bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Change in CD3 positive T-cell expression in psoriatic arthritis synovium correlates with change in DAS28 and magnetic resonance imaging synovitis scores following initiation of biologic therapy - a single centre, open-label study
Authors: Pontifex Eliza K , Gerlag Danielle M , Gogarty Martina , Vinkenoog Marjolein , Gibbs Adrian , Burgman Ilse , Fearon Ursula , Bresnihan Barry , Tak Paul Peter , Gibney Robin G , Veale Douglas J , FitzGerald Oliver 
Published: February 2011

Abstract
Introduction
With the development of increasing numbers of potential therapeutic agents in inflammatory disease comes the need for effective biomarkers to help screen for drug efficacy and optimal dosing regimens early in the clinical trial process. This need has been recognized by the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology Clinical Trials (OMERACT) group, which has established guidelines for biomarker validation. To seek a candidate synovial biomarker of treatment response in psoriatic arthritis (PsA), we determined whether changes in immunohistochemical markers of synovial inflammation correlate with changes in disease activity scores assessing 28 joints (ΔDAS28) or magnetic resonance imaging synovitis scores (ΔMRI) in patients with PsA treated with a biologic agent.

Methods
Twenty-five consecutive patients with PsA underwent arthroscopic synovial biopsies and MRI scans of an inflamed knee joint at baseline and 12 weeks after starting treatment with either anakinra (first 10 patients) or etanercept (subsequent 15 patients) in two sequential studies of identical design. DAS28 scores were measured at both time points. Immunohistochemical staining for CD3, CD68 and Factor VIII (FVIII) was performed on synovial samples and scored by digital image analysis (DIA). MRI scans performed at baseline and at 12 weeks were scored for synovitis semi-quantitatively. The ΔDAS28 of the European League Against Rheumatism good response definition (>1.2) was chosen to divide patients into responder and non-responder groups. Differences between groups (Mann Whitney U test) and correlations between ΔDAS28 with change in immunohistochemical and MRI synovitis scores (Spearman's rho test) were calculated.

Results
Paired synovial samples and MRI scans were available for 21 patients (8 anakinra, 13 etanercept) and 23 patients (8 anakinra, 15 etanercept) respectively. Change in CD3 (ΔCD3) and CD68 expression in the synovial sublining layer (ΔCD68sl) was significantly greater in the disease responders compared to non-responders following treatment (P = 0.005 and 0.013 respectively). ΔCD3, but not ΔCD68 or ΔFVIII, correlated with both ΔDAS28 (r = 0.49, P = 0.025) and ΔMRI (r = 0.58, P = 0.009).

Conclusions
The correlation of ΔCD3 with ΔDAS28 and ΔMRI following biologic treatment in this cohort contributes to the validation of ΔCD3 as a synovial biomarker of disease response in PsA, and supports the further evaluation of ΔCD3 for predictive properties of future clinical outcomes.
Endotoxemia related to cardiopulmonary bypass is associated with increased risk of infection after cardiac surgery: a prospective observational study
Authors: Klein David J , Briet Francoise , Nisenbaum Rosane , Romaschin Alexander D , Mazer C David 
Published: February 2011

Abstract
Introduction
Previous studies have documented a high frequency of endotoxemia associated with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Endotoxemia may be responsible for some of the complications associated with cardiac surgery. The purpose of the study was to examine the prevalence of endotoxemia during cardiopulmonary bypass supported aortocoronary bypass grafting surgery (ACB) using a new assay, the Endotoxin Activity Assay (EAA), and explore the association between endotoxemia and post-operative infection.

Methods
The study was a single center prospective observational study measuring EAA during the perioperative period for elective ACB. Blood samples were drawn at induction of anesthesia (T1), immediately prior to release of the aortic cross-clamp (T2), and on the first post-operative morning (T3). The primary outcome was the prevalence of endotoxemia. Secondary outcomes assessed included infection rates, intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital length of stay. An EAA of < 0.40 units was interpreted as "low", 0.41 to 0.59 units as "intermediate", and ≥0.60 units as "high".

Results
A total of 57 patients were enrolled and 54 patients were analyzable. The mean EAA at T1 was 0.38 +/- 0.14, at T2 0.39 +/- 0.18, and at T3 0.33 +/- 0.18. At T2 only 13.5% (7/52) of patients had an EAA in the high range. There was a positive correlation between EAA and duration of surgery (P = 0.02). In patients with EAA ≥0.40 at T2, 26.1% (6/23) of patients developed post-operative infections compared to 3.5% (1/29) of those that had a normal EAA (P = 0.0354). Maximum EAA over the first 24 hours was also strongly correlated with risk of post-operative infection (P = 0.0276).

