bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High Energy Density, High Temperature Capacitors Utilizing Mn‐Doped 0.8CaTiO3–0.2CaHfO3 Ceramics
Authors: Shay Dennis P. , Podraza Nikolas J. , Donnelly Niall J. , Randall Clive A. 
Published: December 2011

Single layer air co‐fired capacitors with Pt internal electrodes were prototyped for the compositions 0.8CaTiO3–0.2CaHfO3 (CHT) and 0.5 mol% Mn‐doped 0.8CaTiO3–0.2CaHfO3 (CHT + Mn) to yield a material with a room‐temperature relative permittivity of εr ~170, thermal coefficient of capacitance (TCC) of ±15.8% to ±16.4% from −50°C to 150°C, and a band gap of ~4.0 eV. Impedance spectroscopy revealed that doping with Mn reduces both the ionic and electronic conductivity. Undoped CHT single layer capacitors exhibited ambient energy densities as large as 9.0 J/cm3, but showed a drastic decrease in energy density above 100°C. When doped with 0.5 mol% Mn, the temperature dependence of the breakdown strength was minimized, and energy densities similar to ambient values (9.5 J/cm3) were observed up to 200°C. At 300°C, energy densities as large as 6.5 J/cm3 were measured. The design rationale for these dielectrics centered on materials with large band gaps, linear or weakly nonlinear permittivities, and high breakdown strengths. These observations suggest that with further reductions in grain size and dielectric layer thickness, the CaTiO3–CaHfO3 system is a strong candidate for integration into future power electronics applications.
Bone morphogenetic protein receptor 2 in patients with idiopathic portal hypertension
Authors: De Gottardi Andrea , Seijo Susana , Milá Montserrat , Alvarez M. Isabel , Bruguera Miquel , Abraldes Juan G. , Bosch Jaime , García‐Pagán Juan‐Carlos 
Published: December 2011

AbstractIn idiopathic portal hypertension (IPH) typical vascular lesions are present in the branches of the portal vein or in the perisinusoidal area of the liver. Similar histological alterations have been reported in the pulmonary vasculature of patients with idiopathic pulmonary artery hypertension (IPAH). As IPAH is associated with mutations of the bone morphogenetic protein receptor 2 (BMPR2) gene, the aim of this study was to investigate whether this association might also be found in patients with IPH. Twenty‐three samples belonging to 21 unrelated caucasian patients with IPH followed in the hepatic haemodynamic laboratory of the Hospital Clinic in Barcelona were included in the study. All patients were studied for the entire open reading frame and splice site of the BMPR2 gene by direct sequencing and multiple ligation probe amplification (MLPA) in order to detect large deletions/duplications. None of the 23 patients had pulmonary artery hypertension. Four patients presented one single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in intron 5, four patients had a SNP in exon 12 and a SNP in exon 1 was found in two cases. Two patients had both intron 5 and exon 12 polymorphisms. All SNPs were previously described. Except for these three SNPs, neither mutations nor rearrangements have been identified in the BMPR2 gene in this population. We did not detect mutations or rearrangements in the coding region of the BMPR2 gene in our patients with IPH. These findings suggest that, in contrast to IPAH, mutations in BMPR2 are not involved in the pathogenesis of IPH.
Neuroanatomic and magnetic resonance imaging references for normal development of cerebral sulci of laboratory primate, cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis)
Authors: Sawada Kazuhiko , Fukunishi Katsuhiro , Kashima Masatoshi , Imai Noritaka , Saito Shigeyoshi , Sakata‐Haga Hiromi , Aoki Ichio , Fukui Yoshihiro 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACTCynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis) is a popular laboratory primate belonging to Old World monkeys, which are the group most closely related to humans except for the apes. This paper summarizes a series of our studies regarding the development of cerebral sulci and gyri in this primate, and the stated possibility of evaluation of the sulcal development for assessing the developmental toxicity testing. The cerebrum of cynomolgus monkeys experienced a regular sequence of emergence of sulci and gyri on gross observation while such timetables corresponded to those obtained by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with a lag time of 10–30 days. When the timetables for the emergence of anatomically identical primary sulci and gyri were compared between cynomolgus monkeys and humans, their chronological sequences were comparable, while some sulci and gyri located on the phylogenetically newer cortical region in humans emerged earlier in monkeys. The present paper further indicates brief procedures for evaluating cerebral abnormalities and/or maturity using brain specimens without MRI measurements. The primary sulcal lengths measured by the ‘cotton thread’ method were a brief index of the degree of regional gyrification. As the development of a calcarine sulcus was closely correlated with morphological maturation of the lateral ventricle, which changed drastically during embryonic days (EDs) 90–100, the cerebral maturity on ED 100 could be evaluated by the infolding of that sulcus. Thus, the present paper provides gross anatomical and MRI references and brief procedures for investigating the normality of the development of cerebral sulci and gyri of laboratory primates, cynomolgus monkeys.
Environmental hazards and natural disasters
Authors: Pawson Eric 
Published: December 2011

