bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Radial Artery Atherosclerosis by Intravascular Ultrasound
Authors: Moon Keon-Woong , Kim Ji-Hoon , Yoo Ki-Dong , Oh Su-Sung , Kim Dong-Bin , Kim Chul-Min 
Published: February 2012

We quantified radial artery atherosclerosis by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and determined the relationship between established cardiovascular risk factors and the extent of atherosclerotic plaque. Intravascular ultrasound examination of the radial artery was performed in patients undergoing transradial angiography or intervention. Total 50-mm segments starting at the radioulnar bifurcation were analyzed at 2-mm intervals to compute atheroma volume. In 115 consecutive patients, atheroma volume averaged 67.4 mm3 and percentage atheroma volume was 25.2%. Radial arteries showed age-related acceleration of atherosclerosis. Total atheroma volume was strongly associated with square of age and male gender. Hypertension and diabetes were strong independent predictors of larger radial artery atheroma burden. Radial artery atherosclerosis, which can be quantitatively analyzed by IVUS, could be used as a surrogate marker for atherosclerosis.
All‐Cause Mortality after Tracheostomy at a Tertiary Care Hospital over a 10‐Month Period
Authors: Kejner Alexandra E. , Castellanos Paul F. , Rosenthal Eben L. , Hawn Mary T. 
Published: February 2012

ObjectiveTo evaluate perioperative mortality after tracheostomy in intensive care unit (ICU) patients undergoing routine tracheostomy over a 10‐month period.Study DesignCase series with planned data collection.SettingTertiary care hospital.SubjectsMechanically ventilated patients.MethodsProspective analysis of ICU patients undergoing tracheostomy placement over 10 months was performed. Variables evaluated were demographics, pretracheostomy length of stay, time on ventilator, time to death, preoperative comorbidities, and cause of death.ResultsThere were 129 consultations resulting in 115 tracheostomies, of which 100 were included for study. The overall 30‐day postoperative mortality rate was 25%, including palliative care deaths. Cause of death in all cases was due to a preexisting condition and not from tracheostomy. Patients who died within the 30‐day postoperative period were found to have significant differences in age, pretracheostomy length of stay, location of tracheostomy, and preoperative comorbidity scores. No significant difference was found in time on ventilator, sex, or race/ethnicity. Mean time from consultation to tracheostomy was 2.5 days (range, 0‐12 days).ConclusionHigh rates of mortality after tracheostomy can possibly affect hospital quality ratings for surgical services. There were no deaths directly related to surgery. Despite this, the mortality rate in this population was quite high. This illustrates the significant disease burden in these patients and the need to stratify postoperative mortality as well as to consider comorbidity and age when evaluating patients for tracheostomy.
Anterior Glenohumeral Laxity Is Associated With Posterior Shoulder Tightness Among Professional Baseball Pitchers
Authors: Laudner Kevin , Meister Keith , Noel Bria , Deter Tricia 
Published: February 2012

Background: Baseball pitchers often have increased anterior glenohumeral (GH) laxity and posterior shoulder tightness due to large forces produced during the throwing motion. As such, many clinicians have hypothesized that a relationship exists between these common characteristics. Hypothesis: A negative relationship will exist between anterior GH laxity and the summation of GH adduction range of motion (ROM) and GH internal rotation ROM asymmetry. Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Anterior GH laxity, GH rotation ROM, and GH horizontal adduction ROM were measured in 58 asymptomatic professional baseball pitchers. Differences in GH internal rotation at 90° of abduction were calculated between both shoulders. A multiple regression analysis was used to determine the strength of the relationships between anterior GH laxity (dependent variable) and GH adduction ROM and GH internal rotation ROM asymmetry (independent variables) ( P < .05). Results: A large portion of anterior GH laxity was predicted by the summation of GH adduction ROM and GH internal rotation ROM asymmetry ( r2 = .45, P = .001). Furthermore, increased anterior GH laxity had a significant relationship with both decreased GH horizontal adduction ROM ( r = .53, P = .001) and differences in GH internal rotation ROM ( r = .43, P = .001). Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that decreased GH horizontal adduction and internal rotation ROM may be considered partial predictors for increased anterior GH laxity in the throwing arm of baseball players. Because of the association between these variables, clinicians may find it advantageous to address posterior shoulder tightness during the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of shoulder injuries associated with anterior GH laxity.
Remote Lactation Consultation
Authors: Habibi Mona F. , Nicklas Jennifer , Spence Marsha , Hedberg Sherri , Magnuson Erika , Kavanagh Katherine F. 
Published: February 2012

