cardiac tissue engineering. The characterization of the scaffolds was carried out by Fourier transform infra red spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and tensile measurement. The mechanical properties of the scaffolds are studied with regard to the percentage of POC incorporated with PLCL and the results of the study showed that the mechanical property and degradation behavior of the composites can be tuned with respect to the concentration of POC blended with PLCL. The composite scaffolds with POC: PLCL weight ratio of 40:60 [POC/PLCL4060] was found to have a tensile strength of 1.04 ± 0.11 MPa and Young's Modulus of 0.51 ± 0.10 MPa, comparable to the native cardiac tissue. The proliferation of cardiac myoblast cells on the electrospun POC/PLCL scaffolds was found to increase from Days 2 to 8, with the increasing concentration of POC in the composite. The morphology and cytoskeletal observation of the cells also demonstrated the biocompatibility of the POC containing scaffolds. Electrospun POC/PLCL4060 nanofibers are promising elastomeric substrates that might provide the necessary mechanical cues to cardiac muscle cells for regeneration of the heart. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 97:529–538, 2012.
Geolokation
Authors: Bairlein Franz , Exo Klaus‐Michael , Schmaljohann Heiko 
Published: February 2012

AbstractNachdem vor gut 100 Jahren die Beringung von Vögeln und vor etwa 25 Jahren die Markierung mit Satellitensendern die Aufklärung der Vogelzüge revolutioniert hat, führt heute die Helldunkel‐Geolokation zu neuen Erkenntnissen. Sie ermöglicht zwar anders als die Satellitentelemetrie keine unmittelbare Verfolgung des Zuges eines Vogels, ist aber im Gegensatz zu dieser auch bei kleinen Vögeln einsetzbar. Das Prinzip der Helldunkel‐Geolokation ist, dass einem Vogel ein so genannter Logger mitgegeben wird, der über eine Fotozelle die Zeiten von Sonnenaufgang und Sonnenuntergang aufzeichnet. Nach dem Wiederfang des Vogels kann der Datenspeicher ausgelesen werden. Aus dem Zeitpunkt von Mittag und Mitternacht lassen sich die geografische Länge und aus der Tageslichtdauer und der Nachtlänge die geografische Breite und somit der Zugweg ableiten.
Stabilization of Proline Enamine Carboxylates by Amine Bases
Authors: Schmid Markus B. , Zeitler Kirsten , Gschwind Ruth M. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractAs part of our ongoing studies to provide an experimental basis for the improved understanding of organocatalytic reaction mechanisms we present a study on the influence of amine bases on enamine intermediate stabilization in proline catalysis. The (partial) deprotonation of the proline acid function is displayed by characteristic shifts of certain proton resonances and is also manifested by an increase of the amount of enamine intermediate upon reaching a critical pKaH. Strong bases, such as 1,8‐diazabicyclo[5.4.0]‐undec‐7‐ene (DBU), allow for outstanding enamine stabilization in various solvents and, hence, permit the detection of enamine species that have been inaccessible until now (illustrated by the observation of minor amounts of Z enamines). The in situ NMR detection of a prolinate–DBUH+ ion pair supports the well‐documented reversal of enantioselectivity of proline‐catalyzed aminations in the presence of amine bases by disabling the bifunctional activity and switching to a “simple” stereocontrol effect (as known from the Jørgensen/Hayashi‐type diarylprolinol ethers). In addition, the possibility of attractive ionic interactions between both the iminium ion and prolinate enamines available in the presence of strong amine bases suggests promotion of the Mannich pathway in aldol reactions to mainly form condensation products.
Selected‐Control Fabrication of Multifunctional Fluorescent–Magnetic Core–Shell and Yolk–Shell Hybrid Nanostructures
Authors: Liu Haiyan , Wang Tingting , Zhang Lingyu , Li Lu , Wang Y. Andrew , Wang Chungang , Su Zhongmin 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThe selected‐control preparation of uniform core–shell and yolk–shell architectures, which combine the multiple functions of a superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) core and europium‐doped yttrium oxide (Y2O3:Eu) shell in a single material with tunable fluorescence and magnetic properties, has been successfully achieved by controlling the heat‐treatment conditions. Furthermore, the shell thickness and interior cavity of SPIO@Y2O3:Eu core–shell and yolk–shell nanostructures can be precisely tuned. Importantly, as‐prepared SPIO@Y2O3:Eu yolk–shell nanocapsules (NCs) modified with amino groups as cancer‐cell fluorescence imaging agents are also demonstrated. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the selected‐control fabrication of uniform SPIO@Y2O3:Eu core–shell nanoparticles and yolk–shell NCs. The combined magnetic manipulation and optical monitoring of magnetic–fluorescent SPIO@Y2O3:Eu yolk–shell NCs will open up many exciting opportunities in dual imaging for targeted delivery and thermal therapy.
