bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preconditioning the diabetic human myocardium
Authors: Sivaraman Vivek , Hausenloy Derek J. , Wynne Abigail M. , Yellon Derek M. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractOur objective was to determine whether human diabetic myocardium is amenable to the cardioprotective actions of ischaemic preconditioning. Human right atrial appendages were harvested from diabetic and non‐diabetic patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass graft surgery. The atrial trabeculae were isolated and subjected to 90 min. of hypoxia followed by 120 min. of reoxygenation, following which the percentage recovery of baseline contractile function was determined. The atrial trabeculae were randomized to: (i) controls (groups 1 and 3); (ii) standard hypoxic preconditioning (HPC) protocol consisting of 4 min. of hypoxia/16 min. of reoxygenation before the 90 min. index hypoxic period (groups 2 and 4); (iii) Prolonged HPC protocol consisting of: 7 min. of hypoxia /16 min. of reoxygenation before the index hypoxic period (group 5). In addition, basal levels of Akt phosphorylation were determined in right atrial appendages harvested from non‐diabetic patients and diabetic patients to determine whether PI3K‐Akt signalling is down‐regulated in the diabetic heart. Standard HPC improved baseline contractile function in human atrial trabeculae harvested from non‐diabetic patients (52.4 ± 3.8% with HPC versus 30.0 ± 3.2% in control: P= 0.001; N= 6/group), but not in atrial trabeculae isolated from diabetic patients (22.6 ± 3.3% with HPC versus 28.5 ± 1.9% in control: P > 0.05; N= 6/group). However, the prolonged HPC protocol did improve baseline contractile function in atrial trabeculae harvested from diabetic patients (42.0 ± 2.4% with HPC versus 28.5 ± 1.9% in control: P= 0.001; N≥ 6/group). Western blot analysis demonstrated lower levels of phosphorylated Akt in diabetic myocardium compared to non‐diabetic myocardium (0.13 ± 0.03 arbitrary units versus 0.39 ± 0.11 arbitrary units: P= 0.047; N≥ 4/group). From the data obtained it appears that the threshold for preconditioning the diabetic myocardium is elevated which may be related to the down‐regulation of the PI3K‐Akt pathway.
Deficiency in TLR4 signal transduction ameliorates cardiac injury and cardiomyocyte contractile dysfunction during ischemia
Authors: Zhao Peng , Wang Jingying , He Leilei , Ma Heng , Zhang Xiaoyu , Zhu Xinglei , Dolence E. Kurt , Ren Jun , Li Ji 
Published: June 2009

AbstractToll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4), a proximal signalling receptor in innate immune responses to lipopolysaccharide of gram‐negative pathogens, is expressed in the heart. Accumulating evidence have consolidated the notion that TLR4 plays an essential role in the pathogenesis of cardiac dysfunction. However, the molecular mechanisms of TLR4 responsible for ischemia‐induced cardiac dysfunction remain unclear. To address the signalling mechanisms of TLR4‐deficiency cardioprotection against ischemic injury, in vivo regional ischemia was induced by occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery in wild‐type (WT) C3H/HeN and TLR4‐mutated C3H/HeJ mice. The results demonstrated that blunted ischemic activation of p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase and JNK signalling occurred in C3H/HeJ hearts versus C3H/HeN hearts, while ERK and AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) signalling pathways were augmented during ischemia in C3H/HeJ hearts versus C3H/HeN hearts. Intriguingly, ischemia‐stimulated endoplasmic reticulum stress was higher in C3H/HeN hearts than that in C3H/HeJ as demonstrated by up‐regulation of Grp78/BiP, Gadd153/CHOP and IRE‐1α. Myocardial infarct, caspase‐3 activity and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) staining demonstrated that C3H/HeN hearts suffered more damage than those of C3H/HeJ hearts during ischemia. Moreover, isolated cardiomyocytes from C3H/HeJ hearts showed resistance to hypoxia‐induced contractile dysfunction compared to those from C3H/HeN hearts, which are associated with greater hypoxic activation of AMPK and ERK signalling, better intracellular Ca2+ handling in C3H/HeJ versus C3H/HeN cardiomyocytes. These findings suggest that the cardioprotective effects against ischemic injury of hearts with deficiency in TLR4 signalling may be mediated through modulating AMPK and ERK signalling pathway during ischemia.
Interleukin‐33 overexpression is associated with liver fibrosis in mice and humans
Authors: Marvie Pierrick , Lisbonne Mariette , L’Helgoualc’h Annie , Rauch Michel , Turlin Bruno , Preisser Laurence , Bourd‐Boittin Katia , Théret Nathalie , Gascan Hugues , Piquet‐Pellorce Claire , Samson Michel 
Published: June 2009