Background: Use of videoconferencing technology for healthcare intervention and support is an area of tremendous potential, especially in regard to application in rural or underserved communities. Potential for cost-savings, time-savings, and increased access to care are the ultimate driving force behind use of this technology, for both providers and recipients of healthcare services. Recently, the Federal Government has initiated rulings to support the increased use of computer technology in underserved areas. Therefore, exploring novel applications of the technology of videoconferencing is timely. Remote lactation consultation may be one such novel application. Objectives: The primary objective of this pilot study was to describe the maternal experience of lactation consultation by means of videoconferencing, compared with standard face-to-face care, using grounded theory for model development. Methods: Twelve mothers participated in both a videoconferencing and a face-to-face consultation during one visit to the study site. Using grounded theory methods, responses to an in-depth phone interview occurring 3 days post-consultation were analyzed for major themes and a theoretical model proposed. Results: Three major themes emerged including maternal characteristics and interaction with technology, accuracy and trust determines acceptability for consultation type and, conditional acceptance of remote consultation use. Conclusions: Emergent themes were grounded in existing literature, and potential scales were identified to assist with development of a future tool to test the theoretical model. Responses to the videoconferencing experience were positive, but preferred use of the technology was situational.
Optimization of piezoelectric patch positioning for passive sound radiation control of plates
Authors: Rosi Giuseppe , Paccapeli Roberto , Ollivier François , Pouget Joël 
Published: February 2012

The purpose of this article is the optimization of piezoelectric patch positioning for reducing the radiated sound power of thin plates. To this end, an aluminium plate equipped with a set of piezoelectric patches connected to a passive circuit is considered. The difficulties in designing a smart structure are not only related to the conception of the electric circuit used as controller, but also to the choice of how the circuit itself is coupled with the structure. The selection of the number of transducers to be used, and their positioning, is a crucial step in the designing process. In this work the entire design process of a smart structure is proposed, with the goal of obtaining the best efficiency in terms of reduction of radiated sound power, while using a lightweight optimization procedure in terms of computational costs. To this end, classical instruments of vibrations mechanics are used together with acoustic concepts, such as the modal radiation efficiency. The introduction of this acoustic characterization of the structure in the optimization process is done by using a new utility function, the acoustic controllability, which will be used for the optimization of transducer positioning. The proposed optimization process is applied to the case study of an aluminium plate with nonstandard boundary conditions, and experimental results confirm the validity of this novel procedure.
Possible mechanism of the cardio-renal protective effects of AVE-0991, a non-peptide Mas-receptor agonist, in diabetic rats
Authors: Singh Kulwinder , Sharma Kuldeepak , Singh Manjeet , Sharma PL 
Published: February 2012

Hypothesis: This study was designed to investigate the cardio-renal protective effect of AVE-0991, a non-peptide Mas-receptor agonist, and A-779, a Mas-receptor antagonist, in diabetic rats. Materials and methods: Wistar rats treated with streptozotocin (50 mg/kg, i.p., once), developed diabetes mellitus after 1 week. After 8 weeks, myocardial functions were assessed by measuring left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP), rate of left ventricular pressure development (d p/d tmax), rate of left ventricular pressure decay (d p/d tmin) and left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP) on an isolated Langendorff’s heart preparation. Further, mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) was measured by using the tail-cuff method. Assessment of renal functions and lipid profile was carried out using a spectrophotometer. Results: The administration of streptozotocin to rats produced persistent hyperglycaemia, dyslipidaemia and hypertension which consequently produced cardiac and renal dysfunction in 8 weeks. AVE0991 treatment produced cardio-renal protective effects, as evidenced by a significant increase in LVDP, d p/d tmax, d p/d tmin and a significant decrease in LVEDP, BUN, and protein urea. Further, AVE-0991 treatment for the first time has been shown to reduce dyslipidaemia and produced antihyperglycaemic activity in streptozotocin-treated rats. However, MABP and creatinine clearance remained unaffected with AVE-0991 treatment. Conclusions: AVE-0991 produced cardio-renal protection possibly by improving glucose and lipid metabolism in diabetic rats, independent of its blood pressure lowering action.
Quantification of Changes in Morphology, Mechanotransduction, and Gene Expression in Bovine Articular Chondrocytes in Response to 2-Dimensional Culture Indicates the Existence of a Novel Phenotype
Authors: Qusous Ala , Kerrigan Mark J.P. 
Published: February 2012

