bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Protein L: a novel reagent for the detection of Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) expression by flow cytometry
Authors: Zheng Zhili , Chinnasamy Nachimuthu , Morgan Richard A 
Published: February 2012

AbstractBackgroundThere has been significant progress in the last two decades on the design of chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) for adoptive immunotherapy targeting tumor-associated antigens. Structurally CARs consist of a single chain antibody fragment directed against a tumor-associated antigen fused to an extracellular spacer and transmembrane domain followed by T cell cytoplasmic signaling moieties. Currently several clinical trials are underway using gene modified peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) with CARs directed against a variety of tumor associated antigens. Despite the improvements in the design of CARs and expansion of the number of target antigens, there is no universal flow cytometric method available to detect the expression of CARs on the surface of transduced lymphocytes.MethodsCurrently anti-fragment antigen binding (Fab) conjugates are most widely used to determine the expression of CARs on gene-modified lymphocytes by flow cytometry. The limitations of these reagents are that many of them are not commercially available, generally they are polyclonal antibodies and often the results are inconsistent. In an effort to develop a simple universal flow cytometric method to detect the expression of CARs, we employed protein L to determine the expression of CARs on transduced lymphocytes. Protein L is an immunoglobulin (Ig)-binding protein that binds to the variable light chains (kappa chain) of Ig without interfering with antigen binding site. Protein L binds to most classes of Ig and also binds to single-chain antibody fragments (scFv) and Fab fragments.ResultsWe used CARs derived from both human and murine antibodies to validate this novel protein L based flow cytometric method and the results correlated well with other established methods. Activated human PBLs were transduced with retroviral vectors expressing two human antibody based CARs (anti-EGFRvIII, and anti-VEGFR2), two murine antibody derived CARs (anti-CSPG4, and anti-CD19), and two humanized mouse antibody based CARs (anti-ERBB2, and anti-PSCA). Transduced cells were stained first with biotin labeled protein L followed by phycoerythrin (PE)-conjugated streptavidin (SA) and analyzed by flow cytometry. For comparison, cells were stained in parallel with biotin conjugated goat-anti-mouse Fab or CAR specific fusion proteins. Using protein L, all CAR transduced lymphocytes exhibited specific staining pattern ranging from 40 to 80% of positive cells (compared to untransduced cells) and staining was comparable to the pattern observed with anti-Fab antibodies.ConclusionOur data demonstrate the feasibility of employing Protein L as a general reagent for the detection of CAR expression on transduced lymphocytes by flow cytometry.
Psychiatric symptoms of patients with primary mitochondrial DNA disorders
Authors: Inczedy-Farkas Gabriella , Remenyi Viktoria , Gal Aniko , Varga Zsofia , Balla Petra , Udvardy-Meszaros Agnes , Bereznai Benjamin , Molnar Maria Judit 
Published: February 2012

Abstract

Background
The aim of our study was to assess psychiatric symptoms in patients with genetically proven primary mutation of the mitochondrial DNA.

Methods
19 adults with known mitochondrial mutation (MT) have been assessed with the Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire 20-item Disability Index (HAQ-DI), the Symptom Check List-90-Revised (SCL-90-R), the Beck Depression Inventory-Short Form (BDI-SF), the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and the clinical version of the Structured Clinical Interview for the the DSM-IV (SCID-I and SCID-II) As control, 10 patients with hereditary sensorimotor neuropathy (HN), harboring the peripheral myelin protein-22 (PMP22) mutation were examined with the same tools.

