bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
SPECIFIC ADSORPTION OF METACHROMATIC COMPOUNDS OF CHONDROITIN SULFATE BY INSOLUBLE CALCIUM SALTS
Authors: PAL MEDINI KANTA , SCHUBERT MAXWELL 
Published: April 2011

A method has been found for specifically adsorbing from solution the metachromatic compounds of chondroitin sulfate and two metachromatic dyes. The specific adsorbants are CaHPO4, CaCO3, and CaC2O4. These adsorb only metachromatic compound and do not adsorb either dye or chromotrope alone. With these adsorbants it is easy to show that the metachromatic compound adsorbed contains dye and chromotrope in equivalent amounts even when the solution from which it was adsorbed contained a tenfold excess of chromotrope. This supports by an independent method the conclusion of an earlier ultracentrifugal study. The evidence presented shows that under the conditions studied there exists in solution a single metachromatic compound of methylene blue and chondroitin sulfate which obeys Beer's law over the concentration range 0.37 x 10-4 to 7.2 x 10-4 M, and has a molar extinction coefficient at 570 mµ of 2.36 x 104. Some less specific adsorbants are also mentioned; in addition to adsorbing the metachromatic compound, Ca3(PO4) also adsorbs chromotrope, and Al2O3, dye. The specific adsorbants provide a new tool for the study of metachromasia in solution and facilitate chemical analysis of adsorbable metachromatic compounds.
AN EVALUATION OF METHODS COMMONLY USED FOR THE FIXATION AND STAINING OF GLYCOGEN
Authors: TROTT J. R. 
Published: April 2011

Blocks of liver from eight one-month-old Sprague Dawley rats were fixed in the following fixatives: 10% neutral formalin, 10% formalin, formol-saline, alcohol formalin, acetic alcohol formalin, Bouin's, Carnoy's and Rossman's for the following times: 24 hours,48 hours, seven days, two weeks, one month and three months. Sections were cut from these specimens and stained for glycogen by the periodic acid Schiff reaction and the Best carmine method. It is concluded from these experiments that if the tissues are fixed in acetic alcohol formalin, then consistently good demonstration of glycogen will be obtained with the periodic acid Schiff stain, in livers stored in this fixative up to three months. Nearly as good results can also be obtained with the Best carmine stain, if the tissues are similarly fixed in Bouin's. Aqueous based fixatives cannot be relied upon after 24 hours to 48 hours to demonstrate the maximum amount of glycogen in tissues. The phenomena of polarization is discussed and it was shown that acetic alcohol formalin fixed tissues gave the most marked polarization, whilst sections taken from specimens fixed in the aqueous based fixatives show considerably less polarization, and in some cases none at all. Alcohol based fixatives give a coarser and larger granule of glycogen which stains with more vividness, and is easier to recognize following the periodic acid Schiff reaction than the Best carmine. An unusual distribution of glycogen was observed with the two stains that were used. With the periodic acid Schiff reaction, some sections showed a very marked heavy peripheral accumulation of glycogen within the cells, whilst with the Best carmine method some sections showed a glycogen free peripheral zone. They were consistently reproduced but no suitable explanation can be offered for these observations.
Multifaceted effects of synthetic TLR2 ligand and Legionella pneumophilia on Treg-mediated suppression of T cell activation
Authors: van Maren Wendy WC , Nierkens Stefan , Toonen Liza W , Bolscher Judith M , Sutmuller Roger PM , Adema Gosse J 
Published: April 2011