Objective: Matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) offers a potential solution for cartilage repair but is currently hindered by loss of the chondrocyte differentiated phenotype. To further our understanding of the mechanism of dedifferentiation, changes in the phenotype in relation to mechanotransduction were recorded in response to monolayer culture. Methods: Bovine cartilage explants were excised and chondrocytes cultured for 9 days (P1), 14 days (P2), and 21 (P3) days. Changes in morphology and regulatory volume increase (RVI; a mechanotransduction response) were determined by the expression of key genes by RT-PCR and confocal microscopy, respectively. Results: A loss of a differentiated phenotype was observed in P1 with a reduction in sphericity and an overall increase in cell volume from 474.7 ± 32.1 µm3 to 725.2 ± 35.6 µm3. Furthermore, the effect of 2-dimensional (2-D) culture-induced dedifferentiation on mechanotransduction was investigated, whereby RVI and Gd3+-sensitive REV5901-induced calcium rise were only observed in 2-D cultured chondrocytes. A significant up-regulation of types I and II collagens and Sox9 was observed in P1 chondrocytes and no further significant change in type I collagen but a return to baseline levels of type II collagen and Sox9 upon further culture. Conclusion: These data indicated the presence of an intermediate, mesodifferentiated phenotype and highlight the importance of mechanotransduction as a marker of the chondrocytic cell type.
FAAP20: a novel ubiquitin-binding FA nuclear core-complex protein required for functional integrity of the FA-BRCA DNA repair pathway
Authors: Ali Abdullah Mahmood , Pradhan Arun , Singh Thiyam Ramsingh , Du Changhu , Li Jie , Wahengbam Kebola , Grassman Elke , Auerbach Arleen D. , Pang Qishen , Meetei Amom Ruhikanta 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
Fanconi anemia (FA) nuclear core complex is a multiprotein complex required for the functional integrity of the FA-BRCA pathway regulating DNA repair. This pathway is inactivated in FA, a devastating genetic disease, which leads to hematologic defects and cancer in patients. Here we report the isolation and characterization of a novel 20-kDa FANCA-associated protein (FAAP20). We show that FAAP20 is an integral component of the FA nuclear core complex. We identify a region on FANCA that physically interacts with FAAP20, and show that FANCA regulates stability of this protein. FAAP20 contains a conserved ubiquitin-binding zinc-finger domain (UBZ), and binds K-63–linked ubiquitin chains in vitro. The FAAP20-UBZ domain is not required for interaction with FANCA, but is required for DNA-damage–induced chromatin loading of FANCA and the functional integrity of the FA pathway. These findings reveal critical roles for FAAP20 in the FA-BRCA pathway of DNA damage repair and genome maintenance.
ER71 specifies Flk-1+ hemangiogenic mesoderm by inhibiting cardiac mesoderm and Wnt signaling
Authors: Liu Fang , Kang Inyoung , Park Changwon , Chang Li-Wei , Wang Wei , Lee Dongjun , Lim Dae-Sik , Vittet Daniel , Nerbonne Jeanne M. , Choi Kyunghee 
Published: February 2012

