bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of the Notch-Hey1 Axis Blocks Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma Tumorigenesis
Authors: Belyea Brian C. , Naini Sarasija , Bentley Rex C. , Linardic Corinne M. 
Published: September 2011

Abstract
Purpose: Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common soft tissue sarcoma of childhood and remains refractory to combined-modality therapy in patients with high risk disease. In skeletal myogenesis, Notch signaling prevents muscle differentiation and promotes proliferation of satellite cell progeny. Given its physiologic role in myogenesis and oncogenic role in other human cancers, we hypothesized that aberrant Notch signaling may contribute to RMS tumorigenesis and present novel therapeutic opportunities.
Experimental Design: Human RMS cell lines and tumors were evaluated by immunoblot, IHC, and RT-PCR to measure Notch ligand, receptor, and target gene expression. Manipulation of Notch signaling was accomplished using genetic and pharmacologic approaches. In vitro cell growth, proliferation, and differentiation were assessed using colorimetric MTT and BrdU assays, and biochemical/morphologic changes after incubation in differentiation-promoting media, respectively. In vivo tumorigenesis was assessed using xenograft formation in SCID/beige mice.
Results: Notch signaling is upregulated in human RMS cell lines and tumors compared with primary skeletal muscle, especially in the embryonal (eRMS) subtype. Inhibition of Notch signaling using Notch1 RNAi or γ-secretase inhibitors reduced eRMS cell proliferation in vitro. Hey1 RNAi phenocopied Notch1 loss and permitted modest myogenic differentiation, while overexpression of an activated Notch moiety, ICN1, promoted eRMS cell proliferation and rescued pharmacologic inhibition. Finally, Notch inhibition using RNAi or γ-secretase inhibitors blocked tumorigenesis in vivo.
Conclusions: Aberrant Notch-Hey1 signaling contributes to eRMS by impeding differentiation and promoting proliferation. The efficacy of Notch pathway inhibition in vivo supports the development of Notch-Hey1 axis inhibitors in the treatment of eRMS. Clin Cancer Res; 17(23); 7324–36. ©2011 AACR.
Quantitative Assessment of Artifacts on Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Patients With Pacemakers and Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators
Authors: Sasaki Takeshi , Hansford Rozann , Zviman Menekhem M. , Kolandaivelu Aravindan , Bluemke David A. , Berger Ronald D. , Calkins Hugh , Halperin Henry R. , Nazarian Saman 
Published: September 2011

Background—
The safety and clinical utility of MRI at 1.5 T in patients with cardiac implantable devices such as pacemakers (PM) and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD) have been reported. This study aims to evaluate the extent of artifacts on cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in patients with PM and ICD (PM/ICD).

Methods and Results—

A total of 71 CMR studies were performed with an established safety protocol in patients with prepectoral PM/ICD. The artifact area around the PM/ICD generator was measured in all short-axis (SA), horizontal (HLA), and vertical long-axis (VLA) SSFP cine planes. The location and extent of artifacts were also assessed in all SA (20 sectors per plane), HLA, and VLA (6 sectors per plane) late gadolinium-enhanced CMR (LGE-CMR) planes. The artifact area on cine CMR was significantly larger with ICD versus PM generators in each plane (
P
<0.001, respectively). In patients with left-sided ICD or biventricular ICD systems, the percentages of sectors with any artifacts on LGE-CMR were 53.7%, 48.0%, and 49.2% in SA, HLA, and VLA planes, respectively. Patients with left-sided PM or right-sided PM/ICD had fewer artifacts. Anterior and apical regions were severely affected by artifact caused by left-sided PM/ICD generators.

