bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Electrical Properties of Textured Niobium‐Doped Bismuth Titanate Ceramics
Authors: Aguiar Ederson C. , Simões Alexandre Z. , Foschini Cesar R. , Perazolli Leinig A. , Mistler Richard E. , Longo Elson , Varela Jose A. 
Published: June 2012

Crystallographically textured Nb‐doped bismuth titanate ceramics Bi4Ti(3−x)NbxO12, were fabricated by tape casting using plate‐like Bi4Ti3O12 particles prepared by a molten‐salt method as the templates. The templates were aligned in the fine‐grained matrix by aqueous tape casting with their major surface parallel to the casting plane. Effect of niobium on the grain orientation in the material was investigated. It was found that the use of a fine precursor powder led to enhanced densification of the ceramic, while Nb doping reduced electrical conduction and dielectric loss, which enabled poling at high temperatures and high electric fields. The textured Bi4Ti3O12 ceramic showed a high anisotropy in its dielectric properties in the directions parallel and perpendicular to the casting plane. Highly textured BiT was obtained with the use of only 5 wt% of template particles by sintering at 800°C for 1 h.
Salivary evaluation of pediatric patients with cancer, before and after antineoplasic treatment
Authors: Guerra Rosane N. M. , Oliveira‐Junior Joao J. , Mouchrek‐Filho Jose Carlos E. , Liberio Silvana A. , Lima Monica V. V. , Paim Deborah B.S , Brito Carolina X. L. , Mendonça Cristina , Nascimento Flavia Raquel F. , Pereira Antonio Luiz A. 
Published: June 2012

J Oral Pathol Med (2012) 41: 527–532Aims:  This study evaluated the salivary biochemical and immunological status of children with cancer undergoing to antineoplasic treatment in an attempt to identify alternatives for a less invasive and less painful monitoring of these patients.Materials and Methods:  Unstimulated whole saliva samples were obtained from 115 children without cancer (control) and 32 children with cancer (CA). Children with cancer were also evaluated after antineoplasic treatment (CAT, n = 17). The salivary concentrations of glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, alkaline phosphatase, gamma‐glutamyltransferase (GGT), urea, insulin, thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine (T3), levothyroxine (T4), and immunoglobulin A (IgA) were determined.Results:  Acute lymphocytic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, and Hodgkin’s lymphoma were the most frequent cancers, although cases of non‐Hodgkin’s lymphoma, medulloblastoma, ependymoma, osteosarcoma, nephroblastoma, Ewing’s sarcoma, and endodermal sinus tumor were also observed. The salivary concentration of cholesterol, triglycerides, or GGT did not differ between groups. Instead, the concentrations of alkaline phosphatase and T4 were higher in patients with cancer, irrespective of treatment. TSH levels were higher in the CA group and urea concentration was lower in the CAT group. T3 was undetectable in all groups. Antineoplasic treatment increased the glucose level and decreased the insulin concentration. Salivary concentration of total IgA was lower in children with cancer, irrespective of treatment.Conclusions:  Cancer and antineoplasic treatment affected biochemical and immunological parameters in the saliva of children, shedding new light on the potential usefulness of saliva for monitoring children with cancer, especially to patients undergoing immunosuppressive therapy.
Escalating therapy of cutaneous side effects of EGFR inhibitors: experience of German reference centers
Authors: Homey Bernhard , Gerber Peter Arne , Wollenberg Andreas , Dirschka Thomas , Hassel Jessica C , Bölke Edwin , Hauschild Axel , Gutzmer Ralf 
Published: June 2012

SummaryRecommendations for the management of cutaneous adverse effects of inhibitors of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are urgently needed. In this context an expert panel of German dermatologists recently proposed a 3‐step management concept based on personal experience and a current literature consensus. While steps 1 and 2 addressed general and preventive measures, as well as the therapy that can be performed by the primary treating physician, here we address the management of challenging cases (step 3) that do not respond well to basic measures and should be referred to an experienced dermatologist.
Mycoplasma pneumoniae and mucositis – part of the Stevens‐Johnson syndrome spectrum
Authors: Meyer Sauteur Patrick M. , Goetschel Philippe , Lautenschlager Stephan 
Published: June 2012