AbstractInterleukin‐33 (IL‐33), the most recently identified member of the IL‐1 family, induces synthesis of T Helper 2 (Th2)‐type cytokines via its heterodimeric ST2/IL‐1RAcP receptor. Th2‐type cytokines play an important role in fibrosis; thus, we investigated the role of IL‐33 in liver fibrosis. IL‐33, ST2 and IL‐1RAcP gene expression was analysed in mouse and human normal (n= 6) and fibrotic livers (n= 28), and in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC; n= 22), using real‐time PCR. IL‐33 protein was detected in normal and fibrotic liver sections and in isolated liver cells using Western blotting and immunolocalization approaches. Our results showed that IL‐33 and ST2 mRNA was overproduced in mouse and human fibrotic livers, but not in human HCC. IL‐33 expression correlated with ST2 expression and also with collagen expression in fibrotic livers. The major sources of IL‐33 in normal liver from both mice and human beings are the liver sinusoidal endothelial cells and, in fibrotic liver, the activated hepatic stellate cells (HSC). Moreover, IL‐33 expression was increased in cultured HSC when stimulated by pro‐inflammatory cytokines. In conclusion, IL‐33 is strongly associated with fibrosis in chronic liver injury and activated HSC are a source of IL‐33.
Angiographic Characteristics of Radiation-Induced Carotid Arterial Stenosis
Authors: Shichita Takashi , Ogata Toshiyasu , Yasaka Masahiro , Yasumori Kotaro , Inoue Tooru , Ibayashi Setsuro , Iida Mitsuo , Okada Yasushi 
Published: June 2009

Purpose This study aimed to clarify the angiographic characteristics of radiation-induced carotid stenosis. Methods We evaluated 11 carotid arteries of patients after radiotherapy (radiotherapy group) and 26 carotid arteries of age- and gender-matched patients without a history of radiotherapy (control group). All patients had carotid stenosis detected by digital subtraction angiography (DSA). We developed an original coordinate system on the DSA to determine the accurate length and location of the carotid lesion. Results Radiation-induced carotid lesions were significantly longer than carotid lesions caused by atherosclerosis. The maximal stenosis of radiation-induced carotid lesions tended to be at the end of the stenotic area and within a wider range than the nonradiation-induced lesions, including in the proximal common carotid artery (CCA). Conclusions Radiation-induced stenotic lesions seem to exist in a wide range of carotid artery, including the CCA, along the vessel, and show maximal stenosis near the end of the stenotic area.
Autoimmune hepatitis and juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Deen MEJ , Porta G , Fiorot FJ , Campos LMA , Sallum AME , Silva CAA 
Published: June 2009

Juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE) and autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) are both autoimmune disorders that are rare in children and have a widespread clinical manifestation. A few case reports have shown a JSLE-AIH associated disorder. To our knowledge, this is the first study that simultaneously evaluated the prevalence of JSLE-AIH in a large JLSE and AIH population in groups of Hepatology and Rheumatology of a tertiary Paediatric University Hospital. In a 24-year period, 228 patients were diagnosed with JSLE (ACR criteria). In the same period, 252 patients were diagnosed with AIH according to the International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group. In this article, we present the demographic data, clinical features, laboratory exams and treatment of four children with both the diseases. The prevalence was 1.8% in JSLE population and was 1.6% in AIH population. The current median age was 15.5 years and three were females. In three of them, the diagnosis of AIH preceded JSLE. All of them had increased liver enzymes with a characteristic liver biopsy of AIH and responded to the combination of prednisone, azathioprine and antimalarial drugs. In conclusion, the presence of AIH-JSLE associated disorder was rarely observed. The liver biopsy could be necessary in patients with JLSE with a persistent increase of liver enzymes.
Molecular analysis of HLA-DRB1 allelic associations with systemic lupus erythematous and lupus nephritis in Taiwan
Authors: Pan CF , Wu CJ , Chen HH , Dang CW , Chang FM , Liu HF , Chu CC , Lin M , Lee YJ 
Published: June 2009