Conclusions
High levels of endotoxin occur less frequently during ACB than previously documented. However, endotoxemia is associated with a significantly increased risk of the development of post-operative infection. Measuring endotoxin levels during ACB may provide a mechanism to identify and target a high risk patient population.
Upregulation of programmed death-1 on T cells and programmed death ligand-1 on monocytes in septic shock patients
Authors: Zhang Yan , Li Jinbao , Lou Jingsheng , Zhou Ying , Bo Lulong , Zhu Jiali , Zhu Keming , Wan Xiaojian , Cai Zailong , Deng Xiaoming 
Published: February 2011

Abstract
Introduction
Studies on the role of programmed death-1(PD-1) and its main ligand (PD-L1) during experimental models of sepsis have shown that the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway plays a pathologic role in altering microbial clearance, the innate inflammatory response and accelerated apoptosis in sepsis. However, the expression of PD-1 and PD-L1 and their role during the development of immune suppression in septic patients have not been elucidated. The present study was designed to determine whether the expression of PD-1 and PD-L1 is upregulated in septic shock patients and to explore the role of this pathway in sepsis-induced immunosuppression.

Methods
Nineteen septic shock patients and 22 sex-matched and age-matched healthy controls were prospectively enrolled. Apoptosis in lymphocyte subpopulations and PD-1/PD-L1 expression on peripheral T cells, B cells and monocytes were measured using flow cytometry. Apoptosis of T cells induced by TNFα or T-cell receptor ligation in vitro and effects of anti-PD-L1 antibody administration were measured by flow cytometry. CD14+ monocytes of septic shock patients were purified and incubated with either lipopolysaccharide, anti-PD-L1 antibody, isotype antibody, or a combination of lipopolysaccharide and anti-PD-L1 antibody or isotype antibody. Supernatants were harvested to examine production of cytokines by ELISA.

Results
Compared with healthy controls, septic shock induced a marked increase in apoptosis as detected by the annexin-V binding and active caspase-3 on CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells and CD19+ B cells. Expression of PD-1 on T cells and of PD-L1 on monocytes was dramatically upregulated in septic shock patients. PD-1/PD-L1 pathway blockade in vitro with anti-PD-L1 antibody decreased apoptosis of T cells induced by TNFα or T-cell receptor ligation. Meanwhile, this blockade potentiated the lipopolysaccharide-induced TNFα and IL-6 production and decreased IL-10 production by monocytes in vitro.

Conclusions
The expression of PD-1 on T cells and PD-L1 on monocytes was upregulated in septic shock patients. The PD-1/PD-L1 pathway might play an essential role in sepsis-induced immunosuppression.
Studies of the chemoenzymatic modification of cellulosic pulps by the laccase-TEMPO system
Authors: Patel Ilabahen , Ludwig Roland , Haltrich Dietmar , Rosenau Thomas , Potthast Antje 
Published: February 2011

Abstract
The chemoenzymatic modification of cellulosic pulps by the laccase-mediator system (LMS) consisting of laccase (EC 1.10.3.2) and the 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl radical (TEMPO) has been investigated. The reaction proceeds under mild aqueous conditions (sodium citrate buffer pH 6, 30°C) and introduces primarily aldehyde groups into cellulose so that carboxyl groups amount to one-third to one-fifth of the carbonyl groups only. LMS treatment caused uniform oxidation of the material, also in the high-molecular weight area, which is a non-typical behavior compared to other chemical oxidations of cellulose. Treatment of the pulp only with TEMPO or only with laccase caused no changes whatsoever, whereas treatment with the TEMPO-derived oxoammonium ion (in the absence of laccase) introduced carbonyl groups into the pulp, but no carboxyls. This chemoenzymatic approach was compared to the well-known chemical approach by means of TEMPO and hypohalite. Both approaches yielded comparable distributions of functional groups at the low oxidation degrees studied, indicating a similar reaction mechanism with the TEMPO-derived oxoammonium ion being the actual oxidant. The laccase is able to generate this oxoammonium ion, which in turn oxidized the 6-hydroxymethyl group into the corresponding aldehyde.
Determination of pectin content of eucalyptus wood
Authors: Coetzee Berdine , Schols Henk A. , Wolfaardt Francois 
Published: February 2011