AbstractBackgroundRegulatory T cells (Treg) play a crucial role in maintaining immune homeostasis and self-tolerance. The immune suppressive effects of Tregs should however be limited in case effective immunity is required against pathogens or cancer cells. We previously found that the Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) agonist, Pam3CysSK4, directly stimulated Tregs to expand and temporarily abrogate their suppressive capabilities. In this study, we evaluate the effect of Pam3CysSK4 andLegionella pneumophila, a natural TLR2 containing infectious agent, on effector T (Teff) cells and dendritic cells (DCs) individually and in co-cultures with Tregs.ResultsTLR2 agonists can directly provide a co-stimulatory signal inducing enhanced proliferation and cytokine production of naive CD4+ Teff cells. With respect to cytokine production, DCs appear to be most sensitive to low amounts of TLR agonists. Using wild type and TLR2-deficient cells in Treg suppression assays, we accordingly show that all cells (e.g. Treg, Teff cells and DCs) contributed to overcome Treg-mediated suppression of Teff cell proliferation. Furthermore, while TLR2-stimulated Tregs readily lost their ability to suppress Teff cell proliferation, cytokine production by Teff cells was still suppressed. Similar results were obtained upon stimulation with TLR2 ligand containing bacteria,Legionella pneumophila.ConclusionsThese findings indicate that both synthetic and natural TLR2 agonists affect DCs, Teff cells and Treg directly, resulting in multi-modal modulation of Treg-mediated suppression of Teff cells. Moreover, Treg-mediated suppression of Teff cell proliferation is functionally distinct from suppression of cytokine secretion.
Association mapping of common bacterial blight resistance QTL in Ontario bean breeding populations
Authors: Shi Chun , Navabi Alireza , Yu Kangfu 
Published: April 2011

AbstractBackgroundCommon bacterial blight (CBB), incited byXanthomonas axonopodispv.phaseoli(Xap), is a major yield-limiting factor of common bean (Phaseolus vulgarisL.) production around the world. Host resistance is practically the most effective and environmentally-sound approach to control CBB. Unlike conventional QTL discovery strategies, in which bi-parental populations (F2, RIL, or DH) need to be developed, association mapping-based strategies can use plant breeding populations to synchronize QTL discovery and cultivar development.ResultsA population of 469 dry bean lines of different market classes representing plant materials routinely developed in a bean breeding program were used. Of them, 395 lines were evaluated for CBB resistance at 14 and 21 DAI (Days After Inoculation) in the summer of 2009 in an artificially inoculated CBB nursery in south-western Ontario. All lines were genotyped using 132 SNPs (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms) evenly distributed across the genome. Of the 132 SNPs, 26 SNPs had more than 20% missing data, 12 SNPs were monomorphic, and 17 SNPs had a MAF (Minor Allelic Frequency) of less than 0.20, therefore only 75 SNPs were used for association study, based on one SNP per locus. The best possible population structure was to assign 36% and 64% of the lines into Andean and Mesoamerican subgroups, respectively. Kinship analysis also revealed complex familial relationships among all lines, which corresponds with the known pedigree history. MLM (Mixed Linear Model) analysis, including population structure and kinship, was used to discover marker-trait associations. Eighteen and 22 markers were significantly associated with CBB rating at 14 and 21 DAI, respectively. Fourteen markers were significant for both dates and the markers UBC420, SU91, g321, g471, and g796 were highly significant (p ≤ 0.001). Furthermore, 12 significant SNP markers were co-localized with or close to the CBB-QTLs identified previously in bi-parental QTL mapping studies.ConclusionsThis study demonstrated that association mapping using a reasonable number of markers, distributed across the genome and with application of plant materials that are routinely developed in a plant breeding program can detect significant QTLs for traits of interest.
Diagnostic accuracy of point-of-care testing for acute coronary syndromes, heart failure and thromboembolic events in primary care: a cluster-randomised controlled trial
Authors: Tomonaga Yuki , Gutzwiller Felix , Lüscher Thomas F , Riesen Walter F , Hug Markus , Diemand Albert , Schwenkglenks Matthias , Szucs Thomas D 
Published: April 2011

Abstract

Background
Evidence of the clinical benefit of 3-in-1 point-of-care testing (POCT) for cardiac troponin T (cTnT), N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and D-dimer in cardiovascular risk stratification at primary care level for diagnosing acute coronary syndromes (ACS), heart failure (HF) and thromboembolic events (TE) is very limited. The aim of this study is to analyse the diagnostic accuracy of POCT in primary care.

Methods
Prospective multicentre controlled trial cluster-randomised to POCT-assisted diagnosis and conventional diagnosis (controls). Men and women presenting in 68 primary care practices in Zurich County (Switzerland) with chest pain or symptoms of dyspnoea or TE were consecutively included after baseline consultation and working diagnosis. A follow-up visit including confirmed diagnosis was performed to determine the accuracy of the working diagnosis, and comparison of working diagnosis accuracy between the two groups.

