bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genetic defects of GDF6 in the zebrafish out of sight mutant and in human eye developmental anomalies
Authors: den Hollander Anneke I , Biyanwila Janisha , Kovach Peter , Bardakjian Tanya , Traboulsi Elias I , Ragge Nicola K , Schneider Adele , Malicki Jarema 
Published: November 2010

Abstract

Background
The size of the vertebrate eye and the retina is likely to be controlled at several stages of embryogenesis by mechanisms that affect cell cycle length as well as cell survival. A mutation in the zebrafish out of sight (out) locus results in a particularly severe reduction of eye size. The goal of this study is to characterize the out

m233
mutant, and to determine whether mutations in the out gene cause microphthalmia in humans.

Results
In this study, we show that the severe reduction of eye size in the out

m233
mutant is caused by a mutation in the zebrafish gdf6a gene. Despite the small eye size, the overall retinal architecture appears largely intact, and immunohistochemical studies confirm that all major cell types are present in out

m233
retinae. Subtle cell fate and patterning changes are present predominantly in amacrine interneurons. Acridine orange and TUNEL staining reveal that the levels of apoptosis are abnormally high in out

m233
mutant eyes during early neurogenesis. Mutation analysis of the GDF6 gene in 200 patients with microphthalmia revealed amino acid substitutions in four of them. In two patients additional skeletal defects were observed.

Conclusions
This study confirms the essential role of GDF6 in the regulation of vertebrate eye size. The reduced eye size in the zebrafish out

m233
mutant is likely to be caused by a transient wave of apoptosis at the onset of neurogenesis. Amino acid substitutions in GDF6 were detected in 4 (2%) of 200 patients with microphthalmia. In two patients different skeletal defects were also observed, suggesting pleitrophic effects of GDF6 variants. Parents carrying these variants are asymptomatic, suggesting that GDF6 sequence alterations are likely to contribute to the phenotype, but are not the sole cause of the disease. Variable expressivity and penetrance suggest a complex non-Mendelian inheritance pattern where other genetic factors may influence the outcome of the phenotype.
Post-load hyperglycemia as an important predictor of long-term adverse cardiac events after acute myocardial infarction: a scientific study
Authors: Kitada Shuichi , Otsuka Yoritaka , Kokubu Nobuaki , Kasahara Yoichiro , Kataoka Yu , Noguchi Teruo , Goto Yoichi , Kimura Genjirou , Nonogi Hiroshi 
Published: November 2010

Abstract

Background
Diabetes mellitus (DM) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) are risk factors for acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, it is unknown whether hyperglycemic state is associated with increased major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) after AMI. In this study, we evaluated the relationship between glucometabolic status and MACE in patients after AMI, and determined the critical level of 2 h post-load plasma glucose that may be used to predict MACE.

Methods
AMI patients (n = 422) were divided into 4 groups as follows: normal glucose tolerance (NGT) group, IGT group, newly diagnosed DM (NDM) group, and previously known DM (PDM) group. MACE of the 4 groups were compared for 2 years from AMI onset.

Results
The NDM group had a significantly higher event rate than the IGT and NGT groups and had a similar event rate curve to PDM group. The logistic models analyses revealed that 2 h post-load plasma glucose values of ≥160 mg/dL was the only independent predictor of long-term MACE after AMI (p = 0.028, OR: 1.85, 95% CI: 1.07-3.21). The 2-year cardiac event rate of patients with a 2 h post-load hyperglycemia of ≥160 mg/dL was significantly higher than that of patients with 2 h post-load glucose of <160 mg/dL (32.2% vs. 19.8%, p < 0.05) and was similar to that of PDM group (37.4%, p = 0.513).

Conclusions
NDM increases the risk of MACE after AMI as does PDM. Particularly, post-AMI patients with a 2 h post-load hyperglycemia ≥160 mg/dL may need adjunctive therapy after AMI.
Malaria transmission and insecticide resistance of Anopheles gambiae in Libreville and Port-Gentil, Gabon
Authors: Mourou Jean-Romain , Coffinet Thierry , Jarjaval Fanny , Pradines Bruno , Amalvict Rémi , Rogier Christophe , Kombila Maryvonne , Pagès Frédéric 
Published: November 2010

Abstract

Background
Urban malaria is a major health priority for civilian and militaries populations. A preliminary entomologic study has been conducted in 2006-2007, in the French military camps of the two mains towns of Gabon: Libreville and Port-Gentil. The aim was to assess the malaria transmission risk for troops.

