bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nicotine‐induced differential modulation of autoimmune arthritis in the Lewis rat involves changes in interleukin‐17 and anti–cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies
Authors: Yu Hua , Yang Ying‐Hua , Rajaiah Rajesh , Moudgil Kamal D. 
Published: January 2011

AbstractObjectiveRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a debilitating autoimmune disease, and smoking is an important environmental factor in a subset of RA patients. A role of the cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway in autoimmune inflammation is increasingly being realized. Nicotine is a major component of cigarette smoke, and it stimulates the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Therefore, defining the mechanisms underlying the immunomodulatory effects of nicotine on arthritis is of high relevance. The purpose of this study was to address this issue using the rat adjuvant‐induced arthritis (AIA) model of human RA.MethodsLewis rats were immunized subcutaneously with heat‐killed Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra for disease induction. Rats were treated with nicotine intraperitoneally either before (pretreatment) or after (posttreatment) the onset of AIA. Control rats received the vehicle (buffer) in place of nicotine. The severity of arthritis was assessed and graded. The draining lymph node cells were tested for T cell proliferative and cytokine responses against the disease‐related antigen mycobacterial heat‐shock protein 65. The sera were tested for anti–cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti‐CCP) antibodies and anti–mycobacterial Hsp65 antibodies.ResultsNicotine pretreatment aggravated the arthritis, whereas nicotine posttreatment suppressed the disease. This altered severity of AIA directly correlated with the levels of the anti‐CCP antibodies, of the Th1/Th17 cytokines, and of the corresponding dendritic cell–derived cytokines. The majority of these effects on cellular responses could be replicated in vitro.ConclusionNicotine‐induced modulation of AIA involves specific alterations in the disease‐related cellular and humoral immune responses in AIA. These results are of significance in advancing our understanding of the pathogenesis of RA.
Amelioration of dermal fibrosis by genetic deletion or pharmacologic antagonism of lysophosphatidic acid receptor 1 in a mouse model of scleroderma
Authors: Castelino Flavia V. , Seiders Jon , Bain Gretchen , Brooks Sarah F. , King Christopher D. , Swaney James S. , Lorrain Daniel S. , Chun Jerold , Luster Andrew D. , Tager Andrew M. 
Published: January 2011

AbstractObjectiveScleroderma (systemic sclerosis [SSc]), is characterized by progressive multiorgan fibrosis. We recently implicated lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the roles of LPA and two of its receptors, LPA1 and LPA2, in dermal fibrosis in a mouse model of SSc.MethodsWild type (WT), and LPA1‐knockout (KO) and LPA2‐KO mice were injected subcutaneously with bleomycin or phosphate buffered saline (PBS) once daily for 28 days. Dermal thickness, collagen content, and numbers of cells positive for α‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA) or phospho‐Smad2 were determined in bleomycin‐injected and PBS‐injected skin. In separate experiments, a novel selective LPA1 antagonist AM095 or vehicle alone was administered by oral gavage to C57BL/6 mice that were challenged with 28 daily injections of bleomycin or PBS. AM095 or vehicle treatments were initiated concurrently with, or 7 or 14 days after, the initiation of bleomycin and PBS injections and continued to the end of the experiments. Dermal thickness and collagen content were determined in injected skin.ResultsThe LPA1‐KO mice were markedly resistant to bleomycin‐induced increases in dermal thickness and collagen content, whereas the LPA2‐KO mice were as susceptible as the WT mice. Bleomycin‐induced increases in dermal α‐SMA+ and phospho‐Smad2+ cells were abrogated in LPA1‐KO mice. Pharmacologic antagonism of LPA1 with AM095 significantly attenuated bleomycin‐induced dermal fibrosis when administered according to either a preventive regimen or two therapeutic regimens.ConclusionThese results suggest that LPA/LPA1 pathway inhibition has the potential to be an effective new therapeutic strategy for SSc, and that LPA1 is an attractive pharmacologic target in dermal fibrosis.
The effects of golimumab on radiographic progression in rheumatoid arthritis: Results of randomized controlled studies of golimumab before methotrexate therapy and golimumab after methotrexate therapy
Authors: Emery Paul , Fleischmann Roy , van der Heijde Désirée , Keystone Edward C. , Genovese Mark C. , Conaghan Philip G. , Hsia Elizabeth C. , Xu Weichun , Baratelle Anna , Beutler Anna , Rahman Mahboob U. 
Published: January 2011

