bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Investigation of electrical and magnetic properties of ferro-nanofluid on transformers
Authors: Tsai Tsung-Han , Chen Ping-Hei , Lee Da-Sheng , Yang Chin-Ting 
Published: April 2011

AbstractThis study investigated a simple model of transformers that have liquid magnetic cores with different concentrations of ferro-nanofluids. The simple model was built on a capillary by enamel-insulated wires and with ferro-nanofluid loaded in the capillary. The ferro-nanofluid was fabricated by a chemical co-precipitation method. The performances of the transformers with either air core or ferro-nanofluid at different concentrations of nanoparticles of 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1 M were measured and simulated at frequencies ranging from 100 kHz to 100 MHz. The experimental results indicated that the inductance and coupling coefficient of coils grew with the increment of the ferro-nanofluid concentration. The presence of ferro-nanofluid increased resistance, yielding to the decrement of the quality factor, owing to the phase lag between the external magnetic field and the magnetization of the material.
Nuclear envelope structural defects cause chromosomal numerical instability and aneuploidy in ovarian cancer
Authors: Capo-chichi Callinice D , Cai Kathy Q , Simpkins Fiona , Ganjei-Azar Parvin , Godwin Andrew K , Xu Xiang-Xi 
Published: April 2011

Abstract

Background
Despite our substantial understanding of molecular mechanisms and gene mutations involved in cancer, the technical approaches for diagnosis and prognosis of cancer are limited. In routine clinical diagnosis of cancer, the procedure is very basic: nuclear morphology is used as a common assessment of the degree of malignancy, and hence acts as a prognostic and predictive indicator of the disease. Furthermore, though the atypical nuclear morphology of cancer cells is believed to be a consequence of oncogenic signaling, the molecular basis remains unclear. Another common characteristic of human cancer is aneuploidy, but the causes and its role in carcinogenesis are not well established.

Methods
We investigated the expression of the nuclear envelope proteins lamin A/C in ovarian cancer by immunohistochemistry and studied the consequence of lamin A/C suppression using siRNA in primary human ovarian surface epithelial cells in culture. We used immunofluorescence microscopy to analyze nuclear morphology, flow cytometry to analyze cellular DNA content, and fluorescence in situ hybridization to examine cell ploidy of the lamin A/C-suppressed cells.

Results
We found that nuclear lamina proteins lamin A/C are often absent (47%) in ovarian cancer cells and tissues. Even in lamin A/C-positive ovarian cancer, the expression is heterogeneous within the population of tumor cells. In most cancer cell lines, a significant fraction of the lamin A/C-negative population was observed to intermix with the lamin A/C-positive cells. Down regulation of lamin A/C in non-cancerous primary ovarian surface epithelial cells led to morphological deformation and development of aneuploidy. The aneuploid cells became growth retarded due to a p53-dependent induction of the cell cycle inhibitor p21.

Conclusions
We conclude that the loss of nuclear envelope structural proteins, such as lamin A/C, may underlie two of the hallmarks of cancer - aberrations in nuclear morphology and aneuploidy.
Rapid detection of anti-Vaccinia virus neutralizing antibodies
Authors: Kramski Marit , Drozd Anna , Lichtfuss Gregor F , Dabrowski Piotr W , Ellerbrok Heinz 
Published: April 2011

Abstract
Increasing infections with Monkeypox and Cowpox viruses pose a continuous and growing threat to human health. The standard method for detecting poxvirus neutralizing antibodies is the plaque-reduction neutralization test that is specific but also time-consuming and laborious. Therefore, a rapid and reliable method was developed to determine neutralizing antibody titers within twelve hours. The new assay measures viral mRNA transcription as a marker for actively replicating virus after incomplete neutralization using real-time PCR.
Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza virus induces weaker host immune responses in vitro: a possible mechanism of high transmissibility
Authors: Mukherjee Sanjay , Vipat Veena C , Mishra Akhilesh C , Pawar Shailesh D , Chakrabarti Alok K 
Published: April 2011

Abstract

Background
The world has recently overcome the first influenza pandemic of the 21st century caused by a novel H1N1 virus (pH1N1) which is a triple reassortant comprising genes derived from avian, human, and swine influenza viruses and antigenically quite different from seasonal H1N1 strains. Although the case fatality rates have decreased in many developed countries, the situation is still alarming in many developing countries including India where considerable numbers of new cases are appearing everyday. There is still a high morbidity and mortality of susceptible adult as well as young population without having underlying health issues due to the influenza infection.