Methods
Mosquitoes sampled by human landing collection were identified morphologically and by molecular methods. The Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoïte (CSP) indexes were measured by ELISA, and the entomological inoculation rates (EIR) were calculated for both areas. Molecular assessments of pyrethroid knock down (kdr) resistance and of insensitive acetylcholinesterase resistance were conducted.

Results
In Libreville, Anopheles gambiae s.s. S form was the only specie of the An. gambiae complex present and was responsible of 9.4 bites per person per night. The circumsporozoïte index was 0.15% and the entomological inoculation rate estimated to be 1.23 infective bites during the four months period. In Port-Gentil, Anopheles melas (75.5% of catches) and An. gambiae s.s. S form (24.5%) were responsible of 58.7 bites per person per night. The CSP indexes were of 1.67% for An. gambiae s.s and 0.28% for An. melas and the EIRs were respectively of 1.8 infective bites per week and of 0.8 infective bites per week. Both kdr-w and kdr-e mutations in An. gambiae S form were found in Libreville and in Port-Gentil. Insensitive acetylcholinesterase has been detected for the first time in Gabon in Libreville.

Conclusion
Malaria transmission exists in both town, but with high difference in the level of risk. The co-occurrence of molecular resistances to the main families of insecticide has implications for the effectiveness of the current vector control programmes that are based on pyrethroid-impregnated bed nets.
Band Gap and Absorption Profile Change by Changing Molecular Weight and Conformation of Water-soluble Narrow-band-gap Polymers
Authors: Aota Hiroyuki , Ishikawa Takeshi , Amiuchi Yuta , Yano Hirofumi , Kunimoto Tatsuya , Matsumoto Akira 
Published: November 2010

Abstract
Band gaps and absorption profiles of water-soluble π-conjugated polymers, which were prepared by the addition–condensation of pyrrole with sodium o-formylbenzenesulfonate, changed with changing their molecular weights and conformations in different solvents. The band gaps were changed from less than 0.19 eV in a solid to 0.59 eV in a solution.
Electronic Prescribing Vulnerabilities: Height and Weight Mix-Up Leads to Dosing Error/Null Sign Misread/Look-Alike Vials
Authors: Cohen Michael R. , Smetzer Judy L. 
Published: November 2010

These medication errors have occurred in health care facilities at least once. They will happen again—perhaps where you work. Through education and alertness of personnel and procedural safeguards, they can be avoided. You should consider publishing accounts of errors in your newsletters and/or presenting them at your inservice training programs. Your assistance is required to continue this feature. The reports described here were received through the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) Medication Errors Reporting Program. Any reports published by ISMP will be anonymous. Comments are also invited; the writers' names will be published if desired. ISMP may be contacted at the address shown below. Errors, close calls, or hazardous conditions may be reported directly to ISMP through the ISMP Web site ( www.ismp.org ), by calling 800-FAIL-SAFE, or via e-mail at ismpinfo@ismp.org . ISMP guarantees the confidentiality and security of the information received and respects reporters' wishes as to the level of detail included in publications.
Documentation of Clinical Activities Using a Web-Based Application within an Eight Hospital Integrated Health Care System: A Six-Year Experience
Authors: Amara Shilpa , Adamson Robert T. , Lew Indu , Mathis A. Scott 
Published: November 2010

Purpose To assess the first 6 years of documented clinical interventions and activities by a health care system pharmacy department after implementation of a Web-based documentation tool. Methods Saint Barnabas Health Care System (SBHCS) implemented the Quantifi Web-based documentation tool in October of 2002. Nine global intervention categories were developed, and the activities of SBHCS's pharmacists were tracked from January 2003 to December 2008. The following data were monitored: total number of interventions per category, number of interventions per category stratified by year, total cost savings, cost savings by global category, top 5 activities documented each year, top 5 cost-saving interventions documented each year, and top 5 intervened medications each year. Results A total of 760,555 clinical activities were documented during the study period, with the greatest number of interventions being from the order clarification category (30%) from 2003 through 2005 and the laboratory analysis category (25% to 30%) from 2006 to 2008. The total number of documented activities trended upward each year, as a whole and in nearly every individual category. The total documented direct cost savings during the study period was $6,169,593, with the therapeutic interventions category ($1,993,490) being the most influential. The total cost savings generally trended upward over the 6-year period. Conclusions Implementation of the Web-based documentation tool had a positive impact on pharmacists' documentation rates. The tool is a practical and convenient method for documenting clinical activities and interventions in real-time, with corresponding cost-savings information, for a pharmacy department within an integrated health care system.
Rehabilitation Assessment of Jointed Concrete Pavement Using the Rolling Dynamic Deflectometer and Ground Penetrating Radar
Authors: Nam Boo Hyun , Scullion Thomas , Stokoe Kenneth H. , Lee Jung-Su 
Published: November 2010