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of golimumab on radiographic progression in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).MethodsMethotrexate (MTX)–naive patients (in the Golimumab Before Employing Methotrexate as the First‐Line Option in the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis of Early Onset [GO‐BEFORE] study; n = 637) and patients with active RA despite MTX therapy (in the Golimumab in Active Rheumatoid Arthritis Despite Methotrexate Therapy [GO‐FORWARD] study; n = 444) were randomly assigned to receive placebo plus MTX (group 1), golimumab 100 mg plus placebo (group 2), golimumab 50 mg plus MTX (group 3), or golimumab 100 mg plus MTX (group 4). Golimumab or placebo was administered subcutaneously every 4 weeks. Radiographs of the hands and feet were taken at baseline, week 28, and week 52 in the GO‐BEFORE study and at baseline, week 24 (week 16 for patients who entered early escape), and week 52 in the GO‐FORWARD study. Radiographs were scored by 2 independent readers in each study using the van der Heijde modification of the Sharp score.ResultsIn the GO‐BEFORE study, the mean ± SD changes in the modified Sharp score from baseline to week 52 (control period) were 1.4 ± 4.6 in group 1, 1.3 ± 6.2 in group 2 (P = 0.266), 0.7 ± 5.2 in group 3 (P = 0.015), and 0.1 ± 1.8 in group 4 (P = 0.025). In the GO‐FORWARD study, changes from baseline to week 24 (control period) were 0.6 ± 2.4 in group 1, 0.3 ± 1.6 in group 2 (P = 0.361), 0.6 ± 2.7 in group 3 (P = 0.953), and 0.2 ± 1.3 in group 4 (P = 0.293).ConclusionGolimumab in combination with MTX inhibited radiographic progression significantly better than did MTX alone in the GO‐BEFORE study. Radiographic progression in the GO‐FORWARD study was minimal in all treatment arms, precluding an adequate assessment of the effect of golimumab on radiographic progression in this study.
Safety and efficacy of anti–tumor necrosis factor α therapy in ten patients with recent‐onset refractory reactive arthritis
Authors: Meyer Alain , Chatelus Emmanuel , Wendling Daniel , Berthelot Jean‐Marie , Dernis Emmanuelle , Houvenagel Eric , Morel Jacques , Richer Olivier , Schaeverbeke Thierry , Gottenberg Jacques‐Eric , Sibilia Jean ,   Club Rhumatisme et Inflammation
Published: January 2011

AbstractObjectiveThere are few treatments for reactive arthritis (ReA). Since concentrations of tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) are high in the serum and joints of patients with persistent ReA, this cytokine could be targeted in patients who do not respond to nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). We undertook this study to investigate the safety and efficacy of TNF antagonists in patients with recent‐onset and refractory ReA.MethodsAll French rheumatology and internal medicine practitioners registered on the Club Rhumatisme et Inflammation web site were asked to report on patients with ReA (defined by the criteria of the Third International Workshop on Reactive Arthritis) who had received anti‐TNF therapy within the 12 months following the triggering infection. Tolerance and efficacy were retrospectively assessed using a standardized questionnaire.ResultsTen patients with ReA previously refractory to NSAIDs and DMARDs, for which there was clinical and microbiologic evidence of a triggering bacterial infection, received anti‐TNF therapy within a median of 6 months (range 2–12 months) between the beginning of ReA and the initiation of the treatment. The median followup was 20.6 months (range 6–50 months). We observed no severe adverse event and no infection related to the bacterium that triggered the ReA. Anti‐TNF therapy was rapidly effective in 9 patients (90%), as shown by the rapid effect on a visual analog scale pain score, tender joint count, swollen joint count, and extraarticular manifestations, and by the corticosteroid‐sparing effect.ConclusionAnti‐TNF therapy appears to be a safe and effective treatment of rheumatic and extraarticular manifestations in patients with recent‐onset and refractory ReA, with a corticosteroid‐sparing effect. Thus, TNFα could be a relevant target for ReA therapy.
Identification of CXCL13 as a marker for rheumatoid arthritis outcome using an in silico model of the rheumatic joint
Authors: Meeuwisse Cees M. , van der Linden Michael P. , Rullmann Ton A. , Allaart Cornelia F. , Nelissen Rob , Huizinga Tom W. , Garritsen Anja , Toes René E. , van Schaik René , van der Helm‐van Mil Annette H. 
Published: January 2011

AbstractObjectiveRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by inflammation and joint destruction, with the degree of damage varying greatly among patients. Prediction of disease severity using known clinical and serologic risk factors is inaccurate. This study was undertaken to identify new serologic markers for RA severity using an in silico model of the rheumatic joint.MethodsAn in silico model of a prototypical rheumatic joint was used to predict candidate markers associated with erosiveness. The following 4 markers were chosen for validation: tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRAP‐5b), N‐telopeptide of type I collagen (NTX), angiopoietin 2 (Ang‐2), and CXCL13. Serum from 74 RA patients was used to study whether radiologic joint destruction (total erosion score and total Sharp/van der Heijde score [SHS]) after 4 years of disease was associated with serum levels at the time of diagnosis. Serum marker levels were determined using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays. For confirmation, baseline serum levels were analyzed for an association with progression of joint damage over 7 years of followup in a cohort of 155 patients with early RA.ResultsComparison of high and low quartiles of erosion score and SHS at 4 years showed a difference in baseline serum CXCL13 level (P = 0.011 and P = 0.018, respectively). In the confirmation cohort, elevated baseline CXCL13 levels were associated with increased rates of joint destruction during 7 years of followup (P < 0.001 unadjusted and P ≤ 0.004 with adjustment for C‐reactive protein level). Analyzing anti–CCP‐ 2–positive and anti–CCP‐2–negative RA separately yielded a significant result only in the anti–CCP‐ 2–negative group (P ≤ 0.001).ConclusionOur findings indicate that CXCL13 is a novel serologic marker predictive of RA severity. This marker was identified with the help of an in silico model of the RA joint.
Toward video semantic search based on a structured folksonomy
Authors: Kim Hyun Hee 
Published: January 2011

AbstractThis study investigated the effectiveness of query expansion using synonymous and co‐occurrence tags in users' video searches as well as the effect of visual storyboard surrogates on users' relevance judgments when browsing videos. To do so, we designed a structured folksonomy‐based system in which tag queries can be expanded via synonyms or co‐occurrence words, based on the use of WordNet 2.1 synonyms and Flickr's related tags. To evaluate the structured folksonomy‐based system, we conducted an experiment, the results of which suggest that the mean recall rate in the structured folksonomy‐based system is statistically higher than that in a tag‐based system without query expansion; however, the mean precision rate in the structured folksonomy‐based system is not statistically higher than that in the tag‐based system. Next, we compared the precision rates of the proposed system with storyboards (SB), in which SB and text metadata are shown to users when they browse video search results, with those of the proposed system without SB, in which only text metadata are shown. Our result showed that browsing only text surrogates—including tags without multimedia surrogates—is not sufficient for users' relevance judgments.
Continuous bioaerosol monitoring in a tropical environment using a UV fluorescence particle spectrometer
Authors: Stanley Warren R. , Kaye Paul H. , Foot Virginia E. , Barrington Stephen J. , Gallagher Martin , Gabey Andrew 
Published: January 2011

AbstractAn instrument designed to continuously monitor ambient bioaerosol concentrations is presented. The instrument is a compact, relatively low‐cost, UV aerosol spectrometer that monitors and classifies individual airborne particles by simultaneously recording both fluorescence excitation‐emission data and multi‐angle spatial elastic scattering data from each particle. The former can indicate the possible presence of specific biological fluorophores within the particle while the latter provides an assessment of particle size and shape. These parameters can facilitate discrimination between biological and non‐biological particles and potentially allow classification of biological particle types. Example measurements are given, illustrating data from the Borneo rain forest. Copyright © 2011 Royal Meteorological Society
The conversion of lignocellulosics to levulinic acid
Authors: Rackemann Darryn W , Doherty William OS 
Published: January 2011

