bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improved Polyacrylamide-Based Artificial Sputum with Formalin-Fixed Tubercle Bacilli for Training of Tuberculosis Microscopists
Authors: Yamada Hiroyuki , Mitarai Satoshi , Wahyunitisari Manik Rento , Mertaniasih Ni Made , Sugamoto Tetsuhiro , Chikamatsu Kinuyo , Aono Akio , Matsumoto Hiroko , Fujiki Akiko 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACT

Sputum smear microscopy is an easy, inexpensive, and rapid method for detecting tubercle bacilli when there are more than 10,000 bacilli/ml in the original sputum. Furthermore, because the microscopic method provides not only quantitative, but also qualitative information, such as the shape of bacilli, it has remained significant. We have previously developed and reported panel test slides made from polyacrylamide-based artificial sputum (PBAS) mixed with both cultured THP-1 cells and nonpathogenic mycobacteria. In this paper, we report an improved preparation method for PBAS for panel test slides that provides a simplified method and enhanced availability with high consistency in each grade and in which only negative PBAS is prepared from polyacrylamide and cultured THP-1 cells and mixed with graded formalin-fixed
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
solution (FFTBS) containing oral flora and
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
on the slides. In the smears prepared using this improved method, the numbers (average ± standard deviation [SD]) of acid-fast bacilli (AFB) in 300 fields (2- by 3-cm smear) in eight smears of each grade ranged from 5 to 9 (6.4 ± 1.4), from 59 to 88 (74.6 ± 10.0), from 503 to 912 (705.0 ± 145.7), and from 1,819 to 3,256 (2133.3 ± 478.0) in ±, +, ++, and +++ smears, respectively. In addition, this preparation method provided high similarity to the microscopic appearance of bacilli and background seen in the actual patient sputum, with high feasibility. These results revealed that our new PBAS had high authenticity in the appearance and consistency in each grade, which could make it valuable as a reliable artificial sputum for the training of microscopists.
Engineering T Cells Specific for a Dominant Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus CD8 T Cell Epitope
Authors: Oh Hsueh-Ling Janice , Chia Adeline , Chang Cynthia Xin Lei , Leong Hoe Nam , Ling Khoon Lin , Grotenbreg Gijsbert M. , Gehring Adam J. , Tan Yee Joo , Bertoletti Antonio 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACT

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a highly contagious and life threatening disease, with a fatality rate of almost 10%. The etiologic agent is a novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), with animal reservoirs found in bats and other wild animals and thus the possibility of reemergence. In this study, we first investigated at 6 years postinfection whether SARS-specific memory T cells persist in SARS-recovered individuals, demonstrating that these subjects still possess polyfunctional SARS-specific memory CD4
+
and CD8
+
T cells. A dominant memory CD8
+
T cell response against SARS-CoV nucleocaspid protein (NP; amino acids 216 to 225) was then defined in SARS-recovered individuals carrying HLA-B*40:01, a HLA-B molecule present in approximately one-quarter of subjects of Asian ethnicities. To reconstitute such a CD8
+
T cell response, we isolated the alpha and beta T cell receptors of the HLA-B*40:01-restricted SARS-specific CD8
+
T cells. Using T cell receptor gene transfer, we generated SARS-specific redirected T cells from the lymphocytes of normal individuals. These engineered CD8
+
T cells displayed avidity and functionality similar to that of natural SARS-specific memory CD8
+
T cells. They were able to degranulate and produce gamma interferon, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and macrophage inflammatory proteins 1α and 1β after antigenic stimulation. Since there is no effective treatment against SARS, these transduced T cells specific for an immunodominant SARS epitope may provide a new avenue for treatment during a SARS outbreak.
Building a Hospital Alliance — Taiwan Landseed Medical Alliance
Authors: Rachel Lu Jui-fen , Tsai Terence , Liu Shubo Philip 
Published: August 2011