Conclusions—
In contrast to patients with right-sided PM/ICD and left-sided PM, the anterior and apical left ventricle can be affected by susceptibility artifacts in patients with left-sided ICD. Artifact reduction methodologies will be necessary to improve the performance of CMR in patients with left sided ICD systems.
Deriving an empirical formula to determine the optimum level of false-twist in mechanically-crimped textured polyester yarn
Authors: Shaikh Tasnim N , Bhattacharya Someswar S 
Published: September 2011

Flat polyester yarn is bulked by the mechanical crimp texturizing process. The magnitude of the false-twist, introduced together with the torsional rigidity of the supply yarn, has a significant effect on the transformation process. The torsional rigidity of the supply yarn is in turn influenced by its fineness and bending characteristics. It is therefore deemed necessary to establish a mathematical relationship between the optimum false-twist level and the yarn fineness for materials with known bending characteristics. Such a relationship may help in producing a yarn with optimum bulk properties, while minimizing resource utilization and waste generation. This paper reports research work done in this direction. Polyester yarn is chosen for this investigation as it has a wide range of applications. Fully drawn multifilament polyester yarns, with different linear densities, are textured on a single-head mechanical crimp texturing machine. The results are analysed with the help of polynomial curve fitting (Polyfit) using MATLAB. This mathematical tool facilitated the derivation of the desired formula (polynomial equation) for the calculation of optimum false-twist level for fully drawn multifilament polyester yarns undergoing mechanical crimp texturizing.
Sustainability of additive manufacturing: measuring the energy consumption of the laser sintering process
Authors: Baumers M , Tuck C , Bourell D L , Sreenivasan R , Hague R 
Published: September 2011

The term additive manufacturing (AM) describes a collection of production techniques enabling the layer-by-layer manufacture of components using digital data and raw material as inputs. The AM technology variant most frequently used in the production of end use parts is laser sintering (LS). It has been suggested that efficient usage of the energy inputs is one of the advantages of the technology. This paper presents a comparative assessment of the electricity consumptions of two major polymeric LS platforms: the Sinterstation HiQ + HS from 3D Systems and the EOSINT P 390 from EOS GmbH. The energy inputs to a build consisting of two prosthetic parts were recorded during power-monitoring experiments conducted on both platforms. This paper injects clarity into the ongoing research on the AM energy consumption by applying a novel classification system; it is argued that the AM energy usage can be divided into the job-dependent, time-dependent, geometry-dependent, and Z-height-dependent energy consumption values. The recorded mean real power consumption conforms to the values that have been reported for similar platforms. The measured energy consumption rates are higher than reported elsewhere. It is also shown that the purely time-dependent energy consumption is the main energy drain. Furthermore, the presentation of results in the context of previous literature highlights the caveats attached to summary metrics of the AM input usage.
Experiments on and thermodynamic analysis of a turbocharged engine with producer gas as fuel
Authors: Dasappa S , Sridhar H V , Muzumdar I 
Published: September 2011

This article presents the studies conducted on turbocharged producer gas engines designed originally for natural gas (NG) as the fuel. Producer gas, whose properties like stoichiometric ratio, calorific value, laminar flame speed, adiabatic flame temperature, and related parameters that differ from those of NG, is used as the fuel. Two engines having similar turbochargers are evaluated for performance. Detailed measurements on the mass flowrates of fuel and air, pressures and temperatures at various locations on the turbocharger were carried out. On both the engines, the pressure ratio across the compressor was measured to be 1.40 ± 0.05 and the density ratio to be 1.35 ± 0.05 across the turbocharger with after-cooler. Thermodynamic analysis of the data on both the engines suggests a compressor efficiency of 70 per cent. The specific energy consumption at the peak load is found to be 13.1 MJ/kWh with producer gas as the fuel. Compared with the naturally aspirated mode, the mass flow and the peak load in the turbocharged after-cooled condition increased by 35 per cent and 30 per cent, respectively. The pressure ratios obtained with the use of NG and producer gas are compared with corrected mass flow on the compressor map.
Influence of rub-plate length on forces and displacements of longitudinally coupled slab track for a bridge turnout
Authors: Wang P , Ren J J , Xiang R , Liu X Y 
Published: September 2011

