bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cardiovascular changes in spontaneously hypertensive rats are improved by chronic treatment with zofenopril
Authors: Gómez‐Roso M , Montero MJ , Carrón R , Sevilla MA 
Published: November 2009

Background and purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of chronic treatment with antihypertensive and non‐antihypertensive doses of zofenopril on cardiovascular changes in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).Experimental approach: Male SHR were treated with 0.5 or 10 mg·kg−1per day of zofenopril (Z0.5and Z10) for 3 months. SHR and Wistar‐Kyoto rats (WKY) receiving vehicle were used as controls. Systolic blood pressure was measured using the tail cuff method. Left ventricular weight/body weight ratio was calculated as cardiac hypertrophy index. Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activity was determined in plasma and tissues by a fluorimetric method. Vascular reactivity was evaluated on aortic rings by acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside relaxations. Effects on vascular structure were assessed by lumen diameter, wall thickness and medial cross‐sectional area determination. Superoxide anion generation was quantified using lucigenin‐amplified chemiluminescence in aorta.Results: Long‐term daily administration of zofenopril (10 mg·kg−1) to SHR reduced blood pressure to WKY values, decreased cardiac hypertrophy, improved the acetylcholine‐induced relaxant response and reversed the vascular remodelling. ACE inhibition and antioxidant activity were involved in these effects. 0.5 mg·kg−1per day of zofenopril slightly modified blood pressure and the other effects were weaker.Conclusions and implications: Antihypertensive effects of chronic treatment with zofenopril were accompanied by recovery of endothelial function and improvement of cardiovascular structure. Low‐dose zofenopril had little effect on blood pressure, with some benefits on cardiovascular structure and function. Inhibition of ACE and antioxidant activity were involved in these effects.
Proteolytic roles of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐13 during progression of chronic periodontitis: initial evidence for MMP‐13/MMP‐9 activation cascade
Authors: Hernández Ríos Marcela , Sorsa Timo , Obregón Fabián , Tervahartiala Taina , Valenzuela María Antonieta , Pozo Patricia , Dutzan Nicolás , Lesaffre Emmanuel , Molas Marek , Gamonal Jorge 
Published: November 2009

AbstractAim: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)‐13 can initiate bone resorption and activate proMMP‐9 in vitro, and both these MMPs have been widely implicated in tissue destruction associated with chronic periodontitis. We studied whether MMP‐13 activity and TIMP‐1 levels in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) associated with progression of chronic periodontitis assessed clinically and by measuring carboxy‐terminal telopeptide of collagen I (ICTP) levels. We additionally addressed whether MMP‐13 could potentiate gelatinase activation in diseased gingival tissue.Materials and Methods: In this prospective study, GCF samples from subjects undergoing clinical progression of chronic periodontitis and healthy controls were screened for ICTP levels, MMP‐13 activity and TIMP‐1. Diseased gingival explants were cultured, treated or not with MMP‐13 with or without adding CL‐82198, a synthetic MMP‐13 selective inhibitor, and assayed by gelatin zymography and densitometric analysis.Results: Active sites demonstrated increased ICTP levels and MMP‐13 activity (p<0.05) in progression subjects. The MMP‐9 activation rate was elevated in MMP‐13‐treated explants (p<0.05) and MMP‐13 inhibitor prevented MMP‐9 activation.Conclusions: MMP‐13 could be implicated in the degradation of soft and hard supporting tissues and proMMP‐9 activation during progression of chronic periodontitis. MMP‐13 and ‐9 can potentially form an activation cascade overcoming the protective TIMP‐1 shield, which may become useful for diagnostic aims and a target for drug development.
Rapid fabrication of custom patient biopsy guides
Authors: Rajon Didier A. , Bova Frank J. , Chi Yueh‐Yun , Friedman William A. 
Published: November 2009