Abstract
Transportation authorities need tools to characterize the structural conditions of jointed concrete pavements (JCPs) to minimize or, in the best case, prevent premature failures of rehabilitated JCPs. Applications of the rolling dynamic deflectometer (RDD) and ground penetrating radar (GPR) in pavement forensic studies and rehabilitation investigations are presented. The continuous RDD deflection profiles allow the evaluation of mid-slab behavior and load transfer conditions of joints/cracks, while GPR surveys assist in detecting adverse subsurface conditions such as voids and increased moisture. In this paper, the patterns in RDD deflection profiles that represent the four different structural conditions in JCPs are presented and discussed. Then, the results from combined RDD and GPR surveys on two rehabilitation projects are presented. In the first project, the problematic slabs with poor load transfer and high vertical differential deflections are identified in the RDD profile. The GPR survey is used to identify the cause of the high differential deflections, voids filled with water under the slabs. The recommendation is to fill the existing voids by using under-sealing techniques and install dowel-bar retrofit prior to a new overlay. In the Grogans Mill project, the RDD profile shows that the southbound lane has a significant number of slabs with a strong potential for reflective cracking. The GPR data indicated that there is moisture beneath the deteriorated slabs. A reconstruction of the southbound lane is recommended. On the other hand, the northbound lane consists of three subsections that require different rehabilitations: Slab replacement, asphalt overlay, and reconstruction. The success of rehabilitation generally depends on the selection of appropriate treatments. By providing 100 % coverage, both RDD and GPR are effective tools in evaluating existing conditions, and the combination of these tools significantly assists in selecting the optimum rehabilitation treatment.
Ovarian Development in Predacious Orius pumilio: Relationship to Diet, Mating, and Juvenile Hormone
Authors: Shapiro Jeffrey P , Shirk Paul D 
Published: November 2010

Abstract
A female minute pirate bug, Orius pumilio (Champion), was found to require both food and mating as an adult to achieve egg development. Last-instar nymphs of O. pumilio were individually placed into 96-well microtiter plates and recovered 24–48 h later as virgin adults, fed only on sucrose or water. The procedure yielded low mortalities. Correct identification of the sex of individuals as last-instar nymphs was achieved with 96% accuracy. The availability of food (eggs of Ephestia kuehniella Zeller) and mates for these isolated females was controlled. Unfed adult females, whether mated or not, did not produce defectible yolk protein when assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, nor did they show any follicle development when examined microscopically. Fed but unmated females produced a significant, defectible amount of yolk protein, and some oocyte development was observed, but they contained no fully mature eggs. Females that were both fed and mated fell into two categories: 44% produced mature eggs at a mean rate of 6.4 eggs per female, whereas 56% had ovaries similar to those of fed but unmated females. If treated in mixed sex groups, females that were fed and mated contained more yolk protein than those held in pairs, but increasing the sex ratio of groups above 0.5 (males:females) did not result in a significant increase in yolk protein content. Topical treatment of fed females with methoprene, a juvenile hormone analog, did not trigger an increase in yolk protein contents. We conclude that vitellogenesis is a two-stage process in adult female O. pumilio. Early vitellogenesis requires a nutritious adult diet, whereas full vitellogenesis and egg maturation also require mating.
Cytochrome P450-mediated metabolism of N-(2-methoxyphenyl)-hydroxylamine, a human metabolite of the environmental pollutants and carcinogens o-anisidine and o-nitroanisole
Authors: Naiman Karel , Dračínská Helena , Dračínský Martin , Martínková Markéta , Martínek Václav , Hodek Petr , Štícha Martin , Frei Eva , Stiborová Marie 
Published: November 2010