SummaryBackground: Mycoplasma pneumoniae may induce mucosal inflammation, referred to as M. pneumoniae‐associated mucositis (MPAM). There is no generally accepted definition of MPAM, since there may be mucosal lesions only, or mucosal and minimal skin lesions.Patients and Methods: We conducted a literature review of MPAM, paying particular attention to pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, treatment decisions, and prognosis.Results: We identified 32 cases of MPAM (median age 13.5 years), whereof 23 patients were otherwise healthy children and young adolescents (72%). M. pneumoniae infection was associated with fever and respiratory symptoms in all calls; it was confirmed by serology (n = 30) and/or PCR (n = 9). Oral lesions were present in all cases, followed by ocular (97%) and uro‐genital lesions (78%). Despite the syndrome's name postulating the absence of cutaneous involvement, minimal skin lesions occurred in 31%. Treatment regimens included systemic antibiotics (100%) and systemic anti‐inflammatory treatment with corticosteroids (31%) or immunoglobulins (9%). Macrolides were given in 81%, with failure, relapse, and/or worsening in one‐third of patients. No patient suffered long‐term sequelae.Conclusion: MPAM is a distinct extra‐pulmonary manifestation falling into the continuum of Stevens‐Johnson syndrome. This entity may be due to inflammatory mechanisms suggesting that systemic anti‐inflammatory treatment is even more important than antimicrobials.
Antibiotic use in infants in the first year of life in five European countries
Authors: Stam Jose , van Stuijvenberg Margriet , Grüber Christoph , Mosca Fabio , Arslanoglu Sertac , Chirico Gaetano , Braegger Christian P , Riedler Josef , Boehm Günther , Sauer Pieter JJ ,   for the Multicenter Infection Prevention Study 1 (MIPS 1) Study Group
Published: June 2012

AbstractAim:  To assess in infants the number of illness episodes treated with antibiotics and prescription rates in five European countries.Methods:  This study was embedded in a multicenter nutritional intervention study and was conducted in five European countries. Infants were followed until 1 year of age. Illness episodes and prescriptions of systemic antibiotics were recorded by the parents.Results:  Illness episodes were caused by upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) in 55–64% and by otitis media (OM) in 2–6.8%. URTIs were statistically significant and more frequently treated with antibiotics in Italy (18.8%), and less frequently in Switzerland (1.4%). OM was statistically significant and less frequently treated with antibiotics in the Netherlands (55%) when compared to Italy (82%). The antibiotic prescription rate varied between countries, ranging from 0.2 to 1.3 prescriptions per infant per year.Conclusions:  As the frequency of illness episodes did not differ between countries, other factors, such as physician’s attitude, parental pressure or other socio‐economic determinants, most likely play a role in antibiotic prescribing habits in the first year of life.
Broad Scale Distribution of Ferns and Lycophytes along Environmental Gradients in Central and Northern Amazonia, Brazil
Authors: Zuquim Gabriela , Tuomisto Hanna , Costa Flávia R.C. , Prado Jefferson , Magnusson William E. , Pimentel Tania , Braga‐Neto Ricardo , Figueiredo Fernando O.G. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractEstablishing which factors determine species distributions is of major relevance for practical applications such as conservation planning. The Amazonian lowlands exhibit considerable internal heterogeneity that is not apparent in existing vegetation maps. We used ferns as a model group to study patterns in plant species distributions and community composition at regional and landscape scales. Fern species composition and environmental data were collected in 109 plots of 250 × 2 m distributed among four sites in Brazilian Amazonia. Interplot distances varied from 1 toca670 km. When floristically heterogeneous datasets were analyzed, the use of an extended Sørensen dissimilarity index rather than the traditional Sørensen index improved model fit and made interpretation of the results easier. Major factors associated with species composition varied among sites, difference in cation concentration was a strong predictor of floristic dissimilarity in those sites with pronounced heterogeneity in cation concentration. Difference in clay content was the most relevant variable in sites with uniform cation concentrations. In every case, environmental differences were invariably better than geographic distances in predicting species compositional differences. Our results are consistent with the ideas that: (1) the relative predictive capacity of the explanatory variables depend on the relative lengths of the observed gradients; and (2) environmental gradients can be hierarchically structured such that gradients occur inside gradients. Therefore, site‐specific relationships among variables can mask the bigger picture and make it more difficult to unravel the factors structuring plant communities in Amazonia.
Signs of magnetic accretion in the young Be/X-ray pulsar SXP 1062
Authors: Ikhsanov N. R. 
Published: June 2012

