bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Defining the "core microbiome" of the microbial communities in the tonsils of healthy pigs
Authors: Lowe Beth A , Marsh Terence L , Isaacs-Cosgrove Natasha , Kirkwood Roy N , Kiupel Matti , Mulks Martha H 
Published: February 2012

Abstract

Background
Porcine tonsils are the colonization site for many pathogenic as well as commensal microorganisms and are the primary lymphoid tissue encountered by organisms entering through the mouth or nares. The goal of this study was to provide an in-depth characterization of the composition and structure of the tonsillar microbial communities and to define the core microbiome in the tonsils of healthy pigs, using high throughput bar-coded 454-FLX pyrosequencing.

Results
Whole tonsils were collected at necropsy from 12 16-week-old finisher pigs from two healthy herds. Tonsil brushes were also used to collect samples from four of these animals. Bacterial DNA was isolated from each sample, amplified by PCR with universal primers specific for the bacterial 16S rRNA genes, and the PCR products sequenced using pyrosequencing. An average of 13,000 sequences were generated from each sample. Microbial community members were identified by sequence comparison to known bacterial 16S rRNA gene sequences.
The microbiomes of these healthy herds showed very strong similarities in the major components as well as distinct differences in minor components. Pasteurellaceae dominated the tonsillar microbiome in all animals, comprising ~60% of the total, although the relative proportions of the genera Actinobacillus, Haemophilus, and Pasteurella varied between the herds. Also found in all animals were the genera Alkanindiges, Peptostreptococcus, Veillonella, Streptococcus and Fusobacterium, as well as Enterobacteriaceae and Neisseriaceae. Treponema and Chlamydia were unique to Herd 1, while Arcanobacterium was unique to Herd 2.
Tonsil brushes yielded similar results to tissue specimens, although Enterobacteriaceae and obligate anaerobes were more frequently found in tissue than in brush samples, and Chlamydia, an obligately intracellular organism, was not found in brush specimens.

Conclusions
We have extended and supported our previous studies with 16S clone libraries, using 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing to describe the microbial communities in tonsils of healthy pigs. We have defined a core microbiome, dominated by Pasteurellaceae, in tonsil specimens, and have also demonstrated the presence of unique minor components of the tonsillar microbiome present in each herd. We have validated the use of non-invasive tonsil brushes, in comparison to tonsil tissue, which will facilitate future studies.
Anti-malarial drugs: how effective are they against Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes?
Authors: Peatey Christopher L , Leroy Didier , Gardiner Donald L , Trenholme Katharine R 
Published: February 2012

Abstract

Background
Recent renewed emphasis on the eradication of malaria has highlighted the need for more tools with which to achieve this ambitious goal. One high priority area is the need to determine the gametocytocidal activity of both currently used anti-malarial drugs and those in the development pipeline. However, testing the activity of compounds against Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes is technically challenging both in vivo and in vitro.

Methods
Here the use of a simple robust assay to screen a panel of currently used and experimental anti-malarial drugs against mature P. falciparum gametocytes is described.

Results
Eight of 44 compounds tested reduced gametocyte viability by at least 50% and three showed IC50 values in nM range.

Conclusions
There is a need to identify new compounds with activity against late stage gametocytes and the information provided by this in vitro assay is a valuable first step, which can guide future clinical studies.
The establishment of a bank of stored clinical bone marrow stromal cell products
Authors: Sabatino Marianna , Ren Jiaqiang , David-Ocampo Virginia , England Lee , McGann Michael , Tran Minh , Kuznetsov Sergei A , Khuu Hanh , Balakumaran Arun , Klein Harvey G , Robey Pamela G , Stroncek David F 
Published: February 2012

Abstract

Background
Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) are being used to treat a variety of conditions. For many applications a supply of cryopreserved products that can be used for acute therapy is needed. The establishment of a bank of BMSC products from healthy third party donors is described.

Methods
The recruitment of healthy subjects willing to donate marrow for BMSC production and the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) used for assessing potential donors, collecting marrow, culturing BMSCs and BMSC cryopreservation are described.

