bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Serum fetuin A/α2HS-glycoprotein levels in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: relation with liver fibrosis
Authors: Yilmaz Yusuf , Yonal Oya , Kurt Ramazan , Ari Ferda , Oral Arzu Yilmaztepe , Celikel Cigdem Ataizi , Korkmaz Seniz , Ulukaya Engin , Ozdogan Osman , Imeryuz Nese , Avsar Erol , Kalayci Cem 
Published: October 2010

Background Serum concentrations of fetuin A/ α2HS-glycoprotein (AHSG) have been linked to human metabolic alterations and can serve as an indicator of liver cell function. We assayed serum levels of AHSG in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a hepatic manifestation of the metabolic syndrome, and examined their association with clinical, biochemical and histological phenotypes. Methods Serum AHSG levels were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay in 99 patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD and 75 age- and gender-matched controls. Results Serum AHSG levels were significantly higher in patients with NAFLD (940 ± 120 μg/mL) compared with healthy controls (800 ± 130 μg/mL, Student's t test, P < 0.001). Bivariate analyses (Spearman's rank correlation) in patients with NAFLD showed a statistically significant association between AHSG levels and insulin resistance as assessed by the HOMA (homeostasis model assessment) index ( r = 0.31, P < 0.01) and the liver fibrosis score index ( r = 0.36, P < 0.001). The association between AHSG and fibrosis remained statistically significant even after adjustment for potential confounders, including the HOMA index ([beta] = 1.65, t = 2.38, P < 0.05). Conclusion Serum AHSG levels are significantly increased in adult patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD and are associated with insulin resistance. Importantly, our pilot data indicate that serum AHSG levels may identify NAFLD patients with higher fibrosis scores.
Plasma MicroRNA-122 as a Biomarker for Viral-, Alcohol-, and Chemical-Related Hepatic Diseases
Authors: Zhang Yi , Jia Yin , Zheng Ruiying , Guo Yingjun , Wang Yue , Guo Hui , Fei Mingyu , Sun Shuhan 
Published: October 2010

BACKGROUND
The liver is frequently subject to insult because of viral infection, alcohol abuse, or toxic chemical exposure. Extensive research has been conducted to identify blood markers that can better discern liver damage, but little progress has been achieved in clinical practice. Recently, circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported as potential biomarkers for the noninvasive diagnosis of cancer. In this study, we investigated whether plasma miRNAs have diagnostic utility in identifying liver disease.

METHODS
The study was divided into 2 phases: marker selection by real-time quantitative PCR analysis of a small set of plasma samples, and marker validation with a large set of plasma samples from 83 patients with chronic hepatitis B viral infections, 15 patients with skeletal muscle disease, and 40 healthy controls. Two mouse model systems, d-galactosamine- and alcohol-induced liver injury, were also developed to evaluate whether differences in miRNA concentration were associated with various liver diseases.

RESULTS
Among the miRNA candidates identified, miR-122 presented a disease severity–dependent change in plasma concentration in the patients and animal models. Compared with an increase in aminotransferase activity in the blood, the change in miR-122 concentration appeared earlier. Furthermore, this change was more specific for liver injury than for other organ damage and was more reliable, because the change was correlated with liver histologic stage.

CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that circulating miR-122 has potential as a novel, predictive, and reliable blood marker for viral-, alcohol-, and chemical-induced liver injury.
Limited utility of oral glucose tolerance test in biochemically active acromegaly
Authors: Ribeiro-Oliveira Antônio , Faje Alexander T , Barkan Ariel L 
Published: October 2010

ContextMeasurement of GH after oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) is used for the diagnosis and surveillance of acromegaly. However, there are major discrepancies between glucose-suppressed GH and plasma IGF1 as indices of biochemical activity of acromegaly in patients with relatively mild GH oversecretion. This study was aimed to assess the performance of OGTT in patients with acromegaly and variable GH outputs.MethodsForty adults with newly diagnosed, untreated acromegaly (15 with GH >4.3 μg/l and 25 with GH <4.3 μg/l) and elevated IGF1 levels were studied. All underwent Q10 min for 24 h sampling for GH followed by an OGTT.ResultsPostglucose nadir GH (GHn) correlated significantly to 24 h GHn, mean 24 h GH, and baseline GH (P<0.001 for all comparisons). GHn correlated significantly to IGF1 z-scores for the ‘low’ GH group and for the entire group (P<0.0001 for both comparisons), but not for the ‘high’ GH group. None of the patients with mean GH >4.3 μg/l had GHn below 1 μg/l. In contrast, 13 out of 25 patients (52%) with GH <4.3 μg/l showed GHn lower than 1 μg/l, and 7 of them (28%) had GHn lower than 0.4 μg/l. These groups did not differ significantly either for average or for maximal GH suppression in OGTT.ConclusionsOur data show that suppressibility of GH by glucose in acromegaly is a function of the degree of GH hypersecretion and that OGTT has only limited diagnostic value in patients with biochemically active acromegaly but only mildly increased GH output.
Sulfoxides in the allylation of aldehydes in the presence of silicon tetrachloride and allyltributylstannane
Authors: Massa Antonio , Capozzolo Laura , Scettri Arrigo 
Published: October 2010