Following the launch of the National Health Insurance (NHI) program in 1995, universal coverage was achieved in Taiwan. In the period immediately following the introduction of the program, private hospitals did well and many opportunists entered Taiwan's rapidly expanding, prosperous healthcare market. However, the boom did not last long, ending with Bureau of NHI's hospital global budget system in 2002. The new NHI policies, stricter regulations, and higher public expectations of healthcare services intensified competition in the healthcare market and many private hospitals were forced to close. The Taiwan Landseed Medical Alliance (TLMA) was formed in 1993 by eight hospitals. It was the first successful hospital alliance in Taiwan. Although most of the alliance members were private district hospitals, through collaboration and integrated networks TLMA offered a unique model that combined the strength of each of these small-scale hospitals. The alliance thus enhanced the ability of its members to survive despite fierce competition, and increased their capacity to provide first-rate health care. By fully implementing the operations and development strategies inherent in a collaborative hospital group, TLMA members worked through difficulties together and are already on course to meet many other alliance goals including the upgrading of hospital management practices and service quality, improvement of the medical environment, and promotion of good hospital practice. The case aims to evoke discussion on the important role of alliances in competitive markets and ways to form strategic alliances. Supportive actions and alliance structures should also be considered.
Killing of Resistant Cancer Cells with Low Bak by a Combination of an Antimesothelin Immunotoxin and a TRAIL Receptor 2 Agonist Antibody
Authors: Du Xing , Xiang Laiman , Mackall Crystal , Pastan Ira 
Published: August 2011

Abstract
Purpose: Many solid tumors express cell surface mesothelin making them attractive targets for antibody-based therapies of cancer. SS1P [antimesothelin(Fv)PE38] is a recombinant immunotoxin (RIT) that has potent cytotoxic activity on several cancer cell lines and clinical activity in mesothelioma patients. Pancreatic cancers express mesothelin and are known to be resistant to most chemotherapeutic agents. The goal of this study is to treat pancreatic cancer with RIT by targeting mesothelin.
Experimental Design: We measured the cytotoxic activity of an antimesothelin immunotoxin on pancreatic cancer cells. We also measured the levels of several pro- and antiapoptotic proteins, as well as the ability of TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) or the anti-TRAIL receptor 2 agonist antibody (HGS-ETR2) to kill pancreatic cells, and the cytotoxic activity of the two agents together in cell culture and against tumors in mice.
Results: In two pancreatic cancer cell lines, immunotoxin treatment inhibited protein synthesis but did not produce significant cell death. The resistant lines had low levels of the proapoptotic protein Bak. Increasing Bak expression enhanced the sensitivity to immunotoxins, whereas Bak knockdown diminished it. We also found that combining immunotoxin with TRAIL or HGS-ETR2 caused synergistic cell death, and together triggered caspase-8 recruitment and activation, Bid cleavage and Bax activation. Combining SS1P with HGS-ETR2 also acted synergistically to decrease tumor burden in a mouse model.
Conclusion: Our data show that low Bak can cause cancer cells to be resistant to immunotoxin treatment and that combining immunotoxin with TRAIL or a TRAIL agonist antibody can overcome resistance. Clin Cancer Res; 17(18); 5926–34. ©2011 AACR.
Cardiovascular Risk Markers and Mechanisms in Targeting the COX Pathway for Colorectal Cancer Prevention
Authors: Oates John A. 
Published: August 2011

Abstract
COX-2 inhibition reduces the incidence of colorectal neoplasia. The increased risk of thrombotic cardiovascular events produced by selective or nonselective COX-2 inhibitors, however, has confounded the consideration of employing them in cancer prevention. Developing a strategy for preventing colorectal cancer by inhibiting COX-2 depends on research advances in several key areas, including predictive biomarkers to identify people at the lowest risk for cardiovascular events, the molecular mechanisms whereby interdicting the COX-2 pathway produces thrombotic events, and the pharmacology of the widely divergent agents that act on COX-2 and its downstream pathway. Cancer Prev Res; 4(8); 1145–8. ©2011 AACR.
Application of FT-NIR-DR and FT-IR-ATR spectroscopy to estimate the chemical composition of bamboo (Neosinocalamus affinis Keng)
Authors: Sun Bailing , Liu Junliang , Liu Shujun , Yang Qing 
Published: August 2011

