bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characterization of rocking shallow foundations using centrifuge model tests
Authors: Deng Lijun , Kutter Bruce L. 
Published: November 2011

SUMMARYThis paper presents new results of centrifuge model tests exploring the behavior of rocking shallow foundations embedded in dry sand, which provides a variety of factors of safety for vertical bearing. The results of slow (quasi‐static) cyclic tests of rocking shear walls and dynamic shaking tests of single‐column rocking bridge models are presented. The moment–rotation and settlement–rotation relationships of rocking footings are investigated. Concrete pads were placed in the ground soil to support some models with the objective of reducing the settlement induced by rocking. The behavior of rocking foundation was shown to be sensitive to the geometric factor of safety with respect to bearing failure, Lf/Lc, where Lf was the footing length, and the Lc was the critical soil‐footing contact length that would be required to support pure axial loading. Settlements were shown to be small if Lf/Lc was reasonably large. Placement of concrete pads under the edges of the footing was shown to be a promising approach to reduce settlements resulting from rocking, if settlements were deemed to be excessive and also had impacts on the energy dissipation and rocking moment capacity. A general discussion of the tradeoffs between energy dissipation and re‐centering of rocking foundations and other devices is included. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of Humidification on the Membrane Electrode Assembly of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells at Relatively High Cell Temperatures
Authors: Yin K.‐M. , Chang C.‐P. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractThis study focuses on the performances of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) at 80 and 90 °C with feeds of varying degrees of humidification. The results show that ohmic resistance of the solid electrolyte decreases as the current density is raised because of the back diffusion of liquid water, that is, generated in the cathode active layer. On the other hand, severe liquid water accumulation occurs at high current densities, which hinders the oxygen transport in the cathode gas diffusion layer (GDL) resulting in the Nernst diffusion limitation. The polarization measurement correlates well with the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis. The effects of humidification on membrane hydration, activity in the catalyst layer, and oxygen diffusion over‐potential in the cathode GDL are elucidated with the proposed equivalent circuit model at varying operating current densities.
Antibacterial components of honey
Authors: Kwakman Paulus H. S. , Zaat Sebastian A. J. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractThe antibacterial activity of honey has been known since the 19th century. Recently, the potent activity of honey against antibiotic‐resistant bacteria has further increased the interest for application of honey, but incomplete knowledge of the antibacterial activity is a major obstacle for clinical applicability. The high sugar concentration, hydrogen peroxide, and the low pH are well‐known antibacterial factors in honey and more recently, methylglyoxal and the antimicrobial peptide bee defensin‐1 were identified as important antibacterial compounds in honey. The antibacterial activity of honey is highly complex due to the involvement of multiple compounds and due to the large variation in the concentrations of these compounds among honeys. The current review will elaborate on the antibacterial compounds in honey. We discuss the activity of the individual compounds, their contribution to the complex antibacterial activity of honey, a novel approach to identify additional honey antibacterial compounds, and the implications of the novel developments for standardization of honey for medical applications. © 2011 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 2011.s
Mitochondrial and liver oxidative stress alterations induced by N‐butyl‐N‐(4‐hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine: relevance for hepatotoxicity
Authors: Oliveira Maria M. , Teixeira José C. , Vasconcelos‐Nóbrega Cármen , Felix Luis M. , Sardão Vilma A. , Colaço Aura A. , Oliveira Paula A. , Peixoto Francisco P. 
Published: November 2011

