bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Changes in Plasma Fibronectin Isoform Levels Predict Distinct Clinical Outcomes in Critically Ill Patients
Authors: Peters John H. , Grote Mark N. , Lane Nancy E. , Maunder Richard J. 
Published: May 2011

Introduction Concentrations of the total pool of fibronectin in plasma (TFN), and the subset of this pool that contains the alternatively spliced EDA segment (A+FN), are both affected by disease processes, and the latter pool has gained a reputation as a biomarker for vascular injury. We therefore wished to determine if changes in either FN pool correlate with clinical outcomes in critically ill individuals. Methods We analyzed a database for 57 patients with major trauma (n = 33) or sepsis syndrome (n = 24) in which plasma levels of TFN and A+FN had been measured at intervals, along with clinical parameters. Logistic regression analysis was performed to detect associations between predictive variables and three clinical outcomes: 1) the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), 2) milder acute lung injury designated acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (AHRF), and 3) survival to hospital discharge. Results An increase in plasma TFN during the first 24 hours of intensive care unit (ICU) observation was negatively associated with progression to ARDS (odds ratio 0.98 per 1 microgram (μg)/ml increase, 95% CI (0.97, 1.00)) and AHRF (OR 0.97 per 1 μg/ml increase, (0.95, 0.99)), whereas an increase in A+FN over the first 24 hours was positively associated with progression to AHRF (OR 1.65 per 1 μg/ml increase, (1.04, 2.62)). Additionally, the ratio of the partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood (PaO2) to the percentage of oxygen in inspired air (FIO2) after 24 hours was positively associated with survival (OR 1.01 per 1 unit increase in ratio, (1.00, 1.03)), along with change in A+FN (OR 1.30 per 1 μg/ml increase, (0.90, 1.88)). Conclusions Different FN isoforms may constitute predictive covariate markers for distinct clinical outcomes in critically ill patients. The data also suggest that early TFN accumulation in the circulation may confer a clinical benefit to patients at risk for acute lung injury.
What Works for Patients in Outpatient Treatment for Alcohol Addiction? An Explorative Study into Clients’ Evaluation of Subjective Factors and Therapy Satisfaction
Authors: Frick Katrin M. , Loessl Barbara , Brueck Rigo K. , Kriston Levente , Jaehne Andreas , Riemann Dieter , Gann Horst , Batra Anil , Wodarz Norbert , Mann Karl F. , Berner Michael M. 
Published: May 2011

This explorative survey investigated clients’ evaluation of therapy elements and other supportive factors within a randomized controlled trial. The treatment of patients with alcohol dependence consisted of pharmacotherapy (acamprosate/naltrexone/placebo) and biweekly medical management (MM). Forty-nine study participants were surveyed with a questionnaire to measure both the patients’ satisfaction with the therapy and the subjective assessment of treatment elements and supportive factors. Study participants were highly satisfied with the treatment. The supportive factors previously identified by Orford et al 1 were confirmed. ‘Pharmacotherapy’ was rated significantly less effective than ‘MM’ and ‘global study attendance’ ( P < 0.001). The significant differences in the evaluation of treatment elements point to a preference for regular low-key contacts rather than for medication. Such contacts based on MM could be a useful intervention in clinical care, and its effectivity should be examined more closely in further research.
HSP Induction in Mesothelial Cells by Peritoneal Dialysis Fluid Depends on Biocompatibility Test System
Authors: Bender Thorsten O. , Kratochwill Klaus , Böhm Michael , Jörres Achim , Aufricht Christoph 
Published: May 2011