Results
To achieve a better understanding of the risk posed by the pH1N1 and to understand its pathogenicity, we studied the host gene expression response to Indian isolate of pH1N1 infection and compared it with seasonal H1N1 infection. The response was studied at four different time points (4, 8, 16 and 24 h) post infection (hpi) in A549 cells using microarray platform. We found that pH1N1 induces immune response earlier than seasonal H1N1 viruses, but at the later stages of infection there is a suppression of host immune responses. The infection with pH1N1 resulted in considerable decrease in the expression of cytokine and other immune genes namely IL8, STAT1, B2 M and IL4 compared to seasonal H1N1.

Conclusion
We propose that the inability to induce strong innate immune response could be a reason for the high transmissibility, pathogenicity and mortality caused by pH1N1 virus.
In vitro evaluation of antiviral and virucidal activity of a high molecular weight hyaluronic acid
Authors: Cermelli Claudio , Cuoghi Alessandro , Scuri Monica , Bettua Clotilde , Neglia Rachele G , Ardizzoni Andrea , Blasi Elisabetta , Iannitti Tommaso , Palmieri Beniamino 
Published: April 2011

Abstract

Background
hyaluronic acid (HA), a non-sulphated glycosaminoglycan, is present in synovial fluid, vitreous humour serum and many connective tissues. Pharmaceutical preparations of HA are used in clinical practice for wound healing, joint pain, kerato-conjunctivitis, asthma, mouth care, oesophageal-reflux, and gastritis. Moreover, it is used as a filler to counteract ageing and facial lipoatrophy. Our study aims at investigating the in vitro antiviral activity of a high molecular weight HA.

Methods
the MTT test was used to rule out the potential toxic effects of HA on the different cell lines used in the antiviral assays. The antiviral activity of HA against Coxsackievirus B5, Herpes Simplex Virus-1, Mumps Virus, Adenovirus-5, Influenza Virus A/H1N1, Human Herpesvirus-6, Porcine Parvovirus, Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus was assessed by virus yield assays.

Results
the most effective inhibition was observed against Coxsackievirus B5, with 3Log reduction of the virus yield at 4 mg/ml, and a reduction of 3.5Log and 2Log, at 2 mg/ml and 1 mg/ml, respectively: the selectivity index was 16. Mumps virus was highly inhibited too showing a reduction of 1.7Log at 1 mg/ml and 1Log at 4 mg/ml and 2 mg/ml (selectivity index = 12). The selectivity index for Influenza Virus was 12 with the highest inhibition (1Log) observed at 4 mg/ml. Herpes Simplex Virus-1 and Porcine Parvovirus were mildly inhibited, whereas no antiviral activity was observed with respect to Adenovirus-5, Human Herpesvirus-6, Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus. No HA virucidal activity was ever observed against any of the viruses tested. Kinetic experiments showed that both Coxsackievirus B5 and Herpes simplex virus-1 replication were consistently inhibited, not influenced by the time of HA addition, during the virus replication cycle.

Conclusions
the spectrum of the antiviral activity exhibited by HA against both RNA and DNA viruses, known to have different structures (with or without envelope) and replication strategies, suggests a non specific mechanism of action, probably involving cell membrane-virus interaction steps. The results of the kinetic experiments support this hypothesis.
Complete genome sequence of the lytic Pseudomonas fluorescens phage ϕIBB-PF7A
Authors: Sillankorva Sanna , Kluskens Leon D , Lingohr Erika J , Kropinski Andrew M , Neubauer Peter , Azeredo Joana 
Published: April 2011