Abstract

Neosinocalamus affinis Keng is widely grown in south-western China for pulp and paper production. Rapid assessment of the chemical properties of N. affinis is necessary for both bamboo breeding and industrial utilization. This study was performed to investigate the abilities of Fourier transform near-infrared spectroscopy in the diffuse reflectance mode (FT-NIR-DR) and Fourier transform infrared attenuated total reflectance (FT-IR-ATR) spectroscopy to predict the contents of holocellulose, α-cellulose, Klason lignin, and NaOH extractives in N. affinis. Partial least squares regression models based on the raw and preprocessed spectra, including multiplicative scatter correction (MSC) and Savitzky-Golay 1st and 2nd derivative spectra, were developed for the chemical components of bamboo. The NIR-based calibrations displayed better performance than those using FT-IR-ATR spectra. The best calibrations developed by both methods for properties all had satisfactory correlations, with coefficient of determination (R2
c) values ranging from 0.81 (Klason lignin by FT-IR and MSC) to 0.98 (α-cellulose by FT-NIR and 2nd derivative), and root mean standard error of calibration between 0.50 and 1.47%. When applied to prediction sets, the correlations were good, with R2
p above 0.68. The results demonstrate that both spectroscopic methods, combined with chemometric strategies, could rapidly predict the chemical composition of bamboo.
Microsatellite marker development in tung trees (Vernicia montanaand V. fordii, Euphorbiaceae)
Authors: Xu Wei , Yang Qing , Huai Huyin , Liu Aizhong 
Published: August 2011

•Premise of the study: The tung tree is valuable for tung oil, which is derived from the oilseeds of the tree. Microsatellite markers were developed in tung trees (Vernicia montanaand V. fordii) for use in population genetic studies and, particularly, analyses of genetic relationships among germplasms.•Methods and Results: A total of 20 microsatellite markers were developed and characterized in V. montanaand tested for cross‐amplification in V. fordii, using the Fast Isolation by AFLP of Sequences COntaining Repeats protocol. These markers showed rich polymorphism when assessed in 120 samples of V. montanaand six samples of V. fordii.•Conclusions: The developed microsatellite markers will be of great use for investigating genetic diversity of germplasms, analyzing population structure, and facilitating molecular breeding in tung trees.
Effects of Preoperative Punctal Plug Treatment on Visual Function and Wound Healing in Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis
Authors: Kojima Takashi , Watabe Tamaki , Nakamura Tomoaki , Ichikawa Kazuo , Satoh Yuya 
Published: August 2011

PURPOSE:
To evaluate the effect of preoperative punctal plug treatment on early postoperative visual function and wound healing after laser epithelial keratomileusis (LASEK).

METHODS:
Punctal plugs were implanted in 188 eyes from 95 patients (plug group; 41 men, 54 women; mean age 30.8±6.6 years) before undergoing LASEK. Punctal plugs were inserted into both the superior and inferior puncta. Wound healing, visual acuity, and haze score after surgery were compared in 175 eyes of 88 age- and sex-matched control patients without punctal plug treatment (non-plug group; 43 men, 45 women; mean age 30.3±8.0 years).

RESULTS:

One week after LASEK, the mean fluorescein score in the plug group was significantly lower than the non-plug group (
P
<.0001). One week after surgery, uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) of 20/20 or better was achieved in 82% and 53% of plug and non-plug patients, respectively. Compared with the non-plug group, better mean UDVA was seen in the plug group 7 days after surgery (non-plug group, 0.02±0.17; plug group, −0.06±0.13;
P
<.0001). Incidence of haze after LASEK was higher in the non-plug group (7.4%) compared with the plug group (1.6%) (
P
=.014).