Background We have previously shown that exposure of mesothelial cells (MC) to peritoneal dialysis fluids (PDF) not only caused toxic injury, but also induced cytoprotective heat shock proteins (HSP). This study was performed in order to compare HSP expression in MC upon PDF exposure in three currently used biocompatibility test systems. Methods Omentum-derived human peritoneal MC underwent 3 modalities of exposure to heat- or filter-sterilized PDF: (A) pure PDF for 60 minutes followed by a recovery-period in pure culture medium for 24 hours; (B) 1:1 mixture of PDF and culture medium for 24 hours or (C) pure PDF for 60 minutes followed by a recovery-period in a 1:1 mixture of PDF and culture medium for 24 hours. Biocompatibility was assessed by LDH-release into the supernatant and HSP-72 expression in MC lysates. Results Short-term exposure of MC to pure PDF (Modality A) resulted in concordant LDH release and upregulation of HSP-72, regardless of heat or filter sterilization. In contrast, both test systems that exposed MC to heat-sterilized PDF during the recovery period (Modalities B and C) resulted in severe cellular lethality but low HSP-72 expression. Conclusions This study clearly shows that HSP expression in MC upon PDF exposure depends on the biocompatibility test system. The presence of heat-sterilized PDF during recovery resulted in significant downregulation of HSP-72 despite severe cell injury. Therefore, HSP-72 expression reflects adequate cellular stress responses rather than PDF cytotoxicity.
Study exploring breast cancer screening practices amongst Arabic women living in the State of Qatar
Authors: Donnelly Tam Truong , Al-Khater Al-Hareth , Al-Kuwari Mohamed , Al-Meer Nabila , Al-Bader Salha Bujassoum , Malik Mariam , Singh Rajvir , Jong Floor Christie-de 
Published: May 2011

Abstract
Breast cancer is a public health threat in the State of Qatar. It is the most common cancer and the incidence rate is increasing. It has been found that women often present with breast cancer at advanced stages in Qatar. Early detection of breast cancer is an important prognostic factor and breast cancer screening has been found successful in decreasing mortality rates. The percentage of women in Qatar engaging in screening activities is alarmingly low. A study has been designed to examine barriers and facilitators that are potentially influencing women in participating in breast cancer screening activities. Understanding these barriers and facilitators is essential in order to create a culturally appropriate and effective intervention that can encourage women in Qatar to participate in screening activities. In this paper the background to the study is presented which highlights the magnitude of the breast cancer problem in Qatar and offers the rationale and information for this potentially groundbreaking study.
Thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor
Authors: Declerck P. J. 
Published: June 2011

SummaryThrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) was discovered two decades ago as a consequence of the identification of an unstable carboxypeptidase (CPU), which was formed upon thrombin activation of the respective pro-enzyme (proCPU). The antifibrinolytic function of the activated form (TAFIa, CPU) is directly linked to its capacity to remove C-terminal lysines from the surface of the fibrin clot. No endogenous inhibitors have been identified, but TAFIa activity is regulated by its intrinsic temperature-dependent instability with a half-life of 8 to 15 min at 37 °C. A variety of studies have demonstrated a role for TAFI/TAFIa in venous and arterial diseases. In addition, a role in inflammation and cell migration has been shown. Since an elevated level of TAFIa it is a potential risk factor for thrombotic disorders, many inhibitors, both at the level of activation or at the level of activity, have been developed and were proven to exhibit a profibrinolytic effect in animal models. Pharmacologically active inhibitors of the TAFI/TAFIa system may open new ways for the prevention of thrombotic diseases or for the establishment of adjunctive treatments during thrombolytic therapy.
Induced Chain Alignment of Conjugated Polymers Within Nanoporous Template
Authors: Lo Kuan‐Hsin , Ho Rong‐Ming , Liao Yung‐Ming , Hsu Chain‐Shu , Massuyeau Florian , Zhao Yuan‐Chun , Lefrant Serge , Duvail Jean‐Luc 
Published: May 2011

AbstractThis work presents a simple method to generate ordered conjugated polymer nanoarrays through a pore‐filling process for nanoporous polymer templates so as to enhance the efficiency of photoluminescence (PL). PL results combined with the morphological evolution examined by scanning probe microscopy revealed that the enhanced PL reaches maximum intensity as the template pores are completely filled by conjugated polymers. Polarized PL spectroscopy and grazing incidence Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were used to determine the chain orientation of templated conjugated polymer; the spectroscopic results indicate a parallel chain orientation along the cylindrical direction of nanopores. The induced alignment of the polymer chains is attributed to a nanoscale spatial effect that increases the PL intensity and the lifetime of the conjugated polymer. The enhanced luminescence of nanostructured conjugated polymers is highly promising for use in designing luminescent nanodevices.
Ionic Space‐Charge Depletion in Lithium Fluoride Thin Films on Sapphire (0001) Substrates
Authors: Li Chilin , Guo Xiangxin , Gu Lin , Samuelis Dominik , Maier Joachim 
Published: May 2011

