bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
VEGF attenuates development from cardiac hypertrophy to heart failure after aortic stenosis through mitochondrial mediated apoptosis and cardiomyocyte proliferation
Authors: Xu Xiao H , Xu Jing , Xue Lei , Cao Hai L , Liu Xiang , Chen Yi J 
Published: April 2011

Abstract

Background
Aortic stenosis (AS) affects 3 percent of persons older than 65 years and leads to greater morbidity and mortality than other cardiac valve diseases. Surgery with aortic valve replacement (AVR) for severe symptomatic AS is currently the only treatment option. Unfortunately, in patients with poor ventricular function, the mortality and long-term outcome is unsatisfied, and only a minority of these patients could bear surgery. Our previous studies demonstrated that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protects cardiac function in myocardial infarction model through classic VEGF-PI3k-Akt and unclear mitochondrial anti-apoptosis pathways; promoting cardiomyocyte (CM) proliferation as well. The present study was designed to test whether pre-operative treatment with VEGF improves AS-induced cardiac dysfunction, to be better suitable for AVR, and its potential mechanism.

Methods
Adult male mice were subjected to AS or sham operation. Two weeks later, adenoviral VEGF (Ad-VEGF), enhanced green fluorescence protein (Ad-EGFP, as a parallel control) or saline was injected into left ventricle free wall. Two weeks after delivery, all mice were measured by echocardiography and harvested for further detection.

Results
AS for four weeks caused cardiac hypertrophy and left ventricular dysfunction. VEGF treatment increased capillary density, protected mitochondrial function, reduced CMs apoptosis, promoted CMs proliferation and eventually preserved cardiac function.

Conclusions
Our findings indicate that VEGF could repair AS-induced transition from compensatory cardiac hypertrophy to heart failure.
Hierarchies in eukaryotic genome organization: Insights from polymer theory and simulations
Authors: Iyer Balaji VS , Kenward Martin , Arya Gaurav 
Published: April 2011

AbstractEukaryotic genomes possess an elaborate and dynamic higher-order structure within the limiting confines of the cell nucleus. Knowledge of the physical principles and the molecular machinery that govern the 3D organization of this structure and its regulation are key to understanding the relationship between genome structure and function. Elegant microscopy and chromosome conformation capture techniques supported by analysis based on polymer models are important steps in this direction. Here, we review results from these efforts and provide some additional insights that elucidate the relationship between structure and function at different hierarchical levels of genome organization.
High-dose tranexamic acid reduces blood loss in postpartum haemorrhage
Authors: Ducloy-Bouthors Anne-Sophie , Jude Brigitte , Duhamel Alain , Broisin Françoise , Huissoud Cyril , Keita-Meyer Hawa , Mandelbrot Laurent , Tillouche Nadia , Fontaine Sylvie , Le Goueff Françoise , Depret-Mosser Sandrine , Vallet Benoit ,   The EXADELI Study Group, Susen Sophie 
Published: April 2011

Abstract
Introduction
Our purpose in conducting this study was to determine whether administration of high-dose tranexamic acid (TA) at the time of diagnosis of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) could reduce blood loss.

Methods
This was a randomised, controlled, multicentred, open-label trial. Women with PPH >800 mL following vaginal delivery were randomly assigned to receive TA (loading dose 4 g over 1 hour, then infusion of 1 g/hour over 6 hours) or not. In both groups, packed red blood cells (PRBCs) and colloids could be used according to French guidelines. The use of additional procoagulant treatments was permitted only in cases involving intractable bleeding. The primary objective was to assess the efficacy of TA in the reduction of blood loss in women with PPH, and the secondary objectives were the effect of TA on PPH duration, anaemia, transfusion and the need for invasive procedures.

Results
A total of 144 women fully completed the protocol (72 in each group). Blood loss between enrolment and 6 hours later was significantly lower in the TA group than in the control group (median, 173 mL; first to third quartiles, 59 to 377) than in controls (221 mL; first to third quartiles 105 to 564) (P = 0.041). In the TA group, bleeding duration was shorter and progression to severe PPH and PRBC transfusion was less frequent than in controls (P < 0.03). Invasive procedures were performed in four women in the TA group and in seven controls (P = NS). PPH stopped after only uterotonics and PRBC transfusion in 93% of women in the TA group versus 79% of controls (P = 0.016). Mild, transient adverse manifestations occurred more often in the TA group than in the control group (P = 0.03).

