bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Curcumin Attenuates Cardiopulmonary Bypass-Induced Lung Oxidative Damage in Rats
Authors: Liu Kun , Chen Hong-Lin , Huang Hua , Jing Hua , Dong Guo-Hua , Wu Hai-Wei , You Qing-Sheng 
Published: April 2012

Objective: Acute lung injury is a common complication after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Oxidative damage greatly impacts CPB-induced lung ischemic pathogenesis and may represent a target for treatment. We aimed to investigate whether curcumin upregulates heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) expression and ameliorates lung injury in a rat CPB model. Methods: A total of 80 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 2 sets of 5 groups (n = 8 per group): sham; control (CPB); vehicle; low-dose curcumin (L-Cur); and high-dose curcumin (H-Cur). Animals were pretreated with a single intraperitoneal injection of vehicle, L-Cur (50 mg/kg), or H-Cur (200 mg/kg) 2 hours prior to CPB. Lung tissue, serum, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was harvested 2 or 24 hours postoperatively. In the control group, CPB-induced lung injury was confirmed by histopathologic examination and a significantly increased wet-to-dry lung weight ratio and pulmonary permeability index value was observed ( P < .05 vs sham group). Cardiopulmonary bypass was associated with a marked rise in the level of malondialdehyde and myeloperoxidase and a fall in superoxide dismutase 2 and 24 hours after surgery ( P < .05 vs sham group). Administration of curcumin ameliorated lung damage and reversed the oxidative stress markers in a partially dose-dependent manner ( P < .05 vs vehicle group). Furthermore, HO-1 gene transcription and protein expression were elevated to a greater extent in the lungs after curcumin pretreatment compared with the vehicle pretreatment. Conclusions: Curcumin has the potential to provide protection from CPB-induced lung damage reflected in the expression of oxidative stress markers. The antioxidant effect of curcumin may be partly related to upregulation of HO-1.
Bone Graft from the Distal Medial Tibia in Foot and Ankle Surgery
Authors: Singleton Tanya J. , Schuberth John M. 
Published: April 2012

Autogenous bone graft is the ideal substrate for primary and revisional foot and ankle surgery. The distal medial tibia is an easily accessible site that provides both cancellous and corticocancellous autograft. Thirty cases of distal tibial bone graft with a minimum follow-up of 1 year are presented. There was an 86% union rate, and there were no stress fractures, persistent pain, or reported nerve injuries at the donor site. An efficient and versatile technique for harvesting both cancellous bone graft and corticocancellous graft is described. The use of distal tibial bone graft eliminates the need for a second surgeon and more lengthy harvest procedure and offers sufficient autograft material for foot and ankle applications with a low rate of complications. Levels of Evidence: Therapeutic, Level IV
Matrix metalloproteinase-2 governs lymphatic vessel formation as an interstitial collagenase
Authors: Detry Benoit , Erpicum Charlotte , Paupert Jenny , Blacher Silvia , Maillard Catherine , Bruyère Françoise , Pendeville Hélène , Remacle Thibault , Lambert Vincent , Balsat Cédric , Ormenese Sandra , Lamaye Françoise , Janssens Els , Moons Lieve , Cataldo Didier , Kridelka Frédéric , Carmeliet Peter , Thiry Marc , Foidart Jean-Michel , Struman Ingrid , Noel Agnès 
Published: April 2012