AbstractBackgroundPhage ϕIBB-PF7A is a T7-like bacteriophage capable of infecting severalPseudomonas fluorescensdairy isolates and is extremely efficient in lysing this bacterium even when growing in biofilms attached to surfaces. This work describes the complete genome sequence of this phage.ResultsThe genome consists of a linear double-stranded DNA of 40,973 bp, with 985 bp long direct terminal repeats and a GC content of approximately 56%. There are 52 open reading frames which occupy 94.6% of the genome ranging from 137 to 3995 nucleotides. Twenty eight (46.7%) of the proteins encoded by this virus exhibit sequence similarity to coliphage T7 proteins while 34 (81.0%) are similar to proteins ofPseudomonasphage gh-1.ConclusionsThat this phage is closely related toPseudomonas putidaphage gh-1 and coliphage T7 places it in the "T7-like viruses" genus of the subfamilyAutographivirinaewithin the familyPodoviridae. Compared to the genome of gh-1, the sequence of ϕIBB-PF7A is longer and contains more genes with unassigned function and lacks a few potentially essential and non-essential T7 genes, such as gene1.1, 3.8, and 7.
Onion peel extracts ameliorate hyperglycemia and insulin resistance in high fat diet/streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats
Authors: Jung Ji Young , Lim Yeni , Moon Min Sun , Kim Ji Yeon , Kwon Oran 
Published: April 2011

AbstractBackgroundQuercetin derivatives in onions have been regarded as the most important flavonoids to improve diabetic status in cells and animal models. The present study was aimed to examine the hypoglycemic and insulin-sensitizing capacity of onion peel extract (OPE) containing high quercetin in high fat diet/streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and to elucidate the mechanism of its insulin-sensitizing effect.MethodsMale Sprague-Dawley rats were fed the AIN-93G diet modified to contain 41.2% fat and intraperitoneally injected with a single dose of streptozotocin (40 mg/kg body weight). One week after injection, the rats with fasting blood glucose levels above 126 mg/dL were randomly divided into 4 groups to treat with high fat diet containing 0 (diabetic control), 0.5, or 1% of OPE or 0.1% quercetin (quercetin equivalent to 1% of OPE) for 8 weeks. To investigate the mechanism for the effects of OPE, we examined biochemical parameters (insulin sensitivity and oxidative stresses) and protein and gene expressions (pro-inflammatory cytokines and receptors).ResultsCompared to the diabetic control, hypoglycemic and insulin-sensitizing capability of 1% OPE were demonstrated by significant improvement of glucose tolerance as expressed in incremental area under the curve (P= 0.0148). The insulin-sensitizing effect of OPE was further supported by increased glycogen levels in liver and skeletal muscle (P< 0.0001 andP= 0.0089, respectively). Quantitative RT-PCR analysis showed increased expression of insulin receptor (P= 0.0408) and GLUT4 (P= 0.0346) in muscle tissues. The oxidative stress, as assessed by superoxide dismutase activity and malondialdehyde formation, plasma free fatty acids, and hepatic protein expressions of IL-6 were significantly reduced by 1% OPE administration (P= 0.0393, 0.0237, 0.0148 and 0.0025, respectively).ConclusionOPE might improve glucose response and insulin resistance associated with type 2 diabetes by alleviating metabolic dysregulation of free fatty acids, suppressing oxidative stress, up-regulating glucose uptake at peripheral tissues, and/or down-regulating inflammatory gene expression in liver. Moreover, in most cases, OPE showed greater potency than pure quercetin equivalent. These findings provide a basis for the use of onion peel to improve insulin insensitivity in type 2 diabetes.
Statistical analysis of IMRT dosimetry quality assurance measurements for local delivery guideline
Authors: Chung Jin Beom , Kim Jae Sung , Ha Sung Whan , Ye Sung-Joon 
Published: April 2011

Abstract

Purpose
To establish our institutional guideline for IMRT delivery, we statistically evaluated the results of dosimetry quality assurance (DQA) measurements and derived local confidence limits using the concept confidence limit of |mean|+1.96σ.

Materials and methods
From June 2006 to March 2009, 206 patients with head and neck cancer, prostate cancer, liver cancer, or brain tumor were treated using LINAC-based IMRT technique. In order to determine site specific DQA tolerances at a later stage, a hybrid plan with the same fluence maps as in the treatment plan was generated on CT images of a cylindrical phantom of acryl. Points of measurement using a 0.125 cm3 ion-chamber were typically located in the region of high and uniform doses. The planar dose distributions perpendicular to the central axis were measured by using a diode array in solid water with all fields delivered, and assessed using gamma criteria of 3%/3 mm. The mean values and standard deviations were used to develop the local confidence and tolerance limits. The dose differences and gamma pass rates for the different treatment sites were also evaluated in terms of total monitor uints (MU), MU/cGy, and the number of PTV's pieces.

