bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Monitoring serum IL-18 levels is useful for treatment of a patient with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis complicated by macrophage activation syndrome
Authors: Shigemura Tomonari , Yamazaki Takashi , Hara Yosuke , Ou Jing-Ni , Stevens Anne M , Ochs Hans D , Koike Kenichi , Agematsu Kazunaga 
Published: July 2011

AbstractSystemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) is a systemic inflammatory disease characterized by arthritis, spiking fever and a skin rash that is frequently complicated by macrophage activation syndrome (MAS), a life-threatening disorder. We report a 22-month-old girl with sJIA who developed severe MAS but was successfully treated with corticosteroids, cyclosporin A, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs by monitoring serum IL-18 levels. IL-18 is an extremely useful cytokine for monitoring the activity of sJIA and MAS, and serum IL-18 can be used as an indicator for the effectiveness of treatment and the decision to discontinue therapy.
Impact of norepinephrine on the relationship between pleth variability index and pulse pressure variations in ICU adult patients
Authors: Biais Matthieu , Cottenceau Vincent , Petit Laurent , Masson Françoise , Cochard Jean-François , Sztark François 
Published: July 2011

Abstract
Introduction
Pleth Variability Index (PVI) is an automated and continuous calculation of respiratory variations in the perfusion index. PVI correlates well with respiratory variations in pulse pressure (ΔPP) and is able to predict fluid responsiveness in the operating room. ICU patients may receive vasopressive drugs, which modify vascular tone and could affect PVI assessment. We hypothesized that the correlation between PVI and ΔPP and the ability of PVI to identify patients with ΔPP > 13% is dependent on norepinephrine (NE) use.

Methods
67 consecutive mechanically ventilated patients in the ICU were prospectively included. Three were excluded. The administration and dosage of NE, heart rate, mean arterial pressure, PVI and ΔPP were measured simultaneously.

Results
In all patients, the correlation between PVI and ΔPP was weak (r2 = 0.21; p = 0.001). 23 patients exhibited a ΔPP > 13%. A PVI > 11% was able to identify patients with a ΔPP > 13% with a sensitivity of 70% (95% confidence interval: 47%-87%) and a specificity of 71% (95% confidence interval: 54%-84%). The area under the curve was 0.80 ± 0.06. 35 patients (53%) received norepinephrine (NE(+)). In NE(+) patients, PVI and ΔPP were not correlated (r2 = 0.04, p > 0.05) and a PVI > 10% was able to identify patients with a ΔPP > 13% with a sensitivity of 58% (95% confidence interval: 28%-85%) and a specificity of 61% (95% confidence interval:39%-80%). The area under the ROC (receiver operating characteristics) curve was 0.69 ± 0.01. In contrast, NE(-) patients exhibited a correlation between PVI and ΔPP (r2 = 0.52; p < 0.001) and a PVI > 10% was able to identify patients with a ΔPP > 13% with a sensitivity of 100% (95% confidence interval: 71%-100%) and a specificity of 72% (95% confidence interval: 49%-90%). The area under the ROC curve was 0.93 ± 0.06 for NE(-) patients and was significantly higher than the area under the ROC curve for NE(+) patients (p = 0.02).

Conclusions
Our results suggest that in mechanically ventilated adult patients, NE alters the correlation between PVI and ΔPP and the ability of PVI to predict ΔPP > 13% in ICU patients.
Captivity induces hyper-inflammation in the house sparrow (Passer domesticus)
Authors: Martin Lynn B. , Kidd Laura , Liebl Andrea L. , Coon Courtney A. C. 
Published: July 2011