Image‐guided surgery is currently performed using frame‐based as well as frameless approaches. In order to reduce the invasive nature of stereotactic guidance and the cost in both equipment and time required within the operating room, we investigated the use of rapid prototyping (RP) technology. In our approach, we fabricated custom patient‐specific face masks and guides that can be applied to the patient during stereotactic surgery. While the use of RP machines has previously been shown to be satisfactory from an accuracy standpoint, one of our design criteria – completing the entire build and introduction into the sterile field in less than two hours – was unobtainable.(1) Our primary problems were the fabrication time and the nonresistance of the built material to high‐temperature sterilization. In the current study, we have investigated the use of subtractive rapid prototyping (SRP) machines to perform the same quality of surgical guidance, while improving the fabrication time and allowing for choosing materials suitable for sterilization. Because SRP technology does not offer the same flexibility as RP in terms of prototype shape and complexity, our software program was adapted to provide new guide designs suitable for SRP fabrication. The biopsy guide was subdivided for a more efficient build with the parts being uniquely assembled to form the final guide. The accuracy of the assembly was then assessed using a modified Brown‐Roberts‐Wells phantom base by which the position of a biopsy needle introduced into the guide can be measured and compared with the actual planned target. These tests showed that: 1) SRP machines provide an average technical accuracy of 0.77 mm with a standard deviation of the mean of 0.07 mm, and 2) SRP allows for fabrication and sterilization within three‐and‐a‐half hours after diagnostic image acquisition. We are confident that technology is capable of reducing this time to less than one hour. Further tests are being conducted to determine the registration accuracy of the face mask on the patient's head under IRB‐approved trials. The accuracy of this new guidance technology will be verified by judging it against current frame‐based or frameless systems.PACS number: 87.57.Gg
Detection of electron beam energy variations using a computed radiography system
Authors: Cai Yang C. , Ge Yuanyuan , Bernard Damian , Turian Julius , Chu James C. H. 
Published: November 2009

A method to evaluate the electron beam energy constancy by employing the computed radiography (CR) system has been developed. In this method, a right triangular plastic wedge is used to produce a curve of the CR storage phosphor plate signal versus the wedge thickness. The curve, which resembles the percentage depth ionization curve of the clinical electron beams, can be used to derive the energy constancy metric . The sensitivity of the method was tested using polystyrene sheets of variable thicknesses. For electron energies up to 12 MeV, energy changes induced by 1.5 mm thick polystyrene can be detected, while a 2.3 mm thick polystyrene sheet is required for higher energies. The measurements were carried out over a two‐year period. The results showed a good reproducibility with the use of the same CR plate and cassette, and without the requirement of calibration procedures. The two‐year range of the was within the 99% confidence intervals, and the standard deviation of the was measured to be from 0.3 to 0.4 mm for different beam energies. This technique provides an efficient and accurate method to perform the electron beam energy check and could be used by centers equipped with the CR system without requiring additional detection devices.PACS number: 87.56.Fc
4D‐PET data sorting into different number of phases: a NEMA IQ phantom study
Authors: Mancosu Pietro , Sghedoni Roberto , Bettinardi Valentino , Fioroni Federica , Aquilina Mark A. , Grassi Elisa , Fazio Ferruccio , Borasi Giovanni , Gilardi Maria C. 
Published: November 2009

This study aims to evaluate the dependence of 4D‐PET data sorting on the number of phases in which the respiratory cycle can be divided. The issue is to find the best compromise to reduce the conflicting effects induced by increasing the number of phases: lesion motion on each set of images decreases, but on the other hand image noise increases. The IQ NEMA 2001 IEC body phantom was used to simulate the movement of neoplastic lesions in the thorax and abdomen, investigating the effect of: target size (10 37 mm), lesion‐to‐background activity concentration ratio (4:1 and 8:1), total acquisition time (3, 6, 12, 20 min), and number of phase partitions (1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 13). The phantom was moved in a cranial‐caudal direction with an excursion of 25 mm and a period of 4.0 sec. Five parameters associated to lesion volume and activity concentration were considered to assess the capability of the 4D‐PET technique to “freeze” the phantom motion. The results for all the parameters showed the capability of the 4D‐PET acquisition technique to “freeze” the lesion motion. The division into six phases was found to be the best compromise between temporal resolution and image noise for the phase where the “lesions” move faster; whereas the partition into four phases could be used if a stable breathing phase is considered.PACS number: 87.57.uk; 87.57.cp
Treatment planning of epithelial ovarian cancers using helical tomotherapy
Authors: Jamema Swamidas V , Mahantshetty Umesh , Goel Vineeta , Engineer Reena , Deshpande Deepak D , Sarin Rajiv , Shrivastava Shyam Kishore 
Published: November 2009