To evaluate the association of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)–DRB1 alleles with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and lupus nephritis (LN) in the Taiwanese population, and to investigate the possible association of HLA-DRB1 alleles with disease severity in LN. HLA-DRB1 alleles were studied in 105 SLE patients (82 patients with LN, 23 patients without LN) and 855 healthy controls by polymerase chain reaction and sequence-based typing assays. The frequency of the HLA class II alleles DRB1*0301 (Odds ratio [OR] = 2.01, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.31–3.10, Pc = 0.02) and DRB1*1501 (OR = 2.06, 95% CI = 1.36–3.13, Pc = 0.01) were both increased in SLE patients, compared to healthy controls. The frequency of DRB1*1202 was significantly lower in LN patients than in SLE patients without nephritis (OR = 0.23, 95% CI = 0.09–0.57, Pc = 0.01). No specific allele was significantly associated with an increased or decreased risk for severity of LN in this sample. In Taiwanese people, the DRB1*0301 and DRB1*1501 alleles are significant risk factors for SLE, while the DRB1*1202 allele is protective for LN.
Fellow eye changes in optic neuritis correlate with the risk of multiple sclerosis
Authors: Klistorner A , Arvind H , Nguyen T , Garrick R , Paine M , Graham S , Yiannikas C 
Published: June 2009

Background Recent studies demonstrate early diffuse central nervous system (CNS) inflammation in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The clinically unaffected (fellow) eye of patients with unilateral optic neuritis (ON) may reflect the status of normal-appearing white matter in the CNS, which can be assessed electrophysiologically. Objective To study the relationship between electrophysiological parameters in the fellow eye of ON patients, and risk of conversion to MS. Methods Forty-eight consecutive patients with acute unilateral ON were examined 12 months after ON of which 14 had MS, 19 remained high risk (HR) for MS, and 15 had low risk (LR) for MS according to McDonald’s criteria. Twenty-five age-matched controls were also tested. Amplitude and latency of multifocal visual evoked potential (mfVEP) in the fellow eyes of patients at 12 months were analyzed and compared with controls. Results Average mfVEP amplitude was 240 ± 35, 232 ± 36, 181 ± 38, and 169 ± 48 nV for controls, LR, HR, and MS groups respectively. Average mfVEP latency for controls, LR, HR, and MS patients was 139.7 ± 5.5, 141.7 ± 3.6, 145.9 ± 8.9, and 152.0 ± 9.9 ms respectively. Conclusions The magnitude of latency prolongation and amplitude decline 12 months after the initial episode was proportional to the risk of MS. The prognostic significance of these changes as predictors of subsequent MS should be investigated longitudinally.
Cholesterol-crystal embolism presenting with delayed graft function and impaired long-term function in renal transplant recipients: two case reports
Authors: Pliquett Rainer U , Asbe-Vollkopf Aida , Scheuermann Ernst H , Gröne Elisabeth , Probst Michael , Geiger Helmut , Hauser Ingeborg A 
Published: June 2009

Abstract

Introduction
Impaired renal function and/or pre-existing atherosclerosis in the deceased donor increase the risk of delayed graft function and impaired long-term renal function in kidney transplant recipients.

Case presentation
We report delayed graft function occurring simultaneously in two kidney transplant recipients, aged 57-years-old and 39-years-old, who received renal allografts from the same deceased donor. The 62-year-old donor died of cardiac arrest during an asthmatic state. Renal-allograft biopsies performed in both kidney recipients because of delayed graft function revealed cholesterol-crystal embolism. An empiric statin therapy in addition to low-dose acetylsalicylic acid was initiated. After 10 and 6 hemodialysis sessions every 48 hours, respectively, both renal allografts started to function. Glomerular filtration rates at discharge were 26 ml/min/1.73m2 and 23.9 ml/min/1.73m2, and remained stable in follow-up examinations. Possible donor and surgical procedure-dependent causes for cholesterol-crystal embolism are discussed.

Conclusion
Cholesterol-crystal embolism should be considered as a cause for delayed graft function and long-term impaired renal allograft function, especially in the older donor population.
Recurrent late complications following congenital diaphragmatic hernia repair with prosthetic patches: a case series
Authors: Bekdash Basil , Singh Baljit , Lakhoo Kokila 
Published: June 2009

Abstract

Introduction
Many different prosthetic materials have been used for repair of large posterolateral congenital diaphragmatic hernias, which cannot be primarily repaired. Almost 50% of patch repaired diaphragmatic hernias will recur. The ideal prosthetic material for congenital diaphragmatic hernia repair has yet to be established. We report on two cases with unusual (calcification) and late complications related to the prosthetic material used for diaphragmatic hernia repair.