AbstractHow can the apparently growing frequency and cost of environmental hazards be explained? Drawing on a range of examples, and especially the Canterbury earthquakes, it is argued that the creation of knowledge about these events depends on the interplay of lived and historical experience with scientific awareness. But often the vulnerability of places to particular events is obscured by popular use of the terms ‘natural hazard’ or ‘natural disaster’, as if human behaviour is absolved from any responsibility. It is shown how such thinking often increases the extent of the hazard, so that although we do not cause earthquakes, floods and bushfires, we are implicated and complicit in the outcomes.
Prospective comparisons of intravitreal injections of triamcinolone acetonide and bevacizumab for macular oedema due to branch retinal vein occlusion
Authors: Higashiyama Tomoaki , Sawada Osamu , Kakinoki Masashi , Sawada Tomoko , Kawamura Hajime , Ohji Masahito 
Published: December 2011

Abstract.Purpose:  To compare the efficacy of intravitreal injections of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) and that of bevacizumab for macular oedema because of branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO).Design:  Prospective, comparative, randomized, interventional clinical trial.Methods:  Forty‐three eyes of 43 patients with macular oedema because of BRVO were randomly assigned to 4‐mg intravitreal injections of TA (IVTA)(21 patients, IVTA group) or 1.25‐mg intravitreal injections of bevacizumab (IVB) (22 patients, IVB group) and followed for 12 months. No additional treatments were administered for 3 months after the initial injection; additional injections were administered when macular oedema recurred between 3 and 12 months after the initial injection. The best‐corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and the central retinal thickness (CRT) were measured at baseline and monthly. The main outcome measures were changes in the logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution BCVA and CRT from baseline to 12 months.Results:  Eighteen eyes of 18 patients in the IVTA group and 18 eyes of 18 patients in the IVB group completed follow‐up at 12 months. The mean improvements in BCVA from baseline to 12 months were 0.12 in the IVTA group and 0.33 in the IVB group, which was significantly (p = 0.032) higher than in the IVTA group. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the mean reduction in CRT from baseline to 12 months after the initial injection. Two eyes in the IVTA group required intraocular pressure–lowering medications.Conclusion:  Intravitreal injection of bevacizumab may be of greater benefit than that of TA for macular oedema because of BRVO.
Relation between sleep duration and BMI varies by age and sex in youth age 8–19
Authors: Storfer‐Isser A. , Patel S. R. , Babineau D. C. , Redline S. 
Published: December 2011

SummaryObjectivesThe objectives of this study were to (i) compare the strength of associations between sleep duration and body mass index (BMI) in middle childhood, and early and late adolescence; (ii) determine whether sleep duration in middle childhood predicts BMI in early or late adolescence; and (iii) examine the consistency of these associations by sex.MethodsSubjects included 313 children/adolescents aged 8–19 participating in a longitudinal cohort study on sleep and health. Participants were assessed at three time points approximately 4 years apart: ages 8–11, 12–15 and 16–19. BMI z‐score (BMIz) was calculated using age and sex normative data from the Centers for Disease Control. Sleep duration was reported by the parent (ages 8–15) or the adolescent (ages 16–19).ReusltsHalf of the participants were male and 79% were Caucasian. Sleep duration had a negative linear association with BMIz for boys but not girls, and the magnitude of this association decreased with age. Sleep duration at age 8–11 predicted BMIz in early and late adolescence for boys but not girls, and associations were largely attenuated after adjusting for BMIz at age 8–11. The strongest predictor of adolescent BMIz was BMIz at age 8–11 for both boys and girls.ConclusionWe conclude that the association between sleep duration and BMIz varies by sex and age, with stronger associations in boys and in middle childhood compared with adolescence.
Prospective Evaluation of an Australian Pertussis Toxin IgG and IgA Enzyme Immunoassay
Authors: May Meryta L. , Doi Suhail A. , King David , Evans Jenny , Robson Jennifer M. 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACT

Serological diagnosis of recent pertussis infection is an important part of both clinical assessment and epidemiological documentation of this disease. Standardization of serological testing and interpretation remains challenging despite international efforts to improve it. Currently, determining the anti-pertussis toxin (PT) IgG titer is recommended as the most accurate serological test in Europe and the United States, while Australia relies predominantly on measurement of
Bordetella pertussis
IgA antibody responses. Using
B. pertussis
PCR and the WHO clinical case definition as reference standards, the diagnostic utility of in-house anti-PT IgG and anti-PT IgA assays was evaluated prospectively in an Australian community-based cohort (
n
= 327). Patients provided up to four consecutive serum samples to document the kinetics of antibody response and decay. Previously validated cutoffs for positivity were converted to international units by using WHO-approved reference sera. At currently used cutoffs, both anti-PT IgG (>94 IU/ml) and anti-PT IgA (>20 IU/ml) assays had good specificity (80% [95% confidence interval {95% CI}, 68 to 88%] and 87% [95% CI, 77 to 94%]), but anti-PT IgG assay was consistently more sensitive than anti-PT IgA assay across a range of cutoffs (60 to 79% [95% CI, 53 to 84%] versus 41 to 62% [95% CI, 34 to 69%]). The combination of anti-PT IgG and anti-PT IgA assays performed no better than anti-PT IgG assay alone. The anti-PT IgA response in children under 12 years of age was poor. The accuracy of serology was optimal between 2 and 8 weeks after symptom onset. Cutoffs of >94 IU/ml for anti-PT IgG and >20 IU/ml for anti-PT IgA correlated well with recent pertussis infection and were consistent with recent recommendations from the EU Pertstrain group. Anti-PT IgG assay was superior to anti-PT IgA assay as the test of choice for the diagnosis of pertussis from a single sample.
Life-Threatening Respiratory Tract Disease with Human Bocavirus-1 Infection in a 4-Year-Old Child
Authors: Edner Niklas , Castillo-Rodas Paul , Falk Lars , Hedman Klaus , Söderlund-Venermo Maria , Allander Tobias 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACT
The disease spectrum associated with human bocavirus-1 infection remains to be fully defined. We report a case of bocavirus-1-associated bronchiolitis, leading to severe respiratory failure and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in a 4-year-old child, and suggest blood testing for human bocavirus-1 in children with severe respiratory tract infection.
Genome Analysis of Bat Adenovirus 2: Indications of Interspecies Transmission
Authors: Kohl Claudia , Vidovszky Márton Z. , Mühldorfer Kristin , Dabrowski Piotr Wojtek , Radonić Aleksandar , Nitsche Andreas , Wibbelt Gudrun , Kurth Andreas , Harrach Balázs 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACT
The genome of bat adenovirus 2 was sequenced and analyzed. It is similar in size (31,616 bp) to the genomes of bat adenovirus 3 and canine adenoviruses 1 and 2. These four viruses are monophyletic and share an identical genome organization, with one E3 gene and four E4 genes unique to this group among the mastadenoviruses. These findings suggest that canine adenoviruses may have originated by interspecies transfer of a vespertilionid bat adenovirus.
Elicitation of Anti-1918 Influenza Virus Immunity Early in Life Prevents Morbidity and Lower Levels of Lung Infection by 2009 Pandemic H1N1 Influenza Virus in Aged Mice
Authors: Giles Brendan M. , Bissel Stephanie J. , Craigo Jodi K. , DeAlmeida Dilhari R. , Wiley Clayton A. , Tumpey Terrence M. , Ross Ted M. 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACTThe Spanish influenza virus pandemic of 1918 was responsible for 40 million to 50 million deaths and is antigenically similar to the swine lineage 2009 pandemic influenza virus. Emergence of the 2009 pandemic from swine into humans has raised the possibility that low levels of cross-protective immunity to past shared epitopes could confer protection. In this study, influenza viruslike particles (VLPs) were engineered to express the hemagglutinin (HA) and genes from the 1918 influenza virus to evaluate the duration of cross-protection to the H1N1 pandemic strain by vaccinating young mice (8 to 12 weeks) and then allowing the animals to age to 20 months. This immunity was long lasting, with homologous receptor-blocking antibodies detected throughout the lifespan of vaccinated mice. Furthermore, the 1918 VLPs fully protected aged mice from 2009 pandemic H1N1 virus challenge 16 months after vaccination. Histopathological assessment showed that aged vaccinated mice had significant protection from alveolar infection but less protection of the bronchial tissue than adult vaccinated mice. Additionally, passive transfer of immune serum from aged vaccinated mice resulted in protection from death but not morbidity. This is the first report describing the lifelong duration of cross-reactive immune responses elicited by a 1918 VLP vaccine in a murine model. Importantly, these lifelong immune responses did not result in decreased total viral replication but did prevent infection of the lower respiratory tract. These findings show that immunity acquired early in life can restrict the anatomical location of influenza viral replication, rather than preventing infection, in the aged.
Murine Gammaherpesvirus 68 Evades Host Cytokine Production via Replication Transactivator-Induced RelA Degradation
Authors: Dong Xiaonan , He Zhiheng , Durakoglugil Deniz , Arneson Lisa , Shen Yan , Feng Pinghui 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACT

Cytokines play crucial roles in curtailing the propagation and spread of pathogens within the host. As obligate pathogens, gammaherpesviruses have evolved a plethora of mechanisms to evade host immune responses. We have previously shown that murine gammaherpesvirus 68 (γHV68) induces the degradation of RelA, an essential subunit of the transcriptionally active NF-κB dimer, to evade cytokine production. Here, we report that the immediately early gene product of γHV68,
r
eplication
t
rans
a
ctivator (RTA), functions as a ubiquitin E3 ligase to promote RelA degradation and abrogate cytokine production. A targeted genomic screen identified that RTA, out of 24 candidates, induces RelA degradation and abolishes NF-κB activation. Biochemical analyses indicated that RTA interacts with RelA and promotes RelA ubiquitination, thereby facilitating RelA degradation. Mutations within a conserved cysteine/histidine-rich, putative E3 ligase domain impaired the ability of RTA to induce RelA ubiquitination and degradation. Moreover, infection by recombinant γHV68 carrying mutations that diminish the E3 ligase activity of RTA resulted in more robust NF-κB activation and cytokine induction than did infection by wild-type γHV68. These findings support the conclusion that γHV68 subverts early NF-κB activation and cytokine production through RTA-induced RelA degradation, uncovering a key function of RTA that antagonizes the intrinsic cytokine production during gammaherpesvirus infection.
Effect of EpCAM, CD44, CD133 and CD166 expression on patient survival in tumours of the ampulla of Vater
Authors: Piscuoglio Salvatore , Lehmann Frank S , Zlobec Inti , Tornillo Luigi , Dietmaier Wolfgang , Hartmann Arndt , Wünsch Peter H , Sessa Fausto , Rümmele Petra , Baumhoer Daniel , Terracciano Luigi M 
Published: December 2011

BackgroundCarcinomas of the Vaterian system are rare and presumably arise from pre-existing adenomas. According to the cancer stem cell (CSC) hypothesis, only a small subset of tumor cells has the ability to initiate and develop tumor growth. In colorectal cancer, CD44, CD133, CD166 and EpCAM have been proposed to represent CSC marker proteins and their expression has been shown to correlate with patient survival.AimsTo evaluate a potential role of these CSC proteins in tumors of the ampulla of Vater, we investigated their expression in 175 carcinoma, 111 adenoma and 152 normal mucosa specimens arranged in a Tissue Microarray format.Materials and methodsMembranous immunoreactivity for each protein marker was scored semi-quantitatively by evaluating the number of positive tumor cells over the total number of tumor cells. Median protein expression levels were used as cut-off scores to define protein marker positivity. Clinical data including survival time were obtained by retrospective analysis of medical records, tumor registries or direct contact.ResultsThe expression of all evaluated marker proteins differed significantly between normal mucosa, adenoma and carcinoma samples. In all markers, we found a tendency towards more constant expression from normal to neoplastic tissue. EpCAM expression was significantly correlated with better patient survival. The increased expression of CD44s, CD166 and CD133 from normal mucosa samples to adenoma and carcinoma was linked to tumor progression. However, there was no statistically significant correlation with survival.ConclusionOur findings indicate, that in ampullary carcinomas, loss of expression of EpCAM may be linked to a more aggressive tumor phenotype.
Relative static stretch-induced impairments and dynamic stretch-induced enhancements are similar in young and middle-aged men
Authors: Behm David G. , Plewe Sebastian , Grage Philip , Rabbani Alireza , Beigi Hamid Taghi , Byrne Jeannette M. , Button Duane C. 
Published: December 2011