Whole abdomen radiotherapy (WAR) for epithelial ovarian cancer, though effective, has been used sparingly due to inadequate target coverage and poor sparing of organs at risk (OAR) leading to significantly higher toxicities. Newer radiation techniques have shown potential for significant improvement in the therapeutic ratio. The purpose of this study was to evaluate helical tomotherapy (HT) for WAR. The objective parameters were to obtain uniform and adequate target coverage with maximum OAR sparing. HT plans were generated for five patients with field width of 5.0/2.5 cm, modulation factor of 3.5/3.0, and a pitch of 0.3. A dose of 25 Gy in 25 fractions was prescribed to the abdomen with a simultaneous boost of 45 Gy in 25 fractions to the pelvis. Dose‐volume parameters and various indices were analyzed and compared. Mean volume (standard deviation) of abdominal and pelvic PTV (planning target volume) was and , respectively. Mean length of PTV in cranio‐caudal direction was . Volume receiving 95% and 107% of the prescription dose (V95% and V107%) was and for abdominal‐PTV, and and 0% for pelvic‐PTV, respectively. Homogeneity and conformity indices were for abdominal PTV, and for pelvic‐PTV, respectively. Median dose received by the kidneys, liver and bone marrow was and , respectively. HT achieves an excellent coverage of WAR target with simultaneous pelvic boost and better organ (kidneys and liver) sparing. HT for WAR has the potential as consolidative therapy; this is being evaluated further in a phase II cohort study in epithelial ovarian cancers.PACS number: 87.53 Kn, 87.55. D‐, 87.55.dk.
Effect of collimator and couch angle change on breast IMRT dose distributions
Authors: Yang Jie , Ma Charlie , Wang Lu , Chen Lili , Li Jinsheng 
Published: November 2009

Intensity‐modulated tangential photon beams for breast cancer treatment can improve the dose uniformity significantly throughout the whole breast and reduce the dose to the lung and the heart when compared to the conventional technique. Before the first treatment, patient setup may require a change on the collimator angle and/or the couch angle based on the chest wall coverage according to the port films. The objective of this work is to investigate the effects of the collimator and the couch angle change on the dose distribution for breast cancer treatment using intensity‐modulated tangential photon beams, and to determine the clinical acceptable range of the angle change for routine treatment. Ten breast cases treated with intensity‐modulated tangential photon beams were analyzed in this study. Patient‐specific CT data and the radiation therapy planning (RTP) files obtained from our in‐house Monte Carlo based breast IMRT treatment planning system were used for IMRT dose recalculation with collimator or couch angle changes. The isodose distributions and DVHs were compared with the original plans, and the effects of the collimator and couch angle change to breast IMRT dose distributions were evaluated. Our results show that a 4° change in the collimator angle or the couch angle did not affect the dose distribution significantly and it is acceptable in the clinic for patient treatment.PACS number: 87.10.Rt
Metal nanoparticles as efficient catalysts for organic reactions
Authors: Ranu Brindaban C. , Chattopadhyay Kalicharan , Adak Laksmikanta , Saha Amit , Bhadra Sukalyan , Dey Raju , Saha Debasree 
Published: November 2009

AbstractPd(0) nanoparticles have been demonstrated to be very efficient catalysts for C–C bond-forming reactions. These include coupling ofvicinal-diiodoalkenes and acrylic esters and nitriles leading to the stereoselective synthesis of 2-alkene-4-yn-esters and nitriles, allylation of active methylene compounds by allyl acetate, and Hiyama cross-coupling of aryliodides with arylsilanes. Cu(0) nanoparticles catalyze aryl-sulfur bond formation, accomplishing the synthesis of functionalized aryl sulfides and aryl- and vinyl dithiocarbamates. Cu nanoparticles have also been used for the chemoselective reduction of aromatic nitro compounds.
Fabrication of a vertically aligned carbon nanotube electrode and its modification by nanostructured MnO2 for supercapacitors
Authors: Zhang Wei-De , Chen Jin 
Published: November 2009