AbstractLithium fluoride thin films with various thicknesses have been grown on c‐plane sapphire substrates by radio‐frequency sputtering. The thin films are granular with a preferential [111] orientation of the grains. Thickness‐dependent measurements allow the separation of bulk and interface conductions. The normalized conductance decreases linearly with decreasing LiF layer thickness with a negative extrapolated intercept. DC polarization, AC impedance spectroscopy and electromotive force measurement indicate depletion of lithium ion vacancies as majority charge carriers and hence a negative space‐charge potential. A generalized Mott–Schottky approach within the model of heterogeneous doping fully explains the entire boundary defect chemistry.
Electroactive Self‐Assembled Monolayers for Enhanced Efficiency and Stability of Electropolymerized Luminescent Films and Devices
Authors: Lv Ying , Yao Liang , Gu Cheng , Xu Yuanxiang , Liu Dandan , Lu Dan , Ma Yuguang 
Published: May 2011

AbstractIn order to further improve the efficiency and stability of luminescent electrochemical polymerization (EP) films and devices, electroactive self‐assembled monolayers (SAMs) of carbazolyl alkanethiol are successfully designed and applied to modify Au electrode and covalently graft the deposited EP films. The analysis of the formation and coverage of the SAMs by atomic force microscopy (AFM), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and the theoretical calculation provide consistent results indicating the SAM molecules are densely packed and standing upright (liquid‐like) on the Au surface. In addition, ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS), CV, UV, AFM, and sonication treatment reveal that the close‐packed electroactive SAMs are effective at enhancing the work function of electrode, increasing the deposition rate of EP precursor as well as elevating the cross‐linking efficiency and the adhesive property of subsequent EP films. This is a simple and very efficient method for improving the performance of EP device, which has potential applications in display devices.
Liquid‐Crystalline Ordering Helps Block Copolymer Self‐Assembly
Authors: Yu Haifeng , Kobayashi Takaomi , Yang Huai 
Published: May 2011

AbstractInteraction between liquid‐crystalline elastic deformation and microphase separation in liquid‐crystalline block copolymers enables them to supramolecularly assemble into ordered nanostructures with high regularity. With the help of liquid‐crystalline alignment, parallel and perpendicular patterning of nanostructures is fabricated with excellent reproducibility and mass production, which provides nanotemplates and nanofabrication processes for preparing varieties of nanomaterials. Furthermore, nanoscale microphase separation improves the optical performance of block‐copolymer films by eliminating the scattering of visible light, leading to advanced applications in optical devices and actuators. Recent progress in liquid‐crystalline block copolymers, including their phase diagram, structure‐property relationship, nanostructure control and nanotemplate applications, is reviewed.
Weyl geometric gravity and electroweak symmetry “breaking”
Authors: Scholz E. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractA Weyl geometric scale covariant approach to gravity due to Omote, Dirac, and Utiyama (1971ff) is reconsidered. It can be extended to the electroweak sector of elementary particle fields, taking into account their basic scaling freedom. Already Cheng (1988) indicated that electroweak symmetry breaking, usually attributed to the Higgs field with a boson expected at 0.1–0.3 TeV, may be due to a coupling between Weyl geometric gravity and electroweak interactions. Weyl geometry seems to be well suited for treating questions of elementary particle physics, which relate to scale invariance and its “breaking”. This setting suggests the existence of a scalar field boson at the surprisingly low energy of ∼ 1 eV. That may appear unlikely; but, as a payoff, the acquirement of mass arises as a result of coupling to gravity in agreement with the understanding of mass as the gravitational charge of fields.
Nanopartikel für die Aufwärtskonversion
Authors: Haase Markus , Schäfer Helmut 
Published: May 2011

