bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Image reconstruction of fluorescent molecular tomography based on the tree structured Schur complement decomposition
Authors: Zou Wei , Wang Jiajun , Feng David Dagan 
Published: May 2010

AbstractBackgroundThe inverse problem of fluorescent molecular tomography (FMT) often involves complex large-scale matrix operations, which may lead to unacceptable computational errors and complexity. In this research, a tree structured Schur complement decomposition strategy is proposed to accelerate the reconstruction process and reduce the computational complexity. Additionally, an adaptive regularization scheme is developed to improve the ill-posedness of the inverse problem.MethodsThe global system is decomposed level by level with the Schur complement system along two paths in the tree structure. The resultant subsystems are solved in combination with the biconjugate gradient method. The mesh for the inverse problem is generated incorporating the prior information. During the reconstruction, the regularization parameters are adaptive not only to the spatial variations but also to the variations of the objective function to tackle the ill-posed nature of the inverse problem.ResultsSimulation results demonstrate that the strategy of the tree structured Schur complement decomposition obviously outperforms the previous methods, such as the conventional Conjugate-Gradient (CG) and the Schur CG methods, in both reconstruction accuracy and speed. As compared with the Tikhonov regularization method, the adaptive regularization scheme can significantly improve ill-posedness of the inverse problem.ConclusionsThe methods proposed in this paper can significantly improve the reconstructed image quality of FMT and accelerate the reconstruction process.
Synthetic rabbit-human antibody conjugate as a control in immunoassays for immunoglobulin M specific to hepatitis E virus
Authors: Zhang Kuo , Wang Lunan , Liu Min , Zhang Rui , Li Jinming 
Published: May 2010

Abstract

Background
In assays for anti-hepatitis E virus (HEV) immunoglobulin M (IgM), large volumes of the patient's sera cannot be easily obtained for use as a positive control. In this study, we investigated an alternative chemical method in which rabbit anti-HEV IgG was conjugated with human IgM and was used as a positive control in the anti-HEV IgM assay. Rabbit anti-HEV IgG was isolated from immune sera by chromatography on protein A-Sepharose and was conjugated with human IgM by using 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide (EDC) as a crosslinker.

Results
The specific anti-HEV IgG antibody titer was 100,000 times that of the negative control, i.e., prebleed rabbit serum. The results of anti-HEV IgM enzyme-linked immunosobent assay showed that the antibody conjugate was similar to anti-HEV IgM antibodies produced in humans. The results of a stability experiment showed that the antibody conjugate was stable for use in external quality assessment or internal quality control trials.

Conclusions
We concluded that the chemically conjugated rabbit-human antibody could be used instead of the traditional serum control as a positive control in the anti-HEV IgM assay.
p38 Mediates Mechanical Allodynia in a Mouse Model of Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Cheng Hsinlin T , Dauch Jacqueline R , Oh Sang Su , Hayes John M , Hong Yu , Feldman Eva L 
Published: May 2010

Background: Painful Diabetic Neuropathy (PDN) affects more than 25% of patients with type 2 diabetes; however, the pathogenesis remains unclear due to lack of knowledge of the molecular mechanisms leading to PDN. In our current study, we use an animal model of type 2 diabetes in order to understand the roles of p38 in PDN. Previously, we have demonstrated that the C57BLK db/db (db/db) mouse, a model of type 2 diabetes that carries the loss-of-function leptin receptor mutant, develops mechanical allodynia in the hind paws during the early stage (6–12 wk of age) of diabetes. Using this timeline of PDN, we can investigate the signaling mechanisms underlying mechanical allodynia in the db/db mouse. Results: We studied the role of p38 in lumbar dorsal root ganglia (LDRG) during the development of mechanical allodynia in db/db mice. p38 phosphorylation was detected by immunoblots at the early stage of mechanical allodynia in LDRG of diabetic mice. Phosphorylated p38 (pp38) immunoreactivity was detected mostly in the small-to medium-sized LDRG neurons during the time period of mechanical allodynia. Treatment with an antibody against nerve growth factor (NGF) significantly inhibited p38 phosphorylation in LDRG of diabetic mice. In addition, we detected higher levels of inflammatory mediators, including cyclooxygenase (COX) 2, inducible nitric oxide synthases (iNOS), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in LDRG neurons of db/db mice compared to non-diabetic db + mice. Intrathecal delivery of SB203580, a p38 inhibitor, significantly inhibited the development of mechanical allodynia and the upregulation of COX2, iNOS and TNF-α. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that NGF activated-p38 phosphorylation mediates mechanical allodynia in the db/db mouse by upregulation of multiple inflammatory mediators in LDRG.
Argatroban therapy for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia in ICU patients with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome: a retrospective study
Authors: Saugel Bernd , Phillip Veit , Moessmer Georg , Schmid Roland M , Huber Wolfgang 
Published: May 2010