Abstract
Strongly bonded arrays of vertically aligned, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) have been successfully grown on Ta foils, and provide a convenient basis for fabricating electrodes with high conductivity and stability. The MWNT arrays were further coated by nanostructured MnO2 through reacting with KMnO4 solution at room temperature. The morphology of the MnO2/MWNT nanocomposite was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). It was found that the MnO2 is a beehive-like nanostructure that is homogeneously and densely coated on the surface of the MWNTs. The capacitance of the MWNT electrode was significantly increased from 0.14 to 6.81 mF cm–2 after being modified with nanostructured MnO2, that is, the mass-specific capacitance of the bare and MnO2-modified MWNTs was about 33 and 446 F g–1, respectively. The MnO2/MWNT nanocomposite on Ta foils could be potential for developing a supercapacitor.
Suppression of methanol cross-over in novel composite membranes for direct methanol fuel cells
Authors: Fang Yong , Miao Ruiying , Wang Tongtao , Wang Xindong 
Published: November 2009

Abstract
A series of novel composite membranes was prepared by using poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) with polyimide (PI) as base material and 8-trimethoxysilylpropyl glycerine ether-1,3,6-pyrenetrisulfonic acid (TSGEPS) as proton conductor for direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). The parameters of membranes, including water sorption, hydrolysis stability, dimensional stability, proton conductivity, and methanol permeability were studied. The proton conductivity of the membranes is in the order of 10–2 S/cm, and the membranes show better resistance to methanol permeability (1.51 × 10–7 cm2 s–1) and better selectivity (20.6 × 104 S cm–3 s) than those of Nafion115 under the same measurement conditions.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation for Bradycardia With Poor Perfusion Versus Pulseless Cardiac Arrest
Authors: Donoghue Aaron , Berg Robert A. , Hazinski Mary Fran , Praestgaard Amy H. , Roberts Kathryn , Nadkarni Vinay M. ,   for the American Heart Association National Registry of CPR Investigators
Published: November 2009

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess whether pediatric inpatients who receive cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for bradycardia with poor perfusion are more likely to survive to hospital discharge than pediatric inpatients who receive CPR for pulseless arrest (asystole/pulseless electrical activity [PEA]), after controlling for confounding characteristics.METHODS: A prospective cohort from the National Registry of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation was enrolled between January 4, 2000, and February 23, 2008. Patients who were younger than 18 years and had an in-hospital event that required chest compressions for &gt;2 minutes were eligible. Patients were divided into 2 groups on the basis of initial rhythm and pulse state: bradycardia/poor perfusion and asystole/PEA. Patient characteristics, event characteristics, and clinical characteristics were analyzed as possible confounders. Univariate analysis between bradycardia and asystole/PEA patient groups was performed. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine whether an initial state of bradycardia/poor perfusion was independently associated with survival to discharge.RESULTS: A total of 6288 patients who were younger than 18 years were reported; 3342 met all inclusion criteria. A total of 1853 (55%) patients received chest compressions for bradycardia/poor perfusion compared with 1489 (45%) for asystole/PEA. Overall, 755 (40.7%) of 1353 patients with bradycardia survived to hospital discharge, compared with 365 (24.5%) of 1489 patients with asystole/PEA. After controlling for known confounders, CPR for bradycardia with poor perfusion was associated with increased survival to hospital discharge.CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric inpatients with chest compressions initiated for bradycardia and poor perfusion before onset of pulselessness were more likely to survive to discharge than pediatric inpatients with chest compressions initiated for asystole or PEA.
Pilot-Scale Engineered Wetland Design for Produced Water Treatment
Authors: Davis Brian M. , Wallace Scott D. , Wilson Roberta 
Published: November 2009