Results
The 218 POCT patients and 151 conventional diagnosis controls were mostly similar in characteristics, symptoms and pre-existing diagnoses, but differed in working diagnosis frequencies. However, the follow-up visit showed no statistical intergroup difference in confirmed diagnosis frequencies. Working diagnoses overall were significantly more correct in the POCT group (75.7% vs 59.6%, p = 0.002), as were the working diagnoses of ACS/HF/TE (69.8% vs 45.2%, p = 0.002). All three biomarker tests showed good sensitivity and specificity.

Conclusion
POCT confers substantial benefit in primary care by correctly diagnosing significantly more patients.

Trial registration
DRKS: DRKS00000709
Study protocol for BeWEL: The impact of a BodyWEight and physicaL activity intervention on adults at risk of developing colorectal adenomas
Authors: Craigie Angela M , Caswell Stephen , Paterson Caron , Treweek Shaun , Belch Jill JF , Daly Fergus , Rodger Jackie , Thompson Joyce , Kirk Alison , Ludbrook Anne , Stead Martine , Wardle Jane , Steele Robert JC , Anderson Annie S 
Published: April 2011

Abstract

Background
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second highest cause of cancer death in the UK. Most cases occur in people over 50 years and CRC often co-exists with other lifestyle related disorders including obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). These diseases share risk factors related to the metabolic syndrome including large body size, abnormal lipids and markers of insulin resistance indicating common aetiological pathways.

Methods/Design
This 3 year study will be a two-arm, multicentre, randomised controlled trial comparing the BeWEL lifestyle (diet, physical activity and behaviour change) programme against usual care. The pre-trial development will take 6 months and participants will be recruited over a 12 month period and undertake the intervention and follow up for 12 months (total 24 months recruitment and intervention implementation) with a further 6 months for data collection, analysis and interpretation.
Four hundred and fifty two participants who have had a colorectal adenoma detected and removed (through the national colorectal screening programme) will provide 80% power to detect a weight loss of 7% over 12 months.
Primary outcomes are changes in body weight and waist circumference. Secondary outcomes will include cardiovascular risk factors, psycho-social measures and intervention costs.

Discussion
The results from this study will enhance the evidence base for lifestyle change in patients at higher risk of chronic disease including obesity related cancers.
International Standard Randomised Controlled Trials No: ISRCTN53033856
Evolution combined with genomic study elucidates genetic bases of isobutanol tolerance in Escherichia coli
Authors: Minty Jeremy J , Lesnefsky Ann A , Lin Fengming , Chen Yu , Zaroff Ted A , Veloso Artur B , Xie Bin , McConnell Catie A , Ward Rebecca J , Schwartz Donald R , Rouillard Jean-Marie , Gao Yuan , Gulari Erdogan , Lin Xiaoxia Nina 
Published: April 2011

Abstract

Background
Isobutanol is a promising next-generation biofuel with demonstrated high yield microbial production, but the toxicity of this molecule reduces fermentation volumetric productivity and final titer. Organic solvent tolerance is a complex, multigenic phenotype that has been recalcitrant to rational engineering approaches. We apply experimental evolution followed by genome resequencing and a gene expression study to elucidate genetic bases of adaptation to exogenous isobutanol stress.

Results
The adaptations acquired in our evolved lineages exhibit antagonistic pleiotropy between minimal and rich medium, and appear to be specific to the effects of longer chain alcohols. By examining genotypic adaptation in multiple independent lineages, we find evidence of parallel evolution in marC, hfq, mdh, acrAB, gatYZABCD, and rph genes. Many isobutanol tolerant lineages show reduced RpoS activity, perhaps related to mutations in hfq or acrAB. Consistent with the complex, multigenic nature of solvent tolerance, we observe adaptations in a diversity of cellular processes. Many adaptations appear to involve epistasis between different mutations, implying a rugged fitness landscape for isobutanol tolerance. We observe a trend of evolution targeting post-transcriptional regulation and high centrality nodes of biochemical networks. Collectively, the genotypic adaptations we observe suggest mechanisms of adaptation to isobutanol stress based on remodeling the cell envelope and surprisingly, stress response attenuation.