Because of the successful construction and operation of the Beijing–Tianjin intercity railway line, the longitudinally coupled prefabricated slab track (LCPBT) system has shown its outstanding advantages in both mechanical and structural aspects. With a design speed of 350 km/h, the LCPBT system was also used on the 595.62-m-long, double-track LeiDa Bridge on the Wuhan–Guangzhou passenger dedicated line (PDL) in China. To equably transfer longitudinal force from the coupled concrete base to the subbase by friction, a reinforced concrete rub-plate was placed in transition zones from bridges to the subgrade. A 100-m-long, 0.4-m-thick rub-plate was built at the Beijing–Tianjin intercity railway line, whereas a 50-m-long rub-plate was used at the Wuhan–Guangzhou PDL. This article established an integral finite element model of jointless turnout (crossover)-track slab-bridge-pier taking the LCPBT system on LeiDa Bridge as an example, and researched the proper setting length of the rub-plate in this structure. Calculation conclusions and suggestions were given: the 100-m-long rub-plate used on the Beijing–Tianjin intercity railway line can be shortened; a length of 50–75 m will be appropriate as the case may be; in specific circumstances, it can be designed within the range 25–50 m.
Addition of aliskiren to olmesartan ameliorates tubular injury in chronic kidney disease patients partly by reducing proteinuria
Authors: Nakamura Tsukasa , Sato Eiichi , Amaha Mayuko , Kawagoe Yasuhiro , Maeda Sayaka , Yamagishi Sho-ichi 
Published: September 2011

Introduction: Tubular injury is more important than glomerulopathy for renal prognosis in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Numerous studies have demonstrated the active participation of the renin–angiotensin system (RAS) in CKD. However, whether addition of aliskiren, a direct renin inhibitor, to olmesartan improves renal tubular injury in CKD patients is unknown. Methods: This study compared the effects of aliskiren (300 mg daily), olmesartan (40 mg daily), and its combination therapy on urinary L-fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP), a marker of tubular injury in stage I or II CKD patients. It also examined which clinical variables were independently correlated with tubular damage. Results: Olmesartan or aliskiren monotherapy for 6 months comparably decreased blood pressure (BP) and proteinuria. BP and proteinuria levels were reduced more by combination therapy than by either monotherapy. Olmesartan or aliskiren decreased urinary L-FABP level, and combination therapy produced more incremental reduction in L-FABP level relative to each monotherapy. Multiple stepwise regression analysis revealed that BMI, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol and proteinuria were independently related to urinary L-FABP level. Conclusions: The present study demonstrated that addition of aliskiren to olmesartan decreased urinary L-FABP level partly via reduction of proteinuria in stage I or II CKD patients.
Canoe paddle resonance characteristics and modelling
Authors: Runciman R J , Lyle K , Patrick L 
Published: September 2011

Canoe paddles have been in continuous use for thousands of years. Over that period, the paddle has remained virtually unchanged in basic form and materials. Today, paddles are produced in many different designs by a large number of manufacturers. Prominent within the many factors differentiating the best paddles from the worst is their propensity to resonate during use. This resonance has been so prevalent historically that it has been given its own name: a paddle’s song. The major drawback with paddle resonance is that it is accompanied with the penalty of increased fluid resistance. Paddle manufacturers have long tried to reduce or eliminate paddle resonance, but it is still recognized by paddlers as a significant factor in choosing an optimal paddle. This study examined canoe paddle resonance in laboratory, open water, and computer modelling environments. The goal was to investigate the characteristics of this commonly occurring phenomenon and validate the techniques used in the modelling studies. The hypothesis tested in this paper is that by employing and comparing scientific measurement and modelling techniques it would prove possible to examine the relationship between physical paddle structure, fluid-based excitation, and resonance observed during paddle use. The obtained results indicated that the paddle being studied displayed a number of different characteristic resonance patterns or modes depending on the velocity of water flow over the blade. The results of the computer modelling studies on the resonance modes were found to be in good agreement with the observations made in laboratory and open water experiments.
Essential roles for Pot1b in HSC self-renewal and survival
Authors: Wang Yang , Shen Mei-Feng , Chang Sandy 
Published: September 2011

