bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of Rosuvastatin on Asymmetric Dimethylarginine Levels and Early Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence after Electrical Cardioversion
Authors: XIA WEI , YIN ZUOMIN , LI JINGJIE , SONG YING , QU XIUFEN 
Published: September 2009

Background:

High levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) are associated with an increased risk of early recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) after electrical cardioversion. We aimed to investigate the effects of rosuvastatin on serum ADMA levels and early recurrence of AF following successful electrical cardioversion.
Methods:

A total of 64 patients with persistent AF, but without known heart disease, who underwent elective electrical cardioversion were randomized to the rosuvastatin (group I, n = 32) and control (group II, n = 32) groups. The end point was the recurrence of AF during the 3 months of follow‐up.
Results:

The baseline ADMA levels were not different between the two groups. At the end of follow‐up, serum ADMA levels in group I decreased compared with the baseline levels, whereas no significant change occurred in group II. During the follow‐up, five patients in group I (15.6%) and 13 in group II (40.6%) had AF recurrence (P < 0.05, log‐rank test). With the Cox proportional model, the predictors of recurrence included age ≥65 years, left atrial diameter >45 mm, and baseline ADMA levels ≥2.0 μmol/l. Rosuvastatin was associated with a reduced risk of AF recurrence (relative risk 0.35, 95% confidence interval 0.12–0.96, P < 0.05).
Conclusions:

Rosuvastatin decreased the early recurrence of AF following successful electrical cardioversion with reduced ADMA levels.
Evaluation of Cumulative Effects of MR Imaging on Pacemaker Systems at 1.5 Tesla
Authors: NAEHLE CLAAS P. , ZEIJLEMAKER VOLKERT , THOMAS DANIEL , MEYER CARSTEN , STRACH KATHARINA , FIMMERS ROLF , SCHILD HANS , SOMMER TORSTEN 
Published: September 2009

Background:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate possible cumulative effects of repeated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations on pacemaker systems in patients with cardiac pacemakers.
Methods and Results:

The records of pacemaker patients who underwent repetitive MRI examinations in our institution were reviewed to identify patients who underwent two or more MRI examinations at 1.5T of any anatomical region. Using these criteria, a total of 47 patients who underwent a total 171 MRI examinations were identified and included in this study. Institutional Review Board approval for all pacemaker investigations was obtained. Written informed consent was obtained from all patients. Pacemakers were interrogated immediately before and after MR imaging, and after 3 months, including measurement of pacing capture threshold (PCT), lead impedance (LI), and battery voltage (BV). PCT, LI, and BV were analyzed for changes dependant on the number of MRI exams performed. Mean changes over time and changes between first and last pacemaker interrogation of PCT, LI, and BV were calculated. A statistically significant (P < 0.05), but clinically irrelevant trend for decrease in PCT and BV was found. No significant or clinically relevant changes in LI were observed.
Conclusion:

In this first study, no clinically relevant, cumulative changes in PCT, LI, or BV could be detected in PM patients who underwent two or more MRI examinations. However, a careful benefit/risk evaluation, among other MRI‐ and pacemaker‐related safety precautions, remains mandatory, as clinically relevant alterations to the PM system cannot be excluded by all means.
Numerical Studies on Closed Chamber Fires
Authors: CHOW WAN‐KI , ZOU GAO‐WAN 
Published: September 2009

AbstractWith the rapid development of information technology, computer fire models are being used more widely than ever before. There are queries on whether those models are suitable for use, as many problems are encountered when using these models. Of the different approaches, fire field models or application of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) are used quite widely. The approach takes advantage of predicting the fire environment in a “microscopic” picture. Air flow pattern, pressure, and temperature contours can be predicted. However, it is not easy to judge the CFD‐predicted results. Most of the field models are only verified by some experiments not specially designed for such a purpose. In this paper, the CFD tool fire dynamics simulator (FDS) developed at the National Institute of Standards and Technology in United States will be applied to study closed chamber fires commonly encountered in the marine industry. Pressure rise inside the chamber induced by a fire is simulated. Part of the experimental data on closed chamber fires reported by the Defence Research Establishment in Sweden was used. By comparing the predicted results with the simulations, how well CFD can be applied for simulating fires in a closed chamber can be determined.
Visual Tracking and LIDAR Relative Positioning for Automated Launch and Recovery of an Unmanned Rotorcraft from Ships at Sea
Authors: GARRATT MATT , POTA HEMANSHU , LAMBERT ANDREW , ECKERSLEY‐MASLIN SEBASTIEN , FARABET CLEMENT 
Published: September 2009