Conclusions
We have discovered a set of genotypic adaptations that confer increased tolerance to exogenous isobutanol stress. Our results are immediately useful to further efforts to engineer more isobutanol tolerant host strains of E. coli for isobutanol production. We suggest that rpoS and post-transcriptional regulators, such as hfq, RNA helicases, and sRNAs may be interesting mutagenesis targets for future global phenotype engineering.
Electrorheology of nanofiber suspensions
Authors: Yin Jianbo , Zhao Xiaopeng 
Published: April 2011

AbstractElectrorheological (ER) fluid, which can be transformed rapidly from a fluid-like state to a solid-like state under an external electric field, is considered to be one of the most important smart fluids. However, conventional ER fluids based on microparticles are subjected to challenges in practical applications due to the lack of versatile performances. Recent researches of using nanoparticles as the dispersal phase have led to new interest in the development of non-conventional ER fluids with improved performances. In this review, we especially focus on the recent researches on electrorheology of various nanofiber-based suspensions, including inorganic, organic, and inorganic/organic composite nanofibers. Our goal is to highlight the advantages of using anisotropic nanostructured materials as dispersal phases to improve ER performances.
Characteristics of CD8+ T cell subsets in Chinese patients with chronic HIV infection during initial ART
Authors: Jiao Yanmei , Hua Wei , Zhang Tong , Zhang Yonghong , Ji Yunxia , Zhang Hongwei , Wu Hao 
Published: April 2011

Abstract

Background
CD8+ T cells may play an important role in protecting against HIV. However, the changes of CD8+ T cell subsets during early period of ART have not been fully studied.

Methods
Twenty-one asymptomatic treatment-naive HIV-infected patients with CD4 T+ cells less than 350 cells/μl were enrolled in the study. Naïve, central memory(CM), effective memory(EM) and terminally differentiated effector (EMRA) CD8+ cell subsets and their activation and proliferation subsets were evaluated in blood samples collected at base line, and week 2, 4, 8 and 12 of ART.

Results
The total CD8+ T cells declined and the Naïve and CM subsets had a tendency of increase. Activation levels of all CD8+ T cell subsets except EMRA subset decreased after ART. However, proliferation levels of total CD8+ T cells, EMRA, EM and CM subsets increased at the first 4 weeks of ART, then decreased. Proliferation level of the naïve cells decreased after ART.

Conclusion
The changes of CD8+ T cell subsets during initial ART are complex. Our results display a complete phenotypical picture of CD8+ cell subsets during initial ART and provide insights for understanding of immune status during ART.
Cardiac Reoperation in a patient who previously underwent omentoplasty for postoperative mediastinitis: a case report
Authors: Bilal Mehmet S , Gürer Onur , Kırbaş Ahmet , Yıldız Yahya , Çelebi Ahmet 
Published: April 2011

Abstract
Sternal infection has become a rare but challenging problem with significant mortality and morbidity rates since the introduction of sternotomy. Reported rates of mediastinal and sternal infection range from 0.4% to 5%. The ideal reconstruction after sternal debridement is still controversial. Different methods, such as debridement and open packing with continuous antibiotic irrigation, or sternectomy with omental or muscle transposition have been proposed. In this study, we present the cardiac reoperation of a 52 year old man with corrected transposition of great arteries (c-TGA) who had undergone a previous omentoplasty for postoperative mediastinitis.
Estrogen receptor beta inhibits transcriptional activity of hypoxia inducible factor-1 through the downregulation of arylhydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator
Authors: Lim Wonchung , Park Yeomyung , Cho Jungyoon , Park Choa , Park Joonwoo , Park Young-Kwon , Park Hyunsung , Lee YoungJoo 
Published: April 2011

Abstract
Introduction
Estrogen receptor (ER) β is predicted to play an important role in prevention of breast cancer development and metastasis. We have shown previously that ERβ inhibits hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1α mediated transcription, but the mechanism by which ERβ works to exert this effect is not understood.

Methods
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was measured in conditioned medium by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blotting, immunoprecipitation, luciferase assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays were used to ascertain the implication of ERβ on HIF-1 function.

Results
In this study, we found that the inhibition of HIF-1 activity by ERβ expression was correlated with ERβ's ability to degrade aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator (ARNT) via ubiquitination processes leading to the reduction of active HIF-1α/ARNT complexes. HIF-1 repression by ERβ was rescued by overexpression of ARNT as examined by hypoxia-responsive element (HRE)-driven luciferase assays. We show further that ERβ attenuated the hypoxic induction of VEGF mRNA by directly decreasing HIF-1α binding to the VEGF gene promoter.