Serum Albumin Targeted, pH‐Dependent Magnetic Resonance Relaxation Agents
Authors: Moriggi Loïck , Yaseen Mohammad A. , Helm Lothar , Caravan Peter 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThe objective of this work was the synthesis of serum albumin targeted, GdIII‐based magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents exhibiting a strong pH‐dependent relaxivity. Two new complexes (Gd‐glu and Gd‐bbu) were synthesized based on the DO3A macrocycle modified with three carboxyalkyl substituents α to the three ring nitrogen atoms, and a biphenylsulfonamide arm. The sulfonamide nitrogen coordinates the Gd in a pH‐dependent fashion, resulting in a decrease in the hydration state, q, as pH is increased and a resultant decrease in relaxivity (r1). In the absence of human serum albumin (HSA), r1 increases from 2.0 to 6.0 mM−1 s−1 for Gd‐glu and from 2.4 to 9.0 mM−1 s−1 for Gd‐bbu from pH 5 to 8.5 at 37 °C, 0.47 T, respectively. These complexes (0.2 mM) are bound (>98.9 %) to HSA (0.69 mM) over the pH range 5–8.5. Binding to albumin increases the rotational correlation time and results in higher relaxivity. The r1 increased 120 % (pH 5) and 550 % (pH 8.5) for Gd‐glu and 42 % (pH 5) and 260 % (pH 8.5) for Gd‐bbu. The increases in r1 at pH 5 were unexpectedly low for a putative slow tumbling q=2 complex. The Gd‐bbu system was investigated further. At pH 5, it binds in a stepwise fashion to HSA with dissociation constants Kd1=0.65, Kd2=18, Kd3=1360 μM. The relaxivity at each binding site was constant. Luminescence lifetime titration experiments with the EuIII analogue revealed that the inner‐sphere water ligands are displaced when the complex binds to HSA resulting in lower than expected r1 at pH 5. Variable pH and temperature nuclear magnetic relaxation dispersion (NMRD) studies showed that the increased r1 of the albumin‐bound q=0 complexes is due to the presence of a nearby water molecule with a long residency time (1–2 ns). The distance between this water molecule and the Gd ion changes with pH resulting in albumin‐bound pH‐dependent relaxivity.
4,5‐Pyrenocyanine—Just Another Phthalocyanine? A STM and 2D WAXS Study
Authors: Zöphel Lukas , Mali Kunal S. , Reddy Puniredd Sreenivasa , Wagner Manfred , De Feyter Steven , Pisula Wojciech , Müllen Klaus 
Published: February 2012

AbstractPyrene‐fused tetraazaporphyrins were synthesized from pyrene‐4,5‐dicarbonitrile precursors using a recently reported procedure as the key step for the asymmetric substitution of pyrene. Metal‐free, zinc‐ and lead‐centered pyrenocyanines were obtained and their optical properties as well as their molecular assembly in the solution and bulk phases and at the liquid/solid interface were studied. The characteristic Q‐band appears broadened, most likely owing to distortion of the molecule introduced by the steric demand of the angularly extended aromatic residue. The angular annulation does not bathochromically shift the Q‐band as far as would have been expected for the linear case. Peripheral substitution with linear and branched alkoxy chains affords solubility of the compounds in organic solvents. The influence of the distinct steric demand of the substituents on aggregation was investigated for metal‐centered pyrenocyanines by using temperature‐dependent 1H NMR and UV/Vis spectroscopy. The self‐assembly at the liquid/solid interface was studied using scanning tunneling microscopy. The alkoxy substituents facilitate the anchoring of these slightly non‐planar molecules on the surface of graphite. Pyrenocyanine molecules form well‐ordered 2D arrays in which the molecules are arranged in rows. The angular annulation of the pyrenocyanine residue leads to characteristic adsorption behavior at the liquid/solid interface, in which the molecules adsorb in two different adsorption geometries. The alkoxy side‐chains give rise to a discotic columnar superstructure and induce distinct thermotropic behavior. Dependent on the steric demand of the branched chains and the central metal atom, the molecules are rotated with respect to each other to form helical organization.
