bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Controlled and Cardiac-Restricted Overexpression of the Arginine Vasopressin V1A Receptor Causes Reversible Left Ventricular Dysfunction Through Gα
q
-Mediated Cell Signaling
Authors: Li Xue , Chan Tung O. , Myers Valerie , Chowdhury Ibrul , Zhang Xue-Qian , Song Jianliang , Zhang Jin , Andrel Jocelyn , Funakoshi Hajime , Robbins Jeffrey , Koch Walter J. , Hyslop Terry , Cheung Joseph Y. , Feldman Arthur M. 
Published: July 2011

Background—
[Arg8]-vasopressin (AVP) activates 3 G-protein–coupled receptors: V1A, V2, and V1B. The AVP-V1A receptor is the primary AVP receptor in the heart; however, its role in cardiac homeostasis is controversial. To better understand AVP-mediated signaling in the heart, we created a transgenic mouse with controlled overexpression of the V1A receptor.

Methods and Results—

The V1A receptor transgene was placed under the control of the tetracycline-regulated, cardiac-specific α-myosin heavy chain promoter (V1A-TG). V1A-TG mice had a normal cardiac function phenotype at 10 weeks of age; however, by 24 weeks of age, tetracycline-transactivating factor/V1A-TG mouse hearts had reduced cardiac function, cardiac hypertrophy, and dilatation of the ventricular cavity. Contractile dysfunction was also observed in isolated adult cardiac myocytes. When V1A receptor transgene was induced to be expressed in adult mice (V1A-TG
Ind
), left ventricular dysfunction and dilatation were also seen, albeit at a later time point. Because the V1A receptor mediates cell signaling through Gα
q
protein, we blocked Gα
q
signaling by crossing tetracycline-transactivating factor/V1A mice with transgenic mice that expressed a small inhibitory peptide against Gα
q
. Gα
q
blockade abrogated the development of the heart failure phenotype in tetracycline-transactivating factor/V1A-TG mice. The heart failure phenotype could be reversed by administration of doxycycline.

Conclusions—
Our results demonstrate a role for V1A-mediated signaling in the development of heart failure and support a role for V1A blockade in the treatment of patients with elevated levels of vasopressin.
Modeling Eye Gaze Patterns in Clinician–Patient Interaction With Lag Sequential Analysis
Authors: Montague Enid , Xu Jie , Chen Ping-yu , Asan Onur , Barrett Bruce P. , Chewning Betty 
Published: July 2011

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine whether lag sequential analysis could be used to describe eye gaze orientation between clinicians and patients in the medical encounter. This topic is particularly important as new technologies are implemented into multiuser health care settings in which trust is critical and nonverbal cues are integral to achieving trust. This analysis method could lead to design guidelines for technologies and more effective assessments of interventions. Background: Nonverbal communication patterns are important aspects of clinician–patient interactions and may affect patient outcomes. Method: The eye gaze behaviors of clinicians and patients in 110 videotaped medical encounters were analyzed using the lag sequential method to identify significant behavior sequences. Lag sequential analysis included both event-based lag and time-based lag. Results: Results from event-based lag analysis showed that the patient’s gaze followed that of the clinician, whereas the clinician’s gaze did not follow the patient’s. Time-based sequential analysis showed that responses from the patient usually occurred within 2 s after the initial behavior of the clinician. Conclusion: Our data suggest that the clinician’s gaze significantly affects the medical encounter but that the converse is not true. Application: Findings from this research have implications for the design of clinical work systems and modeling interactions. Similar research methods could be used to identify different behavior patterns in clinical settings (physical layout, technology, etc.) to facilitate and evaluate clinical work system designs.
Carbohydrate Antigen 19‐9 in Saliva
Authors: Dyckhoff Gerhard , Warta Rolf , Gonnermann Achim , Plinkert Peter Karl , Flechtenmacher Christa , Volkmann Martin 
Published: July 2011

