bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exhaustion of Cytotoxic Effector Systems May Limit Monoclonal Antibody-Based Immunotherapy in Cancer Patients
Authors: Beurskens Frank J. , Lindorfer Margaret A. , Farooqui Mohammed , Beum Paul V. , Engelberts Patrick , Mackus Wendy J. M. , Parren Paul W. H. I. , Wiestner Adrian , Taylor Ronald P. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThe CD20 mAb ofatumumab (OFA) induces complement-mediated lysis of B cells. In an investigator-initiated phase II trial of OFA plus chemotherapy for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), OFA treatment promoted partial CLL B cell depletion that coincided with reduced complement titers. Remaining CLL B cells circulated with bound OFA and covalently bound complement breakdown product C3d, indicative of ongoing complement activation. Presumably, neither complement- nor effector cell-based mechanisms were sufficiently robust to clear these remaining B cells. Instead, almost all of the bound OFA and CD20 was removed from the cells, in accordance with previous clinical studies that demonstrated comparable loss of CD20 from B cells after treatment of CLL patients with rituximab. In vitro experiments with OFA and rituximab addressing these observations suggest that host effector mechanisms that support mAb-mediated lysis and tumor cell clearance are finite, and they can be saturated or exhausted at high B cell burdens, particularly at high mAb concentrations. Interestingly, only a fraction of available complement was required to kill cells with CD20 mAbs, and killing could be tuned by titrating the mAb concentration. Consequently, maximal B cell killing of an initial and secondary B cell challenge was achieved with intermediate mAb concentrations, whereas high concentrations promoted lower overall killing. Therefore, mAb therapies that rely substantially on effector mechanisms subject to exhaustion, including complement, may benefit from lower, more frequent dosing schemes optimized to sustain and maximize killing by cytotoxic immune effector systems.
Effect of cardiopulmonary bypass on tissue injury markers and endothelial activation during coronary artery bypass graft surgery
Authors: Nair S , Iqbal K , Phadke M , Jadhav UE , Khandekar J , Khandeparkar JMS 
Published: February 2012

Background:
Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is done either using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) or without using CPB (OPCAB). But, recently, reports have shown that CPB is associated with increased postoperative morbidity because of the involvement of many systems.

Aims:
The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the influence of the technique of surgery on various tissue injury markers and the extent of endothelial activation in patients undergoing CABG and OPCAB coronary revascularization.

Settings and Design:
This study was conducted at a tertiary healthcare center during the period May 2008 to December 2009.

Materials and Methods:
This was a prospective nonrandomized blinded study. The activities of Creatine Phosphokinase (CK) and its isoenzyme CK-MB, Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), levels of cardiac Troponin I, soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-I) and systemic nitric oxide production were assessed.

Statistical analysis:
All the results were expressed as Mean±SD. P value ≤0.05 was considered significant. The statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS Version 11.5-computer software (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA).

Results:
The surgical trauma had elevated CK, CK-MB and Troponin I in both the groups and further elevation was seen in the CABG group in comparison to OPCAB (P<0.001). The Troponin I concentrations showed an increase from 0.11±0.02 preoperatively to 6.59±0.59 (ng/ml) at 24 h (P<0.001) compared to the OPCAB group. Mean serum levels of sVCAM-1 increased significantly after surgery in both the groups (P<0.02). To determine serum nitric oxide (NO) production, NO2− and NO3− (stable end products of NO oxidation) were analyzed which also increased significantly at 24 h in both the groups. But the increase was not significant at 48 h in both the groups compared to the preoperative value in our study.

Conclusion:
The present study indicates that, despite comparable surgical trauma, the OPCAB significantly reduces tissue injury. The overall pattern of endothelial activation after OPCAB is significantly lower than that after CABG. This may contribute to improved organ function, and improved postoperative recovery.
Inducible Prrxl1‐CreERT2 recombination activity in the somatosensory afferent pathway
Authors: Hu Ze‐Lan , Huang Ying , Tao Xiao‐Rong , Qi Zheng‐Han , Chen Jia‐Yin , Ding Yu‐Qiang 
Published: February 2012