AbstractVery little is known about the occurrence of pectin in wood and it is speculated that between 10 mg g-1and 40 mg g-1of wood consists of pectin. The present study aimed to quantify pectin in eucalyptus wood and to determine the influence of tree species, yield potential of the site, tree age class and wood tissue type on its occurrence. Wood was hydrolysed using the Saeman procedure and the neutral and acidic monosaccharides quantified with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Thed-galacturonic acid was the predominant pectic monosaccharide followed byd-galactose,l-arabinose andl-rhamnose. Through the addition of all pectic monosaccharides, it was determined that eucalyptus wood contained between 15.2 mg g-1and 25.8 mg g-1pectin. Wood tissue type had a major influence on the total pectin content of the samples. The cambium contained the highest concentration of pectin, reflecting more active growth. These results contribute to the understanding of wood biochemistry and can be useful in the industries producing biofuels or paper.
Lastmanagementpotential Elektrofahrzeuge
Authors: Agsten Michael , Schlegel Steffen , Westermann Dirk 
Published: February 2011

Zusammenfassung
Die Einführung von Elektrofahrzeugen bietet die Möglichkeit den Anteil fossiler Energieträger gegenüber erneuerbaren Energieformen wie Wind, Sonne und Wasserkraft durch gesteuertes Laden zu minimieren. Untersuchungen zeigen, zusätzliche Lastspitzen sind zu Zeiten zu erwarten, die ohnehin bereits die höchste elektrische Last aufweisen. Dies kann zu Überlastungssituationen im Verteilnetz führen und den Anteil fossiler Energieträger am Gesamtmix elektrischer Energie erhöhen. Zusätzliche Spitzenlastkraftwerke müssen eingesetzt werden, um den Bedarf zu decken. Die Steuerung von Ladevorgängen kann genutzt werden um Netzüberlastungen zu verhindern und zu Zeiten zu laden in denen der Beitrag regenerativer Einspeiser besonders hoch ist, insbesondere wenn deren Anteil deutlich gewachsen ist und Überangebot vorliegt. Der vorliegende Beitrag befasst sich daher mit der Modellierung und Herausstellen des Optimierungspotentials von Ladevorgängen aus Sicht von Verteilnetzen.
Mode Selective Damping of Electromechanical Oscillations in Power Systems Considering Time Delay Uncertainty of Input Signals
Authors: Hashmani Ashfaque A. , Erlich István 
Published: February 2011

Abstract
This paper presents the design of an H
∞-based local decentralized power system stabilizer (PSS) controllers, using selected suitable remote signals from the whole system as supplementary inputs, for a separate better damping of specific inter-area modes, considering uncertainty in time delay. The wide area or global signals are taken from suitable remote network locations where the oscillations are well observable. The PSS controller uses only those local and remote input signals in which the assigned single inter-area mode is most observable and is located at a generator which is most effective.
Influence of humic acid on the Am(III) sorption onto kaolinite
Authors: Křepelová A. , Sachs Susanne , Bernhard Gert 
Published: February 2011

AbstractThe sorption of americium(III), (Am(III)), onto kaolinite was studied in batch experiments in the absence and presence of humic acid (HA) ([Am(III)]0=1×10−6ߙM, [HA]0=0 or 10ߙmg/L,I=0.01ߙM NaClO4, pH=3–10,pCO2=10−3.5ߙatm, solid-to-liquid ratio (S/L)=1 or 4ߙg/L). The results show that the Am(III) sorption onto kaolinite is influenced by S/L, the presence of HA and the pH value. In the absence of HA, Am(III) exhibits a very strong and almost pH independent sorption onto kaolinite at the S/L ratio of 4ߙg/L. In the presence of HA, there are small differences in the Am(III) sorption compared to the HA free system. At pH values 5, HA very slightly enhances the sorption of Am(III). Conversely, at pH values ≥5.5, the presence of HA decreases the sorption of Am(III) due to the formation of dissolved Am(III) humate complexes. The decrease of S/L from 4 to 1ߙg/L has a significant effect on the Am(III) sorption onto kaolinite. A sorption edge occurs at pH 6 and the influence of carbonate on the Am(III) sorption at higher pH values becomes evident. Furthermore, the influence of HA on the Am(III) sorption onto kaolinite is more pronounced. The Am(III) sorption results are compared to literature data and to those of U(VI) sorption onto kaolinite obtained under the same experimental conditions.
A novel synthesis of the N-13 labeled atmospheric trace gas peroxynitric acid
Authors: Bartels-Rausch Thorsten , Ulrich Thomas , Huthwelker Thomas , Ammann Markus 
Published: February 2011