Cytochrome P450-mediated metabolism ofN-(2-methoxyphenyl)-hydroxylamine, a human metabolite of the environmental pollutants and carcinogenso-anisidine ando-nitroanisoleN-(2-methoxyphenyl)hydroxylamine is a human metabolite of the industrial and environmental pollutants and bladder carcinogens 2-methoxyaniline (o-anisidine) and 2-methoxynitrobenzene (o-nitroanisole). Here, we investigated the ability of hepatic microsomes from rat and rabbit to metabolize this reactive compound. We found thatN-(2-methoxyphenyl)hydroxylamine is metabolized by microsomes of both species mainly too-aminophenol and a parent carcinogen,o-anisidine, whereas 2-methoxynitrosobenzene (o-nitrosoanisole) is formed as a minor metabolite. AnotherN-(2-methoxyphenyl)hydroxylamine metabolite, the exact structure of which has not been identified as yet, was generated by hepatic microsomes of rabbits, but its formation by those of rats was negligible. To evaluate the role of rat hepatic microsomal cytochromes P450 (CYP) inN-(2-methoxyphenyl)hydroxylamine metabolism, we investigated the modulation of its metabolism by specific inducers of these enzymes. The results of this study show that rat hepatic CYPs of a 1A subfamily and, to a lesser extent those of a 2B subfamily, catalyzeN-(2-methoxyphenyl)hydroxylamine conversion to form both its reductive metabolite,o-anisidine, ando-aminophenol. CYP2E1 is the most efficient enzyme catalyzing conversion ofN-(2-methoxyphenyl)hydroxylamine too-aminophenol.
A New Method of Mass Measurement for Checkweighers
Authors: Fukuda Kengo , Yoshida Koji , Kinugasa Tetsuya , Kamon Morihito , Kagawa Yoichiro , Ono Toshiro 
Published: November 2010

A New Method of Mass Measurement for CheckweighersA checkweigher is an automatic machine to measure the weight of in-motion products. It is usually located around the end of the production process and ensures the weight of a product within specified limits. Any products are taken out of line if their weights are out of the specified limits. It is usually equipped with an optical device. It is used to make a trigger to set the time duration to allow a product to move completely on the weigh belt for sampling the weight. In this paper, a new method of mass measurement for checkweighers is proposed which uses just signal processing without the optical device. The effectiveness of the method is shown through experiments. Also a possibility of faster estimation of weight is shown.
Rivet Flexibility and Load Transmission for a Riveted Lap Joint
Authors: Skorupa Małgorzata , Machniewicz Tomasz , Korbel Adam , Skorupa Andrzej 
Published: November 2010

Rivet Flexibility and Load Transmission for a Riveted Lap Joint
Presented in this paper are results of an experimental investigation on the rivet flexibility and load transmission in a riveted lap joint representative for the aircraft fuselage. The test specimens consisted of two aluminium alloy Alclad sheets joined with 3 rows of rivets. Two different squeeze forces were applied to install the rivets. Rivet flexibility measurements have been performed under constant amplitude fatigue loading using several methods including two original optical techniques developed by the present authors. The axial tractions in the sheets required to determine the rivet flexibility have been derived from strain gauge measurements. In order to eliminate the effect of secondary bending the strain gauges have been bonded at the same locations on the outside and faying surface of the sheet. The experiments enabled an evaluation of the usefulness of various techniques to determine the rivet flexibility. It was observed that, although the measured flexibility was identical for both end rivet rows, the load transfer through either of these rows was different. Previous experimental results by the present authors suggest that behind the non-symmetrical load transfer distribution through the joint are large differences between the rivet hole expansion in the sheet adjacent to the driven rivet head and the sheet under the manufactured head [1]. It has been concluded that commonly used computation procedures according to which the load transfer is only related to the rivet flexibility may lead to erroneous results.
Oxidized Phospholipids Are More Potent Antagonists of Lipopolysaccharide than Inducers of Inflammation
Authors: Oskolkova Olga V. , Afonyushkin Taras , Preinerstorfer Beatrix , Bicker Wolfgang , von Schlieffen Elena , Hainzl Eva , Demyanets Svitlana , Schabbauer Gernot , Lindner Wolfgang , Tselepis Alexandros D. , Wojta Johann , Binder Bernd R. , Bochkov Valery N. 
Published: November 2010