Abstract
SiCl4 can be conveniently activated by catalytic amounts of dimethyl sulfoxide or other readily-available sulfoxides for the allylation of aromatic, hetero-aromatic and unsaturated aldehydes in the presence of allyltributyl stannane. Chiral aryl methyl sulfoxides have been used to develop asymmetric allylation methods, as well as probe the aldehyde substrate scope.
Kinetic study of atomization in atomic absorption analysis of solid samples using flame-furnace atomizer
Authors: Lugovyy Kostyantyn , Buhay Olexander , Alemasova Antonina 
Published: October 2010

Abstract
Direct solid sampling analysis in atomic absorption spectrometry using flame-furnace atomizer allows to significantly decrease analysis duration, to avoid sample pollution and to exclude toxic reagents. The choice of chemical modifiers that decreases the detection limit and improves the repeatability of results is based on the mechanism of analyte-free atom formation. The kinetic approach developed here allows determination of pre-exponential factors k0 and apparent activation energies Ea of the atomization processes for Pb(II) and Cd(II) compounds and enables use of CaCO3 and KHF2 as effective chemical modifiers for soil samples. A fast and precise technique for lead and cadmium determination in soils using the proposed chemical modifiers was developed.
Formation and characterization of CuxS layers on polyethylene film using the solutions of sulfur in carbon disulfide
Authors: Ancutienė Ingrida , Janickis Vitalijus 
Published: October 2010

Abstract
Results of the formation of copper sulfide layers using the solutions of elemental sulfur in carbon disulfide as precursor for sulfurization are presented. Low density polyethylene film can be effectively sulfurized in the solutions of rhombic (α) sulfur in carbon disulfide. The concentration of sulfur in polyethylene increases with the increase of the temperature and concentration of sulfur solution in carbon disulfide and it little depends on the duration of sulfurization. Electrically conductive copper sulfide layers on polyethylene film were formed when sulfurized polyethylene was treated with the solution of copper (II/I) salts. CuxS layer with the lowest sheet resistance (11.2 Ω cm−2) was formed when sulfurized polyethylene was treated with copper salts solution at 80°C. All samples with formed CuxS layers were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. XPS analysis of obtained layers showed that on the layer’s surface and in the etched surface various compounds of copper, sulfur and oxygen are present: Cu2S, CuS, CuO, S8, CuSO4, Cu(OH)2 and water. The biggest amounts of CuSO4 and Cu(OH)2 are present on the layer’s surface. Significantly more copper sulfides are found in the etched layers.
Herbal drug raw materials differentiation by neural networks using non-metals content
Authors: Suchacz Bogdan , Wesolowski Marek 
Published: October 2010

Abstract
Three-layer artificial neural networks (ANN) capable of recognizing the type of raw material (herbs, leaves, flowers, fruits, roots or barks) using the non-metals (N, P, S, Cl, I, B) contents as inputs were designed. Two different types of feed-forward ANNs — multilayer perceptron (MLP) and radial basis function (RBF), best suited for solving classification problems, were used. Phosphorus, nitrogen, sulfur and boron were significant in recognition; chlorine and iodine did not contribute much to differentiation. A high recognition rate was observed for barks, fruits and herbs, while discrimination of herbs from leaves was less effective. MLP was more effective than RBF.
The effect of dopant’s valence (+III and +V) on the anion/cation uptake properties of antimony-doped tin dioxide
Authors: Koivula Risto 
Published: October 2010