Results
Seventeen subjects were enrolled in our marrow collection protocol for BMSC production. Six of the 17 subjects were found to be ineligible during the donor screening process and one became ill and their donation was cancelled. Approximately 12 ml of marrow was aspirated from one posterior iliac crest of 10 donors; one donor donated twice. The BMSCs were initially cultured in T-75 flasks and then expanded for three passages in multilayer cell factories. The final BMSC product was packaged into units of 100 × 106 viable cells, cryopreserved and stored in a vapor phase liquid nitrogen tank under continuous monitoring. BMSC products meeting all lot release criteria were obtained from 8 of the 11 marrow collections. The rate of growth of the primary cultures was similar for all products except those generated from the two oldest donors. One lot did not meet the criteria for final release; its CD34 antigen expression was greater than the cut off set at 5%. The mean number of BMSC units obtained from each donor was 17 and ranged from 3 to 40.

Conclusions
The production of large numbers of BMSCs from bone marrow aspirates of healthy donors is feasible, but is limited by the high number of donors that did not meet eligibility criteria and products that did not meet lot release criteria.
Sensitive and rapid quantification of C-reactive protein using quantum dot-labeled microplate immunoassay
Authors: Luo Yang , Zhang Bo , Chen Ming , Jiang Tianlun , Zhou Daiyang , Huang Junfu , Fu Weiling 
Published: February 2012

Abstract

Background
High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) assay is of great clinical importance in predicting risks associated with coronary heart disease. Existing hs-CRP assays either require complex operation or have low throughput and cannot be routinely implemented in rural settings due to limited laboratory resources.

Methods
We developed a novel hs-CRP assay capable of simultaneously quantifying over 90 clinical samples by using quantum dots-labeled immunoassay within a standard 96-well microplate. The specificity of the assay was enhanced by adopting two monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that target distinct hs-CRP epitopes, serving as the coating antibody and the detection antibody, respectively. In the presence of hs-CRP antigen, the fluorescence intensity of the mAb-Ag-mAb sandwich complex captured on the microplate can be read out using a microplate reader.

Results
The proposed hs-CRP assay provides a wide analytical range of 0.001-100 mg/L with a detection limit of 0.06 (0.19) μg/L within 1.5 h. The accuracy of the proposed assay has been confirmed for low coefficient of variations (CVs), 2.27% (intra-assay) and 8.52% (inter-assay), together with recoveries of 96.7-104.2%. Bland-Altman plots of 104 clinical samples exhibited good consistency among the proposed assay, commercial high-sensitivity ELISA, and nephelometry, indicating the prospects of the newly developed hs-CRP assay as an alternative to existing hs-CRP assays.

Conclusion
The developed assay meets the needs of the rapid, sensitive and high-throughput determination of hs-CRP levels within a short time using minimal resources. In addition, the developed assay can also be used to detect and quantify other diagnostic biomarkers by immobilizing specific monoclonal antibodies.
A power efficient MAC protocol for wireless body area networks
Authors: Al Ameen Moshaddique , Ullah Niamat , Chowdhury M Sanaullah , Islam SM Riazul , Kwak Kyungsup 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
Applications of wearable and implanted wireless sensor devices are hot research area. A specialized field called the body area networks (BAN) has emerged to support this area. Managing and controlling such a network is a challenging task. An efficient media access control (MAC) protocol to handle proper management of media access can considerably improve the performance of such a network. Power consumption and delay are major concerns for MAC protocols in a BAN. Low cost wakeup radio module attached with sensor devices can help reduce power consumption and prolong the network lifetime by reducing idle state power consumption and increasing sleep time of a BAN node. In this article, we propose a new MAC protocol for BAN using out of band (on-demand) wakeup radio through a centralized and coordinated external wakeup mechanism. We have compared our method against some existing MAC protocols. Our method is found to be efficient in terms of power consumption and delay.
Dose-Adjusted EPOCH-Rituximab Combined With Fludarabine Provides an Effective Bridge to Reduced-Intensity Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem-Cell Transplantation in Patients With Lymphoid Malignancies
Authors: Salit Rachel B. , Fowler Daniel H. , Wilson Wyndham H. , Dean Robert M. , Pavletic Steven Z. , Dunleavy Kieron , Hakim Frances , Fry Terry J. , Steinberg Seth M. , Hughes Thomas E. , Odom Jeanne , Bryant Kelly , Gress Ronald E. , Bishop Michael R. 
Published: February 2012