ObjectiveFacial nerve preservation and oncological safety are crucial in surgery of parotid tumors. An unexpected histopathologic diagnosis of a malignant parotid tumor, however, may unfavorably require a second, more radical surgery. The aim of this study was to find out whether the assessment of serological tumor markers in parotid saliva might have some diagnostic significance in the preoperative differentiation between benign and malignant parotid lesions.Study Design, Setting, Patients, and MethodsIn a prospective pilot study performed at a university medical center in 28 patients with a unilateral parotid tumor, 7 serological tumor markers established in the clinical routine were quantitatively assessed in parotid saliva collected simultaneously on both sides after stimulation. The results were correlated with the histopathological diagnosis.ResultsOf the 4 investigated tumors that were malignant neoplasms, 3 had a sufficient quantity of saliva available for tumor marker measurements. Carbohydrate antigen 19‐9 (CA 19‐9) consistently revealed high levels compared with the unaffected side in all malignant tumors, thus allowing malignant tumors to be differentiated from benign lesions.ConclusionThe results of this pilot study are encouraging, showing that preoperative tumor marker investigation in saliva from parotid glands is feasible and merits further investigation. CA 19‐9 might be a valuable new diagnostic tool in the preoperative differentiation between malignant and benign parotid tumors and should be investigated in a larger number of patients.
In situ oil flow measurements in fired engine compared to one-dimensional lube circuit simulation
Authors: Le Négrate A , El Fassi M , Cavallaro G 
Published: July 2011

This article describes the measurement methodology employed to determine oil mass flowrate through internal combustion (IC) engine oil circuits. Comparisons with one-dimensional (1D) simulations of oil circuits are shown and potential applications to the development of optimized oil circuits are outlined. Lubricant mass flowrates at different lube circuit locations are not well known. For optimized engine friction development, oil mass flowrates have been measured along the engine lube circuit in motored and fired engine to better understand the real oil feeding conditions of the main mechanical parts. These measurements show that not only oil mass flowrates, but also oil distributions in the lube circuit evolve with the engine speed and load. This has to be taken into account for engine mechanical part design. The constant temperature anemometry method, used in this study, proved to be an appropriate way to better investigate engine lube circuit behaviour. A 1D fluid-flow model of the engine lube circuit has been made and results were compared to measurement data. Simulation results were found to be consistent with measurement data.
Factors influencing endothelial function in healthy pre- and post-menopausal women of the EU-RISC study
Authors: Konrad Thomas , Bär Frances , Schneider Frank , Franke Stefanie , Böhles Hansjosef , Vetter Gert , Balkau Beverly 
Published: July 2011

Background: We studied the impact of lifestyle, body composition, different insulin sensitivity indices and the first insulin response in healthy pre- and post-menopausal women with a low cardiovascular risk profile (the EU-RISC study, ‘Relationship between Insulin Sensitivity and Cardiovascular Disease’ ( n = 51, 47 ± 4 years, body mass index 23.6 ± 3.7 kg/m2, waist girth 79.2 ± 10.3 cm) on endothelial function (flow mediated arterial dilatation (FMD)), an early marker for atherosclerosis. Results: Waist circumference ( p = 0.06), tobacco consumption ( p = 0.02) and leucocyte count ( p = 0.09) were inversely related with FMD in both pre- and post-menopausal women. Neither insulin sensitivity nor first insulin response indices were correlated with FMD. In pre-menopausal women ( n = 24), waist ( p < 0.02), waist-to-hip ratio ( p < 0.02), HDL cholesterol ( p < 0.01) and smoking habits ( p < 0.03) were significantly correlated with endothelial function. In postmenopausal women ( n = 27) age ( r = −0.17, p = 0.04) was related with FMD. Conclusion: Smoking and waist circumference, a simple marker of visceral adiposity, were related with endothelial function in healthy pre- and post-menopausal women.
Strategic Candidates, Campaign Dynamics, and Campaign Advertising in Gubernatorial Races
Authors: Carsey Thomas M. , Jackson Robert A. , Stewart Melissa , Nelson James P. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractPolitical campaigns are dynamic struggles between candidates to define the informational context for voters. Although much research describes how campaigns unfold or explores their effects on voters, less attention has been given to developing and testing a dynamic theory of candidate interaction during campaigns. In this study, the authors examine three different theories of candidate behavior, testing each using data on the TV advertisements aired in 23 gubernatorial elections held in 2002. The analysis examines both the total advertising efforts and the total negative advertising efforts of candidates in these races, differentiating between candidates based on partisanship, incumbency status, and whether they won or lost. The authors find support for all three theories, demonstrating their complementary nature and the value of analyzing campaigns as dynamic processes.
A note on the rationale for estimating genealogical coancestry from molecular markers
Authors: Toro Miguel Ángel , García-Cortés Luis Alberto , Legarra Andrés 
Published: July 2011