AbstractSensors and systems for a fully autonomous unmanned helicopter have been developed with the aim of completely automating the landing and launch of a small‐unmanned helicopter from the deck of a ship. For our scheme, we have combined a laser rangefinder (LRF) system with a visual tracking sensor to construct a low‐cost guidance system. Our novel LRF system determines both the distance to and the orientation of the deck in one cycle. We have constructed an optical sensor to complement the laser system, comprising a digital camera interfaced to a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), which enables the entire target tracking computation to be achieved in a very small self‐contained form factor. A narrowband light source on the deck is detected by the digital camera and tracked by an algorithm implemented on the FPGA to provide a relative bearing to the deck from the helicopter. By combining the optical sensor bearing with the information from the laser system, an accurate estimate of the helicopter position relative to the deck can be found.
Effects of red‐leaved transgenic tobacco expressing a MYB transcription factor on two herbivorous insects, Spodoptera litura and Helicoverpa armigera
Authors: Malone Louise A. , Barraclough Emma I. , Lin‐Wang Kui , Stevenson David E. , Allan Andrew C. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractBy expressing specific MYB transcription factors in plants, levels of anthocyanins can be raised and new varieties of crops with attractive red or purple foliage, fruits, and flowers can be produced. Insects might respond differently to these plants, and potentially the large‐scale use of such crops could have non‐target impacts on agricultural ecosystems. In this study, larvae of Spodoptera litura (F.) and Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (both Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) were fed with red‐pigmented leaves from transgenic tobacco, Nicotiana tabacum L. (Solanaceae) cv. Samsun, plants expressing the AtMYB75/PAP1 transcription factor from Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. (Brassicaceae). All of the transgenic plants had elevated concentrations of several anthocyanins and other polyphenolics, including chlorogenic and other caffeic acids, and rutin. Spodoptera litura pupation was significantly delayed and H. armigera larval mortality significantly increased by feeding on the transgenic foliage, compared with controls fed with green non‐transgenic tobacco leaves. When given a choice, H. armigera larvae ate significantly more of the green control leaves than of the red transgenic leaves. The expression of MYB transcription factors to produce novel colours in transgenic crop plants may alter the levels of anthocyanins and other polyphenolic compounds and this could cause species‐specific changes in the feeding behaviour, development, and survival of insects feeding on the plants. Results to date suggest that these impacts will be neutral or negative.
Melancholic symptoms as assessed by the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and outcomes with and without electroconvulsive therapy on an in-patient mood disorders unit
Authors: Rasmussen Keith G. , Stevens Susanna R. , Kung Simon , Mohan Amit 
Published: September 2009

Rasmussen KG, Stevens SR, Kung S, Mohan A. Melancholic symptoms as assessed by the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and outcomes with and without electroconvulsive therapy on an in-patient mood disorders unit.Background:We investigated whether 24-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HamD24)-based melancholia ratings correlated with treatment outcome, with special focus on whether electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) was used in depressed patients treated on an in-patient mood disorders unit.Methods:We analysed the data on ECT- versus non-ECT-treated patients' outcomes relative to melancholia subscale scores. Two HamD24-based melancholia rating scale scores were computed for 201 depressed in-patients at admission and discharge. Baseline melancholia ratings were analysed to see if they correlated with improvement in total HamD24 scores. We also tested to see if the melancholia subscales followed unimodal or bimodal distributions.Results:Melancholic symptoms as assessed by one of the HamD24-based subscales directly correlated with overall improvement. Although ECT treatment was associated with greater improvement than was noted in non-ECT-treated patients, severity of melancholia ratings did not affect this relationship. Finally, both melancholia subscale scores followed approximately unimodal distributions.Conclusions:HamD24-based methods to assess severity of melancholic symptoms have limited clinical utility on an in-patient mood disorders unit in general, and for predicting ECT response in particular. Furthermore, these methods do not seem to identify bimodal populations of depressed patients (i.e. melancholic vs. non-melancholic).
Effects of new adhesive resin root canal filling materials on vertical root fractures
Authors: Hanada Takahiro , Quevedo Carlos Gabriel Adorno , Okitsu Motoko , Yoshioka Takatomo , Iwasaki Naohiko , Takahashi Hidekazu , Suda Hideaki 
Published: September 2009