SUMMARY
Some species thrive in captivity but others exhibit extensive psychological and physiological deficits, which can be a challenge to animal husbandry and conservation as well as wild immunology. Here, we investigated whether captivity duration impacted the regulation of a key innate immune response, inflammation, of a common wild bird species, the house sparrow (Passer domesticus). Inflammation is one of the most commonly induced and fast-acting immune responses animals mount upon exposure to a parasite. However, attenuation and resolution of inflammatory responses are partly coordinated by glucocorticoid hormones, hormones that can be disregulated in captivity. Here, we tested whether captivity duration alters corticosterone regulation and hence the inflammatory response by comparing the following responses to lipopolysaccharide (LPS; a Gram-negative bacteria component that induces inflammation) of birds caught wild and injected immediately versus those held for 2 or 4 weeks in standard conditions: (1) the magnitude of leukocyte immune gene expression [the cytokines, interleukin 1β and interleukin 6, and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)], (2) the rate of clearance of endotoxin, and (3) the release of corticosterone (CORT) in response to endotoxin (LPS). We predicted that captivity duration would increase baseline CORT and thus suppress gene expression and endotoxin clearance rate. However, our predictions were not supported: TLR4 expression increased with time in captivity irrespective of LPS, and cytokine expression to LPS was stronger the longer birds remained captive. Baseline CORT was not affected by captivity duration, but CORT release post-LPS occurred only in wild birds. Lastly, sparrows held captive for 4 weeks maintained significantly higher levels of circulating endotoxin than other groups, perhaps due to leakage of microbes from the gut, but exogenous LPS did not increase circulating levels over the time scale samples were collected. Altogether, captivity appears to have induced a hyper-inflammatory state in house sparrows, perhaps due to disregulation of glucocorticoids, natural microflora or both.
Blood Flow Measurements during Hemodialysis Vascular Access Interventions - Catheter-Based Thermodilution or Doppler Ultrasound?
Authors: Heerwagen Søren T. , Hansen Marc A. , Schroeder Torben V. , Ladefoged Søren D. , Lönn Lars 
Published: July 2011

Purpose To test the clinical performance of catheter-based thermodilution and Doppler ultrasound of the feeding brachial artery for blood flow measurements during hemodialysis vascular access interventions. Methods Thirty patients with arteriovenous fistulas who underwent 46 interventions had access blood flow measured before and after every procedure. Two methods, catheter-based thermodilution and Doppler ultrasound, were compared to the reference method of ultrasound dilution. Catheter-based thermodilution and Doppler ultrasound were performed during the endovascular procedures while flow by ultrasound dilution was determined within three days of the procedure. The methods were compared using regression analysis and tested for systematic bias. Results Failure to position the thermodilutional catheter correctly was observed in 8 out of 46 (17%) pre-intervention measurements. Post-intervention measurements and ultrasound measurements were feasible in all patients. The average level of agreement was good when comparing catheter-based thermodilution to ultrasound dilution. However, blood flow by ultrasound dilution may differ by ±130 mL/min (±22%) at a flow level of 600 mL/min by thermodilution. Results from Doppler ultrasound displayed a moderate level of agreement on average when compared to ultrasound dilution. Blood flow by ultrasound dilution may differ by ±160 mL/min (±27%) at a flow level of 600 mL/min by Doppler ultrasound. No systematic bias was detected by either method. Conclusions On average, results from catheter-based thermodilution were more in agreement with results from the ultrasound dilution technique compared to Doppler ultrasound. However, considering the cost and the high technical failure rate of the thermodilutional system, we recommend the use of ultrasound.
Affinity purification of a framework 1 engineered mouse/human chimeric IgA2 antibody from tobacco
Authors: Boes A. , Spiegel H. , Delbrück H. , Fischer R. , Schillberg S. , Sack M. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractComplex multimeric proteins such as dimeric and secretory immunoglobulin A (IgA) can be difficult to produce in heterologous systems, although this has been achieved using several platforms including plants. As well as topical mucosal applications, dimeric IgA (dIgA), and secretory IgA (sIgA) can be used in tumor and anti‐viral therapy, where their more potent cell‐killing properties may increase their efficacy compared to current drugs based on IgG. However, the development of therapeutic IgA formats is hampered by the need to co‐express four different polypeptides, and the inability to purify such molecules using conventional protein A or protein G affinity chromatography. The light chain (LC)‐specific affinity ligand protein L is a potential alternative, but it only recognizes certain kappa light chain (LC(κ)) subtypes. To overcome these limitations, we have adapted a framework‐grafting approach to introduce LCs that bind protein L into any IgA. As a model, we used the chimeric anti‐human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) antibody cPIPP, since this contains a murine LC(κ) subtype that does not bind protein L. Grafting was achieved by replacing selected framework region 1 (FR1) residues in the cPIPP LC(κ) variable domain with corresponding residues from LC(κ) subtypes that can bind protein L. The grafted antibody variants were successfully purified by protein L affinity chromatography. These modifications affected neither their antigen‐binding properties nor the yields achieved by transient expression in tobacco plants. Our results therefore show that LC FR1 grafting can be used as generic strategy for the purification of IgA molecules. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2011;108: 2804–2814. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Contactless Conductivity Detection in Capillary Electrophoresis Employing Capillaries with Very Low Inner Diameters
Authors: Tůma Petr , Samcová Eva , Štulík Karel 
Published: July 2011