Results
The mean values and standard deviations of ion-chamber dosimetry differences between calculated and measured doses were -1.6 ± 1.2% for H&N cancer, -0.4 ± 1.2% for prostate and abdominal cancer, and -0.6 ± 1.5% for brain tumor. Most of measured doses (92.2%) agreed with the calculated doses within a tolerance limit of ±3% recommended in the literature. However, we found some systematic under-dosage for all treatment sites. The percentage of points passing the gamma criteria, averaged over all treatment sites was 97.3 ± 3.7%. The gamma pass rate and the agreement of ion-chamber dosimetry generally decreased with increasing the number of PTV's pieces, the degree of modulation (MU/cGy), and the total MU beyond 700. Our local confidence limits were comparable to those of AAPM TG 119 and ESTRO guidelines that were provided as a practical baseline for center-to-center commissioning comparison. Thus, our institutional confidence and action limits for IMRT delivery were set into the same levels of those guidelines.

Discussion and Conclusions
The systematic under-dosage were corrected by tuning up the MLC-related factors (dosimetric gap and transmission) in treatment planning system (TPS) and further by incorporating the tongue-and groove effect into TPS. Institutions that have performed IMRT DQA measurements over a certain period of time need to analyze their accrued DQA data. We confirmed the overall integrity of our IMRT system and established the IMRT delivery guideline during this procedure. Dosimetric corrections for the treatment plans outside of the action level can be suggested only with such rigorous DQA and statistical analysis.
A meta-analysis of gemcitabine containing chemotherapy for locally advanced and metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma
Authors: Hu Jing , Zhao Gang , Wang Hong-Xia , Tang Lei , Xu Ying-Chun , Ma Yue , Zhang Feng-Chun 
Published: April 2011

Abstract

Background
The objectives of the present study are to investigate the efficacy and safety profile of gemcitabine-based combinations in the treatment of locally advanced and metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma (LA/MPC).

Methods
We performed a computerized search using combinations of the following keywords: "chemotherapy", "gemcitabine", "trial", and "pancreatic cancer".

Results
Thirty-five trials were included in the present analysis, with a total of 9,979 patients accrued. The analysis showed that the gemcitabine-based combination therapy was associated with significantly better overall survival (OS) (ORs, 1.15; p = 0.011), progression-free survival (PFS) (ORs, 1.27; p < 0.001), and overall response rate (ORR) (ORs, 1.58; p < 0.001) than gemcitabine monotherapy. Similar results were obtained when the gemcitabine-fluoropyrimidine combination was compared with gemcitabine, with the OS (ORs, 1.33; p = 0.007), PFS (ORs, 1.53; p < 0.001), and ORR (ORs 1.47, p = 0.03) being better in the case of the former. The OS (ORs, 1.33; p = 0.019), PFS (ORs, 1.38; p = 0.011), and one-year survival (ORs, 1.40; p = 0.04) achieved with the gemcitabine-oxaliplatin combination were significantly greater than those achieved with gemcitabine alone. However, no survival benefit (OS: ORs, 1.01, p = 0.93; PFS: ORs, 1.19, p = 0.17) was noted when the gemcitabine-cisplatin combination was compared to gemcitabine monotherapy. The combinations of gemcitabine and other cytotoxic agents also afforded disappointing results. Our analysis indicated that the ORR improved when patients were treated with the gemcitabine-camptothecin combination rather than gemcitabine alone (ORs, 2.03; p = 0.003); however, there were no differences in the OS (ORs, 1.03; p = 0.82) and PFS (ORs, 0.97; p = 0.78) in this case.

Conclusions
Gemcitabine in combination with capecitabine or oxaliplatin was associated with enhanced OS and ORR as compared with gemcitabine in monotherapy, which are likely to become the preferred standard first-line treatment of LA/MPC.
Expression of Ets-1, Ang-2 and maspin in ovarian cancer and their role in tumor angiogenesis
Authors: Lin Zijing , Liu Yu , Sun Yuhui , He Xiuping 
Published: April 2011

Abstract

Background
Various angiogenic regulators are involved in angiogenesis cascade. Transcription factor Ets-1 plays important role in angiogenesis, remodeling of extracellular matrix, and tumor metastasis. Ets-1 target genes involved in various stages of new blood vessel formation include angiopoietin, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and the protease inhibitor maspin.

