bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In situ droplet surface tension and viscosity measurements in gas metal arc welding
Authors: Bachmann B , Siewert E , Schein J 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
In this paper, we present an adaptation of a drop oscillation technique that enables in situ measurements of thermophysical properties of an industrial pulsed gas metal arc welding (GMAW) process. Surface tension, viscosity, density and temperature were derived expanding the portfolio of existing methods and previously published measurements of surface tension in pulsed GMAW. Natural oscillations of pure liquid iron droplets are recorded during the material transfer with a high-speed camera. Frame rates up to 30 000 fps were utilized to visualize iron droplet oscillations which were in the low kHz range. Image processing algorithms were employed for edge contour extraction of the droplets and to derive parameters such as oscillation frequencies and damping rates along different dimensions of the droplet. Accurate surface tension measurements were achieved incorporating the effect of temperature on density. These are compared with a second method that has been developed to accurately determine the mass of droplets produced during the GMAW process which enables precise surface tension measurements with accuracies up to 1% and permits the study of thermophysical properties also for metals whose density highly depends on temperature. Thermophysical properties of pure liquid iron droplets formed by a wire with 1.2 mm diameter were investigated in a pulsed GMAW process with a base current of 100 A and a pulse current of 600 A. Surface tension and viscosity of a sample droplet were 1.83 ± 0.02 N m−1 and 2.9 ± 0.3 mPa s, respectively. The corresponding droplet temperature and density are 2040 ± 50 K and 6830 ± 50 kg m−3, respectively.
Impairment of activities of daily living and incident heart failure in community‐dwelling older adults
Authors: Bowling C. Barrett , Fonarow Gregg C. , Patel Kanan , Zhang Yan , Feller Margaret A. , Sui Xuemei , Blair Steven N. , Alagiakrishnan Kannayiram , Aban Inmaculada B. , Love Thomas E. , Allman Richard M. , Ahmed Ali 
Published: April 2012

AimsInstrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) are tasks that are necessary for independent community living. These tasks often require intact physical and cognitive function, the impairment of which may adversely affect health in older adults. In the current study, we examined the association between IADL impairment and incident heart failure (HF) in community‐dwelling older adults.Methods and resultsOf the 5795 community‐dwelling adults, aged ≥65 years, in the Cardiovascular Health Study, 5511 had data on baseline IADL and were free of prevalent HF. Of these, 1333 (24%) had baseline IADL impairment, defined as self‐reported difficulty with one or more of the following tasks: using the telephone, preparing food, performing light and heavy housework, managing finances, and shopping. Propensity scores for IADL impairment, estimated for each of the 5511 participants, were used to assemble a cohort of 1038 pairs of participants with and without IADL impairment who were balanced on 42 baseline characteristics. Centrally adjudicated incident HF occurred in 26% and 21% of matched participants with and without IADL impairment, respectively, during >12 years of follow‐up [matched hazard ratio (HR) 1.33; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.11–1.59; P = 0.002]. Unadjusted and multivariable‐adjusted HRs for incident HF before matching were 1.77 (95% CI 1.56–2.01; P < 0.001) and 1.33 (95% CI 1.15–1.54; P < 0.001), respectively. IADL impairment was also associated with all‐cause mortality (matched HR 1.19; 95% CI 1.06–1.34; P = 0.004).ConclusionAmong community‐dwelling older adults free of baseline HF, IADL impairment is a strong and independent predictor of incident HF and mortality.
Coexpression of CCR6 and CD146 (MCAM) is a marker of effector memory T‐helper 17 cells
Authors: KAMIYAMA Taisuke , WATANABE Hideaki , IIJIMA Masafumi , MIYAZAKI Akira , IWAMOTO Sanju 
Published: April 2012

