bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Carbon monoxide poisoning: an unusual cause of dizziness
Authors: Lakhani R , Bleach N 
Published: April 2010

AbstractObjective:We report an unusual case of dizziness caused by carbon monoxide poisoning.Case report:A 55-year-old man was referred to an ENT surgeon with dizziness. The patient described vague, non-specific symptoms not consistent with a diagnosis of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, labyrinthitis or Ménière's disease. It emerged later that the patient had been suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning from a leaky gas hot water boiler in his house. After having the boiler fixed, the patient's symptoms completely resolved.Conclusion:When the more common causes of dizziness cannot be found, less common but important differential diagnoses, such as carbon monoxide poisoning, should be considered.
Der-p2 (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus) allergen-like protein from the hard tickIxodes ricinus– a novel member of ML (MD-2-related lipid-recognition) domain protein family
Authors: HORÁČKOVÁ J. , RUDENKO N. , GOLOVCHENKO M. , GRUBHOFFER L. 
Published: April 2010

SUMMARYObjective.Expression of the gene encoding Der-p2 allergen-like protein in the castor bean tickIxodes ricinusis induced by blood intake. Tick Der-p2 allergen-like protein belongs to a diverse family of ML proteins that includes major allergens of house dust mites, human MD-2 or similar proteins fromDrosophila melanogaster. In ticks, genes encoding proteins belonging to the ML protein family were identified, but their protein products have not been characterized yet.Methods.A gene encoding tick Der-p2 allergen-like protein was amplified from cDNA of engorgedI. ricinusfemale using the gene-specific primers designed on a basis of partial sequences of related allergen-like genes. The tissue and state specific patterns of expression of the gene were analysed. The IgE binding activity of the produced recombinant protein was studied by use of ELISA.Results.Analysis of the expression pattern showed that the gene encoding the tick Der-p2 allergen-like protein is strongly induced by the bloodmeal in gut and haemolymph throughout all tick developmental stages. Der-p2 allergen-like protein possesses a putative lipid-binding site, according to the comparisons with the related proteins. The ability of tick Der-p2 allergen-like protein to bind immunoglobulin E (IgE) was revealed.Discussion.The presence of a putative lipid-binding domain in Der-p2 allergen-like protein and its ability to interact with IgE might indicate the involvement of the protein in the tick's immune response.
Prediction of prevalence from mean abundance via a simple epidemiological model in mesostigmate mites from two geographical regions
Authors: KRASNOV B. R. , KORALLO-VINARSKAYA N. P. , VINARSKI M. V. , LARESCHI M. 
Published: April 2010

SUMMARYWe analysed data on the abundance and distribution of 26 species of mesostigmate mites with different feeding habits collected from bodies of small mammalian hosts in 2 geographical regions (West Siberia and Argentina). We tested whether prevalence of a mite can be reliably predicted from a simple epidemiological model that takes into account mean abundance and its variance. We theorized that the difference between prevalence predicted from the model and observed prevalence would be smallest in obligatory haematophagous mites, intermediate in facultatively haematophagous mites and greatest in non-haematophagous mites. We also theorized that prevalence of mites from the region with sharp seasonality (Siberia) would be predicted accurately only if host number would be taken into account. We found that the success of a simple epidemiological model to predict prevalence in mites was similar to that reported earlier for other ectoparasitic arthropods. Surprisingly, the model predicted prevalence of obligatory exclusively haematophagous mites less successfully than that of mites with other feeding habits. No difference in the model performance between mites occurring in the 2 geographical regions were found independent of whether the model took the number of hosts into account.
Proteomic analysis of Strongyloides stercoralis L3 larvae
Authors: MARCILLA A. , SOTILLO J. , PÉREZ-GARCIA A. , IGUAL-ADELL R. , VALERO M. LUZ , SÁNCHEZ-PINO M. M. , BERNAL D. , MUÑOZ-ANTOLÍ C. , TRELIS M. , TOLEDO R. , ESTEBAN J. G. 
Published: April 2010