AbstractPrrxl1‐CreERT2 transgenic mice expressing tamoxifen‐inducible Cre recombinase were generated by modifying a Prrxl1‐containing BAC clone. Cre recombination activity was examined in Prrxl1‐CreERT2; Rosa26 reporter mice at various embryonic and postnatal stages. Pregnant mice were treated with a single dose of tamoxifen at embryonic day (E) 9.5 or E12.5, and X‐gal staining was performed 2 days later. Strong X‐gal staining was observed in the somatosensory ganglia (e.g., dorsal root and trigeminal ganglia) and the first central sites for processing somatosensory information (e.g., spinal dorsal horn and trigeminal nerve‐associated nuclei). When tamoxifen was administered at postnatal day (P) 20 or in adulthood (P120), strong Cre recombination activity was present in the primary somatosensory ganglia, while weak Cre recombination activity was found in the spinal dorsal horn, mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus, principal sensory trigeminal nucleus, and spinal trigeminal nucleus. This mouse line provides a useful tool for exploring genes' functions in the somatosensory system in a time‐controlled way. genesis 50:552–560, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Characterization of cerium oxide nanoparticles—Part 1: Size measurements
Authors: Baalousha Mohammed , Ju-Nam Yon , Cole Paula A. , Gaiser Birgit , Fernandes Teresa F. , Hriljac Joseph A. , Jepson Mark A. , Stone Vicki , Tyler Charles R. , Lead Jamie R. 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
The present study gives an overview of some of the major aspects for consideration in the characterization of nanomaterials (NMs). Part 1 focuses on the measurement of particle size and size-related parameters using several analytical techniques such as transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, dynamic light scattering, X-ray diffraction, and Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller surface area measurements as applied to commercially available cerium oxide nanoparticles (NPs) and microparticles (MPs). Part 2 (see companion paper) considers nonsize-related characterization and analysis. The results are discussed in relation to the nature of the sample and preparation, and the analytical principles, limitations, and advantages of each technique. Accurate information on the particle size of the different fractions of a sample can be obtained by using a combination of different types of microscopy, spectroscopy, separation, and other techniques; this should inform ecotoxicological and environmental studies. The good agreement between the measured primary particle size of the NPs (∼15 nm) by atomic force microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller suggests that the primary particles are formed of semispherical single crystals. For MPs, all measurements agree that they are large particles in the range above the NPs (100 nm), with some difference between the measured sizes, possibly as a result of polydispersity effects. Additionally, our findings suggest that atomic force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy prepared by centrifugation methods provide consistent data at low concentrations when dynamic light scattering fails. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2012; 31: 983–993. © 2012 SETAC
Coupling solid‐phase microextraction and laser desorption ionization for rapid identification of biological material
Authors: Perera Sirantha , Berthod Alain , Dodbiba Edra , Armstrong Daniel W. 
Published: February 2012

RATIONALESolid phase microextraction (SPME) use small fibers directly plunged in the solution under investigation to quickly extract and quantify by different techniques the amount of selected dissolved compounds.METHODSBiological materials, peptides or proteins are accurately identified by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI‐MS). They are difficult to extract by SPME. This work looks for a chemical to be deposited onto fibers and able to act as a good SPME extractant as well as efficient matrix for MALDI detection.RESULTS3‐Hydroxy‐2‐naphthoic acid (HNA) and 2‐hydroxy‐1‐(2‐hydroxy‐4‐sulfo‐1‐naphthylazo)‐3‐naphthoic acid (HHSNNA) were compared to two classical matrices: α‐cyano‐4‐hydroxycinnamic acid (CHCA) and 2,5‐dihydrobenzoic acid (DHB). Bound to silica particles, DHB and HNA were found to be good MALDI matrices. Only the wide pore particles gave observable spectra. These particles were then attached in a thin layer onto wires to be used as fiber tips in SPME. Fibers loaded with peptides were introduced into the mass spectrometer to record fiber laser desorption ionization (FILDI) spectra.CONCLUSIONSSPME‐FILDI experiments could quickly identify peptides and proteins in solutions. More work is needed to find the best matrix and the way to fix it onto the fiber. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Vacuum electrospray of volatile liquids assisted by infrared laser irradiation
Authors: Ninomiya Satoshi , Chen Lee Chuin , Suzuki Hiroaki , Sakai Yuji , Hiraoka Kenzo 
Published: February 2012

