bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ultrasonic device for real-time sewage velocity and suspended particles concentration measurements
Authors: Abda F. , Azbaid A. , Ensminger D. , Fischer S. , François P. , Schmitt P. , Pallarès A. 
Published: July 2009

In the frame of a technological research and innovation network in water and environment technologies (RITEAU, Réseau de Recherche et d'Innovation Technologique Eau et Environnement), our research group, in collaboration with industrial partners and other research institutions, has been in charge of the development of a suitable flowmeter: an ultrasonic device measuring simultaneously the water flow and the concentration of size classes of suspended particles.
Working on the pulsed ultrasound principle, our multi-frequency device (1 to 14 MHz) allows flow velocity and water height measurement and estimation of suspended solids concentration.
Velocity measurements rely on the coherent Doppler principle. A self developed frequency estimator, so called Spectral Identification method, was used and compared to the classical Pulse-Pair method. Several measurements campaigns on one wastewater collector of the French city of Strasbourg gave very satisfactory results and showed smaller standard deviation values for the Doppler frequency extracted by the Spectral Identification method.
A specific algorithm was also developed for the water height measurements. It relies on the water surface acoustic impedance rupture and its peak localisation and behaviour in the collected backscattering data. This algorithm was positively tested on long time measurements on the same wastewater collector.
A large part of the article is devoted to the measurements of the suspended solids concentrations. Our data analysis consists in the adaptation of the well described acoustic behaviour of sand to the behaviour of wastewater particles. Both acoustic attenuation and acoustic backscattering data over multiple frequencies are analyzed for the extrapolation of size classes and respective concentrations. Under dry weather conditions, the massic backscattering coefficient and the overall size distribution showed similar evolution whatever the measurement site was and were suggesting a global wastewater particles behaviour. By comparison to sampling data, our data analysis lead to the characterization of two particle groups: the ones occurring during rain events and the ones typical of wastewater under dry weather conditions. Even with already encouraging results on the several weeks of data recorded on several wastewater collectors, the validation of our data inversion method is still under progress.
Sorption behavior of a synthetic antioxidant, polycyclic musk, and an organophosphate insecticide in wastewater sludge
Authors: Thomas S. M. , Bodour A. A. , Murray K. E. , Inniss E. C. 
Published: July 2009

Emerging contaminants (ECs) are chemicals that are currently unregulated due to limited understanding of health effects and limited data regarding occurrence. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) receive many ECs as components of influent waste and the removal of organic contaminants, such as ECs, occurs primarily by sorption to sludge. Therefore, it is important to develop measures of sorption behavior by ECs to sludge. This study evaluates sorption of three ECs: 3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole (BHA) a synthetic antioxidant, 1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-4,6,6,7,8,8-hexamethyl-cyclopenta(g)-2-benzopyrane (HHCB) a polycyclic musk, and chlorpyrifos a organophosphate insecticide.
Twenty-four hour laboratory-scale sorption experiments were conducted for each compound individually and then in combination, which allowed the quantification of sorption onto wastewater sludge and the affects of multiple compounds. ECs in both the liquid and solid phases were analyzed using a gas chromatograph with flame ionization detector (GC/FID).
Isotherms of individual sorption behavior followed a linear trend (R2&gt;0.9) for individual ECs, while Kd averaged 2,689 L kg−1, 27,786 L kg−1 and 31,402 L kg−1 for BHA, chlorpyrifos and HHCB, respectively. Sorption behavior for BHA was linear during combined studies with Kd of 1,766 L kg−1 or a decrease of 34%, while HHCB and chlorpyrifos followed non-linear isotherm models. Synergistic effects were observed with spike concentrations ≥25 mg L−1 for HHCB and ≥20 mg L−1 for chlorpyrifos. Kd values ranged from 16,984–6,000,000 L kg−1 for HHCB and 19,536–3,000,000 L kg−1 for chlorpyrifos. These distribution coefficients differed substantially from previously published values, mainly because few studies used sludge as the sorption media. Results suggest that HHCB and chlorpyrifos may be contained in the sludge unlike BHA, which is more available in the aqueous phase. Future investigations should evaluate WWTP processes for degrading ECs to harmless products and releases of ECs from sludge.
Effect of the Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1/CC Chemokine Receptor 2 System on Nephrin Expression in Streptozotocin-Treated Mice and Human Cultured Podocytes
Authors: Tarabra Elena , Giunti Sara , Barutta Federica , Salvidio Gennaro , Burt Davina , Deferrari Giacomo , Gambino Roberto , Vergola Daniela , Pinach Silvia , Perin Paolo Cavallo , Camussi Giovanni , Gruden Gabriella 
Published: July 2009