Abstract

Background
Genetic relatedness or similarity between individuals is a key concept in population, quantitative and conservation genetics. When the pedigree of a population is available and assuming a founder population from which the genealogical records start, genetic relatedness between individuals can be estimated by the coancestry coefficient. If pedigree data is lacking or incomplete, estimation of the genetic similarity between individuals relies on molecular markers, using either molecular coancestry or molecular covariance. Some relationships between genealogical and molecular coancestries and covariances have already been described in the literature.

Methods
We show how the expected values of the empirical measures of similarity based on molecular marker data are functions of the genealogical coancestry. From these formulas, it is easy to derive estimators of genealogical coancestry from molecular data. We include variation of allelic frequencies in the estimators.

Results
The estimators are illustrated with simulated examples and with a real dataset from dairy cattle. In general, estimators are accurate and only slightly biased. From the real data set, estimators based on covariances are more compatible with genealogical coancestries than those based on molecular coancestries. A frequently used estimator based on the average of estimated coancestries produced inflated coancestries and numerical instability. The consequences of unknown gene frequencies in the founder population are briefly discussed, along with alternatives to overcome this limitation.

Conclusions
Estimators of genealogical coancestry based on molecular data are easy to derive. Estimators based on molecular covariance are more accurate than those based on identity by state. A correction considering the random distribution of allelic frequencies improves accuracy of these estimators, especially for populations with very strong drift.
Topical haemostatic agents for skin wounds: a systematic review
Authors: Groenewold Marieke D , Gribnau Astrid J , Ubbink Dirk T 
Published: July 2011

Abstract

Background
Various agents and techniques have been introduced to limit intra-operative blood loss from skin lesions. No uniformity regarding the type of haemostasis exists and this is generally based on the surgeon's preference. To study the effectiveness of haemostatic agents, standardized wounds like donor site wounds after split skin grafting (SSG) appear particularly suitable. Thus, we performed a systematic review to assess the effectiveness of haemostatic agents in donor site wounds.

Methods
We searched all randomized clinical trials (RCTs) on haemostasis after SSG in Medline, Embase and the Cochrane Library until January 2011. Two reviewers independently assessed trial relevance and quality and performed data analysis. Primary endpoint was effectiveness regarding haemostasis. Secondary endpoints were wound healing, adverse effects, and costs.

Results
Nine relevant RCTs with a fair methodological quality were found, comparing epinephrine, thrombin, fibrin sealant, alginate dressings, saline, and mineral oil. Epinephrine achieved haemostasis significantly faster than thrombin (difference up to 2.5 minutes), saline or mineral oil (up to 6.5 minutes). Fibrin sealant also resulted in an up to 1 minute quicker haemostasis than thrombin and up to 3 minutes quicker than placebo, but was not directly challenged against epinephrine. Adverse effects appeared negligible. Due to lack of clinical homogeneity, meta-analysis was impossible.

Conclusion
According to best available evidence, epinephrine and fibrin sealant appear superior to achieve haemostasis when substantial topical blood loss is anticipated, particularly in case of (larger) SSGs and burn debridement.
Plasmodium falciparum isolates from southern Ghana exhibit polymorphisms in the SERCA-type PfATPase6 though sensitive to artesunate in vitro
Authors: Kwansa-Bentum Bethel , Ayi Irene , Suzuki Takashi , Otchere Joseph , Kumagai Takashi , Anyan William K , Osei Joseph HN , Asahi Hiroko , Ofori Michael F , Akao Nobuaki , Wilson Michael D , Boakye Daniel A , Ohta Nobuo 
Published: July 2011

Abstract

Background
In 2005, Ghana replaced chloroquine with artemisinin-based combination therapy as the first-line treatment for uncomplicated malaria. The aim of this work was to determine for the first time, polymorphisms in the putative pfATPase6 and pftctp, pfmdr1, pfcrt genes in Ghanaian isolates, particularly at a time when there is no report on artemisinin resistance in malaria parasites from Ghana. The sensitivity of parasite isolates to anti-malaria drugs were also evaluated for a possible association with polymorphisms in these genes.