Conclusions
These results show that ERβ suppresses HIF-1α-mediated transcription via ARNT down-regulation, which may account for the tumour suppressive function of ERβ.
Spectroelectrochemical Study of the Formation of Radical cations
of 4,4’-bis[N-(1-naphthyl)-N-phenyl-amino]-biphenyl as a Hole Transport
Semiconductor Material
Authors: Baasanjav Sharavsambuu , Bolormaa Gendensvren , Naranbileg Batjargal , Battulga Munkhbat , Ganzorig Chimed 
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACTSpectroelectrochemical study on a new absorption band of radical cations of
4,4’-bis[N-(1-naphthyl)-N-phenyl-amino]-biphenyl (α-NPD) as an
electron-donor hole-transporting material used in organic electronics is
reported in this work. UV-visible spectroscopic and cyclic voltammetric
properties for α-NPD in solution are also examined. We find that the results
are attributed to quenching process for blue fluorescence from α-NPD by
excess α-NPD+ radical cations accumulated in the emission region
in the organic light-emitting devices related to a relatively large overlap
between the fluorescence spectrum of α-NPD and the absorption spectrum of
α-NPD+ radical cations. The band gap energy for α-NPD is
calculated from the UV-visible spectroscopic data.
Secondary Hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Cunningham John , Locatelli Francesco , Rodriguez Mariano 
Published: April 2011

Summary
Secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) is a challenge frequently encountered in the management of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Downregulation of the parathyroid vitamin D and calcium-sensing receptors represent critical steps that lead to abnormalities in mineral metabolism: high phosphate, low calcium, and vitamin D deficiency. These imbalances result in parathyroid hyperplasia and contribute to vascular calcification. New studies have established a central role for fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23) in the regulation of phosphate-vitamin D homeostasis. FGF-23 concentration increases in CKD and contributes to SHPT. Achieving current targets for the key mineral parameters in the management of SHPT set by the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) guidelines can be challenging. This review summarizes the current understanding and evidence supporting strategies for SHPT treatment in CKD patients. Treatment should include a combination of dietary phosphorus restriction, phosphate binders, vitamin D sterols, and calcimimetics. Parathyroidectomy is effective in suitable candidates refractory to medical therapy and the standard against which new approaches should be measured. Future strategies may focus on the stimulation of apoptotic activity of hyperplastic parathyroid cells.
Morphometric analysis of craniofacial features in mono- and dizygotic twins discordant for unilateral cleft lip and palate
Authors: Tessler Alexis Y. , Franchi Lorenzo , McNamara James A. , Baccetti Tiziano 
Published: April 2011

Abstract

Objective:
To compare craniofacial differences between twins discordant for surgically repaired unilateral cleft lip and palate (CLP) during the developmental ages and to test the effect of zygosity on the shape and size of the craniofacial skeleton of the same twins by means of thin plate spline (TPS) analysis.

Materials and Methods:
Lateral and posteroanterior (PA) cephalometric films from 19 sets of monozygotic (MZ) twins (15 male and 4 female) and 10 dizygotic (DZ) twins (7 male and 3 female) were analyzed. TPS analysis evaluated statistically significant differences in the craniofacial shape and size between affected and unaffected twins within MZ and DZ twin couples.

Results:
No statistically significant differences in craniofacial shape or size between CLP and non-CLP MZ or DZ twins were observed. The level of morphological similarity in CLP vs non-CLP MZ twins was statistically greater than in DZ twins.

Conclusions:
Morphometric analysis showed that surgically repaired CLP does not produce significant shape or size differences in the craniofacial features of MZ or DZ twins discordant for unilateral CLP.
Confocal Laser Microscopic Analysis of Biofilm on Newer Feldspar Ceramic
Authors: Brentel A. S. , Kantorski K. Z. , Valandro L. F. , Fúcio S. B. , Puppin-Rontani R. M. , Bottino M. A. 
Published: April 2011

Clinical Relevance
When the glazed surface of glass ceramics is submitted to chairside preparation, polishing with rubber points followed by felt disks impregnated with a fine-aluminum oxide particle appears be a good option to polish the surface of the glass ceramic, since this finishing-polishing method results in biofilm formation similar to the glazed ceramic surface.