OBJECTIVE
Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), a chemokine binding to the CC chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2) and promoting monocyte infiltration, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. To assess the potential relevance of the MCP-1/CCR2 system in the pathogenesis of diabetic proteinuria, we studied in vitro if MCP-1 binding to the CCR2 receptor modulates nephrin expression in cultured podocytes. Moreover, we investigated in vivo if glomerular CCR2 expression is altered in kidney biopsies from patients with diabetic nephropathy and whether lack of MCP-1 affects proteinuria and expression of nephrin in experimental diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Expression of nephrin was assessed in human podocytes exposed to rh-MCP-1 by immunofluorescence and real-time PCR. Glomerular CCR2 expression was studied in 10 kidney sections from patients with overt nephropathy and eight control subjects by immunohistochemistry. Both wild-type and MCP-1 knockout mice were made diabetic with streptozotocin. Ten weeks after the onset of diabetes, albuminuria and expression of nephrin, synaptopodin, and zonula occludens-1 were examined by immunofluorescence and immunoblotting.

RESULTS
In human podocytes, MCP-1 binding to the CCR2 receptor induced a significant reduction in nephrin both mRNA and protein expression via a Rho-dependent mechanism. The MCP-1 receptor, CCR2, was overexpressed in the glomerular podocytes of patients with overt nephropathy. In experimental diabetes, MCP-1 was overexpressed within the glomeruli and the absence of MCP-1 reduced both albuminuria and downregulation of nephrin and synaptopodin.

CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that the MCP-1/CCR2 system may be relevant in the pathogenesis of proteinuria in diabetes.
A Systematic Meta-Analysis of Genetic Association Studies for Diabetic Retinopathy
Authors: Abhary Sotoodeh , Hewitt Alex W. , Burdon Kathryn P. , Craig Jamie E. 
Published: July 2009

OBJECTIVE
Diabetic retinopathy is a sight-threatening microvascular complication of diabetes with a complex multifactorial pathogenesis. A systematic meta-analysis was undertaken to collectively assess genetic studies and determine which previously investigated polymorphisms are associated with diabetic retinopathy.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
All studies investigating the association of genetic variants with the development of diabetic retinopathy were identified in PubMed and ISI Web of Knowledge. Crude odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs were calculated for single nucleotide polymorphisms and microsatellite markers previously investigated in at least two published studies.

RESULTS
Twenty genes and 34 variants have previously been studied in multiple cohorts. The aldose reductase (AKR1B1) gene was found to have the largest number of polymorphisms significantly associated with diabetic retinopathy. The z−2 micro satellite was found to confer risk (OR 2.33 [95% CI 1.49–3.64], P = 2 × 10−4) in type 1 and type 2 diabetes and z+2 to confer protection (0.58 [0.36–0.93], P = 0.02) against diabetic retinopathy in type 2 diabetes regardless of ethnicity. The T allele of the AKR1B1 promoter rs759853 variant is also significantly protective against diabetic retinopathy in type 1 diabetes (0.5 [0.35–0.71], P = 1.00 × 10−4), regardless of ethnicity. These associations were also found in the white population alone (P &lt; 0.05). Polymorphisms in NOS3, VEGF, ITGA2, and ICAM1 are also associated with diabetic retinopathy after meta-analysis.