Results
The two groups did not differ significantly in gender, age or education. Mean HAQ-DI score was 0.82 in the MT (range: 0-1.625) and 0.71 in the HN group (range: 0-1.625). Level of disability between the two groups did not differ significantly (p = 0.6076). MT patients scored significantly higher on the BDI-SF and HDRS than HN patients (12.85 versus 4.40, p = 0.031, and 15.62 vs 7.30, p = 0.043, respectively). The Global Severity Index (GSI) of SCL-90-R also showed significant difference (1.44 vs 0.46, p = 0.013) as well as the subscales except for somatization. SCID-I interview yielded a variety of mood disorders in both groups. Eight MT patient (42%) had past, 6 (31%) had current, 5 (26%) had both past and current psychiatric diagnosis, yielding a lifetime prevalence of 9/19 (47%) in the MT group. In the HN group, 3 patients had both past and current diagnosis showing a lifetime prevalence of 3/10 (30%) in this group. SCID-II detected personality disorder in 8 MT cases (42%), yielding 3 avoidant, 2 obsessive-compulsive and 3 personality disorder not otherwise specified (NOS) diagnosis. No personality disorder was identified in the HN group.

Conclusions
Clinicians should be aware of the high prevalence of psychiatric symptoms in patients with mitochondrial mutation which has both etiologic and therapeutic relevance.
miRviewer: a multispecies microRNA homologous viewer
Authors: Kiezun Adam , Artzi Shay , Modai Shira , Volk Naama , Isakov Ofer , Shomron Noam 
Published: February 2012

Abstract

Background
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression via binding to the 3' ends of mRNAs. MiRNAs have been associated with many cellular events ascertaining their central role in gene regulation. In order to better understand miRNAs of interest it is of utmost importance to learn about the genomic conservation of these genes.

Findings
The miRviewer web-server, presented here, encompasses all known miRNAs of currently fully annotated animal genomes in a visual 'birds-eye' view representation. miRviewer provides a graphical outlook of the current miRNA world together with sequence alignments and secondary structures of each miRNA. As a test case we experimentally examined the expression of several miRNAs in various animals.

Conclusions
miRviewer completes the homologous miRNA space with hundreds of unreported miRNAs and is available at: http://people.csail.mit.edu/akiezun/miRviewer
Serological survey of Toxoplasma gondii in Tibetan mastiffs (Canis lupus familiaris) and yaks (Bos grunniens) in Qinghai, China
Authors: Wang Meng , Wang Yan-hua , Ye Qiang , Meng Peng , Yin Hong , Zhang De-lin 
Published: February 2012

AbstractBackgroundToxoplasma gondiiis an amphixenosis which has extensive hosts. In recent years, the prevalence ofT. gondiiin China has been reported, while little is known on the survey ofT. gondiiinfection in northwest China, especially in yaks (Bos grunniens) and Tibetan mastiffs (Canis lupus familiaris). The current study survey the infection ofT. gondiiin Tibetan mastiffs and yaks in Qinghai Province, China.MethodsThe indirect hemagglutination test (IHAT) was used to examineT. gondiiantibodies in 1 795 serums, including 192 Tibetan mastiffs and 1603 yaks in Qinghai Province, China.ResultsIn this study, the seroprevalence ofT. gondiiinfection was 8.52%. Twenty (10.42%) of 192 serums of Tibetan mastiffs and 133 (8.30%) of 1603 serums of yaks were seropositive. The seroprevalence ofT.gondiiinfection in Tibetan mastiffs in breeding farm (1.08%) was lower than that in the field (19.19%), and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The seroprevalence of antibodies toT.gondiiin yaks ranged from 5.45% to 13.28% among the four different areas. The seroprevalence in different age groups were determined with apparent association.ConclusionsThe results indicated thatT.gondiiinfection was prevalent in Tibetan mastiffs and yaks, which have implications for public health in this region. To our knowledge, this is the first seroprevalence survey of Tibetan mastiffs infected byT. gondiiin The People’s Republic of China.
Co-infection of HIV and intestinal parasites in rural area of China
Authors: Tian Li-Guang , Chen Jia-Xu , Wang Tian-Ping , Cheng Guo-Jin , Steinmann Peter , Wang Feng-Feng , Cai Yu-Chun , Yin Xiao-Mei , Guo Jian , Zhou Li , Zhou Xiao-Nong 
Published: February 2012

Abstract

Background
Intestinal parasite infections (IPIs) are among the most significant causes of illness and disease of socially and economically disadvantaged populations in developing countries, including rural areas of the People's Republic of China. With the spread of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among rural Chinese populations, there is ample scope for co-infections and there have been increasing fears about their effects. However, hardly any relevant epidemiological studies have been carried out in the country. The aim of the present survey was to assess the IPI infection status among a representative sample of HIV-positive Chinese in rural Anhui province, and compare the findings with those from a cohort of non-infected individuals.