Abstract
Radioactively labeled trace gases have been successfully used to study heterogeneous chemistry of atmospheric relevance. Here we present a new synthesis of gas-phase peroxynitric acid labeled with 13N (H13NO4) to study the interaction of HNO4 with ice and snow surfaces. A yield of about 30% for HNO4 was determined. The main by-products were HNO3 and HNO2. Exposure of an ice packed bed flow tube to these species revealed that the interaction with the surface scale in the order HNO3ߙ>ߙHNO4ߙ=ߙHNO2ߙ>ߙNO2.
Electrochemical Patterning of Polyaniline on Insulating Substrates
Authors: Gaponik Nikolai , Shchukin Dmitry G. , Sviridov Dmitry V. 
Published: February 2011

Abstract
A facile method of patterning of various dielectric substrates (glass, quartz, and polyimide) with thin films of conducting polyaniline with at least 10 μm resolution is demonstrated. This method can be applied for the fabrication of functional conducting polymer interconnections between microelectrode arrays separated by dielectric gaps. Such interconnections may find applications in microelectrochemical sensors and electrocatalytic systems.
Synthesis and Agglomeration of Silver Nanoparticles Stabilized with 5-R-Tetrazoles
Authors: Ziegler Christoph , Klose Markus , Voitekhovich Sergei V. , Gaponik Nikolai , Eychmüller Alexander 
Published: February 2011

Abstract
In this work we present a simple method to obtain silver sols stabilized by tetrazole derivatives. The well established metal precursor silver nitrate and the reductant sodium borohydride have been combined with 5-R-tetrazoles (R=CH3, NH2) acting as stabilizing ligands. Depending on the utilized tetrazole, different agglomeration kinetics could be observed. Long term stability and agglomeration processes have been in situ investigated by the use of UV/Vis- and Raman-spectroscopy.
Solubility Enhancement of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) Using Synergistically Interacting Gemini-Conventional Surfactant Systems
Authors: Panda Manorama , Shafi Sheikh Mohmad , ud-Din Kabir 
Published: February 2011

Abstract
The aqueous solubility of otherwise slightly soluble organic substances can be enhanced by the incorporation of surfactant micelles. In this research, the water solubility enhancements of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) viz. naphthalene, anthracene and pyrene, by micellar solutions at 30 ºC using gemini-conventional (ionic and nonionic) surfactants in their single and binary systems have been measured and compared. The solubilization capabilities of gemini surfactant butanediyl-1,4-bis(dimethylcetylammonium bromide) (G4) with cationic cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), anionic sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate (AOT) and nonioinic polyoxyethylene (20) cetyl ether (Brij 58) have been quantified in terms of molar solubilization ratio (MSR), partition coefficient (K
m) and free energy of solubilization (ΔG
s
0) of the PAHs. The order of solubilizing power of pure surfactants is Brij 58 > G4 > CTAB > AOT and in binary systems G4-Brij 58 > G4-CTAB > G4-AOT.
SERS Study and DFT Simulation of the Interaction of Cytosine with Copper Electrode
Authors: Li Xianchang , Liu Shuanjiang , Li Wei , Mo Yujun , Hu Jiming 
Published: February 2011

Abstract
In order to obtain a deeper insight into the interaction between cytosine and copper electrode, a surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) study and density functional theory (DFT) simulation have been used. The experimental result shows that a decrease of relative intensity of the band at around 1315 cm−1 is accompanied by a considerable increase of relative intensity of the bands in the 1490∼1600 cm−1 region when the potential is below −0.7 V, and it is explained by the chemical effect (CE). Simultaneously, the geometry and Raman spectra of neutral and cationic Cu-cytosine complexes are calculated and simulated using the B3LYP/lanl2dz basis. The simulation shows that the relative intensities of Raman spectra depend strongly on the molecular active sites involved in the interaction between the copper electrode and the cytosine molecule. Combining the experimental results with theoretical calculations, we conclude that the adsorptive orientation of cytosine on the copper electrode occurs on the N3 site and the carbonyl site when the potential is above and below −0.7 V, respectively. This study also indicates that a combination of SERS and DFT simulations is a valuable tool for studying interactions of biomolecules with metal.
A Multicenter Retrospective Study on Clinical Characteristics, Treatment Patterns, and Outcome in Elderly Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Kozyreva Olga N. , Chi Dorcas , Clark Jeffrey W. , Wang Hejing , Theall Kathy P. , Ryan David P. , Zhu Andrew X. 
Published: February 2011