SUMMARYStrongyloidiasis can be perpetuated by autoinfection with the filariform larvae L3, causing asymptomatic chronic infections and creating a population of carriers, affecting not only developing countries. So far, very little is known about the proteins that interact with the human host, and few proteins from the infective Strongyloides stercoralis L3 have been characterized. Here, we report results obtained from a proteomic analysis of the proteins from S. stercoralis L3 larvae obtained from patients. Since the genome of S. stercoralis is not yet available, we used proteomic analysis to identify 26 different proteins, 13 of them released by short digestion with trypsin, which could represent surface-associated proteins. The present work extends our knowledge of host-parasite interactions by identifying proteins that could be of interest in the development of diagnostic tools, vaccines, or treatments for a neglected disease like strongyloidiasis.
Influence of beam intensity profile on the aerodynamic particle size distributions generated by femtosecond laser ablation
Authors: Menéndez-Manjón A. , Barcikowski S. , Shafeev G.A. , Mazhukin V.I. , Chichkov B.N. 
Published: April 2010

AbstractThe dependence of nanoparticle size distributions on laser intensity profile was determined during infrared femtosecond laser ablation of silver targets in air. Laser parameters were adjusted to ablate at the same peak fluence with spatially homogeneous (flat-top) and inhomogeneous (Gaussian) intensity distributions formed by diffractive optical elements. Aerodynamic particle size was measured online by an electric low-pressure cascade impactor. Narrower size distributions were detected for the flat-top intensity profile in the fluence range from 0.6 to 4.4 J/cm2, while the Gaussian beam produced broad and bimodal distributions. The aerodynamic number frequency of the primary nanoparticulate fraction (40 nm) was equal to the number frequency of the submicron agglomerate fraction (200 nm) at laser fluence of 1 J/cm2. The Feret diameter of primary particles was 80 nm. Geometrical interpretation of the irradiated spots at the corresponding laser fluence regimes explains the formation of bimodal (submicron and nanoparticulate) size distribution in the case of Gaussian beams. The bimodality is attributed to different thermalization pathways during laser ablation.
Effect of magnetic field on the expansion dynamics of laser-blow-off generated plasma plume: Role of atomic processes
Authors: Kumar Ajai , Singh R.K. , Prahlad V. , Joshi H.C. 
Published: April 2010

AbstractThe effect of a variable magnetic field on Li plasma produced by laser-blow-off technique has been studied experimentally. Enhancement in the intensity of the spectral lines from neutrals was observed, which varied with the magnetic field. The enhancement in emission from Li I was found to differ for the two different transitions viz. 670.8 nm (2s 2S1/2 ← 2p 2P3/2,1/2) and 610.3 nm (2p 2P1/2,3/2 ← 3d 2P3/2,5/2), which is more prominent for 670.8 nm. Conventionally, the enhancement in emission in the presence of the magnetic field has been explained in terms of radiative recombination. However, the atomic analysis by computing photon emissivity coefficients in the present case has revealed for the first time that it is due to electron impact excitation.
Improved two-temperature model and its application in femtosecond laser ablation of metal target
Authors: Fang Ranran , Zhang Duanming , Wei Hua , Li Zhihua , Yang Fengxia , Gao Yihua 
Published: April 2010

AbstractAn improved two-temperature model to describe femtosecond laser ablation of metal target was presented. The temperature-dependent heat capacity and thermal conductivity of the electron, as well as electron temperature-dependent absorption coefficient and absorptivity are all considered in this two-temperature model. The tailored two-temperature model is solved using a finite difference method for copper target. The time-dependence of lattice and electron temperature of the surface for different laser fluence are performed, respectively. The temperature distribution of the electron and lattice along with space and time for a certain laser fluence is also presented. Moreover, the variation of ablation rate per pulse with laser fluence is obtained. The satisfactory agreement between our numerical results and experimental data indicates that the temperature dependence of heat capacity, thermal conductivity, absorption coefficient and absorptivity in femtosecond laser ablation of metal target must not be neglected. The present model will be helpful for the further experimental investigation of application of the femtosecond laser.
Measurement of stimulated Brillouin scattering threshold by the optical limiting of pump output energy
Authors: Gao W. , Lu Z.W. , Wang S.Y. , He W.M. , Hasi W.L.J. 
Published: April 2010

AbstractA new approach to measure stimulated Brillouin scattering threshold based on the output energy characteristic of stimulated Brillouin scattering optical limiting is proposed. The stimulated Brillouin scattering threshold or its exponential gain, Gth, can be accurately and conveniently determined by the intersection point of linear-fitting lines of the output energy below and above the threshold. The values of Gth in CS2 and FC-72 for different wavelengths and interaction lengths are measured in Continuum's Nd:YAG Q-switched laser and its frequency-doubled system. We show that Gth for transient regime is larger than that for steady state, and increases with the pump wavelength and the interaction length.
Field distribution, HPM multipactor, and plasma discharge on the periodic triangular surface
Authors: Chang C. , Liu G.Z. , Fang J.Y. , Tang C.X. , Huang H.J. , Chen C.H. , Zhang Q.Y. , Liang T.Z. , Zhu X.X. , Li J.W. 
Published: April 2010