AbstractLymphatic dysfunctions are associated with several human diseases, including lymphedema and metastatic spread of cancer. Although it is well recognized that lymphatic capillaries attach directly to interstitial matrix mainly composed of fibrillar type I collagen, the interactions occurring between lymphatics and their surrounding matrix have been overlooked. In this study, we demonstrate how matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)–2 drives lymphatic morphogenesis through Mmp2-gene ablation in mice, mmp2 knockdown in zebrafish and in 3D-culture systems, and through MMP2 inhibition. In all models used in vivo (3 murine models and thoracic duct development in zebrafish) and in vitro (lymphatic ring and spheroid assays), MMP2 blockage or down-regulation leads to reduced lymphangiogenesis or altered vessel branching. Our data show that lymphatic endothelial cell (LEC) migration through collagen fibers is affected by physical matrix constraints (matrix composition, density, and cross-linking). Transmission electron microscopy and confocal reflection microscopy using DQ-collagen highlight the contribution of MMP2 to mesenchymal-like migration of LECs associated with collagen fiber remodeling. Our findings provide new mechanistic insight into how LECs negotiate an interstitial type I collagen barrier and reveal an unexpected MMP2-driven collagenolytic pathway for lymphatic vessel formation and morphogenesis.
Hematopoietic stem cells lacking Ott1 display aspects associated with aging and are unable to maintain quiescence during proliferative stress
Authors: Xiao Nan , Jani Kaushal , Morgan Kelly , Okabe Rachel , Cullen Dana E. , Jesneck Jonathan L. , Raffel Glen D. 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
Aging degrades hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) functions, including stress response; however, the involved molecular pathways are incompletely defined. Murine BM conditionally deleted for One-Twenty-Two-1 (Ott1), is able to maintain lifelong hematopoiesis and has preserved numbers of long-term HSCs, yet cannot repopulate nor sustain itself after transplantation against a competitor even when Ott1 is excised after engraftment. We show, specifically under replicative stress, that Ott1-deleted HSCs have a significant reduction of the G0 cell-cycle fraction associated with self-renewal and undergo early failure. Therefore, Ott1 is required to preserve HSC quiescence during stress but not steady-state hematopoiesis. Reduced tolerance of replicative stress, increased myeloid potential, and greater absolute numbers are mutual characteristics of both Ott1-deleted and aged HSCs, and comparison of their gene expression profiles reveals a shared signature. Ott1-deleted HSCs share multiple aging-associated physiologic changes, including increases in NF-κB activation and DNA damage. Loss of Ott1 causes increased reactive oxygen species; however, antioxidant treatment does not rescue the competitive defect, indicating the existence of additional essential Ott1-dependent HSC pathways. In conclusion, our data establish a requirement for Ott1 in stress hematopoiesis and suggest that Ott1-dependent processes may converge with those affected by aging.
Synthesis and antibacterial activity against ralstonia solanacearum for novel hydrazone derivatives containing a pyridine moiety
Authors: Wu Jian , Kang Shenghong , Song Baoan , Hu Deyu , He Ming , Jin Linhong , Yang Song 
Published: April 2012

Abstract

Background

Ralstonia solanacearum, one of the most important bacterial diseases on plants, is a devastating, soil-borne plant pathogen with a global distribution and an unusually wide host range. In order to discover new bioactive molecules and pesticides acting on tobacco bacterial wilt, we sought to combine the active structure of hydrazone and pyridine together to design and synthesize a series of novel hydrazone derivatives containing a pyridine moiety.

Results
A series of hydrazone derivatives containing a pyridine moiety were synthesized. Their structures were characterized by 1 H-NMR, 13 C-NMR, IR, and elemental analysis. The preliminary biological activity tests showed that compound 3e and 3g exhibited more than 80% activity against Ralstonia solanacearum at 500 mg/L, especially compound 3g displayed relatively good activity to reach 57.0% at 200 mg/L.