Purpose There is currently no standard chemotherapy regimen for patients with lymphoid malignancies being considered for reduced-intensity conditioning allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (RIC-alloHSCT). The ideal regimen would provide disease control and result in lymphocyte depletion to facilitate engraftment. To this end, we developed a novel regimen by adding fludarabine to dose-adjusted continuous-infusion etoposide, prednisone, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, and doxorubicin plus with or without rituximab (DA-EPOCH-F/R). Patients and Methods One hundred forty-seven patients with lymphoid malignancy (median age, 50 years) who had heavily pretreated (median prior regimens, three) and chemo-refractory (47%) disease were treated with DA-EPOCH-F/R before RIC-alloHSCT. Patients received one to three consecutive cycles until achieving lymphocyte depletion (CD4+ count < 200/μL) or progressive disease. Results Overall response rate was 41%; 39% of patients had stable disease. Toxicity included grade 4 neutropenia in 65% and thrombocytopenia in 25% of patients. DA-EPOCH-F/R resulted in lymphocyte depletion (P < .001), which was inversely associated with serum interleukin (IL) 7 and IL-15 levels. Of 147 patients, 143 patients proceeded to RIC-alloHSCT. Patients with lower CD3+ (P < .001), CD4+ (P < .001), and CD8+ (P < .001) T-cell counts after DA-EPOCH-F/R were more likely to achieve full donor lymphoid chimerism by day +14 after transplant. Relative to nonresponders to DA-EPOCH-F/R, patients with complete and partial response had increased event-free survival (77.4 v 4.8 months; P < .001) and overall survival (98.5 v 16.2 months; P < .001). Conclusion DA-EPOCH-F/R safely provides tumor cytoreduction and lymphocyte depletion, thereby offering a bridge to RIC-alloHSCT in patients with aggressive lymphoid malignancies.
Meeting the Decision-Making Preferences of Patients With Breast Cancer in Oncology Consultations: Impact on Decision-Related Outcomes
Authors: Brown Richard , Butow Phyllis , Wilson-Genderson Maureen , Bernhard Juerg , Ribi Karin , Juraskova Ilona 
Published: February 2012