Abstract
Maintenance of mammalian telomeres requires both the enzyme telomerase and shelterin, which protect telomeres from inappropriately activating DNA damage response checkpoints. Dyskeratosis congenita is an inherited BM failure syndrome disorder because of defects in telomere maintenance. We have previously shown that deletion of the shelterin component Pot1b in the setting of telomerase haploinsufficiency results in rapid telomere shortening and fatal BM failure in mice, eliciting phenotypes that strongly resemble human syskeratosis congenita. However, it was unclear why BM failure occurred in the setting of Pot1b deletion. In this study, we show that Pot1b plays an essential role in HSC survival. Deletion of Pot1b results in increased apoptosis, leading to severe depletion of the HSC reserve. BM from Pot1bΔ/Δ mice cannot compete with BM from wild-type mice to provide multilineage reconstitution, indicating that there is an intrinsic requirement for Pot1b the maintenance of HSC function in vivo. Elimination of the p53-dependent apoptotic function increased HSC survival and significantly extended the lifespan of Pot1b-null mice deficient in telomerase function. Our results document for the first time the essential role of a component of the shelterin complex in the maintenance of HSC and progenitor cell survival.
The graduate entry generation: a qualitative study exploring the factors influencing the career expectations and aspirations of a graduating cohort of graduate entry dental students in one London institution
Authors: Newton Paul , Cabot Lyndon , Wilson Nairn HF , Gallagher Jennifer E 
Published: September 2011

Abstract

Background
Dentistry in the UK has a number of new graduate-entry programmes. The aim of the study was to explore the motivation, career expectations and experiences of final year students who chose to pursue a dental career through the graduate entry programme route in one institution; and to explore if, and how, their intended career expectations and aspirations were informed by this choice.

Method
In-depth interviews of 14 graduate entry students in their final year of study. Data were transcribed verbatim and analysed using framework analysis.

Results
There were three categories of factors influencing students' choice to study dentistry through graduate entry: 'push', 'pull' and 'mediating'. Mediating factors related to students' personal concerns and circumstances, whereas push and pull factors related to features of their previous and future careers and wider social factors. Routes to Graduate Entry study comprised: 'early career changers', 'established career changers' and those pursuing 'routes to specialisation'. These routes also influenced the students' practice of dentistry, as students integrated skills in their dental studies, and encountered new challenges.
Factors which students believed would influence their future careers included: vocational training; opportunities for specialisation or developing special interests and policy-related issues, together with wider professional and social concerns.
The graduate entry programme was considered 'hard work' but a quick route to a professional career which had much to offer. Students' felt more could have been made of their pre-dental studies and/or experience during the programme. Factors perceived as influencing students' future contribution to dentistry included personal and social influences. Overall there was strong support for the values of the NHS and 'giving back' to the system in their future career.

Conclusion
Graduate entry students appear to be motivated to enter dentistry by a range of factors which suit their preferences and circumstances. They generally embrace the programme enthusiastically and seek to serve within healthcare, largely in the public sector. These students, who carry wider responsibilities, bring knowledge, skills and experience to dentistry which could be harnessed further during the programme. The findings suggest that graduate entry students, facilitated by varied career options, will contribute to an engaged workforce.
Inhibitory effects of inhaled complex traditional Chinese medicine on early and late asthmatic responses induced by ovalbumin in sensitized guinea pigs
Authors: Chang Hung-Chou , Gong Cheng-Chung , Chen Ji-Liang , Mak Oi-Tong 
Published: September 2011

Abstract

Background
Many formulae of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) have been used for antiasthma treatment dating back many centuries. There is evidence to suggest that TCMs are effective as a cure for this allergenic disease administered via gastric tubes in animal studies; however, their efficacy, safety and side effects as an asthmatic therapy are still unclear.

Methods
In this study, guinea pigs sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA) were used as an animal model for asthma challenge, and the sensitization of animals by bronchial reactivity to methacholine (Mch) and the IgE concentration in the serum after OVA challenge were estimated. Complex traditional Chinese herbs (CTCM) were administered to the animals by nebulization, and the leukocytes were evaluated from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF).

