bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Levosimendan inhibits release of reactive oxygen species in polymorphonuclear leukocytes in vitro and in patients with acute heart failure and septic shock: a prospective observational study
Authors: Hasslacher Julia , Bijuklic Klaudija , Bertocchi Cristina , Kountchev Jordan , Bellmann Romuald , Dunzendorfer Stefan , Joannidis Michael 
Published: July 2011

Abstract
Introduction
Levosimendan is an extensively investigated inodilator showing also cardioprotective and antiinflammatory effects. The aim of our study was to explore the influence of levosimendan on polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMN), a main source of reactive oxygen species, in vitro and in patients with acute heart failure or septic myocardial depression.

Methods
PMN isolated from healthy volunteers were incubated with levosimendan in vitro. After stimulation with N-formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLP) or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) respiratory burst was quantified using a fluorescent dye. Apoptosis and expression of cell adhesion molecules of PMN were measured by flow cytometry. For determination of in vivo effects patients with acute heart failure (n = 16) or septic cardiac failure (n = 9) receiving levosimendan treatment were enrolled consecutively. PMN were isolated to measure respiratory burst activity before treatment as well as one and two hours after initiation of levosimendan administration. Furthermore inflammatory, hemodynamic and renal function parameters were obtained.

Results
In vitro, levosimendan suppressed respiratory burst activity in fMLP or PMA stimulated PMN in a dose dependent manner by 30 ± 11% (P < 0.001) at 100 ng/mL and by 27 ± 17% (P < 0.001) at 1000 ng/mL respectively. Markers of apoptosis and PMN cell adhesion molecule expression remained unaffected by levosimendan treatment.
In vivo, levosimendan treatment for two hours resulted in a significant reduction of PMA stimulated oxidative burst by 45% (P < 0.01) and fMLP stimulated oxidative burst by 49% (P < 0.05) in patients with acute heart failure. In patients suffering from septic shock levosimendan treatment decreased oxidative burst activity in unstimulated, fMLP and PMA stimulated PMN by 48% (P < 0.05), 46% (P < 0.01) and 43% (P < 0.01) respectively.

Conclusions
Levosimendan appears to exert distinct immunomodulatory effects by decreasing oxidative burst activity of PMN. This property might contribute to the previously described cardioprotective effects of the drug.
Automatic detection of patient-ventilator asynchrony by spectral analysis of airway flow
Authors: Gutierrez Guillermo , Ballarino Guillermo J , Turkan Hulya , Abril Juan , De La Cruz Lucy , Edsall Connor , George Binu , Gutierrez Susan , Jha Vinayak , Ahari Jalil 
Published: July 2011

Abstract
Introduction
Adequate ventilatory support of critically ill patients depends on prompt recognition of ventilator asynchrony, as asynchrony is associated with worse outcomes.
We compared an automatic method of patient-ventilator asynchrony monitoring, based on airway flow frequency analysis, to the asynchrony index (AI) determined visually from airway tracings.

Methods
This was a prospective, sequential observational study of 110 mechanically ventilated adults. All eligible ventilated patients were enrolled. No clinical interventions were performed. Airway flow and pressure signals were sampled digitally for two hours. The frequency spectrum of the airway flow signal, processed to include only its expiratory phase, was calculated with the Cooley-Tukey Fast Fourier Transform method at 2.5 minute intervals. The amplitude ratio of the first harmonic peak (H1) to that of zero frequency (DC), or H1/DC, was taken as a measure of spectral organization. AI values were obtained at 30-minute intervals and compared to corresponding measures of H1/DC.

Results
The frequency spectrum of synchronized patients was characterized by sharply defined peaks spaced at multiples of mean respiratory rate. The spectrum of asynchronous patients was less organized, showing lower and wider H1 peaks and disappearance of higher frequency harmonics. H1/DC was inversely related to AI (n = 110; r2 = 0.57; P < 0.0001). Asynchrony, defined by AI > 10%, was associated H1/DC < 43% with 83% sensitivity and specificity.