AbstractThe aim of this study was to compare the fracture resistance of roots following root canal therapy using the RC Sealer system, the Epiphany system and the conventional system of gutta‐percha and Sealapex. Fifty‐six maxillary central incisors were divided into eight groups of seven teeth each, according to master apical file size and obturation systems. Obturation materials in the root canal were vertically loaded using a universal testing machine. Fracture loads were analysed by anova and Tukey comparison, and fracture patterns were analysed with ordinal logistic regression. Master apical file size 80 had a significantly lower fracture load than size 40 (P < 0.05). The groups obturated using the Resilon Cone and the Epiphany Sealer had significantly lower fracture loads than the other groups (P < 0.05). There was no significant improvement in resistance to vertical root fractures using the examined adhesive resin root canal filling systems, compared with conventional gutta‐percha and sealer.
Purple Sweet Potato Color Alleviates D‐galactose‐induced Brain Aging in Old Mice by Promoting Survival of Neurons via PI3K Pathway and Inhibiting Cytochrome C‐mediated Apoptosis
Authors: Lu Jun , Wu Dong‐mei , Zheng Yuan‐lin , Hu Bin , Zhang Zi‐feng 
Published: September 2009

AbstractPurple sweet potato color (PSPC), a class of naturally occurring anthocyanins, protects brain function against oxidative stress induced by D‐galactose (D‐gal) (Sigma‐Aldrich, St. Louis, MO, USA). Our data showed that PSPC enhanced open‐field activity, decreased step‐through latency, and improved spatial learning and memory ability in D‐gal‐treated old mice by decreasing advanced glycation end‐products' (AGEs) formation and the AGE receptor (RAGE) expression, and by elevating Cu,Zn‐superoxide dismutase (Cu,Zn‐SOD) (Sigma‐Aldrich) and catalase (CAT) expression and activity. Cleavage of caspase‐3 and increased terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)‐mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate (dUTP) nick‐end‐labeling (TUNEL)‐positive cells in D‐gal‐treated old mice were inhibited by PSPC, which might be attributed to its antioxidant property. PSPC also suppressed the activation of c‐Jun NH2‐terminal kinase (JNK) and the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria that counteracted the onset of neuronal apoptosis in D‐gal‐treated old mice. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K) activation was required for PSPC to promote the neuronal survival accompanied with phosphorylation and activation of Akt and p44/42 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) by using PI3K inhibitor LY294002 (Cell Signaling Technology, Inc., Beverly, MA, USA), implicating a neuronal survival mechanism. The present results suggest that neuronal survival promoted by PSPC may be a potentially effective method to enhance resistance of neurons to age‐related disease.
Application of a Volume Averaged k-ε Model to Particle-Laden Turbulent Channel Flow
Authors: Schwarzkopf J. D. , Crowe C. T. , Dutta P. 
Published: September 2009

Abstract
A closed set of volume averaged equations for modeling turbulence in the carrier phase of particle-laden flows is presented. The equations incorporate a recently developed dissipation transport equation that contains an additional production of dissipation term due to particle surfaces. In the development, it was assumed that each coefficient was the sum of the coefficient for single phase flow and a coefficient quantifying the contribution of the particulate phase. To assess the effects of this additional production term, a numerical model was developed and applied to particles falling in a channel of downward turbulent air flow. Boundary conditions were developed to ensure that the production of turbulent kinetic energy due to mean velocity gradients and particle surfaces balanced with the turbulent dissipation near the wall. The coefficients associated with the production of dissipation due to mean velocity gradients and particle surfaces were varied to assess the effects of the dispersed phase on the carrier phase turbulent kinetic energy across the channel. The results show that the model predicts a decrease in turbulent kinetic energy near the wall with increased particle loading, and that the dissipation coefficients play a critical role in predicting the turbulent kinetic energy in particle-laden turbulent flows.
Design of an Experimental Viscoelastic Food Model System for Studying
Zygosaccharomyces bailii
Spoilage in Acidic Sauces
Authors: Mertens L. , Geeraerd A. H. , Dang T. D. T. , Vermeulen A. , Serneels K. , Van Derlinden E. , Cappuyns A. M. , Moldenaers P. , Debevere J. , Devlieghere F. , Van Impe J. F. 
Published: September 2009