Methods
A case control study was carried out in a rural village of Fuyang, Anhui province, China. Stool samples of all participants were examined for the presence of intestinal parasites. Blood examination was performed for the HIV infection detection and anemia test. A questionnaire was administered to all study participants.

Results
A total of 302 HIV positive and 303 HIV negative individuals provided one stool sample for examination. The overall IPI prevalence of intestinal helminth infections among HIV positives was 4.3% (13/302) while it was 5.6% (17/303) among HIV negatives, a non-significant difference. The prevalence of protozoa infections among HIV positives was 23.2% while the rate was 25.8% among HIV negatives. The species-specific prevalences among HIV positives were as follows: 3.6% for hookworm, 0.7% for Trichuris trichiura, zero for Ascaris lumbricoides, 0.3% for Clonorchis sinensis, 1.3% for Giardia intestinalis, 16.2% for Blastocystis hominis, 1.7% for Entamoeba spp. and 8.3% for Cryptosporidium spp.. Cryptosporidium spp. infections were significantly more prevalent among HIV positives (8.3%) compared to the HIV negative group (3.0%; P < 0.05). Among people infected with HIV, Cryptosporidium spp. was significantly more prevalent among males (12.6%) than females (4.4%; P < 0.05). According to multivariate logistic regression, the factors significantly associated with parasite infections of the people who were HIV positive included sex (male: OR = 6.70, 95% CI: 2.030, 22.114), younger age (less than 42 years old: OR = 4.148, 95% CI: 1.348, 12.761), and poor personal hygiene habits (OR = 0.324, 95% CI: 0.105, 0.994).