AbstractThe behaviour of a contactless conductivity detector was studied in its application to capillary electrophoresis employing quartz capillaries with inner diameters (i.d.) of 10 to 75 µm. The detector output signal was measured using KCl as the test electrolyte, within a KCl concentration range from 0 to 100 mmol/L, corresponding to specific conductivities from 0 to 1295 mS/m. When using capillaries with high inner diameters, then the signal‐to‐noise ratio is high in electrolytes of low conductivity. On the other hand, the use of capillaries with low i.d. values is useful in separations employing solutions of high conductivities. The advantages of capillaries with small i.d. values, combined with contactless conductivity detection, are demonstrated on separations of mixtures of inorganic ions and on separations of neutral mono‐ and disaccharides.
In vitro antioxidant and antigenotoxic potentials of 3,5‐O‐di‐galloylquinic acid extracted from Myrtus communis leaves and modulation of cell gene expression by H2O2
Authors: Ines Skandrani , Ines Bouhlel , Wissem Bhouri , Mohamed Ben Sghaier , Nawel Hayder , Dijoux‐Franca Marie‐Genviève , Kamel Ghedira , Leïla Chekir‐Ghedira 
Published: July 2011

ABSTRACT3,5‐O‐di‐galloylquinic acid (DGQA) purified from leaves of Myrtus communis was investigated for its antioxidative, antiproliferative and antigenotoxic activities. Antioxidant activity was determined by the ability of the compound to inhibit lipid peroxidation induced by H2O2 in the K562 cell line. The pure molecule displayed an important malondialdehyde formation inhibition percentage (82.2%). Moreover, this compound exhibited an inhibitory effect against H2O2‐induced genotoxicity, using the comet assay. A protective effect of the same molecule was also revealed when assessing the gene expression of the chronic myelogenous leukemia cell line (K562), stressed with H2O2. For this purpose, we used a cDNA‐microarray containing 82 genes related to cell defense, essentially represented by antioxidant and DNA repair proteins. We found that DGQA increase the activity of antioxidant enzymes family and the activity of DNA repair enzymes. Taken together, these observations provide evidence that the DGQA is able to protect cells against oxidative stress.
Impact of management treatments on waterfowl use of dense nesting cover in the Canadian parklands
Authors: Devries James H. , Armstrong Llwellyn M. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractPeriodic treatment of established stands of dense nesting cover (DNC) is a recommended practice to maintain cover quality, but little information exists on the magnitude and duration of treatment effects on nesting waterfowl. During 1998–2001, we examined the effect of management treatments on vegetative characteristics and waterfowl nest success and density in fields of DNC seeded to introduced and native grass and forb mixes in the parklands of Saskatchewan and Manitoba. We measured vegetation height–density and litter depth within fields and located and monitored 1,927 duck nests within 33–42 fields/yr ranging in size from 6 ha to 62 ha. We considered a series of models examining the influence of grass type and management treatment (GTMT) and years post‐management (YPM) on vegetative characteristics, nest success, and nest density while including covariates potentially affecting these response variables. Visual obstruction and litter depth were lowest in native‐burned fields and greatest in introduced‐hayed fields. Visual obstruction was low the year following management, peaked 2–3 YPM, and remained at intermediate levels through ≥6 YPM. Litter depth remained low for the first 3 YPM and increased thereafter. Nest success and nest density varied little among GTMT. Nest success was high (14.3%) the year following a management treatment, low (6.5%) at 2 YPM, and moderate thereafter. Nest success decreased with percent cropland in the surrounding landscape. Nest density was 0.7 nests/ha the first year following management, increased to approximately 1.3 nests/ha in years 2–3, and declined back to approximately 0.7 nests/ha for ≥6 YPM. Nest density decreased with field size and increased with the area of small wetlands, percent cropland, and percent wetland within surrounding landscapes. Nest density tracked vegetation density as expected and our results indicate a possible trade‐off between nest density and nest success. Given ancillary data on small mammal and insect prey in our study fields, and evidence from other studies, we speculate that DNC fields may act as prey reservoirs during years of peak vegetative density with a consequent reduction in nest survival. Therefore, management to increase waterfowl production based on our results needs to consider the interaction of treatment effects, competing habitats, and surrounding landscape composition. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.