Abstract
Introduction
Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a serious, prothrombotic, immune-mediated adverse reaction triggered by heparin therapy. When HIT is diagnosed or suspected, heparins should be discontinued, and an alternative, fast-acting, parenteral, nonheparin anticoagulation such as argatroban should be initiated. Limited and inconsistent data exist about dosing of argatroban in intensive care unit (ICU) patients with critical illnesses.

Methods
Retrospective analysis of 12 ICU patients with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) treated with argatroban for suspected or diagnosed HIT.

Results
The 12 ICU patients with a mean platelet count of 46,000 ± 30,310 had a mean APACHE II score of 26.7 ± 7.8 on ICU admission and a mean SAPS II score of 61.5 ± 16.3 on the first day of argatroban administration. A mean argatroban starting dose of 0.32 ± 0.25 μg/kg/min (min, 0.04; max, 0.83) was used to achieve activated partial thromboplastin times (aPTTs) >60 sec or aPTTs of 1.5 to 3 times the baseline aPTT. Adjustment to aPTT required dose reduction in six (50%) patients. Patients were treated for a mean of 5.5 ± 3.3 days. The final mean dose in these critically ill patients was 0.24 ± 0.16 μg/kg/min, which is about one eighth of the usually recommended dose and even markedly lower than the previously suggested dose for critically ill ICU patients. In all patients, desired levels of anticoagulation were achieved. The mean argatroban dose was significantly lower in patients with hepatic insufficiency compared with patients without hepatic impairment (0.10 ± 0.06 μg/kg/min versus 0.31 ± 0.14 μg/kg/min; P = 0.026). The mean argatroban dose was significantly correlated with serum bilirubin (r = -0.739; P = 0.006).

Conclusions
ICU Patients with MODS and HIT can be effectively treated with argatroban. A decrease in the initial dosage is mandatory in this patient population. Further studies are needed to investigate argatroban elimination and dosage adjustments for critically ill patients.
Natural Foxp3+ regulatory T cells inhibit Th2 polarization but are biased toward suppression of Th17-driven lung inflammation
Authors: Girtsman Teri , Jaffar Zeina , Ferrini Maria , Shaw Pamela , Roberts Kevan 
Published: May 2010

Abstract
Natural Tregs are highly effective at inhibiting Th2 differentiation but restrictive in their ability to suppress airway inflammatory processes.
nTregs prevent autoimmunity and modulate immune and inflammatory responses to foreign antigens. CD4+Foxp3+ nTregs from DO11.10 mice were expanded ex vivo, and their effectiveness in suppressing the development of lung inflammatory responses, elicited by differentiated CD4+ T cells following antigen inhalation, was examined. Effector DO11.10 CD4+ Th2 cells, when adoptively transferred into BALB/c mice that subsequently inhaled OVA, elicited a pronounced pulmonary, eosinophilic inflammation. Surprisingly, the cotransfer of expanded nTregs failed to suppress the Th2-mediated airway inflammation. Nevertheless, expanded OVA-specific CD4+Foxp3+ nTregs were highly effective at inhibiting the polarization of naïve CD4+ T cells into a Th2 phenotype. This suppression was reversed by an antibody to GITR but was not affected by the presence of the soluble OX40L. Further analysis revealed that although nTregs also failed to inhibit the lung neutrophilic inflammation induced by effector CD4+ Th1 cells, they markedly suppressed pulmonary inflammation elicited by CD4+ Th17 cells but not AHR. The suppression of the Th17-mediated response was evident from a striking reduction in the proportion of OVA-specific T cells expressing IL-17 and the numbers of neutrophils present in the airways of Th17 recipient mice. Collectively, these results demonstrate that expanded nTregs clearly limit the Th2 polarization process and that Th17-mediated inflammatory responses are particularly prone to the immunoregulatory properties of nTregs. These findings thus indicate that expanded nTregs are restrictive in their ability to suppress airway inflammatory processes and AHR.
Regulation of corneal inflammation by neutrophil-dependent cleavage of keratan sulfate proteoglycans as a model for breakdown of the chemokine gradient
Authors: Carlson Eric C , Sun Yan , Auletta Jeffery , Kao Winston W Y , Liu Chia-Yang , Perez Victor L , Pearlman Eric 
Published: May 2010