Summary
Engineered wetlands are a promising technology for treatment of oilfield and gasfield produced water. The engineering optimization of natural treatment processes, adapted from chemical engineering reactor design principles, shows that engineered wetlands are a viable alternative to mechanical produced water treatment systems.
Engineered wetlands incorporate a subsurface flow gravel bed reactor, lined with an impermeable liner and equipped with an aeration system to enhance oxygen delivery. Design parameters include biodegradation rate coefficients for biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and individual organic compounds, produced water flowrate, temperature, and influent and required effluent concentrations.
An oil and gas company in the Caspian region is seeking to use engineered wetlands for treatment of oilfield and gasfield produced water. The oilfield produced water concentrations are high in total dissolved solids (TDS: 43048 mg/L), BOD (14693 mg/L), and oil and grease (1213 mg/L) and moderately high in total benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX; 3.067 mg/L). The gasfield produced water concentrations are moderately high in TDS (16110 mg/L), BOD (9910 mg/L), and oil and grease (557 mg/L) and high in total BTEX (12.393 mg/L). Pilot-scale engineered wetland treatment systems have been designed on a flowrate basis of 100 m3/d using the first-order kinetic mass reaction model recently published by Kadlec and Wallace (2009). This model uses a modified tanks-in-series number that accounts for both hydraulic effects and weathering effects in the biodegradation rate. Hydraulic effects are caused by dispersion in the saturated gravel bed. Variation in the biodegradation rate is because of rapid biodegradation at the upgradient portion of the engineered wetland, in which short chain/low molecular weight organics are oxidized at rapid rates, and slower biodegradation at the downgradient portion of the engineered wetland, in which long chain/higher molecular weight organics are oxidized at lower rates. This advanced design process, combined with BOD surface area loading criteria, enables the optimization of engineered wetland design for produced water treatment.
Predicting When and Where Hydrate Plugs Form in Oil-Dominated Flowlines
Authors: Boxall John , Davies Simon , Koh Carolyn A. , Sloan E. Dendy 
Published: November 2009

SummaryThis work provides a means to predict when and where hydrate plugs will form in oil-dominated flowlines. The method was funded by the DeepStar Consortium of Energy Companies and is based on a Colorado School of Mines hydrate kinetic (CSMHyK) model developed over the last six years, which is currently an addition to the transient multiphase program OLGA by SPT Group Inc. The predictions show good agreement to data for hydrate formation in three flow loops with five oils.Recent CSMHyK-OLGA workshops have been held in Houston (March and April 2007) and Oslo (May 2007), and major companies are beginning to use the program in flow assurance to predict where and when hydrate plugs will form in flowlines.
The X-chromosome-linked immunodeficiency determines an improved course of murine lagochilascariosis
Authors: Prudente M. , Lino-Junior R. , Carvalhaes M. 
Published: November 2009

Abstract
Lagochilascaris minor is the causative agent of lagochilascariosis, a disease that affects the neck region causing exudative abscesses with eggs, adult parasites and L3/L4 larvae within purulent exudates. Nowadays, mice are considered intermediate hosts for the parasite. To determine the pattern of infection in B1 cell-defective mice, experimental lagochilascariosis was studied in BALB/c and X-chromosome-linked immunodeficient (Xid) mice. BALB.xid infected mice showed higher survival ratios and less intense lung lesions than BALB/c mice. Serum levels of IL-10 was higher in BALB/c infected mice when compared to BALB.xid animals; however, serum levels of IFNγ, in control and infected BALB.xid mice, were statistically different from that seen in BALB/c mice. We discuss the participation of B1 cells and their cytokines in the resistance to infection.
First report of Paramphistomum leydeni Näsmark, 1937 (Trematoda: Paramphistomidae) in Argentina, and re-examination of Cotylophoron cotylophorum sensu Racioppi et al. (1994)
Authors: Sanabria R. , Martorelli S. , Romero J. 
Published: November 2009

Abstract
Cotylophoron cotylophorum and Balanorchis anastrophus are the only amphistomes of ruminants that have been described so far in Argentina. Recent observations suggest that C. cotylophorum could have been misclassified. To confirm this, we examined specimens, collected in Corrientes Province and classified by Racioppi et al. (1994) as Cotylophoron cotylophorum, and re-classified these as Paramphistomum leydeni Näsmark, 1937. Flukes collected from Zárate (Buenos Aires) were also studied and compared against the former, resulting in the same species. The present study reports the existence of P. leydeni in Argentina, modifies the previous classification of C. cotylophorum and suggests that, based on the evidence of the amphistomes described so far, P. leydeni would be the most prevalent species in cattle of Argentina.
Comments on the occurrence of Leptonchus granulosus Cobb, 1920 in the Slovak Republic
Authors: Lišková M. 
Published: November 2009

Abstract
A rare nematode species Leptonchus granulosus Cobb, 1920 was recovered from soil samples collected from pine forest from the locality of Mužla, in south-western part of the country and from fruit (apricot and peach) orchards from the locality of Svätá Mária, in south-eastern region of Slovakia. In spite of geographical distance of the localities, both are characterised by warm and dry conditions and by specific very light sandy soils derived from dune sand. Only females were recovered from both localities.