Methods
We used immunohistochemistry (IHC) to detect the expression of Ets-1, angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) and maspin in ovarian tumor and analyzed the relationship between the expression of these proteins and the clinical manifestation of ovarian cancer.

Results
Ets-1 expression was much stronger in ovarian cancer compared to benign tumors, but had no significant correlation with other pathological parameters of ovarian cancer. However, Ang-2 and maspin expression had no obvious correlation with pathological parameters of ovarian cancer. Ets-1 had a positive correlation with Ang-2 which showed their close relationship in angiogenesis. Although microvessel density (MVD) value had no significant correlation with the expression of Ets-1, Ang-2 or maspin, strong nuclear expression of maspin appeared to be correlated with high grade and MVD.

Conclusions
The expression of Ets-1, Ang2 and maspin showed close relationship with angiogenesis in ovarian cancer and expression of maspin appeared to be correlated with high grade and MVD. The mechanisms underlying the cross-talk of the three factors need further investigations.
High efficacy of lopinavir/r‐based second‐line antiretroviral treatment after 24 months of follow up at ESTHER/Calmette Hospital in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Authors: Ferradini Laurent , Ouk Vara , Segeral Olivier , Nouhin Janin , Dulioust Anne , Hak Chanroeurn , Fournier Isabelle , Lerolle Nathalie , Ngin Sopheak , Mean Chhi Vun , Delfraissy Jean‐François , Nerrienet Eric 
Published: April 2011

BackgroundThe number of patients on second‐line highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) regimens is increasing in resource‐limited settings. We describe the outcomes after 24 months for patients on LPV/r‐based second‐line regimens followed up by the ESTHER programme in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.MethodsSeventy patients who initiated second‐line HAART regimens more than 24 months earlier were included, and immuno‐virological data analyzed. HIV RNA viral load was determined by real‐time RT‐PCR. HIV‐1 drug resistance was interpreted according to the ANRS algorithm.ResultsOf the 70 patients, two were lost to follow up, three died and 65 (92.8%) remained on second‐line treatment after 24 months of follow up (median duration of treatment: 27.4 months). At switch to second‐line, the median CD4 T cell count was 106 cells/mm3 and the median viral load was 4.7 Log10. Second‐line regimens prescribed were ddI/3TC/LPV/r (65.7%), ddI/TDF/LPV/r (10.0%), ddI/AZT/LPV/r (8.6%) and TDF/3TC/LPV/r (7.1%). The median CD4 T cell gain was +258 cells/mm3 at 24 months (n = 63). After 24 months of follow up, 92.3% (60/65) of the patients presented undetectable viral loads, giving an overall treatment success rate of 85.7% (CI: 75.6‐ 92.0) in intent‐to‐treat analysis.ConclusionsThese data suggest that a LPV/r‐based second‐line regimen is associated with a high rate of virological suppression and immune reconstitution after 24 months of follow up in Cambodia.
Screening recurrence and lymph node metastases in head and neck cancer: the role of computer tomography in follow-up
Authors: Rivelli Valentina , Luebbers Heinz T , Weber Franz E , Cordella Claudia , Grätz Klaus W , Kruse Astrid L 
Published: April 2011

Abstract

Introduction
Follow-up of patients with oral cancer is being questioned with regard to financial costs and effectiveness. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate whether local recurrence and cervical lymph node metastases were first discovered clinically or by routine computer tomography.

Materials and methods
The records of all 317 patients that were treated for an oral cancer between 1998 and 2008 were systematically reviewed. Criteria for inclusion were tumor histology with a squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, and regular follow-up examinations with a minimum follow-up time of 12 months, including clinical and radiological (CT) controls. All patients had the first CT after 6 months, followed by yearly CT controls.

Results
Out of 315 patients with an oral squamous cell carcinoma, 294 were evaluated. Those experiencing neither recurrence of the tumor nor lymph node metastases constituted 62%. Local recurrence was seen in 36 (12%), lymph node metastases in 32 (11%), and both in 16 (6%). Of the 32 patients with lymph node metastases, 25 were recognized first clinically, and 7 were detected by routine CT scans; concerning local recurrence, 32 appeared clinically, and 4 were detected by routine CT scans.

Conclusion
Routine CT for follow-up is still indicated for detecting lymph node metastases as well as local recurrence.