Conclusion
A practical synthetic route to hydrazone derivatives containing a pyridine moiety by the reaction of intermediates 2 with different aldehydes in ethanol at room temperature using 2-chloronicotinic acid and 2-amino-5-chloro-3-methylbenzoic acid as start materials is presented. This study suggests that the hydrazone derivatives containing a substituted pyridine ring could inhibit the growth of Ralstonia solanacearum.
Nutrient Demand in Food Away from Home
Authors: Richards Timothy J. , Mancino Lisa , Nganje William 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
Food away from home (FAFH) and, specifically fast food, has been targeted by academics and public policy officials alike as a major contributor to the obesity epidemic. Criticized as high in energy, fat and sugars, the implication is that consumers demand the combination of nutrients in FAFH in excess. If market-based policies intended to correct the perceived market failure in nutrient demand are to be successful, information on nutrient elasticities is required. Moreover, co-dependent relationships between nutrient intake and bioeconomic outcomes – obesity, physical activity and health status – are found to be important in the public health literature, but are not typically included in econometric studies of FAFH demand. Nutrients, however, do not have market prices. This study derives a set of implicit nutrient prices and estimates the elasticities of demand for nutrients in FAFH that takes into account the endogeneity of bioeconomic outcomes. Our estimation results show that fat is the only macro-nutrient that is elastic in demand, and all cross-price elasticities are small, so nutrient-based price policies may indeed be effective in modifying FAFH choices. Simulation results confirm this hypothesis, and also support the use of policies that subsidize positive health outcomes.
European medical laboratory accreditation. Present situation and steps to harmonisation
Authors: Huisman Wim 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
Accreditation of medical laboratories in Europe is primarily according to ISO15189. The percentage of accredited laboratories is still small. The time spent on an assessment is quite different between countries. More important is the way the assessment process is carried out. Harmonisation in accrediting medical laboratories is the main task of the Health Care Committee within EA (European cooperation of Accreditation). The EFCC Working Group on Accreditation strongly contributes as the representative of laboratory professionals. An important item is the use of flexible scope. The intention is that all tests within a medical discipline are offered for accreditation. This is not yet normal practice. Other items concern accreditation of point-of-care testing (POCT) – reliability of the pre-analytical phase, when the phlebotomy is not done by the laboratory, and practical use of uncertainty and verification. Also the diversity in time spent for an assessment is discussed. The added value of accreditation is strongly dependent upon the assessors who have an important task. Their training and calibration needs continuous input. The medical laboratory professionals should participate in all aspects concerning the quality system, starting with the standard, working on the guidelines, the assessment itself, and input in the accreditation bodies.
Experience of Médecins Sans Frontières in laboratory medicine in resource-limited settings
Authors: Kosack Cara S. 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
In medical humanitarian assistance, the diagnosis of diseases plays a crucial role. Laboratory investigations are one of the main diagnostic tools utilized in Médecins Sans Frontières’ (MSF) programs. Currently MSF supports and/or operates more than 130 laboratories in approximately 45 countries. The variety of analysis offered depends largely on the context of the program and the availability of context adapted tools and ranges from sophisticated laboratories specializing in tuberculosis culture to small laboratories within a primary health care program or operating as mobile clinics. The largest laboratories in MSF are found in programs with the main objective to diagnose, treat and monitor patients with tuberculosis and/or human immunodeficiency virus. Other MSF programs are either disease-specific (e.g., malaria, Chagas, kala azar or visceral leishmaniasis, sleeping sickness, malnutrition, sexually transmitted infections) or are integrated in primary or secondary health care structures.
Highlights in inflammatory bowel disease – from bench to bedside
Authors: Engel Matthias A. , Khalil Mohammad , Neurath Markus F. 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
Approximately 3.6 million people in Europe and the USA suffer from recurrent auto-immune-mediated inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) comprises two entities: Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). In the past, experimental studies (mostly in mice) have improved our understanding of the aberrant interaction between the intestinal microbiota and the immune system. The perturbed immune reaction in IBD exhibits specific and individual cytokine responses that distinguish the two variants. A deep understanding of the immunological response at every stage of the chronic disease enables the provision of modern, efficient medical treatment that takes into account individual immunological and genetic characteristics. In this review, the current knowledge on the epidemiology and genetics of IBD is summarized, and new pathogenetic insights as well as promising future therapeutic options are described.
Improvement in the performance of external quality assessment in Korean HIV clinical laboratories using unrecalcified human plasma
Authors: Wang Jin-Sook , Kee Mee-Kyung , Choi Byeong-Sun , Kim Chan-Wha , Kim Hyon-Suk , Kim Sung Soon 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThe external quality assessment schemes (EQAS) organizer provides a suitable program to monitor and improve the quality of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing laboratories with EQAS panels prepared under various conditions. The aim of the current study was to investigate the effects of human plasma samples on the EQAS results of HIV obtained from hospital-based clinical laboratories.From 2007 to 2009, HIV EQAS panels consisted of four to six samples that consisted of undiluted positive and negative samples and were provided to laboratories twice per year. Up until the first half EQAS in 2008, EQAS panel materials were obtained by converting acid citrate dextrose treated plasma to serum via chemical treatment with CaClApproximately 300 HIV clinical laboratories participated in this program. The overall performance of clinical laboratories was shown to be improved when using unrecalcified plasma panels compared with recalcified panels. Significant differences were observed in EIA analyses of plasma for both positive (p<0.001) and negative (p<0.001) samples between the recalcified and unrecalcified groups.Our finding suggested that defibrination status of EQAS panels might affect the results of anti-HIV EQAS of Korean HIV testing laboratories.
The prognostic value of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide in non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes: a meta-analysis
Authors: Zeng Xiaocong , Li Lang , Su Qiang 
Published: April 2012