Case presentation
We report two cases of antenatally diagnosed left-sided diaphragmatic hernia that were repaired with a patch due to total absence of a diaphragm. Both Caucasian patients developed recurrent late graft complications. Case one was repaired on day 17 post-stabilisation and developed recurrence at 14½ months of age and again at 26 months of age. Case 2 underwent surgery on day 13 of life and developed recurrence at 4 months and again at 3 years of age. In the recurrent repairs, both synthetic and biomaterial patches were used. Both patients are well at long-term follow-up of 10 and 7 years, respectively.

Conclusion
The ideal choice of patch material for diaphragmatic hernia repair remains a therapeutic challenge.
A possible variant of Bouveret's syndrome presenting as a duodenal stump obstruction by a gallstone after Roux-en-Y gastrectomy: a case report
Authors: Mittal Shruti , Sutcliffe Robert P , Rohatgi Ashish , Atkinson Simon W 
Published: June 2009

Abstract

Introduction
Bouveret's syndrome is characterized by gastric outlet obstruction due to a gallstone in the duodenum, usually in association with a cholecystoduodenal fistula.

Case presentation
We report the case of a 69-year-old Caucasian man who developed duodenal stump obstruction due to an impacted gallstone after having previously undergone Roux-en-Y gastrectomy.

Conclusions
Duodenal stump obstruction after Roux-en-Y gastrectomy is rare, and may be difficult to manage. Patients who present with upper gastrointestinal or pancreatobiliary pathology after previous gastric surgery should be managed in centres with the availability of appropriate endoscopic and surgical experience.
The Structure, Role and Flexibility of Grain Boundaries
Authors: Samaras M. , Victoria M. , Hoffelner W. 
Published: June 2009

ABSTRACTThe structure and role of grain boundaries is investigated using an atomic analysis of the grain boundary movement during Molecular Dynamics displacement cascade simulations of bcc Fe. The results show the grain boundary to be a flexible entity. Local restructuring of the GB accommodates the incoming self interstitial atoms with local kinks, or small movements of a few atomic spacings occurring when the grain boundary is engulfed in the displacement cascade. The damage created is investigated using two potentials: the Ackland (non-magnetic) and the Dudarev- Derlet (magnetic) to study the role and influence of magnetism on the results obtained.
Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Single Crystals of Some Thermoelectric Clathrate Compounds
Authors: Okamoto Norihiko L. , Nakano Takahiro , Kishida Kyosuke , Tanaka Katsushi , Inui Haruyuki 
Published: June 2009

AbstractThe mechanical and thermal properties of single crystals of the type-I clathrate compounds Ba8Ga16Ge30 and Sr8Ga16Ge30 have been investigated by measuring the elastic constants, coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) and plastic deformation behavior in compression. The feasibility of these two clathrate compounds as a thermoelectric material in terms of mechanical stability under possible thermal stresses is evaluated by calculating thermal stresses that are expected to develop within these compounds when used as thermoelectric devises.
Plastic Deformations in Single Crystals of FePd with the L10 Structure
Authors: Tanaka Katsushi , Chen Wang , Kishida Kyosuke , Okamoto Norihiko L. , Inui Haruyuki 
Published: June 2009

AbstractCompressive deformations of L10-ordered single crystals of FePd have been investigated from room temperature to 873 K. The critical resolved shear stress for superlattice dislocations is hard to determine resulting from buckling that occurs after a small amount of conventional plastic deformation. The CRSS for superlattice dislocations determined from yield stress is significantly larger than that of ordinary dislocations. The CRSS for octahedral glide of ordinary and superlattice dislocations are virtually independent of the temperature, and the positive temperature dependence of the yield stress is not observed for both, ordinary and superlattice dislocations, by the present experiments.
Entropic and energetic elasticity in controlling catch-to-slip bonds in cell-adhesion molecules
Authors: Wei Yujie 
Published: June 2009