Methods
The prevalence of point mutations in the above Plasmodium falciparum genes were assessed from filter-paper blood blot samples by DNA sequencing. In vitro drug sensitivity test was carried out on some of the blood samples from volunteers visiting hospitals/clinics in southern Ghana using a modified version of the standard WHO Mark III micro-test.

Results
All successfully tested parasite isolates were sensitive to artesunate; while 19.4%, 29.0% and 51.6% were resistant to quinine, amodiaquine and chloroquine respectively. The geometric mean of IC50 value for artesunate was 0.73 nM (95% CI, 0.38-1.08), amodiaquine 30.69 nM (95% CI, 14.18-47.20) and chloroquine 58.73 nM (95% CI, 38.08-79.38). Twenty point mutations were observed in pfATPase6 gene, with no L263E and S769N. All mutations found were low in frequency, except D639G which was observed in about half of the isolates but was not associated with artesunate response (p = 0.42). The pftctp gene is highly conserved as no mutation was observed, while CVIET which is chloroquine-resistant genotype at codon 72-76 of the pfcrt gene was identified in about half of the isolates; this was consistent with chloroquine IC50 values (p = 0.001). Mutations were present in pfmdr1 gene but were not associated with artemisinin response (p = 1.00).

Conclusion
The pfATPase6 gene is highly polymorphic with D639G appearing to be fixed in Ghanaian isolates. These may just be spontaneous mutations as all parasite isolates that were tested displayed satisfactory in vitro response to artesunate. However, there is no improvement in susceptibility of the parasites to chloroquine five years after its proscription.
Antiobesity and lipid-lowering effects of Bifidobacterium spp. in high fat diet-induced obese rats
Authors: An Hyang Mi , Park Shin Young , Lee Do Kyung , Kim Jung Rae , Cha Min Kyeong , Lee Si Won , Lim Hyung Taeck , Kim Kyung Jae , Ha Nam Joo 
Published: July 2011

Abstract

Background
Recent studies have reported the preventive effects of probiotics on obesity. Among commensal bacteria, bifidobacteria is one of the most numerous probiotics in the mammalian gut and are a type of lactic acid bacteria. The aim of this study was to assess the antiobesity and lipid-lowering effects of Bifidobacterium spp. isolated from healthy Korean on high fat diet-induced obese rats.

Methods
Thirty-six male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups as follows: (1) SD group, fed standard diet; (2) HFD group, fed high fat diet; and (3) HFD-LAB group, fed high fat diet supplemented with LAB supplement (B. pseudocatenulatum SPM 1204, B. longum SPM 1205, and B. longum SPM 1207; 108 ~ 109 CFU). After 7 weeks, the body, organ, and fat weights, food intake, blood serum levels, fecal LAB counts, and harmful enzyme activities were measured.

Results
Administration of LAB reduced body and fat weights, blood serum levels (TC, HDL-C, LDL-C, triglyceride, glucose, leptin, AST, ALT, and lipase levels), and harmful enzyme activities (β-glucosidase, β-glucuronidase, and tryptophanase), and significantly increased fecal LAB counts.

Conclusion
These data suggest that Bifidobacterium spp. used in this study may have beneficial antiobesity effects.
Beyond platinum: synthesis, characterization, and in vitro toxicity of Cu(II)-releasing polymer nanoparticles for potential use as a drug delivery vector
Authors: Harris Alesha N , Hinojosa Barbara R , Chavious Montaleé D , Petros Robby A 
Published: July 2011