ABSTRACTThe most significant toxicological effect of nitrosamines like N‐butyl‐N‐(4‐hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine (BBN) is their carcinogenic activity, which may result from exposure to a single large dose or from chronic exposure to relatively small doses. However, its effects on mitochondrial liver bioenergetics were never investigated. Liver is the principal organ responsible for BBN metabolic activation, and mitochondria have a central function in cellular energy production, participating in multiple metabolic pathways. Therefore any negative effect on mitochondrial function may affect cell viability. In the present work, ICR male mice were given 0.05% of BBN in drinking water for a period of 12 weeks and were sacrificed one week later. Mitochondrial physiology was characterized in BBN‐ and control‐treated mice. Transmembrane electric potential developed by mitochondria was significantly affected when pyruvate–malate was used, with an increase in state 4 respiration observed for pyruvate–malate (46%) and succinate (38%). A decrease in the contents of one subunit of mitochondrial complex I and in one subunit of mitochondrial complex IV was also observed. In addition, the activity of both complexes I and II was also decreased by BBN treatment. The treatment with BBN increases the susceptibility of liver mitochondria to the opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore. This susceptibility could be related with the increase in the production of H2O2 by mitochondria and increased oxidative stress confirmed by augmented susceptibility to lipid peroxidation. These results lead to the conclusion that hepatic mitochondria are one primary target for BBN toxic action during liver metabolism. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The association between insulin levels and cortical bone: Findings from a cross-sectional analysis of pQCT parameters in adolescents
Authors: Sayers Adrian , Lawlor Debbie A , Sattar Naveed , Tobias Jon H 
Published: November 2011

Abstract
Recent studies suggest that patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus are at increased risk of fracture, possibly because hyperinsulinemia is a risk factor for low bone mineral density, which may in turn be a consequence of a lipotoxic effect of visceral and/or intramuscular fat on bone. In the current study, we investigated whether insulin plays a role in cortical bone development by performing a cross-sectional study based on the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), where we examined associations between fasting insulin levels and peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) parameters as assessed at the mid-tibia in 2784 boys and girls with a mean age 15.5 years. In particular, we wished to examine whether associations that we observed were independent of body composition, including intramuscular fat. We found that insulin was inversely related to cortical bone mineral density (BMDC) after adjustment for age and after further adjustment for height, muscle cross-sectional area (MCSA), subcutaneous fat (SAT), and muscle density (MD), which is inversely related to intramuscular fat (−0.018, 95% confidence interval [CI] −0.030, −0.006, p &lt; 0.0001). Insulin was positively related to periosteal circumference (PC) after adjusting for age (0.015, 95% CI 0.003, 0.027, p = 0.015; beta = change per 50% increase in insulin), but this changed to an inverse association after additional adjustment for height and body composition (−0.013, 95% CI −0.022, −0.003, p = 0.008). Path analyses revealed inverse associations between insulin and PC via a direct pathway (−0.012, 95% CI −0.022, −0.003, p = 0.01) and via MD (−0.002, 95% CI −0.004, −0.001, p = 0.0004), and positive associations between insulin and PC via SAT (0.013, 95% CI 0.009, 0.016, p &lt; 0.0001) and MCSA (0.015, 95% CI 0.010, 0.020, p &lt; 0.0001). In conclusion, we found an inverse relationship between insulin and PC via intramuscular fat, suggesting a lipotoxic effect on bone. However, an inverse association between insulin and both PC and BMDC persisted after adjusting for all body composition variables, suggesting insulin also acts to inhibit bone development via additional pathways yet to be elucidated. © 2012 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
Spectroscopic investigation on the interaction of Cr(VI) with bovine serum albumin
Authors: Zhang Pengjun , Lan Ping , Ma Yuening , Gao Yan , Chen Hao , Fang Qian , Zong Wansong , Liu Rutao 
Published: November 2011

AbstractThe interaction of potassium dichromate (Cr(VI)) with bovine serum albumin (BSA) was investigated by fluorescence, synchronous fluorescence, resonance light scattering (RLS), ultraviolet–visible absorption, and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopies under simulated physiological conditions. The experimental results showed that Cr(VI) could quench the intrinsic fluorescence of BSA following a static quenching process, which indicates the formation of a Cr(VI)–BSA complex. The binding constant (KA) and binding site (n) were measured at different temperatures. The spectroscopic results also revealed that the binding of Cr(VI) to BSA can lead to the loosening of the protein conformation and can change the microenvironment and skeleton of BSA. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 26:54–59 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/jbt.20398
A randomized and controlled study comparing immunoadsorption and plasma exchange in myasthenic crisis
Authors: Köhler Wolfgang , Bucka Christoph , Klingel Reinhard 
Published: November 2011