AbstractEffector memory T (TEM) cells are a subpopulation of memory T cells that express receptors mediating migration to inflamed tissues and produce various cytokines. Effector memory T‐helper (Th)17 (Th17EM) cells are thought to be essential for inflammation in Th17‐mediated diseases, but have not been studied in detail. To identify superior surface markers to isolate a homogeneous population of Th17EM cells from peripheral blood, CD4+ T cells were isolated from the peripheral blood of healthy donors based on the expression of CCR7, CCR6 and CD146 using six‐color flow cytometry. After 4 days of culture in the presence of anti‐CD3/28 beads, intracellular cytokines were determined by flow cytometric analysis. To investigate the relevance of Th17EM cells in Th17‐mediated disease, the frequencies of TEM‐cell subsets in psoriasis were quantified using six‐color flow cytometry. An enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay was performed to confirm the interleukin (IL)‐17‐producing capacity of TEM‐cell subsets from the peripheral blood of a patient with psoriasis. CCR6+CD146+ TEM (CD4+CD45RA−CCR7−) cells had a greater capacity to produce IL‐17 than CCR6+CD146− or CCR6−CD146+ TEM cells. Although the percentage of CCR6+CD146+ cells in TEM cells was not significantly different between patients with psoriasis and controls, three of eight patients had a higher percentage of CCR6+CD146+ TEM cells than the mean +5 standard deviations of the controls. Coexpression of CCR6 and CD146 is a useful marker for Th17EM cells. Increasing the number of CCR6+CD146+ Th17EM cells in peripheral blood may facilitate estimation of systemic Th17‐cell activity in Th17‐mediated diseases.
Reference ranges for thromboelastography (TEG®) and traditional coagulation tests in term parturients undergoing caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia*
Authors: Macafee B. , Campbell J. P. , Ashpole K. , Cox M. , Matthey F. , Acton L. , Yentis S. M. 
Published: April 2012

SummaryThere has been little published work defining ‘normal’ thromboelastography (TEG®) values in healthy parturients, and few large studies defining reference ranges for traditional coagulation tests in this patient group. Our aim was to establish peri‐operative reference ranges for TEG and for standard laboratory coagulation tests in our pregnant population. Fifty healthy term parturients presenting for elective caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia had blood samples taken pre‐operatively, on arrival in the recovery room and, in a subset of 33 women, 4 h after routine thromboprophylaxis with enoxaparin 40 mg. All three samples had TEG analysis, the first and second having standard laboratory coagulation tests in addition. Reference ranges for our pregnant population were established, demonstrating a hypercoagulable state in term parturients and a significant effect of enoxaparin. The standard coagulation reference ranges were within 98% of the local non‐pregnant ranges. These reference ranges provide a useful comparator for peri‐operative TEG and routine coagulation analysis in term parturients.
Population pharmacokinetics of clindamycin orally and intravenously administered in patients with osteomyelitis
Authors: Bouazza Naïm , Pestre Vincent , Jullien Vincent , Curis Emmanuel , Urien Saïk , Salmon Dominique , Tréluyer Jean‐Marc 
Published: April 2012

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT• Clindamycin pharmacokinetics have been studied in adult patients. Rifampicin co‐administration could decrease clindamycin exposure.WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS• This clindamycin population analysis in patients with osteomyelitis provides useful insight into the fate of this drug and shows that clindamycin clearance increases with body weight. Moreover, this study shows a potential effect of combined rifampicin on clindamycin clearance and addresses sub‐therapeutic clindamycin concentrations in heavier patients.AIMS This study was performed to describe clindamycin, administered either orally or intravenously, concentration−time courses to patients with osteomyelitis, to study the effects of different covariates on clindamycin pharmacokinetics and to simulate an optimized administration scheme.METHODS Clindamycin concentrations were measured in 50 patients. A total of 122 plasma concentrations were available (58 from oral administration and 64 from i.v. infusion). A population pharmacokinetic model was developed with MONOLIX 4 software.RESULTS A one compartment model adequately described the data. Clindamycin clearance increased significantly with body weight (BW). The typical population estimates (interindividual variability) for clearance, volume of distribution and absorption rate constant were 16.2 l h−1 (0.39), 70.2 l and 0.92 h−1, respectively. The bioavailability of the oral form was estimated to be 87.6%. According to BW, theoretical doses needed to reach a Cmin of 2 mg l−1 were then calculated.CONCLUSIONS The current recommendation of 600 mg three times daily seems to be effective up to 75 kg but the dose should be raised to 900 mg three times daily thereafter. These assumptions should be prospectively confirmed.
Dendritic cell‐based immunity and vaccination against hepatitis C virus infection
Authors: Zhou Yun , Zhang Ying , Yao Zhiqiang , Moorman Jonathan Patrick , Jia Zhansheng 
Published: April 2012

