bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of probiotics on serum levels of Th1/Th2 cytokine and clinical outcomes in severe traumatic brain-injured patients: a prospective randomized pilot study
Authors: Tan Min , Zhu Jing-Ci , Du Jiang , Zhang Li-Mei , Yin Hua-Hua 
Published: December 2011

Abstract
Introduction
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is associated with a profound immunological dysfunction manifested by a severe shift from T-helper type 1 (Th1) to T-helper type 2 (Th2) response. This predisposes patients to infections, sepsis, and adverse outcomes. Probiotic bacteria have been shown to balance the Th1/Th2 cytokines in allergic murine models and patients. For the present study, we hypothesized that the enteral administration of probiotics would adjust the Th1/Th2 imbalance and improve clinical outcomes in TBI patients.

Methods
We designed a prospective, randomized, single-blind study. Patients with severe TBI and Glasgow Coma Scale scores between 5 and 8 were included, resulting in 26 patients in the control group and 26 patients in the probiotic group. All patients received enteral nutrition via a nasogastric tube within 24 to 48 hours following admission. In addition, the probiotic group received 109 bacteria of viable probiotics per day for 21 days. The associated serum levels of Th1/Th2 cytokines, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores, nosocomial infections, length of ICU stay, and 28-day mortality rate were studied.

Results
The patients responded to viable probiotics, and showed a significantly higher increase in serum IL-12p70 and IFNγ levels while also experiencing a dramatic decrease in IL-4 and IL-10 concentrations. APACHE II and SOFA scores were not significantly affected by probiotic treatment. Patients in the probiotic group experienced a decreased incidence of nosocomial infections towards the end of the study. Shorter ICU stays were also observed among patients treated with probiotic therapy. However, the 28-day mortality rate was unaffected.

Conclusions
The present study showed that daily prophylactic administration of probiotics could attenuate the deviated Th1/Th2 response induced by severe TBI, and could result in a decreased nosocomial infection rate, especially in the late period.

Trial registration
ChiCTR-TRC-10000835.
IL-10-induced gp130 expression in mouse mast cells permits IL-6 trans-signaling
Authors: Traum Daniel , Timothee Patricia , Silver Jonathan , Rose-John Stefan , Ernst Matthias , LaRosa David F 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACT
It is reported that human and mouse mast cells express the IL-27R, which consists of WSX-1 (the IL-27Rα subunit) and the signal-transducing subunit gp130. Although it has been proposed that IL-27 may negatively regulate mast cell-dependent, immediate hypersensitivity responses directly, this has yet to be examined specifically. We found that mouse BMMC and primary peritoneal mast cells are unresponsive to IL-27. Consistent with this, gp130 protein in resting BMMC was not on the cell surface to a measurable degree but was found intracellularly, and data are consistent with incompletely processed N-linked glycosylation. Furthermore, BMMC constitutively expressed SOCS3, a major negative regulator of gp130 signaling. However, BMMC stimulation with IL-10 and consequential STAT3 activation increased gp130 expression, which resulted in a functional gp130 receptor on the BMMC cell surface. IL-10 has not been previously shown to regulate gp130 expression, which on the BMMC surface, permitted IL-6 trans-signaling, found to increase survival under limiting conditions and enhance IL-13 and TNF-α secretion. This study identifies factors that regulate mouse mast cell gp130 expression and signaling and makes conspicuous the limitations of using cultured mouse mast cells to study the effects of the IL-6/IL-12 cytokine family on mast cell biology.
The monomer-dimer equilibrium and glycosaminoglycan interactions of chemokine CXCL8 regulate tissue-specific neutrophil recruitment
Authors: Gangavarapu Pavani , Rajagopalan Lavanya , Kolli Deepthi , Guerrero-Plata Antonieta , Garofalo Roberto P , Rajarathnam Krishna 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACTChemokines exert their function by binding the GPCR class of receptors on leukocytes and cell surface GAGs in target tissues. Most chemokines reversibly exist as monomers and dimers, but very little is known regarding the molecular mechanisms by which the monomer-dimer equilibrium modulates in vivo function. For the chemokine CXCL8, we recently showed in a mouse lung model that monomers and dimers are active and that the monomer-dimer equilibrium of the WT plays a crucial role in regulating neutrophil recruitment. In this study, we show that monomers and dimers are also active in the mouse peritoneum but that the role of monomer-dimer equilibrium is distinctly different between these tissues and that mutations in GAG-binding residues render CXCL8 less active in the peritoneum but more active in the lung. We propose that tissue-specific differences in chemokine gradient formation, resulting from tissue-specific differences in GAG interactions, are responsible for the observed differences in neutrophil recruitment. Our observation of differential roles played by the CXCL8 monomer-dimer equilibrium and GAG interactions in different tissues is novel and reveals an additional level of complexity of how chemokine dimerization regulates in vivo recruitment.
Tin Tetra(tert-butoxide) with Acid–Base Additives: Valid Catalyst Precursors for Direct Synthesis of Dimethyl Carbonate from CO2 and CH3OH
Authors: Masui Yoichi , Haga Shunsuke , Onaka Makoto 
Published: December 2011