Factors affecting harvests of fishers and American martens in northern michigan
Authors: Hiller Tim L. , Etter Dwayne R. , Belant Jerrold L. , Tyre Andrew J. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractHarvest data (e.g., number of animals harvested, trapper effort) are an important source of information for state wildlife agencies to manage harvested furbearers. These data provide evidence to support adapting harvest regulations when necessary. Setting appropriate harvest regulations for fishers (Martes pennanti) and American martens (Martes americana) is critical, as these species often exist at low densities, are sensitive to timber‐management practices and trapper‐harvest, and experience some level of interspecific predation and competition in sympatric populations. We estimated effects of management (e.g., number of fishers or martens harvested per trapper per season [harvest limit], season length) and extrinsic (e.g., weather, pelt prices) factors on regulated harvests of fishers and martens in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan during 1996–2007. We used generalized linear mixed models in an information‐theoretic approach (quasi‐likelihood adjusted Akaike Information Criterion [QAIC]) to discern which factors most strongly influenced fisher and marten harvests. For harvest of fishers, the 3 QAIC‐best models included harvest limit, season length, and number of trappers, suggesting that regulatory changes within the ranges tested may be implemented to influence harvest. The QAIC‐best model (harvest limit) contained 26% of the weight of evidence, and using an independent subset of data, showed no difference between model predictions and harvest data. In contrast, harvest of martens was not strongly influenced by any factors we tested. Possible reasons for a lack of measurable effects while modeling harvest of martens include a low harvest limit (i.e., 1 marten) or incidental harvest of martens by fisher or bobcat (Lynx rufus) trappers. Knowledge of influences on harvest will lead to informed decision‐making when managers are setting harvest regulations, particularly for low‐density furbearers. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.
Diets of non‐native deer in Australia estimated by macroscopic versus microhistological rumen analysis
Authors: Forsyth David M. , Davis Naomi E. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractEstimating diet is often an important step in understanding and managing the impacts of ungulates, particularly for non‐native species, but there is uncertainty about whether rumen contents should be assessed using macroscopic or microhistological methods or both. Introduced sambar deer (Cervus unicolor) have a large and increasing distribution in south‐east Australia, and there is concern about their impacts on native and non‐indigenous plant species. We estimated the diets of 102 sambar deer harvested during 2007–2009 using macroscopic and microhistological rumen analysis techniques. We identified 105 plant species in the diets of sambar deer, 61 identified with both techniques and 22 identified only macroscopically or only microhistologically. Rumen species richness was 70% greater using the microhistological technique. Estimates of taxonomic (i.e., monocot and dicot) and functional (i.e., fern, shrub–tree, forb, climber, grass, and grass‐like) group composition by the 2 techniques were similar. Shrubs–trees dominated the diet (macroscopic, 49.7%; microhistological, 52.7%), followed by grasses (macroscopic, 22.7%; microhistological, 17.5%) and ferns (macroscopic, 20.6%; microhistological, 22.2%). We identified 9 non‐indigenous plant species, 2 of which we identified using only the microhistological technique. We detected seeds of the weed blackberry (Rubus fruticosus aggregate), sometimes in large amounts, only with the macroscopic technique, whereas we detected foliage of that species with both techniques. Both techniques classified sambar deer as an intermediate mixed feeder closer to a concentrate selector–browser than a bulk and roughage feeder. However, both techniques detected seasonal differences in the percentages of taxonomic and functional groups in the diet; sambar deer were more grazers in autumn and more browsers in spring. Our results indicate that both macroscopic and microhistological techniques may need to be used when it is important to identify plant species in the diet, as is often the case for non‐native ungulates. However, either technique can be used to estimate broader taxonomic and functional diet composition, including feeding type. © The Wildlife Society, 2011
Aliphatic Long‐Chain C20 Polyesters from Olefin Metathesis
Authors: Trzaskowski Justyna , Quinzler Dorothee , Bährle Christian , Mecking Stefan 
Published: July 2011