SummaryHepatitis C virus (HCV) has chronically infected an estimated 170 million people worldwide. There are many impediments to the development of an effective vaccine for HCV infection. Dendritic cells (DC) remain the most important antigen‐presenting cells for host immune responses, and are capable of either inducing productive immunity or maintaining the state of tolerance to self and non‐self antigens. Researchers have recently explored the mechanisms by which DC function is regulated during HCV infection, leading to impaired antiviral T‐cell responses and so to persistent viral infection. Recently, DC‐based vaccines against HCV have been developed. This review summarizes the current understanding of DC function during HCV infection and explores the prospects of DC‐based HCV vaccine. In particular, it describes the biology of DC, the phenotype of DC in HCV‐infected patients, the effect of HCV on DC development and function, the studies on new DC‐based vaccines against HCV infection, and strategies to improve the efficacy of DC‐based vaccines.
Effects of extraction solvents, cooking procedures and storage conditions on the contents of ergothioneine and phenolic compounds and antioxidative capacity of the cultivated mushroom Flammulina velutipes
Authors: Nguyen The Han , Nagasaka Reiko , Ohshima Toshiaki 
Published: April 2012

SummaryEdible mushrooms contain considerable amounts of the potent natural antioxidant 2‐thiol‐l‐histidine‐betaine (l‐ergothioneine, ESH). The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of extraction solvents, common cooking methods and storage conditions on the ESH content, total phenols (TPs) and antioxidant capacity of the edible mushroom Flammulina velutipes fruiting body and its hot water extract that had been stored at different temperatures. Regarding cooking procedures, boiling in water resulted in the highest losses of antioxidant activity of both ESH and TPs. Most of the losses of ESH and TPs were detected in the cooking water. The ESH contents in the raw mushroom fruiting bodies significantly decreased after 8 days of refrigerated storage under both dark and fluorescent lighting conditions. However, the TP content in the raw mushroom stored under fluorescent lighting significantly increased during 10 days of refrigeration. In contrast, the ESH and TP contents as well as DPPH radical scavenging ability of the fruiting bodies remained unchanged for up to 15 days of frozen storage at −18 °C. The same behaviour was obtained with the mushroom extract packed in plastic tubes. The correlation between DPPH radical scavenging activity and ESH contents was higher than that for TP compounds.
Comparison of physicochemical and sensory quality of Lentinus edodes granular condiment prepared by different prilling and drying methods
Authors: Wang Hui‐dang , Zhang Min , Zhai Guanghua , Jiang Hao 
Published: April 2012

SummaryThree different prilling methods, namely rotary prilling (RP), extrusion moulding prilling (EMP), sieving prilling (SP), and two drying methods, namely fluidised‐bed drying (FBD) and hot air drying (AD), were used to produce granular mushroom seasonings. There was significant difference both between the control group and SP as well as between RP and SP (P < 0.05) on moisture absorption percentage. The values of control group and SP and RP were 9.14, 9.16 and 9.58 respectively. RP and EMP which were dried with FBD showed no statistically significant difference on critical relative humidity (CRH), while there was significant difference between AD and FBD samples. In the sequences of control group, RP, EMP and SP, the repose of angle reflecting flowability was 24.9, 25.5, 26.2 and 27.1. The dissolution time was 180, 120, 160 and 130 s. The L values were 83.20, 70.00, 56.88 and 57.64. The total sensory assessment scores were 8.5, 8.4, 6.5 and 6.0. Obviously, RP had the best flowability, dissolubility and sensory assessment results among the test samples except that the L value was lower than the control one. In the comprehensive view, RP and FBD were an alternative way to make the granule seasoning.
Different lying positions and their effects on tissue blood flow and skin temperature in older adult patients
Authors: Källman Ulrika , Bergstrand Sara , Ek Anna‐Christina , Engström Maria , Lindberg Lars‐Göran , Lindgren Margareta 
Published: April 2012