Abstract
Antimony is perhaps the most frequently used doping element of tin dioxide. Although antimony of different oxidation states have been used in the synthesis, the effect of dopant’s valence on ion exchange properties has not been investigated critically. In our study the valence of antimony had clear effects on the metal uptake properties of Sb-doped SnO2 materials. Extremely high Tc uptake (Kd > 100 000 mL g−1) on Sb(III)-doped material was observed in conditions under which Sb(V)-doped material did not show any Tc uptake. However, the Sb(V)-doped material showed good Ni2+ uptake properties (Kd up to 33 000 mL g−1), even at pH values below the material’s point of zero charge (pzc), while the Sb(III)-doped material showed Ni2+ uptake only at pH above its pzc. The cation uptake of Sb-doped SnO2 resembles typical weakly acidic cation exchanger character but the uptake of TcO4- does not follow a typical anion exchange pattern. Instead, we propose a sorption process related to redox reactions as the probable Tc uptake process.
P-Acylphosphonium salts and their vinyloges — application in synthesis
Authors: Kolesinska Beata 
Published: October 2010

Abstract
Review with 101 refs. of progress in synthetic applications and properties of P-acylphosphonium salts including acylation via P-acylphosphonium salts, enantioselective acylation using chiral phosphine ligands, nucleophilic (β)-oniovinylation, and reaction involving vinyloges of P-acylphosphonium salts formed by treatment conjugated alkenoates or alkynoates with phosphines.
Strong Poincaré recurrence theorem in MV-algebras
Authors: Riečan Beloslav 
Published: October 2010

Abstract
The classical Poincaré strong recurrence theorem states that for any probability space (Ω, ℒ, P), any P-measure preserving transformation T, and any A ∈ ℒ, almost all points of A return to A infinitely many times. In the present paper the Poincaré theorem is proved when the σ-algebra ℒ is substituted by an MV-algebra of a special type. Another approach is used in [RIEČAN, B.: Poincaré recurrence theorem in MV-algebras. In: Proc. IFSA-EUSFLAT 2009 (To appear)], where the weak variant of the theorem is proved, of course, for arbitrary MV-algebras. Such generalizations were already done in the literature, e.g. for quantum logic, see [DVUREČENSKIJ, A.: On some properties of transformations of a logic, Math. Slovaca 26 (1976), 131–137.
A glance at singlet states and four-partite correlations
Authors: Schimpf Maria , Svozil Karl 
Published: October 2010

Abstract
Group theoretic methods to construct all N-particle singlet states by iterative recursion are presented. These techniques are applied to the quantum correlations of four spin one-half particles in their singlet states. Multipartite quantized systems can be partitioned, and their observables grouped and redefined into condensed correlations.
Irrigation Energy Consumption in a Tropical Lowland Rice Field
Authors: Najim MMM , Haque M Aminul , Bockari-Gevao SM 
Published: October 2010

Available and limited water resources are seeing high demand from many sectors such as agriculture, industry and domestic households. In water allocation, the quantification of water in terms of energy used for water supply is more appropriate in terms of economic aspects. This study was undertaken to assess the embodied in irrigation for a lowland tropical rice production system. The irrigation energy requirements for the off and main cropping seasons were estimated based on crop water requirements at different cropping stages. Experimental results indicate that there are significant differences among the irrigation energy requirements of the various cropping stages, with the highest values of 4625.34 MJ ha-1 and 3843.93 MJ ha-1 observed for the mid-season stage in the off-season and main season, respectively. The off-season irrigation energy requirements for the rice variety MR 219 were found to be 32.6%, 26.8%, 20.3% and 271.7% higher than the main season for the initial stage, crop development stage, mid-season stage and late-season stage, respectively. There is a significant difference in irrigation energy requirement among the seasons and crop growth stages. Crop Water Use Efficiency (CWUE) in the off season (0.26 kg/m3) is higher than the CWUE in the main season (0.23 kg/m3) which is attributed to better water management and yields during the off season due to water shortage. Irrigation energy productivity (IEP) of rice in the off season and the main season at Tanjong Karang is 0.26 and 0.29, respectively. In terms of irrigation energy spent, the main season shows better performance where a part of irrigation requirement is met by rainfall. Irrigation energy, CWUE and IEP can be used in decision making on the profitability of growing rice in different seasons. Key Words: Irrigation; Energy; Season; Growth Stage; Rice DOI:	10.4038/jas.v5i1.2318 Journal of Agricultural Sciences Vol.5(1) 2010 pp.1-8
Synergistic Effect of IL-6 and IL-4 in Driving Fate Revision of Natural Foxp3+ Regulatory T Cells
Authors: Kastner Lauren , Dwyer David , Qin F. Xiao-Feng 
Published: October 2010