AbstractBiomass represents an abundant and relatively low cost carbon resource that can be utilized to produce platform chemicals such as levulinic acid. Current processing technology limits the cost‐effective production of levulinic acid in commercial quantities from biomass. The key to improving the yield and efficiency of levulinic acid production from biomass lies in the ability to optimize and isolate the intermediate products at each step of the reaction pathway and reduce re‐polymerization and side reactions. New technologies (including the use of microwave irradiation and ionic liquids) and the development of highly selective catalysts would provide the necessary step change for the optimization of key reactions. A processing environment that allows the use of biphasic systems and/or continuous extraction of products would increase reaction rates, yields and product quality. This review outlines the chemistry of levulinic acid synthesis and discusses current and potential technologies for producing levulinic acid from lignocellulosics. © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
A review of torrefaction for bioenergy feedstock production
Authors: Ciolkosz Daniel , Wallace Robert 
Published: January 2011

AbstractThe torrefaction of biomass is a thermochemical decomposition process in which hemicellulose degradation is the dominant reaction, with the cellulose and lignin fractions largely unaffected. The primary product is a solid material that retains 75–95% of the original energy content. Properties of the torrefied solid include improved grindability, hydrophobicity, and energy density. Torrefied biomass has been processed successfully in batch‐mode and continuous process devices; net thermal efficiencies of the process as high as 90% have been reported. Torrefied biomass has been proposed as a feedstock for coal co‐combustion, as well as for gasification‐combustion and Fischer‐Tropsch fuel production. Analyses of supply chain impacts indicate that, in some scenarios, torrefaction can be the lowest cost and most energy efficient option for supplying fuel, especially when combined with pelletization of the material.Significant gaps still exist in our understanding of torrefaction; there is need to further study this important process for its potential benefits to bioenergy production. Some of the more pressing needs include characterization of chemical pathways of the torrefaction reaction, investigation of equipment performance and equipment‐related influences on the process, and elucidation of supply chain impacts. © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
The indirect effects of biofuels and what to do about them: the case of grass biomethane and its impact on livestock
Authors: Smyth Beatrice M. , Murphy Jerry D. 
Published: January 2011

AbstractGrass biomethane surpasses the 60% greenhouse gas (GHG) savings relative to the fossil fuel replaced required by EU Directive 2009/28/EC. However, there are growing concerns that when the indirect effects of biofuels are taken into account, GHG savings may become negative. There has been no research to date into the indirect effects of grass biomethane; this paper aims to fill that knowledge gap. A causal‐descriptive assessment is carried out and identifies the likely indirect effect of a grass biomethane industry in Ireland as a reduction in beef exports to the UK. Three main scenarios are then analyzed: an increase in indigenous UK beef production, an increase in beef imported to the UK from other countries (EU, New Zealand and Brazil), and a decrease in beef consumption leading to increased poultry consumption. The GHG emissions from each of these scenarios are determined and the resulting savings relative to fossil diesel vary between –636% and 102%. The significance of the findings is then discussed. It is the view of the authors that, while consideration of indirect effects is important, an Irish grass biomethane industry cannot be held accountable for the associated emissions. A global GHG accounting system is therefore proposed; however, the difficulty of implementing such a system is acknowledged, as is its probable ineffectualness. Such a system would not treat the source of the problem – rising consumption. The authors conclude that the most effective method of combating the indirect effects of biofuels is a reduction in general consumption. © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Free energy simulation to investigate the effect of amino acid sequence environment on the severity of osteogenesis imperfecta by glycine mutations in collagen
Authors: Lee Kyung‐Hoon , Holl Mark M. Banaszak 
Published: January 2011

AbstractMolecular dynamics simulations were carried out to calculate the free energy change difference of two collagen‐like peptide models for Gly→Ser mutations causing two different osteogenesis imperfecta phenotypes. These simulations were performed to investigate the impact of local amino acid sequence environment adjacent to a mutation site on the stability of the collagen. The average free energy differences for a Gly→Ser mutant relative to a wild type are 3.4 kcal/mol and 8.2 kcal/mol for a nonlethal site and a lethal site, respectively. The free energy change differences of mutant containing two Ser residues relative to the wild type at the nonlethal and lethal mutation sites are 4.6 and 9.8 kcal/mol, respectively. Although electrostatic interactions stabilize mutants containing one or two Ser residues at both mutation sites, van der Waals interactions are of sufficient magnitude to cause a net destabilization. The presence of Gln and Arg near the mutation site, which contain large and polar side chains, provide more destabilization than amino acids containing small and nonpolar side chains. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 95: 401–409, 2011
Exploring cystic fibrosis using bioinformatics tools: A module designed for the freshman biology course
Authors: Zhang Xiaorong 
Published: January 2011