AbstractAim.  To report a study to compare the effects of different lying positions on tissue blood flow and skin temperature in older adult patients. This article reports the evaluation of study design and procedures.Background.  To reduce risk of pressure ulcers, repositioning of immobile patients is a standard nursing practice; however, research into how different lying positions effect tissue microcirculation is limited.Design.  Descriptive comparative design.Methods.  From March–October 2010, 20 inpatients, aged 65 years or older, were included in the study. Tissue blood flow and skin temperature were measured over bony prominences and in gluteus muscle in four supine and two lateral positions.Results.  The blood flow over the bony prominence areas was most influenced in the superficial skin and especially in the 30° lateral position, where the blood flow decreased significantly in comparison with the supine positions. There were significant individual differences in blood flow responses, but no common trend was identified among the patients considered at risk for pressure ulcer development. The study procedure worked well and was feasible to perform in an inpatient population.Conclusion.  The lying positions seem to influence the tissue blood flow over the bony prominences in different ways in older adult inpatients, but further study is needed to confirm the results and to make recommendations to clinical practice. The study procedure worked well, although some minor adjustments with regard to heat accumulation will be made in future studies.
Aggression in a high secure hospital: staff and patient attitudes
Authors: PULSFORD D. , CRUMPTON A. , BAKER A. , WILKINS T. , WRIGHT K. , DUXBURY J. 
Published: April 2012

Accessible summary
A key role of nursing staff in high secure hospitals is responding to patients' aggressive behaviour.
Attitudes of staff in high secure hospitals may influence how they respond to patient aggression.
Patients will have their own attitudes towards aggression and how it should be managed.
In our study, the views of staff and patients regarding aggression were overall similar, with both groups espousing controlling means of aggression management (medication, restraint, seclusion) in addition to interpersonal strategies.
AbstractResponding to aggressive behaviour is a key activity for nurses and other care staff in high secure hospitals. The attitudes and beliefs of staff regarding patient aggression will influence the management strategies they adopt. Patients will also hold attitudes regarding the causes of and best ways to respond to aggressive behaviour. This study measured the attitudes towards aggression of staff (n= 109) and patients (n= 27) in a high secure hospital in the UK using the Management of Aggression and Violence Attitude Scale (MAVAS). There was considerable concordance of views, staff and patients disagreeing on only two items on the MAVAS. Aggression was felt to have a range of causes, embracing factors internal to the person, factors in the external environment and situational or interactional factors. Interpersonal means of managing aggression were supported, but both staff and patients also advocated the use of controlling management strategies such as medication, seclusion and restraint. The implications of these findings for aggression management in high secure settings are discussed in the light of best practice guidelines that promote interpersonal approaches over controlling strategies.
Metabolic, mental health, behavioural and socioeconomic characteristics of migrants with Chagas disease in a non‐endemic country
Authors: Jackson Yves , Castillo Sara , Hammond Perle , Besson Marius , Brawand‐Bron Anne , Urzola Diana , Gaspoz Jean‐Michel , Chappuis François 
Published: April 2012