AbstractTwo distinct types of Flk-1+ mesoderm, hemangiogenic and cardiogenic, are thought to contribute to blood, vessel, and cardiac cell lineages. However, our understanding of how Flk-1+ mesoderm is specified is currently limited. In the present study, we investigated whether ER71, an Ets transcription factor essential for hematopoietic and endothelial cell lineage development, could modulate the hemangiogenic or cardiogenic outcome of the Flk-1+ mesoderm. We show that Flk-1+ mesoderm can be divided into Flk-1+PDGFRα− hemangiogenic and Flk-1+PDGFRα+ cardiogenic mesoderm. ER71-deficient embryonic stem cells produced only the Flk-1+PDGFRα+ cardiogenic mesoderm, which generated SMCs and cardiomyocytes. Enforced ER71 expression in the wild-type embryonic stem cells skewed toward the Flk-1+PDGFRα− mesoderm formation, which generated hematopoietic and endothelial cells. Whereas hematopoietic and endothelial cell genes were positively regulated by ER71, cardiac and Wnt signaling pathway genes were negatively regulated by ER71. We show that ER71 could inhibit Wnt signaling in VE-cadherin–independent as well as VE-cadherin–dependent VE-cadherin/β-catenin/Flk-1 complex formation. Enforced β-catenin could rescue cardiogenic mesoderm in the context of ER71 overexpression. In contrast, ER71-deficient Flk-1+ mesoderm displayed enhanced Wnt signaling, which was reduced by ER71 re-introduction. We provide the molecular basis for the antagonistic relationship between hemangiogenic and cardiogenic mesoderm specification by ER71 and Wnt signaling.
Interleukin 6, lipopolysaccharide-binding protein and interleukin 10 in the prediction of risk and etiologic patterns in patients with community-acquired pneumonia: results from the German competence network CAPNETZ
Authors: Zobel Katrin , Martus Peter , Pletz Mathias W , Ewig Santiago , Prediger Michael , Welte Tobias , Bühling Frank ,   CAPNETZ study group
Published: February 2012

Abstract

Background
The aim of our study was to investigate the predictive value of the biomarkers interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 10 (IL-10) and lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) compared with clinical CRB and CRB-65 severity scores in patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).

Methods
Samples and data were obtained from patients enrolled into the German CAPNETZ study group. Samples (blood, sputum and urine) were collected within 24 h of first presentation and inclusion in the CAPNETZ study, and CRB and CRB-65 scores were determined for all patients at the time of enrollment. The combined end point representative of a severe course of CAP was defined as mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit treatment and/or death within 30 days. Overall, a total of 1,000 patients were enrolled in the study. A severe course of CAP was observed in 105 (10.5%) patients.

Results
The highest IL-6, IL-10 and LBP concentrations were found in patients with CRB-65 scores of 3-4 or CRB scores of 2-3. IL-6 and LBP levels on enrollment in the study were significantly higher for patients with a severe course of CAP than for those who did not have severe CAP. In receiver operating characteristic analyses, the area under the curve values for of IL-6 (0.689), IL-10 (0.665) and LPB (0.624) in a severe course of CAP were lower than that of CRB-65 (0.764) and similar to that of CRB (0.69). The accuracy of both CRB and CRB-65 was increased significantly by including IL-6 measurements. In addition, higher cytokine concentrations were found in patients with typical bacterial infections compared with patients with atypical or viral infections and those with infection of unknown etiology. LBP showed the highest discriminatory power with respect to the etiology of infection.

Conclusions
IL-6, IL-10 and LBP concentrations were increased in patients with a CRB-65 score of 3-4 and a severe course of CAP. The concentrations of IL-6 and IL-10 reflected the severity of disease in patients with CAP. The predictive power of IL-6, IL-10 and LBP for a severe course of pneumonia was lower than that of CRB-65. Typical bacterial pathogens induced the highest LBP, IL-6 and IL-10 concentrations.
Analyses of 2-DEG characteristics in GaN HEMT with AlN/GaN super-lattice as barrier layer grown by MOCVD
Authors: Xu Peiqiang , Jiang Yang , Chen Yao , Ma Ziguang , Wang Xiaoli , Deng Zhen , Li Yan , Jia Haiqiang , Wang Wenxin , Chen Hong 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
GaN-based high-electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) with AlN/GaN super-lattices (SLs) (4 to 10 periods) as barriers were prepared on (0001) sapphire substrates. An innovative method of calculating the concentration of two-dimensional electron gas (2-DEG) was brought up when AlN/GaN SLs were used as barriers. With this method, the energy band structure of AlN/GaN SLs was analyzed, and it was found that the concentration of 2-DEG is related to the thickness of AlN barrier and the thickness of the period; however, it is independent of the total thickness of the AlN/GaN SLs. In addition, we consider that the sheet carrier concentration in every SL period is equivalent and the 2-DEG concentration measured by Hall effect is the average value in one SL period. The calculation result fitted well with the experimental data. So, we proposed that our method can be conveniently applied to calculate the 2-DEG concentration of HEMT with the AlN/GaN SL barrier.
The isolation and characterisation of the wheat molecular ZIPper I homologue, Ta ZYP1
Authors: Khoo Kelvin HP , Able Amanda J , Able Jason A 
Published: February 2012

Abstract

Background
The synaptonemal complex (SC) is a proteinaceous tripartite structure used to hold homologous chromosomes together during the early stages of meiosis. The yeast ZIP1 and its homologues in other species have previously been characterised as the transverse filament protein of the synaptonemal complex. Proper installation of ZYP1 along chromosomes has been shown to be dependent on the axial element-associated protein, ASY1 in Arabidopsis.