AbstractMit Upconversion (UC, Aufwärtskonversion) werden nichtlineare optische Prozesse beschrieben, bei denen die aufeinander folgende Absorption von zwei oder mehr Photonen mit vergleichsweise großer Wellenlänge zur Emission von Strahlung mit kürzerer Wellenlänge (Emission vom anti‐Stokes‐Typ) führt. Im Unterschied zu anderen Emissionen auf Basis einer Mehrphotonenabsorption können UC‐Prozesse auch mit niedrigen Energiedichten effizient angeregt werden. Die effizientesten heute bekannten UC‐Prozesse werden in Seltenerd‐dotierten Festkörperverbindungen beobachtet. Die Forschungen auf dem Gebiet nanokristalliner Materialien führten schließlich zur Entwicklung von Synthesemethoden für kleine, hocheffiziente UC‐Partikel mit enger Partikelgrößenverteilung, die transparente Lösungen in einer Vielzahl von Lösungsmitteln bilden. Mittlerweile gibt es Syntheserouten für qualitativ hochwertige UC‐Nanokristalle, die eine Steuerung von kolloidaler Löslichkeit, Partikelgröße, Kristallstruktur, optischen Eigenschaften und Partikelform ermöglichen. Zurzeit werden diese Partikel als vielversprechende Alternative zu organischen Fluorophoren und Halbleiternanopartikeln (“Quantenpunkten”) in der medizinischen Bildgebung diskutiert.
Upconverting Nanoparticles
Authors: Haase Markus , Schäfer Helmut 
Published: May 2011

AbstractUpconversion (UC) refers to nonlinear optical processes in which the sequential absorption of two or more photons leads to the emission of light at shorter wavelength than the excitation wavelength (anti‐Stokes type emission). In contrast to other emission processes based on multiphoton absorption, upconversion can be efficiently excited even at low excitation densities. The most efficient UC mechanisms are present in solid‐state materials doped with rare‐earth ions. The development of nanocrystal research has evoked increasing interest in the development of synthesis routes which allow the synthesis of highly efficient, small UC particles with narrow size distribution able to form transparent solutions in a wide range of solvents. Meanwhile, high‐quality UC nanocrystals can be routinely synthesized and their solubility, particle size, crystallographic phase, optical properties and shape can be controlled. In recent years, these particles have been discussed as promising alternatives to organic fluorophosphors and quantum dots in the field of medical imaging.
Olefin isomerization reactions catalyzed by ruthenium hydrides bearing Schiff base ligands
Authors: Ding Fu , Doorslaer Sabine Van , Cool Peggie , Verpoort Francis 
Published: May 2011

AbstractA series of in situ‐generated ruthenium hydride complexes Ru(PPh3)2(CO)H(Ln) (n = a–h) incorporating a Schiff base ligand was investigated for the isomerization of olefins. 1H‐NMR was used to characterize the new hydride species in combination with 31P‐NMR. Allylbenzene and 1‐octene were used as model substrates. Temperature, solvents and catalyst/substrate mole ratio were taken into account as parameters to optimize the isomerization reaction. All catalysts showed the best performance in 2‐butanol, suggesting that the catalytic activity depends not only strongly on the steric and electronic environment of the ruthenium but also on the chosen solvent. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multiplexing and demultiplexing logic functions for computing signal processing tasks in synthetic biology
Authors: Pasotti Lorenzo , Quattrocelli Mattia , Galli Daniela , De Angelis Maria Gabriella Cusella , Magni Paolo 
Published: May 2011

AbstractBuilding biological devices to perform computational and signal processing tasks is one of the main research issues in synthetic biology. Herein, two modular biological systems that could mimic multiplexing and demultiplexing logic functions are proposed and discussed. These devices, called multiplexer (mux) and demultiplexer (demux), respectively, have a remarkable importance in electronic, telecommunication, and signal processing systems and, similarly, they could play a crucial role if implemented in a living organism, such as Escherichia coli. BioBrick standard parts were used to design mux and demux and to construct two genetic circuits that could carry out the desired tasks. A modular approach, mimicking basic logic gates (AND, OR, and NOT) with protein/autoinducer or protein/DNA interactions and interconnecting them to create the final circuits, was adopted. A mathematical model of the designed gene networks was been defined and simulations performed to validate the expected behavior of the systems. In addition, circuit subparts were tested in vivo and the results used to determine some of the parameters of the mathematical model. According to both the experimental and simulated results, guidelines for future finalization of mux and demux are provided.
Directed Evolution of an Error‐Prone T7 DNA Polymerase that Attenuates Viral Replication
Authors: Söte Sandra , Kleine Stefan , Schlicke Marina , Brakmann Susanne 
Published: May 2011