Abstract
Sn(Ot-Bu)4 is a user-friendly precatalyst for the direct synthesis of dimethyl carbonate from CO2 and MeOH. It is far more active than the conventional Bu2Sn(OMe)2 catalysts. The addition of acid and/or base cocatalysts as well as optimization of the CO2 pressure improved the catalytic activity. The reaction is proposed to proceed through the formation of a dimeric intermediate composed of six-coordinated tin carbonate complexes.
Nanoscale Laser Processing of Hollow Silica Microbeads Assisted by Surface Plasmon Resonance of Gold Particles
Authors: Furukawa Koji , Kameyama Tatsuya , Okazaki Ken-ichi , Yako Takayuki , Otsuki Masashi , Tsuboi Yasuyuki , Torimoto Tsukasa 
Published: December 2011

Abstract
Irradiation with a nanosecond pulse laser (λ = 532 nm) was performed on spherical hollow silica particles modified with gold nanoparticles to photoexcite the localized surface plasmon resonance, resulting in the formation of pores on the shell wall accompanied with the fragmentation of the original Au particles to much smaller ones. The size of pores was tunable from 17 to 56 nm by varying the size of original Au particles on SiO2 shell from 6 to 39 nm.
Glycine Amino Acid Transport inside the Nanopores of Lysozyme Protein Crystal
Authors: Farhadian Nafiseh , Malek Kourosh , Shariaty-Niassar Mojtaba , Maghari Ali 
Published: December 2011

Abstract
Transport of glycine amino acid molecules inside the fully hydrated nanopores of a lysozyme protein crystal was investigated using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Mean square displacement (MSD) analysis of glycine molecules suggested that there are different regimes during glycine transport inside the lysozyme nanopores. Glycine molecules undergo a diffusive behavior along the main pore of the protein crystal with the self-diffusion coefficient of about 1.98 × 10−13 m2 s−1, four orders of magnitude less than that in pure water. This observation is in good agreement with available experimental data. Moreover, analyses based on density and radial distribution functions (RDFs) showed that most interactions of glycine molecules with lysozyme take place on LYS96, ARG14, and ASP87 residues. These interactions are the result of hydrogen-bonding interactions between both amino and carboxylic groups of glycine molecules and active sites of protein residues. These interactions change the effective pore size of the lysozyme crystal.
Softness Evaluation of Silicone Elastomers
Authors: Nonomura Yoshimune , Baba Takehito , Miyashita Takaaki , Maeno Takashi 
Published: December 2011