Abstract
Keratan sulfate proteoglycans are degraded by PMNs and detected with CXC chemokines in the anterior chamber to initiate the resolution process of LPS-induced inflammation.
Keratocan and lumican are small, leucine-rich repeat KSPGs in the extracellular matrix (ECM) of the mammalian cornea, whose primary role is to maintain corneal transparency. In the current study, we examined the role of these proteoglycans in the breakdown of the chemokine gradient and resolution of corneal inflammation. LPS was injected into the corneal stroma of C57BL/6 mice, and corneal extracts were examined by immunoblot analysis. We found reduced expression of the 52-kD keratocan protein after 6 h and conversely, increased expression of 34/37 kD immunoreactive products. Further, appearance of the 34/37-kD proteins was dependent on neutrophil infiltration to the cornea, as the appearance of these products was coincident with neutrophil infiltration, and the 34/37-kD products were not detected in explanted corneas or in CXCR2−/− corneas with deficient neutrophil recruitment. Furthermore, the 34/37-kD products and CXCL1/KC were detected in the anterior chamber, into which the corneal stroma drains; and CXCL1/KC was elevated significantly in keratocan−/− and lumican−/− mice. Together, these findings indicate that the inflammatory response in the cornea is regulated by proteoglycan/CXCL1 complexes, and their diffusion into the anterior chamber is consistent with release of a chemokine gradient and resolution of inflammation.
How specificity for self-peptides shapes the development and function of regulatory T cells
Authors: Simons Donald M , Picca Cristina Cozzo , Oh Soyoung , Perng Olivia A , Aitken Malinda , Erikson Jan , Caton Andrew J 
Published: May 2010

Abstract
Review discusses studies analyzing how the immune system generates Treg cells that can recognize self-peptides and prevent harmful autoimmune responses.
The cataclysmic disease that develops in mice and humans lacking CD4+ T cells expressing the transcription factor Foxp3 has provided abundant evidence that Foxp3+CD4+ Tregs are required to suppress a latent autoreactivity of the immune system. There is also evidence for the existence of tissue-specific Tregs that can act to suppress regional autoimmune responses, suggesting that Tregs exert their effects, in part, through responding to self-peptides. However, how the immune system generates a repertoire of Tregs that is designed to recognize and direct regulatory function to self-peptides is incompletely understood. This review describes studies aimed at determining how T cell recognition of self-peptide(s) directs Treg formation in the thymus, including discussion of a modified “avidity” model of thymocyte development. Studies aimed at determining how TCR specificity contributes to the ability of Tregs to suppress autoimmune diseases are also discussed.
Comparative Validation of the Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone and Arginine Test for the Diagnosis of Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency Using a Growth Hormone Assay Conforming to Recent International Recommendations
Authors: Chanson Philippe , Cailleux-Bounacer Anne , Kuhn Jean-Marc , Weryha Georges , Chabre Olivier , Borson-Chazot Françoise , Dubois Séverine , Vincent-Dejean Caroline , Brue Thierry , Fedou Christine , Bresson Jean-Louis , Demolis Pierre , Souberbielle Jean-Claude 
Published: May 2010