Conclusions
This study is the first to demonstrate that high-dose TA can reduce blood loss and maternal morbidity in women with PPH. Although the study was not adequately powered to address safety issues, the observed side effects were mild and transient. A larger international study is needed to investigate whether TA can decrease the need for invasive procedures and reduce maternal morbidity in women with PPH.

Trial registration
Controlled Trials ISRCTN09968140.
Comparison of depressive episodes in bipolar disorder and in major depressive disorder within bipolar disorder pedigrees
Authors: Mitchell Philip B. , Frankland Andrew , Hadzi-Pavlovic Dusan , Roberts Gloria , Corry Justine , Wright Adam , Loo Colleen K. , Breakspear Michael 
Published: April 2011

BackgroundAlthough genetic epidemiological studies have confirmed increased rates of major depressive disorder among the relatives of people with bipolar affective disorder, no report has compared the clinical characteristics of depression between these two groups.AimsTo compare clinical features of depressive episodes across participants with major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder from within bipolar disorder pedigrees, and assess the utility of a recently proposed probabilistic approach to distinguishing bipolar from unipolar depression. A secondary aim was to identify subgroups within the relatives with major depression potentially indicative of ‘genetic’ and ‘sporadic’ subgroups.MethodPatients with bipolar disorder types 1 and 2 (n = 246) and patients with major depressive disorder from bipolar pedigrees (n = 120) were assessed using the Diagnostic Interview for Genetic Studies. Logistic regression was used to identify distinguishing clinical features and assess the utility of the probabilistic approach. Hierarchical cluster analysis was used to identify subgroups within the major depressive disorder sample.ResultsBipolar depression was characterised by significantly higher rates of psychomotor retardation, difficulty thinking, early morning awakening, morning worsening and psychotic features. Depending on the threshold employed, the probabilistic approach yielded a positive predictive value ranging from 74% to 82%. Two clusters within the major depressive disorder sample were found, one of which demonstrated features characteristic of bipolar depression, suggesting a possible ‘genetic’ subgroup.ConclusionsA number of previously identified clinical differences between unipolar and bipolar depression were confirmed among participants from within bipolar disorder pedigrees. Preliminary validation of the probabilistic approach in differentiating between unipolar and bipolar depression is consistent with dimensional distinctions between the two disorders and offers clinical utility in identifying patients who may warrant further assessment for bipolarity. The major depressive disorder clusters potentially reflect genetic and sporadic subgroups which, if replicated independently, might enable an improved phenotypic definition of underlying bipolarity in genetic analyses.
Fracture in long bones stabilised by telescopic intramedullary rods in patients with osteogenesis imperfecta
Authors: Cho T.-J. , Kim J.-B. , Lee J. W. , Lee K. , Park M. S. , Yoo W. J. , Chung C. Y. , Choi I. H. 
Published: April 2011

We investigated the fracture-free survival of long bones stabilised by a telescopic intramedullary rod (TIMR) in patients with osteogenesis imperfecta with respect to the remodelling status of fracture or osteotomy sites and TIMR regions, in order to identify risk factors for fracture. A total of 44 femora and 28 tibiae in 25 patients with a mean age of 5.0 years (1.9 to 10.5) at presentation were studied. There were six patients with Sillence type I, five with type III, 13 with type IV and one with type V osteogenesis imperfecta. All received bisphosphonate treatment at the same stage during the mean follow-up of 7.3 years (0.5 to 18.1). The fracture-free survival was estimated at 6.2 years (95% confidence interval 5.1 to 7.3) by Kaplan-Meier analysis. More than half the fracture or osteotomy sites remained in a less-remodelled state at the latest follow-up or time of fracture. Of the 33 fractures, 29 (87.9%) occurred in long bones containing a less-remodelled site, and these fractures were located at this site. The relative fracture risk at the rod tip was significantly greater than in any other TIMR region (p < 0.001), and this was higher in bone segments having a less-remodelled site. This study shows a persistent fracture risk in TIMR-stabilised long bones, especially at less-remodelled fracture or osteotomy sites and at the rod tip.
Bessere Infrastrukturen für die geistes- und sozialwissenschaftliche Forschung. Der Wissenschaftsrat zieht Bilanz und fordert mehr Aufbauarbeit
Authors: Hohoff Ulrich 
Published: April 2011