CONCLUSIONS
Variations within the AKR1B1 gene are highly significantly associated with diabetic retinopathy development irrespective of ethnicity. Identification of genetic risk factors in diabetic retinopathy will assist in further understanding of this complex and debilitating diabetes complication.
Selective Inhibition of Protein Kinase C β2 Attenuates Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase–Mediated Cardiovascular Abnormalities in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats
Authors: Nagareddy Prabhakara Reddy , Soliman Hesham , Lin Guorong , Rajput Padmesh S. , Kumar Ujendra , McNeill John H. , MacLeod Kathleen M. 
Published: July 2009

OBJECTIVEImpaired cardiovascular function in diabetes is partially attributed to pathological overexpression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in cardiovascular tissues. We examined whether the hyperglycemia-induced increased expression of iNOS is protein kinase C-β2 (PKCβ2) dependent and whether selective inhibition of PKCβ reduces iNOS expression and corrects abnormal hemodynamic function in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSCardiomyocytes and aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) from nondiabetic rats were cultured in low (5.5 mmol/l) or high (25 mmol/l) glucose or mannitol (19.5 mmol/l mannitol + 5.5 mmol/l glucose) conditions in the presence of a selective PKCβ inhibitor, LY333531 (20 nmol/l). Further, the in vivo effects of PKCβ inhibition on iNOS-mediated cardiovascular abnormalities were tested in STZ-induced diabetic rats.RESULTSExposure of cardiomyocytes to high glucose activated PKCβ2 and increased iNOS expression that was prevented by LY333531. Similarly, treatment of VSMC with LY333531 prevented high glucose–induced activation of nuclear factor κB, extracellular signal–related kinase, and iNOS overexpression. Suppression of PKCβ2 expression by small interference RNA decreased high-glucose–induced nuclear factor κB and extracellular signal–related kinase activation and iNOS expression in VSMC. Administration of LY333531 (1 mg/kg/day) decreased iNOS expression and formation of peroxynitrite in the heart and superior mesenteric arteries and corrected the cardiovascular abnormalities in STZ-induced diabetic rats, an action that was also observed with a selective iNOS inhibitor, L-NIL.CONCLUSIONSCollectively, these results suggest that inhibition of PKCβ2 may be a useful approach for correcting abnormal hemodynamics in diabetes by preventing iNOS mediated nitrosative stress.
Preservation of β-Cell Function in Autoantibody-Positive Youth With Diabetes
Authors: Greenbaum Carla J. , Anderson Andrea M. , Dolan Lawrence M. , Mayer-Davis Elizabeth J. , Dabelea Dana , Imperatore Giuseppina , Marcovina Santica , Pihoker Catherine ,   for the SEARCH Study Group
Published: July 2009

OBJECTIVE
To determine the extent of β-cell function in youth with diabetes and GAD65 and/or IA2 autoantibodies.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Fasting C-peptide levels from 2,789 GAD65- and/or IA2 autoantibody-positive youth aged 1–23 years from the SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth study were used. Preserved β-cell function was defined on the basis of cut points derived from the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) (fasting C-peptide ≥0.23 ng/ml) and from the U.S. adolescent population of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 5th percentile for fasting C-peptide (≥1.0 ng/ml). We compared the clinical characteristics between those with and without preserved β-cell function.

RESULTS
Within the first year of diagnosis, 82.9% of youth had a fasting C-peptide ≥0.23 ng/ml and 31.2% had values ≥1.0 ng/ml. Among those with ≥5 years of diabetes duration, 10.7% had preserved β-cell function based on the DCCT cutoff and 1.0% were above the 5th percentile of the NHANES population.

CONCLUSIONS
Within the 1st year of diagnosis, four of five youth with autoantibody-positive diabetes have clinically significant amounts of residual β-cell function and about one-third have fasting C-peptide levels above the 5th percentile of a healthy adolescent population. Even 5 years after diagnosis, 1 of 10 has fasting C-peptide above a clinically significant threshold. These findings have implications for clinical classification of youth with diabetes as well as clinical trials aimed to preserve β-cell function after diabetes onset.
Abdominal Adiposity Is Associated With Elevated C-Reactive Protein Independent of BMI in Healthy Nonobese People
Authors: Lapice Emanuela , Maione Simona , Patti Lidia , Cipriano Paola , Rivellese Angela A. , Riccardi Gabriele , Vaccaro Olga 
Published: July 2009

OBJECTIVE
There is debate over the most appropriate adiposity markers of obesity-associated health risks. We evaluated the relationship between fat distribution and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), independent of total adiposity.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
We studied 350 people with abdominal adiposity (waist-to-hip ratio [WHR] ≥0.9 in male and ≥0.85 in female subjects) and 199 control subjects (WHR &lt;0.9 in male and &lt;0.85 in female subjects) matched for BMI and age. We measured hs-CRP and major cardiovascular risk factors.