Abstract
Polyunsaturated fatty acids are precursors of multiple pro- and anti-inflammatory molecules generated by enzymatic stereospecific and positionally specific insertion of oxygen, which is a prerequisite for recognition of these mediators by cellular receptors. However, nonenzymatically oxidized free and esterified polyunsaturated fatty acids also demonstrate activities relevant to inflammation. In particular, phospholipids containing oxidized fatty acid residues (oxidized phospholipids; OxPLs) were shown to induce proinflammatory changes in endothelial cells but paradoxically also to inhibit inflammation induced via TLR4. In this study, we show that half-maximal inhibition of LPS-induced elevation of E-selectin mRNA in endothelial cells developed at concentrations of oxidized 1-palmitoyl-2-arachidonoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (OxPAPC) 10-fold lower than those required to induce proinflammatory response. Similar concentration difference was observed for other classes and molecular species of OxPLs. Upon injection into mice, OxPAPC did not elevate plasma levels of IL-6 and keratinocyte chemoattractant but strongly inhibited LPS-induced upregulation of these inflammatory cytokines. Thus, both in vitro and in vivo, anti-LPS effects of OxPLs are observed at lower concentrations than those required for their proinflammatory action. Quantification of the most abundant oxidized phosphatidylcholines by HPLC/tandem mass spectrometry showed that circulating concentrations of total oxidized phosphatidylcholine species are close to the range where they demonstrate anti-LPS activity but significantly lower than that required for induction of inflammation. We hypothesize that low levels of OxPLs in circulation serve mostly anti-LPS function and protect from excessive systemic response to TLR4 ligands, whereas proinflammatory effects of OxPLs are more likely to develop locally at sites of tissue deposition of OxPLs (e.g., in atherosclerotic vessels).
Cutting Edge: Intrinsic Programming of Thymic γδT Cells for Specific Peripheral Tissue Localization
Authors: Jin Yan , Xia Mingcan , Saylor Christina M. , Narayan Kavitha , Kang Joonsoo , Wiest David L. , Wang Yanming , Xiong Na 
Published: November 2010

Abstract
Various innate-like T cell subsets preferentially reside in specific epithelial tissues as the first line of defense. However, mechanisms regulating their tissue-specific development are poorly understood. Using the prototypical skin intraepithelial γδT cells (sIELs) as a model, we show in this study that a TCR-mediated selection plays an important role in promoting acquisition of a specific skin-homing property by fetal thymic sIEL precursors for their epidermal location, and the skin-homing potential is intrinsically programmed even before the selection. In addition, once localized in the skin, the sIEL precursors develop into sIELs without the requirement of further TCR–ligand interaction. These studies reveal that development of the tissue-specific lymphocytes is a hard-wired process that targets them to specific tissues for proper functions.
Surface Modification of Press Dies Used in a Powder Metallurgical Production Process
Authors: Tillmann Wolfgang , Vogli Evelina , Momeni Siavash 
Published: November 2010

AbstractCold compaction in a press die and subsequent sintering of diamond particles, homogeneously distributed in a metallic powder as matrix, is one of the most economic ways for the production of diamond composites, used widely for cutting very hard materials like stone and glass. Owing to the very high hardness of diamonds, the wear of the press die is considerably high and because of a short life time, press tools must be substituted regularly. Recently, through plasma nitriding process and deposition of thin solid films, the wear resistance of the press dies has been significantly increased. This work aims at the investigation of the influence of roughness, friction coefficient, and hardness of the inner surface of various dies, which have been modified in different ways, on the physical properties of the compacted diamond segments. It was evidenced that improving the mechanical and tribological properties of the die surface leads to an increase of the hardness and density of the diamond composites produced.
Shaped Coarse Grained Refractories by Pressure Slip Casting
Authors: Klippel Uwe , Aneziris Christos G. , Metzger Annika J. 
Published: November 2010

AbstractThe possibility of pressure slip casting of carbon free refractory suspensions with optimized grain size distributions and particle diameters in the range of millimeters is investigated. The slip flow ability is examined by conducting experiments with a newly developed falling sphere viscometer. Segregation is determined by microscopy on polished samples and computer tomography. Fundamental characteristics of cake filtration are adopted to highlight the significant influences on the pressure slip casting process. Based on the laboratory experiments the results of scale up trails are presented which were conducted with a commercial pressure slip casting machine, remodeled for suspensions containing coarse grains.