ABSTRACT

Within the field of predictive microbiology, the number of studies that quantify the effect of food structure on microbial behavior is very limited. This is mainly due to impracticalities related to the use of a nonliquid growth medium. In this study, an experimental food model system for studying yeast spoilage in acid sauces was developed by selecting a suitable thickening/gelling agent. In a first step, a variety of thickening/gelling agents was screened, with respect to the main physicochemical (pH, water activity, and acetic acid and sugar concentrations) and rheological (weak gel viscoelastic behavior and presence of a yield stress) characteristics of acid sauces. Second, the rheological behavior of the selected thickening/gelling agent, Carbopol 980, was extensively studied within the following range of conditions: pH 4.0 to 5.0, acetic acid concentration of 0 to 1.0% (vol/vol), glycerol concentration of 0 to 15% (wt/vol), and Carbopol concentration of 1.0 to 1.5% (wt/vol). Finally, the applicability of the model system was illustrated by performing growth experiments in microtiter plates for
Zygosaccharomyces bailii
at 0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5% (wt/vol) Carbopol, 5% (wt/vol) glycerol, 0% (vol/vol) acetic acid, and pH 5.0. A shift from planktonic growth to growth in colonies was observed when the Carbopol concentration increased from 0.5 to 1.0%. The applicability of the model system was illustrated by estimating μ
max
at 0.5% Carbopol from absorbance detection times.
Promoter Strength Properties of the Complete Sigma E Regulon of
Escherichia coli
and
Salmonella enterica
Authors: Mutalik Vivek K. , Nonaka Gen , Ades Sarah E. , Rhodius Virgil A. , Gross Carol A. 
Published: September 2009

ABSTRACT

The σ
E
-directed envelope stress response maintains outer membrane homeostasis and is an important virulence determinant upon host infection in
Escherichia coli
and related bacteria. σ
E
is activated by at least two distinct mechanisms: accumulation of outer membrane porin precursors and an increase in the alarmone ppGpp upon transition to stationary phase. Expression of the σ
E
regulon is driven from a suite of approximately 60 σ
E
-dependent promoters. Using green fluorescent protein fusions to each of these promoters, we dissected promoter contributions to the output of the regulon under a variety of in vivo conditions. We found that the σ
E
promoters exhibit a large dynamic range, with a few strong and many weak promoters. Interestingly, the strongest promoters control either transcriptional regulators or functions related to porin homeostasis, the very functions conserved among
E. coli
and its close relatives. We found that (i) the strength of most promoters is significantly affected by the presence of the upstream (−35 to −65) region of the promoter, which encompasses the UP element, a binding site for the C-terminal domain of the α-subunit of RNA polymerase; (ii) ppGpp generally activates σ
E
promoters, and (iii) σ
E
promoters are responsive to changing σ
E
holoenzyme levels under physiological conditions, reinforcing the idea that the σ
E
regulon is extremely dynamic, enabling cellular adaptation to a constantly changing environment.
Multiple Two-Component Systems of
Streptococcus mutans
Regulate Agmatine Deiminase Gene Expression and Stress Tolerance
Authors: Liu Yaling , Burne Robert A. 
Published: September 2009

ABSTRACT

Induction of the agmatine deiminase system (AgDS) of
Streptococcus mutans
requires agmatine and is optimal at low pH. We show here that the VicRK, ComDE, and CiaRH two-component systems influence AgDS gene expression in response to acidic and thermal stresses.
The Low-Molecular-Weight Fraction of Exopolysaccharide II from
Sinorhizobium meliloti
Is a Crucial Determinant of Biofilm Formation
Authors: Rinaudi Luciana V. , González Juan E. 
Published: September 2009