Abstract
Expression of forkhead transcription factor Foxp3 defines a distinct lineage of naturally arising regulatory T cells (nTregs) that is segregated from effector CD4+ T cells during early development in the thymus. It remains elusive whether nTregs can convert into effector cells by turning off their Foxp3 expression and, if so, whether Th17 is a default alternative fate choice. In this report we provide compelling evidence showing that effector T cell-polarizing cytokines IL-6 and IL-4 can act synergistically to induce marked downregulation and inactivation of Foxp3 gene expression in mouse nTregs, and consequently the loss of suppressor phenotype and functions. However, the resulting Foxp3− cells are not polarized and do not express IL-17 or other Th17-associated genes. Therefore, nTreg fate revision is not restricted to the Treg–Th17 axis and is likely to represent a rather broad phenomenon with divergent outcomes.
IL-33 Mediates Inflammatory Responses in Human Lung Tissue Cells
Authors: Yagami Akiko , Orihara Kanami , Morita Hideaki , Futamura Kyoko , Hashimoto Noriko , Matsumoto Kenji , Saito Hirohisa , Matsuda Akio 
Published: October 2010

Abstract
IL-33 is a member of the IL-1 family and mediates its biological effects via the ST2 receptor, which is selectively expressed on Th2 cells and mast cells. Although polymorphic variation in ST2 is strongly associated with asthma, it is currently unclear whether IL-33 acts directly on lung tissue cells at sites of airway remodeling. Therefore, we aimed to identify the IL-33–responsive cells among primary human lung tissue cells. ST2 mRNA was expressed in both endothelial and epithelial cells but not in fibroblasts or smooth muscle cells. Correspondingly, IL-33 promoted IL-8 production by both endothelial and epithelial cells but not by fibroblasts or smooth muscle cells. Transfection of ST2 small interference RNA into both endothelial and epithelial cells significantly reduced the IL-33–dependent upregulation of IL-8, suggesting that IL-33–mediated responses in these cells occur via the ST2 receptor. Importantly, Th2 cytokines, such as IL-4, further enhanced ST2 expression and function in both endothelial and epithelial cells. The IL-33–mediated production of IL-8 by epithelial cells was almost completely suppressed by corticosteroid treatment. In contrast, the effect of corticosteroid treatment on the IL-33–mediated responses of endothelial cells was only partial. IL-33 induced activation of both ERK and p38 MAPK in endothelial cells but only ERK in epithelial cells. p38 MAPK was required for the IL-33–mediated responses of endothelial cells, whereas ERK was required for IL-33–mediated IL-8 production by epithelial cells. Taken together, these findings suggest that IL-33–mediated inflammatory responses of lung tissue cells may be involved in the chronic allergic inflammation of the asthmatic airway.
IL-2 and IL-4 Stimulate MEK1 Expression and Contribute to T Cell Resistance against Suppression by TGF-β and IL-10 in Asthma
Authors: Liang Qiaoling , Guo Lei , Gogate Shaila , Karim Zunayet , Hanifi Arezoo , Leung Donald Y. , Gorska Magdalena M. , Alam Rafeul 
Published: October 2010

Abstract
The T cell-driven airway inflammation in chronic asthma is uninhibited and sustained. We examined the resistance of T cells from asthmatic patients against suppression by TGF-β, IL-10 and glucocorticoids and explored its signaling mechanism. CD4+CD25− T cells from allergic asthmatic subjects demonstrated increased TCR-stimulated proliferation as compared with healthy and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease controls. This proliferation was resistant to inhibition by TGF-β, IL-10, and dexamethasone and to anergy induction. CD4 T cells from asthmatic patients, but not chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, allergic rhinitis, and healthy subjects, showed increased expression of MEK1, heightened phosphorylation of ERK1/2, and increased levels of c-Fos. IL-2 and IL-4 stimulated the expression of MEK1 and c-Fos and induced T cell resistance. The inhibition of MEK1 reversed, whereas induced expression of c-Fos and JunB promoted T cell resistance against TGF-β– and IL-10–mediated suppression. We have uncovered an IL-2– and IL-4–driven MEK1 induction mechanism that results in heightened ERK1/2 activation in asthmatic T cells and make them resistant to certain inhibitory mechanisms.
The β-Human Chorionic Gonadotropin-Related Peptide LQGV Exerts Anti-Inflammatory Effects through Activation of the Adrenal Gland and Glucocorticoid Receptor in C57BL/6 Mice
Authors: van der Zee Marten , van den Berg Jan Willem , van Holten-Neelen Conny , Dik Willem A. 
Published: October 2010