RATIONALECurrent large cluster sources such as C60 or argon utilize gas‐phase sources which are of low‐brightness and cannot be focused efficiently to better than 1 micron diameter spot size. The development of a high‐brightness large cluster ion source is of critical importance to achieve high resolution in secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) imaging of organics.METHODSWe propose a new high‐brightness large cluster ion source, and a technique for producing a stable electrospray of volatile liquids under vacuum. It is known that vacuum electrospray of volatile liquids such as water is extremely difficult because of freezing of the liquids introduced in vacuum by evaporative cooling. To avoid freezing, the tip of the electrospray emitter was irradiated by a continuous wave infrared laser.RESULTSWithout continuous laser irradiation the vacuum electrospray of a water/methanol solution was unstable with respect to the shapes of the Taylor cone and current, whereas continuous laser irradiation produced a stable electrospray of water. The typical modes of electrospray were clearly observed with an optical microscope even under vacuum conditions. A stable vacuum electrospray could be achieved by improving the vacuum pressure to suppress electric discharge and by using the laser to maintain the liquid state.CONCLUSIONSThis is the first description of the production of a stable vacuum electrospray of volatile liquids such as water. This vacuum electrospray technique can be expected to produce a novel high‐brightness large cluster ion beam source. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lactobacillus casei combats acid stress by maintaining cell membrane functionality
Authors: Wu Chongde , Zhang Juan , Wang Miao , Du Guocheng , Chen Jian 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
Lactobacillus casei strains have traditionally been recognized as probiotics and frequently used as adjunct culture in fermented dairy products where lactic acid stress is a frequently encountered environmental condition. We have investigated the effect of lactic acid stress on the cell membrane of L. casei Zhang [wild type (WT)] and its acid-resistant mutant Lbz-2. Both strains were grown under glucose-limiting conditions in chemostats; following challenge by low pH, the cell membrane stress responses were investigated. In response to acid stress, cell membrane fluidity decreased and its fatty acid composition changed to reduce the damage caused by lactic acid. Compared with the WT, the acid-resistant mutant exhibited numerous survival advantages, such as higher membrane fluidity, higher proportions of unsaturated fatty acids, and higher mean chain length. In addition, cell integrity analysis showed that the mutant maintained a more intact cellular structure and lower membrane permeability after environmental acidification. These results indicate that alteration in membrane fluidity, fatty acid distribution, and cell integrity are common mechanisms utilized by L. casei to withstand severe acidification and to reduce the deleterious effect of lactic acid on the cell membrane. This detailed comparison of cell membrane responses between the WT and mutant add to our knowledge of the acid stress adaptation and thus enable new strategies to be developed aimed at improving the industrial performance of this species under acid stress.
Does interspecific competition with a stronger competitor explain the rarity of an endangered snake on a Mediterranean island?
Authors: Luiselli Luca , Capula Massimo , Rugiero Lorenzo , Salvi Daniele , Akani Godfrey C. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractInterspecific competition has been demonstrated to be an important shaping force for snake communities worldwide, but relatively few studies have investigated its occurrence and extent with island assemblages of snakes. In Sardinia (Mediterranean Sea), two species of whip snakes (Colubridae) co‐occur, one of them being abundant and widespread (Hierophis viridiflavus) and the other being localized and critically endangered (Hemorrhois hippocrepis). A previous hypothesis suggested that the latter species would be confined to suboptimal habitats by the former species, which is a stronger competitor for food. As a consequence, He. hippocrepis would not only be rare but would also be smaller in body size in Sardinia than in other regions of its range where Hi. viridiflavus does not occur. In 1999–2010, we studied habitat selection, food habits, and body sizes of these two snakes in sympatric populations, applying a suite of statistical tools including null models and Monte Carlo simulations. We observed that dietary habits were different between species (compared to Hi. viridiflavus, He. hippocrepis more frequently preyed upon rodents and less frequently on lizards, and within rodent prey, more frequently upon Rattus and less frequently upon Mus), but not in a way compatible with competitively induced trophic niche partitioning. The two species were similar in terms of prey size and predator‐size–prey‐size relationships. They also differed in habitat selection (maquis was the preferred habitat for both, but Hi. viridiflavus was found significantly more often than He. hippocrepis in grasslands, cultivations, and artificial pinewoods) but again in a non‐competitively directed way. In addition, there was no evidence for the hypothesis that He. hippocrepis was confined to suboptimal habitats. Body sizes were similar between species (with males being significantly larger than females), and Sardinian He. hippocrepis were not smaller than conspecifics inhabiting regions without Hi. viridiflavus. Overall, our study showed that the two species differed in some aspects of their ecology, but these differences could not be due to competitive interactions. The conservation implications of these results are also discussed.
Tocotrienol Attenuates Triglyceride Accumulation in HepG2 Cells and F344 Rats
Authors: Burdeos Gregor Carpentero , Nakagawa Kiyotaka , Kimura Fumiko , Miyazawa Teruo 
Published: February 2012