CONCLUSIONS:
Preoperative punctal plug treatment prior to LASEK promoted corneal epithelial wound healing and was associated with better visual acuity in the early postoperative period.
Long-term Results after Total Thyroidectomy in Patients with Graves' Disease in Uzbekistan: Retrospective Study
Authors: Ismailov Said I , Alimjanov Nusrat A , Babakhanov Bakhodir Kh , Rashitov Murod M , Akbutaev Alisher M 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACT
Subtotal thyroidectomy has been advocated as the standard treatment for Graves' disease (GD) because of the assumed lower risk of complications compared with total thyroidectomy, and also it provides the chance to avoid thyroxin therapy. The present study aims to examine our institutional experience with total thyroidectomy for GD. Patients were divided into two surgical treatment groups: Total thyroidectomy (TT) (n = 97) and total thyroidectomy with intraoperative thyroid autotransplantation (TTITA) (n = 74). TTITA performed in 74 patients. 0.5 to 2 gm of thyroid tissue was cut into small pieces and autotransplanted into the forearm muscle of the patient. Postoperative complications included eight cases of RLN palsy, two patients had nerve paralysis, two patients underwent tracheostomy, transient hypoparathyroidism in 25 patients, permanent hypoparathyroidism in two cases, wound hemorrhage in two patients. TPOAb levels were increased in 9% of patients with TT whereas in patients with TTITA TPOAb concentrations were elevated in 65% of patients at 3 months follow-up. TRAb in patients with TT were not detected while 20% patients undergone TTITA had high TRAb levels and 13.3% had terminal concentrations at 3 months follow-up. Serum TPOAb and TRAb were detected in none of the patients who underwent TT and TTITA at 1, 3 and 5 years follow-up. Removal of all thyroid tissue offers the best chance of preventing recurrent hyperthyroidism and we saw no increase in postoperative complications in the TT group. We feel that TT is safe and superior for achieving the goal of treatment of Graves' disease.
Exact solution of the ion‐laser interaction in all regimes
Authors: Zúñiga‐Segundo A. , Juárez‐Amaro R. , Vargas‐Martínez J.M. , Moya‐Cessa H. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractWe show that in the trapped ion‐laser interaction all the regimes may be considered analytically. We may solve not only for different laser intensities, but also away from resonance and from the Lamb‐Dicke regime. It is found a dispersive Hamiltonian for the high intensity regime, that, being diagonal, its evolution operator may be easily calculated.
Frame‐based adaptive uplink scheduling algorithm in orthogonal frequency division multiple access‐based Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access networks
Authors: Hwang Bor‐Jiunn , Hwang I‐Shyan , Huang Chih‐Wei 
Published: August 2011

SUMMARYBecause the orthogonal frequency division multiple access physical resource available for scheduling in Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access networks is frame by frame, an uplink scheduler located at the base station must efficiently allocate available resources to the subscriber stations in response to constant or bursty data traffic on a per‐frame basis. Available resources for real‐time and nonreal‐time traffics, called frame‐based adaptive bandwidth allocation and minimum guarantee and weight‐based bandwidth allocation, respectively, are proposed in this paper. Moreover, both short‐term and long‐term bandwidth predictions for traffic are incorporated so that the long‐term bandwidth prediction can have sustainable throughput requirement, and the short‐term bandwidth prediction can meet the objectives of low delay and jitter. For the scenarios studied, it shows that system performance of the proposed algorithm is better than the hybrid (earliest deadline first + weighted fair queuing + FIFO) algorithm in terms of packet delay, jitter, throughput, and fairness. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The pharmacology of bisphosphonates and new insights into their mechanisms of action
Authors: Russell R. Graham G. , Rogers Michael J. , Frith Julie C. , Luckman Steven P. , Coxon Fraser P. , Benford Helena L. , Croucher Peter I. , Shipman Claire , Fleisch Herbert A. 
Published: August 2011