Middle-aged individuals may not respond in a similar manner as younger individuals. The study’s objective was to examine the effect of static (SS) and dynamic stretching (DS) in young and middle-aged men on subsequent performance. Ten young (22 ± 1.4 years) and 8 middle-aged men (46.3 ± 6.5 years) participated in 3 conditions consisting of SS (4 × 30 s for right and left quadriceps, hamstrings, and plantar flexors), DS (8 × 30 s of bilateral butt kicks, walking lunges, and plantar flexors) and control. Dependent variables included sit and reach, hip extension flexibility, countermovement jump (CMJ) height, drop jump (DJ) height, static balance, reaction (RT) and movement time (MT). Measurements were taken pre-intervention, post- and 10 min post-intervention. A 3-way repeated measurement ANOVA revealed that the younger men had higher jump heights, faster RT and MT, and greater flexibility than the middle-aged men. DS significantly enhanced DJ (p = 0.04) and CMJ (p = 0.006) height compared with SS and control conditions. SS (p < 0.0001) and DS (p = 0.004) post-intervention sit and reach scores were significantly greater than pre-intervention scores. There were no significant differences between the SS and DS sit and reach scores. CMJ heights were impaired (p = 0.04) by SS. Conversely, DS post-intervention jump heights were significantly (p < 0.0001) higher than SS post-, control post-, and control 10 min post-intervention. SS-induced impairments and DS-induced enhancements of CMJ height were not affected by age. DS provided similar improvements in sit and reach scores as SS. DS is recommended as the most appropriate stretching routine prior to work or athletic performance for younger and middle-aged men.
Interval and continuous exercise elicit equivalent postexercise hypotension in prehypertensive men, despite differences in regulation
Authors: Lacombe Shawn P. , Goodman Jack M. , Spragg Carly M. , Liu Sam , Thomas Scott G. 
Published: December 2011

Equicaloric bouts of interval (IE: 5 × 2:2 min at 85% and 40% maximal oxygen uptake) and steady state (SS: 21 min at 60% maximal oxygen uptake) exercise were performed by 13 older prehypertensive males on separate days, at equivalent times of day, to assess the influence of exercise mode on postexercise hypotension (PEH). Exercise conditions were compared with a control session. Cardiovascular measures were collected for 30 min prior to, and 60 min following exercise. PEH, as measured by mean postexercise systolic blood pressure (SBP) decrease (IE: –4 ± 6 mm Hg; SS: –3 ± 4 mm Hg; control: 4 ± 4 mm Hg), area under the SBP curve (IE: –240 ± 353 mm Hg·min; SS: –192 ± 244 mm Hg·min), and minimum SBP achieved (IE: –15 ± 7 mm Hg; SS: –13 ± 7 mm Hg), was equivalent after both conditions. Stroke volume was significantly reduced (IE: –14.6 ± 16.0 mL; SS: –10.1 ± 14.2 mL, control –1.7 ± 2.2 mL) and heart rate was significantly elevated (IE: 13 ± 8 beats·min–1; SS: 7.9 ± 8 beats·min–1; control: –2 ± 3 beats·min–1) postexercise after both conditions. Cardiac output and total peripheral resistance were nonsignificantly decreased and increased postexercise, respectively. Baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) was reduced following IE (p < 0.05) and heart rate variability (HRV) parameters were reduced after both conditions, with IE eliciting larger and longer reductions in some indices. The results from the current study indicate that older prehypertensive adults experience similar PEH following equicaloric bouts of IE and SS exercise despite larger alterations in HRV and BRS elicited by IE.