Conclusions
Spectral analysis of airway flow provides an automatic, non-invasive assessment of ventilator asynchrony at fixed short intervals. This method can be adapted to ventilator systems as a clinical monitor of asynchrony.
Documenting the Natural History of Patients With Resected Stage II Adenocarcinoma of the Colon After Random Assignment to Adjuvant Treatment With Edrecolomab or Observation: Results From CALGB 9581
Authors: Niedzwiecki Donna , Bertagnolli Monica M. , Warren Robert S. , Compton Carolyn C. , Kemeny Nancy E. , Benson Al Bowen , Eckhardt S. Gail , Alberts Steven , Porjosh Gity N. , Kerr David J. , Fields Anthony , Rougier Philippe , Pipas J. Marc , Schwartz Joel H. , Atkins James , O'Rourke Mark , Perry Michael C. , Goldberg Richard M. , Mayer Robert J. , Colacchio Thomas A. 
Published: July 2011

Purpose We conducted a randomized trial comparing adjuvant treatment with edrecolomab versus observation in patients with resected, low-risk, stage II colon cancer. This study also prospectively studied patient- and tumor-specific markers of treatment outcome. Patients and Methods After surgical resection, patients with stage II colon cancer were randomly assigned to either five infusions of edrecolomab at 28-day intervals or observation without adjuvant therapy. Results Final accrual included 1,738 patients; 865 patients received edrecolomab, and 873 patients were observed without adjuvant treatment. Median follow-up time was 7.9 years. There were no significant outcome differences between study arms (overall survival [OS], P = .71; disease-free survival, P = .64). The combined 5-year all-cause OS was 0.86 (95% CI, 0.84 to 0.88), and the combined 5-year disease-specific OS was 0.93 (95% CI, 0.91 to 0.94). The relationships between demographic and histopathologic factors and survival differed for all-cause and disease-specific survival outcomes, but no combined prognostic factor model was found to adequately classify patients at higher risk of recurrence or death as a result of colon cancer. Conclusion Edrecolomab did not prolong survival. Consequently, this large study with a long duration of follow-up provided unique data concerning the natural history of resected stage II colon cancer. Prognostic factors identified in previous retrospective and pooled analyses were associated with survival outcomes in this stage II patient cohort. Results from ongoing molecular marker studies may enhance our ability to determine the risk profile of these patients.
Survival and Disease Progression in Essential Thrombocythemia Are Significantly Influenced by Accurate Morphologic Diagnosis: An International Study
Authors: Barbui Tiziano , Thiele Juergen , Passamonti Francesco , Rumi Elisa , Boveri Emanuela , Ruggeri Marco , Rodeghiero Francesco , d'Amore Emanuele S.G. , Randi Maria Luigia , Bertozzi Irene , Marino Filippo , Vannucchi Alessandro M. , Antonioli Elisabetta , Carrai Valentina , Gisslinger Heinz , Buxhofer-Ausch Veronika , Müllauer Leonhard , Carobbio Alessandra , Gianatti Andrea , Gangat Naseema , Hanson Curtis A. , Tefferi Ayalew 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThe WHO diagnostic criteria underscore the role of bone marrow (BM) morphology in distinguishing essential thrombocythemia (ET) from early/prefibrotic primary myelofibrosis (PMF). This study examined the clinical relevance of such a distinction.MethodsRepresentatives from seven international centers of excellence for myeloproliferative neoplasms convened to create a clinicopathologic database of patients previously diagnosed as having ET (N = 1,104). Study eligibility criteria included availability of treatment-naive BM specimens obtained within 1 year of diagnosis. All bone marrows subsequently underwent a central re-review.ResultsDiagnosis was confirmed as ET in 891 patients (81%) and was revised to early/prefibrotic PMF in 180 (16%); 33 patients were not evaluable. In early/prefibrotic PMF compared with ET, the 10-year survival rates (76% and 89%, respectively) and 15-year survival rates (59% and 80%, respectively), leukemic transformation rates at 10 years (5.8% and 0.7%, respectively) and 15 years (11.7% and 2.1%, respectively), and rates of progression to overt myelofibrosis at 10 years (12.3% and 0.8%, respectively) and 15 years (16.9% and 9.3%) were significantly worse. The respective death, leukemia, and overt myelofibrosis incidence rates per 100 patient-years for early/prefibrotic PMF compared with ET were 2.7% and 1.3% (relative risk [RR], 2.1; P < .001), 0.6% and 0.1% (RR, 5.2; P = .001), and 1% and 0.5% (RR, 2.0; P = .04). Multivariable analysis confirmed these findings and also identified age older than 60 years (hazard ratio [HR], 6.7), leukocyte count greater than 11 × 109/L (HR, 2.01), anemia (HR, 2.95), and thrombosis history (HR, 2.81) as additional risk factors for survival. Thrombosis and JAK2V617F incidence rates were similar between the two groups. Survival in ET was similar to the sex- and age-standardized European population.ConclusionThis study validates the clinical relevance of strict adherence to WHO criteria in the diagnosis of ET and provides important information on survival, disease complication rates, and prognostic factors in strictly WHO-defined ET and early/prefibrotic PMF.
Heavy-Traffic Analysis of a Multiple-Phase Network with Discriminatory Processor Sharing
Authors: Verloop I. M. , Ayesta U. , Núñez-Queija R. 
Published: July 2011