Abstract
We evaluated the softness of various silicone elastomers installed on a tactile evaluation system. The softness of the elastomers was reflected by the vertical force when subjects pushed the elastomers with their fingers. The moving behavior depended on the elastic properties of the contacted objects; namely, a pushing pattern and a sliding pattern were observed for the soft and hard elastomers, respectively.
Synthesis and Lithium Storage Properties of NiO@TiO2 Nanotube Heterojunction Arrays
Authors: Wang Lili , Zhang Shichao , Wu Xiaomeng 
Published: December 2011

Abstract
The present work describes using TiO2 nanotube arrays as the building block to form ordered NiO@TiO2 heterojunctions via pulse electrodeposition and sequential annealing, and a key finding in the electrochemical investigation is that the enhanced capacity and rate capability derives from the hybrid nature of the electrodes with improved conductivity and dual lithium storage mechanism.
Oxygen Atom Transfer from Peroxide Intermediates to Fullerenes
Authors: Maeda Yutaka , Niino Yasuyuki , Kondo Takuya , Yamada Michio , Hasegawa Tadashi , Akasaka Takeshi 
Published: December 2011

Abstract
Photoreaction of C60 and C70 with adamantylideneadamantane or sulfide under oxygen flow gives fullerene epoxide together with adamantylideneadamantane epoxide or sulfoxide via peroxide intermediates.
Local R&D Strategies and Multilocation Firms: The Role of Internal Linkages
Authors: Alcácer Juan , Zhao Minyuan 
Published: December 2011