Abstract
The field of drug delivery focuses primarily on delivering small organic molecules or DNA/RNA as therapeutics and has largely ignored the potential for delivering catalytically active transition metal ions and complexes. The delivery of a variety of transition metals has potential for inducing apoptosis in targeted cells. The chief aims of this work were the development of a suitable delivery vector for a prototypical transition metal, Cu2+, and demonstration of the ability to impact cancer cell viability via exposure to such a Cu-loaded vector. Carboxylate-functionalized nanoparticles were synthesized by free radical polymerization and were subsequently loaded with Cu2+ via binding to particle-bound carboxylate functional groups. Cu loading and release were characterized via ICP MS, EDX, XPS, and elemental analysis. Results demonstrated that Cu could be loaded in high weight percent (up to 16 wt.%) and that Cu was released from the particles in a pH-dependent manner. Metal release was a function of both pH and the presence of competing ligands. The toxicity of the particles was measured in HeLa cells where reductions in cell viability greater than 95% were observed at high Cu loading. The combined pH sensitivity and significant toxicity make this copper delivery vector an excellent candidate for the targeted killing of disease cells when combined with an effective cellular targeting strategy.
Polystyrene negative resist for high-resolution electron beam lithography
Authors: Ma Siqi , Con Celal , Yavuz Mustafa , Cui Bo 
Published: July 2011

Abstract
We studied the exposure behavior of low molecular weight polystyrene as a negative tone electron beam lithography (EBL) resist, with the goal of finding the ultimate achievable resolution. It demonstrated fairly well-defined patterning of a 20-nm period line array and a 15-nm period dot array, which are the densest patterns ever achieved using organic EBL resists. Such dense patterns can be achieved both at 20 and 5 keV beam energies using different developers. In addition to its ultra-high resolution capability, polystyrene is a simple and low-cost resist with easy process control and practically unlimited shelf life. It is also considerably more resistant to dry etching than PMMA. With a low sensitivity, it would find applications where negative resist is desired and throughput is not a major concern.
System outage probability analysis in uplink multi-hop cellular systems over composite channels
Authors: Zhao Xibin , Wang Jun-Bo , Wang Jin-Yuan , Chen Ming , Feng Min , Sheng Ming 
Published: July 2011

Abstract
Owing to its superior performances, the multi-hop cellular system has drawn much attention in recent years. This paper aims to study the uplink system outage probability of the multi-hop cellular system over composite channels. Initially, we consider a composite channel model, which takes path loss, lognormal shadowing and Nakagami-m fading into account. Then, based on the amplify-and-forward relaying, the signal-to-noise ratio of each link is investigated. Further, an expression of the outage probability for a mobile station (MS) over a given position is derived after employing selective transmission scheme. After that, considering the distribution of MSs in the cellular systems, a numerical expression of the system outage probability is further obtained. Numerical results prove that the derived expression of the system outage probability can provide very good approximation to the realistic outage performance without time-intensive simulations. Moreover, it's also shown that the muilti-hop cellular system in this paper outperforms the conventional cellular system in terms of outage probability.
The expression of the receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) in RA-FLS is induced by IL-17 via Act-1
Authors: Heo Yu-Jung , Oh Hye-Jwa , Jung Young Ok , Cho Mi-La , Lee Seon-Yeong , Yu Jun-Geol , Park Mi-Kyung , Kim Hae-Rim , Lee Sang-Heon , Park Sung-Hwan , Kim Ho-Youn 
Published: July 2011

Abstract
Introduction
The receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of arthritis. We conducted this study to determine the effect of interleukin (IL)-17 on the expression and production of RAGE in fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The role of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activator 1 (Act1) in IL-17-induced RAGE expression in RA-FLS was also evaluated.

Methods
RAGE expression in synovial tissues was assessed by immunohistochemical staining. RAGE mRNA production was determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Act-1 short hairpin RNA (shRNA) was produced and treated to evaluate the role of Act-1 on RAGE production.

Results
RAGE, IL-17, and Act-1 expression increased in RA synovium compared to osteoarthritis synovium. RAGE expression and production increased by IL-17 and IL-1β (*P <0.05 vs. untreated cells) treatment but not by tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in RA-FLS. The combined stimuli of both IL-17 and IL-1β significantly increased RAGE production compared to a single stimulus with IL-17 or IL-1β alone (P <0.05 vs. 10 ng/ml IL-17). Act-1 shRNA added to the RA-FLS culture supernatant completely suppressed the enhanced production of RAGE induced by IL-17.

Conclusions
RAGE was overexpressed in RA synovial tissues, and RAGE production was stimulated by IL-17 and IL-1β. Act-1 contributed to the stimulatory effect of IL-17 on RAGE production, suggesting a possible inhibitory target for RA treatment.