AbstractThe field distribution and the restraint effect of multipactor and plasma discharge on the periodic triangular surface have been theoretically and experimentally analyzed. It has been found by computational and simulative analysis that the periodic profile can quickly restrain or weaken multipactor and plasma discharge in low pressure within several microwave periods. Considering the field enhancement, increasing the slope angle, advancing the electric field, and lowering the frequency can enhance the multipactor suppression. X-band giga-watt high power microwave experiment with 20 ns short pulse was conducted. It was demonstrated that the periodic profile can effectively improve the breakdown threshold and slower the speed of tail erosion.
Acceleration of electrons and electromagnetic fields of highly intense laser pulses
Authors: Lourenco Stefanie , Kowarsch Nicolas , Scheid Werner , Wang P.X. 
Published: April 2010

AbstractThe acceleration of electrons by very intense lasers in vacuum is studied for different forms of laser pulses: finite plane and three-dimensional laser pulses. The latter case is treated by introducing an approximation of the laser frequency as a function of the Cartesian components of the wave number. Various examples which lead to high accelerations of electrons are given.
Funnel cone for focusing intense ion beams on a target
Authors: Bieniosek F.M. , Henestroza E. , Ni P. 
Published: April 2010

AbstractWe describe a funnel cone for concentrating an ion beam on a target. The cone utilizes the reflection characteristic of ion beams on solid walls to focus the incident beam and increase beam intensity on target. The cone has been modeled with the TRIM code. A prototype has been tested and installed for use in the 350-keV K+ NDCX target chamber.
Efficient ion acceleration by collective laser-driven electron dynamics with ultra-thin foil targets
Authors: Steinke S. , Henig A. , Schnürer M. , Sokollik T. , Nickles P.V. , Jung D. , Kiefer D. , Hörlein R. , Schreiber J. , Tajima T. , Yan X.Q. , Hegelich M. , Meyer-ter-Vehn J. , Sandner W. , Habs D. 
Published: April 2010

AbstractExperiments on ion acceleration by irradiation of ultra-thin diamond-like carbon (DLC) foils, with thicknesses well below the skin depth, irradiated with laser pulses of ultra-high contrast and linear polarization, are presented. A maximum energy of 13 MeV for protons and 71 MeV for carbon ions is observed with a conversion efficiency of ~10%. Two-dimensional particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations reveal that the increase in ion energies can be attributed to a dominantly collective rather than thermal motion of the foil electrons, when the target becomes transparent for the incident laser pulse.
The role of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus structural and non-structural proteins in virus pathogenesis
Authors: Music Nedzad , Gagnon Carl A. 
Published: April 2010

AbstractPorcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is an economically devastating viral disease affecting the swine industry worldwide. The etiological agent, PRRS virus (PRRSV), possesses a RNA viral genome with nine open reading frames (ORFs). The ORF1a and ORF1b replicase-associated genes encode the polyproteins pp1a and pp1ab, respectively. The pp1a is processed in nine non-structural proteins (nsps): nsp1α, nsp1β, and nsp2 to nsp8. Proteolytic cleavage of pp1ab generates products nsp9 to nsp12. The proteolytic pp1a cleavage products process and cleave pp1a and pp1ab into nsp products. The nsp9 to nsp12 are involved in virus genome transcription and replication. The 3′ end of the viral genome encodes four minor and three major structural proteins. The GP2a, GP3and GP4(encoded by ORF2a, 3 and 4), are glycosylated membrane associated minor structural proteins. The fourth minor structural protein, the E protein (encoded by ORF2b), is an unglycosylated membrane associated protein. The viral envelope contains two major structural proteins: a glycosylated major envelope protein GP5(encoded by ORF5) and an unglycosylated membrane M protein (encoded by ORF6). The third major structural protein is the nucleocapsid N protein (encoded by ORF7). All PRRSV non-structural and structural proteins are essential for virus replication, and PRRSV infectivity is relatively intolerant to subtle changes within the structural proteins. PRRSV virulence is multigenic and resides in both the non-structural and structural viral proteins. This review discusses the molecular characteristics, biological and immunological functions of the PRRSV structural and nsps and their involvement in the virus pathogenesis.
Motives of Azumaya algebras
Authors: Kahn Bruno , Levine Marc 
Published: April 2010