We analyze a generalization of the discriminatory processor-sharing (DPS) queue in a heavy-traffic setting. Customers present in the system are served simultaneously at rates controlled by a vector of weights. We assume that customers have phase-type distributed service requirements and allow that customers have different weights in various phases of their service. In our main result we establish a state-space collapse for the queue-length vector in heavy traffic. The result shows that in the limit, the queue-length vector is the product of an exponentially distributed random variable and a deterministic vector. This generalizes a previous result by Rege and Sengupta [Rege, K. M., B. Sengupta. 1996. Queue length distribution for the discriminatory processor-sharing queue. Oper. Res. 44(4) 653–657], who considered a DPS queue with exponentially distributed service requirements. Their analysis was based on obtaining all moments of the queue-length distributions by solving systems of linear equations. We undertake a more direct approach by showing that the probability-generating function satisfies a partial differential equation that allows a closed-form solution after passing to the heavy-traffic limit. Making use of the state-space collapse result, we derive interesting properties in heavy traffic: (i) For the DPS queue, we obtain that, conditioned on the number of customers in the system, the residual service requirements are asymptotically independent and distributed according to the forward recurrence times. (ii) We then investigate how the choice for the weights influences the asymptotic performance of the system. In particular, for the DPS queue we show that the scaled holding cost reduces as classes with a higher value for dk/E(Bkfwd) obtain a larger share of the capacity, where dk is the cost associated to class k, and E(Bkfwd) is the forward recurrence time of the class-k service requirement. The applicability of this result for a moderately loaded system is investigated by numerical experiments.
Cellular and topochemical characteristics of secondary changes in bark tissues of beech (Fagus sylvatica)
Authors: Prislan Peter , Koch Gerald , Schmitt Uwe , Gričar Jožica , Čufar Katarina 
Published: July 2011

Abstract
Anatomical and histometrical investigations were carried out on bark tissues (non-collapsed and collapsed phloem, and periderm) of beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) trees growing at a forest site near Ljubljana, Slovenia (400 m a.s.l.). Secondary changes in bark, especially sclereid formation and lignification, were followed at cellular and sub-cellular levels by light microscopy (LM), UV microspectrophotometry (UMSP), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The average width of the whole bark was 5960 μm; non-collapsed phloem on average occupied 4%, collapsed phloem 89%, and periderm 7% of the bark. Secondary changes in mature phloem were characterized by a collapse of sieve tubes, inflation of axial parenchyma, and development of sclereids. The percentage of sclereid areas and the stage of their development elevated with increasing distance from the cambium. The most pronounced increment in the sclereid proportion was observed in the second- and third-fifth of the bark. Sclereid cell walls were thick and poly-lamellated and had similar spectral characteristics but distinctly higher UV absorbance values than xylem fibers. By means of a combination of LM, TEM and UMSP techniques, the structure and secondary changes in the bark could be precisely identified.
Influence of Precorrosion on Fatigue Properties of Shot-Peened Aluminium 7075-T651
Authors: Zupanc U. , Grum J. 
Published: July 2011

Abstract
Pitting corrosion has a major influence on aging of structural elements made of high-strength aluminium alloys as corrosion pits lead to much earlier fatigue crack initiation under tensile dynamic loading. In order to improve material resistance to corrosion fatigue, it is necessary to reduce pit-tip stresses in the corroded pits areas. Shot peening (SP) is an important and well-known cold working process, having been used in industrial applications for a long time. Shot peening as intense plastic deformation in the thin surface layer affects cold surface hardening by primary inducing favorable residual compressive stresses. It is used in order to increase fatigue strength in operation and to improve fatigue resistance of precorroded material. The paper deals with the surface integrity of shot-peened high-strength 7075-T651 aluminium alloy. The paper describes the effects of SP treatment by presenting analyses of surface roughness measurement, residual stresses, material bending fatigue resistance, fractographic analysis of fatigued specimens, and electrochemical potentiodynamic testing.
Effects of Periodontal Therapy on Systemic Markers of Inflammation in Patients With Metabolic Syndrome: A Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: López Néstor J. , Quintero Antonio , Casanova Patricia A. , Ibieta Carola I. , Baelum Vibeke , López Rodrigo 
Published: July 2011