Conclusions
HIV positive individuals are more susceptible to co-infections with Cryptosporidium spp. than HIV negative people, particularly younger males with poor personal hygiene habits, indicating a need for targeted hygiene promotion, IPI surveillance and treatment.
Transmission for a finite superlattice with a linear modulation of the potential barriers height.
Authors: Rodríguez-Magdaleno K. A. , Martínez-Orozco J. C. , Contreras-Solorio D. A. 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACTUsing the transfer matrix method and the Ben Daniel-Duke equation for variable mass electrons propagation, we calculate the transmittance for a finite superlattice where the potential barriers height follows a linear dependence like that of an inverted “V” letter. The energy dependence of the transmittance presents intervals of stopbands and nearly flat passbands. We calculate these properties for several numbers of barriers as well as for different barrier and wells widths and compare those with a regular superlattice.
Determining loading kinetics of drug releasing degradable shape-memory polymers
Authors: Wischke Christian , Steuer Susi , Lendlein Andreas 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACTModern concepts for biofunctional implants often comprise the controlled release of bioactive compounds to gain specific biofunctionalities. Here, amorphous and semi-crystalline copolyester-based shape-memory polymer (SMP) networks are reported as matrix for pharmaceutical applications. Drug loading of such crosslinked networks by swelling techniques requires tools to determine the actual payload. In this report, the capability of determining loading kinetics by mass increase or changes of drug concentration in the swelling medium is explored for two types of copolyester-based SMP networks differing in their crosslinking chemistry. Nitrofurantoin and ethacridine lactate served as hydrophobic and hydrophilic model drugs. It was found, that the absolute values of the determined payload did not systematically agree with those obtained by the more reliable technique of network cleavage and spectrophotometric quantification. However, the studies indicate that for both types of SMP materials and both drugs, maximum incorporation of the drugs occurred within a few hours. The time until equilibration depended on the network properties.
Synthesis and Coating of Aluminum NanoCrystals
Authors: Kaplowitz Dan A. , Jouet Jason , Zachariah Michael R. 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACTWe show a low temperature gas-phase synthesis route to produce faceted aluminum crystals in the aerosol phase. Use of triisobutylaluminum whose decomposition temperature is below the melting point of elemental aluminum enabled us to grow nanocrystals from its vapor. Combustion tests show an increase in energy release compared to commercial nanoaluminum. Production of aluminum in an oxygen free environment resulted in a bare aluminum surface that was passivated in separate experiments with nickel and iron by decomposition of their carbonyl precursors.
GaN-Based Neutron Scintillators with a 6LiF Conversion Layer
Authors: Melton Andrew G. , Burgett Eric , Hertel Nolan , Ferguson Ian T. 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACTThin film gallium nitride (GaN) scintillators have been produced by MOCVD and made neutron-sensitive by applying an enriched lithium-6 fluoride (6LiF) conversion layer. The 6Li(n,α) reaction produces both alpha and triton particles, which have very penetration depths in GaN. The range and energy deposition characteristics of these particles in GaN have been simulated. Alpha-induced scintillation was measured in silicon-doped GaN using an americium-241 (241Am) source. The thermal neutron responses of the 6LiF-coated GaN scintillator were tested using two thermal neutron sources, an 241Am-Be source inside a graphite pile and a reactor source. The scintillator was found to have a linear response to thermal neutron flux level over a range of more than three orders of magnitude.
Investigation of water adsorption on metal oxide surfaces under conditions representative of PuO2 storage containers.
Authors: Murphy Patrick , Boxall Colin , Taylor Robin 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACTWe have developed a QCM (Quartz Crystal Microbalance) based method for direct gravimetric determination of water adsorption on PuO2 surrogate surfaces, especially CeO2, under conditions representative of those in a typical PuO2 storage can. In this application, the method of transduction of the QCM relies upon the linear relationship between the resonant frequency of piezoelectrically active quartz crystals and the mass adsorbed on the crystal surface. The spurious effect of high temperatures on the resonant frequency of coated QCM crystals has been compensated for by modeling the temperature dependence of the frequency response of the surrogate coated-QCM crystal in the absence of water. Preliminary results indicate that water is readily adsorbed from the vapor phase into porous metal oxide structures by capillary condensation, an observation that may have important ramifications for water uptake within the packed powder beds that may obtain in PuO2 storage cans.
Obtaining and characterization of the alumina-zirconia nanocomposite
Authors: Pallone Eliria M. J. A. , Silva Kátia L. , Tomasi Roberto , Hernandes Vania T. , Zavaglia Cecilia 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACTCeramics of alumina of high density and purity can have a broad application area due to the combination of the excellent properties such as resistance to corrosion, good biocompatibility, and high resistance to wear and moderate mechanical resistance. But its low fracture toughness limits its range of applications. One possibility of improvement in the properties of these materials might be in the use of nanometric inclusions of ZrO2 into the matrix of Al2O3. The aim of this paper was to obtain and characterize the nanocomposites of alumina containing 0, 5, 10, 15 and 30 vol% of nanometric zirconium, seeking improvements in the mechanical properties and its comparison with values found for the matrix without the inclusion. For that, nanometric particles of ZrO2 were added into the matrix of alumina in the different proportions, using mixture of suspensions. The samples of alumina and nanocomposites of alumina-zirconium were physically, microstructurally and mechanically characterized. The results obtained, showed the efficiency of the used process, obtaining a good dispersion of the particles of zirconium in the matrix of alumina. The adding of up to 15vol% nanometric zirconium in the matrix of alumina promoted an increase in the values of the mechanical properties when compared with alumina. For the nanocomposites containing 30vol%, a good dispersion of the zirconium inclusions did not happen, leading to inferior values in the measured properties.
Deposition of Bronze Microwires on Ultrananocrystalline Diamond (UNCD) Electrodes
Authors: Grodek Corina , Lepak Lori A. , Sumant Anirudha V. , Divan Ralu , Auciello Orlando , Rosenmann Daniel , Miller Suzanne , Daniels Ephriam , Zach Michael P. 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACTAs technology advances, ever smaller wires are needed for devices, for applications in electronics, medicine, and clean energy. Many of these applications will require the precise control of not only wire shapes and diameters, but alloy compositions as well. The recently developed technique of Electroplate-and-Lift (E&L) Lithography developed by our group has demonstrated the capability of quickly and easily producing patterned micro- and nanowires of a large variety of electrodeposited materials. Here we report the first E&L- based synthesis of microwires with controlled alloy compositions, in the model system of bronze.Wires of several different compositions, ranging from 100% copper to 100% tin, were deposited on patterned ultrananocrystalline diamond (UNCD)TM templates, by varying the relative concentrations of copper and tin salts in the plating solution. All wires were deposited at 55oC, -1.0 V vs. the saturated calomel electrode (SCE). Wire morphology and elemental composition was observed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). For some alloy compositions, wires were interrupted at irregular intervals by nodules. All alloy wires were highly enriched in copper relative to the solution composition.
Shape-Memory Properties of Electrospun Non-wovens Prepared from Amorphous Polyetherurethanes Under Stress-free and Constant Strain Conditions
Authors: Sauter Tilman , Kratz Karl , Lendlein Andreas 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACTThe shape-memory properties of electrospun polyetherurethanes (PEU) non-wovens with a single fiber diameter of around 1 μm were explored. In uniaxial cyclic, thermomechanical tensile tests a dual-shape shape-memory creation procedure (SMCP) was applied and the shape recovery was examined under stress-free and constant strain conditions. The thermal properties of the electrospun PEU non-wovens were found to be similar to those obtained for bulk PEU samples, whereas the mechanical properties revealed differences with respect to the elongation at break (εb) at increased temperatures. Excellent dual-shape properties were achieved for the PEU non-wovens with a high shape fixity rate (Rf) and shape recovery rate (Rr). A significant higher recovery stress (σmax) was obtained under constant strain recovery conditions for the electrospun non-wovens compared to the bulk PEU samples, which might be attributed to the higher degree of orientation of the polymer chains in the microfibers. Therefore the influence of different (single) fiber diameters as well as the variation of the programming elongation εm and temperature Tprog on σmax is an interesting issue for future investigations.
Content and Bibliometric Analysis of Articles Published in the Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy
Authors: Coronado Rogelio A. , Wurtzel Wendy A. , Simon Corey B. , Riddle Daniel L. , George Steven Z. 
Published: February 2012