RESULTS
Participants with abdominal adiposity had BMI similar to that in control subjects (24.8 ± 2.5 vs. 24.7 ± 2.2 kg/m2, respectively), but significantly higher waist circumference (96.4 ± 6.0 vs. 83.3 ± 6.7 cm; P &lt; 0.01) and WHR (1.07 ± 0.08 vs. 0.85 ± 0.05; P &lt; 0.001). Compared with the control subjects, participants with abdominal adiposity had an adverse cardiovascular risk factor profile, significantly higher hs-CRP (1.96 ± 2.60 vs. 1.53 ± 1.74 mg/dl; P &lt; 0.01), and a twofold prevalence of elevated CRP values (&gt;3 mg/dl).

CONCLUSIONS
In nonobese people, moderate abdominal adiposity is associated with markers of subclinical inflammation independent of BMI.
Impaired Awareness of Hypoglycemia in a Population-Based Sample of Children and Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Ly Trang T. , Gallego Patricia H. , Davis Elizabeth A. , Jones Timothy W. 
Published: July 2009

OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence and clinical associations of impaired awareness of hypoglycemia in a population-based sample of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
A validated questionnaire was administered to 656 patients with type 1 diabetes over a 6-month period to determine hypoglycemia awareness status. Case ascertainment was 79% of the clinic population. The rate of severe hypoglycemia was determined by data collected prospectively in the preceding year.

RESULTS
Impaired awareness of hypoglycemia was present in 29% of patients. Patients with impaired awareness of hypoglycemia had an earlier onset of diabetes (P &lt; 0.001), were younger (P &lt; 0.001), and had lower mean levels of A1C since diabetes onset (P = 0.006) and at their last visit (P = 0.001). The overall rate of severe hypoglycemia was 24.5 episodes per 100 patient-years in the preceding year. The severe hypoglycemia rate was higher in those with impaired awareness of hypoglycemia (37.1 vs. 19.3 episodes per 100 patient-years, P &lt; 0.001). Among patients aged &lt;6 years (n = 46), 59% of care providers reported impaired awareness of hypoglycemia, and the rate of severe hypoglycemia was significantly higher in those reporting impaired awareness (33.3 vs. 52 episodes per 100 patient-years, P = 0.02). More patients with recurrent hypoglycemia reported impaired awareness of hypoglycemia (47 vs. 28%, P = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS
A significant proportion of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes have impaired awareness of hypoglycemia. Screening for impaired awareness is an important component of routine diabetes care and can identify patients at increased risk of a severe hypoglycemic event.
Changes in Insulin Secretion and Insulin Sensitivity in Relation to the Glycemic Outcomes in Subjects With Impaired Glucose Tolerance in the Indian Diabetes Prevention Programme-1 (IDPP-1)
Authors: Snehalatha Chamukuttan , Mary Simon , Selvam Sundaram , Sathish Kumar Cholaiyil Kizhakathil , Shetty Samith Babu Ananth , Nanditha Arun , Ramachandran Ambady 
Published: July 2009

OBJECTIVE
The Indian Diabetes Prevention Programme-1 (IDPP-1) showed that lifestyle modification (LSM) and metformin were effective for primary prevention of diabetes in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). Among subjects followed up for 3 years (n = 502), risk reductions versus those for the control group were 28.5, 26.4, and 28.2% in LSM, metformin (MET), and LSM plus MET groups, respectively. In this analysis, the roles of changes in secretion and action of insulin in improving the outcome were studied.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
For this analysis, 437 subjects (93 subjects with normoglycemia [NGT], 150 subjects with IGT, and 194 subjects with diabetes) were included. Measurements of anthropometry, plasma glucose, and plasma insulin at baseline and at follow-up were available for all of them. Indexes of insulin resistance (homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance) and β-cell function (insulinogenic index [ΔI/G]: 30-min fasting insulin divided by 30-min glucose) were also analyzed in relation to the outcome.