AbstractWe study the slice filtration for theK-theory of a sheaf of Azumaya algebrasA, and for the motive of a Severi-Brauer variety, the latter in the case of a central simple algebra of prime degree over a field. Using the Beilinson–Lichtenbaum conjecture, we apply our results to show the vanishing ofSK2(A) for a central simple algebraAof square-free index (prime to the characteristic). This proves a conjecture of Merkurjev.
Krueger, Schiff, and Valdés Revisited: Agricultural Price and Trade Policy Reform in Developing Countries since 1960
Authors: Anderson Kym 
Published: April 2010

AbstractA study of distortions to agricultural incentives in 18 developing countries from 1960–84, by Krueger, Schiff, and Valdés (1988; 1991), found that policies in most of those developing countries were directly or indirectly harming their farmers. Since the mid‐1980s, there has been a substantial amount of policy reform and opening up of many developing countries. Indicators of that progress have been made available recently by a new study that has compiled estimates for a much larger sample of developing countries, and for as many years as possible since 1955. The new study also covers Europe's transition economies and comparable estimates for high‐income countries, thereby covering more than 90% of world agricultural output and employment. This article summarizes the methodology used in the new study, compares a synopsis of the indicators from Krueger, Schiff, and Valdés and the new study for the period to 1984, summarizes the changing extent of price distortions across countries and commodities globally since then, and concludes by evaluating the degree of distortion reduction over the years since 1984 compared with how much still remains, according to the results of a global economy wide model.
A computational analysis of the antigenic properties of haemagglutinin in influenza A H3N2
Authors: Lees William D. , Moss David S. , Shepherd Adrian J. 
Published: April 2010

Abstract
Motivation: Modelling antigenic shift in influenza A H3N2 can help to predict the efficiency of vaccines. The virus is known to exhibit sudden jumps in antigenic distance, and prediction of such novel strains from amino acid sequence differences remains a challenge.
Results: From analysis of 6624 amino acid sequences of wild-type H3, we propose updates to the frequently referenced list of 131 amino acids located at or near the five identified antibody binding regions in haemagglutinin (HA). We introduce a class of predictive models based on the analysis of amino acid changes in these binding regions, and extend the principle to changes in HA1 as a whole by dividing the molecule into regional bands.
Our results show that a range of simple models based on banded changes give better predictive performance than models based on the established five canonical regions and can identify a higher proportion of vaccine escape candidates among novel strains than a current state-of-the-art model.
Contact: wlees01@mail.cryst.bbk.ac.uk
Supplementary information: Supplementary Data is available at Bioinformatics online.
Prognostic value of chromogranin A in chronic heart failure: data from the GISSI‐Heart Failure trial
Authors: Røsjø Helge , Masson Serge , Latini Roberto , Flyvbjerg Allan , Milani Valentina , La Rovere Maria Teresa , Revera Miriam , Mezzani Alessandro , Tognoni Gianni , Tavazzi Luigi , Omland Torbjørn ,   on behalf of the GISSI‐HF Investigators
Published: April 2010

AimsTo assess the association between circulating levels of chromogranin A (CgA) and outcome in a large population of patients with chronic heart failure (HF).Methods and resultsPlasma CgA levels were measured at randomization and after 3 months in 1233 patients (median age 68 years, 80% male) with chronic, stable HF from the GISSI‐HF trial. Circulating CgA levels were associated with several established risk markers in HF, including increased age, diabetes, reduced renal function, and heart rate variability. During a median follow‐up of 3.9 years, 333 patients (27%) died. By univariable analysis, plasma CgA levels at baseline were strongly associated with all‐cause mortality during follow‐up; 2nd vs. 1st tertile: HR 1.58 (1.17–2.11), P = 0.002; and 3rd vs. 1st tertile: HR 2.35 (1.78–3.10), P < 0.0001. After adjustment for established risk factors of mortality, this association was attenuated and no longer significant. Randomized treatments with n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acid or rosuvastatin did not significantly change plasma CgA concentration over 3 months.ConclusionMeasurement of circulating CgA levels in patients with chronic, stable HF does not provide incremental prognostic information to that obtained from physical examination, routine biochemical analysis, and contemporary HF biomarkers.
Myocardial gene expression alterations in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Kontaraki Joanna E. , Parthenakis Fragiskos I. , Nyktari Eva G. , Patrianakos Alexandros P. , Vardas Panos E. 
Published: April 2010