Abstract
The spin behaviour of the neutron star in the newly discovered young Be/X-ray long-period pulsar SXP 1062 is discussed. The star is observed to rotate with the period of 1062 s, and spin down at the rate ∼−2.6 × 10−12 Hz s−1. I show that all of the conventional accretion scenarios encounter major difficulties in explaining the rapid spin-down of the pulsar. These difficulties can be, however, avoided within the magnetic accretion scenario in which the neutron star is assumed to accrete from a magnetized wind. The spin-down rate of the pulsar can be explained within this scenario provided the surface magnetic field of the neutron star is B*∼ 4 × 1013 G. I show that the age of the pulsar in this case lies in the range (2–4) × 104 yr, which is consistent with observations. The spin evolution of the pulsar is briefly discussed.
Does speculation drive the price of oil?
Authors: Hannesson Rögnvaldur 
Published: June 2012

AbstractAn error correction model is estimated for the spot versus 12 months futures price of Brent Blend. Whether or not speculation in the futures market has been driving the spot price is examined by testing for Granger causality; if the futures price Ganger causes the spot price and not the other way around, it is an indication that speculation in the futures market is influencing the spot price. We find this to be the case for the recent changes in the oil price, both for the run‐up to the price peak of July 2008, the subsequent abrupt fall, and the rise from early 2009 to May 2011.
Human Cytomegalovirus Linked to Stroke in a Chinese Population
Authors: Huang Zheng‐Rong , Yu Li‐Ping , Yang Xin‐Chun , Zhang Fan , Chen You‐Ren , Feng Fang , Qian Xiao‐Sen , Cai Jun 
Published: June 2012

SUMMARY Aim: Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is implicated in several cardiovascular disorders, including atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, and cardiac transplant arteriopathy. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between HCMV and stroke. Methods: Real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and ELISA were performed on plasma samples isolated from 200 patients diagnosed with stroke and 200 controls. All participants belonged to the Stroke Hypertension Investigation in Genetics (SHINING) study. Results: HCMV seropositivity was higher in the stroke group than in controls (55.0% vs. 23.5%; P < 0.0001). The presence of HCMV DNA increased the risk of stroke (unadjusted odds ratio [OR], 3.98; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.59 to 6.11; P < 0.0001). Risks were also increased for the subtypes ischemic stroke (unadjusted OR, 4.01; 95% CI, 2.57–6.24; P < 0.0001) and hemorrhagic stroke (unadjusted OR, 3.80; 95% CI, 1.64–8.78; P= 0.0018). Increased risk with HCMV remained significant after adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, hypertension, and smoking (ischemic stroke: adjusted OR, 4.07; 95% CI, 2.52–6.32; P < 0.0001; hemorrhagic stroke: adjusted OR, 3.88; 95% CI, 1.61–9.36; P= 0.0026). Conclusions: We demonstrate a novel link between HCMV infection and stroke. These findings may provide important insights into the pathogenesis of stroke.
CXC Ligand 9 Response to Malaria during Pregnancy Is Associated with Low-Birth-Weight Deliveries
Authors: Dong Shu , Kurtis Jonathan D. , Pond-Tor Sunthorn , Kabyemela Edward , Duffy Patrick E. , Fried Michal 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACTPlacental infection withPlasmodium falciparumis associated with increased levels of proinflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and gamma interferon (IFN-γ), and previous studies have associated increased levels of these cytokines with low birth weight (LBW), especially for malaria-infected primigravidae. To define the contribution of TNF-α and IFN-γ networks to placental-malaria-associated LBW, we measured chemokines induced by TNF-α and IFN-γ and related them to birth weight in a birth cohort of 782 mother-infant pairs residing in an area ofP. falciparumholoendemicity in Tanzania. Among primigravidae, levels of CCL2, CXC ligand 9 (CXCL9), and CXCL13 were significantly higher during malaria infection in both the placenta and peripheral blood. Placental CXCL9 and CXCL13 levels were also higher in placental blood from secundigravidae and multigravidae. In multivariate analyses adjusted for known predictors of birth weight, malaria-infected primigravidae with placental CXCL9 levels in the lowest tertile gave birth to babies who weighed 610 g more than babies born to mothers with high CXCL9 levels. CXCL9 expression is induced by IFN-γ, and the strong association between birth weight and placental CXCL9 is consistent with previous observations relating IFN-γ to poor pregnancy outcomes.
Novel aneurysm neck reconstruction device: initial experience in an experimental preclinical bifurcation aneurysm model
Authors: Turk Aquilla , Turner Raymond D , Tateshima Satoshi , Fiorella David , Jang Kyung-Sool , Chaudry Imran , Kelly Michael 
Published: June 2012