AbstractMyasthenic crisis is the most serious life‐threatening event in Myasthenia gravis patients, affecting up to 27% within the first two years after onset of disease. Extracorporeal removal of circulating autoantibodies against the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChRAb) by methods of therapeutic apheresis, e.g. plasma exchange (PE) and immunoadsorption (IA) had been demonstrated as effective treatment especially in acute situations of myasthenic crisis. However, controlled data comparing clinical safety and efficacy of both methods in a clinical study were not available. Here the results of a prospective randomized controlled clinical trial are presented, investigating 19 patients with myasthenic crisis, who were randomized to receive either PE (n = 10) or IA (n = 9) in addition to combined drug treatment. Patients received 3 to 5 (mean 3.5 for PE, and 3.4 for IA) treatments over a period of 7 days with a predefined treatment volume of 1.5 l plasma (i.e., 20–25 ml/kg plasma representing 0.5–0.6 patients' plasma volumes). Clinical courses were monitored using disease specific clinical scores. After initiation of IA or PE the mean value of Myasthenia scores decreased equally until Day 14 of the post‐treatment phase. Patients from both treatment groups improved to a stable clinical status of Oosterhuis Classes 1 and 2. Substantial reduction of AChRAb was documented after each session of PE or IA. In the treatment period 16 adverse effects (seven serious adverse events, SAE) in the PE and 10 (1 SAE) in the IA group were observed. In conclusion, IA proved to be equally effective compared with PE treatment in patients with myasthenic crisis. Three to five treatment sessions using low plasma volume dosage of 20–25 ml/kg were adequate to improve clinically relevant symptoms significantly in most patients. J. Clin. Apheresis, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Measuring the quality of therapeutic apheresis care in the pediatric intensive care unit
Authors: Sussmane Jeffrey B. , Torbati Dan , Gitlow Howard S. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractOur goal was to measure the quality of care provided in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) during Therapeutic Apheresis (TA). We described the care as a step by step process. We designed a flow chart to carefully document each step of the process. We then defined each step with a unique clinical indictor (CI) that represented the exact task we felt provided quality care. These CIs were studied and modified for 1 year. We measured our performance in this process by the number of times we accomplished the CI vs. the total number of CIs that were to be performed. The degree of compliance, with these clinical indicators, was analyzed and used as a metric for quality by calculating how close the process is running exactly as planned or “in control.” The Apheresis Process was in control (compliance) for 47% of the indicators, as measured in the aggregate for the first observational year. We then applied the theory of Total Quality Management (TQM) through our Design, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control (DMAIC) model. We were able to improve the process and bring it into control by increasing the compliance to > 99.74%, in the aggregate, for the third and fourth quarter of the second year. We have implemented TQM to increase compliance, thus control, of a highly complex and multidisciplinary Pediatric Intensive Care therapy. We have shown a reproducible and scalable measure of quality for a complex clinical process in the PICU, without additional capital expenditure. J. Clin. Apheresis, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Apigenin attenuates neointima formation via suppression of vascular smooth muscle cell phenotypic transformation
Authors: Guan Hongjing , Gao Lu , Zhu Lihua , Yan Ling , Fu Mingyue , Chen Changgui , Dong Xuan , Wang Lang , Huang Kai , Jiang Hong 
Published: November 2011