AbstractTocotrienol (T3) is an important phytonutrient found in rice bran and palm oil. T3 has gained much interest for lipid lowering effects, especially for cholesterol (Cho) by inhibiting 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl‐coenzyme A reductase. Also, usefulness of T3 in improving triglyceride (TG) profiles has been suggested, but its efficacy and mechanism have been unclear. We investigated how T3 decreases TG concentration in cultured cells and animals. In a cell culture study, human hepatoma cells (HepG2) were incubated in a control or a fat (1 mM oleic acid)‐loaded medium containing γ‐T3 for 24 h. We found that 10–15 μM γ‐T3 inhibited cellular TG accumulation significantly, especially in the fat‐loaded medium. This manifestation was supported by mRNA and protein expressions of fatty acid synthase, carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1, and cytochrome P450 3A4. In concordance with these results, rice bran T3 supplementation to F344 rats (5 or 10 mg T3/day/rat) receiving a high fat diet for 3 weeks significantly reduced TG and the oxidative stress marker (phospholipid hydroperoxides, PLOOH) in the liver and blood plasma. T3 supplementation did not show changes in the Cho level. These results provided new information and the mechanism of the TG‐lowering effect of T3. The lipid lowering effects of dietary T3 might be mediated by the reduction of TG synthesis.
Purification of 2‐Monoacylglycerols Using Liquid CO2 Extraction
Authors: Compton David L. , Eller Fred J. , Laszlo Joseph A. , Evans Kervin O. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThe fatty acid moiety of 2‐monoacyl‐sn‐glycerol (2‐MAG) undergoes spontaneous acyl migration to the sn‐1(3) position, resulting in a thermodynamic equilibrium of approximately 1:9 of 2‐MAG to 1(3)‐monoacyl‐sn‐glycerol (1‐MAG). Spontaneous acyl migration is an impediment to synthesizing and isolating specific 2‐MAG for use as intermediates in the synthesis of structured triacylglycerols. 2‐Monooleoyl‐sn‐glycerol was synthesized by the enzymatic ethanolysis of triolein and isolated by liquid CO2 extraction. The resultant MAG, diacylglycerol, and fatty acid ethyl esters were quantified by 1H NMR and supercritical fluid chromatography. The low polarity of the CO2 and mild extraction temperature (25 °C) resulted in very low spontaneous acyl migration rates, allowing the MAG to be isolated in 80% yield and in a very high 2‐MAG:1‐MAG ratios of ≥93 mol%.
Oncologists' and Physiatrists' Attitudes Regarding Rehabilitation for Patients With Advanced Cancer
Authors: Spill Gayle R. , Hlubocky Fay J. , Daugherty Christopher K. 
Published: February 2012