AbstractExperimental evidence exists that RNA viruses replicate with extremely high mutation rates that result in significant genetic diversity. The diverse nature of viral populations allows rapid adaptation to dynamic environments, and evolution of resistances to vaccines as well as antiviral substances. For DNA viruses that replicate at much greater fidelities, as yet, neither diverse structures in the population nor their responses to increased mutation rates have been sufficiently described. By using the example of DNA bacteriophage T7, we describe the identification of virus‐specific DNA polymerase variants with decreased replication fidelities, and their impact on the efficiency of the viral infection cycle.
A Fast and Precise Approach for Computational Saturation Mutagenesis and its Experimental Validation by Using an Artificial (βα)8‐Barrel Protein
Authors: Fischer Andre , Seitz Tobias , Lochner Adriane , Sterner Reinhard , Merkl Rainer , Bocola Marco 
Published: May 2011

AbstractWe present a computational saturation mutagenesis protocol (CoSM) that predicts the impact on stability of all possible amino acid substitutions for a given site at an internal protein interface. CoSM is an efficient algorithm that uses a combination of rotamer libraries, side‐chain flips, energy minimization, and molecular dynamics equilibration. Because CoSM considers full side‐chain and backbone flexibility in the local environment of the mutated position, amino acids larger than the wild‐type residue are also modeled in a proper manner. To assess the performance of CoSM, the effect of point mutations on the stability of an artificial (βα)8‐barrel protein that has been designed from identical (βα)4‐half barrels, was studied. In this protein, position 234N is a previously identified stability hot‐spot that is located at the interface of the two half barrels. By using CoSM, changes in protein stability were predicted for all possible single point mutations replacing wild‐type Val234N. In parallel, the stabilities of 14 representative mutants covering all amino acid classes were experimentally determined. A linear correlation of computationally and experimentally determined energy values yielded an R2 value of 0.90, which is statistically significant. This degree of coherence is stronger than the ones we obtained for established computational methods of mutational analysis.
Development of a Whole Cell Biocatalyst for the Efficient Prenylation of Indole Derivatives by Autodisplay of the Aromatic Prenyltransferase FgaPT2
Authors: Kranen Eva , Steffan Nicola , Maas Ruth , Li Shu‐Ming , Jose Joachim 
Published: May 2011

AbstractThe following study depicts the development of a whole cell biocatalyst for the prenylation of indole derivatives. For this purpose the prenyltransferase FgaPT2 from Aspergillus fumigatus was displayed on the surface of Escherichia coli cells by using Autodisplay. The presence of the prenyltransferase in the outer membrane was detected by using SDS‐PAGE and Western Blot after the proteins of the outer membrane were isolated. The orientation of the prenyltransferase towards the outside of the cells was investigated by accessibility testing with externally added proteases. The FgaPT2 whole cell biocatalyst converted up to 250 μM of indole‐3‐propionic acid, approximately 25 % of the substrate used in the assay (100 μL sample, OD578=40). Another indole substrate, L‐β‐homotryptophan was also investigated and a conversion of 13 % was determined. By optimizing the assay conditions the conversion rate could be raised to approximately 30 % of indole‐3‐propionic acid during a 24 h incubation time at 20 °C. The whole cell biocatalyst endured a storage period of one month at 8 °C without any detectable loss in activity. Reusability was confirmed by recycling the biocatalyst. After three cycles of consecutive use, the whole cell biocatalyst retained a conversion rate of 46 % of indole‐3‐propionic acid and 23 % of L‐β‐homotryptophan after the third cycle.
Influence of Solvent Polarity on the Mechanism and Efficiency of Formic Acid Reactive Extraction with Tri‐n‐Octylamine from Aqueous Solutions
Authors: Galaction A.‐I. , Kloetzer L. , Cascaval D. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractThe reactive extractions of formic acid with tri‐n‐octylamine (TOA) dissolved in three solvents with different dielectric constants (dichloromethane, butyl acetate, n‐heptane) without and with 1‐octanol as phase modifier were comparatively analyzed. The results indicated that the mechanism of the interfacial reaction between acid and extractant (Q) is controlled by the organic phase polarity. In the absence of 1‐octanol, the structures of the extracted complexes are (HA)2Q2 for dichloromethane and butyl acetate, and (HA)2Q4 for n‐heptane. These structures are modified by adding 1‐octanol and become (HA)2Q for extraction in dichloromethane or butyl acetate, and (HA)2Q2 for extraction in n‐heptane. Although the presence of 1‐octanol improves the extraction efficiency, it leads to a reduction of the extraction constants for all considered solvents, an influence that is more significant for n‐heptane.