AbstractAbnormal proliferation, migration, and phenotypic modulation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are critical factors in neointima formation during restenosis. The purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy and possible cell signaling mechanisms of apigenin in VSMC activation induced by platelet‐derived growth factor (PDGF)‐BB and injury‐induced neointima formation. Our data revealed a dose‐dependent apigenin inhibition of PDGF‐BB‐induced proliferation of VSMCs by arresting cells in G0/G1‐phase of the cell cycle as determined using 5‐bromo‐2′‐deoxyuridine incorporation and flow cytometry. This was associated with the inhibition of cyclin‐dependent kinase (CDK) 4,6 expression and an increase in p27Kip1 levels in PDGF‐stimulated VSMCs. Moreover, apigenin was also found to regulate PDGF‐induced migration and expression of smooth‐muscle‐specific contractile markers. Mechanistically, the PDGF‐BB‐induced phosphorylation of PDGF‐receptor β (PDGF‐Rβ), Akt/glycogen synthase kinase(GSK)3β, extracellular signal‐regulated kinase1/2 (ERK1/2), and signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3) is negatively modulated by apigenin. For the in vivo studies using a mouse carotid arterial injury model, the administration of apigenin resulted in a significant inhibition of the neointima/media ratio and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)‐positive cells. These results demonstrate that apigenin can suppress PDGF‐induced VSMC activation and neointima hyperplasia after vascular injury; these beneficial effects are probably the result of the blockade of PDGF‐Rβ phosphorylation and its downstream signal transduction, including the Akt/GSK‐3β, ERK1/2, and STAT3 pathways. The results suggest that apigenin may be a potential therapeutic candidate for the prevention of restenosis. J. Cell. Biochem. 113: 1198–1207, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Body composition analysis of obesity and hepatic steatosis in mice by relaxation compensated fat fraction (RCFF) MRI
Authors: Johnson David H. , Narayan Sreenath , Wilson David L. , Flask Chris A. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractPurpose:To develop and validate a quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methodology for phenotyping animal models of obesity and fatty liver disease on 7T small animal MRI scanners.Materials and Methods:A new MRI acquisition and image analysis technique, relaxation‐compensated fat fraction (RCFF), was developed and validated by both magnetic resonance spectroscopy and histology. This new RCFF technique was then used to assess lipid biodistribution in two groups of mice on either a high‐fat (HFD) or low‐fat (LFD) diet.Results:RCFF demonstrated excellent correlation in phantom studies (R2 = 0.99) and in vivo compared to histological evaluation of hepatic triglycerides (R2 = 0.90). RCFF images provided robust fat fraction maps with consistent adipose tissue values (82% ± 3%). HFD mice exhibited significant increases in peritoneal and subcutaneous adipose tissue volumes in comparison to LFD controls (peritoneal: 6.4 ± 0.4 cm3 vs. 0.7 ± 0.2, P < 0.001; subcutaneous: 14.7 ± 2.0 cm3 vs. 1.2 ± 0.3 cm3, P < 0.001). Hepatic fat fractions were also significantly different between HFD and LFD mice (3.1% ± 1.7% LFD vs. 27.2% ± 5.4% HFD, P = 0.002).Conclusion:RCFF can be used to quantitatively assess adipose tissue volumes and hepatic fat fractions in rodent models at 7T. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2012;35:837–843. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Human platelet antigen genotype is associated with progression of fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Silva Giovanni Faria , Grotto Rejane Maria Tommasini , Verdichio‐Moraes Camila Fernanda , Corvino Silvia Maria , Ferrasi Adriana Camargo , de Arruda Silveira Liciana Vaz , de Moura Campos Pardini Maria Inês 
Published: November 2011