This study looks at the role of internal linkages in highly competitive clusters. We argue that, in addition to serving as a mechanism for sourcing knowledge, strong internal linkages help firms increase internalization and create higher levels of technological interdependence across firm locations. Firms with strong networks of internal linkages are able to maintain tighter control over local innovation and reduce the risk that knowledge outflows will advantage competitors in clusters. Our empirical analysis of the global semiconductor industry shows that industry leaders intensify internal linkages across locations when they collocate with direct market competitors, but not when they collocate with innovators in the same technological field. We also find that internal linkages are associated with more knowledge flow within firms and less knowledge expropriation by collocated competitors. Our results suggest that future research in cluster innovation should consider the critical role of multilocation firms, their internal organization across clusters, and their responses to technological and market competition in clusters. This paper was accepted by Bruno Cassiman, business strategy.
Genetic Resistance to Acetyl‐Coenzyme A Carboxylase‐Inhibiting Herbicides in Grain Sorghum
Authors: Kershner Kellan S. , Al‐Khatib Kassim , Krothapalli Kartikeya , Tuinstra Mitchell R. 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACTWeed management is one of the most important considerations impacting sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] production in the United States today. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the level of resistance, type of inheritance, and causal mutation of wild sorghum accessions that are resistant to acetyl‐coenzyme A carboxylase (ACCase)‐inhibiting herbicides compared to susceptible grain sorghum seed parents. Acetyl‐coenzyme A carboxylase‐inhibiting herbicides used in this study were fluazifop‐P and quizalofop‐P from the aryloxyphenoxypropionate (APP) family and clethodim and sethoxydim from the cyclohexanedione (CHD) family. Dose–response studies indicated the level of resistance was very high for APP herbicides but low to nonexistent for CHD herbicides. Estimates of the resistance factors to APP herbicides based on herbicide rate required for 50% growth reduction (GR50) were 54 to 64 for homozygous plants and 9 to 19 for heterozygous plants. Resistance to CHD herbicides was very low with resistance factors ranging from one to about five. Genetic segregation studies indicated a single gene is the cause of resistance to APP herbicides. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplicons from the carboxyl transferase (CT) domain of the chloroplast directed ACCase gene were sequenced and a single point mutation that results in a cysteine replacing tryptophan (conversion from tryptophan at amino acid position 2027 to cysteine [Trp‐2027‐Cys]) was discovered. Given the high level of herbicide resistance and simple inheritance, these sources of APP resistance may provide useful herbicide resistance traits for use in sorghum.
Factors Controlling Self‐Fertility in Sunflower: The Role of GCA/SCA Effects, S Alleles, and Floret Characteristics
Authors: Sun Yue , Godwin Ian D. , Arief Vivi N. , Delacy Ian H. , Jackway Paul T. , Lambrides Christopher J. 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACTSelf‐fertility (SF) is an essential trait that contributes to yield stability in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), particularly in the absence of pollinating insects. We used a full‐diallel design with 12 sunflower parents, including confectionary and nonconfectionary types, to assess (i) combining ability for SF, (ii) the relationship between SF and other traits, and (iii) microsatellite markers for tracking self‐incompatible S alleles. Twelve parents and their 132 F1s were evaluated for SF in two environments. Self‐fertility was correlated with final seed length (r = −0.57, P < 0.01), suggesting that SF was possibly influenced by floret characteristics. A genetic analysis of SF showed that both general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) were significant, although after seed length was used as a covariate, the contribution of SCA effects increased to 65% of the variance and narrow‐sense heritability was almost zero. The SCA effects were in part explained by the interaction of various combinations of S alleles. These results suggest that for programs targeting high‐SF confectionary sunflower it would be difficult to predict the SF of hybrids based on the performance of their parents; therefore, F1 hybrid evaluation would be necessary. Our study suggested that factors controlling SF included GCA/SCA effects, S alleles, and floret characteristics. It also demonstrated the value of combining molecular and quantitative genetics for elucidating the inheritance of a complex trait.
Tetraploid Tunisian Wheat Germplasm as a New Source of Fusarium Head Blight Resistance
Authors: Huhn Melissa R. , Elias Elias M. , Ghavami Farhad , Kianian Shahryar F. , Chao Shiaoman , Zhong Shaobin , Alamri Mohammed S. , Yahyaoui Amor , Mergoum Mohamed 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACTFusarium head blight (FHB) caused by Fusarium graminearum Schwabe causes extensive losses in durum wheat [Triticum turgidum subsp. durum (Desf.) Husn.]. The only verified resistance contributed by a tetraploid wheat species comes from T. turgidum L. subsp. dicoccoides (Körn. ex Asch. & Graebn.) Thell. This research was conducted to determine whether five Tunisian durum lines exhibiting Type II FHB resistance carry the same resistance alleles as the hexaploid wheat ‘Frontana’, ‘Sumai 3’, and ‘Wangshuibai’ and subsp. dicoccoides genotype (Israel A). One hundred thirty‐one polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐based markers were used to determine the genetic similarity among 20 genotypes including resistant and susceptible Tunisian lines and adapted tetraploid and hexaploid cultivars. Phenotypic evaluation was conducted in two greenhouse seasons. Cluster analysis of the Tunisian lines based on the genetic markers showed they are genetically distant from known sources of resistance. Tunisian 7, the most resistant line in this study, was distinctly placed on a separate branch from all the other Tunisian lines, indicating the presence of some genetic diversity. Nineteen of the genotypes were haplotyped with PCR‐based markers for nine loci on six chromosomes associated with known Type II FHB resistance. The Tunisian lines amplified different fragment sizes from the known resistant hexaploid wheat cultivars and subsp. dicoccoides. Results from this study indicate that these Tunisian lines may contain a novel source of Type II FHB resistance.
A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Mupirocin and Polysporin Triple Ointments in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients
Authors: McQuillan Rory F. , Chiu Ernest , Nessim Sharon , Lok Charmaine E. , Roscoe Janet M. , Tam Paul , Jassal Sarbjit Vanita 
Published: December 2011

Summary

Background and objectives
Infectious complications remain a significant cause of peritoneal dialysis (PD) technique failure. Topical ointments seem to reduce peritonitis; however, concerns over resistance have led to a quest for alternative agents. This study examined the effectiveness of applying topical Polysporin Triple ointment (P3) against mupirocin in a multi-centered, double-blind, randomized controlled trial.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements
PD patients routinely applied either P3 or mupirocin ointment to their exit site. Patients were followed for 18 months or until death or catheter removal. The primary study outcome was a composite endpoint of exit-site infection (ESI), tunnel infection, or peritonitis.