Results
The results showed that inhalation of CTCM could abolish the increased lung resistance (13-fold increase) induced by challenge with OVA in the early asthmatic response (EAR), reducing to as low as baseline (1-fold). Moreover, our results indicated higher IgE levels (range, 78-83 ng/ml) in the serum of sensitized guinea pigs than in the unsensitized controls (0.9 ± 0.256 ng/ml). In addition, increased total leukocytes and higher levels of eosinophils and neutrophils were seen 6 hours after challenge, and the increased inflammatory cells were reduced by treatment with CTCM inhalation. The interleukin-5 (IL-5) level in BALF was also reduced by CTCM.

Conclusion
Our findings indicate a novel method of administering traditional Chinese medicines for asthma treatment in an animal model that may be more effective than traditional methods.
Drinking carrot juice increases total antioxidant status and decreases lipid peroxidation in adults
Authors: Potter Andrew S , Foroudi Shahrzad , Stamatikos Alexis , Patil Bhimanagouda S , Deyhim Farzad 
Published: September 2011

Abstract

Background
High prevalence of obesity and cardiovascular disease is attributable to sedentary lifestyle and eating diets high in fat and refined carbohydrate while eating diets low in fruit and vegetables. Epidemiological studies have confirmed a strong association between eating diets rich in fruits and vegetables and cardiovascular health. The aim of this pilot study was to determine whether drinking fresh carrot juice influences antioxidant status and cardiovascular risk markers in subjects not modifying their eating habits.

Methods
An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of consuming 16 fl oz of daily freshly squeezed carrot juice for three months on cardiovascular risk markers, C-reactive protein, insulin, leptin, interleukin-1α, body fat percentage, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, antioxidant status, and malondialdehyde production. Fasting blood samples were collected pre-test and 90 days afterward to conclude the study.

Results
Drinking carrot juice did not affect (P > 0.1) the plasma cholesterol, triglycerides, Apo A, Apo B, LDL, HDL, body fat percentage, insulin, leptin, interleukin-1α, or C-reactive protein. Drinking carrot juice decreased (P = 0.06) systolic pressure, but did not influence diastolic pressure. Drinking carrot juice significantly (P < 0.05) increased the plasma total antioxidant capacity and decreased (P < 0.05) the plasma malondialdehyde production.

Conclusion
Drinking carrot juice may protect the cardiovascular system by increasing total antioxidant status and by decreasing lipid peroxidation independent of any of the cardiovascular risk markers measured in the study.
Analytical and numerical solutions of the potential and electric field generated by different electrode arrays in a tumor tissue under electrotherapy
Authors: Bergues Pupo Ana E , Reyes Juan Bory , Bergues Cabrales Luis E , Bergues Cabrales Jesús M 
Published: September 2011

Abstract

Background
Electrotherapy is a relatively well established and efficient method of tumor treatment. In this paper we focus on analytical and numerical calculations of the potential and electric field distributions inside a tumor tissue in a two-dimensional model (2D-model) generated by means of electrode arrays with shapes of different conic sections (ellipse, parabola and hyperbola).

Methods
Analytical calculations of the potential and electric field distributions based on 2D-models for different electrode arrays are performed by solving the Laplace equation, meanwhile the numerical solution is solved by means of finite element method in two dimensions.

Results
Both analytical and numerical solutions reveal significant differences between the electric field distributions generated by electrode arrays with shapes of circle and different conic sections (elliptic, parabolic and hyperbolic). Electrode arrays with circular, elliptical and hyperbolic shapes have the advantage of concentrating the electric field lines in the tumor.

Conclusion
The mathematical approach presented in this study provides a useful tool for the design of electrode arrays with different shapes of conic sections by means of the use of the unifying principle. At the same time, we verify the good correspondence between the analytical and numerical solutions for the potential and electric field distributions generated by the electrode array with different conic sections.