Purpose To investigate how involvement preferences of patients with breast cancer change during the treatment decision-making process and determine the impact of meeting patients' expectations on decision-making outcomes. Patients and Methods Participants were 683 patients with breast cancer from 62 oncologists in five different countries recruited to an International Breast Cancer Study Group (IBCSG 33-03) project. Questionnaires elicited patients' pre- and postconsultation preferences for involvement in treatment decision making and whether these were met or not. Decision-related outcomes were assessed postconsultation. Results Before the consultation, most patients preferred shared or patient-directed treatment decision making. After the consultation, 43% of patients' preferences changed, and most shifted toward patient-directed decisions. The actual postconsultation decision was more likely to be made according to postconsultation rather than preconsultation preferences. Compared with patients who were less involved than they had hoped to be, patients who were as involved as they had hoped to be or were even more involved in decision making had significantly better decision-related outcomes. This was true regardless of whether preference change occurred. Conclusion Many patients with early-stage breast cancer have treatment options and approach treatment decisions with a desire for decisional control, which may increase after their consultation. Patients' ultimate involvement preferences were more likely to be consistent with the way the decision was actually made, suggesting that patients need to feel concordance between their preference and the actual decision. Patients who directed decisions, even if more than they hoped for, fared better on all decision-related outcomes. These results emphasize the need for oncologists to endorse and facilitate patient participation in treatment decision making.
A new uranyl benzoate species characterized by different spectroscopic techniques
Authors: Lütke Laura , Moll H. , Bernhard G. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractFor the first time in the aqueous phase the existence of a U(VI)-benzoate complex with a 1:2 stoichiometry could be proven. Using UV-Vis spectroscopy and especially cryo time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS) it was possible to characterize this complex in detail.Room temperature TRLFS measurements revealed a static as well as a dynamic ligand-initiated quench process in the U(VI)-benzoic acid system. At these conditions no luminescence emission resulting from complex formation was found. Consequently cryo TRLFS was applied to increase the maximum detectable benzoate:U(VI) ratio. By this for the first time a luminescence spectrum of the 1:2 U(VI)-benzoate complex could be determined. This species is characterized by emission bands at 467, 485, 505, 526, and 550 nm which are blue-shifted compared to the ones of the UO22+ion. The luminescence lifetime of the 1:2 complex amounts to 9.21±0.01 μs at −18 ºC compared to 150.4±0.5 μs for UO22+.The stability constant of the newly found species logβ120has been calculated to be 4.48±0.24. The stability constant of the 1:1 complex was validated to amount to 2.64±0.19. UV-Vis spectroscopy combined with factor analysis yielded the molar absorption spectrum of the 1:2 U(VI)-benzoate species which is characterized by absorption bands at 406, 418, 432.5, 447, and 461 nm and a molar absorption coefficient of 22 L mol−1cm−1.
The Effort‐reward Imbalance Questionnaire in Greek: Translation, Validation and Psychometric Properties in Health Professionals
Authors: Msaouel Pavlos , Keramaris Nikolaos C , Apostolopoulos Alexandros P , Syrmos Nikolaos , Kappos Theocharis , Tasoulis Athanasios , Tripodaki Elli‐Sophia , Kagiampaki Evangelia , Lekkas Ioannis , Siegrist Johannes 
Published: February 2012

The Effort‐reward Imbalance Questionnaire in Greek: Translation, Validation and Psychometric Properties in Health Professionals: Pavlos MSAOUEL, et al. Greek Junior Doctors and Health Scientists Society, Greece—ObjectivesThe aim of the present study was to translate, adapt and validate the Effort‐reward imbalance (ERI) questionnaire in a sample of Greek healthcare professionals.MethodsAn internationally recommended methodology was followed to perform translation of the ERI instrument into the Greek language. The questionnaire was then randomly administered to 600 Greek physicians, nurses, physiotherapists and laboratory staff, and 456 questionnaires with no missing data on the ERI items were returned (76% response rate). Tool validation included assessment of internal consistency, factorial structure, discriminant validity and presence of floor or ceiling effects. Criterion validity was demonstrated by investigating the association of theoretically relevant ERI summary measurements with respondents' self‐rated health.ResultsThe Greek version of the ERI questionnaire showed good psychometric properties. Cronbach's alpha values were 0.79, 0.72 and 0.75 for the three ERI scales of effort, reward and overcommitment respectively. Exploratory factor analysis yielded a 5‐factor solution that closely reflected the original theoretical ERI model. Significant associations were found between respondents' age, gender and specific occupation with ERI scores. ERI ratio and “overcommitment” scores in the highest tertiles were associated with elevated odds ratios (OR) of below‐average self rated health (OR=5.38, 95% confidence intervals 1.77 to 16.38, p=0.003, and OR=3.41, 95% confidence intervals 1.39 to 8.38, p=0.007, respectively).ConclusionsThe translated and adapted Greek version is comparable with the original ERI instrument in terms of validity and factorial structure and is suitable for assessment of the psychosocial work environment of Greek healthcare professionals.
The Population Cost-effectiveness of Interventions Designed to Prevent Childhood Depression
Authors: Mihalopoulos Cathrine , Vos Theo , Pirkis Jane , Carter Rob 
Published: February 2012