AbstractAlthough progression of fibrosis in the chronic hepatitis C depends on environmental, viral, and host factors, genetic polymorphisms have been associated recently with this progression, including the expression of integrins, adhesion proteins. Some integrins expressed on the platelet membrane show polymorphic antigenic determinants called human platelet antigens (HPA), where the major ones are HPA‐1, ‐3, ‐5. The association between HCV infection and HPA‐5b has been demonstrated. Similarly, the HPA profile could determine if HPA is related to progression of fibrosis. The goal of this study was to evaluate the association between the frequencies of HPA‐1, ‐3, and ‐5 and degree of fibrosis in HCV‐infected patients. Genomic DNA from 143 HCV‐infected patients was used as the source for HPA genotyping by PCR‐SSP or PCR‐RFLP. Progression of fibrosis was evaluated using the METAVIR scoring system, and the patients were grouped according to degree of fibrosis into G1 (n = 81, with F1, portal fibrosis without septa or F2, few septa) and G2 (n = 62, with F3, numerous septa, or F4, cirrhosis). Statistical analysis was performed using the proportional odds model. The genotypic frequency of HPA‐1a/1b was significantly higher in the patients in G2. To evaluate the influence of the time of infection to the development of fibrosis and its effect on the genetic factor HPA‐1, 96 patients from 143 studied were evaluated considering the time of HCV infection, and these results suggest that the HPA‐1a/1b genotype promotes the development of fibrosis in HCV infection with time. J. Med. Virol. 84:56–60, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Prevalence of specific antibody to hepatitis E virus in the general population of the community of Madrid, Spain
Authors: Fogeda M. , Avellón A. , Echevarría J.M. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractHepatitis E virus (HEV) is an infectious agent causing hepatitis among humans. Although hepatitis E has been reported from many European countries, its incidence in Europe is largely unknown, and the prevalence of the HEV infection is also unknown for most countries of the region. Antibody to HEV (anti‐HEV) was tested on 2,305 serum samples from the general population of the Community of Madrid (Spain) collected in the year 2008 among people aged 2–60 years. Total anti‐HEV was tested by enzyme‐immunoassay (EIA), and reactive samples were retested separately for anti‐HEV IgG and IgM by recombinant immunoblot test (RIBT). Fifty samples (2.17%) displayed reactivity for total anti‐HEV after EIA testing, and anti‐HEV IgG was confirmed by RIBT in 25 (1.08%). The frequency of RIBT‐confirmed anti‐HEV ranged from 0.97% among the youngest to 3.61% among the oldest, and displayed a statistically significant trend to increasing with age. The rate of RIBT confirmation was also significantly higher among the individuals aged above 20 years old than among those younger of 21 years. HEV infection would be less frequent in the Community of Madrid than in Catalonia or the United Kingdom, and contact with HEV would be very uncommon among children and adolescents of the region. Confirmation of EIA‐reactive samples by RIBT reduced the final numbers of anti‐HEV testing as much as 50%, and some findings of this study suggest that such testing protocol would reflect better the real prevalence of anti‐HEV in settings of low endemicity than the single testing by EIA. J. Med. Virol. 84:71–74, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Clinical significance of zinc finger E‐box binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1) in human gastric cancer
Authors: Okugawa Yoshinaga , Toiyama Yuji , Tanaka Koji , Matsusita Kohei , Fujikawa Hiroyuki , Saigusa Susumu , Ohi Masaki , Inoue Yasuhiro , Mohri Yasuhiko , Uchida Keiichi , Kusunoki Masato 
Published: November 2011

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesZinc finger E‐box Binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1) encodes a transcription factor and is one of the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT)‐inducible genes that play a key role in tumor progression in various cancers. The aim of this study is to clarify the clinical significance of ZEB1 expression in gastric cancer patients.MethodsOne hundred thirty‐four patients who underwent surgery for gastric cancer were evaluated. We analyzed ZEB1 mRNA levels by real‐time reverse transcription PCR in gastric cancer tissue and adjacent normal mucosa. ZEB1 protein expression in primary cancer and in peritoneal dissemination samples was measured using immunohistochemical analysis.ResultsExpression of the ZEB1 gene was significantly higher in cancerous tissue than in adjacent normal mucosa. Increased ZEB1 expression was significantly associated with peritoneal dissemination, and was an independent prognostic factor. Logistic regression analysis revealed that increased ZEB1 expression was an independent risk factor for peritoneal dissemination. Immunohistochemical analysis indicated that ZEB1 was intensely expressed in both primary cancer and peritoneal dissemination samples.ConclusionsZEB1 is an independent factor for peritoneal dissemination in patients with gastric cancer, and may therefore play a key role in the progression to peritoneal dissemination in gastric cancer patients. J. Surg. Oncol. 2012; 106:280–285. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Peculiarities of the Anionic Copolymerization of Styrene and Dienes in Non‐Polar Solvents with Li+ as Counter‐ion mvb
Authors: Van Beylen Marcel , Morita Hideo 
Published: November 2011

AbstractSummary: The anionic copolymerization of styrene and butadiene in hydrocarbon solvents initiated by lithium alkyls was first studied by Korotkov, who reported that the polymerization starts slowly and initially consumes butadiene. On exhaustion of this monomer, the reaction speeds up and then styrene polymerizes rapidly. This peculiar behaviour, which was originally explained by Korotkov by treating the monomers as solvents, butadiene being a preferential solvent for the Li+ cation, was later accounted for by considering the cross‐over reactions. In this paper an in dept further explanation is given by admitting that the polymerization reactions occur through coordination of the Li + cation by the monomer followed by insertion of the monomer into the polymer chain. A preliminary MOPAC 93 (PM3) calculation seems to confirm this interpretation.