AbstractThe systemic inflammatory response syndrome is a complex host response to a variety of clinical insults, generally leading to severe pathology. The human chorionic gonadotropin β-chain–related tetrapeptide leucine-glutamine-glycine-valine (LQGV) reduces hemorrhagic and LPS-induced systemic inflammatory response syndrome, but its mechanisms of action are not yet fully understood. Through the combination of in vivo, in vitro, and ex vivo approaches, we demonstrate that LQGV actively stimulates corticosterone production in mice and thereby suppresses in vivo TLR4-directed inflammation upon LPS administration. Blocking in vivo glucocorticosteroid receptor signaling reduced the prosurvival effect of LQGV. Also, upon multiple TLR activation by heat-killed Listeria monocytogenes, splenocytes from LQGV-treated mice produced significantly less TNF-α and IL-6, which was absent after in vitro blockage of the glucocorticosteroid receptor. Using adrenal gland and adrenal cell line cultures, we show that LQGV stimulates corticosterone production. Moreover, by using specific pharmacological inhibitors of the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and luteinizing hormone receptors as well as of cAMP signaling, we demonstrate that LQGV stimulates the ACTH receptor. These data show that the β-human chorionic gonadotropin–related tetrapeptide LQGV stimulates adrenal glucocorticosteroid production through activation of the ACTH receptor with consequent glucocorticoid receptor activation and immunosuppression in C57BL/6 mice.
NKG2D Initiates Caspase-Mediated CD3ζ Degradation and Lymphocyte Receptor Impairments Associated with Human Cancer and Autoimmune Disease
Authors: Hanaoka Nobuyoshi , Jabri Bana , Dai Zhenpeng , Ciszewski Cezary , Stevens Anne M. , Yee Cassian , Nakakuma Hideki , Spies Thomas , Groh Veronika 
Published: October 2010

Abstract
Deficiencies of the T cell and NK cell CD3ζ signaling adapter protein in patients with cancer and autoimmune diseases are well documented, but mechanistic explanations are fragmentary. The stimulatory NKG2D receptor on T and NK cells mediates tumor immunity but can also promote local and systemic immune suppression in conditions of persistent NKG2D ligand induction that include cancer and certain autoimmune diseases. In this paper, we provide evidence that establishes a causative link between CD3ζ impairment and chronic NKG2D stimulation due to pathological ligand expression. We describe a mechanism whereby NKG2D signaling in human T and NK cells initiates Fas ligand/Fas-mediated caspase-3/-7 activation and resultant CD3ζ degradation. As a consequence, the functional capacities of the TCR, the low-affinity Fc receptor for IgG, and the NKp30 and NKp46 natural cytotoxicity receptors, which all signal through CD3ζ, are impaired. These findings are extended to ex vivo phenotypes of T and NK cells among tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and in peripheral blood from patients with juvenile-onset lupus. Collectively, these results indicate that pathological NKG2D ligand expression leads to simultaneous impairment of multiple CD3ζ-dependent receptor functions, thus offering an explanation that may be applicable to CD3ζ deficiencies associated with diverse disease conditions.
Contribution of Astrocyte-Derived IL-15 to CD8 T Cell Effector Functions in Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Saikali Philippe , Antel Jack P. , Pittet Camille L. , Newcombe Jia , Arbour Nathalie 
Published: October 2010

Abstract
The contribution of local factors to the activation of immune cells infiltrating the CNS of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) remains to be defined. The cytokine IL-15 is pivotal in the maintenance and activation of CD8 T lymphocytes, a prominent lymphocyte population found in MS lesions. We investigated whether astrocytes are a functional source of IL-15 sufficient to enhance CD8 T lymphocyte responses and whether they provide IL-15 in the inflamed CNS of patients with MS. We observed that human astrocytes in primary cultures increased surface IL-15 levels upon activation with combinations of proinflammatory cytokines. Expanded human myelin autoreactive CD8 T lymphocytes cultured with such activated astrocytes displayed elevated lytic enzyme content, NKG2D expression, and Ag-specific cytotoxicity. These functional enhancements were abrogated by anti–IL-15–blocking Abs. Immunohistochemical analysis of brain tissue sections obtained from patients with MS demonstrated colocalization for IL-15 and the astrocyte marker glial fibrillary acidic protein within white matter lesions. The majority of astrocytes (80–90%) present in demyelinating MS lesions expressed IL-15, whereas few astrocytes in normal control brain sections had detectable IL-15. IL-15 could be detected in the majority of Iba-1–expressing microglia in the control sections, albeit in lower numbers when compared with microglia/macrophages in MS lesions. Furthermore, infiltrating CD8 T lymphocytes in MS lesions were in close proximity to IL-15–expressing cells. Astrocyte production of IL-15 resulting in the activation of CD8 T lymphocytes ascribes a role for these cells as contributors to the exacerbation of tissue damage during MS pathogenesis.