AbstractWe incorporated a bioinformatics component into the freshman biology course that allows students to explore cystic fibrosis (CF), a common genetic disorder, using bioinformatics tools and skills. Students learn about CF through searching genetic databases, analyzing genetic sequences, and observing the three‐dimentional structures of proteins using a number of computational tools. We also use this opportunity to discuss the genetic, molecular, biochemical, and physiological aspects of CF, in an effort to help students appreciate the interrelationships among concepts and topics in biology within a real‐world context. This component provides the freshman students at Savannah State University an early exposure to bioinformatics and prepares them for the upper level courses in this area. It also facilitates meaningful and in‐depth learning by linking biological concepts and processes through a case study. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education Vol. 39, No. 1, pp. 17–20, 2011
Key questions to consider in stalking cases
Authors: Sheridan Lorraine , Roberts Karl 
Published: January 2011

AbstractStalkers can inflict severe injury upon and have been known to kill their victims. Based on the detailed responses of 1,565 stalking victims, a set of key questions was produced with the aim of increasing the opportunities of police officers to identify potentially dangerous stalkers. Despite marked methodological differences and the inclusion of a large number of variables, regression analyses for significant correlates for physical assault per se and for severe violence largely reflected the results of earlier works. For severe violence (n = 136), the most important correlate was a high level of victim fear, suggesting that victims are adept at assessing their own risk of stalker violence. The set of 11 questions performed well on preliminary tests and is presented here. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A scalable optimization approach for fitting canonical tensor decompositions
Authors: Acar Evrim , Dunlavy Daniel M. , Kolda Tamara G. 
Published: January 2011

AbstractTensor decompositions are higher‐order analogues of matrix decompositions and have proven to be powerful tools for data analysis. In particular, we are interested in the canonical tensor decomposition, otherwise known as CANDECOMP/PARAFAC (CP), which expresses a tensor as the sum of component rank‐one tensors and is used in a multitude of applications such as chemometrics, signal processing, neuroscience and web analysis. The task of computing CP, however, can be difficult. The typical approach is based on alternating least‐squares (ALS) optimization, but it is not accurate in the case of overfactoring. High accuracy can be obtained by using nonlinear least‐squares (NLS) methods; the disadvantage is that NLS methods are much slower than ALS. In this paper, we propose the use of gradient‐based optimization methods. We discuss the mathematical calculation of the derivatives and show that they can be computed efficiently, at the same cost as one iteration of ALS. Computational experiments demonstrate that the gradient‐based optimization methods are more accurate than ALS and faster than NLS in terms of total computation time. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Determination of Heat Transfer Coefficients Using the Wilson‐Plot Method
Authors: Hammerschmidt Jochen , Scholl Stephan 
Published: January 2011

AbstractDer heizseitige Wärmeübergangskoeffizient eines vertikalen, mit kondensierendem Hexanol‐Dampf beheizten, auf der Produktseite einphasig von Wasser durchströmten Doppelrohrwärmeübertragers aus Edelstahl wird bestimmt. Der nach dem Wilson‐Plot‐Verfahren ermittelte Wärmeübergangskoeffizient wird den Werten zweier alternativer Zugangswege gegenübergestellt: der Berechnung gemäß Nusseltscher Filmtheorie sowie einer Rückrechnung aus dem bilanziell bestimmten Wärmedurchgangskoeffizienten unter Verwendung der Gnielinski‐Gleichung für den rohrseitigen Wärmeübergang. Mit Hilfe des Wilson‐Plot‐Verfahrens kann der heizseitige Wärmeübergang in Abhängigkeit vom übertragenen Wärmestrom für das untersuchte Rohr berechnet werden.