Abstract
Bisphosphonates are chemically stable analogs of inorganic pyrophosphate, which are resistant to breakdown by enzymatic hydrolysis. The biological effects of bisphosphonates on calcium metabolism were originally ascribed to their physico-chemical effects on hydroxyapatite crystals. Although such effects may contribute to their overall action, their effects on cells are probably of greater importance, particularly for the more potent compounds. Remarkable progress has been made in increasing the potency of bisphosphonates as inhibitors of bone resorption, and the most potent compounds in current use are characterized by the presence of a nitrogen atom at critical positions in the side chain which, together with the bisphosphonate moiety itself, seems to be essential for maximal activity. As a class the bisphosphonates offer a very effective means of treating Paget's disease.
Metoprolol abatement from wastewaters by electrochemical oxidation with boron doped diamond anodes
Authors: Martín de Vidales María J. , Sáez Cristina , Cañizares Pablo , Rodrigo Manuel A. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractBACKGROUND: Metoprolol is a beta‐blocker that can be found in urban wastewaters and which is not removed efficiently by conventional wastewater treatments. In this work, the removal of this pollutant by conductive diamond electrochemical oxidation (CDEO) is studied.RESULTS: CDEO is able to degrade Metoprolol tartrate down to the 10 ppb level (detection limit of the technique used) with a current charge requirement that increases with increase in the initial concentration of pollutant, although it is many times greater than the stoichiometric current charge required. CDEO also removed very efficiently the reaction intermediates. In terms of TOC the depletion follows a first‐order kinetic, but the kinetic constant of Metoprolol decreases with concentration. NaCl increases significantly Metoprolol degradation rate, but it barely affects the TOC removal rate.CONCLUSIONS: CDEO can be used to remove Metoprolol from wastewaters, independently of the initial concentration of compound. Several reaction intermediates are formed during the electrolyses although their concentrations are very low and negligible compared with that of Metoprolol. The removal rate (in terms of TOC) does not depend on the nature of the electrolyte used. The process is under mass transfer control for the complete range of concentrations studied. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Poly(lactic acid)/Phormium tenax composites: Morphology and thermo‐mechanical behavior
Authors: De Rosa I.M. , Iannoni A. , Kenny J.M. , Puglia D. , Santulli C. , Sarasini F. , Terenzi A. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractComposites of Phormium tenax fibers in a poly(lactic acid) matrix with fiber content of up to 40 wt%, produced by injection molding and twin screw compounding, were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and mechanical tests (static and dynamic). Thermal analysis showed that cold‐crystallization peak shifted to lower temperatures with increasing fiber content, confirming that the addition of Phormium fiber has the effect of promoting crystallinity. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) results showed that the addition of Phormium fiber did not affect significantly the Tg of the polymer and the area under the tan δ decreased with the addition of Phormium fiber. Tensile modulus has been consistently increased by reinforcing the composite with growing amounts of fibers, whilst the effect on tensile strength is less evident. SEM micrographs of fracture surfaces allowed highlighting failure modes of the composites, which included a diffuse presence of fiber pull‐out and debonding. POLYM. COMPOS., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers
On the shape of a set of points and lines in the plane
Authors: van Kreveld M. , van Lankveld T. , Veltkamp R. C. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractDetailed geometric models of the real world are in increasing demand. LiDAR data is appropriate to reconstruct urban models. In urban scenes, the individual surfaces can be reconstructed and connected to form the scene geometry. There are various methods for reconstructing the free‐form shape of a point sample on a single surface. However, these methods do not take the context of the surface into account. We present the guided α‐shape: an extension of the well known α‐shape that uses lines (guides) to indicate preferred locations for the boundary of the shape. The guided α‐shape uses (parts of) these lines as boundary where the points suggest that this is appropriate. We prove that the guided α‐shape can be constructed in O((n + m) log (n + m)) time, from an input of n points and m guides. We apply guided α‐shapes to urban reconstruction from LiDAR, where neighboring surfaces can be connected conveniently along their intersection lines into adjacent surfaces of a 3D model. We analyze guided α‐shapes of both synthetic and real data and show they are consistently better than α‐shapes for this application.