IntroductionTreatment of wide-necked bifurcation aneurysms often poses procedural and long-term outcome challenges. The initial preclinical experience with the Pulsar Vascular Aneurysm Neck Reconstruction Device (PVANRD) in a canine bifurcation model is described.MethodsExperimental bifurcation vein pouch aneurysms were surgically created in the carotid arteries of eight dogs. Endovascular coiling of the aneurysms with assistance of the PVANRD was performed in all cases with acute performance compared with Y-stenting.ResultsTwelve devices were deployed in the eight cases. Deployment of the devices was straightforward and successfully protected the parent artery and maintained patency of the bifurcation in all cases, despite the use of oversized coils.ConclusionThe PVANRD is a novel bifurcation stent that facilitates treatment of wide-necked bifurcation aneurysms compared with currently available adjunctive devices.
Differential Tumorigenic Potential and Matriptase Activation between PDGF B versus PDGF D in Prostate Cancer
Authors: Najy Abdo J. , Won Joshua J. , Movilla Lisa S. , Kim Hyeong-Reh C. 
Published: June 2012

Abstract
The platelet-derived growth factors (PDGF A, B, C, and D) and their receptors (α-PDGFR and β-PDGFR) play an indispensible role in physiologic and pathologic conditions, including tumorigenesis. The transformative β-PDGFR is overexpressed and activated during prostate cancer progression, but the identification and functional significance of its complementary ligand have not been elucidated. This study examined potential oncogenic functions of β-PDGFR ligands PDGF B and PDGF D, using nonmalignant prostate epithelial cells engineered to overexpress these ligands. In our models, PDGF D induced cell migration and invasion more effectively than PDGF B in vitro. Importantly, PDGF D supported prostate epithelial cell tumorigenesis in vivo and showed increased tumor angiogenesis compared with PDGF B. Autocrine signaling analysis of the mitogen-activated protein kinase and phosphoinositide 3-kinase pathways found PDGF D–specific activation of the c-jun-NH2-kinase (JNK) signaling cascade. Using short hairpin RNA and pharmacologic inhibitors, we showed that PDGFD-mediated phenotypic transformation is β-PDGFR and JNK dependent. Importantly, we made a novel finding of PDGF D–specific increase in the shedding and activation of the serine protease matriptase in prostate epithelial cells. Our study, for the first time to our knowledge, showed ligand-specific β-PDGFR signaling as well as PDGF D–specific regulation of matriptase activity and its spatial distribution through shedding. Taken together with our previous finding that matriptase is a proteolytic activator of PDGF D, this study provides a molecular insight into signal amplification of the proteolytic network and PDGF signaling loop during cancer progression. Mol Cancer Res; 10(8); 1087–97. ©2012 AACR.
Myocardial infarct size-limiting effect of ischemic preconditioning was not attenuated by oxygen free-radical scavengers in the rabbit.
Authors: Iwamoto T , Miura T , Adachi T , Noto T , Ogawa T , Tsuchida A , Iimura O 
Published: June 2012

BACKGROUND
The limiting effect of ischemic preconditioning on infarct size has been reported in canine hearts, which contain considerable amounts of xanthine oxidase, a free radical-producing enzyme. Furthermore, a recent study suggested that free radicals generated during preconditioning may contribute to the cardioprotective effect of preconditioning. The present study examined 1) whether preconditioning limits infarct size in rabbits, which, like humans, lack myocardial xanthine oxidase and 2) whether the cardioprotective effect of PC is mediated by free radicals.

METHODS AND RESULTS
A branch of the circumflex coronary artery in rabbits was occluded for 30 minutes and then reperfused for 72 hours. Myocardial infarct size and area at risk were determined by histology and fluorescent particles, respectively. Five groups were studied: an untreated control group, a preconditioned group (PC group), a high-dose superoxide dismutase (SOD)-treated preconditioned group (high-dose SOD-PC group), a low-dose SOD-treated preconditioned group (low-dose SOD-PC group), and a SOD-plus-catalase-treated preconditioned group (SOD/CAT-PC group). Preconditioning was performed with four episodes of 5 minutes of ischemia and 5 minutes of reperfusion. The free radical scavengers (30,000 units/kg SOD for high-dose SOD-PC group, 15,000 units/kg SOD for low-dose SOD-PC group, and 30,000 units/kg SOD plus 55,000 units/kg catalase for SOD/CAT-PC group) were infused intravenously over 60 minutes starting 20 minutes before preconditioning. Infarct size as the percentage of area at risk was 45.1 +/- 3.5% (mean +/- SEM) in the control group (n = 11), 13.3 +/- 3.0% in the PC group (n = 12), 9.7 +/- 1.8% in the high-dose SOD-PC group (n = 8), 11.9 +/- 2.2% in the low-dose SOD-PC group (n = 6), and 9.6 +/- 2.3% in the SOD/CAT-PC group (n = 6) (p less than 0.05 versus control for the last four values). The differences in infarct size as the percent of area at risk among the PC, high-dose SOD-PC, low-dose SOD-PC, and SOD/CAT-PC groups were not significant.