Zusammenfassung
Der Beitrag diskutiert ein umfangreiches Gutachten des Wissenschaftsrates von 2011, das vorschlägt, für die geistes- und sozialwissenschaftliche Forschung in Deutschland neue Infrastrukturen aufzubauen. Es beschreibt vier Typen von Forschungsinfrastrukturen als Teil des Wissenschaftssystems, darunter die wissenschaftlichen Bibliotheken als Teil von Informationsinfrastrukturen. Dabei gelten Bibliotheken als Grundversorgung der Forschung. Beim Aufbau der neuen Strukturen sollen die wissenschaftlichen Fachgesellschaften Verantwortung übernehmen. Eine einheitliche Förderstrategie soll die Vielzahl der Förderprogramme ablösen. Für die Bibliotheksarbeit empfiehlt der Wissenschaftsrat, durch ein neues nationales Förderprogramm den Zugang zu Forschungsprimärdaten, zu digitalen Beständen und zu Digitalisaten von urheberrechtsfreien Drucken rasch voranzutreiben.
Simulation of Vacancy Cluster Formation and Binding Energies in Single Crystal Germanium
Authors: Spiewak Piotr , Kurzydlowski Krzysztof Jan , Vanhellemont Jan , Wabinski Piotr , Mlynarczyk Krzysztof , Romandic Igor 
Published: April 2011

AbstractResults are presented of the simulation of the properties of vacancy clusters in single crystal germanium. Classical molecular dynamics calculations based on a Stillinger and Weber potential were used in a theoretical investigation of different growth patterns of vacancy clusters Vi. The formation and binding energies of vacancy clusters have been studied in the range 1 ≤ i ≤ 35. The energetically favourable growth mode and an estimate of the effective surface energy was determined for a vacancy clusters containing up to 35 vacancies
Eluding Metal Contamination in CMOS Front-End Fabrication by Nanocrystal Formation Process
Authors: Liu Zengtao , Lee Chungho , Pei Gen , Narayanan Venkat , Kan Edwin C. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractA technique to form metal nanocrystals on silicon or thin SiO2 film by Rapid Thermal Annealing (RTA) of thin metal film is developed and integrated into standard CMOS processing to make EEPROM devices and improve metal-semiconductor contact resistance. I-V and C-V measurements are carried out on MOSFETs and MOS capacitors containing Au, Ag, Pt, and Si nanocrystals as floating gate for universal mobility and minority carrier lifetime extraction. Mobility around 300 cm2/V-sec and minority carrier lifetime within 0.02 ∼ 0.1 μsec are observed for all cases including the control samples that do not go through the metal nanocrystal formation process, which suggests that the substrate is virtually free from metal contamination. Using this technique, thicker metal film can potentially be achieved as well by stitching thin metal layers on top of the nanocrystals.
Investigation and remediation of a storm-damaged Pacific port
Authors: Wallis Richard , Sandeford Paul 
Published: April 2011