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:Depression in childhood and adolescence is common and often persists into adulthood. This study assessed the population-level cost-effectiveness of a preventive intervention that screens children and adolescents for symptoms of depression in schools and the subsequent provision of a psychological intervention to those showing elevated signs of depression. The target population for screening comprised 11- to 17-year-old children and adolescents in the 2003 Australian population.METHODS:Economic modeling techniques were used to assess the incremental cost-effectiveness of the intervention compared with no intervention. The perspective was that of the health sector, and outcomes were measured by using disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs). Multivariate probabilistic and univariate sensitivity testing was applied to quantify variations in the model parameters.RESULTS:The modeled psychological intervention had an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $5400 per DALY averted, with just 2% of iterations falling above a $50 000 per DALY value-for-money threshold. Results were robust to model assumptions.CONCLUSIONS:After school screening, screening and the psychological intervention represent good value-for-money. Such an intervention needs to be seriously considered in any national package of preventive health services. Acceptability issues, particularly to intervention providers, including schools and mental health professionals, need to be considered before wide-scale adoption.
OFET Sensors with Poly 3-hexylthiophene and Pentacene as Channel Materials for Ionizing Radiation
Authors: Raval Harshil N. , Rao V. Ramgopal 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACTPentacene and poly 3-hexylthiophene (P3HT) are the most promising p-type organic semiconducting materials for fabrication of organic field effect transistors (OFETs). OFETs with aforesaid organic semiconducting materials have been demonstrated as total dose detectors for ionizing radiation, wherein the changes in the electrical characteristic parameters, such as, increase in the OFF current, increase in the ON current, change in the current ratio, shift in the threshold voltage, change in the subthreshold swing, etc., were used as a measure of ionizing radiation dose. Upon exposure to ionizing radiation P3HT based OFET sensor has shown an OFF current sensitivity of 4.4 nA/Gy while pentacene based OFET sensor has shown an OFF current sensitivity of 26.7 nA/Gy for a total of 50 Gy dose of ionizing radiation. Change in the conductivity of the thin-films of pentacene and P3HT were observed and compared using electrostatic force microscopy (EFM) imaging before and after exposure to ionizing radiation. Effects of ionizing radiation on the energy band structures of the organic semiconducting materials, pentacene and P3HT, have been studied using UV-visible spectroscopy. Moreover, analysis of UV-visible spectra of the thin-films suggested the generation of energy states in larger quantity in case of pentacene thin-film as compared to P3HT thin-film upon exposure to the same dose of ionizing radiation. These results confirm the higher sensitivity observed in pentacene OFET sensor as compared to P3HT OFET sensor in terms of the change in electrical parameters.
Novel Porous Composite Material Containing Catalytic Nanoparticles for Hydrogen Production from Biofuel
Authors: Hotz Nico 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACTIn this study, a novel flow-based method is presented to place catalytic nanoparticles into a reactor by sol-gelation of a porous ceramic consisting of copper-based nanoparticles, silica sand, ceramic binder, and a gelation agent. This method allows for the placement of a liquid precursor containing the catalyst into the final reactor geometry without the need of impregnating or coating of a substrate with the catalytic material. The so generated foam-like porous ceramic shows properties highly appropriate for use as catalytic reactor material, e.g., reasonable pressure drop due to its porosity, high thermal and catalytic stability, and excellent catalytic behavior.The catalytic activity of micro-reactors containing this foam-like ceramic is tested in terms of their ability to convert alcoholic biofuel (e.g. methanol) to a hydrogen-rich gas mixture with low concentrations of carbon monoxide (up to 75% hydrogen content and less than 0.2% CO, for the case of methanol). This gas mixture is subsequently used in a low-temperature fuel cell, converting the hydrogen directly to electricity. A low concentration of CO is crucial to avoid poisoning of the fuel cell catalyst. Since conventional Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) fuel cells require CO concentrations far below 100 ppm and since most methods to reduce the mole fraction of CO (such as Preferential Oxidation or PROX) have CO conversions of up to 99%, the alcohol fuel reformer has to achieve initial CO mole fractions significantly below 1%. The catalyst and the porous ceramic reactor of the present study can successfully fulfill this requirement.The results of the present study confirm that product gas mixtures with up to 75% hydrogen content and less than 0.2% CO content can be achieved, which is an excellent result. The reactor temperature can be kept as low as 220°C while obtaining a methanol conversion of up to 70%. The used PROX catalyst showed selective CO conversion rates above 99.5% for temperatures between 80 and 100°C in presence of large molar fractions of H2O and CO2.