AbstractSelf‐metathesis of undecenoic acid with [(PCy3)2Cl2RuCHPh] (2), followed by exhaustive hydrogenation yielded pure 1,20‐eicosanedioic acid (5) (>99%) free of side‐products from isomerization. Polycondensation with eicosane‐1,20‐diol (6), formed by reduction of the diol, yielded polyester 20,20 (Tm = 108 °C). By comparison, the known ADMET polymerization of undec‐10‐enyl undec‐10‐enoate (7), and subsequent exhaustive polymer‐analogous hydrogenation yielded a polyester (poly‐8) with irregular structure of the ester groups in the polymer chain (O(CO) vs. C(O)O) (Tm = 103 °C). Hydrogenation of secondary dispersions of poly‐7 yielded aqueous dispersions of the long‐chain aliphatic polyester poly‐8.magnified image
Fracture mechanical properties of Al/Mg compounds and yield behaviour of the material during the production process
Authors: Lehmann T. , Stockmann M. , Kittner K. , Binotsch C. , Awiszus B. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractDie Prozessanalyse des Verbundstrangpressens und mechanische Eigenschaften des Interfaces zwischen beiden Verbundpartnern werden im Folgenden dargelegt. In der Prozessanalyse wird das Fließverhalten des Mantelmaterials (Aluminium) und des Kernmaterials (Magnesium) untersucht. Dies war notwendig, um im Prozess entstandene Risse im Interface auszuschließen. Um den Prozess entsprechend der entstehenden Verbundqualität beurteilen zu können, ist ein Ergebniswert notwendig, der dies in der Simulation anzeigt. Als Ergebniswert konnte die axiale Dehnungsdifferenz zwischen beiden Verbundpartnern im Bereich der Grenzschicht als momentanes, makromechanisches Schädigungskriterium herangezogen werden. Weiterhin wurde das empirische Qualitätsmodell weiterentwickelt. Das Ergebnis dieses Modells, das Arbeitsverhältnis, korreliert dabei sehr gut mit der axialen Dehnungsdifferenz und bestätigt die Annahmen hinsichtlich des phänomenologischen Verhaltens beim Verbundstrangpressen. Für die Bestimmung der mechanischen Eigenschaften wurde im Bereich der bruchmechanischen Untersuchungen eine spezielle Probenform entwickelt. Nach der Risserzeugung im Interface folgte die quasistatische Nachbelastung durch einen Lastfall, der bei homogenen Materialien eine Mode I‐Rissspitzenbeanspruchung hervorruft. Neben Versuchen wurden numerische Simulationen der Lastfälle durchgeführt. Die Ermittlung der bruchmechanischen Kennwerte – kritischer betragsmäßiger Spannungsintensitätsfaktor und kritische Energiefreisetzungsrate – erfolgt durch die Auswertung der Ergebnisse aus Experiment und Simulation mittels analytischer Beziehungen, welche für das Nahfeld des Interfacerisses gelten. Es wird eine Einschätzung des bruchmechanischen Verhaltens des Interface und des Einflusses der Bimaterialeigenschaften auf die Rissspitzenbeanspruchung vorgenommen.
COMBATING HEALTHCARE COST INFLATION WITH CONCERTED ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS IN A CHINESE PROVINCE
Authors: He Jingwei Alex 
Published: July 2011

SUMMARYThis article defies the traditional notion that cost inflation in healthcare could hardly be curbed without the significant revision of economic incentive scheme, but demonstrates the possibility of containing cost inflation with concerted administrative actions in the Chinese context. It examines the case of Fujian Province that embarked on a health bureaucracy‐led policy reform without an alteration of economic levers but mainly using administrative tools to combat cost escalation. Through clearly defined, well designed, targeted and concerted administrative measures, effective cost containment is attainable in China's healthcare sector, at least in the short run. If combined well with the powerful economic instruments, administrative tools would be able to augment their effects in cost containment, provided with the government's possession of hospital ownership. At the heart of Fujian's case are the reassertion of the government stewardship, the reconstruction of the collapsed accountability mechanisms, the reconfiguration of policy instruments, and the revision of administrative incentives, rather than the decreased costs per se. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.