Results
Seventy-five of 201 randomized patients experienced a primary outcome event (51 peritonitis episodes, 24 ESIs). No difference was seen in the time to first event for P3 (13.2 months; 95% confidence interval, 11.9–14.5) and mupirocin (14.0 months; 95% confidence interval, 12.7–15.4) (P=0.41). Twice as many patients reported redness at the exit site in the P3 group (14 versus 6, P=0.10). Over the complete study period, a higher rate per year of fungal ESIs was seen in patients using P3 (0.07 versus 0.01; P=0.02) with a corresponding increase in fungal peritonitis (0.04 versus 0.00, respectively; P<0.05).

Conclusions
This study shows that P3 is not superior to mupirocin in the prophylaxis of PD-related infections. Colonization of the exit site with fungal organisms is of concern and warrants further study. As such, the use of P3 over mupirocin is not advocated in the prophylaxis of PD-related infections.
Photoluminescence of bis(8-hydroxyquinoline) zinc (Znq2) and magnesium (Mgq2)
Authors: Tsuboi Taiju , Nakai Yosuke , Torii Yasuko 
Published: December 2011

Abstract
Absorption and photoluminescence (PL) spectra, PL quantum efficiency, and PL lifetime have been investigated on bis(8-hydroxyquinoline) zinc (Znq2) and magnesium (Mgq2) in solutions and powder. Znq2 and Mgq2 have the lowest-energy absorption band at 376 and 396 nm in acetonitrile solution, respectively, and emission band with peak at 555 and 480 nm. The PL quantum efficiency is 0.03 and 0.45 for Znq2 and Mgq2 in the solution, respectively, while 0.45 and 0.36 in powder. Unlike the case of powders, two PL lifetimes are obtained in solutions. The longer lifetime is attributed to molecule having interaction with its neighboring molecule, while the shorter one to the isolated single molecule.
Adjacent-level biomechanics after single versus multilevel cervical spine fusion
Authors: Prasarn Mark L. , Baria Dinah , Milne Edward , Latta Loren , Sukovich William 
Published: December 2011

Object
Previous studies have demonstrated that patients with spinal fusion are at greater risk for adjacent-segment disease and require additional surgery. It has been postulated that excessive motion of a given motion segment unit (MSU) leads to an increased risk of disc degeneration. It is the authors' hypothesis that a greater increase in adjacent-segment motion will be observed following a 2-level versus a single-level anterior cervical discectomy and instrumented fusion (ACDF). Therefore, they undertook this study to determine the effect of single-level versus 2-level ACDF on the biomechanics of adjacent MSUs.

Methods
Ten fresh-frozen human cervical spines were used in this study. The specimens were potted at C-4 and T-1 and tested in flexion and extension. Range of motion (ROM) was 30° of flexion and 15° of extension at a maximum load of 50 N. The specimens were tested intact and then were randomized into 2 groups of 5 specimens each. Group 1 underwent a single-level ACDF at the C5–6 level first, and Group 2 underwent the procedure at the C6–7 level. After testing, both groups had the fusion extended to include the C5–7 levels, and the testing was repeated. Changes in overall ROM, stiffness, and segmental motion were calculated and statistically analyzed using a paired Student t-test.

Results
An increase in sagittal ROM of 31.30% above (p = 0.012) and 33.88% below (p = 0.066) the fused MSU was found comparing a 2-level with a 1-level ACDF. The overall stiffness of the entire spinal construct increased 37.34% (p = 0.051) in extension and 30.59% (p = 0.013) in flexion as the second fusion level was added. As expected, the overall sagittal ROM of the entire spinal construct decreased by 13.68% (p = 0.0014) with a 2-level compared with a 1-level fusion.

Conclusions
This study has shown that the biomechanics at adjacent levels to a cervical spine fusion are altered and that there is increased adjacent-segment motion at the levels above and below, after a 2-level compared with a 1-level ACDF.