AbstractPrecise risk stratification is important in patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACS) on determination for hospitalization and intensity of treatment. A meta-analysis was performed in studies of patients with NSTE-ACS to evaluate the predictive nature of elevated N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP).Online searches were conducted using database to identify suitable studies. A summary of relative risks (RRs) for death and myocardial infarction (MI) was calculated using random-effects modeling. We also calculated the pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value.Thirteen studies were included. Elevated NT-proBNP levels were significantly associated with mortality [RR 4.89; 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.85–6.22] and incidence of MI (RR 1.66; 95% CI 1.24–2.22). The sensitivity and specificity for MI was 69.1% (95% CI 66.6%–71.6%) and 43.6% (95% CI 42.9%–44.3%), respectively, along with the positive and negative predictive values for MI of 8.2% (95% CI 7.7%–8.7%) and 95.1% (95% CI 94.6%–95.5%), respectively.Meta-analysis suggests that elevated NT-proBNP levels were associated with an increased risk for MI or death in patients with NSTE-ACS. Normal levels of NT-proBNP are certainly more helpful when selecting NSTE-ACS patients with likelihood for favorable outcomes.
Laboratory evaluation of a flow cytometric BCR-ABL immunobead assay
Authors: Hevessy Zsuzsanna , Hudák Renáta , Kiss-Sziráki Valéria , Antal-Szalmás Péter , Udvardy Miklós , Rejtő László , Szerafin László , Kappelmayer János 
Published: April 2012