Background: The systemic inflammation in both metabolic syndrome (MetS) and periodontitis is a common denominator of the association of these conditions with higher risk of atherosclerosis. The current study investigates whether periodontal therapy may reduce systemic inflammation in patients with MetS and reduce cardiovascular risk.Methods: A parallel‐arm, double‐blind, randomized clinical trial of 1‐year duration in patients with MetS and periodontitis was conducted. Participants were randomized to an experimental treatment group (ETG) (n = 82) that received plaque control and root planing plus amoxicillin and metronidazole or to a control treatment group (CTG) (n = 83) that received plaque control instructions, supragingival scaling, and two placebos. Risk factors for cardiovascular disease were recorded; serum lipoprotein cholesterol, glucose, body mass index (BMI), C‐reactive protein (CRP) and fibrinogen concentrations, and clinical periodontal parameters were assessed at baseline and every 3 months until 12 months after therapy. The primary and secondary outcomes were changes in CRP and fibrinogen levels, respectively.Results: The baseline patients’ characteristics of both groups were similar. No significant changes in lifestyle factors, frequency of hypertension, BMI, serum lipoprotein cholesterol, and glucose levels were observed during the study period. The periodontal parameters significantly improved in both groups 3 months after therapy (P = 0.0001) and remained lower than baseline up to 12 months. The improvement of periodontal status was significantly greater in the ETG (P = 0.0001). A multiple linear regression analysis, controlled for sex, smoking, hypertension, and extent of periodontitis, demonstrated that CRP levels decreased with time and that this reduction was significant at 9 (P = 0.024) and 12 (P = 0.001) months in both groups, without difference between the groups. Fibrinogen levels significantly decreased in the ETG at 6 and 12 months but not in the CTG.Conclusion: Reduction of periodontal inflammation either with root planing and systemic antibiotics or with plaque control and subgingival scaling significantly reduces CRP levels after 9 months in patients with MetS.
In vitro evaluation of physical vapor deposition coated beta titanium orthodontic archwires
Authors: Krishnan Vinod , Ravikumar K. K. , Sukumaran K. , Jyothindra Kumar K. 
Published: July 2011

Abstract

Objective:
To determine in vitro the frictional properties, surface morphology, and load deflection rate with looped designs of two newly developed titanium aluminum nitride (TiAlN) and tungsten carbide/carbon (WC/C) physical vapor deposition (PVD) coated beta titanium orthodontic archwires coated with PVD.

Materials and Methods:
Frictional properties with Tidy's protocol, surface evaluation before and after friction testing with the help of scanning electron microscopy (ESEM), and load deflection rate with different orthodontic loops on Instron universal testing machine were evaluated.

Results:
The results clearly indicate reduced frictional properties for WC/C coated archwires when compared with uncoated and TiAlN coated archwires. There were no significant surface alterations upon ESEM evaluation of friction tested archwires. Low load deflection rate was exhibited by both coated archwires, the difference in load deflection rate between the coated and uncoated archwires was statistically significant.

Conclusion:
WC/C coated wires can be recommended for even sliding mechanics due to reduced frictional properties, better surface characteristics, and low load deflection rate compared with TiAlN coated and uncoated archwires.
Genetic relationships between some of Malva species as determined with ISSR and ISJ markers
Authors: Celka Zbigniew , Szczecińska Monika , Sawicki Jakub 
Published: July 2011

Genetic relationships between some of Malva species as determined with ISSR and ISJ markers
Two categories of DNA markers were used to determine genetic relationships among eight Malva taxa. A maximum parsimony analysis validated the division of the genus Malva into the sections Bismalva and Malva. The species classified into those sections formed separate clusters. M. moschata was a distinctive species in the section Bismalva, as confirmed by previous genetic research based on ITS and cpDNA sequence analyses. The applied markers revealed a very high level of genetic identity between M. alcea and M. excisa and enabled molecular identification of M. alcea var. fastigiata. Speciesspecific markers were determined for the majority of the analyzed species, permitting their molecular identification. A specific marker supporting the differentiation of M. alcea and M. excisa was not found.
Tentative list of endemic vascular plants of the Zeravshan Mts in Tajikistan: distribution, habitat preferences and conservation status of species
Authors: Nowak Arkadiusz , Nobis Marcin 
Published: July 2011