CONCLUSION
Ischemic preconditioning delays ischemic myocardial necrosis regardless of myocardial xanthine oxidase content. Free radicals are unlikely to have a major role in the mechanism of the preconditioning in rabbits.
Interaction of neuropeptide Y and the sympathetic nervous system in vascular control in man.
Authors: Clarke J , Benjamin N , Larkin S , Webb D , Maseri A , Davies G 
Published: June 2012

BACKGROUND
There is increasing evidence that neuropeptide Y (NPY) contributes to the autonomic control of the circulation. NPY coexists with noradrenaline in perivascular nerve terminals, may be released during sympathetic stimulation, and is a potent constrictor of the human coronary circulation and other vascular beds. In vitro studies show that NPY can act either directly on vascular smooth muscle or indirectly by modulation of the presynaptic release or the postsynaptic actions of noradrenaline. It is unclear to what extent these mechanisms operate in vivo.

METHODS AND RESULTS
The effect on forearm blood flow of intra-arterial NPY was studied in six volunteers during coinfusion of noradrenaline and during reflex sympathetic stimulation induced by lower-body negative pressure. NPY alone induced a dose-dependent reduction of forearm blood flow in all subjects studied, to a maximum of 49 +/- 6.1%. The reduction of flow during infusion of noradrenaline alone was 42 +/- 8%. The response to noradrenaline was unaffected by coinfusion of a threshold constrictor dose of NPY (50 pmol/min). Furthermore, the reflex sympathetic vasoconstrictor response to 20 cm H2O of lower-body negative pressure was similar in both the infused and control arms during the infusion of 50 pmol/min NPY. The response to noradrenaline was abolished by alpha-blockade with phentolamine, but the flow reduction induced by NPY was unaffected by alpha-blockade.

CONCLUSIONS
NPY is a potent constrictor of human forearm resistance vessels and has a direct effect independent of alpha-receptors. NPY has no detectable modulating effect in vivo on the action of endogenous or infused noradrenaline.
A quantitative analysis of hemodynamic effects of the right ventricle included in the circulation of the Fontan procedure.
Authors: Nakazawa M , Katayama H , Imai Y , Nojima K , Nakanishi T , Kurosawa H , Takao A , Okuda H 
Published: June 2012

BACKGROUND
Right heart hemodynamics were analyzed with a catheter-mounted velocity meter in seven patients after direct atrioventricular anastomosis for Fontan procedure (RV group) and were compared with those obtained in eight patients after direct atriopulmonary anastomosis (RA group).

METHODS AND RESULTS
In the RV group, cardiac output was 2.7 +/- 0.6 l/min/m2; mean right atrial and pulmonary artery pressures were both 13 +/- 3 mm Hg; mean pulmonary artery wedge pressure was 7 +/- 5 mm Hg; left ventricular end-diastolic volume, determined angiographically, was 129 +/- 40% of normal; and its ejection fraction was 0.50 +/- 0.09. In the RA group, data were similar to those of the RV group except that right heart pressure were lower in the RV group, which was related to the preoperative condition of the pulmonary circulation. In the RV group, the fraction of ventricular forward flow of the total forward flow in the main pulmonary artery ranged from 0.21 to 0.46 and was not correlated with cardiac output or with any other parameter. The backward flow into the inferior vena cava at ventricular systole was greater than the atrial flow in two patients in whom cardiac output was less than 2.2 l/min/m2, whereas caval backward flow at atrial contraction was greater than ventricular flow in the other five patients, of whom four had a cardiac output greater than 3.1 l/min/m2.

CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that the inclusion of right ventricle in the circulation of the Fontan procedure does not necessarily improve overall hemodynamics in most patients.