Isolable Chiral Aggregates of Achiral π‐Conjugated Carboxylic Acids
Authors: Zhao Jin‐Song , Wang Jin‐He , He Wen‐Bin , Ruan Yi‐Bin , Jiang Yun‐Bao 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThe induced aggregation of achiral building blocks by a chiral species to form chiral aggregates with memorized chirality has been observed for a number of systems. However, chiral memory in isolated aggregates of achiral building blocks remains rare. One possible reason for this discrepancy could be that not much is understood in terms of designing these chiral aggregates. Herein, we report a strategy for creating such isolable chiral aggregates from achiral building blocks that retain chiral memory after the facile physical removal of the chiral templates. This strategy was used for the isolation of chiral homoaggregates of neutral achiral π‐conjugated carboxylic acids in pure aqueous solution. Under what we have termed an “interaction–substitution” mechanism, we generated chiral homoaggregates of a variety of π‐conjugated carboxylic acids by using carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) as a mediator in acidic aqueous solutions. These aggregates were subsequently isolated from the CMC templates whilst retaining their memorized supramolecular chirality. Circular dichroism (CD) spectra of the aggregates formed in the acidic CMC solution exhibited bisignated exciton‐coupled signals of various signs and intensities that were maintained in the isolated pure homoaggregates of the achiral π‐conjugated carboxylic acids. The memory of the supramolecular chirality in the isolated aggregates was ascribed to the substitution of COOH/COOH hydrogen‐bonding interaction between the carboxylic acid groups within the aggregates for the hydrogen‐bonding interactions between the COOH groups of the building blocks and the chiral templates. We expect that this “interaction–substitution” procedure will open up a new route to isolable pure chiral aggregates from achiral species.
Lack of Association Between Electronic Health Record Systems and Improvement in Use of Evidence‐Based Heart Failure Therapies in Outpatient Cardiology Practices
Authors: Walsh Mary Norine , Albert Nancy M. , Curtis Anne B. , Gheorghiade Mihai , Heywood J. Thomas , Liu Yang , Mehra Mandeep R. , O'Connor Christopher M. , Reynolds Dwight , Yancy Clyde W. , Fonarow Gregg C. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractBackgroundElectronic health record systems (EHR) are expected to facilitate higher quality patient care; however, studies evaluating EHR effectiveness in improving care have yielded mixed results.HypothesisImplementation of a performance improvement system in outpatient practices with EHR may better demonstrate the value of EHR in improving quality.MethodsThe Registry to Improve the Use of Evidence‐Based Heart Failure Therapies in the Outpatient Setting (IMPROVE HF) prospectively evaluated the effectiveness of a performance improvement initiative on use of evidence‐based therapies for patients with heart failure (HF) or prior MI and LVSD. This study assessed improvement in the use of 7 quality measures from baseline to 24 months.ResultsComplete data were available for 155 of 167 (92.8%) practices; 78 (50.3%) used EHR always, 15 (9.7%) switched to EHR, and 61 (39.4%) used paper always. EHR‐always practices had significantly improved adherence to 5 measures at 24 months, and EHR‐switched or paper‐always practices had improved adherence to 6 measures. With a single exception, there were no significant differences in the magnitude of improvements in use of guideline‐recommended care among the 3 practice types. Performance on individual quality measures was also similar at 24 months.ConclusionsImplementation of the performance improvement intervention enhanced use of guideline‐recommended HF therapies among outpatient cardiology practices. However, practices using or converting to EHR did not achieve greater improvements in quality of HF care than practices using paper systems. These findings raise doubts about whether implementation of EHR nationally will translate into better outpatient quality of care. Copyright © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.IMPROVE HF is registered at http://www.clinicaltrials. gov, study number NCT00303979, and is supported by Medtronic, Inc, Minneapolis, Minnesota.Complete disclosures may be found in the online version of the article.