AimsTo assess cardiac gene expression in peripheral blood cells of patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDCM) and its relationship to echocardiographic left ventricular (LV) function.Methods and resultsA complete echocardiographic study and blood sampling were performed in 65 consecutive stable IDCM patients with LV ejection fraction (LVEF) 31.76 ± 10.07% and chronic mild to moderate heart failure (NYHA functional class II to III) for ≥9 months. Blood samples from 19 healthy individuals were included for comparison. Transcript levels of myocardin, GATA4, alpha‐ and beta‐myosin heavy chain (MHC), sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase 2 (SERCA2), and phospholamban were determined by quantitative real‐time reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction. Myocardin (24.88 ± 4.93 vs. 3.98 ± 1.12, P = 0.0048) and GATA4 (17.85 ± 4.85 vs. 0.45 ± 0.15, P = 0.0069 × 10−5) were upregulated in IDCM patients compared with controls, whereas SERCA2 (5.11 ± 0.42 vs. 8.93 ± 1.07, P = 0.001) was downregulated. In IDCM patients, myocardin (r = 0.279, P = 0.025), GATA4 (r = 0.314, P = 0.011), beta‐MHC (r = 0.444, P=0.0002), and alpha‐MHC (r = 0.272, P = 0.034) showed positive correlations, whereas SERCA2 (r = −0.264, P = 0.034) exhibited a negative correlation with LVEF. Patients with elevated LV filling pressures had lower myocardin (15.06 ± 3.10 vs. 43.12 ± 12.03, P = 0.048), GATA4 (8.96 ± 2.17 vs. 34.38 ± 12.60, P = 0.026), beta‐MHC (10.59 ± 4.05 vs. 16.43 ± 4.91, P = 0.013), and alpha‐MHC (0.27 ± 0.08 vs. 0.79 ± 0.20, P = 0.033) and higher SERCA2 (5.65 ± 0.54 vs. 3.90 ± 0.61, P = 0.037) levels. Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) had higher SERCA2 levels compared with sinus rhythm patients (6.75 ± 0.84 vs. 4.54 ± 0.45, P = 0.017).ConclusionOur data indicate that cardiac gene expression alterations in peripheral blood cells of IDCM patients may reflect alterations in LV function, whereas the presence of AF may be associated with increased SERCA2 levels in these patients.
Contribution of the Chemokine (C-C Motif) Ligand 2 (CCL2) to Mechanical Hypersensitivity after Surgical Incision in Rats
Authors: Peters Christopher M. , Eisenach James C. 
Published: April 2010

Background
Neural glial signaling in the spinal cord may underlie pain and sensitization after peripheral injury. The authors test the role of a glial activator, the chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2), on mechanical hypersensitivity after plantar incision in a rat model of postoperative pain.

Methods
Twenty-four hours after hind paw incision, rats were intrathecally administered an anti-CCL2 neutralizing antibody (3 and 10 microg) or control immunoglobulin G (10 microg). Mechanical hypersensitivity was assessed acutely and for several days after administration of anti-CCL2 antibody using von Frey filaments. Immunohistochemical analysis was conducted on spinal cord sections to examine the effects of treatment on measures of microglial activation, including levels of ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1 and phosphorylated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase.

Results
Neutralization of spinal CCL2 acutely reversed mechanical hypersensitivity within 30 min in a dose-dependent manner. A single administration also produced a sustained decrease in mechanical hypersensitivity 48 and 72 h after incision. Anti-CCL2 antibody reduced microglial activation as measured by the levels of ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1 immunoreactivity and the number of microglia containing phosphorylated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase 48 h after incision but not within 30 min of administration.

Conclusions
These results provide evidence that CCL2 contributes to the maintenance of mechanical hypersensitivity after plantar incision and establish a role for neural glial signaling in postoperative pain. The long-term effects of anti-CCL2 treatment correlate with reduced microglial activation. Spinal blockade of CCL2 may serve as a useful therapy for the treatment of certain aspects of postoperative pain.