A new open cut mine was to be established in the Philippines in 2006, and an integral part of this operation was an onshore revetment and outloading wharf. Owing to the limited mine life of only 7 years, risks were accepted by the designers and the owners by designing for a lower return-period typhoon event, resulting in a code-compliant but reduced robustness revetment structure being installed. Not long after completion of the revetment and outloading wharf, two typhoons passed close by the site. The second one, in December 2006, was a ‘super typhoon’, causing extensive damage to the site as well as in many other areas. A site visit was arranged for the authors in late December 2006 to assess the damage and propose rectification and strengthening measures. It is important in designing structures for a limited design life that the risks associated with reducing the design return periods are recognised as being very real and the concept may lead to false economy. In this case, a little more expenditure in the construction of the revetment may have limited the damage from the typhoon to only minor, and saved considerably more in rebuilding costs.
Removing Sand from Putting Green Clipping Samples Substantially Reduces Clipping Weight Measurement Error
Authors: Kreuser William C. , Fish Matthew P. , Soldat Douglas J. , Bauer Sam 
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACTAccurate determination of turfgrass yield via clipping harvest can be problematic on closely mowed research putting greens because sand often contaminates samples. Scientists reporting putting green clipping yields rarely mention if or how sand was removed from clippings. The two objectives were: (i) evaluate the efficacy of three clipping cleaning methods (water decantation, forced air, and a vibrating pan method) and (ii) evaluate the effect of sand contamination on field data variability. All three clipping cleaning methods effectively removed coarse sand from the sample while only the vibrating pan method effectively removed the fine sand fraction. Turf clippings were collected from four different research putting greens, dried, weighed, cleaned, and reweighed to calculate percent sand and treatment variability. Debris mass ranged from 0.01 to 0.92 kg kg−1 (0.001–0.535 cm3 cm−3) and averaged 0.26 kg kg−1 sand with a standard deviation of 0.18 kg kg−1 Cleaning clippings reduced the standard deviation and coefficient of variation of all treatments (n = 104) by 0.92 g m−2 and 15%, respectively. Sand debris varied spatially across each green regardless of sand topdressing. Sand debris in golf putting green clipping samples constitutes a large enough percentage of total mass to justify its removal.
Glycemic Control, Complications, and Death in Older Diabetic Patients
Authors: Huang Elbert S. , Liu Jennifer Y. , Moffet Howard H. , John Priya M. , Karter Andrew J. 
Published: April 2011

OBJECTIVE
To identify the range of glycemic levels associated with the lowest rates of complications and mortality in older diabetic patients.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
We conducted a retrospective cohort study (2004–2008) of 71,092 patients with type 2 diabetes, aged ≥60 years, enrolled in Kaiser Permanente Northern California. We specified Cox proportional hazards models to evaluate the relationships between baseline glycated hemoglobin (A1C) and subsequent outcomes (nonfatal complications [acute metabolic, microvascular, and cardiovascular events] and mortality).

RESULTS
The cohort (aged 71.0 ± 7.4 years [means ± SD]) had a mean A1C of 7.0 ± 1.2%. The risk of any nonfatal complication rose monotonically for levels of A1C &gt;6.0% (e.g., adjusted hazard ratio 1.09 [95% CI 1.02–1.16] for A1C 6.0–6.9% and 1.86 [1.63–2.13] for A1C ≥11.0%). Mortality had a U-shaped relationship with A1C. Compared with the risk with A1C &lt;6.0%, mortality risk was lower for A1C levels between 6.0 and 9.0% (e.g., 0.83 [0.76–0.90] for A1C 7.0–7.9%) and higher at A1C ≥11.0% (1.31 [1.09–1.57]). Risk of any end point (complication or death) became significantly higher at A1C ≥8.0%. Patterns generally were consistent across age-groups (60–69, 70–79, and ≥80 years).

CONCLUSIONS
Observed relationships between A1C and combined end points support setting a target of A1C &lt;8.0% for older patients, with the caution that A1Cs &lt;6.0% were associated with increased mortality risk. Additional research is needed to evaluate the low A1C–mortality relationship, as well as protocols for individualizing diabetes care.
Thyroid hormonal axis regulates protein C anticoagulation pathway in rats
Authors: Negrev Negrin , Nyagolov Yuri , Stefanova Margarita , Stancheva Emiliya 
Published: April 2011