ABSTRACT

Sinorhizobium meliloti
is a soil bacterium that elicits the formation of root organs called nodules on its host plant,
Medicago sativa
. Inside these structures, the bacteria are able to convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia, which is then used by the plant as a nitrogen source. The synthesis by
S. meliloti
of at least one exopolysaccharide, succinoglycan or EPS II, is essential for a successful symbiosis. While exopolysaccharide-deficient mutants induce the formation of nodules, they fail to invade them, and as a result, no nitrogen fixation occurs. Interestingly, the low-molecular-weight fractions of these exopolysaccharides are the symbiotically active forms, and it has been suggested that they act as signals to the host plant to initiate infection thread formation. In this work, we explored the role of these rhizobial exopolysaccharides in biofilm formation and their importance in the symbiotic relationship with the host. We showed that the ExpR/Sin quorum-sensing system controls biofilm formation in
S. meliloti
through the production of EPS II, which provides the matrix for the development of structured and highly organized biofilms. Moreover, the presence of the low-molecular-weight fraction of EPS II is vital for biofilm formation, both in vitro and in vivo. This is the first report where the symbiotically active fraction of EPS II is shown to be a critical factor for biofilm formation and root colonization. Thus, the ability of
S. meliloti
to properly attach to root surfaces and form biofilms conferred by the synthesis of exopolysaccharides may embody the main function of these symbiotically essential molecules.
Modulation ofCYP1B1andCYP1A1gene expression and activation of aryl hydrocarbon receptor byGinkgo bilobaextract in MCF-10A human mammary epithelial cells
Authors: Rajaraman Ganesh , Yang Guixiang , Chen Jie , Chang Thomas K.H. 
Published: September 2009

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) signaling pathway regulates the production of CYP1B1 and CYP1A1, which catalyze the bioactivation of various procarcinogens. In the present study, we investigated the effect of Ginkgo biloba extract and some of its chemical constituents on CYP1B1 and CYP1A1 gene expression and AhR activity in cultured MCF-10A human mammary epithelial cells. Treatment of MCF-10A cells with noncytotoxic concentrations of G. biloba extract (25–300 µg/mL for 24 or 48 h) increased CYP1B1 and CYP1A1 mRNA expression, which was accompanied by an increase in CYP1-mediated ethoxyresorufin O-dealkylation activity. The inductive effects of G. biloba extract were attenuated by an AhR antagonist (3′,4′-dimethoxyflavone). G. biloba extract (25–300 µg/mL) increased AhR-dependent reporter activity, as determined in MCF-10A cells transfected with an AhR-regulated luciferase reporter plasmid (pGudluc6.1). Bilobalide and ginkgolides A, B, C, and J were not responsible for the modulation of CYP1B1 and CYP1A1 gene expression or AhR activation by G. biloba extract. In contrast, quercetin increased CYP1B1 and CYP1A1 gene expression and activated AhR, whereas kaempferol and isorhamnetin suppressed constitutive CYP1B1 expression and antagonized AhR activation by benzo[a]pyrene. Overall, our findings provide an impetus for future investigations on the effect of G. biloba extract in CYP1-mediated chemical carcinogenesis.
Protective effect ofLycium barbarumpolysaccharide 4 on kidneys in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats
Authors: Zhao Rui , Li Qing-wang , Li Jian , Zhang Tao 
Published: September 2009

Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) has been shown to have hypoglycemic and antioxidative properties, although its mode of action is yet unknown. Because oxidative stress is implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy, we evaluated the protective effect of LBP-4, the major active component of Lycium barbarum, on the defensive antioxidative mechanism in kidneys in a streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model. Moreover, we investigated the effects of LBP-4 on the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) in isolated mesangial cells. The role of protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent and -independent pathways in LBP-4-reduced ERK1/2 was studied by bisindolylmaleimide (BIM) IV, an inhibitor of PKC. Diabetic rats treated with LBP-4 (10 mg/kg) for 8 weeks showed increased activity of antioxidant enzymes and increased scavenging of oxygen radicals, while the activity of PKC in the renal cortex was maintained at a physiological level. The decreased activation of ERK1/2 in mesangial cells, through the involvement of PKC, could explain the protective mechanism in kidneys of diabetic rats treated with LBP-4.