Context: The GHRH plus arginine (GHRH+Arg) test is a promising alternative to the insulin tolerance test (ITT) for diagnosis of adult GH deficiency (AGHD).
Objectives: The objectives of the study were to validate the GHRH+Arg test for diagnosis of AGHD, using the ITT as comparator and a GH assay calibrated according to recent international recommendations, and to study the repeatability and tolerance of both tests.
Design: This was a multicenter, randomized, open-label, phase III study.
Setting: The study was conducted at 10 French university hospitals.
Subjects: Sixty-nine subjects (38 and 15 with high and low probability of GH deficiency, respectively, and 16 healthy controls) were randomized: 35 to the GHRH+Arg-GHRH+Arg-ITT test sequence and 34 to the ITT-ITT-GHRH+Arg test sequence.
Interventions: Each subject underwent three tests of GH secretion separated by 24 h or more.
Main Outcome Measures: The primary variable used for response assessments was serum peak GH response. Test results were compared with the final AGHD diagnosis.
Results: Peak GH responses in the two tests were strongly correlated. A cutoff value of 7.89 μg/liter for GHRH+Arg corresponding to 3 μg/liter for ITT was calculated. The cutoff value leading to 95% specificity with the GHRH+Arg test was measured at about 3.67 μg/liter (sensitivity 79.0%). Intermethod agreement and repeatability were high. Both tests were well tolerated. A preference for the GHRH+Arg test was expressed by 74% of subjects.
Conclusions: The GHRH+Arg test demonstrated good accuracy and repeatability, was at least as sensitive as the ITT, and was associated with better subject acceptability. The GHRH+Arg test represents a good alternative to the ITT for the diagnosis of AGHD.
A Hybrid Data Base: Quantum Chemistry Literature Data Base II—New Concept and New Methodology—
Authors: Takano Keiko , Koga Nobuaki , Matsushita Toshio , Hashimoto Kenro , Hosoya Haruo , Matsuzawa Hidenori , Nagashima Umpei , Nishikawa Takeshi , Wasada Hiroaki , Yamabe Shinichi , Tachikawa Masanori , Hada Masahiko 
Published: May 2010

Abstract
Quantum Chemistry Literature Data Base (QCLDB, http://qcldb2.ims.ac.jp) is a database of those papers published after 1978 which treat only ab initio calculations of atomic and molecular electronic structures. From about thirty core journals they are collected, surveyed, and given proper tags revealing the content and essence by theoretical and computational chemists. Those theoretical works even without reporting any computational results are also collected which are judged to have significant relevance to ab initio calculations, while no semiempirical calculations are included. QCLDB has been maintained by Quantum Chemistry Data Base Group (QCDBG). QCLDB provides information not only to chemists but also to both theoretical and experimental scientists, who want to know the state of the art theoretical aspects of chemical substances and materials. Although the last version, “QCLDB I,” has been sustained and utilized steadily for almost a quarter century up to the end of 20th century, new circumstances related to the internet facility imposed re-construction of QCLDB I on QCDBG. A policy of the academic database of references has been established. The policy emphasizes that there should be a balance between data collection as research itself and utility for users. According to the policy, an unprecedented hybrid and highly academic database, QCLDB II, has been constructed and is open to all scientists via the work site.
Human immunodeficiency virus-infection induces major changes in high-density lipoprotein particle size distribution and composition: the effect of antiretroviral treatment and disease severity
Authors: Aragonès Gerard , Beltrán-Debón Raúl , Rull Anna , Rodríguez-Sanabria Fernando , Fernández-Sender Laura , Camps Jordi , Joven Jorge , Alonso-Villaverde Carlos 
Published: May 2010

Abstract

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is associated with abnormal high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles. We evaluated whether HIV infection and antiretroviral treatment promotes changes in cholesterol distribution among subpopulations of HDL particles of defined sizes.

Methods: HDL particles were isolated from 78 HIV infected patients and fractionated by gel permeation chromatography to obtain five subpopulations. Thirty-six patients were antiretroviral treatment naïve, while 42 patients were treated with efavirenz or protease inhibitors. Uninfected individuals were also included as controls.