RESULTS
Subjects with IGT showed a deterioration in β-cell function with time. Individuals with higher insulin resistance and/or low β-cell function at baseline had poor outcome on follow-up. In relation to no abnormalities, the highest incidence of diabetes occurred when both abnormalities coexisted (54.9 vs. 33.7%, χ2 = 7.53, P = 0.006). Individuals having abnormal insulin resistance (41.1%) or abnormal ΔI/G (51.2%, χ2 = 4.87, P = 0.027 vs. no abnormalities) had lower incidence. Normal β-cell function with improved insulin sensitivity facilitated reversal to NGT, whereas deterioration in both resulted in diabetes. The beneficial changes were better with intervention than in the control group. Intervention groups had higher rates of NGT and lower rates of diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS
In the IDPP-1 subjects, beneficial outcomes occurred because of improved insulin action and sensitivity caused by the intervention strategies.
Suppression of Regulatory T Cells by IL-12p40 Homodimer via Nitric Oxide
Authors: Brahmachari Saurav , Pahan Kalipada 
Published: July 2009

Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a pivotal role in the maintenance of homeostasis between immune response and immune tolerance. The transcription factor Foxp3 and the surface protein CD25 are the two key molecules characterizing Tregs. In autoimmune and various other chronic inflammatory diseases, the expression of Foxp3 is severely down-regulated. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the down-regulation of Foxp3 is not understood yet. Because the IL-12p40 homodimer (p402) is markedly up-regulated in response to various inflammatory stimuli, the present study was undertaken to explore the role of p402 in the regulation of Foxp3 in naive mouse splenocytes. IL-12p402 dose-dependently inhibited the expression of Foxp3 and CD25, but not CD4. Interestingly, this inhibition was absent in splenocytes of IL-12Rβ1−/−, but not IL-12Rβ2−/−, mice. Moreover, suppression of Foxp3 in wild-type and IL-12Rβ2−/− splenocytes was accompanied by production of NO. Consistently, l-N6-(1-iminoethyl)-lysine hydrochloride, an inhibitor of inducible NO synthase (iNOS), and PTIO, a scavenger of NO, restored the expression of Foxp3 and CD25 in p402-stimulated splenocytes, and p402 was unable to down-regulate Foxp3 and CD25 in splenocytes from iNOS−/− mice. Furthermore, NO, but not p402, was able to inhibit Foxp3 in purified CD4+CD25+ T cells in the absence of iNOS-expressing cells. Hence, our results clearly demonstrate that p402 induces NO production via IL-12Rβ1 and that NO subsequently suppresses Tregs in naive mouse splenocytes. This study, therefore, delineates an unprecedented biological function of p402 in the regulation of Foxp3 via IL-12Rβ1-mediated NO production.
STAT1 Negatively Regulates Lung Basophil IL-4 Expression Induced by Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection
Authors: Moore Martin L. , Newcomb Dawn C. , Parekh Vrajesh V. , Van Kaer Luc , Collins Robert D. , Zhou Weisong , Goleniewska Kasia , Chi Michael H. , Mitchell Daphne , Boyce Joshua A. , Durbin Joan E. , Sturkie Carla , Peebles R. Stokes 
Published: July 2009

Abstract
IL-4 contributes to immunopathology induced in mice by primary respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. However, the cellular source of IL-4 in RSV infection is unknown. We identified CD3−CD49b+ cells as the predominant source of IL-4 in the lungs of RSV-infected BALB/c mice. We ruled out T cells, NK cells, NKT cells, mast cells, and eosinophils as IL-4 expressors in RSV infection by flow cytometry. Using IL4 GFP reporter mice (4get) mice, we identified the IL-4-expressing cells in RSV infection as basophils (CD3−CD49b+FcεRI+c-kit−). Because STAT1−/− mice have an enhanced Th2-type response to RSV infection, we also sought to determine the cellular source and role of IL-4 in RSV-infected STAT1−/− mice. RSV infection resulted in significantly more IL-4-expressing CD3−CD49b+ cells in the lungs of STAT1−/− mice than in BALB/c mice. CD49b+IL-4+ cells sorted from the lungs of RSV-infected STAT1−/− mice and stained with Wright-Giemsa had basophil characteristics. As in wild-type BALB/c mice, IL-4 contributed to lung histopathology in RSV-infected STAT1−/− mice. Depletion of basophils in RSV-infected STAT1−/− mice reduced lung IL-4 expression. Thus, we show for the first time that a respiratory virus (RSV) induced basophil accumulation in vivo. Basophils were the primary source of IL-4 in the lung in RSV infection, and STAT1 was a negative regulator of virus-induced basophil IL-4 expression.