Tentative list of endemic vascular plants of the Zeravshan Mts in Tajikistan: distribution, habitat preferences and conservation status of species
Based on literature data and own fieldwork in the Zeravshan Mts in Tajikistan (Middle Asia), the taxonomic structure, distribution, habitat preferences as well as conservation status of a group of 86 species of vascular plants of endemic character are presented. The tentative list of exclusive endemic plants for the Zeravshan Mts was compiled. They belong to 25 families. The richest is the genus Astragalus with 11 species followed by Cousinia (8), Allium (5) and Scutellaria (3). The study has shown that the eastern subregions of the range are richest in endemics, especially, the Mogien-Daria, Seven Lakes, Pastrud-Daria, Ksztut and Yagnob valleys and Kuli-Kalon Plateau. The endemics studied are stenochoric species with very small number of known locations, mainly between one and two. The mean value of the range of the studied endemics is ca. 1140 km2. The most numerous endemic groups have been recorded at altitudes of around 1,800-2,100 and 2,700-3000 m a. s. l. The habitats harboring the richest group of endemics are rock screes, alpine forests, steppes and semi-savannas, alpine meadows, solid rocks, xerothermophilous shrubs and pastures. Almost half of the endemics have narrow ecological amplitude occurring in only one habitat type. The most important threats to Tajik endemics are intensive grazing and erosion of soils, as well as denudation. Most vulnerable types of vegetation to the human impact are forest and scrub communities. For effective protection of endemics in the Zeravshan Mts, a national park and a net of nature reserves has to be funded.
"Red Data Book of Ukraine. Vegetable Kingdom" Afterword
Authors: Didukh Yakiv 
Published: July 2011

"Red Data Book of Ukraine. Vegetable Kingdom" Afterword
The results of the third edition of the Red Data Book of Ukraine (2009) are summed up. This edition includes 826 species (611 vascular plants, 46 bryophytes, 60 algae, 52 lichens, 57 mosses). The approaches to species selection and category comparing assessment, which are accepted by Ukraine and IUCN, are highlighted as well as species distribution according to phytoceonological and political regions. Approaches to the selection of species for inclusion in the lists of the Red Data Books of Ukraine and Poland are analyzed.
Protreptikos - the Exhortation for Scientific Tourism
Authors: Kosiewicz Jerzy 
Published: July 2011

Protreptikos - the Exhortation for Scientific TourismThe presented paper focuses primarily on the tourism activities of teaching staff at universities and other research institutions. This applies in particular to travel during which the principal purpose is, inter alia, various exploratory internships, conferences, trips as a guest professor or a visiting professor under the auspices of the Erasmus and Erasmus Mundus programs. These peregrinations require extra effort, not only with regards to teaching and research duties, but also present opportunities to confront, test and evaluate one's own research results and outlook with new listeners in new locations in different environments. This travel especially applies to the foreign environment, a situation that presents high degrees of professional, scientific and linguistic challenges, resulting in increased contributions and activity to the specific field of science. Regardless of the workload and the difficulties of the discussed travel, such travel can also bring about much personal satisfaction: a) due to a sense of a well done job as a result of meeting expectations of the employer and the host placed on the ‘messenger of science’ and b) due to the pleasure associated with those tourist experiences having autotelic and pragmatic (instrumental) overtones.
Increasing time-scheduling efficiency in the building process
Authors: Chamulová B. 
Published: July 2011

Increasing time-scheduling efficiency in the building process
The submitted paper deals with time scheduling. It concentrates on scheduling the building process and extends it by providing a way to set priorities. The priorities are evaluated from two points of view: the point of view of the building owner or investor and the point of view of the building contractor. These priorities are next used in the initiation of the relations among the scheduled activities. The utilization of priorities can contribute to preventing mistakes in creating the schedule. It could also facilitate schedule updates with changes. The contribution only contains the most important ideas for the exploitation of prioritization in the scheduling. A detailed description is included.