Results: The distribution of cholesterol across HDL particle sizes was affected by HIV infection itself. Antiretroviral therapy reduced these alterations; only minor changes in small and very small HDL particles were observed in treated patients (p=0.01). Untreated patients with low CD4+ T cell counts had less cholesterol in medium (p=0.006), small (p=0.04) and very small (p=0.03) HDL particles. Treated patients with high CD4+ T cell counts had less cholesterol in the largest HDL particles (p=0.04), with overall particle distributions resembling those observed in uninfected participants.

Conclusions: HIV infection itself may promote major changes in cholesterol distribution among HDL subpopulations that could be partially attenuated by current antiretroviral treatments. Further studies in larger populations are necessary to confirm the impact of HIV on lipoprotein composition and distribution.
Clin Chem Lab Med 2010;48:1147–52.
A less sensitive detector does not necessarily result in a less sensitive method: fast quantification of 13 antiretroviral analytes in plasma with liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: ter Heine Rob , Rosing Hilde , Beijnen Jos H. , Huitema Alwin D.R. 
Published: May 2010

Abstract

Background: We previously developed a method for the simultaneous determination of the human immunodeficiency protease inhibitors: amprenavir, atazanavir, darunavir, indinavir, lopinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir and tipranavir, the active nelfinavir metabolite M8 the non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors efavirenz, nevirapine and etravirine and the internal standards dibenzepine, 13C6-efavirenz, D5-saquinavir and D6-indinavir in plasma using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry with a Sciex API3000 triple quadrupole mass spectrometer and an analytical run time of only 10 min. We report the transfer of this method from the API3000 to a supposedly less sensitive Sciex API365 mass spectrometer.

Methods: We describe the steps that were undertaken to optimize the sensitivity and validation of the method that we transferred.

Results and Conclusions: We showed that transfer of a method to a putative less sensitive detector did not necessarily result in a less sensitive assay, and this method can be applied in laboratories where older mass spectrometers are available. Ultimately, the performance of the method was validated. Accuracy and precision was within 87%–110% and <13%, respectively. No notable loss in selectivity was observed.
Clin Chem Lab Med 2010;48:1153–5.
Future Directions in Neuropathic Pain Therapy: Closing the Translational Loop
Authors: Backonja Miroslav , Woolf Clifford J. 
Published: May 2010

Abstract
In the majority of patients, existing therapies for neuropathic pain are far from effective. Furthermore, all current treatments are symptomatic rather than disease-modifying or curative. A range of therapeutic modalities is emerging, targeting a variety of mechanisms, but choosing the best target and evaluating the resulting therapies against the many types of neuropathic pain disorders is not an easy task. In this article, we suggest a shift in emphasis of the drug discovery paradigm toward unbiased evaluation of the particular neurobiological mechanisms contributing to neuropathic pain in individual patients. Genomewide association studies and other discovery science approaches to identify significant novel targets should be given priority as should the development of increasingly sophisticated tools for measuring and categorizing neuropathic pain.
Who Benefits from the Earned Income Tax Credit? Incidence among Recipients, Coworkers and Firms
Authors: Leigh Andrew 
Published: May 2010

Abstract
How are hourly wages affected by the Earned Income Tax Credit? Using variation in state EITC supplements, I find that a 10 percent increase in the generosity of the EITC is associated with a 5 percent fall in the wages of high school dropouts and a 2 percent fall in the wages of those with only a high school diploma, while having no effect on the wages of college graduates. Given the large increase in labor supply induced by the EITC, this is consistent with most reasonable estimates of the elasticity of labor demand. Although workers with children receive a much larger EITC than childless workers, and the effect of the credit on labor force participation is larger for those with children, the hourly wages of both groups are similarly affected by an EITC increase. As a check on this strategy, I also use federal variation in the EITC across gender-age-education groups, and find that those demographic groups that received the largest EITC increases also experienced a drop in their hourly wages, relative to other groups.
Exact quantization formula for affine linearly energy-dependent potentials
Authors: Schulze-Halberg Axel 
Published: May 2010

Abstract
We construct an exact quantization formula for Schrödinger equations with potentials thatdepend affine linearly on the energy, that is, they contain a term linear in the energy plus an energy-independent term. If such an energy-dependent potential admits a discrete spectrum and its ground state solution is known, our formula predicts the complete energy spectrum in exact form.