Study Design Descriptive bibliometric analysis. Background Content and bibliometric studies are useful for describing the publication patterns of a given profession, such as physical therapy, within the medical and allied health fields. However, few studies have conducted these analyses on specialty physical therapy journals. Objectives To conduct a content and bibliometric assessment of publications within the Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy (JOSPT) and report publication and citation trends over multiple years. Methods All available JOSPT manuscripts published from 1980 through 2009 were reviewed. Only research reports, topical reviews, and case reports were included in the current analysis. Articles were coded by 2 independent reviewers based on type, participant characteristics, research design, purpose, clinical condition, and intervention. We obtained additional citation information (eg, authors and institutions) from a subset of articles published from 1992 through 2009 using bibliometric software. Results Of the 2233 available JOSPT publications, 1732 (77.6%) met criteria for inclusion. Of these, 1172 (67.7%) were research reports, 351 (20.3%) topical reviews, and 209 (12.1%) case reports. Over the last 30 years there has been a significant increase in the number of articles published and the percentage of research reports, systematic reviews, articles focused on prognosis, and articles including symptomatic participants. Percentage decreases were observed for topical or nonsystematic reviews and articles focused on anatomy/physiology. Top institutions, authors, and cited papers from 1992 through 2009 were identified in the bibliometric analyses. Conclusion JOSPT has shown publication trends for increased percentage of experimental and clinically relevant research. However, there may be a need for increased publication of randomized controlled trials and studies focused on diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment, if goals of evidence-based practice are to be met. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2011;41(12):920–931. doi:10.2519/JOSPT.2011.3808