ABSTRACTWe develop a physical model to describe the kinetic behavior in cell-adhesion molecules. Unbinding of non-covalent biological bonds is decomposed into entropic and energetic controlled debonding. Such a treatment on debonding processes is a space decomposition of bond breaking events. Entropy controlled dissociation under thermal fluctuation is non-directional in a 3-dimensional space, and its energy barrier to escape may be not influenced by a tensile force but the microstates which can lead to dissociation are changed by the tensile force; An applied force effectively lowers the energy barrier to escape along the force direction. Such energetic effect will accelerate dissociate mainly along directions parallel to the loading direction. The lifetime of the biological bond, due to the superimposition of two concurrent off-rates, may grow with increasing tensile force to moderate amount and decrease with further increasing load, as debonding events dominated by entropy transit to those controlled by an applied force. We hypothesize that a catch-to-slip bond transition is a generic feature in biological bonds. The model also predicts that catch bonds in compliant molecular structure have longer lifetimes and may be activated at lower forces [1].
Creep properties of micron-size domains in ethylene glycol modified wood across 4½ decades in strain rate
Authors: Jakes Joseph E. , Frihart Charles R. , Stone Donald S. 
Published: June 2009

ABSTRACTThe hardnesses of secondary cell wall laminae (SCWL) and compound corner middle lamellae (CCML) in wood were measured at indentation strain rates between approximately 7×10-4s-1and 20 s-1, using a new method called broadband nanoindentation creep. The wood was subsequently modified with ethylene glycol (EG) and the properties were re-measured. The SCWL and CCML responded differently to this modification: in the SCWL, hardness decreased uniformly by a factor of 3.7 ± 0.3 across all strain rates, whereas in CCML, the modification had a similar effect at low strain rates. However, at high strain rates, hardness was only lowered by a factor of 1.8. The EG modification also lowered elastic modulus of the SCWL and CCML, swelled the SCWL and CCML, and caused previously placed indents to disappear (CCML) or partly disappear (SCWL).
Field-Induced ESR Spectroscopy on Rubrene Single-Crystal Field-Effect Transistors
Authors: Matsui Hiroyuki , Hasegawa Tatsuo 
Published: June 2009

AbstractWe investigate the electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy for the field-induced carriers in rubrene single-crystal field-effect transistors (SC-FETs), and compare the results with those on pentacene thin-film transistors (TFTs). We observe Lorentz-type ESR signal in rubrene SC-FETs whose linewidth is narrowed with increasing gate voltage and temperature. It demonstrates that the ESR linewidth is determined by motional narrowing effect as we reported on pentacene TFTs. Based on the observations, we discuss the multiple trap-and-release (MTR) processes in the two systems with and without grain boundaries.
Low-Temperature Thermal Conductivity of Rubrene Single Crystals: Quantitative Estimation of Defect Density in Bulk and Film Crystals
Authors: Okada Yugo , Uno M. , Takeya Jun 
Published: June 2009

AbstractThermal conductivity of rubrene single crystals is measured for both bulk and film-like crystals down to 0.5 K in order to estimate quantitatively density of crystalline defects through their phonon mean free paths. The temperature profile of the bulk rubrene crystals exhibit pronounced peak at ∼ 10 K in the thermal conductivity as the result of very long mean-free paths of their phonons which indicates extremely low-level defect density in the region of 1015-1016 cm−3 depending on different growth methods. The crystals grown from gas phase tend to have less defects than those grown from solution. It turned out that the film-like crystals have a few times more defect density as the result of the measurement by using newly developed devices for minute crystals.
Molecular Beam Epitaxy study of a common a-GeO2 interfacial passivation layer for Ge- and GaAs-based MOS heterostructures
Authors: Merckling Clement , Penaud Julien , Bellenger Florence , Kohen David , Pourtois Geoffrey , Brammertz Guy , Scarrozza Marco , El Kazzi Mario , Houssa Michel , Dekoster Johan , Caymax Matty , Meuris Marc , Heyns Marc 
Published: June 2009

AbstractFuture CMOS technologies will require the use of substrate material with a very high mobility. Therefore, the combination of Ge pMOS with GaAs nMOS devices is investigated for its possible use in advanced CMOS applications. In this work, the physical, chemical and electrical properties of a-GeO2 interfacial passivation layer (IPL) for n-Ge(001) and p-GaAs(001) have been investigated, using Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE) technique. The efficient electrical passivation of Ge/GeO2 will be demonstrated, and in the case of GaAs, the use of a thin a-GeO2 interlayer reduces the defects at the interface.