Results
Here we report the isolation of the wheat (Triticum aestivum) ZYP1 (TaZYP1) and its expression profile (during and post-meiosis) in wild-type, the ph1b deletion mutant as well as in Taasy1 RNAi knock-down mutants. Ta ZYP1 has a putative DNA-binding S/TPXX motif in its C-terminal region and we provide evidence that Ta ZYP1 interacts non-preferentially with both single- and double-stranded DNA in vitro. 3-dimensional dual immunofluorescence localisation assays conducted with an antibody raised against Ta ZYP1 show that Ta ZYP1 interacts with chromatin during meiosis but does not co-localise to regions of chromatin where Ta ASY1 is present. The Ta ZYP1 signal lengthens into regions of chromatin where Ta ASY1 has been removed in wild-type but this appears delayed in the ph1b mutant. The localisation profile of Ta ZYP1 in four Taasy1 knock-down mutants is similar to wild-type but Ta ZYP1 signal intensity appears weaker and more diffused.

Conclusions
In contrast to previous studies performed on plant species where ZYP1 signal is sandwiched by ASY1 signal located on both axial elements of the SC, data from the 3-dimensional dual immunofluorescence localisation assays conducted in this study show that Ta ZYP1 signal only lengthens into regions of chromatin after Ta ASY1 signal is being unloaded. However, the observation that Ta ZYP1 loading appears delayed in both the ph1b and Taasy1 mutants suggests that Ta ASY1 may still be essential for Ta ZYP1 to play a role in SC formation during meiosis. These data further suggest that the temporal installation of ZYP1 onto pairing homologous chromosomes in wheat is different to that of other plant species and highlights the need to study this synaptonemal complex protein on a species to species basis.
Evaluation of suitable reference genes for gene expression studies in porcine alveolar macrophages in response to LPS and LTA
Authors: Cinar Mehmet Ulas , Islam Mohammad Ariful , Uddin Muhammad Jasim , Tholen Ernst , Tesfaye Dawit , Looft Christian , Schellander Karl 
Published: February 2012

Abstract

Background
To obtain reliable quantitative real-time PCR data, normalization relative to stable housekeeping genes (HKGs) is required. However, in practice, expression levels of 'typical' housekeeping genes have been found to vary between tissues and under different experimental conditions. To date, validation studies of reference genes in pigs are relatively rare and have never been performed in porcine alveolar macrophages (AMs). In this study, expression stability of putative housekeeping genes were identified in the porcine AMs in response to the stimulation with two pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and lipoteichoic acid (LTA). Three different algorithms (geNorm, Normfinder and BestKeeper) were applied to assess the stability of HKGs.

Results
The mRNA expression stability of nine commonly used reference genes (B2M, BLM, GAPDH, HPRT1, PPIA, RPL4, SDHA, TBP and YWHAZ) was determined by qRT-PCR in AMs that were stimulated by LPS and LTA in vitro. mRNA expression levels of all genes were found to be affected by the type of stimulation and duration of the stimulation (P < 0.0001). geNorm software revealed that SDHA, B2M and RPL4 showed a high expression stability in the irrespective to the stimulation group, while SDHA, YWHAZ and RPL4 showed high stability in non-stimulated control group. In all cases, GAPDH showed the least stability in geNorm. NormFinder revealed that SDHA was the most stable gene in all the groups. Moreover, geNorm software suggested that the geometric mean of the three most stable genes would be the suitable combination for accurate normalization of gene expression study.

Conclusions
There was discrepancy in the ranking order of reference genes obtained by different analysing algorithms. In conclusion, the geometric mean of the SDHA, YWHAZ and RPL4 seemed to be the most appropriate combination of HKGs for accurate normalization of gene expression data in porcine AMs without knowing the type of bacterial pathogenic status of the animals.