Abstract

Background.
There is a paucity of information on the clinical presentation and outcome of elderly hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. We performed a multicenter retrospective comparative study to assess the impact of age on potential differences in clinical characteristics, treatment patterns, and outcome in HCC patients.

Methods.
We retrospectively analyzed HCC patients treated at two U.S. tertiary institutions from 1998 to 2008. Demographics, tumor parameters, etiology and severity of cirrhosis, treatment, and survival from diagnosis were collected and analyzed. After exclusion of transplanted patients, survival analyses were performed using the Kaplan-Meier method with log-rank tests and Cox proportional hazards models.

Results.
Three hundred thirty-five HCC patients were divided into two groups: “elderly” (95 patients, age ≥70 years) and “younger” (240 patients, aged &lt;70 years). The male/female (M/F) ratio was 5.8:1 and 1.7:1 in the younger and elderly groups, respectively (p &lt; .0001). Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection rate was 48.3% in younger and 21.1% in elderly patients (p &lt; .0001); Child class B and C cirrhosis accounted for 35.8% in younger and 25.3% in elderly patients (p = .063). Compared with younger patients, the elderly received transplant less frequently (19.6% versus 5.3%, p = .0002) and were more likely to receive supportive care only (22.9% versus 36.8%, p = .01). No significant differences between the two age groups were seen in tumor parameters or other treatments received. Overall (p = .47) and HCC-specific survival rates (p = .38) were similar in both age groups.

Conclusions.
Characteristics that distinguish elderly from younger HCC patients include lower M/F ratio, worse performance status, lower rate of HCV infection, and less advanced underlying cirrhosis. Elderly patients were less likely to have a liver transplant and more likely to receive supportive care only. However, overall and HCC-specific survival were similar between the two groups.
Novel Fat Depot–Specific Mechanisms Underlie Resistance to Visceral Obesity and Inflammation in 11β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1–Deficient Mice
Authors: Wamil Malgorzata , Battle Jenny H. , Turban Sophie , Kipari Tiina , Seguret David , de Sousa Peixoto Ricardo , Nelson Yvonne B. , Nowakowska Dominika , Ferenbach David , Ramage Lynne , Chapman Karen E. , Hughes Jeremy , Dunbar Donald R. , Seckl Jonathan R. , Morton Nicholas M. 
Published: February 2011

OBJECTIVEThe study objective was to determine the key early mechanisms underlying the beneficial redistribution, function, and inflammatory profile of adipose tissue in 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 knockout (11β-HSD1−/−) mice fed a high-fat (HF) diet.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSBy focusing on the earliest divergence in visceral adiposity, subcutaneous and visceral fat depots from 11β-HSD1−/− and C57Bl/6J control mice fed an HF diet for 4 weeks were used for comparative microarray analysis of gene expression, and differences were validated with real-time PCR. Key changes in metabolic signaling pathways were confirmed using Western blotting/immunoprecipitation, and fat cell size was compared with the respective chow-fed control groups. Altered adipose inflammatory cell content and function after 4 weeks (early) and 18 weeks (chronic) of HF feeding was investigated using fluorescence (and magnetic)-activated cell sorting analysis, immunohistochemistry, and in situ hybridization.RESULTSIn subcutaneous fat, HF-fed 11β-HSD1−/− mice showed evidence of enhanced insulin and β-adrenergic signaling associated with accretion of smaller metabolically active adipocytes. In contrast, reduced 11β-HSD1−/− visceral fat accumulation was characterized by maintained AMP kinase activation, not insulin sensitization, and higher adipocyte interleukin-6 release. Intracellular glucocorticoid deficiency was unexpectedly associated with suppressed inflammatory signaling and lower adipocyte monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 secretion with strikingly reduced cytotoxic T-cell and macrophage infiltration, predominantly in visceral fat.CONCLUSIONSOur data define for the first time the novel and distinct depot-specific mechanisms driving healthier fat patterning and function as a result of reduced intra-adipose glucocorticoid levels.