AbstractObjectives  Chronic Chagas disease causes cardiopathy in 20–40% of the 8–10 million people affected. The prevalence of atherogenic factors increases rapidly in Latin America. Somatic, mental, behavioural and social characteristics of the 80 000 Latino migrants with Chagas disease in Europe are not known. We postulate that they may accumulate these factors for poor health – notably cardiovascular‐outcomes.Methods  This study took place at the Geneva University Hospitals in 2011. Latin American migrants with Chagas disease diagnosed in Geneva since 2008 were contacted. Interviews and blood tests assessed behavioural, socioeconomic, metabolic and cardiovascular factors.Results  One hundred and thirty‐seven patients (women: 84.7%; median age: 43 years) with chronic Chagas disease were included in the study. The majority were Bolivians (94.2%), undocumented (83.3%), uninsured (72.3%) and living below the Swiss poverty line (89.1%). Prevalence of obesity was 25.5%, of hypertension 17.5%, of hypercholesterolemia 16.1%, of impaired fasting glucose 23.4%, of diabetes 2.9%, of metabolic syndrome 16.8%, of anxiety 58.4%, of depression 28.5%, of current smoking 15.4% and of sedentary lifestyle 62.8%. High (>10%) 10‐year cardiovascular risk affected 12.4%.Conclusions  Latin American migrants with Chagas disease accumulate pathogenic chronic conditions of infectious, non‐transmissible, socioeconomic and behavioural origin, putting them at high risk of poor health, notably cardiovascular, outcomes. This highlights the importance of screening for these factors and providing interventions to tackle reversible disorders; facilitating access to care for this hard‐to‐reach population to prevent delays in medical interventions and poorer health outcomes; and launching prospective studies to evaluate the long‐term impact of these combined factors on the natural course of Chagas disease.
Robustness of the outcome of adult bumblebee infection with a trypanosome parasite after varied parasite exposures during larval development
Authors: CISAROVSKY G. , SCHMID‐HEMPEL P. , SADD B. M. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThe outcome of defence by the invertebrate immunity has recently been shown to be more complex than previously thought. In particular, the outcome is affected by biotic and abiotic environmental variation, host genotype, parasite genotype and their interaction. Knowledge of conditions under which environmental variation affects the outcome of an infection is one important question that relates to this complexity. We here use the model system of the bumblebee, Bombus terrestris, infected by the trypanosome, Crithidia bombi, combined with a split‐colony design to test the influence of the parasite environment during larval rearing on adult resistance. We find that genotype‐specific interactions are maintained and adult resistance is not influenced. This demonstrates that environmental dependence of bumblebee–trypanosome interactions is not ubiquitous, and yet unknown constraints will maintain standard coevolutionary dynamics under such environmental deviations.
Effect of Nickel on Membrane Integrity, Lipid Peroxidation and Fatty Acid Composition in Wheat Seedlings
Authors: Gajewska E. , Bernat P. , Długoński J. , Skłodowska M. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThe influence of 50 and 100 μm Ni on membrane integrity, hydrogen peroxide content, lipid peroxidation as well as total fatty acid composition was studied in shoots and roots of wheat seedlings. In both organs, treatment with Ni led to significant increase in electrolyte leakage reflecting the metal‐induced enhancement of membrane permeability. In the shoots, it was accompanied by significant increase in lipid peroxidation. Accumulation of hydrogen peroxide, more pronounced in the shoots, was also found in Ni‐treated wheat. Exposure of wheat seedlings to Ni altered the total fatty acid composition, leading to decrease in their unsaturation, which was indicated by reduction in double bond index. In both organs, a significant decrease in linolenic acid (C18 : 3) content was observed. It was accompanied by increased linoleic (C18 : 2) and oleic (C18 : 1) acid contents in shoots and roots, respectively. In the shoots, parallel increase in palmitic acid (C16 : 0) and decrease in palmitoleic acid (C16 : 1) were found at the end of the experiment. Our results suggest that modification of fatty acid profile in Ni‐treated wheat seedlings is partly related to lipid peroxidation and increased electrolyte leakage and may reflect damage of cells caused by the metal.
The Age‐dependence of atrial arrhythmogenicity in Scn5a+/−murine hearts reflects alterations in action potential propagation and recovery
Authors: Guzadhur Laila , Jiang Wenhui , Pearcey Sarah M , Jeevaratnam Kamalan , Duehmke Rudy M , Grace Andrew A , Lei Ming , Huang Christopher L‐H 
Published: April 2012

Summary

In the present study, we investigated the effect of age on atrial electrophysiological properties in
Scn5a

+/− hearts used to model corresponding increases in atrial arrhythmic tendency in human Brugada syndrome.
Atrial action potential initiation, propagation and recovery were compared in young (3 month old) and aged (12 month old), wild‐type (WT) and
Scn5a

+/− hearts. Multielectrode array recordings assessed the spatial propagation of intrinsic electrical activity in superfused atrial preparations, whereas bipolar electrogram recordings measured basic cycle lengths (BCL) in Langendorff preparations. The duration of electrogram activity (EGD) during regular and extrasystolic stimulation with programmed electrical stimulation provided EGD ratios and atrial effective refractory periods (AERP). Monophasic recordings measured action potential durations (APD).
Systematic statistical explorations for independent and interacting effects of age and the
Scn5a

+/− condition demonstrated that both young and aged
Scn5a

+/− mice exhibited slowed propagation of atrial excitation relative to corresponding WT mice, with the greatest effects in aged
Scn5a

+/− mice, which additionally exhibited increased intrinsic BCL.
Young
Scn5a

+/− mice exhibited greater EGD and EGD ratios, as well as APD/AERP ratios, suggesting increased arrhythmic tendency compared with WT mice.
Aged
Scn5a

+/− mice exhibited normal EGD, EGD ratios and APD compared to aged WT and young Scn5a
+/−, and increased AERP and smaller APD/AERP ratios compared with young Scn5a
+/−.
These electrophysiological findings indicate increased atrial arrhythmogenicity with maximal effects on both conduction and repolarization characteristics in young compared with aged
Scn5a

+/− mice.