Abstract
Effects of the hormones of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis on some basic parameters of the activity of protein C anticoagulation pathway in rats are studied. Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (0.06 mg/kg body mass), thyrotropin (1 IU/kg), triiodothyronine (T3) (0.08 mg/kg), thyroxine (T4) (0.08 mg/kg), administered subcutaneously for three consecutive days on four different groups of rats increased significantly activated protein C, free protein S and protein S activity, and reduced the soluble endothelial protein C receptor. Protein C antigen and total protein S were significantly elevated only by thyrotropin-releasing hormone and thyroid-stimulating hormone, but they were not affected by T3 and T4 treatment. The data indicate the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis is involved in the regulation of the protein C anticoagulation pathway in rats by activation of this system, suggesting a tendency of hypocoagulability.
Investigation of temperature characteristics of modern InAsP/InGaAsP multi-quantum-well TJ-VCSELs for optical fibre communication
Authors: Piskorski Ł. , Sarzała R. , Nakwaski W. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractContinuous-wave (CW) performance of modern 1.3-μm InAsP/InGaAsP multi-quantum-well (MQW) tunnel-junction vertical-cavity surface-emitting diode lasers (TJ-VCSELs) is investigated using our comprehensive self-consistent simulation model to suggest their optimal design for room and elevated temperatures. For increasing ambient temperatures, an increase in the VCSEL threshold current has happened to be mostly associated with the Auger recombination. Nevertheless, the InAsP/InGaAsP VCSELs have been found to exhibit encouraging thermal behaviour with the quite high value of maximal operating temperature of 350 K. It has been found that 5-μm devices seem to be the most optimal ones because they demonstrate both the room temperature (RT) threshold current equal to only 0.55 mA and maximum operating temperature equal to as much as 345 K. For these devices, the characteristic temperature T0 is equal to 92 K for 290–305 K, 51 K for 310–325 K and 29 K for 330–345 K. Therefore, the InAsP/InGaAsP VCSELs have been found to offer very promising performance both at room and elevated temperatures as sources of the carrier 1.3-μm wave in the fibre optical communication using silica fibres.
Le talent des leaders syndicaux
Authors: Beaujolin-Bellet Rachel , Grima François 
Published: April 2011

Résumé Si les pratiques de suppressions d’emploi, prenant par exemple la forme de « plans de sauvegarde des emplois » se diffusent, leur mise en œuvre rencontre néanmoins des freins, leur annonce suscitant l’organisation d’actions de résistance par les salariés et leurs représentants. Les conflits d’opposition aux projets de restructurations accompagnées de suppressions d’emploi sont dans bien des cas très intenses. Dans ces contextes, et à l’appui notamment des travaux de Zoller et Fairhurst (2007) sur le « leadership de la résistance », nous considérons que les formes de résistance déployées à l’occasion de l’annonce de plans sociaux relèvent certes de formes collectives et ouvertes, mais reposent aussi sur des actions individuelles et cachées, qui viennent la soutenir et l’alimenter. A partir de l’analyse de contenu de 35 récits de vie menés auprès de leaders syndicaux ayant conduit des actions de résistance contre des plans sociaux, nous nous interrogeons sur le travail de leadership dans ces actions de résistance contre un plan social : Quels sont les enjeux et les dilemmes auxquels ces leaders sont confrontés ? Quelles natures de relations d’influence exercent-ils ? Quelles actions organisent-ils et comment les organisent-ils ? Pour cela, nous adoptons une approche du travail de leadership comme activité organisante (Hosking, 1991). La recherche met à jour une forte d’intensité d’interactions avec des acteurs internes et externes à l’organisation, et un travail du leader qui peut être caractérisé de distribué et en réseau.
IL-23 Receptor Regulation by Let-7f in Human CD4+ Memory T Cells
Authors: Li Zhaoxia , Wu Feng , Brant Steven R. , Kwon John H. 
Published: April 2011

Abstract
CD4+ memory T cells include the Th17 cell population, which has been shown to be implicated in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. These memory T cells express higher IL-23R and produce more IL-17 compared with their naive counterparts. However, the molecular mechanisms that regulate IL-23R expression in human T cells are not completely understood. MicroRNAs play important roles in a wide range of biological events through posttranscriptional suppression of target mRNAs. In this article, we provide evidence that a specific microRNA, Let-7f, inhibits IL-23R expression in human CD4+ memory T cells. Endogenous expression of Let-7f in memory T cells is significantly lower when compared with naive T cells, and Let-7f blocks IL-23R expression through its complementary target sequence within 3′ untranslated region of target gene. Furthermore, exogenous transfection of a Let-7f mimic into memory T cells results in downregulation of IL-23R and its downstream cytokine, IL-17. Our findings reveal a novel mechanism in regulating the IL-23/IL-23R pathway and subsequent downstream IL-17 production, which may provide novel therapeutics for human inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.