AbstractA new flow cytometric (FC) BCR-ABL immunobead assay has been developed recently. Here we present the laboratory evaluation of the commercially available kit.Mononuclear cells were isolated, lysed and processed according to the instructions of the manufacturer. Anti-BCR antibodies adsorbed to capture beads bind the BCR-ABL fusion proteins of the lysed cells, a phycoerythrin (PE)-conjugated anti-ABL antibody is the detector reagent and mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) signals were recorded by flow cytometry. Detection of t(9;22)(q34;q11) translocation was carried out with a quantitative PCR assay.MFI results of 20 normal peripheral blood samples were 88±8 (mean±SD), CV 9%. K562 cells were used as positive control. Within-batch imprecision was excellent (3.7% in the normal and 10% in the pathological range). Cut-off was chosen at MFI 112, where both sensitivity and specificity were 100%. Altogether 17 chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and 16 acute leukemia samples were analyzed. All PCR positive samples (n=14) were positive with the FC method and negative results were also concordant (n=15). Frozen cell lysates can be stored up to 4 weeks without significant decrease of MFI signal.The FC BCR-ABL assay is a fast, reproducible and reliable method that may be incorporated into standard flow cytometric protocols to help clinical decision-making.
Stress Superposition Explains Fracture Patterns in some Middle East Oil Fields
Authors: Ozkaya Sait Ismail 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
Two main structural types can be distinguished in the oil fields of the Middle East. (i) Fields transected by regional strike slip faults (type I structures). (ii) Fields with local faults that are associated with and confined to anticlinal structures (type II structures). Type II structures are either (i) growth fold, mostly bound by deep seated faults which were reactivated under transpression or (ii) product of structural inversion, during Late Cretaceous and Late Tertiary major tectonic events. The reactivated faults have usually very small lateral displacement and the structures have very gentle dips.
The characteristic fault fracture patterns of type II anticlines in the Middle East have two diagnostic aspects: (i) faults and fracture corridors have uniform strike oblique to anticlinal axis and (ii) they disappear away from the structural highs towards franks and away. These two characteristic aspects can be explained only by superposition of regional stress and local tension related to structural bending.
Stress superposition not only explains the diagnostic faults and fracture patterns of type II structures, but also account for several details such as higher degree of fracturing in doubly plunging structures and fracture density as a function of the angle between fold axis and maximum horizontal stress at the time of fracturing.
Fault reactivation and structural growth in discrete pulses seem to be prerequisite for the typical fault fracture corridor patterns of type II structures. In many of type II anticlines, the paleo-stress that generated fold-bound faults and fracture corridors is oblique to fold axes. This suggests folding and fracturing took place under transpression and is related to fold reactivation or structural inversion. In either case, existence of a pre-existing structural control is essential, such as regional wrench faults or deep seated basement weakness zones.
High Power Laser Application in Openhole Multiple Fracturing with an Overview of Laser Research; Past, Present and Future
Authors: Batarseh Sameeh I. , Abass Hazim H. , Al-Mulhem Abdulrahman A. , Habib Nabeel S. 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
High power laser research has been advancing in targeting several areas for downhole applications such as perforation, clay treatment and wellbore flow enhancement among others. This paper presents an overview of the laser research in well stimulation; past, current and future applications. The focus will be on the use of laser to support fracturing of horizontal wells by creating a vertical notch to help initiate the fracture in the point of interest along the horizontal section.
Hydraulic fracturing is the process used by the petroleum industry to enhance productivity from low producing wells. Unconventional reservoirs such as tight sands and shale are associated with productivity challenges due to extremely low formation permeability. The process entails high pressure injection of fluids, mostly water based, in the stimulated well such that the pressure applied on the well sand face exceeds the formation fracturing gradient. Although the process of hydraulic fracturing is mostly used to enhance productivity, there are other applications of this process such as sand production control and bypassing of formation damage caused by drilling fluid. The outcome of hydraulic fracturing is a maximized surface area that connects the reservoir to the producing well. This process also leads to activation of natural fractures thus making the stimulated reservoir volume at its maximum value.
Petrophysical Properties of a Synthetic Model Rock for Validation of Micro-CT Based Calculation
Authors: Mohammed Ismail , Adewole Steve , Olafuyi Olalekan 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
Direct calculations of petrophysical properties from micro-CT imaging have been reported in the literature to accurately predict single phase and multiphase flow transport properties respectively. These predictions are usually validated with experimental data available in the literature. The properties of rocks that are usually used (Berea, Benthiemer and Fontainbleau), even though have been assumed to be homogenous but vary in terms of pore pattern. Data from the literature which were obtained from different rock samples may introduce an error if the same rock sample is not used in the micro-CT imaging for direct computations or network model simulations. For proper validation of predictive capability of CT-imaging and its computational techniques with negligible variation, there is need to use porous media with same pore patterns in both CT-imaging and laboratory measurements.
This paper presents laboratory measurements made on synthetic model rock (ROBU) with uniform pore patterns. The result from these measurements will be handy for validation of micro-CT based direct computation of petrophysical properties. Petrophysical properties measured in this paper include porosity, permeability and calculated formation resisitivity factors.
Four different samples with BET surface area range 0.015m2/g to 0.5m2/g. were used. The experiments were repeated thrice for reproducibility check.
The results from the measurements show the porosity and permeability are in the range of 0.3 to 0.4 and 2.5 to 300 Darcy, respectively for all samples (0, 1, 3 and 4). Formation resistivity factors are in the range of 4.5 to 8.5 for the four samples. The porosity values of all the samples are considered moderate but the permeability values of samples 3 and 4 are comparable to some homogenous model rocks (Kirby and Briarhill sandstones). The results from the measurements show that more reliable and consistent data can be obtained from the synthetic model rocks used. In general, the samples used are said to be homogenous within the limit of experimental error and the data obtained can be used for validation of both direct computations and network model predictions. The use of this synthetic model rock for initial model calibration in studies related to multiphase flow transport properties will give a more realistic, accurate and representative results than the presently used natural occurring model rock.