ObjectiveTo determine whether differences in attitude and practice between physiatrists and oncologists exist that may be barriers to patients with advanced cancer receiving rehabilitation services.DesignA survey of medical oncologists' and rehabilitation physicians' self‐reported referral attitudes and behaviors regarding rehabilitation services for patients with advanced cancer defined as the prognosis expected to lead to death in 6‐12 months. After a prenotification letter, surveys were mailed to a systematically drawn sample. A final survey population of 591 medical oncologists and 464 rehabilitation physicians was created from prenotification and survey mailings.ParticipantsPracticing physiatrists and oncologists listed in the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and American Society of Clinical Oncology membership directories.Main Outcome MeasurementsResponses to survey questions by physiatrists and oncologists.ResultsFrom 820 surveys mailed, 395 surveys were returned, for a total response rate of 46%. When asked about how a terminal prognosis of patients with advanced cancer affects rehabilitation referral and acceptance, only 8% of medical oncologists said that they would refer a patient with advanced cancer to rehabilitation services regardless of estimated prognosis, whereas 35% of rehabilitation physicians said that they would accept a patient with advanced cancer for rehabilitation services regardless of prognosis. Approximately 70% of both medical oncologists and rehabilitation physicians thought it to be very important that patients with advanced cancer who are referred and accepted into rehabilitation services adequately understand their prognosis before beginning a rehabilitation program. However, only 39% of rehabilitation physicians, compared with 61% of medical oncologists, believed that patients with advanced cancer and in rehabilitation services adequately understood their prognosis (P = .004). As surveyed, a do not resuscitate order had no effect on a medical oncologist's willingness to refer a patient with advanced cancer to rehabilitation services and had minimal effect on a rehabilitation physician's willingness to accept a patient with advanced cancer.ConclusionMedical oncologists and rehabilitation physicians share many similar attitudes with regard to the referral and acceptance of patients with advanced cancer for rehabilitation services. However, medical oncologists see prognosis as a more significant barrier to rehabilitation services than do rehabilitation physicians. Rehabilitation physicians are more likely to believe that the patients with advanced cancer for whom they care do not adequately understand their prognosis.
The Effect of Prolonged Standing on Touch Sensitivity Threshold of the Foot: A Pilot Study
Authors: Wiggermann Neal E. , Werner Robert A. , Keyserling W. Monroe 
Published: February 2012

ObjectiveTo determine the effect of prolonged standing on touch sensitivity of the foot.DesignAn observational study with replications.SettingUniversity laboratory.ParticipantsTen healthy college students (5 men and 5 women), with a mean ± SD age of 23.5 ± 4.1 years and body mass of 67.4 ± 12.6 kg.MethodsSemmes‐Weinstein monofilament tests were administered to 12 locations on the dorsal and plantar surfaces of the foot before and after 4 hours of standing. These locations were formed into several groupings (toes, metatarsal heads, midfoot, heel, all plantar sites, all dorsal sites), and paired t‐tests were used to test for significant changes in sensitivity threshold after standing.Main Outcome MeasurementThe difference between sensitivity thresholds measured before and after standing for different locations on the foot.ResultsThe average of all sensitivity thresholds on the plantar surface of the foot decreased (indicating increased sensitivity) from 0.56 to 0.36 g (P < .01) after 4 hours of prolonged standing. This change in threshold equated to a difference of 1 Semmes‐Weinstein monofilament level. Changes in the sensitivity threshold of the dorsal aspect of the foot were not significant.ConclusionsAnalysis of the results suggests that the plantar foot has greater sensitivity to touch after prolonged standing. These findings may be useful for identifying potential unintended bias in clinical touch sensitivity testing. Future research is necessary to understand the underlying mechanisms for this sensitivity change and to determine the onset and recovery times for sensitivity changes.
A Bayesian approach to targeted experiment design
Authors: Vanlier J. , Tiemann C. A. , Hilbers P. A. J. , van Riel N. A. W. 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
Motivation: Systems biology employs mathematical modelling to further our understanding of biochemical pathways. Since the amount of experimental data on which the models are parameterized is often limited, these models exhibit large uncertainty in both parameters and predictions. Statistical methods can be used to select experiments that will reduce such uncertainty in an optimal manner. However, existing methods for optimal experiment design (OED) rely on assumptions that are inappropriate when data are scarce considering model complexity.
Results: We have developed a novel method to perform OED for models that cope with large parameter uncertainty. We employ a Bayesian approach involving importance sampling of the posterior predictive distribution to predict the efficacy of a new measurement at reducing the uncertainty of a selected prediction. We demonstrate the method by applying it to a case where we show that specific combinations of experiments result in more precise predictions.
Availability and implementation: Source code is available at: http://bmi.bmt.tue.nl/sysbio/software/pua.html
Contact: j.vanlier@tue.nl; N.A.W.v.Riel@tue.nl
Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.